Rome City Trip // Must See, Eat & Do!

I hope you're having a nice weekend so far! I have just arrived back home from a short trip to visit family in Rome and really enjoyed it. After the exam period it was nice having a break before the new period starts tomorrow. Holidays always go by way too fast aha.. But that does make you appreciate everything a lot more. While I was in Rome I have been taking some pictures and thinking of some things I could share with you on my little corner on the internet 😉 regarding must do things in Rome. So let's get comfy with a up of tea or coffee and let's get right to it! 

"Do not follow there where the path may lead. Instead, go where there is no path and leave a trail. "

PANTHEON 

To start, the Pantheon is definitely a place you must visit when you're in Rome! I choose it as a must because it's a special building. It's one of the few buildings of the city that's still fully intact after many many years.. incredible right?! This is all due to the manner in which it is build. What I found quite impressive is the inside brickwork that really shows are skilful the Romans were already at that time. Maybe also fun to know is that it's a temple designed by a son of an emperor, dedicated to holy gods. Also when exiting the temple, I love the view that you have looking a the porch from inside. Definitely worth a photo! If you're planning on visiting the city very soon, then maybe it's good to know that it's still free to enter now, but within a few days they're asking a fee. So make sure to be on time! 

PIAZZA CAVOUR 

This is a very famous square where you can go to the cinema, the theatre and also where the Italian Supreme Court is build. I'm not sure if it's possible for visitors to enter the court, but the square is already nice to walk around a bit. It's definitely worth researching whether you can enter the court to hear a case they make public!

THE VATICAN

If your stay includes a Sunday, I would recommend going to see the pope at 12pm. Even if you're not religious, it's just a memorable experience standing on the square and listening to the speech of the pope from his balcony. Make sure to arrive about half an hour earlier, so you can skip the longer lines at the security and have a good spot as well. 

SHOPPING

And of course shopping can't be forgotten aha! (only if you're into shopping😙) In Rome sometimes you can find those street markets with some handy things, like socks, dresses and many more things that are quite useful and affordable for students like me. It's best to check the markets that are a bit further away from for example major tourist attractions because they're not as good and overpriced as well. Besides the markets a shopping center called Euroma2 I find really nice! It has many shops, like Hollister and H&M, but also Italian brands like Zuiki. Zuiki is a bit similar to the H&M, but than the Italian version of it. I went there and got for example the jumper I'm wearing in the picture, it's really cozy!! On the right you can see the picture with all the colourful coats from an Italian designer brand called Max & Co, it would be my dream to have a coat from there😍!!

FOOD

At a small restaurant called Cantieri you can have a drink, lunch or dinner outside in a small car. I haven't been there yet but it looks really cute with the tiny chairs. For example if you're spending Valentine's Day in Rome and you choose to celebrate the day, it could be really cute going there with your boyfriend or girlfriend. (at least I would love to go there!!🙈) There's also another place called Mister Pizza that we kind of had a family tradition to always go there, as we thought they had the best pizza. But since covid they had to close unfortunately. However, and even better place with pizza and pasta came instead. They have besides the typical Italian snack called suppli also Sicilian snacks like Arrancini, which are the same almost as suppli, but a bit bigger. The place is called Mondo Arrancini. 

OTHER THINGS

1. Out of experience I would not recommend going to Rome in the middle of summer. Usually Italians take holiday during the months of July or August because it's too hot to stay in the city center and go somewhere else to cool off a bit. So the city is with a lot more tourists. It's nice to visit off season, like for example from now until May or June and after September. 
2. If you still want nice weather, usually November is the rainiest month. End of January beginning of February is usually quite sunny and it feels like Spring already. So to catch some vitamin D make sure to avoid November 😉!
3. Some stores have bad or no 4g connection in the centre, so if you rely on your card to pay through your phone, it's useful to always bring your physical card with you just in case there's no connection. 
4. If you're arriving at the Rome Fiumicino airport and don't want to take a taxi, it's very easy to take the Leonardo Express train. It takes you to Termini station right in the city center near all the famous attractions in less than half an hour. Or you can take the Fiumicino airport bus directly to the city center. It might take a little bit longer, but is also quite fast and you arrive in the city center as well. 

Thanks very much for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed it! Leave a comment below what your favorite city so far is that you've visited, would love to know! Have a nice Sunday!