On your first visit to Rome you'll be awed by the sheer volume of monuments,
museums and history. Take a deep breath and dive into the Roman Forum and
Colosseum, St Peter's Basilica and the Centro Storico
(historic centre). You'll soon want to return to Rome to delve deeper into the
Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, and enjoy the simple pleasure of
people-watching at a cafe on floodlit Piazza Navona square or nostalgia-tripping
on the Via Veneto.
Background
The River Tiber snakes its way through the heart of Rome, criss-crossed by many
bridges. Ponte Sant'Angelo, lined with Bernini's voluptuously
windswept baroque angels, leads to St Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Museums
and the restaurant hub of Trastevere further south. Scores of
Rome's famous sights are crammed into the bend of the river opposite St
Peter's Basilica - Rome's Centro Storico (historic centre).
It's all here, from the antique Roman past of the Forums and Colosseum to
Renaissance palaces. Not forgetting Piazza Navona square and shopping havens Via del
Corso and Via dei Condotti leading away from the Spanish Steps.
First-time visit
First off, throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain to ensure your return to Rome,
then follow the maze of streets leading to the Pantheon ancient temple. Cross
the River Tiber to visit St Peter's Basilica and wander over
to the Roman Forum and Colosseum, popping into churches on pretty
piazzas and stopping to photograph Baroque fountains as you wend your way down the
centuries from Renaissance to Imperial Rome.
Return visit
Return to St Peter's Basilica to explore the nearby Vatican
Museums and be amazed by the brilliance of Michelangelo's
Sistine Chapel. Take a trip into the ancient past along Via Appia
and tour the network of underground burial chambers at the Catacombs. Wander
through the former Jewish Ghetto and stop for lunch in a traditional
Roman-Jewish restaurant. Then climb the Spanish Steps and amble through the
Borghese Gardens and galleries before picking your way down the Pincio
Hill to relax in a cafe on the Piazza del Popolo square.
Italy's largest airport, Rome Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino Airport flies
around 36 million passengers a year from its four terminals. Twenty miles (32 km)
from central Rome, the Leonardo Express train takes you to Termini Station in 35
minutes.
A courtesy shuttle links Terminals 1, 2 and 3, and runs every 20 minutes. Terminal 5
is served by shuttle bus connecting with Terminal 3. Terminal 3 is connected to its
satellite by automatic train.
Airport parking
There are five car parks accessible to all four terminals via moving walkways,
including short-stay, long-stay, valet parking and disabled parking. There is also a
dedicated park for motorbikes. Online pre-booking is cheaper than standard
fares.
Time zone
GMT +1 (+2 in summer).
Useful tips
There are touch-screen passenger information points at the entrances to all four
terminals and on levels one and four of the multi-storey car park.
Please note that you won't be able to make changes to your hotel or car booking. If you want to change your booking you will have to cancel your current booking and make a new booking. This can be done on ba.com.
We cannot guarantee that the same hotel room or car rental option will still be available if you have to cancel and make a new booking.
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