4 Days in Rome: The Perfect Italian City Break

On arrival at Rome Fiumicino Airport, we opted to take a taxi into the old town. In hindsight, this wasn’t our finest decision, as the taxi rank was exceptionally busy and we spent more than two hours queuing in temperatures exceeding 30°C. Once we were finally on our way, however, the journey into the city took around 30 minutes and cost approximately €50-55. Despite the long wait, our first drive through Rome was unforgettable, with magnificent architecture appearing around almost every corner and providing an impressive introduction.

For our 4 day stay, we chose Hotel Relais Rione Ponte, which proved to be an outstanding base for exploring Rome. Ideally located just around the corner from Piazza Navona, the hotel was within easy walking distance of the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Colosseum and Vatican City. Our room was comfortable, immaculately maintained and surprisingly quiet given its central location, while the staff were consistently warm, welcoming and helpful throughout our stay. Combining excellent service with an unbeatable location, it was the perfect place from which to experience Rome, and somewhere we would happily return on a future visit.

Rome is unlike anywhere we’ve ever visited. History isn’t tucked away inside museums here. It’s everywhere. One moment you’re wandering down a seemingly ordinary street and the next you’re standing in front of a 2,000-year-old monument. Ancient ruins sit alongside busy cafés, elegant fountains and vibrant neighbourhoods, creating an atmosphere that feels both historic and alive.

Despite temperatures reaching a relentless 36°C every day, we couldn’t stop exploring. Thankfully, Rome rewards every step.

One of our favourite areas of the city was Trastevere. With its cobbled streets, colourful buildings, ivy-covered walls and relaxed atmosphere, it felt completely different from some of Rome’s busier tourist hotspots. It’s the kind of neighbourhood where the best plan is often to have no plan at all.

We spent hours wandering its charming backstreets, discovering hidden squares, independent shops and inviting restaurants. As evening arrived, the area came alive with locals and visitors enjoying long dinners and drinks outdoors.

If you’re visiting Rome, make sure you allow yourself time to simply get lost here.

The Roma Fiat 500 Vintage Car with Professional Photoshoot experience was easily one of the most memorable parts of our trip, exploring the city in a classic Fiat 500. Few experiences feel more Italian than cruising through Rome in an iconic Fiat, with historic landmarks appearing around every corner.

Costing around €78 for two people, this tour offered a fantastic way to experience some of Rome’s most beautiful viewpoints and historic neighbourhoods. Beginning with the iconic Colosseum as a backdrop, we set off to Giardino degli Aranci (the Orange Garden) which provided a welcome escape from the busy city streets, with its peaceful surroundings and spectacular panoramic views across Rome. It was the perfect place to slow down, take in the scenery and capture some memorable photographs.

From there, we continued through the charming streets of Trastevere, one of Rome’s most characterful districts. Its narrow cobbled lanes, colourful buildings and vibrant atmosphere offered a glimpse into a different side of the city. Our final stop was the magnificent Fontana dell’Acqua Paola, an impressive Baroque fountain that not only showcases stunning architecture but also provides yet another wonderful vantage point from which to admire Rome. With plenty of opportunities for photographs along the way, this proved to be an enjoyable and very memorable sightseeing experience.

Of course, no trip to Rome would be complete without visiting some of the world’s most famous sights.

The Pantheon

The Pantheon was every bit as impressive as we’d imagined. Standing beneath its enormous dome and admiring the incredible engineering that has allowed it to survive for almost two thousand years was a truly memorable experience. We booked directly using the official Pantheon website and entry to the Pantheon was just over €10 for two people.

The Colosseum

Seeing the Colosseum for the first time is one of those unforgettable travel experiences that lives up to every expectation. Its immense scale, rich history and commanding presence are difficult to comprehend until you’re standing right beside it.

We purchased tickets in advance from the official Colosseum website, this cost approximately €36 for two people and included entry to the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine. While the Colosseum is undoubtedly one of Rome’s most impressive landmarks and a must-see for any visitor, it wasn’t the standout highlight of our trip. That honour went to St. Peter’s Basilica, whose breathtaking architecture, atmosphere and sheer grandeur left an even more lasting impression on us. Even so, the Colosseum remains an extraordinary monument and an essential stop for anyone exploring Rome. A great tip, if you’re visiting in the summer months, try and book an early morning slot. We left it a little late to book and there were only afternoon slots available, not a good option in the blistering heat.

St. Peter’s Basilica

St. Peter’s Basilica was undoubtedly one of the highlights of our time in Rome. From the moment you step inside, the sheer scale, intricate detail and extraordinary craftsmanship are nothing short of awe-inspiring. Every corner reveals something remarkable, and it’s impossible not to find yourself constantly looking upwards, trying to absorb the breathtaking ceilings, sculptures and architectural masterpieces that surround you.

Of all the attractions we’ve visited during our travels, St. Peter’s Basilica remains the most impressive. Its beauty, grandeur and atmosphere left a lasting impression that has yet to be surpassed. It sets an incredibly high standard, and finding another landmark to match the sense of wonder it inspired will be no easy task. Better still, entry to St Peter’s Basilica was free although there are options to include the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel which we opted not to do on this occasion..

Trevi Fountain

Despite the inevitable crowds, the Trevi Fountain was one of the most breathtaking sights we experienced in Rome. We visited twice during our stay and had very different experiences. Our first visit, in mid-morning, was extremely busy, making it difficult to fully appreciate the setting or take good photos. Determined to see it at its best, we returned the following morning at around 6:45am and were rewarded with a much quieter atmosphere. With only a handful of people around, we could admire the fountain in peace and capture some fantastic photographs without the usual crowds in the background. For anyone planning a visit, an early morning start is well worth the effort.

Exploring Rome requires energy, especially in the height of summer, and thankfully the city offers no shortage of delicious ways to recharge. Throughout our stay, we enjoyed more than our fair share of gelato, limoncello spritz, pizza, pasta, espresso and countless other Italian delicacies. Stopping for a refreshing gelato between sightseeing stops quickly became part of our daily routine and proved to be one of the best ways to escape the relentless heat while exploring the city’s historic streets.

Food and drink became as much a part of the experience as the world-famous landmarks themselves, adding another layer of enjoyment to an already unforgettable trip. One pleasant surprise was the cost. Despite Rome’s status as one of Europe’s most visited cities, we found prices to be quite reasonable and often lower than comparable meals and drinks in the UK. While enjoying a spritz in a prime location such as Piazza Navona naturally came with a slightly higher price tag, the atmosphere, surroundings and people-watching opportunities made it worth every euro.

Rome is one of those rare destinations that genuinely lives up to the hype. The city effortlessly combines world-famous landmarks, fascinating history, beautiful neighbourhoods, exceptional food and a vibrant atmosphere that makes it impossible not to be captivated by it. Every day seemed to bring a new highlight, whether we were wandering the picturesque streets of Trastevere, exploring the city in a classic Fiat 500 Abarth, or standing in awe before iconic sights such as the Pantheon, the Colosseum, St. Peter’s Basilica and the Trevi Fountain.

Although the summer heat was relentless at times, it never detracted from the experience. If anything, it encouraged us to slow down, savour another gelato and soak up the atmosphere for a little longer. Rome gave us countless unforgettable memories and left us with a deep appreciation for its beauty, history and energy. By the time we headed home, there was no doubt in our minds that this wouldn’t be our last visit.