Going to Rome in February...

[LeoTheLion678]

What should I not miss please? I'm doing the colosseum audio tour on the day I get there (Friday afternoon) and on the Saturday I'm doing the vatican / Sistine Chapel, but no other paid for big attractions as I'm only there until Sunday afternoon so I want to have enough time to just soak it up, walk around Trastevere and eat pasta and gelato. I'll use the tube if necessary but I'm a big walker.

Anything else I should be doing? I'm on a bit of a budget too but not enormously so. Just don't want to be extravagant.

Thanks

Thanks everyone I'll take your advice and skip the vatican, I'm staying in Esquilino. I've since heard it's not a great area but I'm not bothered presuming it's only pick pockets I have to be concerned about. Probably a 20 minute walk to the centre, which is nothing for me.

Ostia Antica is great, much more impressive than the forum (which doesn’t really give you a sense of Roman life)

Don’t skip the Vatican!! Are people insane!!

Go up to the Palatine Hill, just next to the forum. We went last February - the gardens were beautiful at that time of year, and there are lovely views down over the forum.

Whether you go to the Vatican depends on how art focused you are. If you're a committed art person then it's clearly unmissable - but I agree that the Caravaggios in individual churches are more atmospheric, if you're not on a big art crusade.

It's not the Vatican (St. Peter's basilica and square), it's the museums and the Sistine chapel. Just too much queuing and herding.

I meant the Vatican Museum. They are amazing. Such a unique collection. They have far more than paintings!

I wouldn't bother with the Pantheon. OK its still up after 2 millennium but its full of Catholic portraiture. Really enjoyed the colosseum which we did the underground tour. No queuing to get in. Neros palace has recently opened and is jaw dropping. I'd also recommend the forum.

I'm not mad on art at all tbh, I just love the tranquility of churches and how sacred they are. I'm not hugely religious but very, very spiritual

Try locate the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola, it's on the way to Trevi, you'll find it on the map. The ceiling art is unreal and there's a mirror that allows you to see it without craning your head.

Check when the rugby is on.

St Peter’s and the Colosseum are both amazing.

Have a look at the Fly Deco hotel in Ostia Lido for example. There are a good few hotels along there also. Train station ten minute walk, and lots of restaurants, bars, cafes in the pedestrian area. Big market on Wednesday and Saturday, and great seaview walks around the marina and along the Lungomare (seafront). Very relaxed vibe compared with the mania of Rome itself. Found it very inexpensive to eat out in Ostia.

We spent a while at the Monument to Victor Emmanuel II. We took the glass lift up to the top where you get spectacular views across the city. It's easy to get to the Colosseum and forum from there too.

I'm going in February too.
Maybe a stupid question but can you go the vatican but not go in the actual museum? I'd like to have a look around and go to St Peters basilica but I'm not interested in the museum
I think the sistine chapel is closed Janusry to March 2026.

@Coffeesoon Yes, you can go into the basilica, free entry and see St. Peter's Square too without going to the museums. Pope gives an audience on Wednesdays and prays at Angelus on Sundays, so it might be quieter other days, unless you'd like to see Pope Leo that is. If you do, I think you have to reserve a place (free) for the Wednesday and can just walk into the square on Sundays. It is well worth seeing with or without the presence of the Pope or the museums.

I was there for the sixth or seventh time recently. Just walk around and soak it all up. The Pantheon is my particular favourite. We also took a tour of the Capuchin crypt which was very interesting if you aren't squeamish!

We had dinner in Osteria del Sostegno not far from the Pantheon one night and it was fabulous, seemed very much a place for locals not tourists.

St Peter's basilica is one of the most wonderful places I've visited. It's really really impressive, the dome is incredible. Not for the faint hearted getting to the top of it but really amazing experience. I agree with others about the Vatican museums though, a lot of very long corridors of art and too many herded tourists.
The Colosseum, Roman forum and Pallatine hill are must sees, we did a full day on these and barely scratched the surface.
The pantheon was beautiful and much more impressive than I expected it to be.
We really enjoyed hiring bikes and cycling along Via Appia, it gave a different perspective on modern Rome alongside the ancient Rome. But probably wouldn't prioritise it with a short weekend

Oh also... I really love walking in nice parks. Are there nice parks? I can google of course but human recommendations are better

Get a ticket for the colloseum underground and inside bit - you go where the slaves and Beasts were kept and stand in the floor of the amphitheater. Amazing !

The Parthenon is staggering.

We walked a lot.

Trastevere area is worth a visit. There is a 2k year old stone bridge next to a Hospital that had the most amazing proper family run restaurant on it. maps.app.goo.gl/fVreNaEFfmG5S4HT9?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy

Worth getting up at sunrise to wander and take good pics - esp of Trevino which gets mobbed in the day.

Rome is fab

I don’t think there are many parks in the way we are used to, but Rome is great for walking and looking at all the historic sites. And when you get tired, there’s will always be an old church nearby where you can rest your feet while looking at some lovely old paintings.

We steamed through the Vatican (also in February) stopped at a few things but just made a beeline for Sistine chapel. Got round in under an hour, go early there are no queues. Was worth it. St Peter’s basilica is insane. Do not miss this! The pantheon and Roman forum are both worth a visit. The rest of the time just walk. I think we did about 60k steps a day every day we were there. It was an amazing city. Loved it

The English cemetery is wonderful, and it’ll be much nicer to potter around in the cooler months than when I last visited. I would also recommend the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano. A bit of a walk from the centre, but absolutely breathtaking. Far more peaceful than the Vatican as well.

This is why I book these things in February it helps me avoid the two things I hate most.

Heat
People 🤣

We were there in Feb last year, it was over 20 degrees and absolutely rammed everywhere. I don’t think Rome does “off season”

We were there late July and loved it. Yes it was busy but even places like the Trevi Fountain were doable mid-afternoon.
I enjoyed The Vatican. We got an early ticket on a Wednesday. It wasn’t busy and we were able to walk around to St Peter’s to see Pope Leo afterwards.
Paletine Hill is so much bigger than you think - give yourself enough time to look around. Pantheon and Colusseum were awe inspiring.
The metro was cheap and well managed and we felt safe on there, despite the pickpocketing stories. However, it was great exploring on foot. You walk down the street, turn a corner and then in front of you is some amazing building or church. Enjoy.