Rome was the last stop on our recent Italian vacation, and I honestly think it is the most beautiful city in all of Europe. I've been to Rome several times over the years, and it never loses its magic. Everywhere you turn there's another beautiful piazza, fountain, ancient ruin, or charming cafe. It truly feels like you're walking through an open-air museum.
Rome Quick Facts
- Best time to visit
- April-May, Oct-Nov
- Where we stayed
- Hotel Nazioni
- Recommended nights
- 3-4 nights
- Must do
- Cooking class with Crown Tours
- Don't miss
- Trevi Fountain after dark
- With kids
- Golf cart tour in the morning
- Best for families
- Hotel Nazioni or Master Trevi
- Pairs well with
- Venice, Lake Garda, Verona
A Few Days in the Heat
I intentionally only scheduled a few days in Rome because we were visiting during the summer when temperatures climbed into the 90s. While we still had an amazing time, I would absolutely love to come back with my kids during the spring or over Christmas when the weather is cooler and strolling through the city is even more enjoyable.
Sanaz's tip: Rome in spring (April-May) or early December is magical — cooler temperatures, fewer crowds, and the city looks stunning decorated for Christmas.
Where to Stay: Hotel Nazioni
On this trip, we stayed at Hotel Nazioni. I chose this hotel for two very important reasons. First was the location. Since we only had a few days and were traveling with three kids who aren't exactly enthusiastic about walking miles in the summer heat, I wanted to be able to step outside and already be in the heart of everything. Hotel Nazioni is literally around the corner from the Trevi Fountain, making it incredibly convenient for sightseeing without constantly relying on taxis. The second reason was that it was one of the very few hotels in central Rome that offered a true two-bedroom suite large enough for our family of five. The suite was immaculate, modern, and surprisingly spacious by European standards. We had two separate bedrooms connected by a living room, and each bedroom had its own bathroom, which made getting everyone ready each morning so much easier. The hotel also has a lovely rooftop bar, perfect for enjoying a drink after a day of sightseeing. That said, I wouldn't classify Hotel Nazioni as a true luxury five-star hotel. It doesn't have a spa, an extravagant breakfast buffet, or a grand lobby like some of Rome's iconic luxury properties. However, if your priorities are location, spacious family accommodations, and modern rooms, I would absolutely recommend it.
Sanaz's tip: If you're a family of five, call ahead to confirm the two-bedroom suite configuration — it's one of very few in central Rome and books out fast.
Other Excellent Options
Another excellent option is Master Trevi Luxury ApartHotel, located just steps from the Trevi Fountain. If you're traveling with children or simply want more space, this is a fantastic choice. They offer beautifully designed one-, two-, and three-bedroom luxury apartments with concierge service downstairs. While it doesn't have a traditional full-service restaurant, I honestly don't think that's much of a drawback in Rome. There are wonderful cafes, bakeries, and restaurants on virtually every corner, so you're never more than a minute or two from an incredible meal. If you're looking for a more traditional luxury hotel experience, two other properties worth considering are Hotel de Russie and Singer Palace Hotel. Hotel de Russie is one of Rome's most iconic luxury hotels. Located between the Spanish Steps and Piazza del Popolo, it features one of the city's most beautiful secret gardens, a full-service spa, elegant rooms, and exceptional service. If you're looking for a true five-star luxury experience, this is one of the best addresses in Rome. Singer Palace Hotel offers a completely different feel. It's a smaller boutique luxury hotel located within walking distance of both the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon. The rooms are stylish and contemporary, and its rooftop restaurant is one of the best places in Rome for dinner with spectacular city views. It feels intimate, modern, and luxurious without being overly formal.
Sanaz's tip: Location is everything in Rome. Staying in the historic center allows you to experience the city on foot, pop back to your hotel whenever you need a break, and enjoy Rome after dark when it is arguably at its most beautiful.
Visit the Colosseum
No trip to Rome is complete without visiting the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. I highly recommend booking your tickets well in advance and hiring a private guide or joining a small guided tour. We found that having someone explain the history of the gladiators, emperors, and ancient Rome kept the kids far more engaged than simply walking through the ruins on our own.
Sanaz's tip: Book skip-the-line tickets at least 2-3 weeks in advance in summer — the queues without a ticket can be 2+ hours in peak season.
Visit the Trevi Fountain — Twice
The Trevi Fountain is one of those places that somehow lives up to the hype. Visit once during the day to admire the incredible details, and then return again after dark when it's beautifully illuminated. Don't forget to bring plenty of coins so everyone can make a wish!
Sanaz's tip: Visit the Trevi Fountain early in the morning (before 8am) for photos without the crowds — by midday it's completely packed.
Relax at the Spanish Steps
One of my favorite ways to slow down in Rome is grabbing a gelato, sitting on the Spanish Steps, and simply people watching. Sometimes the simplest moments become the most memorable.
Sanaz's tip: The Spanish Steps are free and always open — pair a visit with a stroll down Via Condotti for window shopping at Rome's finest boutiques.
Book a Golf Cart Tour
If you're visiting during warmer months or traveling with younger children, I highly recommend booking a golf cart tour early in the morning. It's a fantastic way to get an overview of the city without spending hours walking. You'll see many of Rome's major landmarks while learning interesting history along the way, and afterwards you'll know exactly which areas you'd like to return to and explore on foot.
Sanaz's tip: Book your golf cart tour for 8am — you'll have the landmarks nearly to yourselves and the light is beautiful for photos.
Take a Cooking Class
This was without question one of the highlights of our entire Italy trip. Rather than booking one of the large cooking schools with 15 or 20 people, I recommend choosing a private or very small group class. We booked through Crown Tours, and it ended up being one of the best experiences of our vacation. Their cooking studio is located near the Colosseum, and we were fortunate enough to have Chef Marco, who made the entire experience fun, interactive, and entertaining. The kids each made their own pizza and homemade gelato, and afterwards we all sat down together to enjoy everything we had created. The class lasted about 2.5 hours, which I thought was the perfect amount of time — not too long for children, but long enough to learn something and enjoy the experience. If you're traveling with kids, I truly can't recommend this enough.
Sanaz's tip: Request Chef Marco specifically when booking through Crown Tours — he has a wonderful way with children and makes the whole class feel like a celebration.
One of the Best Things to Do in Rome...
...is actually not on any sightseeing list. Spend time wandering. Walk down side streets. Browse the independent boutiques. Stop for an espresso or Aperol Spritz at a sidewalk cafe. Order appetizers and simply watch the world go by. Rome is one of those cities where the atmosphere is just as memorable as the monuments.
Sanaz's tip: Allow at least one completely unscheduled afternoon in Rome — no reservations, no agenda. Just wander and let the city surprise you.
Shopping with Tween Girls
One thing that completely surprised me was how much my tween daughters loved shopping in Rome. Beyond the luxury designer stores, there are so many beautiful Italian boutiques with fashionable clothing that feels unique compared to what we find at home. Some of their favorite stores included Brandy Melville, Subdued (a trendy Italian brand incredibly popular with local teenagers), OVS (Italy's version of Zara, with affordable stylish clothing for the whole family), Zara, Calzedonia (great for swimsuits and leggings), Intimissimi, and the many independent boutiques along Via del Corso and the surrounding streets, where we found some of our favorite pieces from the trip.
Sanaz's tip: Via del Corso is the main shopping street, but the side streets running off it are where you'll find the most interesting independent Italian boutiques.
Where We Ate
Rome's restaurant scene is extraordinary — here are the places that stood out most during our visit.
Cipasso
Best dinner in RomeOne of our favorite dinners of the entire trip. Cipasso serves outstanding Roman cuisine in a lively yet elegant setting — the kind of place that feels both special and genuinely welcoming to families. The pasta is exceptional and the service warm.
Life Ristorante
Beautiful garden settingModern Italian cuisine with a beautiful garden courtyard. It's refined without feeling stuffy and is very welcoming to families. A wonderful choice for a relaxed but elevated dinner near the Trevi Fountain.
Ristorante Ad Hoc
Special occasion diningLocated near Piazza del Popolo, this elegant restaurant is known for its excellent pasta, meat dishes, and warm service. A wonderful choice for a special dinner with children — the staff genuinely make families feel welcome.
Il Gabriello
Hidden gem near Spanish StepsJust a short walk from the Spanish Steps, this family-run restaurant is one of Rome's hidden gems. The homemade pasta is exceptional, and the atmosphere strikes the perfect balance between upscale and relaxed. One of those places you'll want to return to every visit.
Final Thoughts
Rome is one of those rare cities that appeals to every generation. Whether you're fascinated by history, passionate about food, love shopping, or simply enjoy wandering beautiful streets, Rome has something for everyone. For our family, it was the perfect way to end our Italian adventure, and even after several visits, I already can't wait to return.
