Planning a trip to Rome? After our founder spent a week exploring the Eternal City with family, we're sharing our favorite places to stay, restaurants we loved, can’t-miss sights, and a few travel tips we wish we knew before arriving. Plus, if you're wondering what shoes actually hold up on Rome's famous cobblestone streets...we've got you covered.

If you missed our EURO Summer Edit, be sure to check it out first. We shared everything we packed for Rome and the outfits we wore throughout the trip. Spoiler alert: our Ava Sandals and Elise Woven Flats became the MVPs of the week.

Where We Stayed in Rome

We stayed at Villa Agrippina Gran Meliá, tucked away between Trastevere and Vatican City, and it couldn't have been a better home base.

Close enough to walk almost everywhere, yet peaceful enough to escape the crowds, the hotel also has one of the few beautiful outdoor pools in central Rome. After long mornings exploring the city, we'd spend a few hours relaxing by the pool before heading back out for dinner.

If you're traveling with kids, or simply visiting during the summer, we can't recommend building in afternoon downtime enough.

What to Do in Rome

Rome is one of those cities where the magic happens just as much between the landmarks as at the landmarks.

Of course we visited the classics, but some of our favorite memories came from wandering quiet side streets, discovering hidden piazzas, stopping for gelato, and simply soaking up the atmosphere.

Here are a few experiences we'd absolutely recommend:

• Wander through Trastevere

• Visit the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel

• Take a private golf cart tour (especially if traveling with kids)

• Experience Gladiator School on the Appian Way. A fun, interactive activity that was a huge hit with the kids and a memorable way to learn about ancient Rome

• Toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain

• Climb the Spanish Steps

• Visit the Pantheon

• Explore Piazza Navona

• Walk through the Roman Forum & Colosseum

• Spend an afternoon at Villa Borghese
  

• Stop by the Bulgari Hotel for a sunset cocktail or dinner on the rooftop terrace. Even if you're not staying there, it's one of our favorite luxury spots in the city and well worth a visit.

One of our best decisions was leaving room in our schedule to simply explore. Rome rewards slowing down.

Where to Eat in Rome

One of the best parts of visiting Rome? The food.

These were some of our favorite restaurants from the trip.

Mariuccia

Hands down one of our favorite dinners. Cozy, authentic, and full of locals with incredible homemade pasta, some of the best pizza we had, and warm hospitality.

Osteria Fortunata

A must-visit for fresh handmade pasta. Watching pasta being made in the front window is part of the experience, and the cacio e pepe absolutely lived up to the hype.

Limone

Fresh Mediterranean flavors in a beautiful setting, making it a wonderful choice for a leisurely lunch or dinner between sightseeing.

Bulgari Hotel Rooftop

One of the most memorable dining experiences of our trip. Even if you're not staying at the hotel, it's worth stopping by for sunset cocktails or dinner. The rooftop offers beautiful views over Rome with an elegant atmosphere that feels like a hidden oasis above the city.

Arlù

Located just a short walk from the Vatican Museums, Arlù was the perfect place to end an afternoon exploring Vatican City. Thoughtful Roman cuisine in an intimate setting made it one of our favorite special dinners. Don't forget to try the cacio e pepe and carbonara pastas!

What We Wore in Rome

Walking Rome in July is no joke.

Between the summer heat and miles of uneven cobblestone streets, comfortable shoes aren't optional... they're essential.

We averaged more than 15,000 steps every single day, and without question, we reached for our Ava Sandals and Elise Woven Flats the most.

The Ava Sandals became our everyday sightseeing shoe thanks to their buttery-soft braided leather and memory foam comfort that kept us going from morning espresso to late-night gelato.

The Elise Woven Flats were our go-to whenever we wanted a slightly more polished look. Lightweight, breathable, and incredibly comfortable, they paired effortlessly with linen dresses, denim, and everything in between.

Both styles handled Rome's cobblestone streets beautifully and proved that you really don't have to choose between style and comfort while traveling.

If you're planning a European summer getaway, we'd confidently pack both again.

(Want all of our outfit details? Read our EURO Summer Edit to shop every look from our Rome trip.)

Rome Travel Tips

A few things we'd absolutely do again:

• Visit major attractions early before the afternoon heat.

• Leave plenty of time for wandering without an itinerary.

• Build in pool breaks if you're visiting during the summer.

• Make dinner reservations in advance.

• Eat gelato every single day.

• Pack shoes designed for walking on cobblestones 

Travel Tip

We visited Rome during the last week of July, which is one of the hottest and busiest times of the year. While we had an incredible trip, the midday heat was intense and many of the city's most popular sights were crowded.

If your schedule allows, we'd recommend visiting in April through May or late September through October. The temperatures are cooler, the crowds are lighter, and it's an even more enjoyable time to spend long days wandering Rome's beautiful streets.

Arrivederci, Roma 

Rome has a way of slowing you down in the best possible way.

Whether you're sipping an espresso in a quiet piazza, wandering centuries-old streets, or lingering over dinner long after sunset, every corner invites you to stay just a little longer.

As a family, we came home with full hearts, hundreds of photos, and memories we'll treasure forever. We already can't wait to return—perhaps next time in the spring or fall to experience the city in a different season.

If you're planning your own Roman holiday, we hope this guide helps you discover a few of our favorite places along the way.

P.S. Don't miss our EURO Summer Edit, where we share every outfit we packed for Rome—including the Ava Sandals and Elise Woven Flats that comfortably carried us through 15,000+ steps a day on Rome's beautiful cobblestone streets.