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Welcome to my Rome Solo Travel Guide with tips on things to see, the best places to eat and drink and where to stay in the capital of Italy!
History and ancient architecture are the biggest pulls to Rome, and understandably so. There’s an exceptional amount of Old Stuff here, and so much to see. Rome is very touristy and is relatively big compared to other Italian cities, so it can feel a little overwhelming at times, but it is undoubtedly special and there is nowhere else quite like it.
There’s a lot to pack into a trip to Rome, so I would recommend at least three days in order to explore without rushing around from place to place, or leave some things for another visit. Queues are long and if you’re anything like me, you’ll want time to wind down with an Aperol or a good glass of wine before rushing off to the next tourist attraction.
Whilst it’s unlikely you’ll eat badly in Rome, it is really worth hunting down places off the beaten track for specific recommendations, as that’s where you’ll find the really fantastic food. It’s easier to fall down a tourist trap in Rome compared to say Florence or Bologna, but this Rome travel guide will point you in the right direction.
Always try to look out for spots popular with the locals and you won’t go far wrong – do as the Romans do, after all!
Rome Solo Travel Guide Contents
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WHERE TO EAT IN ROME
RESTAURANTS
Tonnarello
Via della Paglia, 1, 00153
You know you’re onto a winner when the locals are queuing up as they do at Tonnarello. The queue does go quicker when the host hands out little glasses of prosecco whilst you wait, as they do here!
The food at Tonnarello is superb, the wine excellent and everything is extremely well priced. The atmosphere is buzzy, the service is great and I can personally vouch for the carbonara.
Borghiciana Pastificio Artigianale
Borgo Pio, 186, 00193
The €6 plate of amazing beef ragu tagliatelle I ate at Borghiciana Pastificio Artigianale was my best meal in Rome, washed down with some excellent red wine at just €2.50 a glass.
Don’t be put off by the fact that you’re given a plastic fork with which to eat – honestly who cares when the homemade pasta is this good? Give me a paper plate too next time, I don’t care. Excellent food and well worth hunting down.
Borghiciana Pastificio Artigianale is a tiny place with space for around 12 people, so you may have to have a glass of wine whilst you wait for a spot, but I promise it’s worth it.
Pinsere
Via Flavia, 98, 00187
Excellent individual pizza and street food vibes at Pinsere, usually taken away to eat on the go.
Prosciutteria Cantina Dei Papi
Via della Scala, 71, 00153
Trastevere spot serving abundant cold meat and cheese charcuterie platters, don’t miss this place if you’re someone who loves to graze away whilst sampling the local wines. Prosciutteria Cantina Dei Papi also serve sandwiches, and the prices are very reasonable – a charcuterie platter for one is just €12, and the huge panino start at €7.
PanDivino Street Food
Via del Paradiso, 39, 00186
Serving Italian style tapas dishes and panini, PanDivino Street Food has a very authentic and local feel about it. Owned by an Italian gentleman and his Spanish wife, you will be made to feel instantly welcome. Save room for the homemade Tiramisu.
Poldo e Gianna Osteria
7, Vicolo Rosini, 6, 00186
Charming osteria serving traditional Italian food, Poldo e Gianna is tucked away down a side street – as all the best places are. The restaurant, which is highly revered for their carbonara, prides itself on sourcing excellent ingredients from local markets and shops.
Emma’s Pizzeria
Via del Monte della Farina, 28, 00186
Excellent pizzeria; best to make a booking for this one as gets very busy!
Trattoria da Lucia
Vicolo del Mattonato, 2, 00153
Trattoria da Lucia can be found in Trastevere, a bit off the beaten track. This place has been run by a family for generations, which for me is always a surefire hit in Italy. Cheap carafes of wine with indoor and outdoor tables.
Mamasi
Via di S. Francesco a Ripa, 154a, 00153
Fantastic wine bar with boards of charcuterie and cheese on offer. Also a good spot for craft beers! Super friendly and they clearly known their stuff, describing where all the meat and cheese I’d ordered was from. Great little spot.
Pasticceria Regoli
Via dello Statuto, 60, 00185
There’s a Roman pastry called Maritozzo, a sweet bun filled or topped with an astonishing amount of cream, and Pasticceria Regoli on via dello Statuto is known to be the best place in Rome to get one, so head there first thing to not miss them. I can confirm you can’t go wrong with their Nutella pastries and espresso either.
Sant’Eustachio Il Caffe
Piazza di S. Eustachio, 82, 00186
A Roman institution known for their coffee, this spot around the corner from the Pantheon is a must if you’re remotely into your espresso.
Also serving great pastries, you can either stand at the bar like all good Romans whilst you drink your espresso, or pay a little extra to take a seat outside on the pavement.
Be sure to grab a bag of their coffee in their iconic yellow packaging to take home with you.
GELATO
La Gelateria Frigidarium
Via del Governo Vecchio, 112, 00186
My favourite place for gelato in Rome. Pick your favourite flavour and they will dip it in running melted chocolate. It goes hard immediately and then you have this gorgeous chocolate casing around superb gelato. A must do!
Gelateria del Teatro
Via dei Coronari, 65/66, 00186
Another excellent spot for gelato – the pistachio is delicious!
Family Cremeria Artigianale
Largo Guglielmo Bilancioni , 3/4, 00152
This gelateria is a bit out of the way from the centre of Rome, but if you find yourself in the area definitely stop by. The gelato is not showcased in big piles but covered in big silver pots, which is the sign of quality gelato.
BEST APERITIVO IN ROME
Freni e Frizioni
Via del Politeama, 4, 00153
Freni e Frizioni in Trastevere is a very popular spot for aperitivo. Get there early to nab a spot – there’s a terrace outside so it’s a particularly great spot during the summer months.
Hotel de Russie
Via del Babuino, 9, 00187
The courtyard of the stunning Hotel du Russie is the most beautiful spot for fancy aperitivo. Whilst the drinks aren’t cheap, it’s a great place to go for one as a treat. It’s truly gorgeous and feels extremely glamorous.
L’Antica Enoteca
Via della Croce, 76b, 00186
Cited as one of the best wine bars in Rome, L’Enoteca Antica has a brilliant wine selection. A great place for people watching at the bar or outside. You’re served hunks of Parmeggiano off of a giant wheel, along with meats, marinated artichokes and olives.
ROOFTOP BARS
Hotel Raphael Rooftop Bar
Largo Febo, 2, 00186
Just around the corner from Piazza Navona, Hotel Raphael’s rooftop bar has lovely views and serves as a quiet reprieve from the crowds below.
Hotel Atlante Roof Garden & Bar
Via Crescenzio, 78, 00193
Open to non-guests all day and night from 10am for drinks, the roof terrace at the Hotel Atlante has panoramic views of the Vatican and St Peter’s Basilica. A gorgeous spot for aperitivo, or for brunch in the summer months.
La Terrazza del Cesàri
Via di Pietra, 89/a, 00186
This rooftop spot at the top of a boutique hotel near the Pantheon is only open in the evenings, but is a perfect spot to go to for drinks before or after dinner.
Minerva Roof Garden at Grand Hotel De La Minerve
Piazza della Minerva, 69, 00186
Roof terrace at the top of the beautiful Minerva hotel near the Pantheon, specialising in martinis.
THINGS TO DO IN ROME
Colosseum
My favourite thing to see in Rome. It never fails to blow my mind that the Colosseum is still standing after 2000 years. Breath taking, to be perfectly honest. Make sure to tour inside to discover the incredible history of the gladiators.
Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
Entry to the ancient Roman Forum and Palatine Hill is combined with the cost to explore the Colosseum. This space was where life in ancient Rome was situated; a wander around the ruins of the marketplace, religious and political centre will transport you back in time.
Sistine Chapel – The Vatican
As you will undoubtedly know, Michelangelo’s work in the Sistine Chapel is world famous and one of the biggest tourist attractions in Rome, and seeing it will be on many people’s bucket list.
Please note that if you are claustrophobic, try to visit very early in the day on a week day to avoid the majority of the crowds. I visited in January and had pre-booked, but I think due to the torrential rain there ended up being a lot more people than there should have been in there at any one time, and I struggled with the crowds.
St Peter’s Basilica – The Vatican
If you like a good view, be sure to factor in time to climb up the dome at the top of St Peter’s Basilica when visiting The Vatican – it boasts one of the most impressive views around.
The church itself is the largest in the world and commonly regarded as the most important, not only for its role as the home of the Pope and Catholicism, but also the extent of the Renaissance art it holds. Pre-book to avoid queueing for longer than you have to!
Spanish Steps
Famous set of steps that join the Piazza de Spagna at the foot and Piazza Trinità dei Monti at the top, where the Trinità dei Monti church sits. In the summer dozens of people sit on the Spanish Steps in the sunshine, taking their time over a gelato.
Trevi Fountain
One of the most famous landmarks you expect to see whilst in Rome, the Trevi Fountain lives up to expectations with its beauty. A stunning piece of architecture, it’s a lot bigger than you expect it to be, and wholly impressive.
Tradition cites you should throw some coins in the waters of the fountain to ensure you’ll return to Rome one day. Go first thing to avoid the mass crowds (bar the influencers!)
Trastevere
Known as the cooler, bohemian area of the capital, Trastevere is popular with a younger crowd. It’s full of great spots for aperitivo, as well as plenty of good spots to eat that tend to avoid the tourist trap of being expensive and overrated.
Piazza Navona
One of, if not the most famous piazza in Rome, Piazza Navona is a significant example of baroque Roman architecture, with three beautiful fountains including the Fountain of the Four Rivers, and an Egyptian obelisk in the centre of the square.
The ancient Romans would go there to watch games, whilst a few hundred years ago the space was used for a market. Piazza Navona is now a public square with restaurants lining the sides, and is host to a Christmas market in the winter months.
Pantheon
The Pantheon is a former Roman temple dating back to 113AD and now serves as a church. It’s quite a feat of architecture given its age: the height of the dome and the diameter of the interior circle are the same, 43.3 metres. The Pantheon stills holds the record for the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome.
Castel Sant’Angelo
The construction of Castel Sant’Angelo was completed in the year 139, and was intended as a mausoleum but swiftly became a fortress on the banks of the river Tiber.
The castle holds beautiful Renaissance frescoes, rooms that have functioned as residence for the Pope and there is a large terrace which serves as a great spot to take in the view extending over Rome.
Villa Borghese
If your visit to Rome coincides with good weather, going to Villa Borghese and exploring the stunning gardens is a lovely way to spend a few hours.
WHERE TO STAY IN ROME
With the Pantheon and Piazza Navona both a 10 minute walk away, and Trastevere just over the river nearby, Chapter Roma is in a great location for a city break in Rome.
Modern rooms peppered with dramatic pops of gold and velvet accents, this hotel also offers a gorgeous single room for the solo traveller. Book here.
The clue is in the name at this B&B: it is so charming! Rooms are bright with wood floors and touches that will make you feel right at home.
Tree Charme is based on the Trastevere side of the river nearby to lots of bars and restaurants, but is still close to attractions – the Vatican is just 15 mins walk away. Have your breakfast in the sunshine on the terrace before exploring the city. Book here.
Stylish boutique hotel in an excellent location in the historical centre of Rome. The hotel is home to the Aurora Bistrot & Bar, where you are treated to a free drink during your stay and can enjoy an amazing breakfast.
Nerva Boutique Hotel has good single rooms for solo occupancy on offer too. Book here.
The amazing rooftop bar and restaurant at Hotel Forum is the biggest pull of this hotel – it has incredible views across Rome to enjoy over breakfast or a pre dinner drink.
The hotel building dates back to the 18th century; rooms are spacious and traditional, and service is never lacking at Hotel Forum. Book here.
Very close to the Colosseum, the Profumo Collection Colosseo hotel is classic and elegant. Breakfast is served on the terrace each morning and the hotel is just two metro stops from the main train station, Roma Termini. Book here.
ROME TIPS
Storage
If you need somewhere to store your luggage in Rome, there are a few options. This place costs €5 for the day to leave a bag, and there are a several options around Rome with Stow Your Bags.
Fresh Water
The ancient Romans built a network of thousands of drinking fountains across the city which are still fine to drink today. The water is clean, fresh and ice cold, coming directly from the mountains and piped via an aqueduct built by the Romans hundreds of years ago. A pretty impressive feat of engineering.
GETTING AROUND ROME
In many cities Ubers are the easiest and cheapest form of taxis, but not in Rome. You are better off getting a local mini cab than an Uber – though remember to agree the price first so you don’t get stung with a tourist charge.
As for getting a taxi from FCO airport into the city – don’t bother. It costs around €70 and takes just as long as getting the €14 train into Roma Termini. The trains in Italy are fantastic: clean, speedy and efficient. They’re easy to navigate so I wouldn’t bother paying the extra for a taxi from the airport if I were you.
The metro system around Rome is also great, though I personally tend to go most places by foot during a city break. Journeys by metro and bus cost €1.50 each or €7 for the day – you can buy a ticket at any metro station (which you will need to do in advance of hopping on a bus!)
FOUND THIS ROME SOLO TRAVEL GUIDE USEFUL? PIN FOR LATER!
Updated July 2025.
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