Well… hello there friend! If you are currently planning a trip to Rome, or visiting shortly, I’m so excited for you.😍 Rome and I are on a first-name basis, and I want to introduce you to her and her eternality in a non-intimidating way. Spending one day in Rome means being ready to put on comfy clothing, shoes, and have fully charged phones and cameras. It also means having to sacrifice entering some sites to enjoy the city to the fullest.
Whether you have visited before or it’s your first time, this itinerary is curated to make your day smooth and filled with the best of Rome; including special hidden gems. Here, I will be honest about what is realistic for a Rome day trip and what is worth seeing or not. Throughout this itinerary, I also include insider tips, optional hidden gems, the best gluten-free restaurants, gelaterias, and more.
Due to family, I have visited Rome twice a year (if not more) for the past 25 years. This itinerary is brutally honest on certain landmarks and will allow you to experience Rome as a local – while still seeing the important hot spots. Keep reading to discover how to best spend one day in Rome!👇
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How to Spend One Day in Rome
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✨ Itineraries: 2 days in Rome
Rome may be an eternal city, but if you’re ready to walk 30,000 steps, you will be able to see the most important sites. Being such an immense city, this itinerary’s order is set up to give you the smoothest walk throughout.
On a brutally honest note, if you are planning to enter the Colosseum or the Vatican Museums, I highly advise against it. Instead, I recommend seeing both sites from the outside and focusing on seeing the city and everything else it has to offer.
Why? The Colosseum and the Vatican are very hectic to visit and enter, and personally – not worth missing out on Rome’s magic. However, if you must see at least one of them – make sure to visit first thing in the morning and follow the itinerary from there. In addition, I include all the information you need to visit the two places.
This itinerary begins with the Colosseum as the first site – but if you plan to enter the Vatican Museums, start there and follow this itinerary backward. Happy Reading!😊
Il Colosseo – The Colosseum
What says “Welcome to Rome” more than the Colosseum itself? Nothing!😍
If you’re spending one day only in Rome, I recommend admiring the Colosseum from the outside and beginning your journey around the city afterward. However, if for you this is a must-enter, here is what you need to know about visiting the Colosseum.
First things first, buy a skip-the-line ticket well in advance. I can attest to the Colosseum lines being incredibly long, even with tickets. While there isn’t a specific best time to visit, the morning is your opportunity to be surrounded by smaller crowds. If you’re in Rome in the summertime, you may want to consider an evening tour to see the Colosseum lit up.
This best-rated guided tour, this one will bring you to the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. This high-rated tour will allow you to dive deeper into Ancient Rome and all its history.
Book your tickets today – before they sell out!👇
Altare della Patria – Altar of the Fatherland
Once you are done admiring or visiting the Colosseum, make your way down the beautiful Via dei Fori Imperiali. Via dei Fori Imperiali is a large street surrounded by various imperial forums and other historical sites.
Towards the end of this street, sits the Altare della Patria. The Altar of the Fatherland is, personally, a beautiful building. However, many people call it the Wedding Cake or Typewriter to express their dislike of the building. This dislike is due to this monument being new and pearly white when compared to the historic buildings that surround it.
Now that you know that fun fact, let’s talk about visiting the Altar of the Fatherland! The Altare della Patria is free of entrance and you can walk up to the top. From the rooftop, you will see some beautiful views of Rome and the Colosseum. Should you choose to, you can also bring some popcorn and enjoy the roundabout craziness from above.🚗
Santa Maria in Aracoeli (Hidden Gem)
Santa Maria in Aracoeli is a beautiful hidden gem that sits right next to the Altar of the Fatherland. This church dates back to the 6th century and sits atop the Scalinata dell’ Ara Coeli — a staircase once considered holy, believed to grant grace to those who climbed it on their knees (TurismoRoma).
Whether you are a religious person or not, this church is a spectacular work of art that is worth the 124 step climb! This church is free of entrance and there is no dress code.
Fontana di Trevi – Trevi Fountain
It’s time to live out your Lizzie McGuire moment (but without a tone-deaf superstar named Pablo). The Trevi Fountain is a short 11-minute walk during endless stores will surround you.
If you make it to the Trevi Fountain before 11 am, you will be able to walk around it smoothly. Around noon it will be game over with the immense crowds that flood through.
❗️Insider Tip❗️: Being such a popular site, the Trevi Fountain is a hot spot for scammers and likely pick-pocketers. Some scams you will find include “friendship bracelets” and paintings on the floor. If anyone comes up to you offering you something for free, know that it is NEVER free. These people are not aggressive but can be insistent. If someone tries to put a bracelet on you, simply walk away and keep all your belongings close to you. For the paintings on the floor or a clear cup for coins, stay as far away from them because if you step on something, the scammer will harass you for payment for “damages”.
Pizza in Trevi & Gelato G Italiano
If you are celiac and arrive at the Trevi Fountain around lunch, or even dinner time, Pizza in Trevi is one of the best gluten-free restaurants in Rome. In addition, Gelato G Italiano is one of the best gluten-free gelaterias in Rome. Both of these places are AIC-certified, meaning they are safe for celiac people.
Before ever trying these two places I was worried they’d be tourist traps, and boy was I WRONG! Capital letters because I was so wrong. Come here for some delicious pizza, pasta, and gelato – whether you are celiac or not!
Spanish Steps & Visual Merchandising
Come to Piazza Spagna and walk the most iconic stairs in Rome!
By the Spanish Steps, are endless high-end fashion and jewelry stores. I strongly believe that nobody has a stronger visual-merchandising game than Italians. If you love fashion and jewelry, make sure to walk down the streets and admire the window setups – you will love them!
Pantheon
Ahhh… the beautiful, architectural work of art!! The Pantheon is one of Ancient Rome’s best-preserved monuments and dates back to 25 B.C. This monument is thought to have been designed for the Roman Gods as a temple.
There are a couple of fun facts about this work of art, one being Michelangelo saying the design of the Pantheon design is from angels, not man. The other fun fact? Despite the circular opening of the dome, it NEVER rains inside the Pantheon! This is due to the pressure within the building keeping the rain outside.
Unless you are a Rome resident, or its the first Sunday of the month, it costs 5 euros to enter the Pantheon. Lines for the Pantheon can be absurdly long, so spare yourself the time by booking in advance a skip-the-line ticket!👇 For the same price, if you want to dive deeper into the history, you can get a skip-the-line ticket with an audio guide.
Casa del Caffé Tazza D’Oro
If you’re a coffee lover… you’re in for a treat! Casa del Caffé Tazza D’Oro is one of Rome’s best and most-known coffee shops. Dating back to 1946, Casa del Caffé continues to prioritize high quality and tradition, which explains its continued success.
Casa del Caffé sits right in front of the Pantheon and is the perfect pick-me-up! Here, you MUST try their signature drink: Granita al Caffé con Panna. If you’re not familiar with it, Granita is a Sicilian-arab dessert that is essentially ice and flavoring. Their signature drink is coffee granita with two layers of fresh, homemade whip cream. This dessert/drink is refreshing and offers the most perfect balance between the dark coffee’s bitterness and the lightness and freshness of the whipped cream.
Piazza Navona – Navona Square
Welcome to the most beautiful square of Rome! Piazza Navona is a square with three, important Baroque Fountains of Bernini: Fontana dei Fiumi, the Fontana di Nettuno, and the Fontana del Moro. In addition to its Baroque architecture, this square is built on the ruins of the Diocletian’s Stadium.
Fun game to play: look CLOSELY at the statues of the Fontana di Nettuno (Neptune Fountain). I had a great laugh looking closely. Watch my reel to learn about the Neptune Fountain and understand better why I find the statue funny.😂
❗️Insider Tip❗️: The restaurants here are tourist traps. Don’t eat here.
Sant’Agnese in Agone (Hidden Gem)
Now that you are in Piazza Navona, you have to enter the church! The church is Sant’Agnese in Agone and inside is a breathtaking, 17th-century Baroque work of art.
If this makes sense, the outside of the church is not a hidden gem – but the indoors is, due to few people realizing they can enter. I, for example, didn’t enter my whole life thinking it was part of the Brazilian Embassy.😂
Arco dei Banchi (Hidden Gem)
If you love starry skies, like me, this hidden gem is for you! The Arco dei Banchi has a deep-blue ceiling with endless and tiny yellow stars painted. The walls are warm, and light orange, and there’s a Hail Mary painting from the 19th century. This peaceful spot is right on the way to the next destination in the itinerary – Castel Sant’Angelo.
Castel Sant’Angelo (Hidden Gem)
Another hidden-in-plain-sight gem! If you’ve been to Rome, you have seen this monument various times and likely didn’t think twice about checking it out. Castel Sant’Angelo dates back to the 2nd century AD and was built for Roman Emperor Hadrian to be a mausoleum. Throughout the many centuries, this landmark has gone through various transformations and renovations – going from being a fortress to a papal residence, to now a museum and attraction.
The façade is not the most inviting one, but the indoors are worth every penny – especially the views from its higher floors! If you want to see the most beautiful views of Rome, and witness its eternality, make sure to visit Castel Sant’Angelo. There is even a bar/coffee shop a-top, allowing you to have a delicious cappuccino or Aperol Spritz with the best views.
Fun fact, Castel Sant’Angelo has a bridge that connects it to the Vatican City. When this monument was a papal residence, the Pope would walk on the bridge toward the Vatican for safety and a faster route. Can you spot the narrow bridge? (Hint: look at the bottom right corner👀)
❗️Insider Tip❗️If you are a EU citizen 25 and under you get a discounted entry ticket of around 3 euros. If you are an AIRE member, you get in for free! If you are any of the above, make sure to bring your ID and any necessary information (like proof of AIRE membership) to enjoy free/discounted tickets.
Book your skip-the-line, entry tickets here!👇 Want to dive into the history – here are the audioguide tickets!
Il Vaticano – Vatican City
After visiting the Castel Sant’Angelo, why not visit a different country?
Was that a funny joke, or a forehead slap wishing you hadn’t read the “joke”?😂 However you may feel about the joke – head to the iconic Vatican City to admire all its beauty and glory!
If the Vatican Museums is a must-visit for you, make sure your day starts here and you follow this itinerary backward. Most importantly, you will need to buy tickets WELL in advance!
Entering St. Peter’s Basilica is free, but to avoid long queues you can get a guided tour. To enter, you must follow the dress code – no shoulders nor knees showing (and bellies if you have a crop top). People will check outfits and deny entry if you don’t follow the dress code.
Book your tickets today, before they sell out!👇
❗️Insider Tip❗️Something important to note is that the Vatican Museum does not have an entry limit. This means that you will be in a sea of people during your visit. If interested, here are some great alternatives:
Jewish Quarter
What better way to end your day in Rome than with the Jewish Quarter and its INSANELY DELICIOUS cuisine?😍 Not only does this hidden gem of a neighborhood have delicious restaurants, but it is also full of fun and vibrant vibes.
You can let yourself roam around, or book this best-rated tour. Whichever way you go, get ready to EAT!😍
Practical Tips for Spending One Day in Rome
Getting to and from the Fiumicino Airport
To get to and from the Fiumicino Airport, your best transportation method will be a combination of the Trenitalia train and the Metro. The Trenitalia ticket will be around 8 euros only with a commute of 30 minutes. When you reach Roma Ostiense, you will walk a few minutes to get on the Metro, Line B Rebibbia. This method will bring you next to the Colosseum. Depending on where you start the day, the metro line might change but the train will be the same.
The public transportation of Rome is easy to navigate and, personally, has always functioned properly!
Is the 1-Day Rome City Card Worth it?
One city card that is highly rated is the Rome Tourist Card. This card costs 97 euros and includes skip-the-line tickets to the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Vatican Museums, Sistine Chap, and more. While this is a decent deal, it is not worth it if you’re in Rome for only one day.
Why? Because you won’t have time to visit all these places in one day – unless you’re okay with missing out on the beauty of the Eternal City.
Delicious Roman Food Tours
What better way to eat all the must-eats of Roman food than with a Roman Food Tour? These tours will introduce you to endless, delicious food; including the insane street food. If you’re a foodie, this is not to be missed out on!
Unique Rome City Tours To Take
Do you prefer being chauffeured by particular vehicles around the eternal city? If so, check out these unique highly-rated tours!
Insider Tip Recap
Early Mornings
If you hope to see certain attractions with little crowds, early mornings will be your best friends! Usually, the hectic Rome crowds slowly start to roll in between 11 am and 12 pm.
Where to Eat Gluten-Free?
If you are celiac or gluten intolerant, here are the best gluten-free restaurants in Rome! I, fellow (Italian) celiac, curated this list to have the best of the best – from restaurants, to gelaterias, to bakeries, and more.
Free Entry & Heavily Discounted Tickets
Many of Rome’s attractions have various possibilities for free entry or heavily discounted tickets. For example, if you are an EU citizen 25 and Under, you will likely get discounted tickets. If you are an Italian living abroad and an AIRE member, you will likely get free entry or discounted price. Due to these opportunities, always have your documents with you in case your age group, or AIRE status, has benefits.
Scammers & Pickpocketers
Rome is an overall safe city but has a large amount of pickpocketers and scammers. It is important that you always stay aware of your surroundings and keep all your belongings in a safe place. For example, if you have your phone in your jacket’s pocket – keep your hand on it at all times. Or at restaurants, never leave a phone or something precious on the table.
Overall, if someone gets close to you and tries to offer you something for free, like a friendship bracelet, it is a scam. Nothing is ever free, so don’t be fooled by strangers. If you see drawings or paintings, even a clear plastic cup with coins, stay clear to ensure you don’t step on them.
Want more help with your Rome travels? Check out my services!
One of the main reasons I became I travel blogger is my love and passion for helping others experience the best of their destination. I offer three services on Thatch: Customized Itineraries, Customized Recommendations, and Consultation Calls.
If you want extra help on your Rome and Italy travels, check out my Thatch page and book my services!
Read More About Rome
- 28 Best and Unusual Things to Do in Rome | Local’s Guide
- 25 Best HIDDEN GEMS of Rome That You Cannot Miss
- How to Spend a Weekend in Rome: The Perfect 2-Day Itinerary
- Day Trip to Florence from Rome: Everything You Need to Know
- Rome’s Food: Must-Eats & Everything You Need to Know
- 16 Best Restaurants in a Gluten Free Rome: A Celiac’s Guide
I have to ask…
How excited are you to be visiting Rome??😍 Let me know in the comments if it’s your first time visiting, and what you are looking forward to the most!
If you found this blog post helpful, please share this with friends and family who may find this helpful. If you have any questions regarding the itinerary, leave a comment below or contact me!
Finally, and as always, thank you for being here; I am so glad you are.❤️
You have the Scala Sancta located at Santa Maria in Aracoeli Basilica? Aren’t they actually located in the Pontifical Sanctuary near the Archbasilica of Saint John in Laterano?
Hi Amy! Thank you for pointing this out, I’ll be updating it. These stairs have been referred to as “Scala Santa”, but are not the Scala Sancta you are talking about. With the names being similar, I mistakenly described the history of the Scala Sancta in the Pontifical Sanctuary thinking it was about the stairs in the Aracoeli Basilica.