Rome is a place many people dream of visiting during their lifetime. This city should be part of any Italy trip. This one day Rome itinerary will cover the main highlights of Ancient Rome and makes for the perfect itinerary if you are visiting from a cruise ship or stopping through on a road trip around Italy.
Want a guided tour to start out your trip and get acclimated to the city? Then check out Guru Walks for a free guided tour. You can book online to reserve your spot and pay what you wish when you get there. Check out the tours in Rome here.
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History of Rome
The history of Rome spans over two millennia. Originally founded in 753 BC by Romulus and Remus, it initially began as a small settlement. Rome grew through conquest and strategic alliances, later making it the center of a vast empire that dominated the Mediterranean world. The Roman Republic continued to expand this space.
Eventually, Rome began to fragment and fell in 476 AD. Despite this fall, Rome’s legacy impacted much of the future society in the areas of law, government, architecture, and language. Today, Rome continues to be a city with rich historical ties that draws millions of visitors a year.
When to Spend One Day in Rome
Rome is a fun place to visit anytime of the year, but some months are better than others. Rome will be very crowded during the summer months and it is very hot, so try to avoid visiting during that time. If you can, fall and early springs are amazing times to visit. The weather will be nice and there will be fewer crowds.
How to Get to Rome
Rome has one international airport: Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport. You can get flights here from all over Europe and from the United States. Skyscanner is my favorite way to search for flights.
Alternatively, it is very easy to take the train into Rome from other places across Italy and Europe. You can pre-book tickets on Trainline or Omio or opt to buy them at the station.
If you are coming from the cruise port, Civitavecchia, you can take the train or book this cruise port transfer.
Transportation in Rome
It is very easy to get around Rome via public transportation and walking. Rome has a metro, buses, and trams in addition to taxis that can get you to the main areas. Once there, you will want to walk around those areas to get to the main sites. You could also take the Hop on Hop Off Bus.
Where to Stay in Rome
Rome is very spread out and has a lot of great areas to stay in. I recommend staying close the monuments, Vatican City, or the Colosseum for the best access to the main sites. TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. You can always try searching Priceline Express Deals for a better price or try to price match a hotel.
The following are some of the best hotels I recommend:
- Cosmopolita Hotel Rome
- Le Meridien Visconti Rome
- The Pantheon Iconic Rome Hotel
- Hotel Indigo Rome-St. George
- Intercontinental Rome Ambasciatori Palace
- The Tribune
- Hotel NH Collection Roma Giustiniano
- Comfort Hotel Bolivar
GoCity Pass
GoCity offers a ton of different sightseeing passes for cities around the world. These passes allow you to visit the best of each city for one low price, rather than paying individually for each attraction. I have used it in several cities around the world and would recommend getting a GoCity pass! Check out the options for the Rome GoCity pass here.
What to do During a One Day Rome Itinerary
Day 1
The first two highlights of this one day Rome itinerary are the Colosseum and Roman Forum. You can opt to visit on your own or check out this Colosseum and Roman Forum Tour. If on your own, make sure to buy your tickets ahead of time. You can also take this Rome walking tour to see all of the sites. Buy a Roma Pass if you are going to visit a lot of the Rome attractions.
Visit the Colosseum
Cost: €18
Hours: 8:30am-7:15pm
Start out this one day Rome itinerary with a visit to the iconic symbol of Ancient Rome, the Colosseum. This architectural feat was built under Emperor Vespasian and was the site of Ancient Roman games during the 70s and became the largest amphitheater ever built.
Present-day it draws millions of visitors each year to view the four levels of this amphitheater. There are multiple tour options visitors can opt into. You can get a basic ticket that also allows access to the Roman Forum, a guided tour, or the rare opportunity to see the Colosseum underground. Make sure to get a ticket ahead of time or get there right when they open as the lines get very long throughout the day.
Visit the Roman Forum
Cost: €18
Hours: 9am-7:15pm
After spending time in the Colosseum, you will exit into the Roman Forum. This sprawling complex of buildings and temples was the epicenter of political, commercial, and social activity during the ancient times. It was a hub for public speeches, trials, and gladiator matches. Today, it offers insight into the daily life of this great civilization.
Make sure to climb up Palpatine Hill to get great views of the Forum. You will also want to visit the Temple of Saturn, the Senate House, the Arch of Titus, and the Rostra. Plan to spend a hour to two wandering through the complex.
Grab Gelato at the Giolitti
Cost: €
Hours: 7:30am-12am
After wandering through the Colosseum and Roman forum, you will want to take a break from all the walking around and grab a snack. Giolitti is one of the top gelato parlors in Rome and it also services other light eats and drinks.
Pantheon
Cost: €
Hours: 9am-6:30pm
Next during this one day Rome itinerary, you will take time to view some of the monuments across Rome. First up, stop at the Pantheon, the best preserved Ancient Roman monument. During Ancient Roman times, the Pantheon served as a temple to the gods. The Pantheon’s most distinct feature is its giant, unsupported dome with a hole in the middle. It is free to enter, just make sure that knees and shoulders are covered.
Trevi Fountain
The Trevi Fountain is an icon of Rome. This massive fountain is 65 feet wide and 85 feet tall. Originally designed by Bernini, the plans fell apart and Nicola Salvi finished the designs. Make sure to throw a coin into the fountain. Legend claims that tossing your first coin into the Trevi Fountain guarantees your return to Rome. The second coin ensures romance, and the third coin ensures marriage.
Castel Sant’Angelo
Cost: €23
Hours: Tues-Sun: 9am-7:30pm
For the last site on this one day Rome itinerary, stop at the Castel Sant’Angelo. This was built as a mausoleum by Emperor Hadrian. After the Roman empire fell, it became a fortress for the popes. Present-day, it is a museum where visitors will spend about an hour. Make sure to check out all of the ornate angel statues displayed across the castle.
Eat Dinner at Cul De Sac
Cost: €€
Hours: 12am-12am
To finish off this one day Rome itinerary, head to Cul De Sac. This wine bar and restaurant will satisfy your wine and pasta craving. There are a ton of different pizza and pasta dishes. I tried their pesto pasta and would recommend it.
Walk the Monuments at Night
This evening, head back out to check out the monuments of Rome after dark. You can opt to do it on your own or opt to take this Rome night walking tour or this tour. Many of the monuments look different in the evening and are popular hang out places for people to chill after a long day. You can even bring a bottle of wine with you to drink at the monuments.
First you will want to stop at Piazza Navona, then head to the Pantheon, stop by the Trevi Fountain, then end at the Spanish Steps. All of these are main icons of Rome that you will not want to miss.
More Than One Day in Rome?
Villa Borghese
Cost: Free
Hours: Dawn to Dusk
If you have more time than a one day Rome itinerary, head to the Villa Borghese. These gardens offer an escape from the hustle and bustle of Rome. Created in the 1600s, this garden spans 200 acres and is home to sculptures, fountains, and flora.
This complex also contains the Borghese Gallery, which is an art museum that houses masterpieces by renowned artists such as Bernini and Raphael. Visitors can also opt to visit the Rome Zoo, the Globe Theater, or wander along the beautiful walking paths.
Final Tips for One Day in Rome
There are many things you can add to a one day Rome itinerary. Make sure to add in a day in Vatican City to any trip to Rome. Can’t visit Rome yet? Check out this virtual tour of Rome. If you have more time, make sure to explore, see more of what Italy has to offer or check out these study abroad tips for Italy. Malta is another great country to pair with a visit to Rome.
