Insider Guide to Traveling Rome
INSIDER GUIDE TO TRAVELING ROME
After living in Rome for 5 months, I wanted to share an insider guide to traveling Rome. This post is more than just visit the Trevi Fountain and the Colosseum, it’s a guide to seeing some of the best spots in Rome (& the less touristy side). But if you’re looking for the touristy side of Rome you can read my Rome on a Budget blog post I wrote last summer.
I absolutely love Rome. The first time I went, I fell completely in love (hence why I chose to study abroad here). Behind all the touristy sites, it’s rich with history, amazing food, beautiful people (italian men if ya know what I’m saying), and much much more.
Here’s my insider guide to traveling Rome and some of my favorite things to do inside and outside the city.
FOOD FINDS IN ROME
While I was abroad I officially declared myself as a foodie. Now I’m not really sure what defines a foodie, but I think I’d be one if I knew the definition. One of my favorite things about Rome was exploring the food. But since Rome is extremely touristy there are so many restaurants, which leads to a lot of really bad, overpriced, tourist-trap restaurants. I’ve had one too many bad experiences eating at really bad restaurants, but it’s really hard when there’s so many options!
Here’s my insider guide to traveling Rome through some of my favorite food finds to help you avoid the tourist trap restaurants!
Spaghetteria L’Archetto
Via Dell’Archetto, 26
Only a block away from the Trevi Fountain and hidden in an alley, which makes it super easy to hit two birds with one stone! Throw a coin into the Trevi then have the best pasta of your life a few meters away! Honestly my absolute favorite spaghetteria in Rome and for reasonable prices. The pasta selection goes on for pages and they have a really great pizza section as well. Sometimes they are a cash only restaurant so have cash just in case!!
This restaurant specializes in spaghetti and pizzas, so I highly recommend getting one or the other (although the other options are also incredible). The spaghetti are made fresh all the way from carbanora to truffle sauce to fresh seafood. Keep in mind that most seafood dishes are only served on Tuesdays and Fridays.
The staff is always super friendly and helpful and always helped me decide which pasta to get. Some of my favorite pastas are the Erbe and the Nakita, just to name a few. Definitely a must! I ate here several days in a row and never got tired of it!
Vineria Il Chianti
Via del Lavatore 81/82/82A
A restaurant also just a few meters away from the Trevi Fountain, but be sure to make a reservation!! There’s always a waiting list every time I have gone, but it’s just that good. There’s a great selection of different wines and a lot of different food varieties too! They specialize in food and wines from Tuscany!
Definitely start off with the Il Tagliere del Chianti, which is a mix of different meats in cheeses. All the pasta selections are really great and I really enjoyed the lamb as well!
Nonna Betta
Via del Portico d’Ottavia, 16
One of the most famous restaurants in the “Jewish Ghetto”. The Jewish Ghetto is now a really nice neighborhood, but was where they stored Jews during the war. Nonna Betta specializes in kosher style cuisine in a traditional Roman Jewish restaurant. The food is really great, but sometimes the service isn’t the greatest (but worth it for the food).
You must try one of their artichokes. This area is known for its artichokes and they truly are really good. The pasta selection is really good. You must try their hot cod which is one of their specialities! It comes fresh out of the oven, in a sizzling hot pan. The lamb with roasted potatoes is also delicious!
Trapizzino
There’s a couple of different Trapizzino chains in Rome and throughout Italy, but If you’re looking for a cheap and quick eat then definitely eat here. Basically a trapizzino is like an Italian taco filled with either really flavorful meats of vegetables in crispy bread. It’s street food so you eat it with your hands and it’s only 4€ for one trapizzino!
They make about 7ish pots of pre-made fillings each day. My favorite is the pollo alla cacciatora, which is really flavorful chicken put inside the trapizzino!
Camillo B
Piazza Cavour, 21
One of my favorite go to restaurants right on the corner of Piazza Cavour. They have a really good aperitivo deal, which is where you pay for a drink and get a buffet of food. I’d highly recommend coming for the aperitivo deal. Otherwise, the pizzas and pastas here are really delicious!!
I’ve had really great service every time I’ve gone to the restaurant. They also play really good music playlists every time I’ve gone!
BEST VIEWS IN ROME
One of my favorite things while traveling is looking at breathtaking views and watching the sun set. There’s something about sitting there in silence and taking it all in. It’s extremely peaceful and seems almost rewarding for all the sightseeing being done during the day! I’ve seen a number of views all throughout my time in Europe and have tried to discover more places in Rome.
Here’s my insider guide to traveling Rome through its amazing views and landscapes:
Monument to Garibaldi (Gianicolo)
Passeggiata del Gianicolo
This is one of my favorite views of Rome and would be the perfect place to watch the sunrise (except I don’t wake up that early). You can take a bus up the hill or climb up the steps, but either way the view is absolutely incredible
If you’re here for sunset, it is still beautiful but instead you’ll get a view over some trees. Which is still very peaceful. Grab a bottle of wine and some friends and have yourself a day in the grass.
Alter of the Fatherland
Piazza Venezia
Most Romans don’t like this monument because its a symbol of fascism. It was used by Mussolini during his day and is known as the birthday cake of Rome because it looks like it doesn’t belong.
Once you climb up all the stairs to the top, the view is absolutely incredible. You get an amazing view of all of Piazza Venezia.
Castel Sant’Angelo
Lungotevere Castello, 50
Hit two birds with one stone by hitting on of the tourist sites of Rome and seeing an incredible view once you get to the top. Now I actually didn’t know there was a view on the top, so it caught me by surprise.
Now the building itself is filled with lots of history. It’s purposely placed in front of the Vatican as a place where the pope was once able to escape to. Be ready to climb a bunch of stairs and some pretty steep ramps, because there’s a lot! But once you get to the top you see a beautiful view of the Vatican and a 360 degree view of the rest of Rome.
Rome Rose Gardens and Giardini di Aranci (Orange Garden)
Via di Valle Murcia, 6 and Piazza Pietro D’Illiria
A short walk away from Circo Massimo (Circus Maximus) with an incredible view of Rome. Stop by the Rome Rose Gardens first on your way up the hill, which is a garden filled with almost 1000 different species of Rome. I accidentally discovered this garden and it’s was so beautiful to see all the different roses!
After visiting the Rose Gardens, continue up the hill to see the view or watch the sunset in the Orange Garden! It’s really beautiful, I saw someone get proposed to here. It’s the perfect ambiance to sit and relax.
BEST GELATO IN ROME
Gelato in Italy? A must! But just like the restaurants, there’s a lot of gelaterias with not the best quality. A couple things to keep in mind are that the more colorful the gelato looks means it’s not always the greatest. The different colors is a way to attract tourists into their gelaterias. Some of the best ones are a short walk away from the tourist sites and usually have long lines. Also keep in mind that most good gelato prices range between 2-4€, so if you’re paying anything more than its probably a tourist trap!
Frigidarium
Via del Governo Vecchio, 112
One of my favorite gelaterias in Rome right around the corner of Piazza Navona. The gelato is a perfect mix of creamy and flavorful. My favorite go to gelato flavors are Pistachio and Stracciatella. My favorite thing about is place is that they offer to dip your cone in chocolate (black or white). What’s better than gelato and chocolate mixed in one cone?!
Here’s my guide to traveling Rome through very flavorful gelato!
Giolitti
Via degli Uffici del Vicario, 40
One of the classic gelaterias of Rome and its just a few minutes walk away from the Pantheon. The line is always out the door, but they have a great variety of different flavors. First pay at the counter before ordering gelato. The coffee here is also really good!
Gelateria Fassi
Via Principe Eugenio, 65
An Italian local took me to this gelateria and it really is incredible. There’s a number of different flavors and for cheap too.
BEST COFFEE BARS IN ROME
One thing you’ll notice in Rome and throughout Italy is that standing at the bar is cheaper than sitting in the dining area. All the locals do it and its a great way to socialize and meet new people. Keep in mind that lines don’t really exist here so raise your hand to try and get the baristas attention to order.
The coffee in Italy is extremely rich and strong so beware! A lot of locals consistently drink espresso, but if you’re like me I like my coffee a little more creamy. Here’s my guide to traveling Rome through its amazing espresso!
Sant’Eustachio il Caffe
Piazza di San Eustachio, 82
Right around the corner of the pantheon and one of the best coffee bars in Rome (in my opinion). Super cheap and they have a few good pastries as well. Their pistachio croissant is incredible (if you didn’t notice, I really like pistachio) and their other pastries are also delicious, But definitely get either a cappuccino, caffe latte, or cafe here! All so good and rich!
Antico Caffe Greco
Via dei Condotti, 86
One of the oldest coffee shops in Rome right at the bottom of the Spanish steps. It’s always packed because of this reason, but the coffee is actually incredible. Try the granita al caffe, which is basically espresso on shaved ice with whipped cream on top. Perfect for a hot summer day and a great way to stay awake in the hustle and bustle of Rome!
BEST APERITIVO IN ROME
Aperitivo is one of my favorite things about Italian culture. Basically it’s happy hour with a buffet of food. Most good ones go for around 10€ where you get a drink and unlimited food. Here’s my guide to traveling Rome through its amazing aperitivo!
Camilo B
Piazza Cavour, 21
I mentioned Camilo B earlier in my food finds list, but it’s really one of the better aperitivo restaurants I’ve gone to. My go to drink here is the caipirinha, but the wine selection is also really great. The aperitivo buffet is always filled with delicious foods all the way from pizzas to bruschetta.
Fluid
Via del Governo Vecchio, 46
The ambiance in this place is really nice before a night out. Make a reservation otherwise you’ll be stuck standing at the bar. The buffet has a great selection of different foods and the drink menu has a great variety! Drink a moscow mule and eat some really great pasta salad!
Gusto
Piazza Augusto Imperatore, 9
Between Piazza di Spagna and the Tiber River. Gusto has a really great aperitivo menu! Again, pay for the drink and get an endless amount of appetizers at the bar. The place is bigger than it seems, so grab some friends and a drink too
So there you have it, my guide to traveling Rome from a “locals” perspective. (Or at least I’d like to think of myself as a local for living there for 5 months). Anyway, I’d love to keep this list going so if you have any really good spots you want to add to the list, comment below!
Until next time!
Xoxo, Ang Around The Globe – Angelique
