Rome

Rome is the Eternal City, an open-air museum spanning over 2,500 years of history. The Colosseum, Roman Forum and St. Peter's Basilica characterize the cityscape, with the sweet lifestyle of the Dolce Vita in between. Beneath all the ancient grandeur, a self-confident queer scene has established itself that is part of everyday life in the Italian capital.

Trendy district

The center of the scene is the so-called Gay Street around Via San Giovanni in Laterano. Located right in the shadow of the Colosseum, this bar street fills up on warm evenings with people taking their drinks in the open air. You are right in the middle of the historic center. From here, you can explore the Pantheon, Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain on foot.

Nightlife

A permanent institution of Gay Street is the Coming Out, which has been inviting people to karaoke Tuesdays and drag Sundays since 2001. Right next door, My Bar attracts a more relaxed crowd. The legendary Muccassassina party series in the Qube, which has been a mainstay of Roman nightlife since 1990, provides the exuberant club nights. In mid-June, the highlight in the queer calendar follows: Roma Pride. The parade moves past the Colosseum through the historic center and brings hundreds of thousands onto the streets.

Best time to visit

The Roman summers are hot and humid. In July and August, sightseeing is therefore rather exhausting. You can travel more pleasantly in spring from April to June or in early autumn between September and October. During these months, the temperatures are mild, and if you want to take the Roma Pride with you, plan for mid-June.

Arrival

Rome has two airports: the large Fiumicino hub (FCO) in the west and the smaller Ciampino (CIA) in the southeast, which is mainly used by low-cost airlines. From Fiumicino, the Leonardo Express will take you to Termini Central Station in just over 30 minutes. Within the city, you can get around well by metro, buses and especially on foot, as many sights and Gay Street are close to each other.

Safety & LGBT Rights

Since 2016, there has been a registered civil partnership for same-sex couples in Italy. A complete marriage for all is still missing. In Rome, you can move openly in the central and touristy districts, around Gay Street and during Pride anyway. As in any big city, restraint outside the well-known scene corners makes sense, and you should stay vigilant against pickpockets in overcrowded hotspots.