The great amphitheatre of ancient Rome, where 50,000 spectators watched the games. One ticket covers the Forum and the Palatine Hill next door - wear good…
Italy
Rome travel guide
Three thousand years of history in one city - the Colosseum, the Vatican, fountains and the best ice cream in the world.
- Best time to visit
- April-June and September-October
- Flight from the Gulf
- About 6 h direct from Dubai, Doha and Riyadh
- Airport
- Rome Fiumicino (FCO), 45 min to the centre
- Time difference
- 2 h behind Riyadh in winter, 1 h in summer
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Language
- Italian
- Visa
- Schengen visa (UAE passports visa-free for short stays)
Rome is an open-air museum: you walk past 2,000-year-old temples on your way to lunch. The Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Pantheon, St Peter’s and the Vatican Museums are all within a few kilometres, connected by piazzas, fountains and cobbled lanes.
Plan at least three full days. Day one for ancient Rome (Colosseum, Forum, Palatine Hill), day two for the Vatican, day three for the historic centre: Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona and the Spanish Steps. With more time, add Villa Borghese gardens or a day trip to the Amalfi Coast or Florence by fast train.
Queues are the biggest challenge in Rome. Booking timed tickets – or a private guide with skip-the-line entry – makes the difference between a tiring day and a wonderful one.
Things to do in Rome
The places our guests love most, with the time you need and how to avoid the queues.
Endless galleries of art ending in the Sistine Chapel with Michelangelo's ceiling, then the vast St Peter's Basilica and its square. Shoulders and knees must be…
The most famous fountain in the world. Throw a coin over your shoulder to return to Rome. A small fee may apply to go down to…
The 2,000-year-old temple with its giant open dome, and the beautiful Piazza Navona with Bernini's fountains, artists and cafés a few minutes away.
Rome's great park, with a small lake and rowing boats, family bikes, a zoo (Bioparco) and the Pincio terrace overlooking Piazza del Popolo. The Borghese Gallery…
Colourful villages on steep cliffs above the sea - Positano, Amalfi and Ravello. Best with two nights and a private driver; the coast road is narrow…
Hotels in Rome
Hotels we know and recommend. Send your dates: we book the best rate for you and confirm on WhatsApp.
Summary
Rome ★★★★★
Top of the Spanish Steps
Spanish Steps views · Above the shopping streets
Best priceon request
Summary
Rome ★★★★★
Near Piazza del Popolo
Garden · Spa
Best priceon request
Summary
Rome ★★★★★
Via Veneto, near Villa Borghese
Rooftop views · Next to Villa Borghese
Best priceon request
Summary
Rome ★★★★★
Monte Mario
Outdoor pools · Private park
Best priceon request
Tours, packages and transfers in Rome
Private day trips with your own driver and guide, complete holidays, and airport transfers at a fixed price.
5 days
Price on request
Rome Fiumicino Airport
FCO Arrival or departure, to or from any hotel in the city
Book transfer
Price per vehicle, one way. Meet and greet with your name, flight monitoring and waiting time included.
Car with driver in Rome
A private car and a professional driver for half a day or a full day: shopping, visits, day trips or business meetings. Arabic-speaking drivers on request.
- Sedan, minivan or large family van
- Hotel pick-up, waits for you at every stop
- Child seats and water on board
Where to stay in Rome
Spanish Steps and Via CondottiRome's luxury shopping area, elegant and central. Our first choice for shopping and walking.
Via Veneto and Villa BorgheseGrand hotels near the city's largest park. Calm, classic and good for families.
Historic centre (Pantheon, Navona)In the middle of everything, with charming lanes. Lively in the evening.
Monte MarioGreen hill above the city with large resort-style hotels and pools, 15 minutes by car from the centre.
Halal food and prayer
Mandaloun
Halal Lebanese · Via di Porta Pinciana, near Villa Borghese
Traditional Lebanese mezze and grills with halal meat and a pleasant terrace, close to Via Veneto.
Himalaya’s Kashmir
Halal Indian and Pakistani · Via Principe Amedeo, Esquilino
A long-standing favourite near Termini station for curries, tandoori chicken and naan, with vegetarian options.
Peri Peri Halal Grill
Halal certified Grills and burgers · Via della Mercede, near Trevi
Quick halal-certified chicken, burgers and kebabs in the centre, a few minutes from the Trevi Fountain - easy with children.
Halal status is what the restaurant tells its guests and can change. When you book with us, we check it again before your trip.
Tips for your trip to Rome
- Book the Colosseum and the Vatican Museums online weeks ahead. Same-day tickets are rare in season.
- Shoulders and knees must be covered to enter St Peter's Basilica and other churches - for men and women.
- Throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain early in the morning, before the crowds arrive.
- Drink from the free water fountains (nasoni) all over the city - the water is fresh and safe.
- Taxis from Fiumicino to the centre have a fixed fare. Use official white taxis only.
- Restaurants near the big sights are often tourist traps. Walk two streets away for better food and prices.
Questions
How many days do we need in Rome?
Three days for the main sights; four or five if you want a slower pace or a day trip.
Is Rome good for children?
Yes, if you plan breaks. Children love the Colosseum, gladiator stories, gelato and Villa Borghese with its bikes and boats.
Can we go from Rome to the Amalfi Coast?
Yes. By car with a driver it takes about 3.5 hours; by train to Naples then car, about 3 hours. We recommend staying at least two nights.
Do you offer guides in Arabic?
Yes, licensed guides in Arabic or English for the Vatican and the Colosseum on request.
Read before you go to Rome
Rome in 3 days with the family
A three-day plan for Rome that works with children and grandparents - ancient Rome, the Vatican and the piazzas, with…
Plan your trip to Rome with us
Hotel, car with driver, tours and restaurants: tell us your dates and who is travelling. We reply in Arabic or English with a full plan and one price. No payment until you confirm.
- Reply within a few hours
- Family rooms and halal restaurants checked for you
- Support on WhatsApp during the trip
Photo credits
- Rome — Photo: FeaturedPics · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Vatican Museums and St Peter’s Basilica — Photo: Alvesgaspar · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Trevi Fountain — Photo: NikonZ7II · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Pantheon and Piazza Navona — Photo: NikonZ7II · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Villa Borghese gardens — Photo: Oursana · CC0
- Amalfi Coast — Photo: Bruno Rijsman · CC BY-SA 2.0
- Rome — Photo: Arnaud 25 · CC BY-SA 3.0
- Hotel de Russie — Photo: Apaleutos25 · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Hotel Eden — Photo: Gobbler · CC BY-SA 3.0
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under their free licences.
