#1. Because when its spelt backwards its amor, which is love in Italian
Just kidding, that is not one of the many reasons I love the captial city of Italy and I really do love Rome despite what I may say when public transportation is involved. There are a lot of fantastic things to be found in Rome and a lot of them are obvious ones, the Colosseum, the Vatican but there is more to Rome than that. So here is my list for the top five reasons I love Rome.
The Real #1. It’s old and I mean really old and you can see it everywhere. Maybe this is just an archeological nerd talking but I love Rome for not only its history but for the thousands of layer of history. You can see old ruins all over the city in the great monuments but what I love is that you can see it where you least expect it. I was dining in a restaurant once and their wine cellar is a Jewish synagogue dating back to 80BC, thats pretty amazing when you realize that this is 100 years BEFORE the Colosseum. Pretty freaking cool. Also its layers of history are never ending and if you really want to see layers check out the church of St. Clemente. Turns out its not just a church, but underneath the church there is an older church, and then a pagan shrine from the 2nd century under that and then a public building from the 1st century under that. So layers and history make up reason #1. #2. Monte Testaccio. This is an ancient man made mountain of pottery which today is surrounded by clubs and bars. Only in Rome will you see this happen and I love it. By day you can go play on monte testaccio and climb up all of this old amphora from all over the ancient world: Spain, Africa, Greece and Egypt, and then later you can go back to the same area to go to bars and clubs and go to the Macro, one of Rome’s brand new Modern art museums. Now I realize that this is once again history but I think a mountain of pottery deserves its own spot. #3. Trastevere. Where would romans be without this neighborhood? Located on just the other side of the Tiber, Trastevere is “where real Romans go” or at least thats what all the guidebooks say. And to be fair a lot of Romans go here but then again so do study abroads and tourists, but there is a reason. Its a great neighborhood. Some of my favorite restaurants are located here and also my favorite place to get shots that are served in chocolate cups. Its a great area that really has what you want in Rome, great food, great nightlife and medieval streets with quaint cobblestone streets that will give you a twisted ankle if you aren’t careful.
#4. Galleria Borghese. This awesome gallery is probably my favorite museum in all of Rome and yes its higher on the list than the Vatican. Why you may ask? Because its not crowded, really ever, because you must reserve tickets and a time slot. But really I think I would go there even if it was crowded. It has six Caravaggio paintings, one is even an apology by Caravaggio to the Pope (who happens to be a Borghese). It has the most beautiful Bernini pieces to be found in Rome and some amazing paintings with great stories behind them (like a Raphael that was taken in the middle of the night by the Pope’s nephew who set up the gallery). So much awesome in the art world is packed into just that one museum.
#5. The Pantheon. Anyone who knows me or who has met me or has talked to me about Rome knows that this is my favorite spot in the whole of Rome, probably my favorite monument from all of ancient history except maybe the Parthenon….. But it is truly a must see. I could probably do five reasons why I love the Pantheon alone but I will restrain myself. The main reason you should go see it is because it was built in the 120’sAD and it is to this day the largest free standing concrete dome in the world and NO ONE knows how Hadrian built, even Michelangelo couldn’t figure it out. So it is obviously awesome.
So there are five reasons why I love Rome, I could probably go on and write a novel about it but I won’t so my advice to you is to go and check it out yourselves. If you want more information about any of this let me know!
Getting Around Without Losing Your Mind
I joked earlier about public transportation, and I stand by it. Rome's buses can be unpredictable, and the metro is limited precisely because every time someone digs a tunnel they hit something ancient and the whole project stops for the archaeologists. As an archeological nerd I can't even be mad about it. It is the same layering of history I love so much, just slowing down my commute.
My honest advice is to walk. Most of the places on my list sit close enough together that you can stroll between them, and the best discoveries happen when you turn down a side street without a plan. Just wear shoes you trust, because those cobblestones really will find your ankle.
Planning Your Visit
A few practical things will make your trip much smoother, especially if you want to see the places I mentioned:
- Reserve the Galleria Borghese early. Since entry is by time slot, you can't just wander in, so book ahead rather than hoping for a gap.
- Give the layered sites time. St. Clemente rewards you if you actually go down through each level instead of rushing.
- Visit the Pantheon more than once. The light moving through the opening in the dome changes the whole feel of the room depending on the hour.
- Pace yourself. Rome is huge, and trying to cram everything into one day just leaves you tired and grumpy.
Eating and Drinking Like You Mean It
Food deserves its own mention, even if it didn't make my official five. Some of the best meals I've had were in unassuming places, and I've learned that a restaurant with a short menu and a full room of locals is usually a good sign. Trastevere is great for this, but wander a bit beyond the busiest squares and you'll often find better food at friendlier tables.
Leave room for the evening, too. Rome after dark is one of its great pleasures, whether that means a long dinner, a drink near Testaccio, or just walking past floodlit ruins while the day's crowds disappear.
Where to Go Next
If this list has you itching to go, take a look at my Rome City Guide for more of the places I recommend, or browse everything under City Guides: Rome. And if you'd like to see how I write about other places, the rest of the City Guides are waiting for you.