Rome for First-Timers: Vatican, St. Peter's Dome, Trevi, and the Hotel I'd Book Again

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I spent 3 nights in Rome in October 2019, before Covid. This is what I'd tell a friend going for the first time: three sights worth your time, and where to sleep.

Prices and booking rules are checked for 2026.

Vatican Museums: go early, book online

We were in line by 8:20 in the morning, and the line was already long.

• Book on the official site: €25 online (€20 ticket plus a €5 booking fee).
• Closed on most Sundays. The last Sunday of the month is free, so it's packed.
• Shoulders and knees must be covered. They check at the door.

Honestly, the museum is a blur now. What I still remember from that day is the view from the dome.

St. Peter's Dome: the view over the square

Going into St. Peter's Basilica is free. Climbing the dome isn't.

It's a lot higher than it looks. If you're not in great shape, take the elevator, no question. I think it was broken when I went, so I walked the whole way.

• €17 for stairs only, €22 with the elevator, booked on the official site (2026). It's cheaper at the door.
• Even with the elevator you still climb 320 steps. Near the top the walls lean in and it gets narrow.

But the view. I stayed up there for more than 30 minutes, just zoning out. It was one of those moments that hits you right in the soul. It makes you realize there are great things out there, that you exist to witness them, and that you should push yourself to do more.

I went up way too fast because I'm impatient, and my knees hurt the whole way down. I'd already walked way too much before the Vatican.

Trevi Fountain: go as early as you can

We got there around 3pm and it was packed.

Right next to the fountain there's a gelato place. Someone told me to try the rice flavor, and it was really good.

So make sure you go as early as you can. You're probably still jet-lagged anyway, so go to bed early the day before, wake up at 4 or something, and get there when the sun comes up. Haha.

Since February 2026 it costs €2 to go down to the fountain. The gate is open 9am to 10pm, card only (official site).

If I went back

I'd spend a lot more time in the Vatican. And I'd go slow: wander the alleys and take photos. I loved the Spanish Steps area for exactly that, just walking around with no plan.

Where I stayed: The Liberty Boutique Hotel

I stayed here (3 nights, 2019)

It's a 4-star boutique hotel on Via Palestro, about 10 minutes on foot from Termini station.

It's spotless and modern inside, but they kept all the character of the old building, and I loved that.

The room and the bed were amazing, the staff were really friendly, and it was quiet. On day 3 I found the garden inside the hotel. I was so sad I only found it then, because it was so nice! It felt like having my own private garden.

Breakfast is included.

Why the Termini side works

• The airport train (Leonardo Express) runs from Fiumicino to Termini in about 32 minutes, €14.
• Trains to Florence leave from Termini. I took one on my last morning (here's where I stayed in Florence).
• Both metro lines meet there, so the Vatican and the Colosseum are a short ride away.

At night the streets right by the station felt a bit sketchy. Once I knew my way around, it was fine. Just don't book right next to the station. This hotel is a few quiet blocks away, and there's no reason to hang out around the station anyway, so there's nothing to worry about.

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