A Long Weekend in Rome: A Mini Guide
Last year, I spent a long weekend in Rome and I have so many photos and recommendations from the trip that have been sat in my files for too long so I am finally taking the time to share these! We visited in mid-September - whilst it was still incredibly warm (pack your summer wardrobe!), it was also very busy. I’m not sure Rome experiences an “off-peak” time of the year like other cities as it’s such a beautiful, historic place. It seems to have everything around every corner, whether that's a historic monument, a beautiful streets or a restaurant serving some incredible pasta.
A long weekend felt like the perfect amount of time for a first visit so if you’re planning to visit Rome for the first time, keep reading for all of my recommendations. We managed to see all of the major sights, wander aimlessly and enjoy plenty of leisurely plates of pasta.
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Where to stay in Rome
For this trip, we stayed in a lovely neighbourhood called Trastevere at an apartment hotel called Numa. Whilst it sits slightly away from the busiest tourist areas, I actually think this made it one of the best places to stay in Rome. Trastevere has a much more local feel than some of the central neighbourhoods and is packed with beautiful streets, independent restaurants and lively squares. After a busy day sightseeing, it was lovely returning to an area that felt a little calmer while still being within walking or tram distance to the centre. The atmosphere in the evenings was particularly special, with people spilling out onto terraces and narrow streets buzzing with life.
If you’re looking for an easy and practical base for exploring Rome, I’d definitely recommend Numa. The apartments are spacious with a kitchen and living room space too. With SO much to see and do in Rome, I personally think it makes sense to prioritise simplicity over luxury amenities, as you’re unlikely to spend much time in your room anyway. Numa strikes that balance very well! The property operates with a completely self-service check-in and check-out system, which was incredibly straightforward. There isn't a reception desk, but there are secure and spacious lockers available if you need somewhere to store your luggage before check-in or after check-out.
One unexpected highlight was discovering that every Sunday, a huge second-hand market takes place right outside the hotel. It was a fun surprise and the perfect excuse for a browse before heading out to explore the city on our last day.
Alternatively, if you would prefer a more boutique or luxury stay, a few other hotels on my list:
Things to do in Rome
If it's your first time visiting Rome, I think it's worth prioritising all of the major historic sights. They may be the obvious attractions, but they genuinely lived up to the hype. During our long weekend, we visited the Colosseum, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps and Vatican City, which felt like a good introduction to the city.
We booked all of our entry tickets through GetYourGuide, which made everything really straightforward and meant we could skip some of the longer queues. I'd definitely recommend booking attractions in advance.
Of all the major attractions, Vatican City was the one that surprised me most. There's so much to see that I would recommend setting aside most (if not all) of a day to properly explore it rather than trying to squeeze it into a couple of hours. Between St Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Museums and simply wandering the surrounding streets, it's super easy to fill an entire day. Afterwards, we rewarded ourselves with gelato from a nearby ice cream shop, called and it was actually our favourite gelato from the whole trip and the perfect way to round off a very hot afternoon of sightseeing. You’ll be on your feet a lot so wearing comfortable shoes is a must!
One of my favourite spots was the Altare della Patria (Victor Emmanuel II Monument). Whilst many people simply admire it from the road/below, you can head up to the terrace and cafe level for stunning views across Rome, including towards the Colosseum. It's well worth the short detour - see the first photo in this post!
Finally, as well as ticking off the main historic sights, I’d really recommend spending some time simply wandering around Rome’s streets and neighbourhoods without too much of a plan. Some of our favourite moments came from just exploring different Trastevere, stumbling across small local shops and cafes.
One of my favourite spots in the city, especially at sunset, was Piazzale Giuseppe Garibaldi (photos below). It has beautiful views over Rome and feels like a bit of a hidden gem compared to the more obvious viewpoints. There’s a small bar at the top where you can grab a drink, or you can bring your own picnic - it was one of the highlights of the trip for me!
Where to eat in Rome
There are SO many options for food and drink in Rome and you’ll likely stumble across amazing places to eat as you are wandering the streets. A few places I’d recommend or had saved on my list but didn’t make it to:
Breakfast, lunch or coffee - Barnum Roma, La Vita e Un Mozzico, Il Panino Ingegnoso, Artigiano Del Caffe, Bap, Forno Monteforte, LUNA by Faro, Forno Conti & Co, Trapizzino, Caffe 67
Dinner - Antica Osteria Rugantino, Tonnarello, Trattoria Da Enzo, al42 by Pasta Chef rione Monti, Pastificio Guerra, Fradiavolo Pizzeria
Dessert - Two Sizes, Tiramisu Merisu, L’Arena del Gelato, Otaleg
Rome was a BUSY city but it was also incredibly beautiful, full of history and surprisingly easy to explore on foot or by tram. Three days felt like the perfect introduction and allowed us to see many of the major sights whilst still leaving room for long lunches, evening strolls and spontaneous discoveries. I would definitely visit again!
If you are planning a trip to Rome, I hope this guide was helpful.
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Thanks for reading,
T.
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