Romans are possessively proud of their historic city, and why wouldn’t they be? There are few cities in the world that evoke the sheer wonder and amazement of Rome, with an unforgettable history. Outstanding art, ancient history and religious icons are around every corner and, when it all gets too much, you can join the locals in sipping espresso in one of the city’s many squares. With so much to see and do, the real test will be trying to fit it all in.

A monument to raw, merciless power, the Colosseum is one of the most thrilling ancient sights in Rome. It’s not just its vast size, but the sense of violent history that resonates – gladiators met here in mortal combat and condemned prisoners fought off wild beasts in front of bloodthirsty crowds. Two thousand years later it is not only Rome’s, but Italy’s most popular tourist attraction, drawing in between 16,000 and 19,000 people on an average day.

Located between the Circo Massimo and the Roman Forum, the Palatine Hill is an atmospheric area of majestic ruins, towering pine trees and unforgettable views. According to legend, this is where Romulus killed his twin and founded Rome in 753 BC.

If you only have time to fit in one art gallery on your visit, be sure to visit the Museo e Galleria Borghese. Not only is it stunning, but it provides the perfect introduction to Renaissance and baroque art without being overwhelming. Due to its popularity, visitors are admitted at two-hourly intervals, so you’ll need to call to pre-book and enter at an allotted entry time.

Listen out for the Italians
Italians are famous for their love of good food and their skills in making it. Rome is bursting at the seams with restaurants, trattorias, pizzerias, osterias and more, but while the sit-down lunch is a favorite pastime in the ‘Eternal City’, Romans certainly love their street food too.

If you’re trying to pack as much sightseeing and culture as you can into your holiday, Rome has a bounty of snack options that are budget friendly and perfect for when you’re on the go.

For a gourmet sandwich (panino), Tricolore Panini is the place to go. Located in the Monti district – a short walk from the Colosseum – this place serves up delicious treats from an ever-changing menu, including freshly baked potato bread, roast pork cheek and falafel.

Around the corner from the market is 00100 Pizza, where the infamous Roman street food snack ‘trapizzino’ was born. The delicious pizza pockets are filled in front of you with classic flavours like meat and tomato ragu or braised chicken.

The latest craze in Rome street food is the Romeo Ape Truck – a mobile sandwich shop showcasing local, fresh and seasonal ingredients and Rome’s famous Roscioli bread out and about on the streets of Rome.

And who could forget about gelato? Italy certifies select shops as ‘gelaterie artigianali’ as mark of an establishment that uses only fresh ingredients and no artificial colours, flavours or thickeners. Gelateria del Teatro, just off the pedestrianised via dei Coronari between piazza Navona and the lungotevere Marzio, is a gelateria artigianale, using specially sourced ingredients including almonds from Bari and pistachios from Sicily.

The picturesque location offers outdoor seating in a tiny alley and the gelato itself includes several flavours of chocolate ranging from ‘al latte’ (milk) to ‘puro’ (reputedly 70% chocolate). Other choices include cassata and tiramisù flavours plus caramel-pear and ricotta-fig-almond.

The trick is to look out for long queues and listen out for the Italian language – if the locals are eating somewhere, you can bet you’re on to a winner!

Whether you’re drawn to Rome for the food or its history, this beautiful city is sure to leave you wanting more.