Italy's capital city is often compared to a living history museum. Once the heart of the Roman Empire, it played a pivotal role in shaping Western civilization, and its ancient streets are steeped in over 2,500 years of history. Iconic monuments scattered across the city pay tribute to this rich history, including the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Pantheon, and the Trevi Fountain, not to mention the imposing Vatican City.

For history buffs, Rome is unbeatable, as it is for those looking to freely wander while living out their Gladiator – or Da Vinci Code- inspired fantasies. Rome is a destination that appears on nearly every traveler’s bucket list. Nowhere else does the modern so seamlessly coexist with the historical as it does in Rome. As a major metropolitan city, Rome is home to a large LGBTQ+ population, as well as countless travelers. Despite the conservative and homophobic views influenced by the Catholic Church's presence in Vatican City (giving serious disapproving grandad vibes), the city's gay scene is quite vibrant. That said, open homophobia is rare in Rome, and you'll likely find yourself playing a game of “gay or metrosexual European” as you enjoy exploring the Eternal City in all its grandeur.

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Rome is one of those cities with so much history and so many sites to visit that you can never see it all. There are several nice neighborhoods in Rome to stay in, including Trastevere, Monti, and Celio. The area near Rome’s Termini station is a bit grungier than some other neighborhoods, but it’s central and much less expensive. However, Rome is quite affordable, should you fall so in love with the city that you decide to make it your home.

Table of Contents

1.General Tips
2. Transportation & Airport Transfer
3. Gay Hotels in Rome
4. Sightseeing & Activities in Rome
5. Rome Gay Tours
6. Restaurants and Cafes in Rome
7. Rome Gay Bars and Clubs
8. Rome Gay Saunas & Cruising Bars
9. Gay Beaches in Rome
10. Gay Events in Rome
11. Day Trips from Rome

General Tips

As mentioned above, Rome is like one big museum, comprised of hundreds of iconic monuments and buildings. There are key sights like the Colosseum, Pantheon, and Vatican City that you can prioritize if you're short on time, but you'd be best served by taking your time and — to use a cliché — taking a walk through the history of the city, because that’s what Rome is really all about. Be sure to book tickets days in advance for the biggest attractions or you will find yourself waiting in long lines.

The gay scene may be small for a city of its size, but it’s still lively enough! You’ll find the majority of it centered around Via San Giovanni in Laterano — known to locals as “Gay Street” — right underneath the Colosseum. The street is lined with LGBTQ+ establishments, which double as cafés and restaurants during the day and fun gay bars at night. The action isn't completely limited to this one street, though, as there are other gay-friendly areas in Colle Oppio, Garbatella, and San Lorenzo.

In addition to Rome Pride, the city’s other big annual event is the three-month-long Gay Village, which runs from mid-June to September. During this time, there are constant concerts, cultural events, and parties — perhaps the best perk of visiting Rome in the summer. However, if you're just going to sightsee, you would be better served visiting outside of the high season.

Transportation & Airport Transfer

Rome is fairly easy to get around, and you’ll find public transport options such as the metro, regional trains, and buses. However, given all the historic and archaeological sites around the city, the metro offers limited routes, so you may find yourself using buses or taxis more often than usual. There are a few bus routes that are particularly useful for tourists depending on where you’re staying, including routes 40, 60, 64, 62, and 81.

Single tickets for the bus and metro cost 1.50€. Taxis are moderately priced, and you’ll probably pay between 10-20€ per ride, depending on your destination. You can also buy a 48- or 72-hour pass, which gives you access to public transport as well as entrance and discounts to certain sites in the city.

Rome has two airports: Fiumicino and Ciampino. For the budget-savvy traveler, you can get to and from Rome’s city center by bus using a service like TerraVision from both Fiumicino and Ciampino. The bus goes from the airport and arrives at Rome’s central train station (Termini). A one-way ticket costs 4€ and can be purchased online or on the bus. The ride takes about an hour, and buses depart every 30 minutes. For a faster arrival into Rome from Fiumicino, take the Leonardo Express train for 14€. A taxi ride has a fixed price of 40€ from Fiumicino and 30€ from Ciampino, and it takes 45 minutes to an hour. Private transfers booked in advance will cost about the same. Book Transfer →

Gay Hotels in Rome

Luxury

First Luxury Art Hotel – With a fashionable bar and an Asian rooftop restaurant, plus terraces equipped with hot tubs, this boutique hotel is filled with contemporary art and set in a 19th-century palazzo.

G-Rough – Featuring a stylish, street-level café bar, modern and vintage decor, exposed beam ceilings, and parquet floors, this hotel offers suites equipped with balconies, kitchenettes, and living rooms—all housed in a stunning 17th-century building.

Mid Range

The Independent Hotel – Get ready for a wine bar, rooftop terrace, and plenty of amenities. Some suites in this townhouse hotel include living rooms, sitting areas, and balconies.

iQ Hotel Roma – A guest laundry, children's play area, business center, sauna, fitness room, lobby bar, and breakfast buffet are just some of the amenities here. The dining room features a beautiful view of the city from its terrace and its situated close to the Trevi Fountain.

Hotel Art By The Spanish Steps – Happy hours with varied themes and complimentary breakfast buffets, suites with whirlpool tubs, premium toiletries, mini-bars, and more await you at this colorful, upscale hotel. .

Hotel Capo D'Africa – Take advantage of the exercise room, outdoor bar, rooftop terrace, seasonal cuisine, free breakfast buffet, bike rental, and numerous other amenities at this stately hotel in the city center. Located close to both The Colosseum and “gay street”.

Budget

2^nd Floor – First Floor and Second Floor are two boutique hotels near the Colosseum, right in the heart of Rome’s gay life on Gay Street. The rooms are simple yet refined, and each one is comfortable and unique. They are located in the center of Rome, just steps away from the metro and the ancient history the city is known for.

Generator Hostel – Beautiful wooden floors, a restaurant, and a relaxing bar, combined with a laid-back setting in this down-to-earth hostel, offer ideal hospitality. The corner building dates back to the 1850s and is conveniently located near St. Peter's Basilica, the Pantheon, and the Colosseum.

The Beehive – Perfect for the budget-minded traveler, this hostel is close to the Colosseum and Roma Termini Station. Simple amenities include a garden, a lounge with seating, a dining room, and a simple café. Rooms are unpretentious, with either shared bathrooms or upgraded rooms featuring private baths and balconies.

Lisella B&B – A small, gay-owned bed and breakfast. The Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem, the Roman Walls, and the Monumento a San Francesco d'Assisi are all easily accessible from this no-frills, peaceful, and clean budget B&B.

Ares Rooms – Another gay-owned bed and breakfast. This traditional, cozy guesthouse offers attentiveness and quiet surroundings in a clean and safe environment. Interior courtyards, St. Peter's Basilica, Piazza Venezia, and the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore are just some of the panoramic views available from this 19th-century building.

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Sightseeing & Activities in Rome

You could spend weeks in Rome visiting the numerous historical sites, museums, churches, architectural wonders, plazas and parks. But we know most people will just spend a few days in the city so we’ve narrowed down our top must-see places on any visit to Rome.

Colosseum – Only the largest amphitheater ever made! This ancient masterpiece was built in 80 AD and once hosted gladiator battles, animal hunts, and grand spectacles for up to 50,000 spectators. Visitors can explore the Colosseum's tiers and corridors while imagining the thrill of ancient Roman games. We highly recommend booking tickets in advance to skip the long lines. Book tour →

Roman Forum – Right next to the Colosseum is one of the world’s most fascinating archaeological sites. Walk in the footsteps of the ancient Romans through the ruins of what was once the center of political, social, and religious life in Rome. Dating back to the 7th century BC, this sprawling site features the remains of important government buildings, temples, and marketplaces. Explore iconic structures like the Temple of Saturn, the Arch of Titus, and the House of the Vestal Virgins. Book tour →

Piazza di Spagna – Located at the base of the Spanish Steps, Piazza di Spagna is one of Rome’s most famous squares. The square is named after the Spanish Embassy to the Holy See and is renowned for its elegant design. With its 137 steps and 12 flights, the Spanish Steps connect the square to the Trinità dei Monti church above. Just don't sit on the steps, or you can recieve a hefty fine!  Book tour →

Trevi Fountain – Is it a sculpture or a fountain? The answer is both! This masterpiece is a celebration of water’s incredible power and ever-changing presence, typical of Rome’s artistic spirit. Said to embody “the soul of the world,” the fantasy creatures and flowing natural lines make this attraction a stunning example of Baroque art. Book tour →

Vatican City – The world’s smallest independent state, if you can believe it! It is also the spiritual and administrative center of the Roman Catholic Church, the home of the Pope himself and the location of iconic landmarks such as St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museums, and the Sistine Chapel, featuring Michelangelo’s renowned frescoes. Located in the Vatican Museum, the sculpture of Laocoön is a favorite of many. Afternoon tours tend to be less crowded. Also be sure to check out the Gay Vatican Tour offered by Quiiky Travel. Book tour →

Pantheon – This attraction holds the record for being the most imitated ancient work, featuring architectural history's largest brick dome and the best-preserved monument in Rome. According to Michelangelo, this work is not of man, but of the angels themselves. This iconic temple was once dedicated to all Roman gods, but today it serves as a church and the final resting place of notable figures like the artist Raphael. Book tour →

The Maxxi – Roman architecture and art come together to showcase their contemporary and bold sides in this impressive collection of spacious galleries. From the awe-inspiring design of the building to the modern works housed within, if you enjoy contemporary art, you'll find some of the best here.

Testaccio Food Market – This is one of Rome’s oldest markets, offering a variety of food, including wine by the liter, panini, fish, cannoli, and pasta, as well as knickknacks, clothing, shoes, and more—everything a shop-till-you-drop fanatic could imagine, all at amazing prices. Though vendors are helpful and friendly, you may want to brush up on your Italian. Beyond the market, you can even book a guided food tour of the best Roman neighborhoods. Book tour →

Rome Gay Tours

Vatican Museums Untold (Gay) History Tour – Don’t freak out… but yes, there is actually a Gay Tour of the Vatican—well, the Vatican Museums, to be precise—even the New York Times recently wrote about it. Quiiky Travel created this groundbreaking tour, giving you all the gay (and hidden) insights into the gay culture of the Vatican and the famous artists whose works fill its walls. Regular tours often skip over some parts of history, leaving out stories important to gay and lesbian travelers. The Untold History Tours are designed to provide the LGBTQ+ community with a view of gay and lesbian personalities from the past, reminding us that we’re not the first and won’t be the last. Book tour →

Rainbow Tour: the Secret Gay History of Rome – Take a deep dive into Rome's secret gay history during this LGBTQ+-friendly tour with a guide. On your own, you may walk past Rome’s top highlights without knowing their connection to gay history. Through guided commentary, you’ll learn little-known facts and figures about Rome’s LGBTQ+ past. Stops include the site where Julius Caesar was killed, the Imperial Forum, the Basilica of Santa Maria, Opium Hill, and Rome's Gay Street, where you'll visit a famous gay pub.  Book tour →

Roman street food with local gay-friendly guide – Few people know that Roman cuisine is much more than just Carbonara or Amatriciana. Street food is also famous! You can stop at corner shops or stroll along historic streets to taste ‘white pizza’ with mortadella, a supplì, or fried cod fillet, all paired with a good glass of wine. Book tour →

Roma Tour by Crazy4Art App – Created by the team behind Coming Out, Gay Street’s popular bar, this app includes more than 130 monuments and places of interest in Rome, with over 12 hours of audio for a self-guided tour. It’s available in English, Spanish, Italian, and German and works offline without a Wi-Fi connection. Choose from 10 pre-selected itineraries or build a personalized route based on your time, availability, and location. The app costs 5€ to download.

Eating Italy Food Tours – Choose from daylight or twilight tours to experience delicious food and amazing wines in Italy’s capital. Finding good eats in Rome isn’t always easy, but these experts will show you the best hotspots you won’t want to miss. They also offer hands-on courses that teach you to prepare traditional meals with local ingredients, or an Italian wine-tasting experience where you’ll learn to pair six Italian wines with regional cuisine. Book tour →

Restaurants and Cafes in Rome

Antico Arco – Putting a gourmet twist on well-known Italian cuisine, this restaurant serves generous portions of favorites such as pork tenderloin, kebab, and risotto in a modern yet simple, silver brick-walled, and elegant setting. Both the service and the food, with great attention to presentation, are impressive.

Edoardo II – A hidden gem with friendly and helpful service, great food, and menus in multiple languages, making it a desirable experience for those seeking fun and unique dining. The real highlight, however, is the quirky pink decor, adding to the playful (and gay-friendly) atmosphere.

Pizzeria Formula 1 – For reliable, basic Italian cuisine, this place is hard to beat. Recommended: pizza with rocket, tomato, and cheese, mushroom bruschetta, a nice house wine, or olive ascolane and mozzareline fritte (appetizers). A casual, enjoyable evening of traditional Roman dining.

La Carbonara – Make reservations! The carbonara is highly recommended (of course), as is the restaurant's own beer. For appetizers, the deep-fried artichoke is another favorite.

Ditirambo – As authentic as they come! Superior food and service, homemade sauce, and fresh ingredients combine to create what might be the finest dining experience in Rome.

Necci dal 1924 – Highly recommended at this hip and charming bar: filled croissants and tiramisu. Dine indoors or enjoy their spacious garden. It can get busy! Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Wine is available by the glass, as are some enjoyable beers.

Gelateria San Crispino – Fresh and all-natural, offering flavors like meringue, sorbets, cinnamon, ginger, chocolate, and more. Considered by some to be the best gelato in Italy. A bit tricky to find, but worth the effort.

Gelateria de Teatro – Popular flavors here include raspberry, ricotta, hazelnut, strawberry, pistachio, and chocolate. For something fancier, the tiramisu is said to be exceptional. This gelateria is often ranked as one of Rome’s best.

Rome Gay Bars and Clubs 

The only centralized gay hangout in the city is Via San Giovanni in Laterano, also known as “Gay Street.” This small stretch of gay venues is just a stone’s throw away from the Colosseum and it’s a good place to start if you want to get a feel for the gay scene in Rome.

Coming Out – Probably Rome’s most popular gay bar and an institution in the city. It’s open for lunch, dinner, and stays lively late into the night for drinks and fun. Don't be fooled by the low-key atmosphere during the day. It's simply the calm before the storm. Crowds often spill onto the streets in front of this and other Gay Street bars, especially on weekends and warm nights. And with drinks served in plastic cups, feel free to take them outside for some fresh air.

My Bar – A small bar and café also located on Gay Street, near the Colosseum. Open throughout the day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, it remains open late until 2 AM for drinks. There's a small dance floor in the back with a DJ, a great variety of beers on tap, super friendly staff, and a cozy atmosphere. Sing-alongs might even break out if you're in the mood!

Freni e Frizioni – Known for its vintage furniture and inviting atmosphere, this spot is perfect for a late-night visit or an aperitivo earlier in the evening (which comes highly recommended). The buffet and drinks are reasonably priced, but it can get busy, so be prepared. The crowd tends to be young and alternative, often frequented by students. The buffet runs from 7 PM to 10 PM.

101 Club – A new LGBTQ+ bar located in the heart of Rome, just steps from the Colosseum. The cozy atmosphere is complemented by friendly staff. A membership card is required, but it can be obtained upon entry for 7€.

Company Roma – If you're looking for a bear-friendly bar in Rome, this is the spot. Catering to the hirsute crowd and their allies, this large basement bar plays disco classics most nights. It also hosts cabaret nights and more sexually themed events. A membership card is required, but it's easily purchased at the door.

Muccassassina – A mixed but predominantly gay party held every Friday night at Qube Disco. The atmosphere is friendly, with three large, separate dance floors playing different music. Expect drag performances and a large dark room as part of the party experience.

G I AM – This is a Saturday night gay party held at Planet Rome. It takes place from October to June and is open until 5:30 AM.

Gloss @ L’Alibi – One of the only Thursday night gay parties in Rome, featuring drag shows, go-go dancers, and great DJs. The party starts at 11:30 PM and goes until 5 AM.

Frutta e Verdura – This is an after-hours gay dance party that starts at 4:30 AM, located at Bunker Club, a large cruising club. It features a terrace, live DJs, a dance floor, and a darkroom/cruising area.

Rome Gay Saunas & Cruising Bars

Like many places in Italy, you may be required to have a membership card in order to enter gay cruising bars and saunas. You can purchase the membership onsite at any of the bars which costs between 8€ to 15€ depending on if it’s a one-time pass or year-long membership. Suprisingly – given it being where the concept of the Roman bathhouse was first invented – there aren't actually many gay saunas in Rome.

Apollion – A small gay sauna open daily from 2 PM to 11 PM. Massages are also available onsite.

Adam Sauna – A typical sauna offering a bar, lounge area, jacuzzi, spa, pool, steam room, cruising and darkroom area with private cabins. Massages are available as well, and it’s open seven days a week, year-round.

Gay Beaches in Rome

Il Buco – If you have extra time, you can visit this gay beach near Ostia, about 29 kilometers from Rome. It's a great option if you want to escape the city, but probably not ideal if you’re only in town for a few days. The popular gay beach is located between the Settimo Cielo and Mediterranea restaurants. The name means “the hole”… draw your own conclusions about that.

Gay Events in Rome

Rome Gay Pride – Rome’s gay pride parade takes place every June and has been going strong for more than a decade. Tens of thousands of people join in the streets to march, making a statement to the Italian government in an effort to advance LGBTQ+ rights. But don’t worry—the parade is still full of rainbow flags and bright colors. Come nightfall, you’ll find great parties throughout the weekend.

Summer Gay Village – This summer-long event takes place from June to September. Over 10 weeks, you'll find a wide range of activities, including a Bear’s Village, concerts, dance performances, theater, and free film screenings. The venue and contact details change annually, so check the website for the latest information. This popular event attracts over 200,000 visitors, both gay and straight, and is perhaps a great reason to visit Rome during its hot season.

Day Trips from Rome

Tivoli – If you have a day to spare, make the short trip to Tivoli, located 25 km from Rome. The main attractions include Villa Adriana (Hadrian's Villa) and Villa D’Este. Built between 118 and 134 AD, Hadrian's Villa was an elaborate summer retreat filled with pools, statues, fountains, bathhouses, libraries, and theaters. Villa D'Este, with its charming grounds, features one of the most impressive fountain displays in the world. You can reach Tivoli by bus or train, but the bus is often more convenient since the train station is not in the city center. To find the bus, take Metro Line B toward Rebibbia and get off at Ponte Mammolo, where you can buy your bus ticket for the Rome-Tivoli bus, which stops just outside Hadrian's Villa. The ride takes 45 minutes to an hour. Book tour →

Naples – Just an hour away by train, Naples is famous for its beautiful coastline, historical buildings, and as the birthplace of pizza. Once you taste pizza in Naples, no other pizza will compare. If you have time, a trip to the nearby legendary ruins of Pompeii is well worth the visit. Book tour →

Florence – A little further north but still reachable by high-speed train for a day trip, Florence is the capital of the Tuscany region. The city is full of Renaissance art-filled galleries and museums, towering church domes, and some of the best ice cream in the world. The culturally rich city is home to marvels such as the red-domed Duomo Cathedral, the tombs of Michelangelo, and Ponte Vecchio—a scenic, multi-layered bridge lined with shops. Book tour →

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