Why go?

You really need to ask? A 3,000-year-old city boasting architectural splendour on every corner, more sights to see than you could ever do justice to in a weekend, and enough pizza, pasta and gelati to fuel your sightseeing. Is that enough?

What to do

It’s difficult to avoid the obvious – and you wouldn’t want to. Start early at the Vatican Museums (vatican.va), home to countless artefacts and pieces of art commissioned by popes down the years, and plan to spend a good part of the day wandering its halls. The sculpture here takes in an array of Roman emperors, but it’s the frescoes and murals across ceilings and walls that take centre stage. The fascinating Gallery of Maps, commissioned by Pope Gregory XIII in the 16th century, shows the extent of geographic learning at the time, while the Raphael Rooms are a riot of colour. The pièce de résistance, of course, is Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel – and it’s worth heading straight there on the shorter itinerary to try and view it before it gets too crowded. From here, St Peter’s Basilica is a short walk, and home to another jaw-dropping interior. Rome’s smaller churches, some apparently modest from the outside, and in the middle of unremarkable streets, are also worth dipping into – none more so than San Carlo al Corso, on one of Rome’s main shopping thoroughfares, Via del Corso. The street leads to the lively Piazza del Popolo, itself home to two further churches, including that of the striking Santa Maria del Popolo, home to Caravaggio’s Martyrdom of St Peter and the Conversion of St Paul. Art buffs will be spoilt for choice by way of galleries, among the most notable being Galleria Borghese (galleriaborghese.it), set in a sumptuous villa within a lovely park. And you don’t have to be a historian to be blown away by the astonishing ruins of the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. Meanwhile the sublime Pantheon provides a peerless view of Roman architecture, while one could simply stand and gawp all day at the Vittoriano monument, built to commemorate Italy’s reunification.

Where to stay

If you plan to spend a chunk of time exploring the Vatican, the new Gran Meliá Rome Villa Agrippina (00 39 06 925 901, www.melia.com), housed in a former convent, is a handy and supremely comfortable choice. In the heart of town, at the top of the Spanish Steps, Hotel Hassler (00 39 06 699 340, hotelhasslerroma.com) is a classic option, and also impeccably located. Crossing Condotti (00 39 06 6992 0633, www.crossingcondotti.com) is a fun, more competitively priced town house with six rooms and a shared kitchen, at the heart of the shopping district. The antique-lined Hotel Campo de’ Fiori (00 39 06 688 06865, hotelcampodefiori.com) is a relatively affordable, central option, near to the square and famous old market of the same name, which houses some of the best natural produce to be found in the city, from artichokes to asparagus, strawberries to mushrooms.

Where to eat and drink

For a classic but good quality trattoria, Restaurant 34 (00 39 06 679 5091, www.ristoranteal34.it) is a great find, around the corner from the Piazza di Spagna but frequented by locals as much as tourists – as is the simple wine bar Antico Enoteca (00 39 06 679 0896) close by. For a grander affair, Imàgo (00 39 06 699 34726, www.imagorestaurant.com), at the top of the Spanish Steps, provides cleverly crafted Michelin- starred dishes (go all out for the tasting menu) and a stunning view over the city. A great all-round option, meanwhile, is Roscioli (00 39 06 687 5287, www.salumeriaroscioli.com), home to a deli, bakery and fine but casual restaurant with superb meats and cheese, and which also runs regular wine and food tastings.

Time running out?

Get up early to take in some rare calm at the imposing Trevi Fountain; rammed with tourists for the rest of the day.

Travel Information

Travel Information

Currency is the euro. Rome is one hour ahead of GMT. Total travel time is two and a half hours from London to Rome Fiumicino airport. Cost to carbon offset is £2.39 (www.climatecare.org).

Getting There

Norwegian (www.norwegian.com) flies direct from London Gatwick to Rome Fiumicino.
British Airways (www.ba.com) flies direct from Gatwick to Fiumicino.

Resources

Rome info (www.rome.info) has a wealth of information on accommodation, attractions and restaurants.