Car Hire Rome

As you would expect in a major city – particularly one as historic as Rome – traffic in the centre can be congested, especially at peak travel times.

Some parts of the city are also restricted to traffic. Known as Limited Traffic Zones and marked ‘ZTL’, these are designed to reduce congestion around historic areas and protect the city’s oldest landmarks.

Entering a ZTL (usually marked on signs by a red circle) during the hours shown will result in a fine.

When in Rome, white lines on the street mean the space is free to park in, while blue lines indicate that you’ll need to pay and display a ticket. A yellow line means you cannot park.

If you can tear yourself away from the epic sights of this city, it’s well worth venturing out into the countryside using the city’s main ring road, the A90.

Head south towards artistic Naples via the E45, where a treasure trove of archaeological gems await. In less than three hours, you can be exploring its epic Unesco-listed centre.

Equally beautiful Florence may be more than three hours away from Rome, but it’s the perfect excuse for a road trip. From here, you’re ideally placed to venture onwards to Pisa, Bologna and Verona.

While driving in Italy, keep an eye out for speed limit signs. While on motorways the maximum is 130 km/h, this drops to 90 km/h on roads outside built-up areas and 50 km/h in urban areas.

It’s impossible not to be awed by the ancient wonders packed into Rome and you’ll find yourself delving into the past with every step. But this is no living museum – the constant buzz of the Eternal City sees to that.

Amble along the maze of cobbled streets and watch thousands of years of heritage unfold before your eyes, while getting swept away by the dizzying whirl of modern Roman life.

With so much to see and do, you won’t want to miss a thing.

Admire the splendour of historical sites

First stop, Ancient Rome. You’ll be welcomed by the sight of the enormous Vittoriano, a marble masterpiece now serving as a museum.

Make a beeline for the Roman Forum and walk among the spectacular ruins, where crumbling temples and columns rub shoulders with basilicas of times gone by.

Every piece of stone here tells the story of this once thriving central district that served as the city’s centrepiece. Continue up to Palatine Hill and drink in the incredible views of the majestic ruins on show.

From the hillside, the breath-taking Colosseum is only a stone’s throw away. Nothing can you prepare you for its beauty. Crane your neck to see the arches soaring high above, then head inside to explore the vast complex.

Take the audio tour and conjure up visions of fearless gladiators battling it out for the entertainment of more than 50,000 cheering Romans.

Travel north to discover the Pantheon. Soak up the beauty of the inscriptions etched into the façade before heading inside to gaze wide-eyed at the impressive dome of the 2,000-year-old temple.

Tear yourself away from this remarkable monument and take part in the popular tradition of tossing a coin over your shoulder into the Trevi Fountain, you’ll find it only a few streets away.

Discover a goldmine of art inside Vatican City

It’s easy to spend an entire day admiring the incredible art and architecture found in Vatican City, the smallest nation in the world.

A trip here is an absolute must to fully understand Rome’s vast religious and political heritage.

Within the Vatican Museums you’ll discover lavish ceilings, ancient artefacts and colourful artwork spread through 54 galleries.

The highlight is the world-famous Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo’s mind-boggling masterpiece. Feast your eyes on the intricate frescoes covering the ceiling and walls, which took the legendary artist four years to create, and appreciate the staggering level of detail.

End your tour with the magnificent St Peter’s Basilica. Wander inside the enormous church and discover the iconic dome, another of Michelangelo’s genius creations.

You won’t know where to look first, with ornate features competing for your attention in every direction. Explore the central nave before taking a trip to the top of the dome, scaling more than 500 narrow steps to reach this magnificent viewpoint.

Catch your breath as you take in the spectacular views of St Peter’s Square below and the lush gardens of the Vatican.

Explore the beauty of the western Italian coast

When you’ve worked through your Roman itinerary, turn your attention to the picturesque region along the western coast.

One of the best things about car rental in Rome is you’ll have the freedom to see the towns and cities you’ve always dreamed of visiting.

Pack all your beach essentials and drive along the SR148 to the quaint seaside resort of Sperlonga. Set up camp on one of the sandy beaches and enjoy the refreshing feel of the Mediterranean lapping at your feet.  

Hop from one city to another with a road trip down the E45 to Naples. Wander through the Unesco-listed historic centre, admire ornate frescos inside Gesu Nuovo and sample heavenly Napoli-style pizza.

Car hire in Rome is a great way to make the most of your stay in the Eternal City and explore some of Italy’s finest destinations, from romantic Verona to the foodie-haven of Bologna.