2026 Termini Travel Guide: must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transport & travel experiences (updated in July)

If you're staying near Roma Termini, as I recommended in my last post, set your alarm for 6 AM and let's go explore the Eternal City. Before your walk, I highly recommend grabbing breakfast at Trombetta near the station. It's a fantastic spot to fuel up before a busy day. · -- 📍1. Monument to John Paul II The first stop is one of Rome's most controversial monuments. When it was unveiled, it was criticized by literally everyone. Some thought it looked like Mussolini, while others were convinced the homeless would sleep inside. As a result, the monument even had to be slightly redesigned, but the debate continues to this day. · -- 📍2. Piazza della Repubblica Here you'll find the ruins of the grand Baths of Diocletian—the largest public baths in Ancient Rome. It used to feature pools, gardens, libraries, and sports grounds. A true ancient spa complex. Fun fact: Emperor Diocletian himself was born into a very poor family and managed to rise from basically the grandson of a slave to the ruler of a massive empire. In the center of the square is the beautiful Fountain of the Naiads, and nearby is the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli, which Michelangelo himself redesigned. Admission is free. · -- 📍3. Piazza San Bernardo The main attraction here is the Fountain of Moses. Right next to it are two stunning churches: Santa Susanna and the unusual round church of San Bernardo, which looks a lot like the Pantheon. · -- 📍4. Quattro Fontane (The Four Fountains) One of Rome's most unusual spots. There's a fountain on every corner of the intersection, and right beside it is the famous church of San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane—a true masterpiece by the architect Borromini. · -- 📍5. Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore The first of the four major papal basilicas. According to legend, the Virgin Mary appeared to the Pope in a dream and told him to build a church wherever snow fell. The very next day, in August, snow actually fell on this exact spot. Admission is free. · -- 📍6. Colosseum The largest amphitheater of the ancient world. Gladiator fights, theatrical performances, and even naval battles took place here. As the saying goes, if you need to distract the masses from their problems, you can always put on a big show. Two thousand years have passed, and the strategy still works. 😄 · -- 📍7. Palatine Hill According to legend, this is where the she-wolf nursed Romulus and Remus—the future founders of Rome. · -- 📍8. Roman Forum The bustling center of public life in the ancient city. If you translate the word "Forum" into modern terms, it basically just means an ordinary market or bazaar. · -- 📍9. Capitoline Hill The square and the famous staircase were designed by Michelangelo. Here you'll find a replica of the famous Capitoline Wolf. The original is kept in a nearby museum. · -- 📍10. Vittoriano A massive, gleaming white monument dedicated to the first king of a unified Italy. Nearby, make sure to check out the small, hidden courtyard with a garden—most tourists walk right past it. · -- 📍11. Trajan's Forum The last and the grandest of Rome's imperial forums. · -- 📍12. Piazza Venezia Take a look at Palazzo Venezia. It was from its balcony that Mussolini declared Italy's entry into World War II. · -- 📍13. Largo di Torre Argentina This is the exact spot where Julius Caesar was assassinated. Today, nestled among the ancient ruins, is a famous sanctuary for Rome's cats. · -- 📍14. Tiber Island A tiny island in the middle of the Tiber River, connected to the city by ancient bridges. · -- 📍15. Mouth of Truth Legend has it that this stone mask bites the hand off anyone who lies. In reality, it's just an ancient sewer cover. · -- 📍16. The Keyhole One of the most extraordinary hidden gems in Rome. Looking through this keyhole, you can simultaneously see the territories of three states: 🇮🇹 Italy 🇻🇦 The Vatican ⚔️ The Sovereign Military Order of Malta. · -- 📍17. Circus Maximus Ancient Rome's main sports arena. Chariot races, horseback riding, and massive public festivals took place here. · -- 📍18. Baths of Caracalla Once considered one of the wonders of Rome. Even in ruins, they are absolutely breathtaking. · -- 📍19. Lateran Basilica Another major papal basilica. This was actually the official residence of the Pope before moving to the Vatican. Nearby are the famous Holy Stairs, which, according to tradition, Jesus walked up during his trial before Pontius Pilate. · -- 📍20. Manzoni → Flaminio Metro Next, we save our energy and hop on the subway. · -- 📍21. Piazza del Popolo One of the most gorgeous squares in the city. According to legend, Emperor Nero was buried right here. · -- 📍22. Villa Borghese Rome's most beautiful park. It offers magnificent panoramic views of the city. · -- 📍23. Spanish Steps One of the main symbols of Rome. There is always an amazing atmosphere here. · -- 📍24. Piazza Barberini A quick stop at the famous Bernini fountain. · -- 📍25. Trevi Fountain Italy's most famous fountain. Don't forget to toss a coin in if you want to return to Rome one day. · -- 📍26. Pantheon The best-preserved building from Ancient Rome. Its enormous concrete dome is still considered an engineering marvel to this day. · -- 📍27. Piazza Navona One of the city's most beautiful squares, featuring spectacular fountains by Bernini. · -- 📍28. Castel Sant'Angelo Originally built as a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian. It later became a fortress, and eventually a papal residence. · -- 🇻🇦 Day 2 — The Vatican If you didn't manage to see everything on the first day—carry the remaining spots over. After that, we head to the Vatican. 🚇 Ottaviano – San Pietro Metro. Make sure to visit St. Peter's Basilica. Admission is free. If you have some extra time, climb up the Janiculum Hill, which is known as one of the best viewpoints in Rome, and then take a walk around the atmospheric Trastevere neighborhood. ❤️ Save this itinerary—it will help you hit almost all of Rome's major sights in just 1–2 days. 📌 And in my next post, I'll show you how to take a trip from Rome to the sea for just €1.50. This spot pleasantly surprised me even more than I expected.

We arrived at Termini Station. Having read a lot about pickpockets, I was prepared for anything. 😂 The Profumo Maison Colosseo Hotel was a 20-minute walk away, so we made our way through the crowd to the exit and walked to the hotel, through the narrow streets of Old Rome. We spent 4 days in Rome, stayed near the Colosseum, and walked exclusively. Backpack on our backs, phone in hand. Once, we found ourselves in a dense crowd at the Trevi Fountain. It was nerve-wracking, with our backpack on our backs. 😂 My phone was picked up by strangers more than once, trying to get our picture taken. 😂 But everything survived! Conclusion: 1. Perhaps it was the wrong season for crime. 2. Perhaps we were in the wrong places. 3. Perhaps the stories online are isolated incidents. I definitely recommend Europe; keep your belongings close and stay vigilant, just in case. 😂

Sant'Agnello: The Secret Coast Near Sorrento In late April, I checked out Sant'Agnello—a cozy little town right next to Sorrento. You won't find swarms of tourists here; instead, it's all about that laid-back pace of life, stunning sea views, and a chance to experience the real Italy. Staying in Sant'Agnello is usually easier on the wallet than Sorrento. You can easily stroll to the center through picturesque alleys and lemon groves, or just hop on local transit. A quick heads-up, though: the buses here run on their own clock and might show up way earlier or later than what Google Maps says. MY GO-TO ITINERARIES: · It's an absolute must to hike down the trail to Bagni Regina Giovanna. It's a gorgeous cove where you can swim inside the natural pool or paddle right out into the open sea. You can chill along the shoreline—locals and tourists alike claim every available rocky ledge, and you can even go cliff jumping. · If you've got the time, make your way to the far end of Sorrento to the Termini area (getting there on your own can be tricky, but totally doable—just don't miss the right bus, as not all of them head out that far). From the bus stop, head down the trail to Grotta di Minerva, where you can actually get right down to the water. Past the trail's end, you can kick off a proper hike up the hill. You'll need to be in decent shape for this one and keep a close eye on the trail markers so you don't get lost, but trust me, the views from this trail are unlike anything else in Sorrento 💔

I traveled from Rome to Florence by train. I considered using another rail company, but decided on Italo. From Rome's Termini Station to Florence's Santa Maria Novella Station. (The train itself was bound for Venice.) At Termini Station, the system lets you know which platform your train will arrive at shortly before departure, so I kept my eyes glued to the notice board. I was relieved to be able to board without having to run. Tea and sweets were served on the train. I was undecided between a cookie and chocolate, and they offered me both, saying, "Try them!" So kind!!!! The train wasn't too shaky, and I arrived in Florence in about two hours, comfortably. #ItalyTravel #TravelByTrain