5 euro regular admission but I paid the 4 euro price for students. Well worth it if you want to…read morereset your nasal passages from car exhaust and cigarettes. The grounds are very large and you could spend hours here. You very much feel like you're in an isolated nature preserve and not in Rome. There's also a stone staircase with a fountain at the top that's just lovely. Keep going up to the garden's western limits and it's a short walk away from the Garibaldi monument and Fontana dell'Acqua Paola (once you leave you can't get back in)

Free to visit and get some of the most breath taking views of Rome. The gardens of the Janiculum -…read moreGianicolo in Italian - are composed of the remains of the gardens of Papal and aristocratic villas. Of themselves the gardens are like many Roman parks - a few trees and some scrubby grass. But the amazing terracing and the views of Rome are unbeatable. Take an afternoon off having visited the nearby Vatican and just laze here - there are plenty of bars and cafes so lunch or an afternoon ice cream are possible.

Chiesa di Sant'Ignazio di Loyola is one of the most breathtaking churches in Rome and an easy place…read moreto overlook if you are simply walking through the city. We walked up to a facade that appears relatively modest from the outside, the kind of church that might not catch your attention unless you knew what was waiting inside. But stepping through the doors revealed an incredible Baroque interior filled with ornate details, marble, gold accents, and stunning works of art that immediately made the stop feel worthwhile. The highlight is undoubtedly the famous ceiling fresco, which creates an astonishing illusion of a towering dome and soaring architecture where none actually exists. We stood in the marked viewing spot and watched the perspective shift, the trompe l'oeil effect so convincing that it took a moment to register that the dome was painted. It is one of those details that is even more impressive in person, and it is worth taking a few minutes to fully appreciate the craftsmanship. The church also has a mirror setup that lets you admire the ceiling without straining your neck, though we noticed it often attracted a line of visitors waiting for a turn. Despite being a popular attraction, the church still managed to feel peaceful, especially since we visited outside of the busiest hours. The side chapels offered quieter corners to pause, and the overall energy of the space remained calm even with other visitors moving through. Admission is free, which made it one of the best values among Rome's many historic landmarks, and the location, within walking distance of several major attractions, made it an easy addition to a day of exploring the historic center. If you are exploring central Rome, this is an easy stop that absolutely deserves a place on your itinerary. The remarkable ceiling alone makes it one of the city's most memorable churches, and it is a great reminder that some of Rome's most impressive sights are hidden behind relatively simple facades.

Honestly, save your time and your one euro coin. The church…read moreitself is beautiful, but the entire experience has been completely ruined by social media hype. We waited in line for a literal hour just to reach the famous "selfie mirror" to get a photo with the ceiling fresco. When you finally get to the front, you have to pay 1 euro, and you're rushed through it so fast you can barely even check if the photo turned out.

Any student of history will appreciate the Roman forum which was the center for the majority of all…read morethe official and major activities that incurred in ancient Rome to include speeches, debate, gladiator fights in some instances, and even the return of victorious armies and new Caesars that you see in so many movies. When I saw the ruins and what was left of the forum I had assumed that this magnificent epicenter of old Rome had been ransacked and destroyed when the Roman empire fell. In fact and unfortunately, it's slowly fell into disrepair and ruins the direct result of lack of maintenance and care by the Roman people and government over time. In addition to the remaining structural ruins and statues that currently reside here you will find placards scattered about these ruins that explain the history of the forum and what each significant ruin stood for and was used for. Very educational and not to be missed as this clearly was one of the most significant ancient centers of the old world.

So much history here. It was hard for me to imagine what once was an empire to be neglected into…read moreruins but that is what happens when empires fall and there is no money for maintenance. People pillaged and plundered these buidings and repurposed the material to build other things elsewhere. This is located right next to the colosseum and you can get a combined admission ticket to see both. FYI that there are metal detectors and scanners at the security checkpoint. I got a lot of steps in that day! Many of the paths here to not connect so need to double-back much of the time. Five stars!

Should have posted previously…read more.. A darling neighborhood to stroll and should be added to any Tiberina itinerary since it's so close. Wonderful history to explore.

Jews have lived in Rome for over two thousand years. Their presence in Rome predates Christianity…read more It is probably the oldest continuous Jewish community outside of the Israel and the Middle East. Written records trace the Jewish community as early as 161 BC when Judah Maccabee sent envoys to Rome. For hundreds of years, Jewish families coexisted with their neighbors. They worked as bakers, butchers, physicians, money lenders and craftsmen. As the friction between the papacy and the Jewish community in the 1500s escalated, walled off Jewish ghettos were created following the model in Venice. The Roman Ghetto was established as a result of Papal bull Cum nimis absurdum mandated by Pope Paul IV on 14 July 1555. The bull required that the 2,000 Jews who lived in Rome at the time to live in the ghetto, which was not only walled off, but the gates were also locked from the outside at night to keep them in. The Jewish community was also forced to pay 300 Roman scudi for the construction of the wall and gate. The location was prone to flooding and quite undesirable. By the late 1580s, roughly 3,500 inhabitants were living in inhuman conditions. During the plague of 1656, 800 of the ghetto's 4,000 inhabitants died. The bull revoked almost all the rights of the Jewish community. It placed many restrictions on Jews including prohibition on property ownership (even within the ghetto), not being allowed to provide medical care to Christians and compulsory Catholic sermons on the Jewish Shabbat. Life in the ghetto was harsh filled with poverty, epidemics, such as plague, cholera and malaria, diseases due to lack of fresh water and overcrowding. Roman Jews were limited to unskilled jobs such as pawn brokers, fish mongers or ragmen. Many Christians hated the Jews because they were allowed to "lend" money throughout Rome and Europe. Jews had to wear a yellow cloth if they left the ghetto. The yellow veil worn by Jewish women matched the color worn by Roman prostitutes. During Christian feasts they were forced to run naked or be ridden by the Romans as a way to entertain the Romans. They had to petition for the privilege annually to live in their homes and swear loyalty to the Pope at the Arch of Titus which celebrated the Roman sack of Jerusalem in 70 AD. As in most of Rome, there was no fresh water in the ghetto. When the Pope decided to use the old aqueduct system to provide fresh water via a series of fountains designed by Giacomo della Porta, a fountain was due to be placed at Piazza Giudea, the site of a market, inside the ghetto. However, Muzio Mattei used his influence to have the fountain, the Fontana delle Tartarughe (Turtle Fountain), located in the Piazza Mattei instead in front of his residence. Outraged, della Porta changed the design of the fountain so that it provided a small trickle of water to the Mattei family. In 1888, the ghetto walls were torn down. In 1904, the Great Synagogue of Rome and a number of apartment buildings were erected on the site. The Roman Ghetto was the last remaining ghetto in Western Europe until ghettos were reintroduced by Nazi Germany in the 1930s. Today, the Jewish Quarter is a thriving community filled with delicious Kosher restaurants, street musicians and shops. The Great Synagogue in Rome has a very visible square dome and a Jewish Museum. Look for the stumbling stones scattered along the cobblestone streets that remember Roman Jews who were murdered during the Holocaust and a tribute to Stefano Tache Gay who was murdered at the age of two as the synagogue was attacked on Shabbat in 1982. Sit at a sidewalk cafe for lunch or dinner. Try the Jerusalem artichokes and pistachio crusted sea bass at Renato al Ghetto and the pizza and pasta at Ba'Ghetto Milky. Delicious! Thank you to Mircea from GURU Tours who shared the rich history and secret sites of the Jewish Quarter during an amazing, and free, night tour. Highly recommended if you like history and cultural insights.

When we were in Vatican City in the afternoon, we skipped the plaza. We came back in the early…read moreevening and it was much less crowded. The square is directly in front of St. Peter's Basilica. Both are named after Saint Peter, an apostle of Jesus whom Catholics consider the first Pope. There is an obelisk in the center and 284 columns that create the elliptical shape of the square.

This is the area around the Vatican…read more It's gorgeous! I absolutely love the fountains and statues in this area. So much amazing architecture. When you step into this piazza, I feel like you get a sense of the Holy Spirit. I mean, how can you not when you are so close to the Vatican? There's a peaceful atmosphere here.

This is another church that we have wanted to see for many years. It has odd opening hours -…read moreusually just Sunday morning. It is located on the Corso del Rinascimento; not far from Piazza Navona. We have gazed into the courtyard many times. The top of the church reminds me of a wedding cake with candles. The church was built from 1632 to 1660 by Borromini, as the church of the University of Rome known as La Sapienza (house of knowledge). A Borromini hallmark is his use of convex and concave exterior and interior surfaces that play against each other. The breathtaking white Travertine marble façade of St. Ivo rises up before you at the far end of the long courtyard. The interior is just lovely in its simplicity. Borromini superimposed two triangles on top of one another to form an enormous Star of David and create a hexagonal floor plan in the center of the church. The alternating points of the star, however, are rounded off either convex or concave and form niches that slope upward to the dome. The dome itself is segmented into six sections, each one decorated with the Chigi family mountains or stars. At the apex of the dome, the lines converge at a perfect circle that forms the base of the lantern. It is all quite striking!

We stumbled into this building but not able to access the church. The consecration of the church by…read moreBorromini ended in 1660.

Galleria Doria Pamphilj is one of Rome's most breathtaking hidden treasures--an aristocratic…read moresanctuary of art, history, and elegance tucked just steps away from the bustling Via del Corso. Visiting this gallery feels like stepping into a private world where centuries of beauty have been lovingly preserved. The moment you enter, the atmosphere shifts. The palace itself is a masterpiece--ornate ceilings, shimmering gold accents, and hallways lined with mirrors and marble. Each room carries the quiet grandeur of a family that collected art not for prestige, but out of genuine passion. That intimacy sets it apart from Rome's larger, more crowded museums. The collection is extraordinary. You'll find remarkable works by Caravaggio, Velázquez, Bernini, Raphael, and Titian, each displayed in lavish, beautifully lit rooms that feel more like a lived-in palace than a museum. Caravaggio's "Rest on the Flight into Egypt" and the haunting "Magdalene" are highlights, while Velázquez's portrait of Pope Innocent X is nothing short of astonishing--an encounter that lingers long after you leave. What makes the experience truly special is the ability to wander the gallery at your own pace, taking in masterpieces without the rush or crowds. The audio guide, narrated by a member of the Pamphilj family, adds a personal touch and deepens your appreciation for the collection and its history. Whether you're an art lover or simply someone seeking a quiet, immersive cultural experience, Galleria Doria Pamphilj is a must-visit. It's a rare blend of elegance, intimacy, and artistic brilliance--a place where Rome's noble past comes alive in the most captivating way.

Gorgeous gallery that is completely under the radar. For…read moresomething so beautiful, I thought it would be packed with people, but it wasn't. It was refreshing to be able to enjoy the details of each room without being swarmed by tourists. While at the gallery, stop by their restaurant located at the front of the entrance. Do note that you should make reservations at the restaurant or you likely won't get in. This gallery is definitely worth a visit.

The best sandwiches in Roma! Refined food and great ingredients. Really can't wait to go back.read more

This is exactly what I picture when I want a casual but delicious bite on a charming little side…read morestreet in Rome. When I arrived shortly after opening for lunch, I was greeted by Claudio, a charismatic man who explained the menu and how ordering works. I decided to try one of their most popular items, the Bonfatti, a mortadella and mozzarella sandwich served on their fresh-made baguette. In addition to sandwiches they also serve bruschetta and boards. My sandwich was delicious. The ingredients were high quality, and the ambiance of sitting outside on this quaint Roman street really added to the experience for me. It was quiet and calming, away from the hustle and bustle of nearby busy piazzas. If you're looking for delicious charcuterie and/or great sandwiches in Roma, I recommend seeking out Baguetteria del Fico.

Saw the side of this while walking back to my hotel. Didn't go inside it but you could see a good…read morechunk of it from outside. It's beautiful and worth even walking by to appreciate the architecture.

These baths were not very interesting. We barely saw any people here in the summer, even though it…read moreis a tourist attraction. We paid €8 each for admission, which is a lot considering you can walk around this place in 30 minutes. There isn't much description available, so we just walked around and tried to imagine the scope of these formerly wondrous baths. It is about a 10-minute walk from the Circo Massimo metro stop, which included walking on a busy street without a sidewalk.

Wow I love the Campo de Fiori. The name means the field of flowers, because it used to be a field…read moreof flowers and vegetable gardens here before it became this square. Unfortunately from the 16th to 19th century this place became a public execution site. Yikes. The most famous execution was Giordano Bruno in 1600, in which there is now a statue in his honor for freedom of thought. Happy thoughts, happy thoughts. Pass forward to present day. This area is lively with the open air markets where you can find vendors selling produce, flowers, spices, cheese, and artisanal goods. My boyfriend and I came here to explore the live market and also to look for souvenirs to bring home. The vendors here are really aggressive and I would have enjoyed it more if they gave me space to look instead of hound me to buy buy buy. Like chill dude can I look at what I'm buying. Sigh. We were here til closing time and even get to see how the vendors efficiently and quickly packed up their stalls and belongings to wrap up for the day. And of course... a great area to enjoy some gelato.

We're at Campo de' Fiori, Rome's oldest market and possibly the most enthusiastic display of…read moretourist traps per square meter. Once a site for public executions (Bruno's brooding statue still watches over), it now specializes in overpriced pasta and garlic braids. It's more performance art than produce. Vendors heckle, truffle oil flows freely, and yes, someone will try to sell you limoncello in a boot. I walked through as part of a food tour, which felt like the right way to enjoy the chaos, briefly, and with snacks elsewhere. Not the best market in Rome, but definitely the most theatrical.