What To Expect Around The Ancient Centre Of Rome
A Visitors Briefing On Staying At The Heart Of The Ancient City Of Rome Around Trevi & Spanish Steps
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| Trevi Fountain |
The Ancient City Of Rome
The oldest part of Rome, around Trevi fountain, Pantheon and the Spanish Steps is a honeycomb of narrow streets. There are a few major arteries that run through the district like the Via Corso, wide enough for two lanes of traffic, but these are the exception to the rule.
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| Ancient Rome Hotels |
| District Briefing |
| Visiting Trevi Fountain |
| Visiting Spanish Steps |
| Visiting Pantheon |
The only realistic way to get about is by foot and what a pleasure that is. There is so much of interest around every corner, just wandering independently making your own discoveries is recommended.
The area is always a busy, bustling place.
Small restaurants spill out onto the street everywhere. Shops are small, and their is some tourist tat around the immediate vicinity of the main tourist draws, but much else is high class designer boutiques.
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| Versace - Via dei Condotti |
The Via dei Condotti, right by the Spanish Steps is where you want to go if you want to shop for Armani, Prada, Versace, Dolce and Gabbana or Gucci. This is not only one of the richest streets in Italy but also one of the best for shopping in Rome.
There is a tourist 'rat run' through these narrow streets connecting the Spanish Steps with the Trevi Fountain, then onto the Pantheon and Piazza Navona. The way is even sporadically signposted, but its arguably best to get off this run and its gauntlet of sometimes tacky shops aimed at the tourist.
Because of the nature of the streets and buildings most things are small scale. There are no large hotels or modern office blocks, that would destroy the whole feel of the place.
You should have no problem getting something to eat. Its a great area just to wander in the evening after a good meal. Most places are small and of course heavily biased towards pizza and pasta. The familiar global fast food chains do exist but you may have to look harder than normal to find them.
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| Typical Small Hotel In A Typical Street |
Hotels Around Trevi Fountain & Spanish Steps
Everything here is on a small scale, there are no large hotels, the vast majority are just family owned hotels with a limited number of rooms. So don't expect familiar brand name hotels in modern blocks and facilities like gyms and swimming pools.
As a result of the limited availability of rooms, the excellent central position of the area and a degree of exclusivity you pay quite a premium to stay in the district.
Room rates in all of Rome are very volatile according to the seasons and this area is no exception. In the summer months rooms can be at least double that to the winter months and availability can also be a problem at popular times unless you reserve a fair way in advance.
Hotels around Trevi Fountain & Spanish Steps.
Just to the east of this area is the famous Via Veneto that climbs up the hill from Barberini to the exclusive district around Villa Borghese. The wide avenues and villas up here contain far more hotels rooms in a much more relaxing environment. You can walk down to the hectic, bustling ancient city below in 10 minutes or so from most hotels, which include a lot of the chains trophy hotels in Rome.
Hotels around Via Veneto and Villa Borghese.
Getting About Rome From The Trevi Fountain & Spanish Steps Area
The ancient city of Rome is within easy walking of much of what Rome has to offer. The Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain and Pantheon are on your doorstep. Its hardly worth the effort either using transport to get to the Vatican, Borghese Gallery and Roman Forum / Colosseum, its just as quick to walk and a much more pleasant experience..
Line A of the Rome Metro at both Spagna and Barberoni stations are within 10 minutes walk of hotels in the district.
Local buses radiate out in all directions from the area. A cute little electric bus, route 116 goes through the area going where normal buses cannot go. Its a small electric bus able to carry just a handful of people but is able to wind through the narrow streets. Its not suitable for sightseeing but is a way of getting from A to B passing the Trevi Fountain and Pantheon.
See our Rome bus page for more details of the bus services in Rome.
Most of the cities many Hop on Hop Off tourist buses pick up in the area and are an extremely popular means of seeing the main sights by visitors.
Transfers Between The Trevi & Spanish Steps Area And Rome's Airports & Cruise Port
Termini is the main hub for public transport in the centre of Rome and is linked directly from Barberini and Spagna Metro. Though for most hotels its not a nice experience dragging luggage up the hill for some way to most hotels in the district. Maybe a taxi to/from Termini is a good option.
From Termini. the Leonardo Express train runs direct to the main Rome airport, Fiumicino. See our Fiumicino train page for further details.
To Ciampino Airport, Terravision run frequent airport coaches from Termini Station. From both Spagna and Barberini Metro stations you can go to end of Line A to Anagnina where a connecting local bus goes to Ciampino Airport. See our Ciampino bus page for further details.
Trains between Termini and Civitavecchia Cruise Port run twice hourly for much of the day from Termini.
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If you don't fancy the chore of tracking down a ticket outlet on arrival in Rome, you can order the 1 and 3 day transport passes now and have them conveniently sent to your home, wherever in the world you live. Of course you have to pay a premium for this service, but the time saved and stress free convenience of this facility is attractive to many. |
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All Inclusive Hop On Hop Off Bus With Public Transport Pass Combined
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Combine one of Rome's leading hop on, hop off city sightseeing buses with a public transport pass covering all of Rome's metro, tram, suburban train and bus system. |
The first “all inclusive” card for good for all forms of public transportation in Rome (bus lines, A+B Metro, tram, train Rome/Ostia/Rome) as well as the Roma Cristiana hop on hop off open top sightseeing buses.
The ticket is available in 1 day and 3 day formats.
| One Day Ticket Adults - €20 Children - Free |
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3 Day Ticket Adults - €25 Children - Free |
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