Travel Italy - Rome's Four Corners

The solution? Turn Rome into a pizza and divide it into four huge chunks. Spend your time in just one of these chunks during the day and you'll return to your hotel filled with Roman awe without the aching feet.

Rome's Four Corners

Rome can easily be divided into four distinct corners for your sightseeing needs:

• Northeast (Roma Termini and shopping)
• Northwest (Vatican Museum, St. Peter's Basilica)
• Southeast (Colosseum, the Forum, grand old Rome)
• Southwest (Trastevere, for strolling and eating)

Spend a few days in each of these areas touring and learning. Limit your daily activities to just one of these areas and you'll have a much easier time getting around and seeing what you want to see.

Northeast Rome - Termini, Shopping

You'll most likely begin your Roman experience in the northeastern corner of the old city at Roma Termini, the grand central station of Rome. Trains, metros and buses all use this as a hub of transportation, and its convenient location in the heart of Rome makes travel from here very easy.

This area around Roma Termini is the most commercial of Rome's four corners and the streets radiating from the station are lined with restaurants, hotels and shops of all types. For the bookworm in you, head out of the station and turn north to find many international bookstores just a few blocks away. Then explore the streets for many other shopping wonders.

When your wallet is as tired as you are, retreat to one of the grand fountains in this part of Rome. The Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi) is a beautiful sight and is always filled with happy tourists and locals, especially at night. As the old saying goes, toss a few coins with your right hand over your right shoulder into the fountain's waters. One coin ensures you will return to Rome. Throwing two coins means you will fall in love with a beautiful Roman girl (or handsome Roman boy). Throw three coins and you'll marry that person in bella Roma.

Also stop by Piazza di Spagna and see the majestic Spanish Steps in the northeast part of Rome.

Northwest Rome - Vatican City

Mining the wonders of Vatican City is a daunting task. There are so many magnificent buildings, statues and artwork in this part of Rome you could never leave. Actually, Vatican City is legally its own country and not an official part of Rome. Nevertheless, heading northwest in Rome will bring you to this storehouse of awe.

St. Peter's Basilica is the burial site of St. Peter, one of the apostles of Jesus, and is one of Rome's five largest churches. Also find the Vatican Museums spanning several miles of artwork from ancient maps to paintings and statues. At the end is the famous Sistine Chapel with Michelangelo's paintings adorning the ceiling.

Southeast Rome - Colosseum, Forum, etc.

The meat of Roman history, architecture and life is found in the southeast. Here you'll find the Colosseum, the Forum Romanum (Forum), Palatine Hill and much, much more. Be prepared to spend several full days in this part of Rome.

Southwest Rome - Trastevere

Head to Rome's southwest corner and walk across the Tiber river. This area is the oldest of Rome's four corners and was an early Etruscan settlement even during Rome's formation. The Romans eventually conquered it but didn't build on the land, preferring to keep it merely for strategic purposes to control both sides of the Tiber river. As a result, mainly sailors and poor people began living here. Eventually rich Romans built lavish houses in the narrow streets of Trastevere and the poor were relocated.

Now, the Trastevere is filled with shops, pubs and restaurants. It's especially active at night with street performers and musicians. Bring your sense of fun when you explore this part of Rome, as it's one of the most lively parts of the whole city.

Related Travel Rome Links

• Travel Italy - Italian Phrases for Travelers
• Travel Italy - Rome
• Travel Italy - Travel to Rome
• Travel Italy - Planning A Trip to Rome