Livia Hengel

Does anything conjure up an image of beach bliss quite like the Med? Surrounded by 22 countries and bordered by three continents, the Mediterranean Sea boasts miles and miles of coastline – not to mention hundreds of islands. And while there are certain seaside spots where you’ll need to fight for space on the sand (we’re looking at you, Barceloneta), there are plenty of other secluded stretches of coastline across the Med. Our selection of alternative beach spots, chosen by Mediterranean-based travel writers, takes you beyond Europe to North Africa and the Middle East. From wild, flamingo-frequented beaches in Spain to a culture-packed port city in France, this is where to find the Mediterranean’s best alternative (and affordable) beach breaks. There’s plenty of room to lay out your towel here. Grace Beard is Time Out’s deputy travel editor, based in London. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines and check out our latest travel guides written by local experts. RECOMMENDED:🗺 Europe’s most underrated destinations🌆 The best European city breaks🚫 The travel destinations that want tourists to stay away

Florence is one of the most popular destinations in the world, but if you’re heading there for a holiday, don’t just have its most famous attractions on your list. There’s a whole other side of Florence that you might not know about, but trust us, you’re sure to fall in love. If you want to really experience local life in Florence, you’ve got to pay Oltrarno a visit.  Just a short wander from the city’s centre, you’ll find this vibrant neighbourhood, full of artisanal boutiques, trendy eateries and plenty of people-watching spots. Culture lovers will admire the art galleries here, and nature people will find ample parks and gardens to explore. This part of the city runs from Santo Spirito to San Frediano, and you can walk the entire thing (in fact, we recommend you do). Here’s our guide to the picturesque alleyways, historic venues and Renaissance architecture of Oltrarno.  RECOMMENDED:🏠 Full guide to the coolest neighbourhoods in the world🍝 Everything you need to know about visiting Florence If you only do one thing…   Photograph: Shutterstock   Piazzale Michelangelo draws a crowd for its panoramic terrace, but if you’re willing to put in an extra effort, make your way further up to San Miniato al Monte. Built between the eleventh and thirteenth centuries, this Romanesque church lies on one of the highest points in the city and offers the most impressive view of Florence. Get cultured Step into the opulent Palazzo Pitti for a glimpse of the noble Medici family's impress

We all know the saying ‘when in Rome, do as the Romans’, but to ‘do’ as the Romans, one must eat as the Romans do. That’s good news for visitors because the best restaurants in Rome are some of the best on the planet, not to mention some of the most romantic. The menus in Rome are a celebration of flavours and ingredients that invoke images of tradition, delicious, delicious images at that. There are so many things to do in Rome that trying to tick them all off is nigh on impossible task, but you might as well try. That’ll take plenty of sustenance, so get that appetite ready for something special.  RECOMMENDED: 📍 The best things to do in Rome 🏛️ The best museums in Rome🏡 The best Airbnbs in Rome🛏 The best hotels in Rome Planning your next trip? Check out our latest travel guides, written by local experts.

We know the idea of “best restaurants” is relative, and controversial. It’s nearly impossible to settle on the best restaurants in a single city, let alone the best restaurants in an entire country! But we’re up for a challenge, and after eating our way through Italy, we have some favorites that we promise you are very, very good. Located up and down the boot, these eateries serve exceptionally well-executed regional cuisine in beautiful, unique settings. From mountain lodges and seaside bistros to fine-dining and casual trattorias, here are the 20 best restaurants in Italy. RECOMMENDED📍 The best things to do in Italy🏖 The best beaches in Italy

There’s no place like Rome. This is a city where winding streets lead to beautiful temples, pasta gets brought out by the bucketload, and the people-watching opportunities never end. It’s one of the most famous cities in the world for a reason, but you can’t fully understand its magic until you’ve been there in person.  Rome is also much, much bigger than you can imagine, so you’re going to want to have a plan in place. Here you’ll find archeological treasures, iconic art collections and enough culture to make you want to come back again and again. But don’t worry – there’s plenty of time to digest your lunchtime pasta, and to sip on aperitifs in the warm sunshine. Whether it’s your first or your 20th time visiting, here are the very best things to do in Rome, according to a local.  RECOMMENDED:🏛️ Unmissable attractions in Rome🍝 The best restaurants in Rome🛍️ Where to go shopping in Rome🏘️ The best Airbnbs in Rome🏨 The best hotels in Rome Planning your next trip? Check out our latest travel guides, written by local experts.

Though Rome’s main reputation is for terrific pasta and dazzling architecture, the city is actually a very fun place indeed. And by that we mean it’s got a really, really great bar scene. It’s poppin’. Why else do you think it’s called the Eternal City? These guys have been partying in the Italian capital since the beginning, so they’re pretty good at it by now.  But if you’re heading out to party, there’s one very important thing to bare in mind. If you’re looking to drink how the Romans do (excuse the cliché), know that they start their parties like they start their dinners: late. So have a late, carb-filled lunch, possibly a nap, and then start bar-hopping. Here are the best bars in Rome for late night drinks.  RECOMMENDED:🪩 The best clubs in Rome🍝 The best restaurants in Rome🍕 How to eat like a local in Rome📍 The best things to do in Rome Planning your next trip? Check out our latest travel guides, written by local experts.

Rome is a huge, sprawling, fantastic beast of a city. Bowls of cacio e pepe, plates of sautéed greens, huge open squares perfect for people watching, and huge, beautiful churches make it a vast metropolis, perfect for exploring (and eating). Once you’ve seen it in the flesh once, you’ll want to come back again and again. But to do that, you’re going to need to learn its rules.  From what time to order coffee to what days you can get into museums for free, there are a ton of tips and tricks out there to help you get the most out of your time in the big city. Luckily for you, we’ve rounded up 20 essential tips for your time in Rome – the kind of tips that only a local can know. We’re here to save you money and stop you embarrassing yourself. Here’s everything a first timer in Rome should know.  RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Rome 🍝 The best restaurants in Rome🏛️ Unmissable attractions in Rome🛍️ Where to go shopping in Rome🏨 The best hotels in Rome Planning your next trip? Check out our latest travel guides, written by local experts.

It’s got to be said, there’s absolutely no place like Rome. From the world’s most delicious cacio e pepe to some incredible architecture, terrific galleries and a whole load of laid-back wine bars. Once you’re there, you might never want to leave, but a wise man once told us that you can actually have too much of a good thing, and if that’s true, you might want to venture away from the capital, just once.  And it turns out Rome has some seriously nice neighbours, many of them just a short train journey away. Heading out on a day trip has never been easier, and our top five pretty much have it all. From winding streets to enticing chapels and hidden foodie spots, there’s so much to discover once you know where to look. Here are the best day trips from Rome.  RECOMMENDED: 📍 The best things to do in Rome🏛️ Unmissable attractions in Rome🍽️ The best restaurants in Rome🛍️ Where to go shopping in Rome🇮🇹 The best places to visit in Italy Planning your next trip? Check out our latest travel guides, written by local experts.

It’s been a rough few years for the world at large – but in many ways, a fantastic one for neighbourhoods. Although we haven’t been able to travel the world as freely as we once did, billions of us have been spending more time than ever closer to home. And in many of the world’s greatest cities, the result has been a full-blown neighbourhood renaissance. It’s true that much-loved local shops, restaurants, bars and creative spaces have, sadly, shuttered for good. But there’s also been a whole wave of new businesses opening, driven not just by increased footfall outside city centres, but also by the ‘great resignation’. City-dwellers have quit their corporate jobs to finally follow their joy, whether it’s opening that corner café or much-needed local LGBTQ+ bar, or just spending more time living slowly and spending more time (and money) in their local area. At the same time, local officials the world over have been re-establishing their neighbourhoods as places for people. In some cases that’s meant overhauling street space: less driving, more walking, cycling and hanging out. In others, it’s meant tackling problems like overtourism, inequality and air pollution. All of this has led to districts looking very different than they did just a few years ago – and becoming better places for locals and travellers alike. RECOMMENDED: The 33 coolest streets in the world Every year, we canvas thousands of city-dwellers around the world in our Time Out Index survey. As always, this year

Just 48 hours in Rome? That isn’t going to be enough! 48 lifetimes in the Eternal City wouldn’t be enough, hence the ‘eternal’ part of that nickname. Still, the modern world waits for nobody, and a weekend in Rome is better than a weekend just about anywhere else on the planet. The Italian capital is packed with things to do, from iconic attractions to romantic restaurants and enough gelato to make parents across the world coil back in horror while simultaneously ordering themselves a scoop or three. The perfect 48 hours in Rome? Let’s do it. 

Things happen in Rome, always have, always will. You aren’t going to pack into the Colosseum to see gladiators do battle with beasts (unless the night takes a particularly dark turn), but the best events in Rome are worth making the trip for. Of course, the incredible attractions, delicious restaurants and fabulous beaches are all worth the visit too, but if you can time your stay for one of the city’s best annual events, then you are onto a winner. Given the proximity to Vatican City, it is no surprise that many religious holidays here are marked by elaborate celebrations and big crowds, while each neighbourhood seems to have its own calendar of charming events. That’s how Rome is, there’s always something happening here.

Don’t just skip the line at the Vatican Museum to avoid the crowds... enjoy them all to yourself! With a little planning you can arrange to visit to the Vatican Museum and see one of the world’s most important art collections after dark, making for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The Vatican Museums are famed for their extensive collection of ancient sculptures, Renaissance works and the breathtaking Sistine Chapel. Many tour companies offer after-hour tours of the museums or book directly through the Musei Vaticani website.

Despite being located just a short walk from the Vatican Museums, Il Sorpasso is a refreshingly local bistro and one of the city’s best-kept secrets. With a shabby-chic atmosphere and creative menu, it strikes a perfect balance between cozy and contemporary and makes the most of seasonal ingredients. Start off with some local wine and a platter of cold-cuts and cheeses before moving on to the daily specials that include flavorful salads, fresh pasta dishes and expertly prepared meats.

Rome is famous for its thin-crust pizzas so you can’t leave the city without trying one of these delicious pies. Conveniently located in the heart of Rome, Emma is both an excellent pizzeria as well as upscale Roman restaurant that serves classic dishes like carbonara and amatriciana so it’s a great bet if you want to try an array of foods. Start with traditional fritti like suppli (fried rice balls) and fiore di zucca (fried zucchini flower with mozzarella) before enjoying a pizza topped with buffalo milk mozzarella.

Alcazar Live in Trastevere is one of Rome's liveliest hubs for cultural activities and nightlife, including live music, theatre, cinema and drinks. This dynamic space was formerly a movie theater and still features red velvet theater seats, along with a wide stage area to accommodate a wide range of shows each evening. Upstairs, the original area that housed the movie projector contains a trendy but low-key restaurant, so you can also stop by for food before the show. A full line-up is available on the Live Alcazar website.

After immersing yourself in a weekend filled with art and culture, head over to the Mercato Centrale to treat yourself to a wide array of Rome’s most celebrated street foods. The first and only veritable dining hall in the Eternal City, this gourmet paradise is a collection of some of the Rome’s finest eateries, including Bonci Pizza, Trapizzino pizza pockets, truffles, fresh pastas, wines by the glass, gelato and much more. Come hungry because you’ll want to pick and choose to try all the tantalizing options!

End your time in Rome like a real Roman: zipping through the city’s charming cobblestone streets and elegant piazzas on the back of a vintage vespa, being chauffeured through the Eternal City by your own personal Vespista. Scooteroma offers a variety of vespa tours through the city that are unique, exhilarating and fun, from a Street Art tour that takes you to Rome's more local neighborhoods to a Cinema tour that explores iconic locations from Fellini's La Dolce Vita. If you’re looking for something more bespoke, Scooteroma can also create customize itineraries to suit your tastes and preferences. It’s the perfect way to bid arrivederci to the city of Rome.