Real talk? There is no way you can see all of the amazing things Rome has to offer with this one day in Rome itinerary.
It’s just not gonna happen. Rome is too big and there are too many cool things to do. So, no way are you gonna be able to see it all if you have just 24 hours in Rome.
Yes, you will get to see some of the top landmarks in Rome and you will also get a sneak peek at some cool hidden gems in Rome.
But, this plan for visiting Rome in a day is designed to give you a taste of what this incredible city has to offer.
This way, when you return, you’ll know where to go and what to do to dig if you want to dig a little deeper and really see what the Eternal City is all about.
Trust me, my love affair with Rome started in December of 2018 when I visited over Christmas.
Since then, I have visited Rome MANY times and always come back to try new restaurants and explore exciting new corners of the city.
Therefore, I know exactly how to quickly, easily, and efficiently explore this city in a VERY short amount of time.
So, have a look at this guide on what to do in Rome for a day and get ready to plan the trip of a lifetime.
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Rome in a Day Highlights
This is a rough outline of this itinerary with key stops. This way you know exactly how to spend one day in Rome.
- Trevie Fountain
- Spanish Steps
- Colosseum
- Roman Forum
- Palatine Hill
- Vatican Museum
- Sistine Chapel
- St. Peter’s Basilica
- Castel Sant Angelo
- Piazza Navona
- Pantheon
- Trastevere (optional)
The Perfect 1 Day in Rome Itinerary
Short on time and want to quickly and easily figure out what to do in Rome in a day? If so then this mega epic guide is for you.
I’ll give you a super detailed itinerary so that you can see all of the best spots in the city in a single day. Just don’t use this itinerary during Christmas in Rome since many things can be closed.
You could also try one of the best half-day tours from Rome and complete your itinerary that way.
Visit the Trevi Fountain
Depending on how much you love or hate mornings, I would aim to get here no later than 6:30 am, earlier if you can.
I’m gonna be honest with you. You can arrive early and there will STILL be people here. Yeah, this place is that popular.
But, visiting early in the morning is a good idea since this Roman landmark sits inside a small square that becomes MOBBED with people as the day progresses.
I would also 100% watch out for pick-pockets since this is a very touristy part of the city.
Other than that, just enjoy this magnificent piece of art. It stands at 80 feet tall and 160 feet wide and has been dazzling visitors since 1762.
This is when it was designed by Nicola Salvi, later completed by Giuseppe Pannini, and when people started throwing a coin into the Trevi Fountain for a bit of luck.
Expert Tip: If you get a later start in the day then you could also visit the Pantheon while you’re here since it’s only about a 8-minute walk away.
See the Spanish Steps
Just a quick, 9-minute walk away from the Trevi Fountain is the Spanish Steps. This 135-step staircase will take you from Piazza Spagna to Piazza Trinità dei Monti.
I highly recommend walking up the stairs so that you can get a good look at Trinità dei Monti church and get a great photo of the fountain below you.
Please remember that you are not allowed to sit on the stairs. Because they became a designated monument in 2019, you can actually get fined for sitting on the steps.
If you have time, you could also explore some of the charming lanes that sit in and around the Spanish Steps after driving through Tuscany.
Grab Breakfast at Trecaffè – Via dei due Macelli
Walk five minutes and you’ll find this awesome cafe. Not only do they open EARLY (like 6:30 am) but they serve a well-priced, delicious breakfast that will probably cost €10.00 or less.
The last time I visited I ordered the avocado toast with egg and it was REALLY good. I also got a latte while my partner had the maritozzo with pistachio cream.
I had a bite and the maritozzo (sweet bun filled with whipped cream) was delicious. I also liked the service and would be happy to visit again.
Expert Tip: If you are short on time and want to grab a pastry to go then order a Cornetto, or anything really, from L’Antico Forno Di Fontana Di Trevi.
It’s a nice little bakery and offers a lovely view of the Trevi Fountain.
Visit the Colosseum
⭐️ Rating: 4.6/5.0 (42179 Reviews) Price: $60+ per person Duration: 2.5 – 3 hours 📍Meeting Point: Varies Operator: Crown Tours Details: Read more on Get Your Guide Now!
Depending on how energetic you’re feeling, you can take a cab (15-minute drive) or walk 24 minutes from the restaurant to the Colosseum.
You also have several tour options depending on when you get up and get to the Colosseum. Start times include 9:00 am, 9:30 am, and 10:00 am.
I would aim for the 9:00 am tour, especially if you visit Rome in the summer since the Colosseum is outside and the area can get brutally hot as the day goes on (yeah, there’s not much in the way of shade).
TBH, I would probably try and do a night tour of the Colosseum in the summer since it is just a MUCH better experience all around IMHO.
Anyway, the Colosseum is an all-around must-see since it is incredibly well-preserved. In fact, it has remained largely intact for over 2,000 years.
I would opt for a tour for a couple of reasons. Firstly, your expert guide will tell you everything you need to know about the Colosseum.
Therefore, you’ll get essential context for your visit and see hidden areas in the Colosseum that you might miss on your own.
A tour also means that you’ll see all the highlights, hear cool stories, and enjoy skip-the-line access to the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. Yup, no need to spend hours waiting in line.
TBH I visited the Colosseum on my own during my first solo trip to Rome. Since then I have done a few guided tours and I much prefer the guided option.
This tour is my fave daytime tour and it lasts around 3 hours. I find the guides to be super lovely and I thought the pace to be perfect. You have enough time to see everything without feeling bored or rushed.
“Our tour guide Matej was amazing! Really knowledgeable and funny. The tour was appropriately paced. Matej kept it interesting the whole time. Easy to find. When we arrived to the meeting point we were directed to their office to check in, this was visible from the meeting point.”
Paige (read more reviews now)
Just to be 100% clear, you do not NEED to do a tour and can book tickets through the official Colosseum website.
If you do this, I recommend booking your tickets at least a month in advance, like right when they become available. This way you avoid disappointment since they sell out quickly.
The same goes for an organized tour. I would book it as soon as you know your travel dates so that everything doesn’t get booked up.
Expert Tip: Please note that with the tour you still need to go through security, which can take time.
The order of your visit can also change and the tour is only two hours long during the summer season. Additionally, you will need to present an ID upon arrival so that you can join the tour/collect your tickets.
Visit the Roman Forum/Palatine Hill
⭐️ Rating: 4.6/5.0 (42179 Reviews) Price: $60+ per person Duration: 2.5 – 3 hours 📍Meeting Point: Varies Operator: Crown Tours Details: Read more on Get Your Guide Now!
Remember, the above tour includes a guided visit to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. So, if you book the 9:00 am tour then you should be done with all three attractions in Rome by around 12:00 pm.
Just in case you don’t know, the Roman Forum sits RIGHT next door to the Colosseum and access is included with any ticket you buy for the Colosseum.
I like this tour because you don’t have to worry about where to go as you make your way from the Colosseum to the Roman Forum. The guide just kind of takes you there and shares lots of essential info.
Anyway, this was the beating heart of ancient Rome. So, anything of importance happened here.
“Excellent. More detailed than expected. The writings next to the sites seem to be a more Curated version, with insertions and deletions open to interpretation, but more favoring the church than the truth. The guides however were probably more truthful about the history of the place.”
Anonymous (read more reviews now)
Therefore, you can see shrines, temples, government buildings, podiums, court buildings, and centers of commerce.
With a one day in Rome itinerary some of the highlights of the Roman Forum (if you decide to visit on your own) include the Temple of Saturn, the Arch of Titus, the Arch of Septimius Severus, and the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina, just to name a few.
Stop for Lunch at Ristoro Della Salute
If you aren’t starving take a small detour from the Roman Forum to Piazza Venezia. If you walk up the stairs you’ll enjoy an excellent view of the city that is totally free.
You can visit the rooftop but I don’t think it’s worth it since it requires purchasing a ticket, takes extra time, and there are better views in Rome.
From the Roman Forum, it will take you about six minutes to walk to this nice Italian restaurant.
Not only will you enjoy stunning views of the Colosseum from your table, but you’ll only pay between €20.00 and €30.00 for your meal.
The last time I was here I had buffalo mozzarella and the seafood spaghetti. However, they serve a wide array of classic Italian dishes like pizza and pasta.
My partner had the four-cheese pizza and really liked it as well. Don’t spend too much time here because our next stop is the Vatican Museum and it is ALL the way on the other side of the city.
Walking will take over an hour, so I recommend taking a taxi there since you’ll get there in around 20 minutes. You could opt for an Uber but a taxi was actually cheaper the last time I was in Rome.
The Vatican Museum, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica
⭐️ Rating: 4.5/5.0 (5429 Reviews) Price: $90.00+ per person Duration: 2.5-3 hours 📍Meeting Point: Via Mocenigo 15 Operator: Crown Tours Details: Read more on Get Your Guide Now!
Aim to get here for the 1:30 pm or 2:00 pm tour. I recommend arriving at 1:45 pm for the 2:00 pm tour. This way you won’t feel rushed for lunch and can still make it to the Vatican in time.
This is another one of those Rome activities that you should pre-book as soon as your travel plans are definite since this is one of the most popular museums in the city.
Again, you can go alone but I would book a tour since you are short on time and want to see all the highlights without getting lost.
After all, when visiting Rome in one day, many people don’t realize just how BIG the museum is.
It includes 4 MILES of galleries filled with insane treasures like the Papal Throne, the Gallery of Maps, the Sala Rotunda, Pinacoteca Vaticana, etc.
So, book this tour and you’ll be able to see the Gallery of Maps, the Vatican Museums, and the Sistine Chapel (for 20 minutes) before finishing up at St. Peter’s Basilica.
Yes, you will get a tour of this famous church too.
I did this tour and enjoyed it. You get easy-to-use headsets and can enjoy live commentary from your friendly, expert guide.
It was also a nice way to see the Rotunda, the Gallery of Tapestries, and the Gallery of Maps in a short amount of time.
“It was a great tour covering the must-see elements of the Vatican city. Elena, the tour guide, was so knowledgeable and friendly. She told us amazing stories about Vatican, its history, Michelangelo paintings and sculptures and lots of other great stuff.”
Pouira (read more reviews now)
I also liked that you got a full 20 minutes inside the Sistine Chapel. It was plenty of time to see the gorgeous ceiling frescoes painted by Michaelangelo between 1508 and 1512.
Enjoy your time here and marvel at the artist’s beautiful recreation of the Creation of Adam, the Last Judgement, etc. In fact, visiting is part of many of the best Catholic tours of Rome.
Afterward, make your way to St. Peter’s Basilica. It’s one of the largest churches in the world and features amazing Renaissance-style architecture.
Admire the famous Pietà by Michelangelo and the elaborate St. Peter’s Baldachin by Bernini before concluding your Vatican tour and moving on to the next part of this one day in Rome itinerary.
Expert Tip: If you need a snack, stop for some Tiramisu at Pompi or grab a gelato at Cremilla. Both places are great and it just depends on what type of desserts you prefer.
Castel Sant’Angelo
By this point, it will be around 5:00 pm. Because you’re short on time, I would not go inside Castel Sant’Angelo.
It’s definitely worth visiting the Renaissance-style interior with seven floors of exhibits. But, I didn’t think this one of the all-time coolest things to do in Rome.
Yes, I did enjoy the views from the terrace cafe and the many paintings, sculptures, and firearms on display here.
TBH, my fave part was the prison and the Sala Paolina with awesome frescoes of Alexander the Great.
But, you can enjoy this unique mausoleum built by emperor Hadrian in 135 AD from the exterior. It was eventually converted into a papal fortress in the 6th century and is now a modern-day museum.
Just keep an eye on the clock since you want to get to the Pantheon before final admission at 6:45 pm.
From Castel Sant’Angelo it is about a 10-minute walk to Pizza Navona. I would use the St. Angelo Bridge since it will take you over the Tiber River and is just an all-around beautiful piece of architecture.
Once here, enjoy all this vibrant square has to offer. I love relaxing here and watching all the hawkers and street artists walk by.
Generally, most of the cafes in the square kind of suck. So, I would just get a soda if you want to chill in the square with a drink.
Otherwise, you can head to nearby L’Emporio alla Pace for an espresso or a negroni (strong but good).
Overall, this is a great place to see some of the best art in Rome for free. Highlights include Bernini’s Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi, the Fontana del Moro, and the Fontana del Nettuno (from the 19th century).
You can also admire the Baroque exterior of the Chiesa di Sant’Agnese in Agone (it’s a church designed by Borromini) and the Palazzo Pamphilj.
The latter has some nice frescoes but you need to pre-book a tour since it is currently the Brazilian embassy.
Afterward, fill up your water bottle at the nasone (“big nose”) and walk about 4 minutes to the Pantheon.
Visit the Pantheon
Again, just time things so that you make it here before 6:45 pm since this is the time of the last entry into the building.
Trust me, you’ll want to see the inside of this 2,000-year-old temple created by Marcus Agrippa to pay homage to the seven planetary Gods.
It was later converted into a church by Emperor Hadrian and is now one of the most well-preserved ancient monuments in the city.
Sure, the exterior doesn’t have much of a “wow” factor about it. But, when you step inside and see light streaming through the 9-meter-wide oculus, I guarantee you’ll be impressed.
You can also see where famous Romans, like Renaissance painter Raphael, were buried and enjoy the overall awesomeness of this place as part of your first time in Rome itinerary.
Sadly, this place used to be free to visit. Now, you have to pay €5.00 to enter.
Achille Al Pantheon di Habana
If you’re tired and just want a delicious, well-priced, Italian dinner near the Pantheon try Achille Al Pantheon di Habana.
You’ll probably pay between €10.00 and €20.00 per person for your meal since you can get a drink (beer/wine/soda) + a main for just €12.00.
Yup, talk about a bargain and. a great way to save money in Rome. Plus, this awesome spot is only a 4-minute walk from the Pantheon and serves great food.
I got the risotto and my partner got the ravioli and both dishes were great. I also liked that the service was fast since we had had a long day in Rome.
Expert Tip: If you still have a bit of energy left after this very long 24 hours in Rome then head to Trastevere for dinner.
It’s a very cool neighborhood that is home to some of the best restaurants in the city and some unique Rome food tours too.
Explore the cobblestone streets and make a reservation for dinner at Da Meo Patacca. It’s this cute, ivy-adorned taverna where the tagliata con pistachio is awesome.
Rome in a Day Map
Here is a map of the perfect one day in Rome itinerary that I have outlined for you. Click here for the full map now.
Tips for Spending 24 Hours in Rome
Here are some super helpful expert tips to make your day in Rome even better.
- Start Early – You’ll have a lot to see in a VERY short amount of time. Therefore, I HIGHLY recommend that you get up as early as possible. This way you can make the most of your day. I know it’s annoying but if you wake up at 6:00 am you’ll be able to cover a lot of ground and avoid long queues.
- Visit in Off-Season – If it were me I would plan to visit Rome in December or any time during winter in Rome. This is off-season and the only time when the city won’t be heading with tourists. November in Rome is also great while October in Rome and September in Rome are still pretty busy. This is also a great time to do a Tuscany road trip.
- Prebook EVERYTHING – When you’re this short on time and don’t want to miss a thing, it pays to prebook everything, especially during summer and fall in Rome. This way you can skip the line and won’t have to spend your entire one day in Rome waiting in line for tickets.
- Visit Places Open 24 Hours a Day Early in the Morning/ Late at Night – Spots like the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps are open 24 hours a day. So, visit when everything else is closed. This way you can spend the rest of your time exploring museums and attractions that are only open for a limited amount of time.
- Book a Centrally Located Hotel – You don’t want to spend your precious time traveling into and out of the city. Therefore, I highly recommend booking a hotel in or around the Trevi Fountain. If you have extra cash to spend, you could also book a hotel with a view of the Colosseum. I have done it and it is really cool.
- Book a tour of the Vatican Museum – The Vatican Museum is HUGE and you are short on time. So, if you want to skip the line and efficiently explore all of the museum’s major highlights then book a tour ASAP. This way you can see the Sistine Chapel without any issues and understand the significance of what you’re looking at.
Best Places to Stay in Rome
If you’re not sure where to stay during your 24 hours in Rome then here are a few hotels that I absolutely love.
You’ll also find options that are perfect for any budget and that you can use for a 2-day Rome itinerary too.
- Jo & Joe Roma (budget) – This hostel features fun and funky modern decor as well as sturdy wooden bunk beds set inside 4/6/8-bed dorms. You’re also well-located near the Barberini metro station and can use a garden, lounge, and bar on-site. Therefore it is easily one of the top hostels in Rome.
- Picolo Trevi Suites (Mid-range) – This quaint guesthouse sits inside a 15th-century building and is a 2-minute walk from the Trevi Fountain. You can stay inside country-chic rooms with en-suite bathrooms, Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and more. Just note that there is no elevator in the building.
- Soha piazza di Spagna Boutique (luxury) – This gorg boutique hotel is well-located near the Trevi Fountain and features rooms with a/c, free WiFi, a coffee machine, a minibar, a flat-screen TV, and a private bathroom with a bidet. Some rooms even come with a balcony that offers epic city views.
Conclusion
The most important thing to remember if you want to make the most of your 1 day in Rome itinerary is to get up early.
Yes, you can see a lot of things in only one day in Rome. But, you’ll need to get up with the sun to do it.
Wake up late in the day and things will start to close. Therefore, you can end up missing out if you’re not careful.
Additionally, be sure to pre-book a tour of both the Vatican Museum and the Colosseum.
This way you can enjoy skip-the-line access, get expert commentary for context, and won’t have to worry about getting lost.
Yeah, there is nothing worse than wasting time getting lost when you only have one day in a city. Other than that, just enjoy an awesome twenty-four hours in Rome.
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