Villa rentals near Rome
Rome is one of Italy’s most important culture and fashion capitals, home to some of Europe’s best museums and renowned monuments. It strikes a harmonious balance between ancient history and a bustling modern city.
If you are looking to live la dolce vita, no city in Italy encapsulates this way of life better than Rome. Just thinking of the Eternal City brings to mind visions of Anita Ekberg as Sylvia dancing in the Trevi Fountain, or Audrey Hepburn on a Vespa meandering between the ancient Colosseum and Forum in “Roman Holiday”. Italy’s capital city truly is the pinnacle of effortless Italian glamour.
Beyond the city centre in the wider region of Lazio are picturesque beach towns, medieval hilltop villages, mountain climbs and a treasure trove of ancient Roman and Etruscan ruins.
Our luxury villas and lovingly restored farmhouses in Lazio and southern Umbria, near Orvieto, are under a two-hour drive from the centre of Rome. Sleeping 4 to 14 people, all of our luxury villas are air-conditioned, ideal for a warm Italian summer.
At Tuscany Now & More we take pride in our service. We have 30 years’ experience matching every guest to the right villa. Someone from our small team visits or stays in every Rome villa we list and knows the area. This is why we keep our portfolio small — and probably why the world’s leading luxury travel magazine says we’re one of Italy’s top five villa rental companies.
Every Tuscany Now & More villa has a private swimming pool, free use of our concierge service, for pre-trip arrangements and an emergency number available 24/7 while you are in-destination. Your concierge can arrange a private chef, daily maid service, or shopping delivered to your villa, and memorable experiences like Roman cookery classes in your holiday rental’s kitchen.
To see what real travellers think of our service, and the experience of staying in a Tuscany Now & More luxury villa, read our verified reviews.
About Rome
Italy’s capital city can be found in the central region of Lazio on the west coast, with the romantic river Tiber meandering through its historic centre. Rome is built across seven hills, with Capitoline and Palatine hill amongst the most famous. It was upon the latter, now the home of the ancient Roman Forum, that the Eternal City was supposedly born.
The first Imperial city, the history of Rome spans almost 3000 years and its museums are brimming with ancient Etruscan and Roman artefacts and sculptures. Along with Florence, Rome was a major centre of the Renaissance and the birthplace of Baroque and Neoclassical movements. From unassuming churches to grand piazzas, artistic and architectural masterpieces are never far from reach.
Prati is by far the ritziest district in the city, known for its elegant art-nouveau buildings, vast avenues and high-end restaurants, bars and shops, most frequented by local Romans.
Monti on the other hand has a more bohemian edge and is favoured by students. It is great for artisan shops, trendy art galleries, quirky coffee shops and vintage finds.
Cross the Renaissance Ponte Sisto or Garibaldi and follow cobbled streets into the heart of Rome’s old town, Trastevere. This district is best known for its cobbled streets, the Basilica di Santa Maria, its welcoming and lively atmosphere, evening market stalls and fine restaurants and bars.
What to do in Rome
You could spend weeks in Rome and not even begin to scratch the surface. If it is your first time in the city you can't miss the most iconic sites like the Spanish Steps, Colosseum, Roman Forum, Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon. While Rome is a vast city, the centre is pretty compact and it is easy to walk between these main attractions.
However, if you're looking for a more authentic Roman experience away from the tourist hotspots, get a feel for the city on foot from one of the many main piazzas. The Piazza Navona is one of the best-known squares in Rome; visit after sunset when Bernini’s famous Fountain of the Four Rivers is lit up and the tourist crowds have been replaced by a younger, vibrant crowd who meet here to socialise.
The best museums in Rome include the Musei Capitolini, which sits on top of Capitoline Hill and is split across three palaces, two of which were designed by Michelangelo. Considered the first museum in the world, you will find everything from ancient sculptures, bronze and marble statues and precious artefacts to masterpieces by Caravaggio and Titian. The Vatican Museums are another must-see for renowned artworks like Raphael’s “School of Athens”, classical sculptures like “Laocoön” and of course, Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel.
The expansive Vatican gardens are only open to the public in the summer months and offer a lush haven in the middle of the city centre, with landscaped terraces and grand fountains. Rome’s Botanical Gardens are also worth visiting and the elegant park surrounding the Villa Borghese offers incredible views over the city.
The Galleria Borghese is one of the best art museums in Rome, with an impressive collection of works by important artists like Caravaggio, Bernini, Raphael and Titian. Modern and contemporary art lovers should pay a visit to the Galleria d’Arte Moderna (GNAM) for works by Modigliani to Monet and the MAXXI designed by Zaha Hadid, for some of the biggest names in the art world.
Rome is full of Baroque and Renaissance churches housing treasured masterpieces. Visit Santa Maria della Vittoria for Bernini’s “Ecstasy of St Theresa”, the Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo for Renaissance artworks by Raphael, Bernini and Caravaggio, San Pietro in Vincoli for Michelangelo’s statue of Moses, and San Luigi dei Francesi for Caravaggio’s narrative paintings on the Life of St. Matthew.
For more ideas on what to do in Rome, read our Rome travel guide.
Food & Drink in Rome
Rome is the birthplace of several classic Italian pasta dishes like alla Carbonara, made with egg, pecorino cheese and cured pig’s cheek, and Cacio e Pepe made with pecorino and cracked black pepper. All’Amatriciana is another must-try when in Rome, a pasta sauce traditionally made with pork pecorino and tomatoes.
The Lazio region is renowned for its purple artichokes which can be found across markets like Campagna Amica through May.
Frascati white and dessert wines are produced in the countryside around Rome. Travellers with a passion for wine should consult our award-winning concierges, who can arrange a wine tour of some of the finest local vineyards or a sommelier-led tasting in your villa.
Shopping in Rome
After Milan, Rome is the most important centre for fashion in Italy and is one of the world’s five fashion capitals. Many luxury fashion houses like Valentino, Bulgari and Fendi were founded in Rome and their headquarters and impressive flagship stores are based in the city. Luxury and haute couture labels can be found lining the streets around the Spanish Steps, especially along the Via Condotti. Alternatively, visit the Castel Romano Outlet store on the outskirts of Rome for some of your favourite designer brands without the eye-watering price tags.
Follow the Via del Corsa from Piazza del Popolo to the Piazza Venezia for high street brands like Zara and Mango. Start on the Via del Boschetto in the Monti District, north of the Colosseum, for artisan boutiques, vintage gems, up and coming independent designers and jewellery shops.
Our favourite markets in Rome include the Borghetto Flaminio Market — held each Sunday in the Piazza del Popolo, you’ll find rare antiques and second-hand designer clothes on sale here. The Porta Portese Market in Trastevere is the largest most eclectic flea market in Rome where you will find everything from pet supplies to chandeliers.
For the best food markets in Rome visit the Campo de Fiori, where you will find a fine array of products ranging from fresh fruit and vegetables to truffles and seasonal flowers. The covered Campagna Amica Market only trade locally sourced products from the surrounding Lazio region, including artisan honey and olive oil.
