Rome is jam-packed with things to do and see. These are some of our suggested itineraries. Make sure to leave yourself time to just wander and get the feel of the city as well.
Rome in 1 Day
Rome wasn’t built in a day, but if that’s all you have to see it, take a deep breath, strap on some stylish-but-comfy sneakers, and grab a cappuccino to help you get an early start. Get ready for a spectacular sunrise-to-sunset tour of the Ancient City.
Begin near Piazza Navona by getting a coffee at the bar of Sant’Eustachio il Caffè right when it opens at 7:30 am. Close by are two opulently over-the-top monuments that show off Rome at its Baroque best: the church of Sant’Ignazio, with its stunning painted ceiling, and the princely Palazzo Doria Pamphilj, packed with great Old Master paintings. Midmorning, head west a few blocks to find the fabled Pantheon, still looking like Emperor Hadrian might arrive shortly. A few blocks north is San Luigi dei Francesi, home to Caravaggio’s earliest major commissions.
Just before lunch, saunter a block or so westward into the gorgeous Piazza Navona, studded with Bernini fountains. Then take Via della Cuccagna (at the piazza’s south end) and continue several blocks toward Campo de’ Fiori’s open-air food market. This is a great place to stop for lunch.
Two more blocks toward the Tiber brings you to one of the most romantic streets of Rome—Via Giulia—laid out by Pope Julius II in the early 16th century. Walk past 10 blocks of Renaissance palazzi and ivy-draped antiques shops to take a bus (from the stop near the Tiber) over to the Vatican.
Top Picks for You
Recommended Fodor’s Video
Gape at St. Peter’s Basilica, then hit the treasure-filled Musei Vaticani (for the Sistine Chapel) in the early afternoon. During lunch, the crowds thin out some, but you can avoid lines if you book online at tickets.museivaticani.va (the €5 service fee is well worth the time saved). Wander for about two hours and then head for the Ottaviano stop near the museum and Metro your way to the Colosseo stop.
Climb up into the Colosseum and picture it full of screaming toga-clad citizens enjoying the spectacle of gladiators in mortal combat. Follow Via dei Fori Imperiali to the entrance of the Roman Forum. Photograph yourself giving a “Friends, Romans, Countrymen” oration (complete with upraised hand) by a crumbling column. At sunset, the Forum closes and the floodlights come on.
March down the Forum’s ancient Via Sacra and back out into Via dei Fori Imperiali where you will head around “the wedding cake,” the looming Vittorio Emanuele II Monument (Il Vittoriano), to the Campidoglio. Here, on the Capitoline Hill, tour the great ancient Roman art treasures of the Musei Capitolini, and admire the view over the Forum from the Tabularium and toward St. Peter’s from the terrace by the museum’s caffè. If you’re not entering the museum, there is a spectacular view over the Forum from the Capitoline Hill (at the top of Via Monte Tarpeo).
After dinner, hail a cab—or take a long stroll (passeggiata) down La Dolce Vita memory lane—to the Trevi Fountain, a gorgeous sight at night. Don’t forget to toss a coin in over your shoulder to ensure a trip back to Rome.
Rome in 3 Days
More time in Rome will allow you to explore more of the Roman Forum and the Vatican Museums, check out some less touristy sights, and drink your way through hip neighborhoods like Trastevere.
Day 1: Ancient Rome
Spend your first day exploring the likes of the Roman Forum, the Musei Capitolini, and the Colosseum. This area is pretty compact, but you can easily spend a full morning and afternoon exploring its treasures. Try to beat the crowds at the Colosseum by arriving right when it opens at 8:30 am (advance tickets help, too). A guided tour of the Forum is also a good way to make the most out of your afternoon. After your day of sightseeing, stop for a classic Roman dinner in nearby Monti.
Day 2: The Vatican and Piazza Navona
Another full day of sightseeing awaits when you make your way to the city-state known as the Vatican. To make the most of your time, book online reservations (for an extra €5) ahead of time, especially if you want a glimpse of the Sistine Chapel. Also, consider booking a tour of the Vatican Museums; most tours last two hours. Be sure to allow time to marvel at St. Peter’s Basilica, too. Stop for lunch in nearby Prati, and, when you’re done with the Vatican, cross the river and take in the glorious Piazza Navona and its sculptures. Stop by the Pantheon before heading to the area around Campo de’ Fiori for dinner at an outdoor restaurant. Afterward, there are plenty of nearby bars to keep you occupied.
Day 3: Piazza di Spagna, Villa Borghese, and Trastevere
Start your morning with breakfast near the Trevi Fountain. Do some window-shopping along Via Condotti or its surrounding streets as you make your way to the Spanish Steps. Pose for some postcard-worthy photos there before heading to nearby Villa Borghese. If you’re sick of museums, feel free to explore Rome’s main park and enjoy the great views; if you’re up for some more art, the Galleria Borghese is one of the city’s best art museums. Afterward, head to trendy Trastevere for dinner, and soak in the cobblestone streets and charming medieval houses as you bar-hop during your last night in town.
If You Have More Time
If you have an extra day, head out to Ostica Antica, an ancient port city that is now one of the best preserved archaeological ruins in all of Italy. A train to the site leaves every 15 minutes from the Porta San Paolo station; the trip takes a mere 35 minutes. Take your time exploring these impressive ruins, and be sure to stop for lunch in town, too. Other great day trips include the gorgeous villas in the town of Tivoli, the charming small villages of the Castelli Romani, and the whimsical gardens of Bomarzo.
If you’d rather stay in the city itself, you can take your time exploring churches and cathedrals like Sant’Ignazio or San Clemente. You can also visit gorgeous palaces like the Palazzo Doria Pamphilj, or check out lesser known but impressive museums like the MAXXI or the MACRO. Visiting the ancient Roman road known as the Via Appia Antica and its spooky yet mesmerizing catacombs is another great way to spend an afternoon immersed in Roman history.