Attractions
This is a quick overview of the most important tourist attractions in Rome, in no particular order. Elsewhere on this blog more detailed descriptions of Rome’s most popular and important tourist sites can be found. Quick directions from Rome Termini and from the B&B Chaplin Hostel Rome are included.
Colosseum
Also called Flavian Amphitheatre, the Colosseum is the ancient playground of gladiators. They fought animals there, they fought slaves and they fought eachother. And the audience cheered.
(6 minutes by metro from Rome Termini and Chaplin Hostel Rome - line B stop Colosseo.)
Forum Romanum
The political and religious center of ancient Rome. The Forum Romanum, between the Palatine, Capitoline and Esquiline hills, oozes history. Monuments and ruins, and in the background there is a little thing called the Colosseum.
(6 minutes by metro from Rome Termini and Chaplin Hostel Rome - line B stop Colosseo.)
Vatican City and Saint Peter’s Basilica
The world’s smallest independent country and the seat of the Roman Catholic Church and residency of the Pope. Even if the wealth on display might seem a bit over the top, the art that can be seen in Saint Peter’s Basilica is amazing.
(Take metro line A and get off at Ottaviano - 6 stops from Termini and Chaplin B&B Rome.)
Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
Don’t be fooled by the words of Kinky Friedman: “You’ve seen one Sistine Chapel, you’ve seen ‘em all”. The Sistine Chapel is unique, worth the price of admission to the Vatican Museums alone. Bring food and drinks, three hour queues are not an exception.
(Take metro line A and get off at Ottaviano - 6 stops from Termini and Chaplin B&B Rome.)
Pantheon
The oldest temple in the world that is still used as such, the Pantheon is an architectural wonder. Even nowadays people fail to comprehend how a building of such perfect proportions could be built – almost 20 centuries ago.
(Bus 40E from Rome Termini. 15 To 20 minutes from the station and the Rome Hostel Chaplin. Beware of pickpockets)
Spanish Steps
The Spanish steps connect the Trinità dei Monti with the Spanish Square itself. A meeting place for the young, the steps are at its most majestic when the huge flower pots with azaleas in bloom adorn them.
(The Spanish Steps are 10 minutes and 3 stops by subway from Rome Hostel Chaplin Bed and Breakfast - Spagna.)
Trevi Fountain
Arguably the most famous and romantic fountain in the world, the Trevi Fountain is the place where the teenagers of Rome gather. Throw a coin into the fountain and you will, guaranteed, return to Rome one day.
(The Trevi Fountain lies 20 minutes from the B&B Chaplin Hostel Rome. Subway line A to Spagna and a 10 minute walk.)
Via del Corso
Rome’s main shopping street, leading from Piazza Venezia to the Piazza del Popolo. About halfway you will find the side streets with the big name boutiques.
(A 12 minute ride on the underground to Flaminio - 4 stops from Rome Termini and Chaplin Bed and Breakfast Rome.)
Via Appia Antica
The “queen of the roads” starts at the Porta San Sebastiano in Rome and ends all the way in Italy’s heel, in Brindisi. Along the first few miles there are tombs, monuments, and a beautiful park, not to mention some Catacombs and a footprint of Saint Peter.
(3 stops on the Metro to San Giovanni, then bus 218, 30 minutes from B&B Chaplin Hostel Rome.)
Catacombs
There are several Catacombs in Rome, but the most important ones are those of San Callisto and San Sebastiano. Mazes of underground tunnels where the Christians hid from persecution and were also buried.
(3 stops on the Metro to San Giovanni, then bus 218, 30 minutes from Termini and the pensione.)
Castel Sant’Angelo
Meant to be a mausoleum for Hadrian and his relatives, Castel Sant’Angelo during the course of its history became a fortress, a castle, a prison and, in the present times, a museum. An underground passage connects it to the Vatican, so the Pope would be able to flee, when under siege.
(Bus 40E till you see the river, 15 minutes or 30 minutes from the B&B Chaplin Rome, depending on the traffic.)
Piazza Navona
One of the most beautiful squares in Rome (or anywhere), Piazza Navona is the place where the Romans go to be seen. The Fountain of the Four Rivers in the middle of the piazza is a masterpiece.
(Bus 40E from Rome Termini. 15 To 20 minutes from the station and the Rome Hostel Chaplin.)
Trastevere
Trastevere is traditionally the area with the biggest concentration of restaurants, bars and pubs in Rome. With its narrow, winding streets it is especially beautiful during the evenings and nights.
(Take the H bus from Rome Termini - 20 minutes from B&B Chaplin Hostel Rome.)
Testaccio
Rome’s second nightlife area, become popular in recent years. Near the Piramide metro stop, Testaccio, is especially noted for the number of clubs and discotheques.
(Subway line B to Piramide - 12 minutes. On the way back the 40N nightbus will get you to Termini and the Chaplin Hostel Rome.)
Galleria Borghese
One floor full of statues, one floor full of paintings. It took 14 years to restore the museum, which started as Cardinal Scipione Borghese’s private art collection. Mandatory booking, at least one day in advance.
(Bus line 910 from Rome Termini gets you to the Gallery in 15 minutes.)
Via Veneto
Where the movie stars and the paparazzi who tailed them used to hang out in the sixties. Though the stars have gone off, Via Veneto still retains much of its original grandeur.
(From Rome Termini and Chaplin Bed & Breakfast Rome 5 minutes by subway - line A to Barberini)
Olympic Stadium
The home ground of Rome’s two big football teams, Roma and Lazio, l’Olimpico holds 80,000 spectators.
(Bus line 910 takes you from Rome Termini almost to the stadium. A 10 minute walk from the end of the line.)
Circus Maximus
For those familiar with the movie Ben Hur, the Circus Maximus is where the races were held. Sadly there is not much left of the original circus, but you can still get an idea of how immense the place must have been.
(8 Minutes on the metro from Rome Hostel Chaplin B&B - stop Circo Massimo on line B.)
Rome Termini
Rome’s main railway station is a tourist attraction in itself. Transportation hub (train, bus, metro and taxi meet in Termini), + shopping hall = chaos.
(A three minute saunter from the Bed and Breakfast Chaplin Hostel Rome.)