Why Rome is the Perfect City for Solo Travel

Travelling solo can be one of the most rewarding and transformative experiences in life. Among the countless destinations to explore alone, Rome stands out as an exceptional choice. This eternal city offers a unique blend of history, culture, and warm Italian hospitality, making it a haven for solo travellers. Let me tell you why Rome remains the perfect city to venture out on your own. 

A City That Welcomes You with Open Arms

Rome is famously known as the “Eternal City,” and it certainly lives up to its reputation by embracing every visitor with an open heart. Walking the cobbled streets, you’ll find friendly locals ready to share a smile, a recommendation, or a story. The city feels safe, even late into the evening, with bustling piazzas and lively cafés providing plenty of company when you fancy a break from exploring.

A Feast for the Senses

One of the joys of solo travel in Rome is the freedom to indulge your senses at your own pace. Savour an espresso in a tiny café tucked away in Trastevere, enjoy a long lunch of fresh pasta and local wine, or simply linger by the Trevi Fountain, tossing a coin to ensure your return. The city’s rich palette of sights, sounds, and tastes invites you to soak it all in deeply and personally.

History at Every Turn

Rome is essentially an open-air museum. Whether you’re wandering the Colosseum, admiring the Sistine Chapel, or strolling through the Roman Forum, history surrounds you. Exploring these wonders solo means you can take your time to reflect, absorb, and even daydream without distraction. It’s a profound experience to connect with centuries of stories that have shaped the world.

Flexibility and Freedom

Solo travel offers unmatched freedom, and Rome caters perfectly to this spirit. You can follow a structured itinerary or simply wander aimlessly, discovering hidden gems like charming piazzas, artisanal gelato shops, or quiet gardens. Public transport is straightforward, and plenty of walking paths allow you to explore at your own pace, making the city ideal for independent adventurers.

My Personal Journey to Rome

I first arrived in Rome over 24 years ago, at the tender age of 20, on a solo trip that would change my life forever. As a young woman, travelling alone in a foreign country felt daunting, yet the city’s warmth and vibrancy quickly put me at ease. I was captivated by its timeless beauty and the everyday magic of Roman life.

What began as a short visit (I was only meant to be here for 3 days!) blossomed into a lifetime love affair. I ended up making Rome my home, marrying my wonderful Italian husband, and together we have two lovely sons. Living here has given me a profound appreciation for the city’s rhythms and hidden corners – something every solo traveller can discover in their own way.

Final Thoughts

If you’re considering solo travel, Rome should be at the top of your list. Its welcoming atmosphere, rich history, and sensory delights make it an ideal place to explore independently. Whether you’re seeking adventure, inspiration, or simply a change of scenery, Rome offers all this and more.

Ready to make your trip to Rome a reality? Be sure to check out my detailed guide on How To Visit Rome on a Budget for tips on enjoying the Eternal City without breaking the bank. Happy travels!

If you’re curious to discover even more about the best sights, hidden gems, and local experiences, take a look at my other blog posts about things to do in Rome.

Rome and the Jubilee 2025

What Tourists Need to Know

What is the Rome Jubilee?

What happens during the Jubilee in Rome?

The major Jubilee events:

The downside of the Jubilee

Works in Progress: What’s Changing in Rome?

Accommodation: Where to Stay During the Jubilee

Accommodation in Rome during the Jubilee year will be in high demand, so it’s essential to book early. The closer you are to St. Peter's Square and other religious landmarks, the more likely you are to be caught in the crowds. However, staying in the central areas will put you in close proximity to the main events and sites.

1. Vatican Area: Hotels near the Vatican, such as Vatican View or Hotel Sant'Anna, will give you the advantage of being close to religious events, but keep in mind these areas will be extremely busy. Be prepared for higher prices during the Jubilee.

2. Trastevere: If you prefer a quieter, more authentic Roman experience, Trastevere is a charming neighborhood known for its cobblestone streets and picturesque piazzas. It’s not too far from the Vatican and offers a more peaceful stay, though you'll still be relatively close to the action.

3. Monti and Centro Storico: For those who want to stay close to historical landmarks like the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Piazza Venezia, Monti and Centro Storico are great choices. You’ll be in the heart of Rome’s cultural scene and within walking distance of many famous sites.

4. Airbnb and Rentals: Many tourists opt for Airbnb or short-term apartment rentals in quieter neighborhoods. While these may offer more space and flexibility, they too will be in high demand, so it’s essential to book as early as possible.

Places to visit during your trip

Museums and historical sites in Rome:

Looking for something different?

Travel

My Rome Bucket List for 2024

Disclosure: The FTC Disclosure Provision is a law that requires influencers to disclose when they are being paid to promote a product or service. So please know that if I'm not making money through affiliate links/sponsored content on the post you're currently reading, it's an oversight on my part and will be corrected soon. Read the full disclosure about all the legal stuff here.

I moved to Rome, Italy back in 2001. My original plan had been to stay here for three days... I'm still here!

I had a bucket list of places I wanted to visit and stuff I wanted to see during my three day visit. Like most tourists coming here for a quick visit I wanted to see the main sites like the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, the Trevi Fountain, St. Peter's and the Vatican museums, and the Spanish Steps to name a few. 

Fun fact! The Spanish Steps is where I met my now husband and so part of the reason I never left Rome 😉

I have fully embraced the concept of being a local tourist (Explore Tourist Places has a great article explaining local tourism in more detail). I'm fortunate enough to live in the eternal city where they say a lifetime isn't enough to see everything it has to offer. Well, I'm going to make sure I see as much of it as possible!

I hope this list will also help inspire those of you planning on visiting here and give you some ideas of what to do in Rome beyond the most well known tourist stuff. 

Places I want to visit in Rome in 2024

Whilst I have visited most of the places I originally wanted to (I've been to St. Peter's multiple times over the years) I still haven't made it to the Sistine Chapel and the rest of the Vatican museums. It's terrible I know. I've been here for over half my life now and yet haven't managed to go there. 2024 will be the year I finally do! 

Basilica of St. Stephen in the Round on the Caelian Hill (Basilica di Santo Stefano Rotondo al Monte Celio in Italian), located at Via Santo Stefano Rotondo 7 near the Colosseo. Rome is packed full of churches and this particular one sounds really interesting. The church was the first in Rome to have a circular plan. It's open on Sundays and they offer free guided tours too.

Palazzo Doria Pamphil and the Doria Pamphili Gallery has been on my bucket list for a while now. The photo's I've seen look amazing! I feel like I should dress like a princess to visit it (I won't, but you get the idea).

The Capuchin Crypt of Santa Maria della Concezione, located at Via Vittorio Veneto, 27 near Piazza Barberini. I visited some great underground sites in 2023 and can't wait to discover more. Apparently the tiny chapels underneath the church are adorned with the bones of 4000 monks. 

Galleria Sciarra located at Via Marco Minghetti 10 near Trevi fountain is also on my list. This is another one of those places that will probably give me neck-ache (seriously anywhere you visit in Rome look up. The ceilings are often breath-taking). I have a feeling it will be worth it though. 

Basilica di San Clemente located at Via di San Giovanni in Laterano 45, near the Colosseum. This ancient basilica actually consists of two overlapping churches and the remains of a temple of the god Mithra. I have visited the upper level in the past but never got round to visiting the lower levels. 

I'd also like to go back to the Museo di Scultura Antica Giovanni Barracco. You can find my Guide to the Museo di Scultura Antica Giovanni Barracco here. I visited it with my son last summer but unfortunately the underground was closed when we went. I plan to head back there on a weekend when it's open to check it out.

The Aurelian Walls (Museo delle Mura in Italian), located at Via di Porta San Sebastiano,18. This is another place I've wanted to visit for a while now. I love the idea of being able to walk along the top of the walls.

Little London (Piccola Londra in Italian), located at Via Bernardo Celentano, directly off of Via Flaminia is a short street here in Rome where the architect wanted to recreate the feel of a residential suburb of London. I'm curious to see what it's like and also haven't been back to the UK in a while and so hoping it might help quell need to get back on British soil until the summer when it's a more likely possibility for us. 

Ostia Antica is on the very outskirts of Rome towards the coast. It's packed with historical sites and other interesting places to visit. There's a lot of see and do here so this one will probably take a few separate visits to cover it all. 

You might also like: Ostia Lido - Easy Beach Day Trip From Rome

I'm sure this list will grow considerably throughout the year as I discover more places worth discovering more. Rome has a crazy number of museums, churches, and other historical and archaeological sites. 

I got a MIC Card in 2023 and made good use of it visiting most of the museums. For just €5 it gives free unlimited access to a wide variety of museums and archaeological sites. It also means you get to avoid queues and get access to special events. It gives a discount on the ticket price for some other places too. I'll probably be renewing my card for 2024. It basically pays for itself with just one use. 

To be honest, I'd be quite happy to go back and revisit a lot of the places I've already been to. So many of them are so packed with things that you can go several times and see something new each time. 

What places are on your travel bucket list for 2024? Have you ever visited Rome? What places do you recommend I check out? When was the last time you were a local tourist where you live?

You might also like: A Guide to Palazzo Venezia, Rome

You might also like: A Guide to the Museo di Roma, Palazzo Braschi

If you'd like to support me, donating goes a long way to helping with the running of this blog. Thanks for your support 💗

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Travel

A Guide to Museo Napoleonico, Rome

Disclosure: The FTC Disclosure Provision is a law that requires influencers to disclose when they are being paid to promote a product or service. So please know that if I'm not making money through affiliate links/sponsored content on the post you're currently reading, it's an oversight on my part and will be corrected soon. Read the full disclosure about all the legal stuff here.

This month has been a great month for museums. We've visited quite a few over the past few weeks. The "problem" with living in Rome is that for every museum you visit you find at least another three to add to your list. It's true what they say, a lifetime isn't enough! 

Our most recent visit was to the Museo Napoleonico, located close to the Tevere river. 

The museum houses an extraordinary art collection including paintings, clothes, jewellery and furniture from Napoleonic times.

In 1927 Count Giuseppe Primoli (1851-1927), the son of Count Pietro Primoli and Princess Carlotta Bonaparte, donated his important collection of works of art, Napoleonic relics, and family mementos, all collected in the ground floor of his Palazzo, to the city of Rome. The collection, which had also absorbed some objects belonging to his brother Luigi (1858-1925), had come into existence not so much from the wish to bear witness to the imperial splendour, as from a desire to document the close relationship between the Bonapartes and Rome. These links were establishes with military force in 1808, after the French occupation of Rome. In 1811 the city became “the free and imperial city”, destined to be governed by Napoleon’s son, on whom was conferred, even before he was born, the title of the King of Rome.

The Napoleonic period left a deep mark on fashion and manners too. Dress was one of the areas in which the Empire style spread fastest and farthest. That style came into its own at Napoleon's magnificent coronation in the cathedral of Notre Dame on December 2, 1804, where Pope Pius VII himself consecrated the Emperor. The ceremony required three months of preparation. The clothing, the décor and the carriages were designed and made by an army of artists and craftspeople who worked day and night to carry out all the imperial commissions on time.

The clothes were designed by the miniaturist Jean-Baptiste Isabey, and they codified court apparel. Capes with long trains, like the one displayed here, which belonged to Madame Mère, became the rule for women's dress at court. Short capes were associated with male court dress.

The white silk dress that belonged to Julie Clary likewise reflects the strict court protocol that required women to wear white silk, as codified by the coronation. Differences in rank were manifested solely by the embroidery on their dresses: in silver thread for ladies of the court, in gold for members of the imperial family.

IMPORTANT INFO

Opening hours

From Tuesday to Sunday 10.00-18.00
Last admission 17.30
24 and 31 December 10.00-14.00
1 January 2023 11.00 - 16.00

Closed
Monday, 1 May and 25 December

Before planning the visit, CONSULT THE NOTICES
Call center Tel. +39 060608 (daily from 9.00 to 19.00)Email museonapoleonico@comune.roma.it

Audioguides on the permanent exhibition of the museum in Italian, English and French: € 5,00

The audio guide can be purchased directly from the ticket office and is supplied to the visitor already sanitised in a sealed sachet and with a disposable headset.

CLOAKROOM
The wardrobe service is free of charge and self-managed.
For reasons of protection of the works, the staff may request that bulky bags, backpacks, umbrellas and other potentially harmful objects be left in the cloakroom.
Items left in the self-service wardrobe must be collected before the museums close.

BUGGIES
The use of a baby pram is admitted inside the museum.

INSIDE THE MUSEUM IS FORBIDDEN:
- carry bulky bags or backpacks;
- enter with umbrellas;
- bring in pets, except for small dogs in carriers;
- consume food and drink;
- smoking.

Website: https://www.museonapoleonico.it/en/il_museo/storia_del_museo

You might also like: A Guide to the Museo di Roma, Palazzo Braschi

If you'd like to support me, donating goes a long way to helping with the running of this blog. Thanks for your support 💗

Donate now