27. July 2025
After seeing quite a lot on our journey through Rome, this part of the travel report continues as we finally visit the Vatican.
By the way, if you’re not in the mood to read the full article and prefer watching videos instead, just click “YouTube Video” in the menu on the right to jump straight to the full tour.
We started day three of our week in Rome a little spontaneously and headed out for breakfast at Caffè Delle Commari.
They offer a huge selection of delicious pastries, but we went for an English breakfast instead. Looking back, I’d definitely recommend trying the croissants.
Our first stop of the day was Largo di Torre Argentina, the very place where Julius Caesar was assassinated. Right in the middle of Rome’s chaotic city center, you’ll find the remains of four ancient Roman temples, uncovered in the 1920s. But what makes the site so unique today? It’s both an archaeological site and a cat sanctuary. Dozens of stray cats live among the ruins, cared for by volunteers. You can view the entire site from above for free, or pay a small fee to enter the lower level and learn more about the area’s history.
The Capitoline Hill, or “Campidoglio,” is one of Rome’s most historic places. It was once the seat of the Roman Senate and home to the mighty Temple of Jupiter, the most important god in ancient Rome. The grand staircase leading up to it was designed by none other than Michelangelo.
The piazza on top is perfectly symmetrical, with an equestrian statue in the center.
If you walk either to the left or right of the Palazzo Senatorio, you’ll find one of the best panoramic viewpoints overlooking the Roman Forum. The best part? It’s completely free and usually almost empty.
The Vittoriano, also known as the “Altare della Patria” or simply “the massive white marble monster at Piazza Venezia,” is impossible to miss.
Built in honor of Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of unified Italy, it’s ridiculously oversized with columns, statues, and staircases, but in a wonderfully over-the-top way.
Inside, you’ll find the museum of Italian unification and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which is guarded around the clock.
But the real highlight is at the top. There’s a glass elevator that takes you to a panoramic terrace with one of the best 360° views of Rome. We walked all the way up, not knowing about the elevator until after our visit.
Many tourists just pass by or walk halfway up the steps, but if you take your time, you’ll discover a powerful piece of Italian identity.
The Trevi Fountain is one of those places you absolutely have to see in Rome and at the same time, you’ll probably question if it’s worth the chaos.
During the day, it’s packed. Hundreds of people crowd around the fountain, hunting for the perfect photo angle, tossing coins over their shoulders with their backs to the water, and snapping selfies in every direction.
When we turned the corner and saw the scene, our first reaction was simply, “What the f***…”.
We passed by again later that night on day four and it was just as crowded.
If you’re standing right in front of the fountain, turn around and step into the clothing store behind you. On the first floor, you’ll find a great view from above and can watch the chaos from a more relaxed perspective.
Just a few minutes from Campo de’ Fiori, we came across a modern, stylish, yet laid-back restaurant with excellent service.
Their signature dish is the carbonara, and according to locals and plenty of online reviews, it’s said to be one of the best in Rome.
Personally, I wasn’t completely sold on it, but maybe my expectations were just too high.
On day four, the moment had finally come, I got to visit the last European country missing from my list, the Vatican.
To visit the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, booking tickets in advance is absolutely essential.
We booked our tour through GetYourGuide, and you can find the link further down.
If you’re visiting Rome in the summer, I highly recommend starting your Vatican day early in the morning.
Our tour started at 7:15 in the morning at Al San Michele Bar. Strangely, the bar isn’t listed on Google Maps, but you can simply navigate to the Embassy of Nigeria, it’s right next to it.
We registered there and even got a small breakfast snack. At exactly 7:30, we walked together toward the entrance, or rather, the waiting line.
Before entering the basilica and the dome, you need to pass through a security check, similar to what you’d find at an airport.
By the way, no matter which area of the Vatican you visit, you always need to follow the dress code. That means shoulders and knees must be covered.
Tank tops, shorts, and mini skirts are not allowed.
If you arrive early and forget the rules, you might still be able to borrow or buy a scarf at the entrance.
The security check took us about 30 minutes, during the day it can easily take two or even three hours, often under direct sun.
By around 8:30, we reached the elevator to the first level, where you can also buy souvenirs and postcards on the way back.
Then came the 350 steps through narrow corridors. At 8:50, we made it to the top of the dome.
The view is absolutely stunning. From up there, you can see all of Rome, the Vatican, and most of the city’s iconic landmarks.
Our tour included an audio guide accessible via an app, which you can listen to through your phone and headphones as you admire the view
*Provider: GetYourGuide
Rome: St. Peter’s Basilica & Dome Entry Ticket & Audio Tour
Click here
Rome: St. Peter’s Basilica Audio Guide with Dome Climb
Click here
Vatican: Museums & Sistine Chapel Entrance Ticket
Click here
*Provider: Viator
Rome: St. Peter’s Basilica & Dome Entry Ticket with Audio Guide
Click here
Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter’s Basilica Guided Tour
Click here
You can also watch the full tour as a video on YouTube.
After the dome, we went inside the basilica, the spiritual heart of the Catholic world and one of the most breathtaking buildings in Europe.
It was built over the tomb of the Apostle Peter and rebuilt in the 16th century with contributions from Bramante, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Bernini.
The church can, in theory, hold more than 60,000 people.
Even if, like me, you’re not especially into churches, St. Peter’s Basilica is absolutely a highlight.
We spent about an hour there before heading back to the café next to our hotel to try a classic Maritozzi.
After our short break at Maccarone Fresco Caffè & Cucina, we made our way to the Vatican Museums.
We had also booked this tour through GetYourGuide — you’ll find the link* if you scroll up a little.
The Vatican Museums are not your average museum visit.
You walk through seven kilometers of art, history, and golden frames, spread out across dozens of halls, corridors, and courtyards.
If you want to see everything, you’ll need at least half a day. For someone like me, who’s not exactly an art enthusiast, two hours were enough.
The collection is one of the largest and most important in the world, curated over centuries by the popes.
There’s everything you could imagine, from ancient statues and tapestries to mosaics, mummies, tombs, galleries, and paintings.
The final stop is the Sistine Chapel, featuring Michelangelo’s famous fresco where God reaches out to Adam.
As you enter, there’s a quiet murmur, and then someone inevitably shouts “No photo,” since taking pictures is strictly forbidden.
But then you look up, and it just hits you, it’s powerful and overwhelming.
By the way, the Vatican Museums are free on the last Sunday of every month, but be prepared for huge crowds and long lines.
We decided to buy tickets, and even then, it was already packed inside.
After a long day like that, we were craving something cold, so we thought we’d enjoy the sunset from a rooftop bar.
We chose Terrazza Les Étoiles, located on top of the Atlante Star Hotel.
The view is amazing, but the prices are definitely steep. We stuck to cold drinks and had grabbed a pizza from Bona Pizza near our hotel beforehand.
Still, I’d say this is one of the best places in Rome to watch the sunset. The atmosphere is unbeatable.
There’s even a dedicated Instagram platform for those dressed up and looking to take a perfect Vatican view photo.
Day five was meant to be our “for free” day, packed with sights that don’t cost anything, except breakfast.
We started at the Mercato Trionfale, one of the biggest and most authentic markets in Rome.
It’s definitely not a tourist trap, this is where the locals actually shop.
Fresh vegetables, fish, meat, pasta, cheese, olives, wine, you’ll find over 250 stalls offering everything an Italian heart could want.
One thing you absolutely have to try is a porchetta sandwich.
Porchetta is juicy, spiced pork, rolled and slowly roasted in the oven, with a crispy crust and tons of flavor.
Pair it with an espresso or a cold beer and you’ve got the perfect market breakfast.
Heads up though, porchetta is pretty fatty, but still incredibly tasty.
We also embedded a short video of the market visit for you on the right.
Our first sightseeing stop of the day was the Temple of Hercules Victor, where we kicked off our walking tour after the bus dropped us off.
The Temple of Hercules Victor is easy to overlook, but despite its size, it’s one of the oldest surviving marble temples in all of Rome.
Next up was the Terrazza Belvedere Aventino, a lovely little spot at the end of a garden.
From here, you get a beautiful view over the Tiber River, across Trastevere, and over Rome’s rooftops all the way to the dome of St. Peter’s.
The vibe is chilled, you’ll often hear musicians playing along the way, and best of all, it’s free and completely casual.
A long-time hidden gem, now more widely known, is the Keyhole on Aventine Hill.
You might wonder why there’s a line in front of a closed green door.
But if you peek through the keyhole, you’ll see a perfectly framed path lined with cypress trees, ending with the dome of St. Peter’s right in the center.
Fun fact, when you look through that keyhole, you’re technically seeing three countries.
You’re standing in Italy, peering into the property of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, and seeing the Vatican beyond.
Honestly, I thought that was pretty awesome.
The Basilica of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere is tucked away from the bustle near Piazza Santa Maria.
Below the church is an ancient Roman house, believed to be where Saint Cecilia lived and may have been executed.
Unfortunately, we couldn’t go inside, as a wedding was taking place.
After all the sightseeing, it was time to unwind with food and drinks.
First stop, Caffè delle Arance, known for its fresh-squeezed orange juice.
Of course, we tried it and enjoyed the view over Piazza Santa Maria.
Enoteca Trastevere was the perfect spot to wrap up our Rome adventure.
Located right in the heart of Trastevere, it felt both cozy and stylish.
Small outdoor tables under fairy lights, a lively neighborhood all around, yet somehow still peaceful.
We enjoyed spicy Polpette al Sugo with fresh bread and rosemary potatoes, plus a chilled glass of white wine.
That wasn’t quite the end though.
On our way back to the hotel, we capped off the evening with a quick Amaro shot.
A fitting close to an unforgettable trip.
The next morning, we made our way back to Rome Fiumicino Airport.
Unlike the trip there, everything went smoothly this time, although it was incredibly crowded.
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27. July 2025
27. July 2025
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