Can I see in Rome in a day exploring the most important monuments? You could rely on a Roman friend who can reach every destination in his car. A Roman knows how to move around and knows the history of his city. But what if this is not possible? Select a reliable agency that provides you with a certified local guide and an experienced driver. In any case, make sure to include a good typical restaurant! The day is long, and a bit of relaxation and good food can make a difference.
“Some people actually “do” Rome in a day. Crazy as that sounds, if all you have is a day, it’s one of the most exciting days Europe has to offer.
Start at 8:30 at the Colosseum. Then explore the Forum, hike over Capitoline Hill, and cap your “Caesar Shuffle” with a Pantheon visit. After a quick lunch, taxi to the Vatican Museums, then head to St. Peter’s Basilica.” This is taken from an article by Rick Steves and Gene Openshaw. We thank them a lot!!!
It’s actually possible to do something more …
How to see Rome in a day?
We leave long speeches about comfortable shoes and sunglasses to the others! There are a few tips you should keep in mind:
- Start early in the morning
- buy online the tickets before your arrival!
- Plan to see the Colosseum or the Vatican Museums with the first entrance slot and keep the other attraction as the afternoon’s last visit.
- Do not rush! Enjoy our wonderful city and rest in the middle of the day to enjoy a traditional lunch.
- Get a taxi for long distances, like from the Colosseum to the Vatican.
- Visit the 4 top Rome’s Fountains and Squares we listed. They are close one to the other and on everybody’s top list.
Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine
The Colosseum is the most iconic symbol of Rome and Italy! This sophisticated and ingenious work of engineering marvels at having survived through the centuries. When one thinks of the Colosseum, one imagines the brutal fights between beasts and gladiators that took place here.
The Palatine Hill is the legendary birthplace of Rome from which the word “palace” originates. Here are the remains of the most sumptuous residences of the Roman emperors and VIPs, including Cicerone.
The Roman Forum was the valley situated between four of the seven hills of Rome, a meeting ground of primitive tribes with the great destiny of evolving into the entire Roman world’s focal point. Only ruins? Not at all! A thousand anecdotes are related to these stones!
Trevi Fountain
A special place, an unexpected vision! The Trevi Fountain is a splendid baroque monument, not just a fountain but a white marble masterpiece! Remember to throw a coin behind your left shoulder to ensure your return to Rome!
The Pantheon
This is the scene: tourists sitting under the Renaissance fountain of its Square, eating ice cream, and staring at the most unique and massive antiquity structure. The Pantheon is here since 125 A.D. with its impressive dome and a single opening of almost 9 meters on its summit… and when it rains?
Spanish Steps
Commonly called the Spanish Steps is actually the “Steps of Trinità dei Monti” from the church’s name that dominates it. Built by the French to reach the church on top of the hill, the place is a spectacular meeting point for Romans and tourists. Numerous fashion shops surround it. But where is the so-called Spanish Square, then?
Piazza Navona
The most popular Square, Piazza Navona, still retains the shape of the 1st-century Stadium of Domitian, whose remains are still visible.
Sitting in one of the outdoor cafes or restaurants, you can admire the glorious Fountain of the Four Rivers by Bernini at its center. Depicted anthropologically to represent the four corners of the earth, the fountain has numerous anecdotes to tell.
Vatican Museums Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica
These majestic museums have been embellished over the centuries. The endless collections include marvelous works from every age and every part of the globe. The Sistine Chapel is still used for religious functions. Solemn rites are under the vaulted ceiling covered by Michelangelo’s famous frescoes, such as the conclave for the popes’ election. The Basilica and St. Peter’s Square are so rich in masterpieces and so perfectly conceived that they deceive the eye on their actual size. It is advisable to organize your visit in advance to focus on the most famous artworks of this small artistic universe.