About CarrieAnnLightley
Lives in Kendal, United Kingdom
Since Jan 2015
25-34 year old female
13 years in accessible travel. Award winning blogger, travel writer & campaigner, passionate about equal access for all.
Rome isn't an easy city for someone with mobility requirements, as the ancient civilization has an abundance of cobbled streets to navigate. Still, it's worth the effort, and the bumpy ride — particularly as along with that ride, you can look forward to vibrant culture, magnificent food, and beautiful sights everywhere you look!
11 Places
6 City Tips
11 Places
Historic Sites, Ancient Ruins
Historic Sites, Points of Interest & Landmarks
Restaurants
Architectural Buildings, Ancient Ruins, Churches & Cathedrals
Points of Interest & Landmarks, Historic Walking Areas
Historic Sites, Points of Interest & Landmarks
Churches & Cathedrals
Restaurants
Sacred & Religious Sites, Art Museums
Historic Sites, Architectural Buildings, Points of Interest & Landmarks, Sacred & Religious Sites, Art Museums
Historic Sites, Churches & Cathedrals, Points of Interest & Landmarks
The Colosseum is one of the greatest remnants of Ancient Rome, and its size and detail will leave you in awe. You'd be forgiven for thinking that the Colosseum's access would be difficult for wheelchair users, but thankfully it has been completely modernized, and has smooth, flat pavement throughout, as well as a lift and accessible toilets.
The Roman Forum was once the center of Roman life, and it's amazing to see its buildings still standing (in one form or another) after so many years — it almost feels like you've gone back in time here. For me, the Forum was the most difficult part of Rome to access. There is a lift to take you down from street level, but the ground is so uneven that wheelchair users may struggle.
Isidor is a gem — a hidden, authentic-feeling Italian family restaurant within a few steps of the Colosseum. Here, you'll find polite and helpful service, rustic, tasty food, and reasonable prices.
The Pantheon is said to be the best preserved of Rome's ancient monuments, and its dome is breathtaking. It's an amazing feeling to be inside a temple (nowadays used as a church) that was built almost 2,000 years ago!
Piazza Navona is the showcase of central Rome, a beautiful square with street artists, ornate fountains, and pavement cafes. It's an ideal spot to sit, watch the world go by, and enjoy a delicious gelato.
The colorful, loud daily market at Campo de' Fiori is a part of Roman daily life. Smells of spices, herbs, and cheese fill the air, and vendors encourage visitors to sample their produce. In the evening, the square is transformed into a hub for socializing, with lovely music, restaurants, and a mix of locals and tourists.
A church dedicated to the Virgin Mary, said to be the oldest in Rome, Santa Maria in Trastevere 'feels' much more like a church than St. Peter's Basilica. Many tourists stumble across it by mistake, and few photographs are taken, but it's certainly worth a deliberate trip. This is a place where candles are lit, there is always a respectful silence observed, and its beautiful golden mosaics, plus ornate walls and ceilings, are breathtaking.
The neighborhood of Trastevere is famed for good food, and this Pizzeria is well worth crossing the Tiber for. Arrive early to beat the round-the-block queues, and dine street-side alongside the locals. These paper-thin, Roman-style pizzas were the best, and most reasonably priced, meal I had whilst in Rome!
Visiting the Vatican Museums is an unforgettable experience, where one of the world's greatest art collections is complemented by one of the most beautiful settings. The constant crowds here can make the experience stressful, but the experience is definitely worth it. Wheelchair users can go backwards along parts of the tour route, and through roped off areas to avoid stairs.
The Sistine Chapel is one of the most famous works of art on the planet — and seeing it in person is beautiful, awe-inspiring, and everything (and more!) that you might expect. Unfortunately, though adaptions for access have been made, the accessible route to the Chapel goes against the flow of people, and the sheer numbers of visitors packed into one space make it an uncomfortable experience. Despite all of this, the Sistine Chapel is a must-see for everyone visiting Rome!
St. Peter's Basilica is Italy's largest church, and a symbol of Rome. The basilica's sheer size and beauty is incredible, and it's filled with history. As you'd expect, the crowds are large, but a respectful quiet is (mostly) observed, and it's possible to find peaceful corners from which to take in the opulent interior.