A millennial-style five-minute guide to Rome

It’s time to do as the Romans do in the Eternal City, with our guide to eating, drinking, shopping and everything in between.

Ciao, welcome to Roma

Getting from the airport to the city is easy:

From Leonardo da Vinci Airport

The Leonardo Express train (treno), which sadly does not lead to Mr DiCaprio, will get you to Rome Termini Station in comfort.
Departing from Platform 24 every 30 minutes, this non-stop, first class service takes around 30 minutes and costs only $16.

From Ciampino Airport

Terravision runs buses (autobuses) every 20 minutes. Travel time is 40 minutes and it’s only $6.

Taxis

Taxis can be expensive with a set fee of $58 from Leonardo da Vinci and $43 from Ciampino with a luggage fee of $1.50.

Make sure they have a ‘SPQR’ city coat of arms as Roman taxi drivers are known to take tourists for a bit of a ride.

“Where is the bus?" = “Dov’è l’autobus?"

“Where is the subway?" = “Dov’è la metropolitana?"

“Where are the taxis?" = “Dov’è sono i tassì?"

Trasporto (transport)

By bus

ATAC buses are the only public transport option in the ancient centre with services running from around 5:30am til midnight.
Be sure to validate your ticket on board to avoid on-the-spot fines.

A ‘Metrebus Ticket’ is from $9 for a day to $35 for a week; they can be used on metro, buses and local trains and are available to purchase at metro stations, newsstands and kiosks.

By foot

Don your Roman sandals – or some comfy walking shoes – and hit the pavement. Book a hotel in a central area like Piazza Navona for reasonable walking distances to the major sites: Pantheon (7 mins), Trevi Fountain (14 mins), Spanish Steps (18 mins), Colosseum (25 mins), Vatican (28 mins).

By tour

Rome wasn’t built in a day, but it can be seen in a day (well, kind of) with the hop-on/hop-off bus for sightseeing from $36; city-sightseeing.com

“A map, please." = “Una mappa per favore."

Mangia, Mangia! (Eat, Eat!)

Trevi Fountain Rome — Enjoy a gelato in front of the iconic Trevi Fountain.

Pizza

Pinsere Roma, Via Flavia 98 – Mon to Fri

Pizzarium, Via della Meloria 43

You’ll pay around $1.50–6 per slice.

Gelato

Come il Latte, Via Silvio Spaventa 24-26

Gelato D’Autore Salaria, Via Salaria 260

You’ll pay around $3–6 for a scoop.

Wine (vino)

Al Vino Al Vino, Via dei Serpenti 19

Cavour 313, Via Cavour 313 – closed Sundays in summer

You’ll pay around $4.50 for a glass.

Coffee (caffè)

Caffe della Pace, Via della Pace 3/7

Rosati, Piazza del Popolo 4/5a

You’ll usually pay around $1.50 for a coffee. Drink standing at the bar as it costs less than sitting at an outside table.

You’ll also pay around $1.50 for a bottle of water (acqua), $4 for a beer (birra), $4 for a sandwich, $20 for a meal.

“The bill, please." = “Il conto, per favore."

Giro turistico (sightseeing)

Family cruising holiday in Italy. — The Colosseum

We’ve all heard of the Colosseum, but have you heard of …

Ostia Antica

Around 30 kilometres from the heart of the city, Rome’s forgotten harbour city, Ostia Antica, was once a thriving port at the mouth of the Tiber River.

Some of the ancient ruins date back to the 4th century BC. $12 entry; guided tours also available.

Basilica of San Clemente

A short stroll from the Colosseum, this relatively unknown Renaissance-era basilica is well worth the visit for what is hidden beneath its surface.

In 1857 excavations uncovered a fourth-century cathedral below the street level site; and below that again, a first-century building.

Incredibly, there are also remnants of a fourth stratum that was destroyed by fire in 64AD.

The main church is free to enter, but the lower levels cost $7.

“Where is the bathroom?" = “Dov’è la toilette?"

To il mercato (market)

Campo de Fiori Markets

A delightful open air market with flowers, fruit and veges and the scent of fresh pizza lingering in the air.

Monday–Saturday, 8am–1:30pm

Porta Portese Flea Market

The streets of Trastevere, just south of Vatican City, come alive every Sunday with peddlers selling all sorts of knick knacks.

Vintage reigns supreme here: scour around for retro sunglasses, second-hand designer clothing, hard-to-find records and used books.

Sundays, 7am–2pm. Get here bright and early to beat the crowds!

Weekly travel news, experiences
insider tips, offers, and more.

Via Condotti

Starting at the base of the Spanish Steps, this hub is arguably known as Rome’s swankiest shopping street.

Max out your credit card or fog up the windows at designer stores like Louis Vuitton, Versace, Armani and Dolce & Gabbana, to name drop a few.

“How much?" = “Quanto costa/costano?"

The best albergo (hotel)

Piazza Navona is a great central spot to base yourself.

This maze of narrow alleys, dating from the Middle Ages, is buzzing with sidewalk cafés and bars, street artists, musicians and some magnificent architecture.

Our picks in this area:

Hotel Adriano

Located just steps from the Trevi Fountain, this cosy and neat hotel has smaller classic rooms to larger apartments.

Our fave is the deluxe room with its private terrace boasting views over Rome’s roof tops.

From $319 per night for a deluxe room. hoteladriano.com

Hotel Abruzzi

This family-run hotel is worth booking for its view of the Pantheon alone, which is literally a stone’s throw away.

All 26 rooms have been recently renovated.

From $370 for a double/twin room with a view. hotelabruzzi.com

Hotel de Russie

Described by Jean Cocteau as “Paradise on Earth" , this hotel is the definition of luxury with 122 individually designed rooms and suites, a divine spa and a beautiful garden restaurant headed by a two-Michelin starred chef – all located beside the Spanish Steps. From $896 for a classic room. roccofortehotels.com

J.K. Place Roma

The sister property of the gorgeous J.K. Place Capri is an elegant newcomer to Rome’s luxe landscape.

It is located a stroll from Via Condotti and the Spanish Steps beyond, and boasts a mix of contemporary and antique designs.

From $1016 per night for a J.K Classic Room. jkroma.com

Portrait Roma

This hotel is part of the Lungarno Collection, founded by Salvatore Ferragamo, and is located above his store on the prestigious Via Condotti.

There are 14 unique guest rooms, some with views over the Spanish Steps, and a gorgeous rooftop terrace with an open fire.

From $1281 for a portrait studio. lungarnocollection.com

“Good night!" = “Buona notte!"

By Megan Arkinstall and Patrick Higgins

If you like the look of a Rome getaway, make sure you check out our Rome travel guide, so you can ensure you read up on the very best the region has to offer!

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.