Rome event weekends: what to do between sessions

Three thousand years in one city: the Colosseum, the Vatican, piazzas and trattorias, with Tivoli and the sea close by.

Events we cover in Rome

Arriving

Fiumicino (FCO) has the Leonardo Express to Termini in 32 minutes for 14 euros; taxis charge a flat 55 euros to the centre. Ciampino (CIA) has buses to Termini and a 40-euro flat taxi fare.

Where to stay

Three hotels we would book

• Budget: The RomeHello
• Mid-range: Hotel Artemide
• Splurge: Hotel Hassler Roma

Event weekends sell out early and prices rise as the date gets closer: book a cancellable room as soon as you know you are going.

Tours

Where to eat

• Roscioli Deli and carbonara
• Da Enzo al 29 Trastevere trattoria; queue early
• Trapizzino Stuffed pizza pockets
• Giolitti Gelato since 1900
• Armando al Pantheon Roman classics by the Pantheon
• Mercato Testaccio Market stalls for lunch
• Pizzeria da Remo Thin Roman pizza in Testaccio
• Sant'Eustachio Il Caffè The famous espresso

With kids

• Explora children's museum.
• Bioparco zoo in Villa Borghese.
• Ostia beach by train.

Rainy-day backups

• Vatican Museums.
• Capitoline Museums.
• Castel Sant'Angelo.

Free things to do

• Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and Piazza Navona.
• Gianicolo hill at sunset.
• Free first Sunday of the month at state museums.

Getting around

• Two main metro lines and many buses; walking is often faster in the centre.
• Stadio Olimpico is reached by tram 2 from Flaminio.
• Trenitalia Frecciarossa and Italo high-speed trains link Milan, Florence, Rome and Venice; book ahead for event weekends.
• Validate paper regional train tickets before boarding; contactless works on most city metros.