Itineraries for Your Trip to Rome
1 Day in Rome for First Timers
It took millennia to build Rome, and you'll need more than a day to see its splendor. I have lived in or near the Eternal City for decades and still haven’t explored all of its art and architecture, let alone its eateries and shops. A plan is vital so you're not overwhelmed by the culture and cuisine.
On my inaugural visit to Rome, I thought I would “play it by ear,” which meant spending time in lines for the Colosseum and Vatican Museums and dining on fast food as the trattorias were full. Now, I know better and plot out admission tickets, tours, and meals in advance. Here’s how to see the best of Rome in one day.
The mercury soars in summer, but the dress code at churches like St. Peter’s Basilica requires clothing that covers your knees and shoulders.
If you only have time for one thing, make it the Colosseum to marvel at its undimmed glory.
Stretch your sightseeing hours by starting your day at sunrise with an early-access Vatican tour. Beat the crowds and enter the Vatican Museums before they open to the general public. You'll see the galleries and Sistine Chapel in relative peace and learn about masters such as Michelangelo and Raphael. End with fast-track access to St. Peter’s Basilica to marvel at its soaring architecture and collection of masterpieces, plus climb the St. Peter’s Dome for bird’s-eye views of St. Peter’s Square.
Now that you’ve checked the Vatican off your list, head across the Tiber River on foot (or take the metro line A at the Ottavia station to the Spagna stop) to explore the city’s historic center. There are endless options for Rome sightseeing tours on foot or by hop-on-hop-off bus, tuk-tuk, e-bike, or Vespa scooter. You’ll have a chance to touch on blockbusters like the Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi), Pantheon, and Spanish Steps (Piazza di Spagna) in a few hours, plus stop to cool off with a gelato break.
Cap off your day in Rome by visiting its most famous sight after the midday heat and crowds begin to wane with an evening Colosseum tour. Take metro line B to the Colosseo stop and explore with a guide for fascinating insights to help you understand the history and design of this ancient Roman landmark. Most evening tours focus on the amphitheater, but you can book a tour earlier in the afternoon to include stops inside the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. Afterward, linger in the trendy surrounding Monti neighborhood for dinner and drinks.
- I’m in Rome for one day. What are the must-see attractions that I should visit?
The Colosseum and Vatican Museums (along with the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica) are the two undisputed headliners in Rome, so a first-time visit should include at least one of these. Other must-see’s are clustered in the attraction-filled historic center—including the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, and Spanish Steps—easy to cover in just a few hours on foot.
- What are the top foods and drinks to try in Rome?
Rome’s four cornerstone pasta dishes—carbonara, amatriciana, cacio e pepe, and gricia—dominate the city’s traditional cuisine, but street food specialties such as supplì (fried rice balls) and trapizzino (pizza pockets) are also worth seeking out. The aperitivo cocktail hour is an ideal time to try a spritz, negroni, or other classic Italian cocktails.
- Which Rome neighborhoods should I visit if I’m only in town for one day?
Most of Rome’s sights are located in the historic center, so this neighborhood tops the list of best neighborhoods in Rome. Head to Vatican City to take in St. Peter’s Square and other Vatican sights; Trastevere for great dining and nightlife; and Monti for the top boutique shopping in the city.
- What’s the easiest way for a first timer to get around Rome?
The traffic is famously chaotic in Italy’s capital city, and buses tend to be overcrowded and unreliable. Rome’s metro system is simpler to navigate; there are stops near Piazza Barberini and the Spanish Steps along the A line (red) and near the Colosseum along the B line (blue). The historic center sights are easiest to explore on foot, as much of this area is closed to traffic, while hop-on hop-off bus tours are a stress-free way to cover the outlying sights.