Hours: 7:30–12:30; 4–7

    Trevi Fountain is the greatest of the Baroque fountains of Rome.  Built as the terminal point of the ancient aqueduct Aqua Virgo, it recreates the scene of the finding of the water source.  Work on the fountain began in 1732 - 1762 and was created by Nicola Salvi.  Pietro Bracci’s “Neptune” is placed in the center of fountain.  Legend says that if you stand facing away from the fountain and throw a coin over your left shoulder, it ensures your speedy return to Rome. Those who throw two coins will fall in love there, and three coins brings good luck. €3,000 are deposited into the fountain daily, and attempting to scoop out any coins will result in a considerable fine.  If possible, check out Trevi Fountain twice: once during daylight and once at night. The elegant daytime picture will transform into a dramatic, illuminated image at night. 

Tickets: €3,50  

Hours:  9:00am -7:30pm

Metro:  B – Collosseo

Tours: from 9:45am – 1:45pm and 3:00pm-5:00pm every ½ hour

    The Colosseum is arguably the most iconic symbol or the Roman Empire.  Construction began around 70 AD under emperor Vespasian and was completed in 80 AD by emperor Titus.  It is one of the greatest examples of Roman architecture and engineering.  It originally housed over 50,000 spectators and held gladiator fights as well as mock sea battles, executions, famous battle re-enactments, and dramas.  Although earthquakes and thieves have depleted the Colosseum into its current condition, it still is one of Rome’s most visited tourist attractions.  Outside the Colosseum you can find many tour guides offering a higher price to cut past the line; while you may decide the higher price is worth the tour, the line always goes quicker than they say.

Metro: A-Spagna   

    Located in the Piazza di Spagna, it is without a doubt the widest and longest staircase in all of Europe.  The 138 steps were built between 1723 and 1725 and designed by Francesco de Sanctis.  While you may be chastised for eating lunch on the steps, you can buy knock-off designer purses, sunglasses and wallets from a variety of vendors who are always on the look-out for the police.  At the bottom of the steps, La Fontana della Barcaccia is located, which was designed by Pietro Bernini.  To the right of the steps you can see a beautiful pink house, the location of John Keats’ death in 1821 that now houses a memorial museum.

Hours: 9:00am – 7:30pm, forum 8:30am – 7:15pm, last entry at 6:15pm

Tickets: Ruins w/ Colosseum: €11,50; ruins alone: €3,50

Metro: B-Collosseo

Tours:Forum Audio Tour €4, English tour at 11:00am

    Located between the Palatine Hill and Capitoline hill in Rome, the Forum has many structures from Ancient Roman times and was the political, social and economic center of the Roman Empire.  The ancient royal residency, the Regia, and the Comitium are both located here. The original Regia and the house and temple of the cult of Vesta were thought to be built by Rome’s second king, Numa Pompilius, around 650 B.C.  The Comitium, dating to pre-600 B.C., is an area that holds the Curia Hostilia, the building where the Senate and Republic Government met and discussed politics.  The entire ruins contain nine ancient temples, three basilicas, four arches, and numerous other structures. 

Hours: Mon. -Sat.  8:30am – 7:30pm, Sun.  9:00am- 6:00pm

    The “Temple of all the Gods” was built around 125 A.D. as a dedication to all ancient Roman gods. One of the best preserved buildings of ancient Rome, it is also the oldest standing domed structure in the city.  The temple dates back to Emperor Hadrian’s rule.  It has an oculus at the top of the dome, which is the only light source for the Pantheon.  It is currently used as a church and a tomb that holds the remains of the painter Raphael along with past Italian kings Vittorio Emanuele II and Umberto I.  Located in the Piazza del Rotanda, the Pantheon is a must-see for any backpacker.

Metro:  A-Ottaviano

Clothing: Modest dress required: That means no tank tops, shorts, or short skirts.

    The Vatican is actually the world’s smallest sovereign city-state; it’s entirely encompassed by the city of Rome.  Officially became independent in 1929, it is a non-hereditary elected monarchy that is ruled by the Bishop of Rome, the Pope. It is the center of the Catholic religion and residence (Apostolic Palace) of the Pope. This city-state includes St. Peter’s Basilica, the Apostolic Palace, and the Sistine Chapel.  The pope is the only absolute monarch in Europe with all of the legislative, executive, and judicial powers of the state.  The Vatican also has its own post office and police force, the infamous Swiss Guard, dressed in brightly-colored striped clothing that was allegedly designed by Michelangelo (although some debate this fact). 

Hours: 7:00am -7:00pm, Dome 8:00am-5:45pm

Tickets: €4    Elevator €7

    St. Peters is located inside the Vatican, and is one of the holiest and greatest sites in all of Christendom.  It is named after Saint Peter, one of Jesus’ twelve apostles, and it also holds the remains of St. Peter.  Peter became the first Bishop or Rome, or the first Pope.  It is believed that his tomb is located below the altar of the Basilica, and in tradition, many other popes are buried in St. Peter’s, including John Paul II.  Construction on the current basilica began in 1506 and was completed in 1626.  The floor of the basilica contains marks where other churches fall short in size and length, just in case you forgot that St. Peter’s remains the largest basilica in the entire world.

Tickets: €8 students, FREE the last Sun. of each month from 8:45am -3:20pm

Hours: Mon. -Fri. 8:45am – 3:20pm, Sat.  8:45am – 1:20pm

NO Cameras (strictly enforced), respectfully quiet atmosphere

    This chapel is best known for the ceiling painted by Michelangelo himself.  Michelangelo painted nearly 12,000 square feet from 1508 to 1512 under the order of Pope Julius II.  The ceiling includes Michelanelo’s famous “God’s Creation of the World”, “God’s Relationship with Mankind”, and “Mankind’s Fall from God’s Grace.”   He also painted “The Last Judgment” above the altar, which is considered one of Michelangelo’s best works. 

    Other famed renaissance artists known to have worked on the Sistine Chapel include Raphael and Sandro Botticelli.  Raphael was commissioned to make a set of 10 tapestries that describe events from the lives of St. Paul and St. Peter.  It took over four years to complete them, and they were looted just a few years after completion during the 1527 sack of Rome.  A set of seven was reassembled and put on display in the chapel in 1983.  Other important works in the Chapel include Perugino’s “Christ giving the Keys to St. Peter,” Botticelli’s  “Scenes from the Life of Moses,” “The Temptation of Christ,” and “The Punishment of the Korah.”  The chapel is the last and grandest stop in the Vatican tour.

    Michelangelo designed this plaza at the peak of his career. One important thing to notice about this piazza is that it faces towards the Christian center of St. Peter’s Basilica rather than towards the Roman Forum.  This was aimed to show the new direction that Rome was taking. 

    This monument was made to honor Italy’s first king, Vittorio Emanuele II.  The monument is located between Piazza Venezia and Capitoline Hill.  It was built between 1895 and 1935, constructed out of pure white marble, entailing a huge equestrian sculpture of Vittorio and two statues of the Goddess Victoria riding on quadrigas.  This monument also holds the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with an eternal flame, which was built to honor the soldiers who were never recovered. The base of the structure hosts the museum of Italian Reunification.

Price: €5   Audio Tour extra €4

Hours:  Tues. – Sun.   9:00am–8:00pm

    Also known as the Mausoleum of Hadrian, Castel Sant’Angelo is a giant cylindrical building in Rome, Italy.  This building was commissioned by Emperor Hadrian as a Mausoleum to himself.  His remains were placed inside in 138, as were all the of the succeeding emperors stopping with Caracalla in 217.   The tomb’s contents and decoration were mostly lost when it was converted into a military fortress in 401. 

    Legend has it that Archangel Michael appeared on top of Mausoleum, sheathed his sword as a symbol of the end of the plague in 590.  This is how the castle got its current name. 

    A fortified corridor was built connecting the castle and St. Peters, and the castle served as a refuge from the Siege of Charles V during the 1527 Sack of Rome.  It is now host to the Museo Nazionale di Castel Sant’Angelo, aka National Museum of Castel Sant’Angelo.  After visiting the castle, stroll down the Ponte Sant’Angelo, a bridge lined with angelic statues designed by Bernini. 

Metro: A-Spagna

Hours: Tues-Sun  9:00am-7:30pm  Every 2 hrs. Reserve ahead

Tickets:   €8, Audio Tour extra €5

    This museum hosts some of Bernini’s finest works.  His most popular sculptures, David, Apollo, Daphne, Rape of Proserpina, and Eneo e Anchise, are all held in this museum.  Raphael’s “Depostition” also holds a place in this museum along with other works by Bernini and Caravagio. 

Address: Via dei Falegnami 14, in the old Ghetto

Hours: Mon.- Sat. 6:30am- 7:00pm.  Closed in August.

    Bar da Benito offers extremely inexpensive and tasty food, with primi and secondi courses as low as €4,50 and glasses of wine for as low as €1. 

Address: Via delle Fratte di Trastevere 49, 50

Hours: Thurs.- Tues. 6:00pm- midnight

    Located in Trastevere near the Tiber River, one of the most popular districts for delectable Roman cuisine, Alle Fratte serves up a wide range of classic Italian dishes, both primi and secondi courses, as well as pizzas.  And the English-speaking staff can help you out with any questions. The interior walls hold some beautiful artwork, while the outdoor tables are great for people watching during the busy evenings.

Flights: Rome’s two airports, Da Vinci International Airport (FCO) and Ciampino (CIA), and each serves a different purpose.  Backpackers looking to begin their trip in Rome will arrive at Da Vinci, since it handles all of Rome’s international flights.  Ryanair flights and many domestic flights arrive at Ciampino airport.  Take the Termini line to get to Rome and its primary train station, Stazione Termini. 

Trains: As mentioned earlier, Termini is Rome’s intercity train station and backpackers can hop on trains for Bologna (3hr), Florence (2hr), Milan (~6hr), Naples (2hr), and Venice (5hr). 

Public Transportation: Rome operates two Metropolitana (metro) lines, which are A and B.  The A line stops at Piazza Barberini, Spagna, S. Pietro (Vatican City) and Vittorio Emanuele.  Backpackers can reach the Colosseum via the B line.  ATAC buses operate throughout the city from 5am-midnight.  Tickets for both systems cost €1.  Daily tickets cost €4, and 3 day passes cost €11. 

Taxis:  Rome has many taxis available, but they are rather expensive, so try to avoid taking them unless you have no other option. 

Address: 9 Via Tagliamento

Hours: Sept.- May: Fri. and Sat. 11:00pm- 4:30am, during the summer the club moves to the beach- Lungomare di Ponente 11

Address: Via della Fossa 14-16, just west of Plaza Navano

Hours: Mon.- Fri. 8:00pm- 3:30am, Sat. and Sun. 6:30pm- 3:30am

    One of the most eccentric bars in all of Rome, Jonathan’s Angels displays a colorful décor revolving completely around… some guy named Jonathan (supposedly an ex-circus acrobat).  The bar owner’s face serves as the center of all decoration, with artwork of the man dressed as various historical figures.  The restroom also serves as a tourist attraction, and the bar offers live music each night.