car hire rome
All roads to lead to Rome, making it easy to drive in the history-drenched Italian capital. Pick up your hire car at Rome airport and you're away. Book car hire Rome now
the 60-second guide to Rome
in its own head
"Forget Athens, Rome was the cradle of western civilisation and has the buildings to prove it. If you don't agree perhaps you'd like to discuss it with a lion in the Colosseum?"
But more realistically
You're unlikely to come face-to-face with the King of the Jungle unless you go to the zoo. You will, though, bump into some of the most impressive ancient landmarks in Europe.
the vibe
History weighs heavy in these parts, but Rome is a modern, lively city that seems to exist in a state of perpetual chaos that'll leave you exhilarated and, possibly, exhausted.
the natives
They're a noisy and exuberant lot who can often be found driving scooters erratically. If you manage not to get mown down you'll find them a friendly bunch.
the weather
Most locals head out of town in August - and if they can't handle the heat you might struggle. A spring visit should ensure your sightseeing is done in the sun but not an ocean of sweat.
the local speciality
Romans love food so much Freud might have had something to say about it. Try some penne all'arrabbiata, a pasta dish in which red chilli plays a fiery role.
the celebrity
Heat magazine would have had a field day here if it'd existed 2,000 years ago. All Antiquity's big names were in Rome - Julius Caesar, Nero, Virgil and all those hunky gladiators.
did you know?
The Romans had a knack for construction. All the road networks they built headed towards the capital city, hence the phrase, 'All roads lead to Rome.'
they say
"When falls the Colosseum, Rome shall fall; and when Rome falls - the world." - poet Lord Byron.
5 to see in town...
Yes, you're likely to be sharing the experience with hundreds of other tourists but no visit to Rome is complete without a trip to the Colosseum.
where to park?
There is a large underground car park on Piazzale dei Partigiani, which costs €0.77 per hour. The Colosseum is two Metro stops away, or you can walk and enjoy the other major archaeological sites in between.
5 to see in town...
Most people paint their ceilings with a roller, hoping to get a coat on in time to watch the football. Michelangelo, though, used a brush on the Sistine Chapel, and it shows.
where to park?
The multi-storey Terminal Gianicolo is conveniently located for the Vatican. Underground passages take you to St Peter's, and from there it's a short walk to the Sistine Chapel.
5 to see in town...
If you throw three coins into this baroque fountain good luck is guaranteed. You have to throw them over your left shoulder with your right hand - obviously.
where to park?
Parcheggio Ludovisi on Via Ludovisi is a five-minute walk from the Trevi Fountain. It costs €2 per hour for up to five hours, cheaper thereafter.
5 to see in town...
There are 138 steps leading from the Piazza di Spagna to the Trinita dei Monti, so you'd better do this one in the morning while you've got some energy.
where to park?
With room for almost 2,000 vehicles, the multi-storey ParkSi at Villa Borghese is Rome's safest parking choice. The first three hours are €1.30 each; any additional hours are €1.
5 to see in town...
The Pantheon has aged remarkably well. It's over two millennia old but still manages to pull in more people than any of the younger domed structures in town.
where to park?
The Pantheon is well within the ZTL (restricted traffic area), so you won't be able to get anywhere near it by car unless it's en route to your hotel. Walk there from the Trevi Fountain instead.
and 4 to drive to...
If Rome hasn't sated your need for historical sustenance, head to Viterbo where there's plenty more ancient and medieval sights to feast your eyes on.
how to get there?
Head north out of Rome towards the SS2, then on to the SP1. Viterbo is about 57 miles from Rome.
and 4 to drive to...
The pace of life in Rome can sometimes be a little tiring. But the nearby hill town of Frascati operates on a lower gear and provides a welcome breather.
how to get there?
Frascati is about 13 miles south-east of the city centre, along the SS215.
and 4 to drive to...
When Hadrian wasn't building walls in Britain he could be found relaxing in the luxurious surrounds of Villa Adriana, the ruins of which you can stroll around in Tivoli.
how to get there?
Travel south-west from the city centre on the SS8, which brings you to Ostia Antica after about 15 miles.
and 4 to drive to...
When Hadrian wasn't building walls in Britain he could be found relaxing in the luxurious surrounds of Villa Adriana, the ruins of which you can stroll around in Tivoli.
how to get there?
Take the A24 eastwards from the city centre then follow signs to Tivoli. It's about 22 miles away.
ask a Rome cabbie!
Local taxi driver Luigi Nardi on car hire in Rome: "Driving in Rome takes some getting used to, but for such a large city it's not half as bad as visitors depict it. True, you'll need some imagination to visualise unmarked lanes and figure the unwritten rules of right-of-way, but all in all - being a capital city - Rome is quite well policed. Do you need proof? Try entering (at some expense, be warned) the extensive Limited Traffic Zone (ZTL) without a valid permit, and you won't get away without a traffic ticket! A no-car policy also applies on some 'green' Sundays."