Rome Is A Travel Hotspot For 2025 – Here's How To Experience The City In Style

Yahoo

07-07-2025

Arguably, Rome is never not having a moment. It has been considered caput mundi – head of the world – for a reason, and almost two millennia, after all. This year, however, the Italian capital does feel particularly alluring. In 2025, Rome will welcome millions of pilgrims for the Vatican Jubilee, host major fashion shows for Dior, Fendi and Dolce & Gabbana, celebrate the 20th anniversary of its glitzy annual Film Festival, and become the official new home of TV's Emily Cooper to boot.
Add to this the fact that many of its main monuments have recently been restored, a number of big-name hotels are set to open, and that casual Harry Styles sightings are a regular occurrence nowadays, and it follows that the city is set to be the travel hotspot of the year.
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Of course, this means that the already sizeable crowds will likely be more madding than ever for visitors in 2025 – but there is a way to avoid them, and still experience the Eternal City at its very best... Simply follow our luxury travel guide to Rome, for the tried-and-tested, inside track on how to visit the city in serious style. We've done the leg-work to bring you the most fabulous hotels, celebrity-loved restaurants and buzziest bars to know (and book ASAP), as well as the ultra-exclusive travel guides to call on for truly unique experiences while you're in town. Buon viaggio!
Hotel Eden
Emily Cooper may not have the best track record with romantic partners, chic outfits or BFFs, but her taste in hotels cannot be faulted. Season four saw the Emily in Paris protagonist hole up at the five-star Hotel Eden while she was in Rome, and we can confirm that the Dorchester Collection property is every bit as fabulous in real life as it looked on-screen. It's centrally located and walking distance from all the main hotspots, but with just 98 rooms and the lush Villa Borghese gardens right next door, it offers an elegant, peaceful oasis in which to relax after a hard day's exploring.
Think ultra-plush beds, marble bathrooms, a small but perfectly formed spa, and thoughtful personal touches that make it feel like home (but better). Little wonder that over the years, it's acted as the Roman residence for the world's biggest stars. Seriously, though: walk up to the rooftop Il Giardino restaurant (a must-visit for an al fresco dinner) and you'll be greeted with the proof, as signed photographs of everyone from Meryl Streep, Jane Fonda, and Keanu Reeves to Pavarotti and Fellini line the walls. Die-hard Emily In Paris fans will also delight in recognising the exact suite, scenic breakfast spot, grand entrance and plump pink pastries that made cameos in the show.
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Bulgari Hotel Roma
If unadulterated glitz and glamour are what you're after, look no further than the Bulgari Hotel. Unveiled in 2023 with a next-level opening party attended by Zendaya and Priyanka Chopra, it has brought a whole new level of luxury to Rome – and immediately established itself as the most exclusive address in town. The property is located in the heart of the Campo Marzio district, on the prestigious Piazza Augusto Imperatore that is also home to Augustus' Mausoleum and the Ara Pacis. A most fitting location for a brand with such an illustrious Roman heritage, that blends influences past and present both in its exquisite jewellery and hospitality projects around the world.
Inside, the hotel is a celebration of the finest Italian craftsmanship, from the (genuine) ancient sculptures that line the lobby, to the spectacular mosaic floors, Murano chandeliers, bespoke, hand-made furnishings and coloured marble bathrooms in each of the 110 bedrooms. Even the spa is a work of art; a subterranean temple of wellness inspired by the Baths of Caracalla, that offers treatments by Augustinus Bader. Make sure to secure a table at Il Ristorante by Niko Romito for an unforgettable dinner made up of twists on contemporary Italian classics, before closing the day with a digestivo on the rooftop – it's entirely reserved for hotel guests, and reason enough to justify a stay.
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Hotel De La Ville
Set within an 18th-century palazzo poised practically right on top of the iconic Spanish Steps, Hotel de la Ville is the perfect base from which to explore central Rome's endless wonders. The pure luxury of falling out of bed to sip coffee on your private balcony while looking out onto the city's rooftops and epic monuments beyond simply cannot be overstated. Nor can the joy of taking breakfast in the hotel's sun-soaked courtyard, for that matter, that provides a much-needed moment of quiet before the day's exploring begins – as well as an epic array of fresh-baked pastries to ensure you're adequately fuelled.
The interiors are a real highlight here, as has become the norm for any Rocco Forte-owned property. Think funky furnishings, splashes of colour and quirky details aplenty, alongside more classical touches that nod to the historic location. Plus, of course, there's the added treat of having an Irene Forte spa right downstairs, that in this iteration is complete with a Mediterranean salt room, sauna, ice fountain, Kneipp foot baths and hydro and plunge pools. The undisputed highlight, however, is on the roof – more on this below...
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art'otel Rome
In a quiet corner just moments from Via Veneto, the newly opened art'otel Rome is a design-led jewel bringing contemporary cool to the Eternal City. Opened in March 2025, this five-star boutique hotel is less a place to sleep and more a fully immersive art experience. The sophisticated interiors are sleek and striking, and the artistic soul of the space belongs to Pietro Ruffo, the Roman contemporary artist whose dreamlike constellations, botanical illustrations, and celestial maps are etched into walls, balconies, and corridors. Ruffo's works, which also grace The Vatican and Dior's couture collections, form the hotel's permanent collection—the largest display of his pieces anywhere in the world. Even the lift becomes a canvas, wrapped in fantastical, floor-to-ceiling illustrations that transform a mundane ride into a moment of wonder.
Downstairs, YEZI offers a sensual reimagining of pan-Asian cuisine, complete with terrace dining, aperitivo DJ sets, and cocktails inspired by ancient spice routes.
A pastel Vespa awaits those craving cinematic city spins, easily arranged by art'otel, and with Jubilee Year unfolding, there's never been a better time to roam Rome.
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Pierluigi
By all accounts the place to see and be seen in the Eternal City, this legendary, family-run restaurant has been an A-list go-to for decades. Everyone from Charlize Theron and Kendall Jenner to George and Amal Clooney has been spotted here, so don't be surprised if you arrive to the sounds of paparazzi furiously snapping away. It's all part of the fun, though, and certainly lends a certain glamour to proceedings. Don't miss the lobster calamarata pasta, prawn Catalana and raw seafood platters, accompanied by some truly epic wines. pierluigi.it
CieloBeg, borrow, or steal your way into the rooftop restaurant at Hotel de la Ville, that's well worth visiting whether you're an in-house guest or not. Cielo is nothing short of a hidden gem and guaranteed to be the highlight of any Roman holiday, with its stunning views, awe-inspiring sunsets, and an exceptional fish-focused menu formulated by award-winning chef Fulvio Pierangelini. Go early, stay late, and lap up every romantic second. roccofortehotels.com
Hostaria Da Pietro
A longtime favourite of well-to-do Romans and celebrities alike, this unassuming restaurant just off Via del Corso and moments from the landmark Piazza del Popolo serves some of the most authentic local fare around. The artichokes are a must, as are the fried courgette flowers and classic Carbonara – all followed by a huge Fiorentina steak for the table to round things off nicely. Save space for a slice of the owner's mother's freshly-baked cakes, too. hostariadapietro.it
Stravinskij Bar
It's not easy to bag a table at the Hotel de Russie's iconic Stravinskij Bar, but once you're in, you'll understand why. As grand, glorious and greenery-filled as they come, it's set on the hotel's inner courtyard terrace and enveloped in perfectly manicured gardens. It feels a world away from the hustle and bustle beyond the doors; a serene oasis that gets buzzier and buzzier as the evening goes on, much helped by flowing botanical-inspired cocktails. roccofortehotels.com
NOTOS Rooftop
For a front-row view of the epic Vittoriano monument and some seriously spectacular sunsets, head to the recently opened Six Senses hotel's fabulous rooftop bar. On any given day at aperitivo hour, you'll find a chic selection of well-heeled Romans and in-the-know tourists enjoying a moment of calm amid the urban garden scenery, creative cocktail in hand and with the city quite literally at their feet. sixsenses.com
Explore the city with Imago Artis
When high-profile people and top-tier celebrities come to town, they invariably call on Imago Artis to organise their itineraries. Founded by art historians with unparalleled access to some of the most exclusive spots in the city, they quite literally unlock doors to a secret side of Rome you'd never see otherwise. Think everything from private, out-of-hours tours of the Sistine Chapel and journeying around the city by vintage Alfa Romeo in search of Bernini's lesser-known masterpieces, to mosaic-making in the gardens of a usually-inaccessible palazzo – not a queue or crowd in sight. But we won't reveal too much: this is a company founded on unveiling the usually hidden, treating clients to off-the-beaten-track, once-in-a-lifetime experiences of the most authentic kind; and so an air of secrecy and discretion is part of the package. Just trust us: once you visit the city this way, you'll never look back. iatravel.com
Visit the nearby beachesIf you're visiting Rome in the summer months, it's well worth following in the footsteps of locals and embarking on the short journey along the coast for a beach day. By all accounts, the best spots are in Circeo and Sabaudia, but even closer to town you'll find the lovely Santa Marinella beach that boasts charming architecture, proper summer holiday vibes, and particularly excellent seafood lunches at Bianca. biancaristorante.it
Relax
Too often during a city break, we find ourselves so overwhelmed with all the new things to see and do, that we forget we're actually meant to be on holiday. Do as the Romans do and embrace il dolce far niente while you're in town – aka, the sweet art of doing nothing. We'd recommend booking into the Bulgari or Six Senses spa for an afternoon of pure indulgence or, if it's tanning weather, spend the day soaking up the rays by the outdoor pool at Rome Cavalieri, that's perched high up in the residential Balduina area and offers a fresh new perspective of Rome (and some excellent people-watching, too.). romecavalieri.com
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