Guide to Centro Storico neighbourhood in Rome

Visiting the Centro Storico in Rome is an invitation to travel... in time! To prepare your visit, follow the guide!

The Centro Storico, or Historic Centre, of Rome has a reputation that is no longer to be done. For centuries and centuries, it has been built around a single entity: the Roman population. It is really interesting to visit, because in a few ways, it is about going to meet a whole range of history. Today, some of the buildings are still in a remarkable state, regularly maintained. On the other hand, a few others are in a state rather deteriorated by the times. This is the risk, when you wear two millennia of history on your shoulders...

Follow the guide to visit the Centro Storico in Rome, to discover this time frozen in the stones and on the murals. Rome is not nicknamed “Lord City” for nothing...

The Centro Storico quarter in Rome in a few words

The city of Rome is divided into several districts, as well as Parisian districts. All are very different, like what animates them. That said, all vestiges of past times are not gathered in one place. Indeed, they are present in several neighborhoods because if Rome did not happen in one day, it has expanded. This is how you can find the Capitole and the Colosseum in the ancient quarter, Piazza Navona and the Pantheon in Old Rome...

What to see and what to do at the Centro Storico in Rome?

Plan to spend at least two full days in the historic centre of Rome. It is the minimum to hope to visit the essentials. Most of Rome's sights are historical places, but they are still must-sees in the city. They're not gathered in one place. On the contrary, they are scattered in the city, on the right and left banks of the river crossing Rome, the Tribe.

Among the many buildings that are worth the detour, here is a selection of the must-sees to visit the Centro Storico in Rome. This is about going to meet a whole civilization. The Roman Empire was powerful and perennial, it is still today, either by the still intact constructions or ruins. These ruins will appeal to your spirit of adventure: impossible not to attempt to reconstitute the life of the time...

Monuments and historic places

Admire the Colosseum, this immense amphitheatre that saw bloody episodes of Roman life, as well as the very close Forum Romain , very old public square where trade was carried out. Discover also Pantheon , where rest the men who had an important role in Rome. Take the time to stop at Vatican City , in order to visit the Basilica of Saint Peter or Sixtine Chapel . The state city is not inaccessible, but book your entries in advance, you will not be alone to want to enter.

In the southeast of the city, there is the Trastevere district, the ideal place to stroll and immerse yourself in the romantic atmosphere of Rome... The small streets and colorful buildings in the neighborhood will give you a glimpse of the daily lives of the inhabitants, for a total change. Find a troquet, and take a cappuccino, and taste it Dolce Vità .

Many other monuments and historic places await you: like the Trevi Fountain, Navone Square or Thermes of Caracalla . Everyone has a story to tell you.

Roman catacombs: Crypte des Capucins

Visiting the Crypte des Capucins is a fairly marginal way to discover the Centro Storico in Rome. Indeed, it may not be the first thing that comes to mind when we evoke the Eternal City. However, it is a visit that is worth the detour, except for children, because it can sometimes be scary. Reviews to amateur and amateur, so.

You will discover the monastic church of which the Capuchin brothers monks were the occupants. Then, the crypt in itself, its past, its history and of course, its bones...

Guided visits to the Centro Storico

Combine several monuments in one visit

Many providers offer guided tours of several monuments in one time. Often, these tickets have a cut-file, which will save you valuable minutes or even hours. These are combined visits that allow a global discovery of the historic centre of Rome, avoiding you having to think about a perfect route. Indeed, it is already and it is thought for you! There are guided tours of the Colosseum, Forum and Mount Palatin . Otherwise, you can target the Vatican City, by choosing a guided tour of the Sistine Chapel, the St.Peter's Basilica and the city itself.

Also, you can opt for it RomaPass which, in addition to giving you access to the city’s transport, offers free access to several flagship monuments such as the Colosseum or the Baths of Caracalla with a cut-file ticket. Valid for 48 or 72 hours, the RomaPass is a good alternative to visit the Centro Storico.

Discover Rome by bike

The Eternal City is very pedestrian, many things are done on foot. But there is another way to discover its streets and monuments: the bike. Guided bicycle tours are organized everywhere to discover, from outside in most cases, but with clear explanations, all the monuments of the city. This allows to cover a wide selection of essential things to see in Rome.

Culinary tour of Rome

As you know, Italian gastronomy alone is worth a visit. For this, combine your stay to discover monuments to a guided and culinary tour of what is best done in Rome. Enjoy these moments, and taste the Italian and Roman sweets throughout a circuit designed for the most gourmet. Street food, authentic trattoria cuisine, authentic drinks: there are for everyone. Some providers even allow to make the guided tour in the evening, to enjoy at the same time Rome by night .

Visit the Centro Storico in Rome by bus

You also have the option of guided tour by bus, often imperial. The many bus stops offer you time to discover each building. In addition, you receive explanations from the guide mounted on board with you.

The small advantage: you can go up and down whenever you want! Tickets for this kind of guided tour last from 2 to 72 hours. This allows you to manage according to your schedule and especially your desires!

Museums of the Capitol

Discover the oldest set of museums in the world, the Capitole Museums. On their own, they are home to the whole History of Ancient Rome: bronze or marble statues, paintings or murals, lift the mystery veil of this famous era. Guided tours are organized to allow you to learn as much about the works as on the beautiful places.

In fact, they take place in two palaces in the Capitol Square, the Nine Palace and the Conservatory Palace, but also in the Montemartini Central.

Other museums in Rome

The city of Rome is full of museums that trace the history of its civilization, its Empire and its culture. In addition to the Capitole Museums, you can visit the other museums that also deserve the detour: Rome Museum, Barracco Museum, or Bonaparte Museum.

Go to meet the Etruscan art, thanks to the museum dedicated to it: Villa Giulia. This is the most important collection of Etruscan art in the world, the origin of which dates back between the 9th and the 1st centuries before our era.

Best hotels to stay in the Centro Storico district of Rome

To visit the Centro Storico in Rome and enjoy it, the best is to stay there. The advantage of choosing accommodation in the heart of the city is that you will have more ease to move there on foot. We recommend it Locanda Del Sol , hotel located in the area of Campo Marzio, not far from the Tiber and Montecitorio Palace. Count between 90 and 145€ per night, depending on the booking period.

For budgets a little more modest but still want to be in the centre, we advise you Domus Ester . Ideally located for a walking discovery of the city. It takes a minimum of 50 € per night, but this is an excellent value for money/location.

Where to eat in the Centro Storico in Rome?

The reputation of Italian gastronomy is no longer to be done. To taste it, we recommend Emma Pizzeria, trattoria located Via del Monte della Farina (literally Mont de la Farine). This typical restaurant offers many Italian dishes, not only pizzas, with vegetarian and vegan proposals.

Finally, you cannot visit the Centro Storico in Rome without gelato ! Indeed, the ice, which we get from gelateria is an institution in Italy. Whether you prefer it in cornet as 72% of the Italian population, or in a small pot, you can buy it in winter as summer. We recommend the gelateria Otaleg, held by Marco Radicioni. It offers original tastes, even salted, and of course the great traditional ones: chocolate, strawberry, vanilla... Bonus: you can mix the tasting with the visual experience. Indeed, the workshop is visible from the outside!

How to get to the Centro Storico neighborhood in Rome?

Know that the city of Rome is very well served by the various transports.

• Metro : you can take the metro, on the lines A or B. These last two will lead you anyway in the center, where they join.
• Train urban trains also circulate and are frequent.
• Bus : on the bus lines, these are regular but sometimes not suitable for the Roman population: many people at peak times...

You now know everything you need to know to visit the Centro Storico in Rome! What are your flagship addresses?