Santa Maria in Trastevere
sightThe 12th-century basilica on the main piazza has gilded mosaics older than most of Europe. Enter quietly; mass is often in progress.
In Trastevere →Things to do in Rome
16 editorial picks across 3 neighborhoods — named restaurants, sights, bars, cafés, parks, and shops. Every entry lifted from our deep-dives, not an AI list.
— 4 picks
Sights & landmarks in Rome.
The monuments, museums, and photo spots actually worth the queue.
Villa Farnesina
sightRenaissance villa with Raphael frescoes and almost no queue. Closed Sundays; €10 entry. Pair it with a walk up the Gianicolo hill afterwards.
In Trastevere →Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore
sightUnder-visited compared with St Peter's but holding 5th-century mosaics and a near-empty crypt. Free entry, 10-minute walk from the centre of Monti.
In Monti →Non-Catholic Cemetery
sightKeats and Shelley are buried here, alongside cats that are fed by volunteers. Quiet, atmospheric, 10-minute walk from the main piazza.
In Testaccio →— 4 picks
Where to eat in Rome.
Editor-picked restaurants from the neighborhood deep-dives — no tourist traps.
Da Enzo al 29
restaurantNine tables, no reservation, the platonic ideal of a Roman trattoria. Arrive at 6:30 p.m. for the early seating or expect an hour wait. The cacio e pepe is definitive.
In Trastevere →Ai Tre Scalini
restaurantCramped wine bar with 20-odd tables, daily menu scrawled on a chalkboard. The pasta alla gricia is worth the wait.
In Monti →Flavio al Velavevodetto
restaurantBuilt into the base of Monte Testaccio (an ancient Roman pottery-shard hill). Arguably Rome's best cacio e pepe. Reservations essential.
In Testaccio →Pizzeria Da Remo
restaurantThe Roman pizza standard — thin, crisp, slightly burnt. Closed Sundays. Queue at the door and the wait is part of the experience.
In Testaccio →— 4 picks
Bars & nightlife in Rome.
Where to drink, from aperitivo terraces to locals-only dive bars.
Bar San Calisto
barNo frills, locals-plus-students clientele, Peroni on tap for €2.50. The antidote to Rome's aperitivo-industrial complex.
In Trastevere →Freni e Frizioni
barFormer garage-turned-cocktail-bar with a broad aperitivo spread. Busy but still locally anchored; come before 8 p.m. for a seat on the terrace.
In Trastevere →La Barrique
barTiny enoteca on Via del Boschetto, Italian-only wine list, impeccable cheese boards. Arrive by 7:30 p.m. for a stool at the bar.
In Monti →Tram Depot
bar1930s converted tram depot now housing bars, a cinema, and the best outdoor summer aperitivo in the neighbourhood.
In Testaccio →— 2 picks
Cafés & coffee in Rome.
Morning stops, espresso counters, and bakery classics.
Biscottificio Innocenti
cafeA nearly-hidden bakery on Via della Luce — third-generation family-run, supplying tozzetti to half the neighbourhood since 1920.
In Trastevere →La Bottega del Caffè
cafeCorner café on the main piazza — locals at the bar, tourists in the chairs. €1.20 espresso standing at the counter is the right way.
In Monti →— 2 picks
Shops & markets in Rome.
Souvenirs that aren’t embarrassing and the markets worth an hour.
Mercato Monti
shopWeekend vintage and design market in a converted hotel lobby. Saturdays and Sundays, 10-8. Cash preferred for smaller stallholders.
In Monti →Testaccio Market
shop100+ food stalls in a purpose-built modern hall. Box 15 does the best trapizzino in the city; Box 63 is for Roman pizza by the slice. Closes 3 p.m.
In Testaccio →— FAQ
Planning Rome.
- What are the top things to do in Rome?
- We've listed 16 named places across 3 neighborhoods on this page — every one a real editorial pick, not an AI-generated suggestion. The grouped sections above (sights, food, bars, cafés, parks, shops) let you pick by intent. If you only have one day, work the "Sights & landmarks" list top-to-bottom.
- How many days do you need in Rome?
- Three full days is the honest floor for a first visit to Rome — enough to cover the essential sights without a march, plus two meals per day in different neighborhoods. Five days lets you add day trips. Anything less than three and you're queuing instead of experiencing.
- Are guided tours in Rome worth booking?
- For major sights with skip-the-line value (Vatican, Colosseum, Alhambra-tier queues) yes, almost always. For neighborhood walks — usually no, our free deep-dives cover the same ground in more honest detail. The CTAs on this page go to Expedia's tours inventory if you want to compare.
- What's the best neighborhood to base yourself in Rome?
- Depends on your trip style — our /hotels/rome page ranks the neighborhoods by price and vibe. Generally: central for first-timers, residential-adjacent for return visits, canal/waterfront if the city has one.
- Are these recommendations updated?
- Yes. Every named place on this page is sourced from our neighborhood deep-dives, each of which carries a "last verified" date. We re-check openings, prices, and closures at least twice a year and flag anything that's changed.