Ancient ruins, magnificent churches and an irresistible way of life have drawn travellers to Rome for centuries. Here’s how to experience the best of the Eternal City and embrace la dolce vita
Here, in the city that birthed the Renaissance, sharpened politics and nurtured the world’s largest religion, people still find time for simple pleasures.
A coffee with friends, a good lunch on a café terrace, or a spirited conversation with passersby, watching as the River Tiber ebbs and flows through the city centre.
Rome’s many neighbourhoods shape the city as much as its historic landmarks. Away from the Centro Storico, Monti offers a younger, new creative energy in its vibrant café culture, small galleries and independent shops.
Across the river, Trastevere’s lived-in streets and sociable evenings on generous piazzas make for a welcome change of pace. And further south, Testaccio grounds the city in food, the enduring tradition of everyday Roman life.
When to go
With daily flights from Singapore Airlines throughout the season, any time is good to visit. But visitors in Spring and early Autumn avoid the slow summer heat and the largest crowds, while still enjoying the colour and vibrancy of a city best experienced outdoors.
How to get around
While a vintage Vespa may seem the ultimate way to move around Rome, traffic through the centre means this is best left to confident riders. The old town, with its winding streets and piazzas, is best explored on foot, while the limited metro offers easy access to the Vatican and the Colosseum.
Where to stay
Albergo del Senato Hotel
For the first-time visitor to Rome, there is nowhere better to stay than Albergo del Senato. Located directly beside the Pantheon, staying here feels closer to having an apartment in classical Rome than a traditional hotel. Enjoy aperitivo on the bustling Piazza della Rotonda below or take an easy stroll to nearby landmarks. The ancient city is quite literally on your doorstep.
Donna Camilla Savelli Hotel
Situated away from the hustle of Centro Storico, on the west bank of the Tiber amid Trastevere’s leafy streets and piazzas, this beautifully converted convent offers an oasis of calm reflection. Enjoy breakfast in the garden grounds overlooking the Eternal City, or explore the neighbourhood by Vespa. This is Rome at its most romantic.
Princeps Boutique Hotel
For a more contemporary Roman experience, Princeps embraces the style of this thoroughly Instagrammable city. A boutique hotel on the edge of the Monti district, it sits among vintage shops, stylish bars and lively nightlife. Guests enjoy easy access to ancient Rome while still experiencing the city as it is lived today.
Where to eat
Seu Pizza Illuminati
No trip to Rome is complete without pizza, and this sleek, award-winning restaurant serves some of the city’s best. Classic Italian flavours are given a contemporary treatment at this Trastevere favourite. With billowing, airy crusts and crisp bases, even a Margherita impresses, while seasonal toppings range from roasted pumpkin to green olive cream, and even a tiramisu dessert pizza.
Felice a Testaccio
In a city rich with culinary tradition, Testaccio is generally considered Rome’s foodiest neighbourhood. Within it, Felice a Testaccio is a stand-out find. With white tablecloths and a mouth-watering selection of traditional dishes, this is a place to linger over a leisurely lunch or intimate dinner. Try the braised oxtail in tomato sauce or the house cacio e pepe, finished tableside.
Where to drink
Jerry Thomas Speakeasy, Centro Storico
Hidden behind an unmarked door on a quiet side street, JTS is one of Rome’s most celebrated bars. Entry requires a password (on the website) and a reservation, but the effort is rewarded with carefully crafted cocktails in a theatrical, 1920s-inspired setting. Unsure what to order? Trust the barman – as the sign behind the bar says: “He’s always right!”
Terrazza Les Étoiles
Occupying three levels atop the Atlante Star Hotel, this rooftop bar is a favourite for sunset aperitivo. With wide views across Rome and a relaxed garden atmosphere, filled with fresh scents of the Mediterranean, it fills quickly in the early evening. Arrive early and stay as the lights come on along the Tiber below.
Freni e Frizioni
Set along the edge of Trastevere, Freni e Frizioni is a long-standing fixture of Rome’s aperitivo scene. Evenings begin early here, with locals and visitors gathering on the pavement and spilling into the square. Drinks are well made and reasonably priced, accompanied by a generous spread of small plates that can easily stand in for dinner. It is informal, sociable and reliably busy, best enjoyed without hurry and with a willingness to stand.
What to do
Eat gelato properly
Rome is rightly famed for it’s fresh gelato and you’ll find vendors on almost every street corner. But finding the good stuff takes effort. If it’s brightly coloured, walk on! Good gelato appears in muted tones, made from fresh, seasonal ingredients and often stored in covered metal tins. For a reliable option, seek out Don Nino, run by five-time Italian Gelato Master Francesco Mastroianni.
Visit the Vatican
While ancient Rome dominates most itineraries, time spent in the Vatican should not be overlooked. Home to St Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, this independent city-state boasts much of the art, architecture and atmosphere that allowed Rome to shape the world. For the best experience, book skip-the-line tickets and go early to avoid the crowds.
Aventine Hill and the Keyhole
The Aventine Hill offers a quieter side of Rome, removed from the city’s tourist focus. A short walk through residential streets leads to the Priory of the Knights of Malta, where a small garden keyhole frames a perfect view of St Peter’s dome. The surrounding area invites lingering, with shaded paths, early churches and views over the Tiber. It is best visited in the late afternoon when the light turns golden.
Where to shop
Via dei Coronari
Tucked between Piazza Navona and the Tiber, Via dei Coronari is a trip back in time. Once the route where Renaissance pilgrims would buy rosaries, it is now lined with galleries, and antique dealers and bookshops. Exploring it all takes time, so pause for a glass of rejuvenating prosecco at Le Coronarie Bistrot and watch the world go by.
Via del Boschetto (and surrounding streets)
Monti offers a more contemporary approach to shopping. Around Via del Boschetto and Via dei Serpenti, independent fashion labels, leather goods, jewellery designers and vintage stores sit alongside everyday Roman life. Shops are small and independent, often run by the designers themselves so you’ll be sure your purchases are exclusive one-offs.
For more information on Singapore Airlines’ flights to Rome, visit singaporeair.com
