24 Hours in Rome

Madewell oversized shirt, Lover skirt (similar), ASOS slides, ONA Capri tote, ASOS sunglasses

If there’s one thing that I do know, 24 hours is definitely not enough time to explore this beautiful city, strewn with pastel-hued buildings and stunning architecture in every direction, that is bound to leave you filled with a sense of wonder and awe.

I first visited the Italian capital in 2009; I was 21 and eager to explore Europe, though Rome had never quite ranked high on the list of places that I wanted to revisit. My how a lot can change in seven years, as if you asked me now, I’d go back in a heartbeat, and I’ve only just left…

Luke and I only managed to fit a day in Rome into our itinerary, though if we had our time over, I’d stretch it out to at least two, and even then I feel you’d only just be scratching the surface of what the city has to offer.

DO: VISIT THE COLOSSEUM
Tourist traps aren’t really my thing, but if there’s one thing that you must do while in Rome, it’s to stop by the Colosseum. The structure itself makes a big impact on the landscape, and it’s so incredibly well preserved given that it was constructed almost 2,000 years ago. We didn’t opt for a guide – Classics was a major of mine at school and Luke has always had an interest in ancient Rome – but it does add to the experience and help to tell a story. Audio guides are available at the counter where you purchase tickets for a small fee.

MAKE A WISH AT THE TREVI FOUNTAIN
Aside from the Colosseum, there isn’t a place in Rome that is buzzing with more people than the Trevi Fountain, and if you’ve ever been there, it’s not hard to see why. You’ll get the best view if you stand by the stone walls which flank the fountain, as well as an unobstructed photo if that’s what you’re after. If you have a coin in your pocket, it’s worth wading your way through all the tourists so your can turn your back to the fountain, throw a coin over your shoulder and make a wish. One thing to keep in mind though is that you should be extremely wary of pickpockets in this area. With so many people in close quarters it’s a prime location for thieves though if you keep your bag close to you and zipped up at all times you should be fine!

MARVEL IN THE BEAUTY THAT IS THE VATICAN
If you have a good three hours spare, the Vatican is an absolute must. It’s a few stops away from central Rome by train, though if you do plan on going, get in early as the lines can be incredibly long. The detail inside of the building, from the floors, to the walls, and to the ceilings is ornate to say the least, and the artworks are absolutely majestic. Keep in mind that your shoulders need to be covered and you should be wearing something longer than your knees on your bottom half – you won’t be let in otherwise!

GET LOST IN THE CITY
Perhaps the memory that I think I will treasure the most, is wandering down little lane ways and quiet streets that give you a sense of the real Rome. Cobblestoned streets, houses in varying shades of peach, pink, lemon and tangerine, that just seem to hold a charm like no other.

WATCH THE SUNSET OVER ROMA FROM PINCIO
I’d say you’d be hard pressed to find a bad location to watch the sunset in Rome, but Pincio was a spot that I was recommended the day before flying out, from an Italian that I’d started chatting to when buying my morning coffee. The gardens sit just above the Piazza del Popolo and are a quick ten minute walk from the Spanish Steps. The view is absolutely resplendent and definitely worth visiting, if you have the time.

EAT & DRINK: Da Enzo; Via dei Vascellari, 29, Roma RM
If there’s one place that I can’t recommend enough, it’s Da Enzo. Think real, authentic, Italian food, that’ll have you wanting to go back for more. Unless you want to wait around for a table (waits are typically 40-60 minutes), I’d highly recommend calling a few days ahead to make a reservation – it’s worth it. Admittedly, we were a little surprised to find that seating is limited… so do keep in mind that unless you’re dining in a group of four, you’ll find yourself seated next to a couple of strangers – though this didn’t really bother us! I ordered the pasta al sugo di coda; a rigatoni pasta served with an oxtail sauce, which I highly recommend, followed up with tiramisu for dessert.

GROM; Via della maddalena 30 A 00186 Roma
A hop, skip and a jump away from the Pantheon is GROM which is basically my idea of gelato heaven. There’s definitely no shortage of gelato in Rome and the Italians sure do gelato well. GROM was recommended to me and I can see why, the gelato there is rich and creamy, and you’ll walk away with a very generously-sized scoop. Even though you won’t want to, go with one scoop, not two, as it’ll start melting very quickly, the second you step foot out the door.

STAY: Hotel Regina Giovanna; 230 Via Nazionale
Conveniently located 7 minutes walk from Roma Termini Station, and about 15 minutes walk to the Trevi Fountain and the Colosseum (in different directions!), this was a great option given we planned to explore the city entirely by foot. We just opted for a standard room and it was very spacious with a queen-sized bed and an additional single for good measure, with the added bonus of being very quiet, even though it was located on an extremely busy street.

One thing to note is that there is an added city tax in Italy that is required to be paid on check in; this is usually cited on the hotel website. As most hotels don’t typically carry cash, the easiest way to take care of this is with a credit card, alternatively you can bring the correct change with you.

If the thought of staying so centrally doesn’t appeal, Trastevere is a great option. It’s just across the Tiber RiverLINK so it won’t take you too long to get to all the main sites, and it is charming as anything.

FINAL THOUGHTS:
Even with only one day to spare in the Roman capital, trust me when I say it’s enough to make a lasting impression on you. If you’re visiting in the height of summer, make sure that you carry a bottle of water with you, even if it’s empty, as there are plenty of fountains in the central city (and at the Colosseum) where you can refill it.

If you’re like me, and didn’t quite manage to fit a map of the city in your bag, most hotels tend to have these available in the lobby, and trust me when I say that it will definitely come in handy, particularly if you plan to explore the city by foot, with no particular destination in mind.

Trust me when I say that you won’t be able to avoid queues at the Colosseum and the Vatican, so if these are on your itinerary, the earlier you can get to one or the other, the better. Of the two, I recommend heading to the Vatican first as visually, there’s a lot to take in, and you’ll want to dedicate at least a couple of hours to it.

Learn the basics of the language, even if it’s just to ask someone if they speak english (Parle inglese? if you were wondering!). One thing that I’ve often found when travelling is that people tend to be a lot more receptive if they see that you’ve made some effort to learn a couple phrases in the local language. Thankfully, most Italian phrases that you will likely use are short and relatively easy to pronounce!

If there’s one thing I’ve learnt in Italy, it’s that the most unassuming places typically tend to have the best food. Get of the beaten path a little bit and avoid eating anywhere that is too close to any of the main tourist hot spots – I learnt my lesson after spending 8 euros on a coca cola at a restaurant across the road from the Colosseum during my first visit!

Finally, don’t forget to look up! Perhaps one of the most magical parts of the city are the sorbet coloured buildings, which are everywhere that you turn. Already wishing that I could go back! x