Rome

Rome Travel Guide

• About Rome

Rome is like a moveable feast of endless courses. No matter how much you gorge yourself on its splendours, you rarely feel you’ve made it past the antipasti. From the remains of its imperial glory days to the Renaissance and baroque riches of its historic centre, the Eternal City is a living masterpiece. Founded upon seven hills, ancient Rome was divided into neighbourhoods with distinct personalities that have survived to this day. On the west bank of the Tiber River, Trastevere is home to countless pizzerias and restaurants. Across the water, the Basilica of Santa Sabina and the church of Sant’Alessio can be found in Aventine, one of the celebrated seven hills. A short walk away is Testaccio, where literary buffs will find the tombs of English poets John Keats and Percy Bysshe Shelley. With its awe-inspiring architecture and art collection, the Vatican City is also an essential stop. Declared an independent state in 1929, it’s home to St Peter’s Basilica (said to be the largest church in Christendom), the Vatican Museum and the shining star of the Italian Renaissance – the Sistine Chapel. Beyond the seat of Catholicism, there are the Spanish Steps, Pantheon, and Piazza Venezia, which can all be found in the historical city centre. With so many jewels of ancient Rome found on almost every corner, visitors are transported back to bygone days of chariots and gladiators. But there’s also modern Rome where nearly 3 million inhabitants are hardly stuck in the past. You’ll find them packing out trendy bars, and enjoying Roman gastronomy in the many restaurants; Camp de’ Fiori is a notable nightlife hotspot for both tourists and locals. During the day, catch the morning market in the same area, with vendors selling locally made limoncello, pasta and ripe produce at their stalls, or shop along the famed Via Condotti and pick out glamorous fare at Prada or Valentino. All in all, it’s impossible to run out of things to see, smell and taste in Rome. So if you’ve ever wondered what ‘la dolce vita’ means, get ready for a thorough schooling.

• Rome History

According to legend, the Eternal City was founded in the 8th century when Romulus and Remus (twin sons of Mars, God of War) fought over the rule of the new city, and Romulus killed his brother. Rome’s verifiable (pre-)history dates back some 6,000 years, but it has been confirmed that there was a settlement on the Palatine Hill by the 8th century. In the 6th century BC, Rome declared a Republic in 509 BC, elected a senate, and began to expand rapidly. Despite being sacked by a Gallic tribe around 390 BC, Rome had seized the whole Italian peninsula by the end of the next century. At the end of the republic, military dictators emerged, including Sulla in 82 BC and Julius Caesar in 45 BC. Later, Augustus became the first emperor of Rome and initiated 200 years of peace and prosperity. By the late 2nd century, Rome’s power stretched from Britain to Eastern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. Near-constant power struggles followed, until Diocletian divided the Empire in the late 3rd century. After Constantine’s death, Rome split and went into terminal decline. The city was sacked twice in the 5th century and again in the 6th. The Byzantine inheritors of the eastern Roman Empire dominated Rome until the late 8th century, when the Popes struggled for control. Centuries of feuding between the church, nobles and foreign powers followed. Rome thrived in the 15th-century with the Renaissance, and the Papacy took up permanent residence in the city after moving from Florence. Over the next 200 years, many of the city’s most impressive buildings were built, including St Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel, and the likes of Michelangelo, Raphael and Botticelli were patronised. Rome later became capital city of the newly unified Italy in 1861. After WWI, Benito Mussolini led the March on Rome and fascist rule was imposed until near the end of WWII. After the war, the city grew and modernised significantly, and became one of the world’s most fashionable city’s in the 1950s and 60s.

• Did you know?

Constantine is said to have converted to Christianity after seeing a cross of light in the sky before the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312. This was instrumental for the early Christian church. Although Rome was claimed by the Allies in 1944, the German Nazis had withdrawn a year before, which is partly why it suffered so little damage during WWII. When Rome finally joined the new Italy in 1870, after the withdrawal of Napoleon III from the Papal States, the Vatican rejected the new king’s right to rule. The dispute was not resolved until 1929. We Care About Your Privacy We and our partners store and/or access information on a device, such as unique IDs in cookies to process personal data. You may accept or manage your choices by clicking below, including your right to object where legitimate interest is used, or at any time in the privacy policy page. These choices will be signaled to our partners and will not affect browsing data. We and our partners process data to provide: Use precise geolocation data. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Store and/or access information on a device. Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development.

• Weather in Rome

Its warm Mediterranean climate renders Rome particularly balmy in autumn (September to November) and in spring (March to May) – these two seasons are widely considered to be the best time to visit Rome as you will find smaller crowds and more forgiving sightseeing weather. There is a string of festivals in spring and autumn for you to enjoy too. Summer (June to August) is hot and sticky, but you are guaranteed brilliant sunshine. The average temperature is 24°C (75°F). Tourists flock to Rome during this time and hotels get booked up months in advance. Rome’s costal central location means you can expect mild, rainy winters (December to February). Temperatures can plummet to 4°C (39°F) in winter but queues and room rates fall with them. Pack a raincoat with you.

Things to see in Rome

Attractions

• Foro Romano (Roman Forum) and Palatino (Palatine)

Today the Roman Forum is a vast expanse of tumbledown, marble fragments, columns and floor layouts. But with a little imagination (and an audio guide), you can envisage the political, commercial and social heart of ancient Rome. Above it all is the Palatine hill where once the spectacular palaces of the Roman emperors overlooked the Forum. Address: Piazza Santa Maria Nova 53, Rome. Telephone: +39 6 3996 7700 Opening times: Daily 08:30-16:30. Website: www.archeoroma.beniculturali.it Admission Fees: Yes Disabled Access: Yes UNESCO: Yes

• Colosseo (Colosseum)

Emperor Vespasian began this giant amphitheatre in AD72 and his son Titus completed it eight years later. On opening, Titus staged a run of games that lasted 100 days, during which 5,000 animals were slaughtered. Explore the massive amphitheatre and the skeletal remains of underground chambers where gladiators and beasts were held. Address: Piazza del Colosseo 1, Rome. Telephone: +39 6 3996 7700 Opening times: Daily 08:30-17:00. Website: www.archeoroma.beniculturali.it/colosseum Admission Fees: Yes Disabled Access: Yes UNESCO: Yes

• Pantheon

The Pantheon is Rome’s best-preserved ancient monument. Believed to have been built by Hadrian in the 2nd century, this was once a Roman temple and became a church in the 7th century. The radius of the dome is exactly equivalent to the height. The vast brass doors belonged to the original Roman building. Address: Piazza della Rotonda, Rome. Telephone: +39 6 6830 0230 Opening times: Mon-Sat 09:00-19:15, Sun 09:00-17:45. Website: www.pantheonroma.com Admission Fees: No Disabled Access: Yes UNESCO: Yes

• Cappella Sistina & Musei Vaticani (Sistine Chapel & Vatican Museums)

A glimpse of Michelangelo’s depiction of The Creation is worth the queues. Built as a private chapel for the popes, Pope Julius II commissioned the precocious artist to paint the ceiling frescoes and work was completed in October 1512. Highlights of the vast museum include Raphael’s Rooms, the Etruscan Museum, and the Pio-Clementino Museum with classical masterpieces Laocoön and the Apollo Belvedere. Address: Viale Vaticano 100, Rome. Telephone: +39 6 6988 4676 Opening times: Mon-Sat 09:00-18:00. Website: www.museivaticani.va Admission Fees: Yes (except the last Sunday of the month). Disabled Access: Yes UNESCO: Yes

• Basilica di San Pietro (St Peter’s Basilica)

St Peter’s Basilica lies above a shrine said to mark the burial ground of the saint. Inside is Michelangelo’s Pietà and Arnolfo da Cambio’s bronze statue of St Peter, which is famed for its foot being worn to a nub by pilgrims’ kisses. Extras include entry to the dome, the Vatican Gardens, and the Vatican Grottoes. Address: Piazza San Pietro, Rome. Telephone: +39 6 6988 3731 Opening times: Mon-Fri 07:00-19:00 Website: www.vatican.va/various/basiliche/san_pietro Admission Fees: No Disabled Access: Yes UNESCO: Yes

• Musei Capitolini (Capitoline Museums)

The oldest public art collection in the world, the Capitoline Museums are made up of two separate buildings: the Palazzo dei Conservatori and the Palazzo Nuovo. They house the country’s most important collection of Roman sculpture. There’s also a fine array of Renaissance and baroque art by Titian, Tintoretto and Caravaggio. Address: Piazza del Campidoglio 1, Rome. Telephone: +39 6 0608 Opening times: Daily 09:30-19:30. Website: www.museicapitolini.org Admission Fees: Yes Disabled Access: Yes UNESCO: No

• Piazza di Spagna (the Spanish Steps)

Piazza di Spagna is little changed from the 18th century and is still dominated by the elegant sweeping staircase known as the Spanish Steps. Designed in 1723-26 by Francesco de Sanctis to link Via del Babuino with Via Felice, the steps lead to the 16th-century Trinità dei Monti. From here, spectacular views over Rome’s rooftops more than warrant the steep climb Address: Piazza di Spagna, Rome. Opening times: Daily 24 hours. Admission Fees: No Disabled Access: No UNESCO: No

• Villa Borghese Gardens

A breather from the hectic city, the Villa Borghese Gardens include a zoo, a horse-jumping arena, mock ancient temples and a lake. The park also harbours Rome’s most glorious gallery, the Galleria Borghese, a treasure trove of sculpture and antiquities, with masterpieces by the likes of Caravaggio and Titian, all housed in rococo splendour. To visit the Galleria, you must reserve your visit time in advance. Address: Piazzale del Museo Borghese, 5, Rome. Telephone: +39 06 0608 Opening times: Tue-Sun 08:30-19:30. Website:www.sovraintendenzaroma.it Admission Fees: Yes Disabled Access: Yes UNESCO: Yes

• Giardino degli Aranci

Also known as the Orange Garden (the name comes from the many orange trees growing here), this small garden is one of Rome’s best-kept secrets. Sitting atop an ancient fortress on the Aventine Hill and overlooking the Tiber River, it offers excellent views of St Peter’s dome and the city. Get your camera ready for amazing shots. Address: Piazza Pietro D’Illiria, Rome. Telephone: +39 06 6710 5457 Opening times: Daily 07:00-21:00 Website: www.turismoroma.it Admission Fees: No Disabled Access: No UNESCO: No

• Galleria Doria Pamphilj

This gallery harbours some of the extraordinary wealth of the Doria Pamphilj family, a pillar of Rome’s papal aristocracy. Think gold, mirrors, red velvet and gilt, and walls covered in art, including paintings by Correggio, Caravaggio, Titian, Velázquez, Brueghel, and Dürer. The free audio guide features Jonathan Doria Pamphilj who brings the palace alive, recalling childhood memories of roller skating along the parquet floor of the 18th-century ballroom. Address: Via del Corso 305, Rome. Telephone: +39 6 679 7323 Opening times: Daily 09:00-19:00. Website: www.doriapamphilj.it/roma Admission Fees: Yes. Disabled Access: Yes UNESCO: No

• MACRO (Museo d’Arte Contemporanea di Roma)

Rome’s municipal museum of modern and contemporary art is located in a converted Peroni brewery. The venue pulls in big international names as well as young and local artists. Some shows are also displayed at MACRO Futura, a second venue in a former Testaccio slaughterhouse. Address: Via Nizza 138, Rome. Telephone: +39 06 69 6271 Opening times: Tue-Sun 10:30-19:30. Website: www.museomacro.it Admission Fees: Yes Disabled Access: Yes UNESCO: No

Tourist Offices

• Tourist Information Center

Address: Via Giovanni Giolitti, 34, 00185 Roma. Telephone: +39 060 608 Opening times: Daily 08:30-19:00.. Website: www.comune.roma.it The main APT tourist office is a five-minute walk from Termini station and offers information on everything touristrelated in Rome. There are also 9 convenient tourist information kiosks (PIT) dotted around the city that can give you maps and pamphlets, and sell tickets for tourist buses and boats. Most kiosks are open 09:30-19:00.

Tourist passes

The Rome tourist board offers the

• Roma Pass

Website: www.romapass.it  which includes free access to the first two museums and/or archaeological sites, and discounts thereafter, plus free travel on public transport. It’s valid for 48 hours or three days. Buy it from any tourist information point, participating museum or site.

Things to do in Rome

• Bag an opera ticket for the Baths of Caracalla

Opera originated in Italy, so it is no surprise that Rome is one of the finest places to catch a performance. With unrivalled acoustics, the ornate interior of Teatro Dell’Opera is more than a grand setting – though the company’s summer venue at the Baths of Caracalla is arguably even better.

• Cycle past Rome’s great monuments

Peppered with scenic parks, fans of two wheels will find Rome a delight. Traffic restrictions in the historic centre make it easy to glide past Rome’s great monuments using a bike. Website: www.romarentbike.com   For a longer ride on the old Roman road, Via Appia Antica, is closed to traffic on Sundays.

• Make a splash in a swanky swimming pool

Summer temperatures in Rome soar, so knowing where the nearest pool is located is vital.

• La Piscina delle Rose

Website: www.piscinadellerose.it  is the city’s largest open-air pool. Predictably, it gets busy during the summer so secure a spot early. More central, and a good deal sexier, is the rooftop pool at the

• Radisson SAS

Telephone: +39 6 444 841 Website: www.radissonblu.com/eshotel-rome

• Play golf in a volcanic crater

Golf is an exclusive game in Rome but if you can provide the relevant paperwork (home club membership card and handicap proof) most clubs will receive non-members.

• Country Club Castelgandolfo

Telephone: +39 6931 2301 Website: www.countryclubcastelgandolfo.it  located within a volcanic crater whilst Circolo.

• del Golf Roma Acquasanta

Telephone: +39 6780 3407 Website : www.golfroma.it   situated in Appia Antica, is the city’s best course.

• Solve some riddles

For a light-hearted break from Rome’s cultural must-sees, take your friends and try out

• Escape Room Campo dei Fiori & Beershop

Website: www.escapecampodeifiori.com You’ll have a limited amount of time to solve a series of puzzles in order to escape one of three themed rooms: a pyramid in Egypt, the slums of the East End in London or an underground bunker. If you make it out, there’s a pub serving craft beers for afterwards – you can also purchase your favourites to take away with you.

Rome tours and excursions

Rome tours

• Scooter tours

Do as the locals do and take a tour with HR Tours. They offer trips to some of the capital’s most impressive sites on vintage Vespas and Lambrettas. Otherwise opt for the Rome by Night tour and see the Colosseum in all of its back-lit glory. Experienced riders will help you navigate Rome’s streets safely. Telephone: +39 6 488 4215 Website: www.happyrent.com

• Boat tours

Battelli di Roma run river boat tours along the Tiber. It departs from Ponte Sant’Angelo and covers the stretch down to Isola Tiberina and up to Ponte Risorgimento. The same company also organises dinner cruises, evening wine cruises, and a boat service to the site of Ostia Antica that leaves from Marconi Bridge every morning. Telephone: +39 6 9774 5414 Website: www.battellidiroma.it

Rome excursions

• Tivoli

Situated 20km (12.5 miles) east of Rome is the hilltop town of Tivoli, long the summer escape for wealthy Roman families. At its centre is the UNESCO World Heritage site, Villa d’Este, converted from a Benedictine monastery in 1550 into a summer villa surrounded by vast Renaissance gardens. Equally fantastical is the older Villa Adriana (Hadrian’s Villa), which is also a UNESCO site. It’s more like a village than a villa, a massive complex of ruins, fountains and statues. Constructions such as Canopus fountain, with its columns and statues overlooking a central pool, made this a tranquil retreat for Rome’s great military campaigner.

• Florence

Birthplace of Dante and Michelangelo, home of the Medici and cradle of the Italian Renaissance, Florence offers a culture-packed day trip from Rome by train. It’s easy to wander around the main sights – including the breath-taking Duomo; San Minato for splendid views; Michelangelo’s tomb; world-famous Uffizi gallery, before strolling down to the river for a walk across the

• Ponte Vecchio

Telephone: +39 55 290 832 Website: www.firenzeturismo.it/en

Shopping in Rome

Italy’s has a well-deserved reputation for quality and nowhere more so than in Rome’s shops, studios and specialist boutiques. Major brands are well represented but it’s the bespoke leather goods, clothes, accessories and food that present the best value for money.

• Key areas

Via Condotti is where all the big-name designers have their shops. For smaller, independent boutiques try Via del Boschetto, Via del Pellegrino and Via dei Governo Vecchio. For mainstream labels and chains, focus your energies on Via del Corso. Luxury goods to take home include assorted vinegar, truffles and olive oil. Castroni (Via Cola di Rienzo 196) sells plenty of Italy’s regional culinary riches.

• Markets

Rome’s largest flea market is the vast Porta Portese in Trastevere (Sunday 07:00-13:00) and is the place to pick up antique knick-knacks for a good price. The oldest and most famous food market is the Campo dei’Fiori (Monday to Saturday 08:00-13:00) for anything from fresh produce and fish to beautiful flowers.

• Shopping centres

The oldest shopping mall in Rome is the:

• Cinecittàdue Centro Commerciale

Address: Viale Palmiro Togliatti 2. Website: www.cinecittadue.com It has everything an eager shopper would want, from perfume shops to children’s toy stores. Rome’s biggest shopping centre:

• Euroma2

Address: Viale dell’Oceano Pacifico 83. Website: www.euroma2.it   boasts with 230 shops.

• Opening hours

Shops in Rome are open Monday to Saturday from 09:00-13:00 and 16:00-20:00. Supermarkets and department stores stay open all day, and are open on Sundays.

• Souvenirs

Roman souvenirs range far and wide; stop in any local shop and peruse the local leather goods, from handbags to boots, or pick up a hand-carved rosary at the Vatican. The liqueur limoncello is a tasty reminder of the trip.

• Tax information

Value-added tax (IVA) of 22% is added to every purchase in Italy. If you are a non-EU resident and spend more than €155 on a single item then you can claim a refund when you leave the country. Only available from shops displaying a ‘tax free’ sign.

Restaurants in Rome

Traditional Roman cooking is conservative, rustic and deceptively simple, but this masks an obsessive dedication to best seasonal ingredients, which give Roman cuisine its intense, rich flavours. Rome has excellent restaurants everywhere, but be wary of expensive tourist traps near the main sights. The Rome restaurants below have been handpicked by our editors and are grouped into three pricing categories: Expensive (over €70) Moderate (€30 to €70) Cheap (up to €30) These prices are for a two-course meal for one and a drink; they include tax but do not include service charge or tip. Some restaurants may add up to 15% service charge to your bill and there may also be a ‘cover’ charge for bread and napkins.

Expensive

• La Pergola

Cuisine: Modern European Three Michelin stars, over 60,000 bottles in the cellar and breath-taking views mark this roof garden restaurant in the Rome Cavalieri as one of Italy’s best. The chef, Heinz Beck, shapes the seasonal menu, creating inspirational dishes such as deep-fried zucchini flower with caviar on shellfish and saffron consommé. Reservations are necessary. Address: Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Via A Cadlolo 101, Rome. Telephone: +39 6 3509 2152 Website: www.romecavalieri.com/la-pergola

• La Rosetta

Cuisine: Seafood Founded in 1966 and regarded as Rome’s finest fish and seafood restaurant, La Rosetta lies in a quiet street close to the Pantheon. The interior is simple yet elegant. Outstanding dishes are accompanied by superlative wines. Address: Via della Rosetta 8, Rome. Telephone: +39 6 686 1002 Website: www.larosettaristorante.it

• La Tavola, il vino e la dispensa

Cuisine: Italian La Tavola, il vino e la dispensa, which translates to “The table, the wine and the pantry”, is the pride and joy of Oliver Glowig, an internationally renowned Michelin Starred chef and ambassador of the Italian gastronomic culture. The restaurant occupies the first floor of Mercato Centrale Rome and showcases some of the chef’s signature dishes, including Eliche cacio e pepe ai ricci di mare (eliche pasta with cheese, pepper and sea urchins) and Tortelli di coda vaccinara (tortelli pasta in oxtail stew). Address: Roma Termini, Via Giovanni Giolitti 36, Rome. Telephone: +39 06 4620 2900 Website: www.lacucinadioliver.com

Moderate

• Piperno

Cuisine: Italian, Jewish Located in Rome’s ancient Jewish Ghetto, Piperno is a classic wood-panelled dining room with an intimate alfresco patio. The crowd-pleasing menu has hardly changed since 1860, featuring all-time favourites such as Artichokes alla giudia (deep-fried artichoke) and Coda alla vaccinara (oxtail stew). Fresh pasta is also made in-house daily. Address: Via Monte de’Cenci 9, Rome. Telephone: +39 06 6880 6629 Website: www.ristorantepiperno.it

• Ditirambo

Cuisine: Italian Just off the Campo de’ Fiori, this intimate, relaxed restaurant shows off the best of Italian regional cuisine in a decidedly touristy area. The interior is warm and inviting, ingredients are organic, and the bread and pasta are both homemade. Ditirambo does delicious desserts too that are worthy of an Instagram. Address: Piazza della Cancelleria 74-75, Rome. Telephone: +39 6 687 1626 Website: www.ristoranteditirambo.it

• Cantina e Cucina

Cuisine: Modern Italian We try to do catering by taking care of the atmosphere, with staff who take care of you to make you feel at home. Our chefs and pizza chefs are used to attention to detail, with proposals and products cooked especially for you. There are no elements that are more or less important than others. A good meal is not just something that fills the stomach, but something pleasant that we may have forgotten, that we have not experienced for a long time. Address: Via del Governo Vecchio, 87, Roma. Telephone: +39 06 689 2574 Website: www.cantinaecucina.it

Cheap

• Mercato Centrale Roma

Cuisine: Italian, International Occupying an old railway dining hall inside Termini Station, this food market offers a wonderful combination of location, choice and price. There are 18 food shops on the ground floor offering classic Italian dishes such as Trapizzino (trademarked triangular pizza), a wide range of pasta dishes and refreshing gelato, among others. The first floor is home to the acclaimed Oliver Glowig’s restaurant “La Tavola, il vino e la dispensa” (see the entry in the Expensive category). Address: Via Giolitti 36, Termini station, Rome. Telephone: +39 6 4620 2900 Website: www.mercatocentrale.it

• Obicà Mozzarella Bar

Cuisine: Italian There are two of these innovative mozzarella bars in Rome (the other at Parlamento), which pay homage to the delicious cheese delivered daily from Campania and Puglia. Minimalist decor makes it feel like a sushi bar, but with cheese instead of fish. Customers can eat at counters or tables. Address: Via del Ponte di Piscina Cupa, Castel Roma. Telephone: +39 06 505 0087 Website: www.obica.com

• Pane e Salame

Cuisine: Italian A two-minute walk from the Trevi Fountain amid the hustle and bustle of central Rome, this busy restaurant serves delicious traditional Italian sandwiches and charcuterie platters. During busy times you may have to wait for a table, otherwise opt for a take-away. Address: Via di Santa Maria in via 19, Rome. Telephone: +39 6 679 1352

• Pizzeria Da Baffetto

Cuisine: Italian Da Baffetto serves some of the best Roman pizzas in town. Popular with local celebrities and footballers, you’ll have to join the queue of devotees to get in. Try the fried courgette flowers to start, before moving on to classic Roman pizzas such as provolone cheese and speck. Address: Via del Governo Vecchio 114, Rome. Telephone: +39 6 686 1617 Website: www.pizzeriabaffetto.it

Rome Nightlife

It might not be New York or Berlin, but Rome has its party scene. Romans go out late and the fun only really commences after dinner. The wine bars and cafés around Piazza Navona and Via della Pace tend to be the chicest. The biggest concentration of nightclubs in Rome lies in the Testaccio and Ostiense districts. There’s a small gay scene too. The Pigneto district, a 15-minute tram ride east of Termini station, is where fashionable restaurants and cafes serve artistic, creative locals. On the cultural side, the city has high-profile and innovative international performing arts festivals, a cutting-edge auditorium that attracts international talent, and RomaEstate – a full programme of summer events.

• Box Office Lazio

Telephone: +39 6 482 7915 Website: www.boxofficelazio.it  provides tickets for concerts, theatre and sporting events, as does:

• Viva Ticket

Website: www.helloticket.it

Bars in Rome

• Cul de Sac

Cul de Sac has been plying its trade since 1977 and its loyal local following often spills out onto the lively Piazza Pasquino. Among simple wooden tables and benches, thirsty visitors will find a glass to suit every budget from an extensive menu of more than 1,500 wines. Address: Piazza Pasquino 73, Rome. Telephone: +39 6 6880 1094 Website: www.enotecaculdesacroma.it

• Freni e Frizioni

Housed in a former Trastevere car workshop, Freni e Frizioni (which translates to Brakes and Clutches) is one of the coolest hangouts in Rome. In fine weather, spritz sipping crowds spill out onto a piazza near the Lungotevere. It’s open all day and is a great brunch spot. Address: Via del Politeama 4-6, Rome. Telephone: +39 6 4549 7499 Website: www.freniefrizioni.com

• The Basement

A hidden gem in a basement in the upscale Prati district, this modern owner-run bar provides creative cocktails and other drinks at reasonable prices, as well as a short food menu. The welcoming and lively atmosphere ensures many repeat visitors. Address: Via Properzio 15, Rome. Telephone: +39 6 6880 4963

Clubs in Rome

• Black Out

Black Out hosts live performances by rock bands, as well as heavy metal, punk, indie and electro nights. Other shows have included tributes to David Bowie, The Red Hot Chili Peppers and Pink Floyd.The venue has two rooms – one large, and one small, plus four bars and an outdoor garden. Address: Via Anagnina 3, Rome. Telephone: +39 06 556 6378 Website: www.blackoutrockclub.com

• Eden Secret Garden

A real nature reserve in the greenery of Northern Rome. An oasis immersed in an amazing setting, eco-sustainable and unique in its being. You will be able to relax and escape between good food and drinks, in a dream garden. It will be the solution to everything, for your summer. Address: Piazzale dello Stadio Olimpico, Rome. Telephone: +39 35 1869 8004 Website: www.giardinidelleden.it

• Goa

Some of Europe’s best DJs play alongside homegrown talent at Goa, which is located in the post-industrial landscape of the up-and-coming Ostiense quarter. House, jungle and techno music predominate amid a worn theatrical world of wood, wrought iron and rocking horses. The crowd is urbane so dress accordingly. Address: Via di Libetta 13, Rome. Telephone: +39 06 574 8277 Website: www.goaclub.com

Live music in Rome

• Auditorium Parco della Musica

Rome’s state-of-the-art auditorium features three space-age halls with remarkable acoustics and a large outdoor amphitheatre used for concerts and events. Everything from pop and jazz to dance and symphonic orchestras are hosted here, and the venue is the official home of Rome’s prestigious classical music academy, Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia. Address: Viale Pietro de Coubertin 30, Rome. Telephone: +39 06 80 2411 Website: www.auditorium.com

• La Casa del Jazz

The Casa del Jazz is housed in the former 1920s villa of a Mafia boss, seized by the council. Spread over three-storeys, the complex includes a 150-seat auditorium, a café and restaurant, and is the place to come for internationally renowned jazz acts. Address: Viale di Porta Ardeatina 55, Rome. Telephone: +39 06 8024 1700 Website: www.casajazz.it

• Le Mura

You’ll usually find more locals than tourists crammed into this tiny bar and live music venue in the historical neighbourhood of San Lorenzo, at the edge of Rome’s city centre. Original performances by local and international musicians take place almost every night; check the website for listings. Genres range from house to rock. Address: Via di Porta Labicana 24, Rome. Telephone: +39 32 0832 7063

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