Rome is the sort of city that stops you mid-sentence. One moment you are ordering a coffee, the next you turn a corner and there stands a 2,000-year-old temple as if it were the most normal thing in the world. For travellers from Gujarat and Surat, the Eternal City is one of Europe's most rewarding first stops: it is dramatic, walkable, deeply photogenic and surprisingly friendly to Indian tastes once you know where to look. This guide from Explera Vacations walks you through the Colosseum, the Vatican, the food, the day trips and the practical bits, so you can arrive relaxed and ready to wander. If you would like us to handle the whole trip, our tour packages from Surat are a good place to begin.
Getting there and the best time to visit
There are no direct flights from Surat to Rome, so most travellers connect through Mumbai, Delhi or a Gulf hub such as Dubai, Doha or Abu Dhabi onward to Rome's Fiumicino (FCO) airport. Total journey time is typically around 11 to 15 hours depending on the layover. Italy is part of the Schengen area, so you will need a Schengen visa before you fly; you can start that process with our visa desk in Surat or read our Schengen visa guide for Gujarat travellers to understand documents and timelines. For the best weather, aim for spring (April to June) or autumn (September to October), when days are warm but not scorching; July and August can be very hot and crowded. Our month-by-month guide to visiting Europe can help you fine-tune the dates. Once you have chosen your window, let us sort your flights and hotels.
The Colosseum and ancient Rome
The Colosseum is the beating heart of any Rome trip, and it is even more imposing in person than in photographs. Buy a combined ticket that also covers the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, the sprawling ruins where emperors once lived and the Roman Senate met. Book online in advance and consider a guided tour, because the stories of gladiators, chariots and lost temples bring the stones to life. Give yourself a full morning here, wear comfortable shoes for the uneven ground, and carry a refillable bottle; Rome's free public fountains, the nasoni, pour cold, drinkable water all over the city. Just a short walk away sits the Pantheon, a near-perfect ancient temple with a soaring domed roof open to the sky, and it is free to enter, though timed booking may apply, so verify current rules and timings before you travel.
Vatican City and St Peter's
The Vatican is a country within a city and comfortably a half to full day on its own. The Vatican Museums lead you through gallery after gallery to Michelangelo's breathtaking Sistine Chapel ceiling, while St Peter's Basilica next door is one of the grandest churches on earth; climbing the dome rewards you with a sweeping view over the piazza. Dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered, as this is a strict requirement for entry, and book the earliest slot you can to beat both the heat and the crowds. On your way back, toss a coin over your shoulder into the Trevi Fountain, the tradition that, so the legend goes, guarantees your return to Rome. Italy's landmarks together make it a wonderful introduction to the continent; if this is your first European holiday, our Europe first-timer itinerary pairs nicely with this guide.
Food, and Jain and vegetarian options
Roman food is simple and generous: fresh pasta, wood-fired pizza, creamy gelato and strong espresso. Vegetarians are well looked after, with dishes like margherita pizza, pasta al pomodoro, cacio e pepe, grilled vegetables and caprese salad widely available; just confirm there is no meat stock or egg in the pasta if you are strict. For Jain travellers, dishes without onion and garlic are harder to find in local trattorias, so plan ahead: Rome has a handful of Indian restaurants near Termini station and the Esquilino area where you can request Jain preparations, and carrying some thepla, khakhra and dry snacks from home is always a comforting backup. Our roundup of Jain and vegetarian-friendly destinations abroad has more tips you can apply here. A small phrase card noting your dietary needs in Italian goes a long way.
Day trips: Pompeii and Florence
Rome is a brilliant base for day trips. Pompeii, the city frozen in time by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, is roughly a couple of hours south by fast train and is one of the most moving archaeological sites in the world. To the north, Florence and the rolling hills of Tuscany are around 1.5 hours away by high-speed train, ideal for Renaissance art, leather markets and Michelangelo's David; our Florence and Tuscany guide covers it in detail. If you have longer, you can weave in the canals of Venice via our Venice travel guide or stretch south along the coast with our Rome and Amalfi Coast itinerary. For the bigger picture on the country, our Italy travel guide from India ties it all together.
Budget and practical tips
Italy uses the euro, and while cards are widely accepted, do carry some cash for small cafes, markets and the odd ticket machine; UPI is not accepted in Italy, so inform your bank before you travel and consider a forex card for better rates. Power sockets are the round two-pin European type, so pack a universal adapter, as Indian plugs will not fit. Rome is best explored on foot and by its metro and buses, so buy a rechargeable travel card and validate tickets to avoid fines. Book major sights online to skip long queues, keep valuables secure on crowded buses near tourist spots, and always take travel insurance; our travel insurance in Surat desk can arrange Schengen-compliant cover, and our insurance guide for Indian travellers explains why it is mandatory for the visa. For the full range of what we handle, see our services in Surat and ready-made packages.
Frequently asked questions
Do Indian travellers need a visa for Rome? Yes. Italy is part of the Schengen area, so Indian passport holders need a Schengen visa before travelling. You can begin your application with our visa desk, which handles the paperwork, appointment and required insurance; timelines vary by season, so apply well in advance and verify current rules before you travel.
How many days do you need in Rome? Three to four full days let you cover the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Vatican, Pantheon and Trevi Fountain at a comfortable pace, with time for a day trip to Pompeii or Florence. If Rome is one stop on a wider Italy or Europe trip, our team can build a balanced multi-city itinerary around your dates.
Is Rome expensive for Indian tourists? Rome can suit a range of budgets. Attraction tickets, mid-range hotels and sit-down meals add up, but you can save with public transport, free sights like the Pantheon and nasoni water fountains, and picnic lunches. We can tailor a package to your budget, so just tell us what you have in mind.
Ready to see the Eternal City for yourself? The team at Explera Vacations plans Rome and wider Italy holidays end to end, from visa and flights to hotels and guided tours. Get in touch with us or browse our tour packages from Surat, and let us turn your Roman holiday from a dream into a confirmed booking.
