If you’re planning a 2 week road trip in Sicily, you might automatically think you need to hire a car. But after spending two weeks exploring the island using trains, local buses, FlixBus, and only hiring a car for two days, I can honestly say that a Sicily road trip without a car is completely possible. I would also go as far to say THE BEST way to explore the island.

From colourful coastal towns and crystal-clear beaches to mountain villages, historic cities, and incredible hiking trails, Sicily quickly became one of my favourite places in Europe. The food is amazing, the landscapes constantly change, and every stop feels completely different from the last.

Our 2 week road trip in Sicily route looked like this:

Catania → Taormina / Giardini Naxos (A) → Cefalù (B) → Palermo (C) → Trapani (D)→ Erice (D)→ Favignana (E) → Riserva Naturale Orientata dello Zingaro (F) → Palermo airport (G)

This guide covers everything you need to know, including how to get around Sicily without a car, where to stay, what to do, and a few extra places worth adding to your itinerary.

How to Travel Around Sicily Without a Car

A few of the reasons we decided to do a 2 week road trip in Sicily without a car include:

– Crazy Italian traffic (and driving )
– Paid parking EVERYWHERE. Most of the signs we saw were €1 for 30 minutes. That adds up fast!
– Lack of parking. I read so many reviews of people not being able to park anywhere near their accommodation
– Narrow streets

One of the biggest surprises during our 2 week road trip in Sicily was how easy it was to travel between major destinations without driving. Here are a few reliable options:

Trains in Sicily

The train network connects many of Sicily’s most popular destinations including:

• Catania
• Taormina-Giardini Station
• Cefalù
• Palermo

Trains are affordable, comfortable, and usually offer beautiful coastal views throughout the journey. Every train we took was modern, smooth and reliable. We didn’t experience any delays and it was by far the most comfortable way to travel Sicily. You can buy a ticket at every station, just remember to validate it by placing it in the machine before boarding the train.

FlixBus

For longer journeys or routes where trains aren’t ideal, FlixBus was incredibly useful. We found buses between certain destinations often faster than trains and often cheaper when booked in advance.

Local Buses

Local buses connect smaller towns, beaches, and villages that aren’t accessible by train.

They’re particularly useful around:

• Taormina
• Giardini Naxos
• Trapani
• Erice

Hiring a Car

For most of this 2 week road trip in Sicily, we didn’t need a car at all. The only time we hired one was for two days to explore the western coastline and visit Riserva Naturale Orientata dello Zingaro.

There are public buses available, but we wanted more flexibility to explore viewpoints, beaches, and smaller coastal areas at our own pace.

If we were to hire a car for a longer period, we would have used Discover cars. They offer full insurance and are always so much cheaper than other companies. For us, hiring cars with this company has always worked out well, but do your research and choose what you feel most comfortable with.

Major International Airports in Sicily

I recommend starting your 2 week road trip in Sicily in either Catania or Palermo, and ending at the other. Many people book flights without thinking about the extra driving time you’ll need to do between the two major cities. If it works out well for you with timing and pricing, you can do what we did, and fly into one and leave from the other. Sicily is an island, but a rather large one! Both Catania and Palermo have international airports with many flight routes available.

Best places to visit in Sicily

Catania

Things to Do in Catania

• Explore Piazza Duomo
• Visit the famous Elephant Fountain
• Walk through the historic centre
• Wander Via Etnea
• Visit the fish market
• Try authentic Sicilian street food

If you love food, Catania is one of the best places in Sicily to start.

Make sure you try: Arancini, Cannoli, Pasta alla Norma, Granita with brioche

How Long to Stay in Catania

2 nights is usually enough before continuing your 2 week road trip in Sicily.

Taormina & Giardini Naxos

Taormina is easily one of the most beautiful towns on the island. Perched high above the sea, Taormina offers incredible views of Mount Etna, dramatic cliffs, and the sparkling coastline below. 

Because accommodation can be expensive in Taormina itself, we stayed in nearby Giardini Naxos and travelled between the two. There is a public bus, or you can hike up the path (approx 45 mins uphill).

The train from Catania or Palermo stops at Gardinia Naxos which is around a 15 minute walk into Naxos town. If you stay in Taormina, you will need to hike up the hill with your luggage, wait for the public bus that stops at the train station, or pay for a taxi. Taxi rides are approx 20-30€ for the 10-15 minute drive which is a bit steep.

Things to Do in Taormina

Teatro Antico di Taormina

The ancient Greek theatre is one of Sicily’s most famous landmarks. The views alone are worth visiting. I loved this theatre but I will say it’s overpriced for what it is. Price: €16

Isola Bella

A tiny island connected to the mainland by a narrow stretch of sand. The water here is some of the clearest you’ll find during your 2 week road trip in Sicily. We walked down to Isola Bella from Taormina and it took around 30 minutes. We then took a public bus (comes every 1 hour) from here back to Gardinia Naxos.

Wander the Historic Centre

Half the experience is simply walking through the narrow streets, discovering viewpoints, cafés, and hidden corners. There are many restaurants, cafes and food stalls to experience too.

Staying in Giardini Naxos

Giardini Naxos is a great alternative to Taormina.

You’ll find:

• Cheaper accommodation
• Beachfront restaurants
• Easier access to the sea
• Good bus connections

Buses run frequently between Giardini Naxos and Taormina throughout the day.

How Long to Stay

3 nights gives you enough time to enjoy both locations without rushing.

Places to visit in Sicily: Cefalù

Cefalù was one of my favourite stops during this 2 week road trip in Sicily. It somehow manages to feel lively and relaxed at the same time. The old town sits right beside the sea, with colourful buildings, narrow streets, and a beautiful sandy beach. There is also a castle on top of the hill, which overlooks the whole city below. 

Going from Catania to Palermo, we decided to stop in Cefalu, primarly to break up the journey. It turned out to be so much more than that.

From Catania, you buy a train ticket to Cefalú (1 change in Messina Centrale – total 3-4 hours).

Things to Do in Cefalù

Climb La Rocca

The hike up La Rocca offers some of the best views in Sicily. It’s steep but absolutely worth it. The entrance costs 5e per adult and is open from 08:00-20:00. Last entrance in is at 18:00. You cannot wear open shoes.

Visit Cefalù Cathedral

The cathedral dominates the town centre and is one of Sicily’s most impressive Norman buildings. 

Relax on the Beach

Unlike many Sicilian towns, Cefalù has a large sandy beach right next to the historic centre. It’s perfect for slow afternoons.

How Long to Stay in Cefalu 

We stayed just 1 night to break up the journey. However, we would have happily stayed 2 nights. The only thing I will say is that the accommodation options here weren’t the greatest.

Best places to visit in Sicily: Palermo

No 2 week road trip in Sicily would be complete without Palermo.

It’s chaotic, beautiful, historic, and completely unique. Palermo feels very different from the rest of Sicily. You’ll find grand architecture sitting next to busy markets, hidden churches, and some of the best food on the island.

Things to Do in Palermo

Palermo Cathedral

One of the city’s most iconic landmarks.

Quattro Canti

The famous crossroads in the heart of the city.

Ballarò Market

A sensory overload of local food, fresh produce, and Sicilian culture.

Visit the Capuchin Catacombs

One of the most unusual and unforgettable experiences during our 2 week road trip in Sicily was visiting the Capuchin Catacombs. Hidden beneath a monastery in Palermo, the catacombs contain thousands of preserved bodies dating back hundreds of years. Walking through the underground corridors, you’ll see monks, nobles, professionals, and even children still remarkably intact, many dressed in their original clothing.

It’s certainly not for everyone, but if you’re interested in history and want to experience something completely different from Sicily’s beaches and beautiful piazzas, it’s well worth a visit. Price: 5€

Try Palermo Street Food

Don’t leave without trying:

• Arancine
• Panelle
• Sfincione
• Cannoli

How Long to Stay

2-3 nights works perfectly.

Trapani

Trapani has a beautiful old town, stunning sunsets, and easy access to nearby islands. The main reason people visit Trapani is to explore the nearby town of Erice, and visit the Isole islands.

Things to Do in Trapani

• Walk along the waterfront
• Explore the historic centre
• Watch sunset from the city walls
• Use it as a base for Erice and Favignana (the biggest of the Isole islands)

How Long to Stay

2-3 nights.

We took a public bus from Palermo to Trapani. The price cost 10€ per person and was a total of 1.45 hours. It was super easy to get there.

Erice

Erice sits high on a mountain overlooking Trapani and the coastline below. The medieval streets feel frozen in time (and in temperature lol!). I definitely recommend wearing layers. During the day in Trapani it was 25 degrees, yet when we went to Erice we were genuinely freezing. The wind blowing through the streets felt artic.

It did unfortunatelt affect our time there as we couldn’t really concentrate on anything else. However, if you dress more appopriately than what we did, you’ll see stone buildings, tiny alleyways, and incredible viewpoints.

You can reach Erice via:

• Cable car from Trapani (15€ per person return – 10 minutes each way)
• Local bus (approx 45 minutes from Trapani)
• Car (up windy mountain roads).

The cable car is by far the most scenic, and fastest option.

Visiting Favignana Island in Sicily

If you’re looking for crystal-clear water during your 2 week road trip in Sicily, Favignana should be at the top of your list. The island is part of the Egadi Islands and can be reached by ferry from Trapani. The ferry only takes 30 minutes and should be booked online in advance. This ferry completely sells out in summer so make sure to book!

Many visitors rent bicycles to explore the island and I highly recommend that you do. They have normal bikes (5€ per day) and electric bikes (10€) available. This was a great way to explore Favignana and one of my favourite days on the whole trip. 

Highlights include:

• Cala Rossa
• Cala Azzurra
• Bue Marino

The water here honestly looks like something from the Caribbean. You can easily visit as a day trip from Trapani.

Riserva Naturale Orientata dello Zingaro

This was one of the absolute highlights of our 2 week road trip in Sicily. The reserve stretches along Sicily’s northwest coast between Scopello and San Vito Lo Capo. Think dramatic cliffs, hidden coves, turquoise water, and some of the most beautiful hiking trails in Sicily.

The Hike

The main trail follows the coastline and connects multiple beaches and viewpoints. The further you walk, the quieter it becomes. 

You can start the hike at the south end (Scopello) or at the north end (San Vito lo Capo). 

Getting There

There are public buses available from nearby towns. However, this was the only part of our 2 week road trip in Sicily where we hired a car.

We took a direct bus from Trapani to Palermo Airport (1.10 hours) to pick up a hire car. We rented one for two days because it gave us more flexibility to explore the area and stop at viewpoints along the coast.

For us, it was completely worth it.

Hiking Riserva Naturale Orientata dello Zingaro

Allow at least half a day to fully enjoy it, preferably one full day. The entrance fee is €5 per adult, and parking is free if you are lucky enough to park in the main parking. This will be full by early morning, and the second, overflow parking next door costs €10 per car.

The main coastal trail stretches for approximately 7km one way (14km return) and is considered moderate difficulty due to the rocky terrain, elevation changes, and lack of shade, so bring plenty of water and good walking shoes. Along the route you’ll pass around seven stunning coves with crystal-clear turquoise water, making it almost impossible to resist stopping for a swim every few kilometres.

Places to visit in Sicily that We Didn’t Visit (But Would Add Next Time)

The main reason we didn’t get to these places was because we didn’t hire a car in Sicily. There are public buses available from Catania so it is definitely be possible. We however chose to go north to Cefalu on our way to Palermo. If Noto and Ragusa are high on your list, you would take the south coast route around the island. 

Sicily is so much bigger than it seems, and visiting these two towns would have easily added an extra 2 days of travelling for us which we didn’t have.

Noto

Often called Sicily’s Baroque masterpiece, Noto is famous for its honey-coloured buildings and beautiful architecture. Many people consider it one of the prettiest towns in Sicily.

Ragusa

Ragusa is split into two parts, with the historic district of Ragusa Ibla being the highlight. Its winding streets, churches, and hilltop views make it a favourite among photographers and architecture lovers.

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The post 2 Week Sicily Road Trip (Without a Car) appeared first on Green Eyed Traveller.

How to Visit Venice on a Budget

Accommodation

Firstly, let’s talk about the location of your accommodation. Staying on the main island (Venice) is extremely expensive and you will easily pay 100’s of euros for a night. To save yourself a lot of money, I recommend that you look into surrounding areas. I stayed in Mestre Venezia at Wombats Hostel in a 6-bed dorm, for €16 per night. The hostel was extremely clean, sociable (but not hectic) and there was so much space in the room that I would recommend this hostel to anyone. There are also private rooms available for couples, friends, or older people who want the privacy.

The hostel was a 3 minute walk to the train station, where you can take a quick 10 minute train over to Venezia St Lucia; Venice’s main train station. The train costs €2.50 return or €1.35 for a single ticket. Buying a return ticket will save you a few cents, however you have to choose a time upfront for your return. Unless you know for certain what time you will be coming back, I suggest you buy single tickets. Be aware that the queues for the ticket machines can be very long, especially on a weekend or during school holidays so calculate your time appropriately. Your ticket needs to be validated before boarding the train, which you can do by placing it inside one of the yellow machines located near, or on the platforms.

One night in a hostel plus transport to and from Venice (x2) for the day will costs you less than €20!

How to Get Around Venice on a Budget

As mentioned earlier, there is a train connecting the mainland to the island of Venice which is both affordable and reliable. But what about travelling around the island of Venice itself?

It’s important to note that if you have limited, or no mobility, Venice may not be the best option for your trip. As you know, the city is dominated by water, and the canals divide up the beautiful streets meaning there are numerous bridges throughout. I witnessed a number of elderly people with walking sticks and simmer frames struggling to get across the bridges on their way to the cruise ships. There were also multiple people trying to drag their suitcases over the bridges while searching for their hotels (another reason to stay on the mainland!).

The city is definitely not wheelchair friendly.

Water Boat Taxi Service

There is a water boat service that takes you to multiple attractions throughout the city. Opposite St Venezia Lucia train station you will find a ticket office where you can choose from a number of passes. To get to St Mark’s Basilica from here will take you nearly 1 hour by water boat. The boat heading to the Basilica is too big to fit through the canals so it makes its journey around the outskirts of the city. The passes do also include the smaller boats.

I personally wouldn’t suggest using this service unless necessary as it takes a long time to get anywhere. However, it does allow you to see Venice from a new perspective and it also stops at the nearby islands if you wish to get off to explore them.

TIP! If you get off at St Mark’s Basilica and make your way on foot to the famous Rialto Bridge, you will find a boat stop there. The walking time between the two attractions is only 5 minutes. This boat will take you back to St Venezia Lucia train station within 10 minutes as it goes through one of the bigger canals. This will save you a lot of time!

How to Visit Venice on a Budget

Water Boat Taxi Service Prices in Venice

There are a number of passes to choose from:

€7.5 for 75 minutes of travel (except for gondolas and private services)

€20 for a day pass (except for gondolas and private services)

They also have multiple day passes available – ask in the office for prices.

TIP! I personally think the day pass is overpriced as you don’t take full advantage of it. You should only need to make a maximum of 2 journeys – one to get to the Basilica, and one to get back from wherever you end up. I would recommend buying a one way ticket to the Basilica and walk back. However, if you want to use the boat services both ways, it is still cheaper to buy two single tickets as opposed to buying a day pass (€15 instead of €20).

How Much is a Gondola Ride in Venice?

Unfortunately your water boat ticket doesn’t include riding on the famous gondolas in Venice (damn!). I checked out the prices when I was there and it costs between €80- €100 for a 1-2 hour journey. It is a little steep if you are on budget but if it is something you have dreamed about doing, just be prepared to fork out the above. You can also hire private boats to take you around the city.

How to Visit Venice on a Budget?

Food & Drink in Venice

Before arriving to Venice, I assumed i’d be spending a lot of money on food and drink but I was pleasantly surprised. As most restaurants are competing with each other, they are offering 2 course menus with a side dish for €11-15! The food is also delicious.

One thing to note is that you can drink tap water in Venice, however the restaurants will not serve it to you. You must buy their bottled water – I guess that’s how they make the extra money back.

Venice doesn’t attract the heavy party go-ers and has a very relaxed vibe. It is a beautiful place to sit and enjoy a glass of wine adjacent to the water and soak in the Italian atmosphere. A glass of wine will set you back a few euros, and Aperol Spritz cost €4.

Snacks in Venice

It is possible to spend €20-25 a day on food if you are smart about what you eat. For lunch, you can buy a big pizza slice for €2.50 from a local bakery and other Italian delights. Gelato icecream is a must-have when you are in Venice and costs €2-3 depending on where you buy it.

Public Toilets in Venice

There are NO free public toilets in Venice. I only came across two public toilets while venturing around the city and they cost €1.50 each! Maybe this is my budget backpacker self talking, but that is a lot of money to do something that all humans need to do.

I decided to try and time my pit stops with meal times so I could use the facilities in the restaurants.

TIP! If you can’t hold it – Go to KFC near St Venezia Lucia train station and order a small re-fill drink for €1.25. Make sure you ask for the receipt and use the code to access the toilet. This way you can have 2-3 drinks (or as many as you can drink really, although you better watch that bladder!) and also use the toilet. Keep your cup if you want another re-fill later on in the day. Win-win.

Planning An Onward Journey in Italy?

The trains in Italy are rather cheap and something I used to get from Venice to Verona. However, do note that they have no luggage storage. I had a big suitcase with me which I had to put next to my seat, but the train filled up completely. People were trying to climb over it and asking me to move it but I had nowhere to go. I spent 2 hours crammed between strangers and it was rather stressful lol! I highly recommend using Flixbus if you are travelling around Italy. Flixbus is usually cheaper, takes relatively the same amount of time and has a compartment under the bus for luggage storage. Please read their requirements to see how much luggage you can take as I believe it is one piece under the bus, and one small handbag.

Another tip for travelling on a budget:

Sign up to TransferWise; an online money transfer service that lets you send, receive and spend money internationally. You can spend money abroad on the TransferWise debit Mastercard, with the correct exchange rate and very low fee.

I have an international card with *TransferWise and save myself a lot of money on online transactions and daily spending while travelling.

*With my link you get a fee-free transfer of up to 500 GBP.

Did you like this post?

Please leave a comment below if you have any other tips on how to visit Venice on a budget. Keep your eyes peeled for a new blog post coming soon; Free things to do in Venice

The post How to Visit Venice on a Budget appeared first on Green Eyed Traveller.

Transportation in Rome – Getting to and from the Airport

Transfer Buses

When you arrive at the airport there are a number of ways to get to the city centre. Most hotels have shuttle services available which you need to pre-book, taking you directly to your door.

There are also a number of companies who offer door-to-door services at the airport if you were too busy to organise it beforehand. These companies charge 15euros per person and it is around an hour drive to your hotel. 

This probably works out easier and cheaper than taking the train to Termini in the city centre. The train costs 14euros and then you need to make it from the station to your hotel (via bus or tram). 

Public Buses

There is a cheaper option which is the SIT bus. As you come out of Terminal 3 at the airport the bus stop is on your right hand side. The bus only stops in two places: Termini station and …. street on the Vatican side of town. 

The bus costs only 6euros. Everybody at the airport makes it seem like it is hard work getting the bus – it’s not. 

We took a car on the way in as we didn’t have much time to pre-plan. As we were in the city, we talked to our concierge and found the bus stop to only be a 10 minute walk from our hotel so we used the bus service on the way back. 

The bus was actually quicker as it only made one other stop. With the car we had to drop off 6 other people.

Here is a link to the SIT bus website, providing information on the bus stops and a bus timetables: http://www.sitbusshuttle.com/en/bus-stops/

Transportation in Rome – Transport Within the City

Getting around Rome is simple, cheap and user friendly. There are trams, buses and sightseeing tours available, stopping at the famous landmarks around Rome. 

You can buy bus passes online for 1,2,3+ days depending on how long you are staying. The bus passes will save you a lot of walking around the city.

We like walking when we get to new places so didn’t buy a bus pass. The city of Rome is a giant tourist attraction in itself so by walking you can experience it all first hand. It is true however that some of the landmarks have too large a walking distance between each other.

We used the buses a total of two times and both times we got on, we tried to pay and couldn’t? The driver told us to just sit down. I believe they couldn’t collect cash on the bus, but there was nowhere to buy tickets at the bus stops either. Everybody got on the bus without tickets, or cards, nothing?

I did some research and found that the transportation in Rome is NOT free. However, there was nowhere online to explain how to pay so we didn’t end up paying anything for either of our two bus journeys. 

Use of Buses

There are sightseeing buses that take you around the city, in a hop on, hop off system. They cost 15€ a day. 

To save some money, the public buses offer a day pass for 6€ and stop at all the main points in the city too. They don’t offer a tour guide explaining the history and the culture of the city, though. 

Navigating Your Way Without Internet

You can also download an app called Maps Me. We use this app religiously.

You pre-download the map of the city/place you are visiting while you have wifi, then you can use the map offline. It’s perfect when you’re travelling around and have no data package! You can type in a location and it will bring it up, showing you how to get there by foot, car or public transport. You can also use the map to pinpoint locations, so you can save a place you have already been too. It is great if you wish to re-visit the place, or just to have it there as a memory of everywhere you have been. 

The post The Best Ways to Get Around Rome City appeared first on Green Eyed Traveller.

There are a number of things you must eat when you’re in Rome. It goes without saying that you have to induldge in a huge homemade pizza, and a delicious pasta dish, but there are a few other things you need to try.

Suppli, is a traditional Italian street food, now served in many restaurants alike. Suppli are rice balls coated in breadcrumbs, with a melted mozarella centre. Many people serve it with ragu (bolognese) sauce. This is something you need to try, they are incredibly delicious, and cheap too!

Biscotti, is an Italian cookie. Typically baked with flaxseeds and Italians (and tourists) can enjoy them with a cup of coffee. If you fancy something sweet, definitely try a Biscotti.

And ultimately, speaking of fancying sweet things, let’s not forget about the Gelato. Italians are known for making some of the best homemade icecreams in the world. You definitely have to try a range of flavours.

TIP! Rome is known to be an expensive city, so we were expecting to pay big prices for food. While we were there, we found many 2 or 3-course deals for under 15€. Look out for good prices and offers! Many restaurants are competing with each other so there are deals to be found.

Here are a number of restaurants we found in the city, where you can happily eat for 15€ or less!

Click on the links for reviews of each restaurant.

Porta Castello

Largo di Porta Castello, 28, 00193, Roma

A beautiful Italian restaurant in the heart of Vatican. Porta Castello was our favourite restaurant in Rome.

Ciao

Borgo Pio, 146, 00193 Roma

Just two streets down from the Basilica church, we found a lunch deal for 10€ at Ciao Restaurant.

L’insalata Ricca

Piazza del Risorgimento, 5-6, 00192 Roma

Means ‘The Delicious Salad’. L’insalata Ricca is lovely restaurant with a huge variety of fresh salads (and pizza’s of course).

Mannozzi

Via della Panetteria, 14, 00187 Roma

A couple of streets down from the Trevi fountain lies Mannozzi Restaurant, offering a meal deal for 13€.

The post 5 Things You Must Eat When You’re in Rome appeared first on Green Eyed Traveller.

Rome is the most amazing city, built around 100’s of Roman ruins. Walking around the city is a Rome Attraction in itself. Here are a list of things that we visited in the 3 days we spent in Rome and what we thought about them.

St. Peter’s Basilica

St. Peter’s Basilica is known as the largest church in the world, and for its impressive architecture. The Basilica attracts many people throughout the year, both tourists to see its beauty, and local people to witness the Pope preside at several liturgies.

St. Peter’s Basilica is very impressive. As you enter, you get that “WOW” factor! Both the architecture and the designs inside are simply stunning. There is an audio guide available for 5€ if you wish to understand more about its history and importance.

The square surrounding the church is also spectacular, with many statues and fountains. Tourists can sit around the square, soaking up the sun and taking photos.

TIP! If you can visit St. Peter’s Basilica during the week, DO IT! We went on a Thursday and only had to queue for 5 minutes through security. It was the perfect wait time.

On the Saturday we went for a wander up to the Basilica as it is such a beautiful place, and the queues were horrendous. We were so glad we had already been in there a couple of days before as we would never have waited in that line. It was easily a 3 hour wait.

Address: Piazza San Pietro, 00120 Città del Vaticano, Vatican City
Getting there: Metro station: Ottaviando, Line A (red)
Opening times: 7am until 6.30pm. The Dome opens at 8am and closes one hour before the Basilica.
Price: Entrance into the basilica is free. There is an audio guide available for 5€.
Important information: There is a strict dress code for entrance into the Basilica. Gentlemen must cover their shoulders and legs, and women must cover their shoulders and wear skirts longer than the knee.

What to See With 72 Hours in Rome

Vatican Museum

The Vatican Museum is full of historical statues, pieces of art work, brick work and even has real tombs from the Egyptian times. Everything is very well looked after and is kept in an amazing condition.

The Vatican is beautiful, especially for those who appreciate fine art and history. It is huge and usually takes around 2 hours to complete it properly. I will be honest though, we spent a total of 45 minutes in the museum as we were seriously bored.

If museums are not your thing, I wouldn’t recommend going.

TIP! There is a big discount on the entrance fee for students. If you are a student in Rome you must provide a letter from your University, with a stamp from the director, proving you study at the Uni. I do believe it is a little easier for international students as you just need to show a form of ID with your current University on it (student card). The price for a Student ticket is 8€, so definitely worth bringing it if you have one!

There are audio guides available for 7€ which provide you with all the information you need in each room.

Address: Viale Vaticano, 00165 Roma
Getting there: Metro station: Ottaviando, Line A (red)
Opening times: 9am-4pm
Price: Standard Adult ticket 17€
Student Ticket 8€
Important information: Get there early to avoid the historical queues (no pun intended). Go on a week day if possible!

What to See With 72 Hours in Rome

Monumento to Vittorio Emanuele II

We hadn’t planned to visit the monument while we were in Rome as we hadn’t heard about it before. As were on our way to the Colosseum we spotted it from the bus window and had to get out to see it.

The building looked absolutely incredible, and as we got closer we could see how much detail truly went into the architecture! We had no idea it was only a 5-minute walk away from the Colosseum, located in the center of Piazza Venezia.

We wandered about the monument for half an hour or so and took plenty of pictures. There is a terrace area at the top of the building, where you can see the city of Rome, including the Basilica located across the other side of the river. It is such an immaculate building and I would recommend you go see it.

Address: Piazza Venezia, 00186, Roma
Getting there: Metro station, Colosseo, Line B.
By Bus: Busese number 40, 84, 780 and 810
Opening times: 9.30am-17.45pm during the week. On weekends, the monument stays open for an extra hour, closing at 18.45pm
Price: Free. It costs 7€ if you wish to access the panoramic lift.
Important information: You are not allowed to take food or drink into the monument. You are not allowed to sit on the steps leading up to the monument.

What to See With 72 Hours in Rome

The Colosseum

The Colosseum is the iconic building of Rome and a must-visit when you are in the city. It is considered to be one of the Roman’s greatest architectural buildings and could hold 50,000 people at one time.

It was primarily built to entertain the locals with brutal games, and shows. They consisted of beasts vs beasts, or humans beating animals to death, until 523. The remains of the Colosseum are what survived a number of earthquakes.

Visiting the Colosseum

There are many people outside the Colosseum offering guided tours and I would recommend that you go on one. There is so much information to learn about the history of the Colosseum that you would miss out on without a guide.

TIP! You can also pre-book a guided tour, which is highly recommended. In the summer, the queues to enter the Colosseum are horrendous. You can avoid these queues by pre-booking a tour.

If you choose to go without a tour, or they are fully booked, there are also audio devices available for 5€. I recommend that you take one with you around the Colosseum if you do not have a guide. The devices explain the purpose and history of the museum.

The Colosseum is always busy so there’s not a bad time in the day to go. Obviously, weekends are busier so if you can avoid them, I would. There are tours running throughout the day and the last tour enters around 15:00.

Address: Piazza del Colosseo, 1, 00184
Getting there: Metro station: Colosseo, Line B
Opening times: 8.30am-7pm
Price: Standard adult ticket 12€
EU citizens between 18 and 25 = 7€
17 and under – FREE entrance

 Rome is an incredible city, suitable for anyone and everyone. Make sure you check out everything this city has to offer!

Check our guide to Eating in Rome here.

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