All our hotels in Rome

It's packed with monuments dating from its reign as capital city of the all-powerful ancient empire to which it gave its name. At the forefront of great artistic movements over the centuries, it's crammed full of churches decorated with Byzantine mosaics or dazzling Renaissance frescoes, and palazzos with opulent baroque façades looking onto medieval piazzas. And the mighty seat of the Catholic church, Saint Peter's Basilica, towers over the city's skyline. But the Italian capital is much more than a vast museum – it's a thrumming metropolis where life goes on at a pace that is both frenetic and easy-going, its historic sites seamlessly incorporated into the living fabric of the contemporary city. Visiting Rome is also about soaking up la dolce vita – people-watching on vibrant, postcard-worthy squares, browsing the shops for luxury labels and local artisan crafts, whiling away the hours at street-side cafés, or savouring pasta and white Frascati wine at a buzzing trattoria. One life isn't long enough to experience all of the magic that the Eternal City has to offer, so we've chosen a few of the essential stops to help you get the most out of your sojourn, while the Accor portfolio offers you a broad selection of the best hotels in Rome to match your budget and your needs.

We suggest beginning your walking tour of Rome's attractions at perhaps its most emblematic monument, and an imposing symbol of its ancient greatness, the Flavian Amphitheatre, better known as the Colosseum for the colossal statue of the emperor Nero that once stood nearby. Completed in 80 AD, the vast arena hosted around 50,000 spectators at gladiatorial battles – you can venture into the labyrinth of chambers below the grandstands where the contestants awaited their fates. Also part of the Parco Archeologico del Colosseo, the Roman Forum was the commercial and administrative hub of the vast empire – towering columns stand steadfastly amid the excavated ruins of palaces, temples and baths as a reminder of imperial might. Legend has it that the nearby Palatine Hill, one of the 7 on which Rome was built, was the birthplace of Romulus and Remus, the twin brothers who went on to be the mythical founders of the city. The pine-topped hill offers superb views over the ancient centre. The vast Circus Maximus was the setting for ancient chariot races, their drivers idols of the Roman population, and today virtual reality shows at the Circo Maximo Experience give you a taste of the excitement. A few of the city's vast array of museums should be part of any cultural visit to Rome. If you only have time for a couple, the Capitoline Museums are a must, with a massive selection of Classical Roman, Greek and Egyptian statues, among them the iconic depiction of the she-wolf suckling Romulus and Remus, in addition to priceless Renaissance works, all displayed in an ensemble of fresco-lined palaces. Rome is famed for its squares, some elegant, some intimate, and some monumental like the hilltop Piazza del Campidoglio, designed by Michelangelo in the 1530s, or Piazza Venezia, site of the grandiose Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele II, dubbed "the Typewriter" by the locals. Perhaps the most gorgeous is Piazza Navona, ringed by palazzi and café terraces, overlooked by the lavish, baroque-era Church of Sant'Agnese in Agone, and centred on fountains including Gian Lorenzo Bernini's equally baroque Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers). Just a few steps away, charming Piazza della Rotonda is home to the bewitching Pantheon, a 2,000-year-old temple converted in the 7th century to a church – the sight of light pouring through the oculus in the vast dome into the marble-clad interior is simply breathtaking. Walking on through lively cobbled streets, you'll come upon the most famous, and perhaps the most flamboyant, of Rome's countless fountains. The 18th-century Fontana di Trevi (Trevi Fountain) features a baroque-era ensemble of mythical figures and wild horses, leaning against the Palazzo Poli – visit in the evening when the fountain is magically illuminated. Tossing a coin over your shoulder into the water is reputed to ensure that one day you'll return again to Rome. Take a stroll amid the global flagship stores lining elegant Via del Corso to another highlight of your Rome sightseeing tour, the exuberant Piazza di Spagna, centred on Pietro Bernini's landmark Fontana della Barcaccia, depicting a half-sunken boat. Much of Rome's best high-end shopping is concentrated on the streets fanning out from this square, especially on Via dei Condotti. Built in the 1720s as a meeting place for Rome's citizens, and still a favourite gathering spot today, the broad, majestic Spanish Steps climb from the piazza to the Church of SS. Trinità dei Monti; you'll enjoy spectacular views over terracotta rooftops from the top of the stone flight. Time for a break from the urban bustle? The vast Villa Borghese park is a verdant refuge dotted with fountains, monuments and sculptures, all shaded by towering, centuries-old trees. You can rent a boat on the lake and row to get a close-up view of the Greek-style Temple of Asclepius. The park is home to the Borghese Gallery, with a peerless art collection including works by Raphael, Titian and Caravaggio among countless others.

Many of Rome's most iconic tourist attractions are actually located in another country, the world's smallest in fact: the Vatican City, the seat of the Roman Catholic church and home of the Pope. Immense, elliptical Saint Peter's Square is framed by a colonnade of 284 columns by Bernini – believers flock to the piazza on Sundays to receive the Pope's blessing from his study window in the Apostolic Palace. Looming over the square, and a Renaissance masterpiece, SaintPeter's Basilica can easily accommodate up to 20,000 seated worshippers in a awe-inspiring, marble-clad interior that dwarfs all visitors. Michelangelo designed the soaring, graceful dome, as well as the church's most renowned sculpture, the poignant "Pietà". Climb to the roof for a closer look at the dome and stunning views over Rome. The highlight of the Vatican Museums, with a mammoth collection of Classical and Renaissance masterpieces, is the world-famous Sistine Chapel, adorned with vivid biblical frescoes; the standouts are Michelangelo's incomparable ceiling depicting stories from Genesis and his powerful "Last Judgement" on the end wall.

Rome has more than its fair share of ultra-hip bistros and stylish fine-dining establishments serving inventive interpretations of Italian and global cuisines. Yet the quintessential local dining experience is still to be found in the countless neighbourhood trattorias and osterias sitting on virtually every street corner and quaint piazza. And of course you'll find countless sidewalk stops all vying for the honour of serving the best pizza in Rome. Traditional Roman cuisine has its roots in the "poor man's food" of the Lazio region, and local favourites that pop up on the menus of many of the best places to eat in Rome include pasta cacio e pepe (with Pecorino Romano cheese and black pepper) or carbonara with the addition of eggs and cured pork; carciofi alla romana (artichokes simmered in oil and herbs); saltimbocca (veal layered with prosciutto and sage, rolled and pan-fried); and trippa (tripe stewed in tomato sauce topped with cheese). Beloved street-food delights include arancini-like supplì (fried rice balls filled with mozzarella and meat) and porchetta (slow-roasted pork served between crispy flatbread slices). No dessert beats a creamy or fruity ice cream from one of the gelaterias that are scattered throughout the city.

Accor offers you a broad selection of the best places to stay in Rome, whatever the reason for your visit. For the ultimate romantic weekend, the ideal choice is our luxury hotel with a spa near the Villa Borghese gardens, renowned as one of the best 5-star hotels in Rome. You can also choose from several of our 4-star hotels, which place you within easy reach of all the best activities in Rome. Arriving by train? Several of our city-centre properties are easily accessible from Rome's central station, Roma Termini. If you're travelling with the family and are looking for a more economical option, we have Rome hotels with a pool, perfect for cooling off after an eventful day of sightseeing. For a visit to the Eternal City mixing business and pleasure, several of our hotels offer conference facilities and meeting rooms in Rome. If you're arriving late or leaving early, our convenient Rome airport hotel puts you close to the terminals, with a convenient shuttle giving you easy access to the city.