Park Guell
Gaudi’s whimsical hillside park of mosaic lizards, wave benches and gingerbread gatehouses, with sweeping views over the city. The Monumental Zone is ticketed and timed – book ahead; the surrounding park is free to roam.
Listings
Casa Batllo
Gaudi’s dragon-scaled masterpiece on the elegant Passeig de Gracia, a riot of curves, colour and bone-like balconies. The immersive audiovisual tour brings its organic forms to life – magical in the evening light.
Sagrada Familia
Gaudi’s astonishing unfinished basilica, under construction since 1882 and still rising. The forest-like interior and kaleidoscopic stained glass are unforgettable – book a timed ticket ahead, and pay extra to climb a tower for the view.
Spin Time Labs
A vast reclaimed building near Santa Croce turned self-run community and cultural hub – home to concerts, theatre, workshops, a craft-beer lab and social projects supporting the families who live there. A very different, grassroots side of Rome.
Barikama
A migrant-run social cooperative founded by West-African newcomers, producing organic yogurt and vegetables and selling through Rome’s solidarity-purchase groups and markets. Buying from Barikamà directly supports dignified work and integration.
Casa Scalabrini 634
Since 2015 this welcoming house has been a Rome reference point for refugee integration, hosting families and young people in semi-autonomy and running events, shared meals and cultural activities open to all – a place to meet, learn and support newcomers.
The First Roma Arte
A sleek five-star boutique dotted with contemporary art, moments from Piazza del Popolo, with an excellent restaurant and a rooftop terrace for aperitivo above the rooftops. Chic and central.
Casa Montani
A tiny, lavish townhouse B&B by Piazza del Popolo with just a handful of individually designed rooms and doting, personal service. For travellers who want boutique intimacy rather than a big hotel.
Hotel de Russie
One of Rome’s grande-dame luxury hotels, tucked between Piazza del Popolo and the Spanish Steps around a beautiful terraced “Secret Garden.” Impeccable service and a celebrity-favourite bar.
Hotel Santa Maria
A charming, low-rise hideaway wrapped around a sunny orange-tree courtyard in the middle of Trastevere – a rare peaceful spot in a lively quarter, and a gem if you want to stay in Rome’s most atmospheric neighbourhood.