In 2022, I already spent a day and a half in Rome, but I saw relatively few sights. That’s why I definitely had to return.
In February 2024, I traveled to Paris on a Friday, but the return trip was quite expensive. So it was convenient that there was a cheap ticket to Rome on Monday morning, and then from there to Budapest late Tuesday evening. With this, I was able to make up for the missed attractions.
Since I love beautiful churches, I visited 16 churches during the day and a half! However, I’ll only write about those that stand out from the rest! And all of them are free!
Table of Contents
Monday
Getting into Rome
The plane landed at Fiumicino airport at noon on Monday, from where I traveled to Roma Termini station on the Leonardo Express. I bought the ticket online at the station, 14 euros one way. It takes 30 minutes to get to the main station, this is the simplest way to enter. The QR code received must be scanned at the entrance gate and then you can board the train. The ticket can be purchased on the Trenitalia website (registration required).
My accommodation was two streets away from Termini, I dropped off my bag and went straight to the city. Since most of the sights are in the city center, I didn’t buy a day ticket, I walked everywhere. True, by Tuesday afternoon I didn’t feel like walking much anymore, but that’s the price if you want to see a lot in a short time. 🙂
Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica
This church, which I have to highlight, was two blocks from my accommodation. There were many tourists along with me, which shows that it’s worth visiting.
In addition to its large size, what stands out is the gilded ceiling and the side row of columns. I also came here in the evening, it’s beautiful when illuminated.
Forum of Augustus and Trajan’s Market
After about a 1 km walk, I arrived opposite the Roman Forum, where this ancient part is located.
Most of it consists of wall and column remains, but the market hall is quite distinguishable. The semicircular part of the building is in particularly good condition.
Victor Emmanuel II Monument
The marble monument can be called Budapest’s Heroes’ Square. In front of the colonnade section, you can see the equestrian statue of King Victor Emmanuel II, who was the first king of united Italy.
Definitely go up the stairs, because both the monument itself and the view are magnificent. You can walk around, so you can also see the Colosseum. You can exit to the western side through the building (there’s a free restroom inside).
Campidoglio
The Capitol, designed by Michelangelo, rises behind the monument. You have to climb up a staircase, but it’s worth it.
In the center of the small square is the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius, with two museums on either side. On the opposite side of the square, a small street leads to the right, from where there is a wonderful panorama of the Roman Forum.
Teatro di Marcello
I continued walking towards the Tiber, and along the main road we come across a „mini Colosseum”. The ancient theater can only be viewed from the outside, but it’s a very atmospheric place, as are the surrounding streets.
Fontana delle Tartarughe
Rome is also abundant in fountains, but of course everyone looks at the Trevi Fountain. Yet there are also some very cute small fountains. Like this one. I love little gems like this.
Largo di Torre Argentina
I stumbled upon this square on my way to Piazza Navona. Here too we can see ancient ruins, in fact I moved on after a short stop.
Sant’Andrea della Valle Basilica
A heavy shower arrived almost instantly, so I reached the church just in time (it was planned anyway).
Its interior is very beautiful, characterized by a huge dome and wonderful frescoes. Honestly, I’m not very religious, but such a church really fills one with energy.
Piazza Navona
Rome’s most beautiful square – in my opinion – where three very beautiful fountains stand. No wonder there were so many people. Needless to say, here too a church is the other defining building. However, it was not possible to enter this one.
Fortunately, it was no longer raining here, in fact the weather was starting to clear.
San Luigi dei Francesi
I discovered this on my way to the Pantheon. This is France’s national church, with Caravaggio paintings inside. Don’t miss it!
Pantheon
In 2022, it was still free, but now you have to buy a ticket. This wouldn’t have been a problem, but the crowd was. The line was terribly long, people were admitted to the church in sections.
Although I would have liked to see it from the inside, I didn’t feel like waiting, so I walked around it and moved on.
Column of Marcus Aurelius
I emerged on the square on my way to the Trevi Fountain, in the middle of which rises the tall, ornate column.
On the square, there is also a government building and a small fountain. I managed to take a very nice picture here:
Trevi Fountain
I don’t think I need to write much here. The crowd was huge now, just like two years ago. Everyone wants to take a photo up close, some even climb onto the monument. I don’t understand what they’re thinking…
Piazza della Repubblica
Walking towards the accommodation, there is also a fountain in the middle of the junction in front of the Termini station. The sunset and the clouds together provided such a sight, as if it were a painting:
Tuesday
Luggage storage
Since I didn’t want to carry my bag all day, I looked for a storage place online. BagLocker is two streets away from Termini, open from 7 am to 11 pm. You need to book online in advance, and you also need to provide a four-digit code. In the confirmation email, there will be a link that, when clicked, opens the box (and the code is also needed). Within the booked period, we can open it with the link as many times as we want.
There are boxes of various sizes, the smallest was more than enough for my backpack and coat. It was 9 euros, which was well worth it to be able to leave it in a safe place.
Colosseum
Obviously this is the most well-known, although it’s not my „1st place”.
You have to book tickets online, there are 10-minute time slots. I booked for 10:10 on Tuesday, and I got in line a few minutes before. The ticket shows where the entrance is. Despite the huge crowd, I got in quite quickly. You can walk halfway around the lower level and completely around the upper level. For the closed sections, you need a Full Experience ticket, which is a bit more expensive.
What they built in ancient times is impressive. Its size can truly be seen from the inside. Of course, I didn’t expect much more, I spent about 40 minutes inside.
The ticket is also valid for the Roman Forum, and together the two are definitely worth the price! You can enter there from the time booked for the Colosseum until 24 hours later.
Santi Giovanni e Paolo Basilica
Before the Roman Forum, I popped into this church. Its specialty is that the interior is illuminated with decorated chandeliers. However, they don’t burn constantly, the light switch works with 5 euros.
Someone just put in money before me, so I could admire the church like this for a while. But it would have been well worth it if I had had to pay for it. I think this comes across in the pictures too.
Roman Forum
As I mentioned, the ticket is valid together with the Colosseum. Since they are next to each other, I entered through the entrance closest to the arena (Via di S. Gregorio, 30). Since there is no specific time here, there is no large crowd, I got in almost immediately.
It’s worth following the route posted at the entrance. First it leads on the side towards the Circus Maximus, then comes the viewpoint to the large area. From here, the view to the lower part is the most beautiful. You have to go down the stairs to this plaza, which was once one of Rome’s main centers.
Trastevere
I walked over to the other side of the Tiber, which is an atmospheric neighborhood. There are many restaurants and cafes, and you can take very nice walks on the narrow little streets.
St. Peter’s Square
There is always a large crowd in the square, and now was no exception. Since touring the Vatican requires a lot of time, I didn’t plan for this.
Castel Sant’Angelo
Since I had an appointment at Villa Borghese, unfortunately I couldn’t go in, I just walked around the outside. Good pictures can be taken from the bridge in front of it. (There is a restroom on the left side when facing the castle.)
Piazza del Popolo
There are usually many amateur performing artists on one of Rome’s central squares. There was a pianist, a singer, and a guitarist too. That’s why I rested here for 10 minutes, enjoying the atmosphere a bit.
One striking feature of the square is the two domed churches next to each other. I’ve never seen anything like it, as if they made a copy. 🙂
Villa Borghese
A large park in the immediate vicinity of the city center. Actually, it’s an average green area, with some statues, fountains, buildings.
Borghese Gallery
In the Borghese park, in the villa of the same name, is the famous collection. A week before, tickets were only available for the latest time slot (17:45-19:00), which is a few euros cheaper than normal.
For me, this took the prize, no wonder I was looking forward to this the most! Wonderful rooms, the ceiling frescoes and the decorated walls would be worth the visit on their own. But you can see many works by famous artists: Tiziano, Caravaggio, Rubens, Raffaelo.
There are two floors, one with only paintings, the other with sculptures in addition to that. Among the latter, Bernini’s works must be highlighted.
Out to the airport
The Wizz Air flight to Hungary, Budapest departed at 22:55 from Fiumicino airport. I also went out from Termini on the Leonardo Express, bought the ticket online a few hours before. Here too, you have to scan the QR code at the entrance gate and then you can go to the train. Compared to Italians, everything goes very smoothly and the train is punctual. 🙂