Rome is a city you literally have to explore. It is not easy when you try planning the trip at home. It is easy when you have arrived. Because most of the parts of the city are worth to visit anyways.
We always have tried not to stick to the main streets - we never have eaten at the major streets and bis restaurants - it is too pricy and the small hidden places around some corners serve much better and authentic food. Always go for the Espresso afterwards. It is so tasty.
Some places are quite crowded - such as Fontana di Trevi - so we have chosen to be there with the first daylight. And we have shared the fountain with a few other early birds only. It was amazing to be at the scenery without the crowds and the city's monuments, especially on the way to the Colosseum, are in a very beautiful golden light if you are there in the early morning.
And then - just do it - Rome is about sightseeing - but Rome is also about the sweet life. It is the place where they had invented the Spa hundreds of years ago - so enjoy the dolce vita. They know how to cook - and they serve brilliant vine.
Coming back from Rome and not having seen everything is just normal. This is also the reason why you need to go back to Rome once you have been there. The vibes of the city literally suck you in. There is no way of not appreciating Rome with all its monuments and places. The best way to explore Rome is a mix of everything: Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Colosseo, Fontana di Trevi - you name it - mixed with Pizza, house wines, local bars, ice cream, and the little streets where there are no tourists.
It is way too much to write down what we have seen and visited. This also comes from the fact that we sometimes run into some cool places we did not even plan to go. And thanks to modern technology, we have looked it up when we have been there and have read about it online when we did not know what it was.
The best way to explore Rome is to have a rough plan where to go, which routes to follow and then just take it as it comes.
Thanks to dad, who has been to Rome several times already, we had this rough idea. He has given us an idea and overview of possible routes. When we had a look at the routes it felt like 'is this all to do and to see within 1 day?' - nevertheless, we have followed his advices and realized that the tours he has prepared have been a very nice choice of walks.
It might seem not enough in the very first moment. But as mentioned, there are so many things you just run into. Furthermore, there are places, you can spend hours at. Because Rome is beautiful.
Our routes along the things you should have seen
Walk 1:
Fontana del Tritone - Museo dei Cappuccini - Fontana di Trevi - Pantheon - Piazza d. Minerva - Santa Maria Sopra Minerva (where you can see the by Michelangelo) - in front of the church you can find the smallest obelisk in Rome on the back of an elephant (Bernini) - Piazza Navona with its famous fountains (have a look into the church as well). You can further move on to Campo de' Fiori, where you can find the statue of Giordano Bruno - Piazza Farnese with two massive bathtubs - along Via Guilia, which is a authentic Italian street not full of tourists to San Giovanni dei Fiorentini
Walk 2:
Santa Maria Maggiore - Santa Prassede - San Pietro in Vincoli, with the famous statue of Moses created by Michelangelo - Colosseo - Arch of Constantine - over Palatine Hill down to Forum Romanum - along the Trajan's Column to Monument of Vittorio Emanuele (to modern to go inside, not worth it) - Capitoline Hill with the statue of Marc Aurel - Theatre of Marcellus
Walk 3:
St. Peter's Square - visit the Basilica and also go to the top of the Dome. It is worth it. - visit the Vatican Museums and be prepared that you are not the only one who want to see the 'collections' from all over the world. The way through the museums is the only way to Sistine Chapel where you can see the famous Creation of Adam by Michelangelo.
To round up the visit to the Vatican City, you can also go to San Giovanni (Laterano), which used to be the home of the Pope before it was St. Peter's.
From the St. Peter's Square it is just a short walk along the river to the Mausoleum of Hadrian - also known as Castel Sant'Angelo. From the bridge, you have the best view on the Mausoleum. It is also worth to visit this places after sunset - the lights are impressive and it is not that crowded anymore. Of course the the Basilica and musuems are closed.
Walk 4:
Spanish Steps - this area can be best visited for a nice dinner in one of the authentic restaurants in this area. As always, the best places are not the ones you find along the main streets. Our favorite is Ristorante Dillá, near the Spanish Steps. This area is also famous for all the stores, which invite for a little shopping.
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