Are you going to Rome without a tour operator and on your own? Planning to visit Rome in one day? Check out our itinerary of attractions and sights not to miss when visiting Rome for 1 day.
Rome is home to some of the most beautiful sights in the world, and not all of them can be seen in one day. That’s why it’s important to plan your city tour in advance and make an itinerary so you can see the best of Rome. The itinerary also includes a map so you can plan your trip quickly and easily.
Is it possible to reach Rome in one day?
Is it even possible to reach Rome in one day? You can easily do the whole historic centre and 2 gelato with it.
But you have to take into account that you won’t be able to see most of the sights. Rather, you’ll just soak up the atmosphere and find that you need to go back to Rome and explore the city again.
A minimum of 3 days is required to explore Rome in depth. You can also use our itinerary, which can be easily spread over 3 days.
Or read the separate itinerary for Rome for 3 days for a map of the routes for each day and other useful tips.
Rome in one day: route map
HOW TO USE THIS MAP: Above you will find a detailed itinerary map for Rome in 1 day. Click at the top left of the map to see separate layers with highlighted locations. You can hide and show the different layers or click on the icons on the map to see the names of the places mentioned in the itinerary. If you want to save the map, mark it with an star. It will then be saved to your Google Maps and can be retrieved at any time on your mobile phone or computer. For a larger version of the map, click on the icon in the top right corner.
What to see and visit in Rome in 1 day? Itinerary and tips
The main historical centre of Rome is small, so you can walk around. I recommend proper shoes because Rome is known for its uneven pavements.
If you’d like to see some of the sights, see the separate article on sights in Rome for information on entrance fees and opening times.
HOW TO GET FROM THE FIUMICINO AIRPORT TO THE CITY CENTRE: Private transfer from the airport is the most convenient way to get to Rome. Buses are the most popular mode of transfer – there are several carriers to choose from, the most reliable being SIT Bus-Shuttle. They stop at the Vatican and Termini station. Just show your ticket on your mobile phone on the spot. The advantage is that if you miss the original connection, you can take the next one without any problems. The third and fastest option is the Leonardo Express.
Rome in 1 day: the Colosseum – Forum Romanum – Palatine Hill
We begin poetically in ancient Rome. Where it all began for Rome. This is where we started, because we were eager to see the Colosseum.
Colosseum
Visiting Rome and not seeing the Colosseum is like being in Paris and not seeing the Eiffel Tower or skipping Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world.
The Colosseum in Rome can hold up to 80,000 spectators. It is the largest amphitheater ever built. It has survived earthquakes, fires, wars and riots. Gladiatorial fights and animal fights took place here. Or it was flooded for a mock naval battle.
We were thrilled with the Colosseum. It was live exactly as we imagined it. Colosseum. The trash around and lots of street vendors with selfie sticks were no longer in our imagination.
If you want to take a photo with the Colosseum at your back, from Termini Station go through the Parco del Colle Oppio. The park is not very well maintained, but there are other remains of ancient Rome here and at least you get a different view of the Colosseum.
Tour of the Colosseum, Forum Romanum and Palatine Hill
You must book your ticket in advance for the Colosseum. The ticket is combined and includes the adjacent Forum Romanum and Palatine Hill, where there is a common entrance.
I recommend booking tickets first thing in the morning when it’s less crowded – you book a specific time you need to be there. Security checks are fast.
Reservations are not possible on the first Sunday of the month, when admission is free for all.
Allow about an hour for the Colosseum tour itself. The whole area, including the Forum Romanum and Palatine Hill, will take you 2-3 hours.
TIP: Tickets to the Colosseum it’s best to book in advance if you want to make sure you get in. Book well in advance, they tend to sell out weeks in advance. There are also guided tours, with which you will learn a lot of interesting and fun facts.
Forum Romanum and Palatine Hill
The Forum Romanum is directly opposite the Colosseum. It reflects the importance of the whole Roman Empire. Ruins of temples, palaces, government buildings.
If you don’t have enough time, you can see the Forum Romanum on the way to Piazza Venezia – from the Colosseum, head slightly uphill along Via dei Fori Imperiali.
Palatine Hill is connected to the Roman Forum. It is an elevated area that used to be a residential area for the Roman nobility in the past. There are also good views of the Roman Forum, the Colosseum and the Circus Maximus.
The entrance to the Palatine Hill and the Forum Romanum is shared. Both seats are included in the ticket to the Colosseum. Unlike the Colosseum, you don’t have to book a specific time here.
Rome in 1 day: the Piazza Venezia and the Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II.
The road to Piazza Venezia from ancient Rome is full of Roman ruins and interesting places. History really oozes from every piece of stone here. On your right you’ll see the impressive Trajan’s Markets, but unfortunately there’s no time for them in such a short itinerary for Rome in one day.
Piazza Venezia
Piazza Venezia is in the heart of Rome. The traffic gets pretty thick here, so you better look around three times before you cross. Italians on the road…it’s worth it. In other countries, they would soon be without a driver’s license :).
Vittorio Emanuele II Memorial
The Vittorio Emanuele II Monument is a beautiful, imposing building built in honour of King Vittorio Emanuele II. It has nothing to do with ancient Rome and is infamously nicknamed the Whipped Cream Cake by locals, but it’s definitely worth a visit. Guests can climb to the upper terrace for a fee and view the surrounding area.
Rome in 1 day: the Trevi Fountain – Pantheon – Angel Castle
Trevi Fountain
From the Piazza Venezia, we head to Bernini’s Trevi Fountain. This is one of the most beautiful places not to be missed when visiting Rome. Even if you only have one day. The Trevi Fountain symbolises the abundance and health that water brings. The backdrop for the sculptures is the Palazzo Poli, which today houses the National Institute for Graphic Arts.
Tradition says that if you throw a coin into the fountain (from your right hand over your left shoulder), you will return to Rome one day. If you toss 2 coins there, you will meet love and 3 coins will bring marriage. Get ready for the coins to fly and maybe you’ll get some in your head like we did :).
The square around the Trevi Fountain is tiny. Most of it is actually taken up by the fountain itself. This gives it an even greater impression of monumentality. You feel like you are standing on a theatre stage watching an amazing performance. Everybody wants to see it, so there are lots of tourists during the day and late in the evening.
If you would like to see the Trevi Fountain without tourists, you must arrive early in the morning. But this is difficult to combine with a one-day itinerary.
Queues and crowds of tourists are common in Rome. In some places even in the low season.
From the Trevi Fountain, it’s a few minutes to the Spanish Steps. A beautiful place, but in our opinion not one of the top must-see places in Rome. Especially if you only have one day or plan to catch the Vatican.
Hotels in Rome 😴
Pantheon
The Pantheon is just a few minutes from the Trevi Fountain. It is an incredible building that will absolutely amaze you. I can’t even describe the atmosphere here.
The Pantheon is a church and mausoleum that was originally used for the worship of planetary gods. It is especially famous for its dome, which is the largest dome of unreinforced concrete in the world. In the upper part of the dome there is an opening with a diameter of 9 meters, through which, in addition to the door, the only daylight enters the church.
Admission to the Pantheon is free and be sure to at least take a peek. I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Piazza Navona
We’re coming to Piazza Navona. One of the most famous and beautiful squares in Rome. Tourists abound here, so prices are inflated. If you’re not hungry by now, I recommend eating near Piazza Navona. In one of the side streets where there are several great restaurants. We ate well at the Quelli de’ Coronari restaurant.
Piazza Navona is a large square famous for the Fountain of Neptune, the fountain of the four rivers with the river gods, who symbolize the largest rivers of the 4 major continents. Another wonderful work by Bernini, whose work has been seen in many places in Rome and the Vatican.
Angel Castle
From Piazza Navona we continue to the Angel Castle. Another place that must be on the list of things to see in Rome. The streets towards the castle are narrow, cobbled and charming. We go to the Tiber River, over which the Angel Bridge with the Angel Castle is crossing.
The Angelic Castle is called Hadrian’s Tomb after the Roman emperor who had the castle built as a mausoleum for himself and his family. It is one of the oldest buildings in Rome.
Rome in one day: the Vatican
St. Peter’s Square is almost in sight from Angel’s Castle. After passing through the Angel Castle, turn left along the river and in 10 minutes you are at the foot of the Basilica of St. In 10 minutes you reach St. Peter’s Basilica.
Read our detailed guide to the Vatican.
St. Peter’s Basilica
St. Peter’s Basilica is an important pilgrimage site and one of the holiest and largest churches of the Catholic Church. It is the place where the Pope presides over many liturgies throughout the year.
Entrance to St. Peter’s Basilica is free and if you have time, make sure you come here. There are many beautiful churches and basilicas in Rome and the Vatican, and it would be a shame not to visit any of them. It should be late afternoon after a full day in Rome, so there will most likely not be crowds of tourists. The biggest queues start to form later in the morning and in the morning. St Peter’s Basilica is open until 7pm in high season and 6:30pm in low season.
For a fee (€8, or €10 if you take a partial lift; pay in cash) you can go up to the dome and enjoy the view of St Peter’s Square. The dome closes about an hour before the basilica.
Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
Do you still have time? How about visiting one of the best art collections in the world and ending a great day in Rome? The Vatican Museums are famous for their collection of Roman statues, masterpieces of Renaissance art and Michelangelo’s frescoes in the Sistine Chapel (the chapel is part of the Vatican Museum tour – you can’t miss it on the way).
How to skip the queues for the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel: You can skip the queue by ordering tickets to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel online. At the venue, you will then go through the middle entrance for those who have booked a ticket in advance.
Just beware that the last entry to the Vatican Museums is at 5 pm. During the season (approximately the end of April to the first week of October), the last entry is possible at 18:00 on Fridays, Saturdays and selected days. For the most up-to-date information, see our guide to the Vatican Museums.
Sundays are closed except for the last one of the month, and that’s free – the queues are so long that it’s better to skip visiting the Vatican Museums on Sundays.
St Peter’s Basilica is about a 15-minute walk from the Vatican Museums. If you want to go straight to the museums without visiting the Basilica, the entrance is from Viale Vaticano – you walk along the walls of the Vatican until you reach the entrance to the Vatican Museums (about a 10-minute walk).
The Vatican Museums include a collection of more than 20,000 objects and art. With limited time, it’s a good idea to plan in advance what you want to see at the museums. You can find out everything you need to know in my articles on the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel.
HOW TO GET FROM THE FIUMICINO AIRPORT TO THE CITY CENTRE: Private transfer from the airport is the most convenient way to get to Rome. Buses are the most popular mode of transfer – there are several carriers to choose from, the most reliable being SIT Bus-Shuttle. They stop at the Vatican and Termini station. Just show your ticket on your mobile phone on the spot. The advantage is that if you miss the original connection, you can take the next one without any problems. The third and fastest option is the Leonardo Express.
Ticket Reservation
Map of Rome
HOW TO USE THIS MAP: Above you will find a detailed map of museums, monuments and attractions to visit and see in Rome. Click at the top left of the map to see separate layers with highlighted locations. You can hide and show the different layers or click on the icons on the map to see the names of the places I mention in my guide to Rome. If you want to save the map, star it. For a larger version, click on the icon in the upper right corner.
Our tips before visiting Rome
- Wear comfortable shoes. The pavements are often cobbled and not very straight.
- Try the food outside the main tourist spots. In a hidden alley, where mostly locals visit. Not only will you save money, but your taste buds will enjoy it more. Find tips for great restaurants here.
- Summer or winter, Italian gelato is a must-try, even if it’s slightly above freezing. The popular ice cream parlour is located right next to the Trevi Fountain.
- Take in the main tourist spots such as the Colosseum, the Vatican or the Trevi Fountain.
- Or, alternatively, walk through Rome after dark, when it is beautifully lit up. All the places we passed once more in the dark were almost devoid of people – the Angel’s Castle, the Colosseum or St Peter’s Square (there were a lot of homeless people here, so be careful).
- The city places great emphasis on safety. The main tourist spots in Rome are guarded by soldiers. Still, be wary of pickpockets and watch out for ticket scams at the Coliseum. Tickets are always purchased online in advance.
- See if the Roma Pass and Roma and Vatican Pass can save you money. Their comparison can be found in the previous article.
- How to pack and not forget anything? Before you go, take a look at the universal list of things to pack for a great holiday in the city.
Where to stay when visiting Rome for the day?
My recommendation is to stay near Termini Station, where you arrive from Fiumincino or Ciampino Airport. There are several nice hotels, many good restaurants nearby, grocery stores (Coop), good metro connections to the whole of Rome and you can walk to the centre in a few minutes.
Tips for the best accommodation in Rome:
- Hotel Impero – cheap hotel with excellent breakfast and roof terrace; older facilities but clean and cosy; quiet at night
- Hotel Borromeo – 3* hotel with air conditioning and roof terrace; minutes from the metro and within walking distance of the historic centre
- Hive hotel – 4* hotel with modern and clean rooms; rooms and suites for up to 4 people available; spacious roof terrace with seating and restaurant
- hu Roma Camping in Town – accommodation in air-conditioned bungalows or chalets, restaurant, refreshments, free parking, jacuzzi, swimming pool, bar
Hotels in Rome 😴
We’ve created a detailed guide on where to stay in Rome (best neighbourhoods and hotels, a map and how to get from your accommodation to the sights or the airport).
These were our tips on what to see in Rome in 1 day. Do you have a question? Ask in the comments below. Have a safe journey!
More about Rome
THE BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN ROME: In our article on what to visit in Rome, you will find detailed descriptions of the most beautiful places, including information on admission fees and opening times. We also have special guides for the monuments of ancient Rome or the best museums in Rome.
We’ve created a detailed guide to the Vatican that tells you everything you need to know before your visit.
Read the guides for the Vatican Museums and the Colosseum to avoid queues on site. What not to miss in the Sistine Chapel is covered in a separate article.
ITINERARY FOR ROME: Get inspired by our itinerary for Rome in 3 days.
ACCOMMODATION IN ROME: We’ve created a detailed guide on where to stay in Rome (best neighbourhoods and accommodation on a budget, a map and how to get from your accommodation to the sights or the airport).
HOW TO ENJOY ROME: For tips on the best things to do in Rome, check out our article on what in. We also share some tips on how to save in Rome and more than 35 tips for travelling around Rome. In a separate article, you can find out about all the ways to get from Fiumicino Airport to the centre of Rome.
FAQ – Rome in 1 day
Yes, you can walk through the historic centre of Rome in a day, but you have to expect that you won’t see inside most of the monuments. But the whole of Rome is beautiful in itself and just wandering the streets of Rome is an unforgettable experience.
The great thing about Rome is that the historic centre is relatively small and the vast majority of the sights are located here. Take inspiration from our itinerary and map of the most famous ones that you should not miss during your visit.
