Car Hire Rome

Mini guide to Rome

Rome has been a bustling centre for more than 2000 years, but today you’re more likely to see speeding scooters, pavement cafes and stylishly outfitted locals while strolling around the grand piazzas of this great city.

The massive Forum is Rome’s center-piece having once been the heart the great Roman Empire, and includes the Arch of Septimus Severus, the Temple of Saturn, the House of the Vestals, the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina and the Arch of Titus and, of course, the great Colosseum where gladiators once fought.

From the Forum, climb the ancient Palatino to a layer of medieval churches and Renaissance villa gardens which. Keep an eye out for the Domus Augustana, the Palace of the Flavians and the ruins of the Baths of Septimus Severus, while looking down on ruins of the Circus Maximus, the once famous chariot racetrack.

The Pantheon (circa 2bc) is a perfectly proportioned floating dome resting on columns and pediments, nearby are the Baths of Caracalla. The Trevi fountains and Spanish steps are more modern but no less photographed.

Across the angel-clad Pont Sant' Angelo bridge one heads towards the Castel Sant' Angelo, and onwards to the Vatican – centre of the Catholic church, including St Peter’s Square, the ornately interior of St Peter’s Cathedral, and the Michelangelo frescoed Sistine chapel.

By car you can discover the Appian Way, Catacombs, historic Lazio countryside and magnificent Tivoli gardens.