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Rome, Italy Hotels and City Guide
Rome Hotels and Rome Guide with Rome maps, top attractions, room reservations and hotel deals at a wide range of the best Rome hotelsRome - Travel Tips
When to Visit - Arts, Events, Weather
Seasons
The main tourist season starts at Easter and runs until October; peak periods are in spring and autumn, when the tour buses pour in and tourists are herded around like cattle. Numerous outdoor festivals and concerts and the fact that Romans desert the city for the beaches and mountains, which means very light traffic and a less-crowded city centre, makes summer almost worth the heat. If you do visit in summer, try to hit the sights early, take a long lunch and a nap, and then head out again around 18:00 to take advantage of the cooler evening. Be aware some restaurants and shops close for the month of August. Winters are usually mild with few tourists and some fun events around Christmas time.
La passeggiata must be the most renowned and charming Italian social custom where each evening families and friends take an early evening stroll with the intention of 'seeing and being seen'. In Rome, the piazza cafes fill up rapidly as friends meet and catch up on news.
A number of festivals take place throughout the year including 'Settimana dei Beni Culturali', which takes place in April when public museums and sites of interest are open free of charge for a week.
'Fiera Internazionale di Roma' (Rome International Trade Fair) takes place between May and early June. This is one of the region's most important annual fairs.
'Festa di San Giovanni' in June includes dancing and singing that continues throughout the night. This saint's day finishes with a candlelit religious procession.
'Estate Romana' (Roman Summer) is a lively summer festival that runs from late June to the end of September where hundreds of cultural and musical events take place in parks, squares and streets throughout the city. Highlights include Teatro dell'Opera's summer season in the Stadio Olimpico, rock concerts on an open-air stage in Testaccio, outdoor cinema on Tiburtina Island and classical performances in the Villa Medici gardens and the Cloisters of Bramante.
'Festa di Noantri' in mid-July when some of Viale Trastevere and the surrounding streets are blocked to traffic. Filled with stalls, it stays open until the early hours of the morning and culminates with a firework display.
November brings 'Tutti Santi' (All Saints' Day), followed by 'La Commemorazioni dei Defunti' (or Tutti i Morti), a celebration of mass conducted by the Pope and held at Il Verano Cemetery.
'Carnevale' in Piazza Navona takes place on or around 5th January and lasts until dawn the following morning. Visit What's On In Rome for month-by-month event information.
Weather wise, Rome is perhaps best enjoyed in spring or autumn, when the masses of tour groups are also thinner on the ground. Rome is handed over to tourists in August, when most Romans take extended coastal holidays and the majority of shops and bars are closed. Peak summer months can be uncomfortably hot whilst winters are mild.
Local Holidays
1 January: New Year's Day
3 January: Bank holiday
6 January: Epiphany
25 March: Good Friday
28 March: Easter Monday
25 April: Liberation Day
2 May: Bank Holiday
30 May: Spring Bank Holiday
2 June: Republic Day
24 June: Florence Patron Saint's Day
29 June: Rome Patron Saint's Day
15 August: Ferragosto
29 August: Summer Bank Holiday
1 November: All Saints Day
7 December: Milan Patron Saint's Day
8 December: The Immmaculate Conception
25 December: Christmas Day
26 December: Feast of St Stephen
Value for Money Sightseeing
Many of Rome’s top attractions are free to enjoy, from the elegant piazzas, ornate churches and classical museums and galleries. St. Peter's Basilica, the Roman Forum, Capitoline Hill, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Pantheon, the exterior of the Colosseum and Castel Sant'Angelo, the Mouth of Truth, Piazza Navona, Appia Antica, Galleria Nazionale Di San Luca and Aula Ottaganale can all be appreciated without paying, as are the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel on the last Sunday of each month.
The Roma Archeologia Card includes the entrance to nine major sites in Rome including the Colosseum, Terme di Caracalla, Terme di Diocleziano and Villa dei Quintili. The card is valid for a week and is available from the attractions themselves and the Visitor Center of Rome Tourist Board (APT) in Via Parigi 5. The Appia Antica Card covers entrance to the Baths of Caracalla, the Tomb of Cecilia Metella and the Villa of the Quintili.
EU citizens under 18 and over 65 are entitled to free admission to state museums and art sites, with 50% off for under 25s, and those in education. Similar incentives apply for municipal museums and art sites.
Disabled Travelers
Rome is not the most disabled-friendly city largely due to the number of hills, raised pavements and cobbled streets. Buses are wheelchair-friendly whilst remaining public transport in Rome is partially accessible. Leading visitor attractions are a mixed bag: a lift is provided to the top of the Colosseum, whilst the Vatican's Sistine Chapel is only accessible via the long route through the Vatican museums. General information and assistance is available from A.N.T.H.A.I. (Associazione Nazionale Tutela Handicappati ed Invalidi) at downtown Rome's Corso Vittorio Emanuele 154, 00186 Roma, tel. 011-39-06-6821-9168; Accessible Italy offers guided tours for disabled travelers. More accessibility information on different types of accommodation, transport and attractions.
Visitor Essentials
Tourist Advice: The Rome Tourism Office is located at Fiumicino Airport and at via Parigi 5. If you have up to four days in Rome, consult their online recommended itineraries. There are nine Informa Rome tourist information kiosks, at locations including Termini Station, Castel Sant’Angelo, Via del Tritone and Trastevere’s Piazza Sonnino.
Telephones: Public telephones accept euro coins, tokens and phone cards, sold in tobacconists, newstands and post offices. Many public phones now accept international credit cards.
Internet cafes: Rome has a growing number of net cafes - popular venues include EasyEverthing on via Barberini and Internet Cafe on via Cavour.
Emergencies: The military police (carabinieri) and civil police (polizia) are contactable by telephoning 113. For medical help, call the 24-hour, English-speaking Medline on 06 808-0995 or the Rome American Hospital on 06 2885062/4. The fire service can be reached on 115; road assistance on 116. Embassies can assist in the last resort: the American Embassy is located at Via Veneto, 119/a, 00187 Rome, the British Embassy at via XX Settembre 80, 00187 Rome.
Banks: Italian banks are open Monday to Friday from around 8:30 am to 1:30 pm and from 3 - 4 pm, though some banks in tourist areas stay open all day during the week. Most banks close on weekends and national holidays.
Theft Warning: Popular tourist and shopping areas such as the Colosseum, Via Condotti, Via Nazionale and Via del Corso invariably attract pickpockets. Take particular care at Rome's Termini Station.
Rome Tipping Advice
Tipping is not mandatory although it is customary, depending on whether or not you feel it is deserved. If so, an amount between 5% and 10% of the bill should be tipped. Some restaurants in Rome include gratuities in the bill, as well as the cover charge.
Health and Security
Health: There are no specific health risks associated with travel to Italy. EU citizens can make use of Italy's health services provided they have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Cases of the deadly bird flu were found in swans in southern Italy and Sicily, but there is a low risk of human infection; as a precaution all close contact with wild, caged and domestic birds should be avoided, and poultry and egg dishes should be cooked thoroughly.
Safety: The Italian Government has warned that the risk of an international terrorist attack in the country has increased, and tourists should be vigilant in public places and tourist sites. Domestic terrorism continues, but targets are usually Italian authorities, however there is a possibility of being caught up in attacks. Tourists are vulnerable to pick-pocketing and muggings in the bigger cities, particularly on public transport, in crowded areas and around tourist sites, and should exercise caution when carrying large amounts of cash and valuables. Be particularly careful on bus 64 to St Peter's Square and around the main train station, Termini. Visitors should be wary of groups of children, some of whom will distract attention while the others try to steal what they can. Strikes by transport workers take place regularly throughout Italy and delays are possible.
Hotels in Rome, Italy
 |  | InterContinental De la Ville RomaVia Sistina, 67-69, 00187 Rome, Italy   Five star luxury in the historic centre of Rome and located at the top of the renowned Spanish Steps, InterContinental de la Ville Rome Hotel is the mark of elegance and sophistication amidst ancient charm. Dedicated to providing the ultimate luxury in... More » |    |  |
|  | Best Western Globus HotelViale Ippocrate, 119, Roma, 00161, Italy Introduction The Best Western Globus Hotel is located only a few steps away from the University of Rome 'La Sapienza', very close to the main railway station Termini and the air terminal of Tiburtina station, also close to major historical and archaeological... More » |  | |
|  | Best Western Hotel ArtdecoVia Palestro 19, Roma, I-00185, Italy Situated between Via Veneto and the train station, the Best Western Rome Hotel Artdeco is positioned in the city centre providing business and leisure guests the perfect place to stay. This Best Western Rome Hotel is located close to many of More » | | |
|  | Best Western Hotel CanadaVia Vicenza 58,, Roma, I-00185, Italy The Best Western Hotel Canada is a superior class hotel, in the historical center, located in an elegant building of the 19th century, recently restructured respecting the original architecture. The hotel combines hospitality with style and is up to modern standards.... More » | | |
 | Grand Hotel Parco dei Principi Via G. Frescobaldi (Villa Borghese), 5 - 00198 Rome, Italy |
| Piazza Barberini, 23, Rome, Lazio, 00187, Italy |
 | Via Ludovisi 49, Rome, Lazio, 00187, Italy |
 | Via Veneto 50, Rome, Lazio, 00187, Italy |
| Via di Porta Pinciana, 14, Rome, Lazio, 00187, Italy |
 | Via Del Babuino 9, Rome, Lazio, 00187, Italy |
 | Palo Laziale, Ladispoli, Rome, Lazio, 00055, Italy |
 | Via Veneto 72, Rome, Lazio, 00187, Italy |
 | Via V E Orlando 3, Rome, Lazio, 00185, Italy |
 | Via Vittorio Veneto 125, Rome, Lazio, 00186, Italy |
 | Via Piacenza 4 - 00184 Rome - Italy |
 | Via Del Casale Della Crescenza 1 Rome 191 Italy |
 | Crowne Plaza Hotel Rome - St Peter's Via Aurelia Antica 415,Rome 00165 ,Italy |
 | Via Aureliana 39, Rome, Lazio, 00187, Italy |
 | Via Principe Amedeo 257, 00185, Rome |
| Via Luca Passi 6 |
 | Via Arturo Ferrarin, Rome, Italy |
 | Via Appia Nuova 934, 00178 Rome, Italy |
| Via Margutta, 56 - 00187 Rome, Italy |
 | Via Muzio Clementi 81 |
| Via Principe Amedeo 4 |
| Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II n. 105 |
| Via Torino 149 Roma 187 Italy |
| Via Ludovisi, 15,Roma 187,Italy |
Piazza della Rotonda, 63 - 00186 Rome -Italy |
 | Località Le Cerque,Anguillara Sabazia (Roma) I-00061,Italy |
 | Via G. Moscati 7,Rome,168,Italy |
| Via Flaminia 520 |
 | Sheraton Golf Parco de' Medici Hotel & Resort Viale Parco De' Medici 167 Rome Italy I-00148 |
| Sheraton Roma Hotel & Conference Center Viale Del Pattinaggio100 Rome Italy 00144 |
 | Via Lombardia 47, 00187 Roma, Italy |
 | Via Principe Amedeo, 3 00185 Rome Italy |
| Via della Stazione di S.Pietro,14 00165 Rome Italy |
| Via Dei Condotti 85 00187 Rome Italy |
| Via Traversa Quarto Del Lago 12/14,Bracciano (Roma) I-00062,Italy |
| Best Western Hotel Giardino D'Europa Via Lucrezia Romana 95, Roma, I-00178, Italy |
| Via Torino 127,, Roma, I-00184, Italy |
| Via Magna Grecia 122, Roma, I-00183, Italy |
| Via Emanuele Filiberto 173,, Roma, I-00185, Italy |
| Via Taramelli 7, Roma, I-00197, Italy |
| Best Western Hotel Spring House Via Mocenigo, 7, Roma, I-00192, Italy |
| Via Principe Amedeo 5/B, Roma, I-00185, Italy |
| Best Western Hotel Villafranca Via Villafranca 9, Roma, I-00185, Italy |
 | Courtyard by Marriott Rome Airport Via Portuense 2470, Fiumicino, Rome, Italy |
 | Four Points by Sheraton Roma West Hotel Viale degli Eroi di Cefalonia 301 Rome Italy 00128 |
 | Holiday Inn Rome Eur Parco Dei Medici Hotel Viale Castello Della Magliana 65,ROME,,00148 ITALY |
| Via Aurelia Km 8.400,ROME,00163 ITALY |
| Via della Pisana, 952, 00163 Rome, Italy |
| Via Capo D Africa 54,Roma 00 184,Italy |
| Via Varrone 2/d,Rome,Italy |
| Via Sistina 131 Roma 187 Italy |
| Via Sardegna, 149 |
| Corso Emanuele Ii,110,Rome 186,Italy |
 | Via Labicana 144, 00184 Roma, Italy |
 | Via Andrea Noale 291, 00010 Rome, Italy |
 | Via G. Savonarola 38 Rome Italy |
| Via Nomentana, n.110 |
| Via Federico Cesi 37 Rome 193 Italy |
 | Via Della Cordonata, 6 Rome Italy |
 | Holiday Inn Express Rome - East Via Giorgio Perlasca 50,ROME,00155 ITALY |
| Holiday Inn Express Rome - San Giovanni Express by Holiday Inn Rome-San Giovanni,Via Assisi, 53,Rome,00181 ITALY |
 | Via Duilio Cambellotti, Tor Vergata, 00133 Roma, Italy |
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