View of Via del Corso from Piazza del Popolo
Through my travels across Italy I always find time to come back to my favorite city: Roma, the eternal city. I’ve visited this city countless times while discovering that I love it more and more each time. Rome’s center consists of tons of touristic spots that are definitely worth exploring during your stay in Rome. Rome has so many places to get lost and capture that picture perfect scene you imagine Italy to be. There is so much Rome outside of the touristic areas that I believe you need at least a week to conquer somewhat of Rome’s entirety. I say somewhat because I’ve been there countless amount of times and discover tons of new areas every time.
Getting Around the City
The best way to travel through Rome is walking, but don’t be afraid to use the metro, bus, or tram. The metro is safe and easy to navigate. The metro consists of the A Line and the B Line which cross at the Termini train station. 
Rome has various tours with a ton of different means of transportation. You can tour in a vintage Fiat 500 to an electric car. Check out Fodor’s list of Tours!
Corso and Spagna
Via del Corso and Piazza di Spagna will be among some of the first places you visit when in Rome. Via del Corso runs parallel to Tiber river and connects Piazza Venezia all the way to Piazza del Popolo. In the middle you’ll find the famous Spanish Steps filled will tourists from all over the world. Here you will find the famous Via Condotti which encompasses stores of the highest luxury brands such as Buglari, Gucci, and Prada to name a few. Via del Corso carries more economical stores such as Zara and H&M. Piazza di Spagna is my favorite for taking a break from walking around the city and sit or even climb the steps to get that picturesque view of Via Condotti.
Restaurant Recommendations
Gusto
Via della Frezza, 16, 00186, Rome, Italy
Gusto has many different components to the restaurant. The downstairs includes a buffet style where you weigh and pay, a cheese shop, and a pizzeria. The upstairs is the restaurant with full wait staff and menus. When eating at Gusto, I recommend eating downstairs in the buffet. This isn’t your normal buffet. Everything looks fresh and delicious that I always end up paying a bit extra to try as many things as I can from their selection. Check out this unique dining experience here!
Trastevere
Trastevere is one of the most picturesque areas of the city. You can get lost for hours walking through the small roads that intertwine around the neighborhood. During the day it is lively with the bustle of restaurants and tourists while at night it transforms into a attraction of partygoers.
RESTAURANT RECOMMENDATIONS
Mario’s
Via del Moro 53, 00186, Rome, Italy
Mario’s restaurant menu encompasses the classic Roman cuisine. I preferred ordering two primi of pasta e ceci and bruschetta di pomodoro. When I dined at Mario’s I was currently studying abroad in Florence so this was a nice Roman cuisine I was missing while living in Florence. If you’re looking for a traditional Roman cuisine, you must visit Mario’s in Trastevere, you won’t be disappointed!
Piazza Navona & Campo de’ Fiori
Piazza Navona is my favorite spot in Rome, especially during the holidays. Piazza Navona during Christmas is surrounded with tourists, street performers, and vendors, yet it’s still the most beautiful piazza in Rome. The area around Piazza Navona includes Campo de’ Fiori, a piazza that encompasses a ton of bars and restaurants popular to American and Italian students.
RESTAURANT RECOMMENDATIONS
Navona Notte
Via del Teatro Pace, 44, 00186, Rome, Italy
From the outside, Navona Notte looks like a tourist trap. Personally, Navona Notte was one of the best tourist traps I fell into. There was no cover charge, as well as amazing food. Sure this restaurant is located in a tourist section with a ton of tourists, but it was the cheapest food for the best quality you’ll find. The one con of the restaurant that some people may find is that there isn’t a lot of space between tables which didn’t bother me at all because most restaurants are just as crowded in Italy. You won’t spend more than 25 euros for two people including wine. I always tell people to check out this spot when visiting Rome for the first time.
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