St Peter's and the Ponte Sant'Angelo over the Tiber at dusk, Rome
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Luxury in Italy

Rome

The Eternal City: the Colosseum and the Forum, the Vatican and St Peter’s, palazzo hotels by the Spanish Steps, and the doors that open only by private arrangement.

St Peter's from the Tiber, RomePhotograph: Daniel Zbroja

Benvenuti

The Eternal City

Rome was the capital of an empire that ruled the Mediterranean for five centuries, and its ruins are everywhere: the Colosseum, the Forum, the Palatine and the Pantheon, still roofed by the dome raised under Hadrian nearly two thousand years ago.

It then became the city of the popes. Michelangelo painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and designed the dome of St Peter’s, Bernini filled the city with fountains and churches, and the Vatican Museums hold one of the greatest collections on earth. The historic centre and the Vatican are World Heritage.

The finest way to see Rome is privately: the Vatican before the doors open, the underground of the Colosseum, a palazzo’s private rooms. Between them come long lunches, the boutiques of Via Condotti below the Spanish Steps, and evenings in Trastevere.

A few words of Italian
EnglishItalianSay it
HelloBuongiornobwohn-JOR-noh
PleasePer favorepehr fah-VOH-reh
Thank youGrazieGRAHT-see-eh
Good eveningBuonaserabwoh-nah-SEH-rah
The bill, pleaseIl conto, per favoreeel KOHN-toh, pehr fah-VOH-reh

Where to go

Rome at a glance

When to go, the one best hotel and table, and how to arrive privately.

Rome

Best time to visitApril to May and late September to October are best: warm, bright days without the heat of July and August, when highs reach 32°C (89°F). The sea at Ostia, Rome's nearest beach, is warmest from July to September.

  • Stay
    Bulgari Hotel Romathree MICHELIN Keys

    Set in a restored rationalist building on Piazza Augusto Imperatore, Rome's only three-Key hotel.

  • Dine
    La Pergola

    Heinz Beck's three-MICHELIN-star restaurant on the rooftop of the Rome Cavalieri, with views over the whole city.

  • Beach
    None that meets our standard yet.
Arrive privately
By private jet
Rome Ciampino Airport (CIA / LIRA), the city's business aviation airport with its own general aviation terminal and customs, about 30 to 40 minutes by car (up to an hour at peak times). Rome Fiumicino (FCO / LIRF) takes private jets only at night, when Ciampino is closed, and has no private terminal.
By helicopter
Not a regular option.
By sea
Porto Turistico di Roma at Ostia, 833 berths for yachts up to about 60 metres; about 10 minutes from Fiumicino Airport and about an hour by car to central Rome.

Stay

Luxury hotels in Rome

The finest hotels in and around Rome: each rated Forbes Five-Star, holding two or three MICHELIN Keys, or among the 25 Finest Resorts of the Mediterranean.

The finest hotels

Each rated Forbes Five-Star or holding two or three MICHELIN Keys.

See all 9

Private villas and estates

  • The Best in ItalyFlorence

    Founded in 1982 by Count Girolamo and Countess Simonetta Brandolini d'Adda, it rents staffed castles, palaces, villas and country houses across Tuscany, Umbria, Rome, northern and southern Italy and the islands, and is still family-run. Visit website ↗

Dine

The best restaurants in Rome

The finest tables of Rome and around, and the cooking schools.

Three MICHELIN stars

Cooking schools

Cruises

Rome by sea

How the ships arrive in Rome, and the luxury lines that call.

Rome's port is Civitavecchia, about 80 km north-west of the city and roughly an hour and a quarter by train or car.

MSC's Yacht Club, Norwegian's Haven, Royal Caribbean's Royal Suite Class, Celebrity's Retreat, Cunard's Grills, Princess's Sanctuary Collection and Disney's Concierge sail from Civitavecchia. Sixteen of the luxury lines below begin and end voyages here.

The luxury lines that call here

From the lines' own 2026 and 2027 voyages. Ports change from season to season, so check the voyage before you reserve.

Luxury Cruise LinesSuites at Sea

Travel

First-class travel in Rome

The great hotel trains, first-class rail and the chauffeurs at our standard. Private jet arrivals are covered in the questions below.

First-class rail

The top class on the scheduled high-speed trains, from city to city.

  • Trenitalia Frecciarossa, Executive

    The top class on Italy's high-speed Frecciarossa, in one carriage at the end of the train with only eight to ten leather seats that recline and swivel, a dedicated steward and a meeting room. Visit website ↗

  • Italo, Club Executive

    The top class of Italo, Italy's private high-speed operator, with leather armchairs in interiors by Giugiaro and a choice of seat. Visit website ↗

The hotel trains

Overnight journeys in restored carriages.

  • La Dolce Vita Orient Express: Rome-based journeys across Italy

    Italy's own luxury train, in service since 2025, with 1960s-inspired cabins and suites by Dimorestudio and dining overseen by chef Heinz Beck. Visit website ↗

  • La Dolce Vita Orient Express: Rome to Istanbul

    A four-night journey from Rome via Venice, Budapest and the Carpathian Mountains to Istanbul, first running in October 2026, with a return journey from Istanbul to Rome by way of Bulgaria and Vienna, also in October. Visit website ↗

Chauffeurs and self-drive

  • Elite Rent-a-CarMilan and Rome

    The Geneva-based firm's Italian agencies, in Milan and Rome, with delivery and collection across Italy, including Porto Cervo and Lake Como. The fleet includes Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, Rolls-Royce, Bentley and Porsche. Visit website ↗

Shop

Luxury shopping in Rome

The shopping streets, jewellers, galleries and car showrooms of Rome.

The great shopping streets

  • Via dei CondottiRome

    Rome's most elegant street, running from Piazza di Spagna, home to Bulgari's historic flagship at No. 10, open since 1905, alongside Hermès, Cartier, Prada, Gucci and Valentino. Visit website ↗

Jewellers and watchmakers

  • BulgariVia dei Condotti 10, Rome

    Founded in Rome in 1884 by Sotirios Voulgaris; its Via dei Condotti flagship opened in 1905 and was refurbished by Peter Marino for the house's 130th anniversary. Visit website ↗

Art galleries

The great marques

Official showrooms, most by appointment.

The Great Marques: showrooms, factories and cars to hire ›

Experience

Events and things to do in Rome

The Rome year: the great events, month by month; each event's own website gives this year's dates.

The great museums

Opera houses, concert halls and festivals

  • Teatro dell'Opera di RomaRome

    Opened in 1880 as the Teatro Costanzi, where Mascagni's Cavalleria rusticana and Puccini's Tosca premiered; each summer since 1937 the company has also staged opera in the ruins of the Baths of Caracalla; while the baths are restored, the summer season moved to the Circus Maximus in 2026.

Private access

Doors that open by arrangement.

  • Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican MuseumsVatican City (Rome)

    Patrons in good standing can request morning visits before public opening, covering the Sistine Chapel, the Raphael Rooms and the Borgia Apartments, plus afternoon visits to the restoration laboratories for groups of no more than ten. Visit website ↗

  • Vatican Necropolis and Tomb of St PeterVatican City (Rome)

    Guided visits to the Roman burial ground beneath the nave of St Peter's Basilica, leading to the apostle's tomb. Visits are by reservation request only, through the Basilica's own booking service. Visit website ↗

Golf

Health spas

Weddings and celebrations

Live

Luxury real estate in Rome

A home in Rome: the agencies and advisers at our standard, for the purchase and for life after it.

Prime real estate

  • Lionard Luxury Real EstateFlorence

    Italian luxury specialist with offices in Florence, Milan, Rome, Naples, Venice, Porto Cervo and Forte dei Marmi, handling villas, castles and estates in Tuscany, Liguria, Sardinia and Capri. Visit website ↗

All the leading agencies in Italy ›

Looking for a home in Rome? Write to travel@TheMediterranean.com and we will introduce you, in confidence, to the right agency.

Architects and designers

  • Antonio Citterio Patricia VielMilan, Italy

    The Milan practice behind the Bulgari hotels, including the Bulgari Hotel Roma, works on hotels and high-end residential projects. Visit website ↗

Private banks and advisers

  • UBSMonaco and Italy

    UBS (Monaco) S.A. has served high and ultra-high-net-worth clients and family offices in the principality since 1956. Visit website ↗

  • PictetMonaco, Spain, Italy and Israel

    The Geneva private bank, established in 31 financial centres, has Mediterranean offices in Monaco, Madrid, Barcelona, Milan, Rome, Turin, Verona and Tel Aviv. Visit website ↗

  • Maisto e AssociatiMilan and Rome

    An independent Italian tax firm founded in 1991, with five lawyers ranked by Chambers High Net Worth 2026 for private wealth law in Italy, focused on succession, relocation and cross-border family wealth. Visit website ↗

Private healthcare

  • Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. GemelliRome

    The Catholic University's teaching hospital, a private foundation that also treats patients of the national health service; ranked first in Italy in the 2026 Newsweek ranking. Visit website ↗

  • UPMC Salvator Mundi International HospitalRome

    Operating since 1951 and described as Rome's first private international hospital, with more than 40 specialties and services in English for the international community. Visit website ↗

International schools

  • St George's British International SchoolRome

    Founded in 1958 as the oldest British international school in Italy, it teaches the English curriculum to IGCSE, then the IB Diploma or A-levels, on a 6-hectare campus at La Storta with a second junior campus near the Vatican.

  • Marymount International School RomeRome

    Founded in 1946, it offers an American-based curriculum from early childhood to grade 12 with the IB Diploma (since 1985) and AP courses, and is accredited by CIS and the Middle States Association. Visit website ↗

  • American Overseas School of RomeRome

    Founded in 1947 on the Via Cassia, it teaches Pre-K to grade 12 with AP courses and the IB Diploma, and is accredited by the Middle States Association and CIS. Visit website ↗

Plan your trip

Luxury travel in Rome and the Mediterranean: your questions answered

Plan your journey to Rome

Where is Rome?

In central Italy on the river Tiber, about 25 kilometres from the sea. Ciampino airport, about 30 minutes from the centre, is the city’s private jet airport; Fiumicino is about 40 minutes away, and Florence is 90 minutes by high-speed train.

What is Rome famous for?

The Colosseum, the Forum and the Pantheon, the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel, St Peter’s, the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain, and two thousand years of art and history.

When is the best time to visit Rome?

April to May and late September to October are best: warm, bright days without the heat of July and August, when highs reach 32°C (89°F).

Where are the best luxury hotels in Rome?

Bulgari Hotel Roma (three MICHELIN Keys).

How do you arrive in Rome by private jet?

Rome Ciampino Airport (CIA / LIRA), the city's business aviation airport with its own general aviation terminal and customs, about 30 to 40 minutes by car (up to an hour at peak times).

Which are the best restaurants in Rome?

The three-MICHELIN-star table on our list for Rome: La Pergola.

Do you tip in Rome?

Not obligatory; a service charge (servizio) may already be on the bill. Leaving a few euros, or up to about 10% for excellent service, is appreciated. Taxis: rounding up is enough. Luxury hotels: porters €2–5 a bag, housekeeping €5–10 a day, €10–20 for a helpful concierge.

What should you wear in Rome?

Shoulders and knees covered in churches; carry a light scarf or layer. Elegant, well-cut dress for fine dining.

Beyond Rome

More in Italy

The rest of Italy, and the Mediterranean beyond.

ItalyLuxury Italy Holidays: Amalfi Coast & CapriExplore ItalyThe MediterraneanTwenty-two countries and Gibraltar, first class onlyExplore the MediterraneanPlan your journeyFrom your home to Rome, with the costsOpen the trip planner

Customs and etiquette

Customs and etiquette in Rome

How Italy does things.

Language
Italian. English is widely spoken in luxury hotels and leading restaurants in Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan and the main coastal resorts; less so in the countryside.
Greetings
A handshake on first meeting; cheek kisses among friends and family. Titles matter: dottore / dottoressa for anyone with a university degree, signore / signora otherwise.
Dress
Shoulders and knees covered in churches; carry a light scarf or layer. Elegant, well-cut dress for fine dining.
Dining
Lunch about 1–3 pm; dinner from about 8 pm, often 9.30 pm or later in the big cities and in summer. Book ahead for good restaurants. A per-person cover charge (coperto) for bread and table setting is normal and is not a tip. Ask for the bill; it will not arrive until you do.
Tipping
Not obligatory; a service charge (servizio) may already be on the bill. Leaving a few euros, or up to about 10% for excellent service, is appreciated. Taxis: rounding up is enough. Luxury hotels: porters €2–5 a bag, housekeeping €5–10 a day, €10–20 for a helpful concierge.
Good to know
Smaller shops often close for a midday break and on Sunday. Many towns fine people for sitting on monument steps or eating and drinking beside major churches and monuments; entering or bathing in public fountains is an offence in many cities, including Rome and Florence, and swimming in Venice's canals is banned. Taking sand, shells or pebbles from the coast is illegal.
Tourist tax
Venice charges day visitors an access fee on set days from April to July, from €5 booked in advance; guests staying overnight in the city are exempt but must register online.

Every list on this page is checked by hand and dated: last checked October 2026. Hotels, restaurants and events link only to their own official websites, where confirmed.

The Mediterranean Season Letter

Where to be, every season

Four letters a year, one for each season: the Mediterranean from spring to autumn, and Beyond the Mediterranean, into the Alps, in winter. The one best hotel to book, and the events worth crossing a sea for.