Rome is more than a city. It is a living museum, a cradle of Western civilization, and one of the most intoxicating destinations in the world for lovers of culture, history, cuisine, and beauty. For millennia, its layers of grandeur have lured travelers with the promise of wonder, and today, its appeal remains undiminished. From ancient ruins to Renaissance masterpieces, from cobblestone alleyways to Michelin-starred dining rooms, Rome offers a seamless blend of old and new, elegance and edge. In 2025, the Eternal City is poised to shine even brighter as it welcomes the Catholic Church’s Jubilee. This extraordinary holy year draws pilgrims and dignitaries from around the globe, bringing with it significant cultural programming, restoration projects, and a heightened sense of spiritual and civic pride. This is a landmark year to experience Rome at its finest. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or returning to uncover more of its magic, this guide to Rome, Italy, offers an elevated look at where to stay, what to taste, and how best to immerse yourself in the richness of one of the world’s most beloved capitals.
Where to Stay in Rome
Tucked away on Via Alessandro Specchi just steps from Via del Corso and the Pantheon, Singer Palace Hotel Roma is a masterclass in discreet Roman luxury, offering a boutique experience that’s intimate, refined, and quietly cinematic. Housed in the former European headquarters of the Singer sewing machine company, the building has been meticulously restored, preserving its Art Deco charm while introducing sleek, understated luxury throughout its 30 rooms and suites. It’s the deeply personal service that sets the hotel apart — polished, intuitive, and delivered with an effortless charm that feels entirely unforced. The atmosphere is intimate yet sophisticated, like staying in the grand apartment of a stylish Roman friend. At the top of the property, Jim’s Rooftop is a beautifully designed terrace offering panoramic views over the city’s rooftops and domes, serving Mediterranean small plates and meticulously crafted cocktails from award-winning mixologist Federica Geirola. Just below, Le Terrazze Restaurant offers a more refined dining experience, blending classic Roman flavors with international flair in an elegant indoor-outdoor setting, ideal for a leisurely lunch or a romantic dinner under the stars. Whether it’s a morning espresso overlooking the skyline, an afternoon aperitivo in the breeze, or a candlelit dinner among the rooftops, Singer Palace offers a timeless Roman experience rooted in location, attention to detail, and an unwavering commitment to refined hospitality.
High above the Spanish Steps, where the rooftops of Rome stretch toward the domes of St. Peter’s, Hotel Eden stands as a beacon of classic glamour reimagined for the modern traveler. A member of the Dorchester Collection, this iconic property has undergone an extensive renovation that balances its 19th-century roots with sleek, contemporary elegance — think gilt mirrors and silk wall coverings paired with marble spa bathrooms and hidden tech touches. Rooms are bathed in golden light, with high ceilings, plush bedding, and oversized windows that open to postcard-worthy views of the Eternal City. The rooftop is the soul of the hotel, home to Il Giardino Ristorante and the adjoining bar (where aperitivo becomes a nightly ritual for guests and locals alike), as well as La Terazza, their signature restaurant, serving an innovative menu of inspired modern cuisine. The experience is elevated further by the staff, who strike a rare balance between formality and familiarity, anticipating needs without a trace of intrusion. Whether arranging a private tour of the Vatican or simply remembering your favorite table on the terrace, the team ensures every detail feels personal. Hotel Eden is not just a place to stay; it’s a place to savor Rome’s eternal beauty in total, unhurried luxury.
Framed between Piazza del Popolo and the Spanish Steps, Hotel de Russie, a Rocco Forte Hotel, is where diplomacy meets design, long a favorite of artists, royals, and global tastemakers who appreciate its unique combination of five-star elegance and cloistered calm. The hotel’s most iconic feature is its private terraced garden—a verdant wonderland of citrus trees, jasmine, and cascading vines that seems to defy the urban setting entirely. Guests linger here over espresso in the morning and Negronis at twilight, surrounded by birdsong and the scent of orange blossom. Inside, the property exudes a quiet sophistication with interiors designed by Olga Polizzi that blend neoclassical grace with modern restraint: rooms are airy and soft-hued, suites feature curated artwork and bespoke furniture, and many offer terraces with cinematic views over Villa Borghese. At Le Jardin de Russie, Executive Chef Fulvio Pierangelini delivers Mediterranean fine dining in an alfresco setting beloved by in-the-know Romans. Meanwhile, the spa ranks among the city’s best, offering hydrotherapy, advanced treatments, and personalized wellness rituals in a sanctuary of stone and silence. For those who want to be in the center of Rome without ever feeling its chaos, Hotel de Russie is the rare oasis where every moment is buffered in beauty.
Just around the corner from Via Condotti, Hotel d’Inghilterra Roma offers a different kind of luxury — one rooted in history, mood, and unfiltered charm. Originally a 16th-century aristocratic residence, the building has hosted generations of literary greats and jet-set luminaries, and its richly layered interiors reflect that patina of personality: heavy velvet drapes, oil portraits in gilt frames, antique writing desks, and jewel-toned upholstery in salons that feel untouched by time. No two rooms are alike, which only adds to the allure—some are cozy and romantic with sloped ceilings and shuttered windows; others are grand and sun-filled with sweeping views of the city. The penthouse, with its private terrace and canopy bed, is a cinematic fantasy. Downstairs, Café Romano offers sidewalk seating that’s perfect for aperitivo and people-watching, in addition to inspired Roman cuisine from Executive Chef Andrea Sangiuliano, offering a contemporary interpretation of Italian culinary tradition delivered with care and creativity. Hotel d’Inghilterra is not trying to be trendy. Instead, it leans into its idiosyncrasies, its quirks, and its dramatic past, offering guests something increasingly rare: a hotel that feels like it has a soul—and one that’s entirely Roman.
Where to Dine in Rome
Nestled in the hills above the Vatican within Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel, La Pergola is more than just a restaurant; it’s a Roman institution of culinary refinement, the only three-Michelin-starred establishment in the city, and an international benchmark for what happens when fine dining becomes art. Under the guidance of legendary Chef Heinz Beck, La Pergola delivers a rare fusion of innovation and restraint, crafting dishes that are both precise and poetic. Every element is selected for seasonality and balance, with plate compositions that are architectural in their complexity but graceful on the palate. Beck’s approach is cerebral yet sensual, drawing on deep nutritional research and a belief in cuisine that nourishes as much as it dazzles. Service is orchestrated with quiet precision, sommelier Marco Reitano oversees a 60,000-bottle cellar that includes rare vintages and private-label exclusives, and the overall experience is paced like an opera: slow, deliberate, and unforgettable. La Pergola is not the place for Instagrammable novelty; it’s a pilgrimage site for those who believe that cuisine, when elevated to its highest form, becomes a spiritual act.
Tucked down a side street in the Regola district, a short stroll from Campo de’ Fiori, PER ME by Giulio Terrinoni offers something altogether more intimate — an auteur’s vision of contemporary Roman dining told through a deeply personal, highly curated lens. The brilliant Terrinoni’s cooking is both autobiographical and conceptual, best experienced through the “Head, Hands, Heart” tasting menu, which unfolds his culinary journey in ten inventive dishes that explore memory, technique, and emotion. The plating is striking without pretense, and the pacing allows each course to tell its story. The dining room is small and sophisticated, filled with natural textures and soft lighting, while service is discreet and exacting, giving Terrinoni’s creations space to resonate. The esteemed staff offers thoughtful pairings that highlight terroir and reinforce narrative. What makes this Michelin-star restaurant extraordinary is not just the innovation on the plate, but the sense of dialogue — between chef and guest, memory and imagination, Rome and the wider world.
Unassuming from the outside but sacred to insiders, Il Pagliaccio is a temple of two-Michelin-star introspection led by Chef Anthony Genovese, whose multicultural background infuses every dish with a delicate, almost whispering complexity. This is not a showy restaurant. The interiors are shadowy, minimalist, and elegant in a way that draws you inward, and the tasting menu, composed like jazz, shifts quietly between cultures and techniques. A single bite might include eel with licorice and foie gras, or veal sweetbread wrapped in seaweed with smoked broth. Genovese doesn’t just cook; he composes emotion. The wine pairings are exacting, the progression is subtle, and the mood borders on meditative. The front-of-house staff speak with the clarity and calm of seasoned professionals who understand that silence is sometimes the best service. If La Pergola is an opera house and PER ME a memoir, then Il Pagliaccio is a black-and-white art film demanding attention, rewarding contemplation, and deeply affecting in its restraint.
Towering over the Colosseum from its rooftop perch at Palazzo Manfredi, Aroma is as much a visual experience as a culinary one, but make no mistake: the food here does not play second to the view. Executive Chef Giuseppe Di Iorio helms the kitchen with a clarity of vision that brings elegance to traditional Roman flavors without diminishing their soul. Recipes here elevate heritage into haute cuisine. The space itself is airy, bathed in golden light by day and candlelit romance by night, framed by stunning views of the Colosseum. It’s this juxtaposition of imperial grandeur and culinary finesse that defines Aroma’s appeal. The staff float through the dining room with practiced ease, and the wine list is one of the most curated in the city, emphasizing Italian producers while sprinkling in rare French vintages for collectors. Aroma’s magic is rooted in this synergy: history on the horizon, mastery on the plate, and a timeless sense of occasion with every seating.
Less formal but no less essential, international sensation Roscioli is where serious food lovers and local connoisseurs gather in celebration of Roman tradition at its most flavorful and unfussy. Part delicatessen, part restaurant, part wine cave, this family-run institution near Campo de’ Fiori serves what might be the most iconic plates of carbonara, amatriciana, and cacio e pepe in the city, executed with unapologetic authenticity and anchored by ingredients of exceptional provenance. Salumi are sliced from rare breeds and aged to perfection, cheeses are hand-selected from boutique producers, and pasta is tossed moments before reaching the table, glistening with guanciale or pecorino like edible sculpture. The room is lively, packed, and vibrating with conversation, and the service, though brisk, is imbued with character. There is no pretension; just deeply satisfying food in a setting that feels utterly Roman. If you can score a table, do not pass it up. Roscioli is the city’s culinary heart: beating, bold, and impossible to fake.
What to Experience in Rome
Access Italy
True luxury in Rome begins with access—and few companies deliver it as seamlessly or stylishly as Access Italy. This family-owned boutique destination management company has built a reputation among A-list travelers and discerning insiders for creating once-in-a-lifetime moments that transcend typical tourism. Whether it’s a private after-hours tour of the Vatican Museums, a hands-on pasta-making class in a 17th-century villa, or an invitation-only rooftop aperitivo overlooking the Forum, Access Italy specializes in unlocking the kind of experiences most travelers wouldn’t even know to ask for. Their guides are more than historians—they’re storytellers and cultural interpreters who open doors, both literal and figurative, across the Eternal City. Want to step behind the ropes at the Colosseum’s underground chambers? Dine in the private palazzo of a Roman aristocrat? Tour Bernini’s sculptures with a top art restorer? Access Italy doesn’t just arrange tours; it grants entry into a rarified version of Rome that feels entirely your own. With the 2025 Jubilee drawing visitors in record numbers, their skip-the-line and VIP services are more essential than ever as they make Roman dreams come true with polish, personality, and unrivaled local reach.
Via dei Condotti
Rome offers a world-class luxury shopping experience centered around Via dei Condotti, the city’s most iconic high-end shopping street. Here, heritage brands like Gucci, Fendi, and Prada sit beside storied Roman maisons like Bulgari, whose flagship store on Condotti feels more like a jewelry museum than a boutique. Inside, pieces sparkle beneath glass vitrines like archaeological treasures, and the service is as refined as a bespoke suit. Nearby, Via del Babuino and Via Borgognona offer quieter but no less exclusive options, with independent ateliers, perfumeries, and Italian leather makers offering one-of-a-kind goods. For the ultimate indulgence, top-tier concierges or personal stylists can arrange private fittings, behind-the-scenes studio visits, and after-hours access to boutiques, where shopping becomes not just transactional but experiential and an immersion in the traditions and innovations of Italian craftsmanship.
The Vatican Museums
The Vatican Museums house one of the most extensive and important art collections in the world, spanning everything from ancient sculpture to Renaissance masterpieces. At their heart lie the Raphael Rooms and the iconic Sistine Chapel, with Michelangelo’s ceiling (arguably the most famous fresco on earth) drawing millions each year. But with 2025 being a Jubilee Year, visitor numbers will reach record levels, making a typical visit difficult to navigate and often overwhelming. For this reason, we strongly recommend arranging a private or semi-private tour, or at the very least booking skip-the-line access in advance. These options not only allow you to bypass the often hours-long queues, but also ensure a more focused and meaningful experience of the collection. A professional guide can contextualize what you’re seeing, highlight key works you might otherwise miss, and lead you through the maze-like corridors with efficiency and insight. For travelers seeking an even more exclusive encounter, we recommend early-entry or after-hours visits, allowing time to explore the Vatican’s most sacred spaces without the crush of the crowds.
Trastevere
To walk through Trastevere is to see Rome with its guard down, where ivy spills over ochre-painted facades and laundry lines flutter like flags between crooked balconies. This ancient, bohemian quarter is both timeless and defiantly alive, home to artisans, students, writers, and Roman families who have lived in the same buildings for generations. In the early afternoon, light filters through slatted shutters onto cobblestone alleys where cats nap and locals sip espresso from chipped cups. In the evening, the pace quickens: piazzas fill with music, laughter echoes from open windows, and trattorias glow with flickering candlelight. Here you can lose yourself in tiny wine bars tucked behind ivy-covered doors or stumble into spontaneous concerts in the square outside Santa Maria in Trastevere. The charm isn’t staged; it’s ambient, layered into every detail of daily life. To explore Trastevere without a plan is to experience Rome at its most authentic: not a city frozen in time, but a living mosaic of mood, memory, and momentum.
Borghese Gallery
Tucked inside the manicured greenery of Villa Borghese Park, the Galleria Borghese is one of Rome’s most treasured museums. Housed in a 17th-century villa commissioned by Cardinal Scipione Borghese, a savvy art collector and papal nephew, the museum holds one of the finest private collections of Baroque art in the world. Its rooms are filled with masterpieces by Bernini, Caravaggio, Titian, Raphael, and Canova. To truly understand the political intrigue, artistic breakthroughs, and personal rivalries that shaped the collection, we recommend booking a guided experience with The Tour Guy, whose expert art historians lead small-group and private tours that bring deeper narrative and nuance to the collection. It’s a fast-paced 90 minutes that never feels didactic or dry, and their storytelling approach adds a vital layer of meaning to one of Rome’s most emotionally resonant spaces. After the tour, take time to wander the surrounding Villa Borghese gardens — a serene and leafy escape from the city’s intensity, where shaded paths, fountains, and panoramic viewpoints invite reflection and unhurried discovery.
Classic Landmarks
And of course, there are the quintessential landmarks. The Trevi Fountain, despite the crowds, remains transcendent when visited just at dawn or after dark, when its turquoise waters shimmer under lamplight and the baroque figures seem almost animate. The Pantheon, with its perfect oculus and impossible proportions, continues to be one of architecture’s most astonishing achievements. The Spanish Steps still inspire romance and reverie, especially in spring when their flanks are covered in azaleas. And the Colosseum, ever more accessible thanks to expanded underground tours and multilingual guides, feels more immersive than ever, less a ruin than a stage for the layered dramas of ancient Rome. These sites are the city’s pulse points, and in 2025, they carry not just history but resonance, echoing louder with each careful restoration and curated experience. When explored with depth, intention, and the right guide, they become more than monuments; they become part of you.