Guide To Rome In The Summer Time

My guide to Rome includes all of the fun things and places we visited when staying there over the summer. It is a beautiful city, and I am fortunate to have seen such a historical place.

Rome was our second stop after Paris, and it was quite the opposite of our Paris experience. Rome was not what I was expecting and honestly, I was a tad bit disappointed. I could not believe or get over the fact that Rome was graffitied everywhere! Every street corner had some sort of vandalism. It was truly shocking as Rome has such heavy historical significance. Besides this detail, Rome was extremely hot but gorgeous in its own beautiful way. Here’s a rundown of where we stayed, what we ate, and what we did.

Beautiful streets of Rome.
Beautiful streets of Rome.
Beautiful streets of Rome.
Tiber River in Rome.
Piazza Navona fountain.
Stay

We booked our stay through Airbnb and the apartment was inside a building that was old and occupied by long-time Rome residents. Getting there was difficult because the taxi van taking us from the airport would not fit in the streets of Rome. We had to be dropped off with all our luggage about a quarter of a mile away and walk, dragging all the luggage along. Getting to the building was not the hardest part. It was that the building di not have an elevator and a winding staircase that we had no choice but to climb with all of our luggage. It was well worth it in the end!

After all of our efforts, we get into our Airbnb to find the unit with broken air conditioning and internet that is not working. After a long and hot day of travel, we were exhausted and not too pleased about the unwelcoming circumstances. It was probably cooler outside than inside our unit. Luckily, all was resolved after contacting our host.

Guide To Rome: Colosseum
Italian flag on the Coloseum celebrating Italy's Republic Day.
Fighter jets flying through the sky and showcasing Italy's colors in honor of Italy's Republic Day.
Italy's colors represented in the blue sky.
Cute hotel overgrown with Ivy in Rome.
Beautiful fountain found in the streets of Rome.
Cute facade of a residence in Rome, Italy.
Rome, Italy architectural building.
One of the many beautiful courtyards of Rome.
Bird parked on top of a blue smart car in Rome.
Ancient winding staircase.
Ornate doors inside of an ancient Roman building.
Night view of a bridge along the Tiber river in Rome.
Where We Ate

All’Oro Restaurant: A Michelin restaurant that had a unique presentation and a delicious menu. Read more about it here.

Entoca La Torre: A Michelin restaurant with an interesting flair. Read more about it here.

Ginger: A local favorite for lighter and healthier options that taste delicious.

Piccolo Buco: Delicious wood fired pizza near the Trevi Fountain.

Bar Fra.be Cafe: A quick stop on the way to the Vatican that was quite delicious.

Otaleg Ice Cream: Delicious gelato you have to try!

Sant’Eustachio: The best coffee hands down! I would go there every day if I could.

La Romana: Delicious gelato with lots of locations.

Pasta e Vino: The pasta was so good that we came here twice! House-made fresh pasta that you can watch being made from scratch. After coming home, we have made several Italian pasta recipes. Find them here.

Local Ginger restaurant spot in Rome, Italy.
A chandelier inside the restaurant, Ginger in Rome.
Latte heart from one of the coffee shops in Rome.
Scott eating gelato in Rome, Italy.
Otaleg gelato in Rome, Italy.
Beautiful restaurant views in Rome, Italy.
Inside one of the best coffee shops, Sant'Eustachio.
Coffee from Sant'Eustachio in Italy, Rome.
What We Did

Trevi Fountain: A popular and beautiful fountain that can be overcrowded during the day. Make sure to get there early in the morning and bring your coins to toss over your shoulder for good luck.

The Vatican and The Sistine Chapel: Be sure to check their website for hours and dress code. Your shoulders should be covered when visiting the Sistine Chapel.

Colosseum (June 2nd): June 2nd is Italy’s Republic Day and is celebrated in Rome. Keep that in mind when booking travel as this can impede any tourist activities since the entire cities gathers to celebrate.

Piazza Navona: Beautiful square with fountains. Watch out for pickpocketers and people trying to sell you things.

Pantheon: Beautiful church and is known for being the most preserved momunet in Rome.

Angle statue in Rome, Italy.
Street corner in Rome, Italy.
Trevi Fountain in Rome, Italy.
Town square in Rome.
Roman ruins.
Roman ruins.
Roman architecture in Rome, Italy.
View of Rome from Vatican City.
Inside the Vatican city.
Architecture in the Vatican.
Dina and Scott in Rome, Italy.
Gothic architectural church in Rome, Italy.
Street corner of Rome, Italy.
Piazza Navona.
Tiber River bridge.
Inside the Vatican.
A view of Rome from the Vatican city.
Vatican City.
A view of Rome from the Vatican City.
Opened windows from inside the Vatican.
The ceiling inside the Apostolic Palace in Rome, Italy.
The ceiling inside the Apostolic Palace in Rome, Italy.
Inside the Apostolic Palace in Rome, Italy.
Inside the Apostolic Palace in Rome, Italy.
Inside the Apostolic Palace in Rome, Italy.
The ceiling inside the Apostolic Palace in Rome, Italy.
Michaelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling.

Helpful Tips

Consider purchasing a Rome City Pass if you are planning to visit many attractions! The Colosseum has to be reserved separately so be sure to check their website and book your time slot.

Bring very comfortable shoes! You will most likely be walking a ton even if you think you are not planning on it. I saw a lot of people wear sneakers but not the gym kind. I would consider bringing something cute and versatile. My Golden Gooses were my go-to as they are my most comfortable pair. You can always pack a nice pair in your bag and change when you’re ready.

Don’t forget to bring outlet converters! Your hotel or even Airbnb might have one but I wouldn’t chance it. My airwrap wouldn’t work with any converter so be prepared that electronics might not work or might charge faster than usual. European outlets have higher voltage so be mindful of that.

Check with your phone provider about traveling and service. Usually there are packages you pay for as you go so it makes it super convenient to have internet and phone service at any point.

Money. Credit cards are widely accepted, and I would highly research credit cards that offer low or no conversion rates when used abroad! It is always a good idea to have some cash on hand if you go to a market or plan to tip! You can exchange currency at the airport or in the city when you arrive. Tipping is not standard, but if you choose to do so, make sure it is in cash because most likely your tip will end up with the owner and not the server.

Get lost in the city! There are so many unique and beautiful streets and places to discover and you never know where you will end up! Don’t forget to bring your iPhone to look up places, use the translator, or get a taxi ride back. You can always look up places to eat nearby too!

Be prepared to smell a lot of cigarette smoke on the streets and anywhere you go, and if you sit outside in a café, the person seated next to you might also be smoking.

Clothing. The temperatures are high during the summer so choose pieces that are loose and airy for best comfort. Don’t forget your suntan lotion either!

Taxi and Uber. It is pretty easy to get around the city as there are Ubers and Taxis around. Just download the app and you’ll be set! You can pay through the app but I would also have cash on hand just in case. The streets can be narrow and sometimes, larger cars may not be able to get through the street so keep that in mind.

Italian people. The people in Italy are so friendly and welcoming. I can now understand and see why there are so many jokes about the French and Italians and their comparison. You will never be ignored by a true Italian.

Water. The great thing about Rome is the drinkable water spouts on many walking paths, so dehydration should not be an issue.

Sending a postcard from the Vatican.
Rome, Italy main square.
One of Rome's murals and graffiti walls.

If you loved my guide to Rome, check out more city guides here. I would love know which place you are most excited to visit in the comments.

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