Rome, capital city of Italy, is one of the world’s most beautiful and frequently visited tourist destinations. It is also the city with the most monuments in the world from various periods in history. Rome was founded in 753 BC by Romulus and is famously built on “seven hills”. Rome’s rulers became so powerful that the Roman Empire dominated Europe and the Middle East for several centuries.
The Vatican city in Rome has been the spiritual home of the Roman Catholic Church and its various Popes since the first century AD.
You will find palaces, churches, basilicas, temples, villas, piazzas, theatres, Roman baths, parks, gardens and museums containing thousands of priceless works of art.
Rome’s most visited places
The five most visited places in Rome are:
1 The Colosseum, (4 million tourists a year)
The interior of The Colosseum
Construction of this huge amphitheatre used for gladiatorial combat began in AD 70 and it was inaugurated in AD 80. It is located in the Piazza del Colosseo, on the east side of the River Tiber and reasonably near the Roma Termini train station.
Cyclists at The Colosseum, Rome
2 The Pantheon, (3.75 million tourists a year)
The Pantheon
The Pantheon is a former Roman temple which dates from 126 AD. It is situated in the Piazza della Rotonda. It is now a church and houses the tomb of the artist Raphael and various other cultural figures.
The interior of The Pantheon, Rome 2017
3 The Trevi Fountain, (3.5 million tourists a year)
The Trevi Fountain
The Fontana di Trevi is a fountain in the Trevi district. It was designed by Nicola Salvi and completed by Pietro Bracci in 1762. Measuring 26.3 metres high and 49.15 metres wide it is the largest Baroque fountain in the city of Rome and one of the most famous fountains in the world. The Trevi Fountain has appeared in several films, including Fellini’s ‘La Dolce Vita’ and the aptly named ‘Three Coins in the Fountain’. Traditionally if you throw a coin in the fountain you will return to Rome one day.
4 The Sistine Chapel, featuring Michelangelo’s ceiling and ‘The Last Judgement’, (3 million tourists a year)
Section of the Sistine Chapel ceiling, Rome
You should probably allow the best part of a day to explore the Vatican museums, the Baroque splendour of the Basilica of St. Peter, St Peter’s Tomb and the famous Sistine Chapel. All of the above form part of the Vatican city, the Pope’s residence within the city of Rome, situated on the west side of the River Tiber. There are good transport links to and from other parts of the city. Unmissable.
5 The Roman Forum, excavated Roman ruins in the heart of the city, (2.5 million tourists a year)
The Roman Forum
It is located near to the Colosseum in the Riorn I Monte district. The Roman Forum is a rectangular grassy area surrounded by the ruins of several important ancient government buildings.
Other very popular tourist attractions are the Spanish Steps, the Capitolian Hill and the Altare della Patria monument.
You should allow at least a week to visit Rome if you are going to fit all of the above into your itinerary, as well as enjoying the wonderful Italian restaurants, pavement cafés and ice-creams!
Motorhome Campsites near Rome
So, where are the best places to stay in Rome or near Rome with a motorhome?
Some recommended sites:
Real Village Roma
Real Village Roma is great site for meeting people
“Top class motorhome site, ACSI recognised. Good transport directly into Rome”. Located 5 km from the Vatican city and St. Peter’s Basilica. Pitch prices for a motorhome and 4 people (low season 2017): 19 € per night. The nearest railway station is Stazione Aurelia.
More information here.
Camping Flaminio
Shady pitches for motorhomes at Camping Flamino
A lovely site located in the ancient Veio Park. A short train ride into Rome. Pitch prices for a motorhome and 4 people (low season 2017): 19 € per night.
The facilities at Camping Flamino are outstanding including a swimming pool, information point, bar, mini supermarket and restaurant. The camp site is only 5 minutes walk from the Due Ponti Railway Station. From here it is just a short train ride into central Rome.
If you are taking your dog with you that is absolutely fine at Camping Flamino.
The only downside to this site is the entrance is on the right hand side off a fast road so please be careful. To get to the Due Ponti Railway Station you have to cross that the main road, however there is a pedestrian crossing by the gates.
More information here.
Camping Roma Flash
Roma Flash is on the shores of Lake Bracciano
This campsite is situated on the banks of Lake Bracciano. Lake Bracciano is about 45km from the center of Rome. This would be more suitable if the main focus of your visit was to maybe make one or two trips to Rome, but spend a lot of time enjoying the lake and countryside too. You can catch a bus from the campsite to the town of Bracciano and then take a train into Rome itself.
Pitch prices for a motorhome and 2 people (low season 2017): 19 € per night. Extra adult 7 € per night; extra child 4 € per night. More information here.
Area Sosta Autocaravan Roma/Lazio
Motorhome parking Roma / Lazio
If you do fancy being in Rome itself you could stop at this motorhome parking area which is very near all the main attractions. Compared to the camp sites mentioned above it is not particularly cheap, but if your main aim is to visit Rome this might be an excellent option.
If you have your bikes with you, getting around Rome from here is no problem at all. If you prefer to take public transport there are bus and tram stops nearby. There is also a large supermarket over the road too which is only a 3 minute walk away. More details here.