Rome Car Rental

Guide to Rome

History

Founded in 753 BC by Romulus and Remus, Rome grew rapidly and soon became a force to be reckoned with in the Italian region. After becoming a Republic in 509 BC, it was ruled by a senate and two consuls, expanding rapidly over the next 400 years. In 27 BC Rome was elevated to the status of Empire, with Octavian becoming the first Emperor. Reaching its peak in the 2^nd Century AD, it controlled most of the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe. The Empire started to decline in the next century and collapsed in the 5^th century, thanks to a combination of barbarian invasions, political uncertainty, and economic problems. However, Rome remained important after the fall of the Empire, as the capital of the Papal States between the 8^th and 19^th century and Italy’s capital from 1870 onwards.

Culture

Today, modern Rome is a center for Italian culture and (rightly) famous for music, food, and fashion. Meanwhile, the Catholic church retains a powerful influence on faith and tradition, and Rome’s Renaissance creativity and ancient militarism still loom large. In terms of specific cultural phenomena, the importance of family is emphasized and it’s not unusual for extended families to live together in the same home. Food is also a lynchpin round these parts, as is a festival-packed calendar and a general love of life and the outdoors.

Alternative Rome

There are also some fabulous attractions slightly off the tourist trail in Rome. For instance, the peaceful Protestant Cemetery is definitely worth exploring as it’s the final home of such luminaries as Antonio Gramsci, Percy Shelley, and John Keats. It’s also worth taking a look at the UNESCO-rated Appian Way (the legendary main road into the city from the south) because it’s packed with ancient villages and tombs. If you’re a foodie, you’ll love picking up fresh local ingredients in markets like Testaccio and Campo de’ Fiori, and maybe even taking a cooking class that’ll turn you into a decent pizza or pasta chef.

Things to do in Rome

Family

Looking for fun things to do with kids in Rome? Explora is a good place to start. This high-tech science museum is the perfect place to learn about STEM topics in a way that’s educational but lively and fun. Alternatively, Bioparco zoo boasts over 2000 animals from across the globe and MagicLand is a superb amusement park with shows and rides aplenty. Meanwhile, Cinecitta world centers around the iconic Cinecitta film studios and kids of all ages can explore the sets from famous TV shows and movies, and the Odissea Aquarium contains over 1000 animals from under the deep, including rays, sharks, and tropical fish of all stripes (and spots). One last tip – Circo Massimo is a magical park for children to play and burn excess energy, so don’t forget to check it out.

Party

Want to let your hair down in Rome? You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to nightlife. Start at the Circolo degli Illuminati club in the heart of the city, which keeps guests dancing into the wee small hours with beats ranging from classic Detroit house to 90s Drum n Bass bangers, via disco anthems. Then there’s Lanificio 159, a former wool mill reinvented as a diverse cultural venue with a club, bar, and restaurant, while Shari Vari Play House is a top spot for wild fancy dress parties and theme nights. For a touch of retro Americana, Jerry Thomas Speakeasy recreates an intimate, high-end prohibition era vibe (it even has a secret door). And Fanfulla is the perfect pick for serious clubbers, with its enviable roster of headliner DJs and live bands.

Sport

Keen to keep up with your live sports passion while you’re in Rome? Football is the most popular sport here and Stadio Olympico is just one stadium where you can catch a live game and hear the passionate chants of home fans. But if you prefer hoops, there’s also live basketball at arenas like PalaLottomatica, and as the home of the Italian Open, Foro Italico is always a draw for tennis fans.

Eating out in Rome

Italian

If you can’t find jaw-dropping Italian food in Rome, there’s something wrong. But it pays to take in a few pro tips so you can prioritize the pecking order. If you want to sample traditional Roman dishes like saltimbocca and pasta alla gricia, Giacomo al Papa is a central eatery that’s lauded by locals and tourists alike, while Trattoria Da Cesare al Casaletto in the Trastevere district specialized in dishes like coda alla vaccinara and pasts alla carbonara. Alternatively, Lo Scopettaro in the Testaccio area specializes in fine wines and perfectly grilled meats.  

Street Food

So what type of tasty street food should you be seeking out in Rome? One of the tastiest snacks is Trapizzino, a pizza triangle stuffed with mouth watering fillings like cacio e pepe and pasta alla gricia. Meanwhile, Suppli are fried rice balls filled with ingredients like sausage, tomato sauce and mozzarella, and panino con la mortadella is a special sandwich made with mortadella pork sausage, tomatoes, and provolone cheese. After all those savory notes, you can cleanse your palate with grattachecca – a delicious, shaved ice dessert infused with flavored syrups and finished with chocolate sauce or whipped cream. Yup, it really is as delicious as it sounds.

International

Yearning for some international cuisine? Goji in the Monti neighborhood is famous for fresh sashimi and sushi, while the same neighborhood is also home to Miznon, an Israeli restaurant specializing in falafel and small plates. In the Testaccio neighborhood meanwhile, Fish & Chips serves up British classics, while Frenchie in the Prati area is renowned for its French cuisine and fine wines. But that’s not all. Check out Mamounia in the Campo de’ Fiori neighborhood for magnificent Moroccan couscous and tagines, while Avocado in Trastevere is the place for spicy Mexican cuisine and chilled margaritas.

Transport in Rome

Airport

The main international airport in Rome is Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino (FCO), which is 26km southwest of the city. Opened in 1961, it serves 43 million passengers annually via carriers like Lufthansa, British Airways, easyJet and Alitalia. FCO has four runways, two terminals and over 100 gates, with facilities and amenities including free Wi-Fi, bars, restaurants and (of course) car rental.

Public transport

ATAC is Rome’s main public transport company, and it runs the city’s trolleybuses, metro, trams, and buses. Buying a Rome Pass unlocks multimodal travel on an unlimited basis for a period of 24, 48 and 72 hours. Public transport is fairly reliable in Rome but if you want to travel independently and a little further afield, renting a car is preferable.

Driving

Rome can get very crowded, so be prepared for traffic during rush hour periods. And you should also look out for the limited traffic ZTL zone – several areas in the city have traffic restrictions and require a special permit. You’ll need to be patient, as driving in this city can be frustrating, and you should familiarize yourself with Italian road rules before leaving home. Parking can also be tricky to access in the city, so again, it’s important to plan ahead.  Last but by no means least, in Rome (and Italy at large) you always drive on the right-hand side of the road.