Travel
Where to today? Rome in the Spring time
Come to Rome once and you will always want to return
No matter what brings you to Rome: shopping, gardens, museums, churches, a mass with the Pope or a visit to the main historical buildings, you will surely find what you are looking for there.
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At Easter time, be prepared to see a large amount of pilgrims in Rome. If crowds do not bother you, don’ t let it stop you from traveling to this exciting city at that time. Rome is big enough and you don’t even have to go to the Vatican city.
Sistine Chapel ceiling
If you are looking for a warm and sunny place in April, you probably will be lucky. It can get very warm at the beginning of the Spring.
You probably have heard the legend of Romulus and Remus: for the foundation of Rome, the brothers fought to death to be the first king of Rome. Romulus was the lucky winner!
But what is there to see and do in the city that was worth fighting for?
The inevitable sights* in Rome:
* I have seen all these sights and I listed each place in the importance I gave them and I would go back and see them.
- Fountain of Trevi: to see at least once in your lifetime if you come to Rome. See for yourself this amazing Baroque fountain that almost everyone has seen a dozen times in books or postcards. The square is always full with tourists either standing next to the fountain or sitting on the steps and those tossing coins to make sure they come back to Rome. Turn your back at the fountain and throw a coin over your left shoulder and good luck!
The Roman Forum in Rome
- Colosseum: come to see for yourself where the combats of gladiators with wild beasts happened. The construction ended in 80 A.D. and it could seat from 50,000 to 80,000 people at a time.
- Piazza San Pietro: make time for the Vatican city to see the largest Basilica in the world, the ‘Last Judgment’ of Michelangelo in the Chapel Sistine, the Vatican museums and walk on the square to see the fountains and the obelisk. All important Italian artists have worked either in the Basilica or outside.
- Palatine Hill and Forum: wander through the Palatine hill and go down to the Forum. With a guide or without you will enjoy walking by the Roman ruins and look at the temples, columns, etc… and listening to the interesting stories of the foundation of Rome. Stop by where Julius Caesar gave his speeches.
- Piazza di Spagna: one of the most amazing square of the capital. From the top where the steps begin you have an awesome view leading to the busy upscale shopping street of Rome, the via Condetti. The Church Trinita di Monti is behind you and down is the fountain Barcaccia. The best is to sit, relax and look at the people going by.
Piazza Navona and its fountains
- Pantheon: don’t forget to stop by the Pantheon on the Piazza della Rotonda.The temple was once dedicated to the gods of Antiquity and its dome was the world’s largest until 1900.
- Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano: built in the 4th century, it is where the Pope sits officially. Don’t miss the apse mosaic.
- Piazza Navona: beautiful square with three fountains. The major one is the Baroque Fountain of the Four Rivers in the center (work of Bernini). It is beloved by the street entertainers.
Other interesting sights* in Rome:
- Vatican Mass and other religious celebrations: most of the Holy celebrations require reserved seating unless you want to stand in the back, like for the Easter mass. Pope Benedict will have a public mass on Easter Sunday (April 4th) at 10:15 a.m. and give his blessing from the balcony. Even if you are not Catholic it is an unforgettable experience. Be there early for queuing to enter San Peter’s square and be careful with the pick pockets. Be aware you will have to stand on cobblestones, so if you have back problems this may not be for you.
Saint Peter’s square for Mass at Easter, Rome
- Sant’ Ignazio di Loyola Church: stop to admire the trompe l’oeil work at this Jesuit church. This is one of the many churches of Rome, from which I remember how to get to and what I saw. The colors were so spectacular that I won’t forget my visit.
- Bocca della Verita: in front of the church Santa Maria, there is a lion mouth. Put your hand in the mouth to see what happens! The legend says that whoever lies, will get bitten.
- Santa Maria della Concezione: enter the crypt to see the 4,000 sculls of friars hanging on the walls and ceilings. It is something different and worth the stop if you are not coming with children.
- Ostia Antica: ancient Roman ruins about 40 minutes by train from Rome in the country side. Perfect excursion on a Sunny day. Some say it is as nice as Pompeii.
St. John Lateran church in Rome
What are the 7 pilgrimage churches of Rome?
- St. Peter’s
- St. Paul Outside the Walls
- St. Mary Major (Santa Maria Maggiore)
- St. John Lateran (San Giovanni in Laterano) with the Scala Santa stairs
- San Lorenzo fuori le mura
- San Croce in Gerusalemme
How to get to the center of Rome from the airport:
Rome Leonardo da Vinci (Fiumicino) Airport
Via dell’Aeroporto di Fiumicino 320
Shaded area near the Palatine Hill/Colosseum
Where is Rome main Train station?:
Rome Main Train station – Roma Termini Station (Piazza di Cinquecento)
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If you are coming to Rome for the first time, I suggest you to stay at least 5 days to enjoy it without being too rushed. If you are revisiting, take a long weekend break.
I have been to Rome twice, once in September and once in April and I still have not seen all I came for! I will have to return to hear more about the legends and the beliefs of this captivating city and visit more gardens and museums and revisit ancient ruins.
Happy Travels and Enjoy Easter or Rome in the Spring time!
