How to See Rome in a Day: A Complete Walking Guide
Is it possible to see the best of Rome in one day? While the Eternal City wasn't built in a day, you can certainly see its highlights if you have a plan. We recently tackled a whirlwind Rome itinerary to see if we could fit 2,000 years of history and Rome’s most iconic highlights into a single, action-packed day. From ancient gladiator arenas to Baroque masterpieces, it was a marathon in the form of a sprint, but totally worth it!
If you’re short on time but want the full Roman experience, here is exactly how we did it.
A visit to Rome isn’t complete without a stop at the Colosseum
Sunrise: The Trevi Fountain Reality Check
Starting your Rome walking tour at dawn is the best way to see the city's beauty without the heavy foot traffic. Against our better judgement, we started our day bright and early, hoping to have the Trevi Fountain all to ourselves. We arrived before sunrise, but it turns out everyone else had the same tip! Even at dawn, there were hundreds of people.
Pro Tip: If you want the perfect Instagram photo you have to arrive early. While you won't get "peace and quiet," arriving early still means shorter lines for photos so it’s worth the effort.
One thing you can’t miss: throwing a coin in the Trevi Fountain! If you throw in one coin, you’ll return to Rome. Throw in two and it’s said you’ll find love. Three? Marriage! Make sure to throw the coin with your right hand over your left shoulder.
Morning: Spanish Steps & The Pantheon
Walk to top of the Spanish Steps for nice views!
After a quick breakfast, we took a short walk to the Spanish Steps. Built in 1720, these 138 steps are a masterpiece of Roman Baroque style. Have you ever wondered why they’re the “Spanish” steps? They get their name from the nearby Spanish Embassy.
Warning: Don't try to sit or eat on the steps! Local police are very strict about this to preserve the monument.
Next, we walked to the Pantheon, one of the best-preserved ancient buildings in the world. Because the Pantheon is a church, you need to dress modestly by covering your shoulders and knees. Carry a scarf or light sweater with you to cover up if you’re wearing a tank top.
A stop at the Pantheon is a must when in Rome!
Pantheon Tickets: You now need a ticket to enter. We highly recommend booking Pantheon tickets online in advance to avoid the massive standby lines.
The dome is a mathematical marvel, standing exactly 142 feet tall and 142 feet wide. In the center of the dome you’ll see the Oculus, it’s a 30-foot hole in the center and it is the only source of natural light in the building. And yes, when it rains, it rains inside! (Look for the drainage holes in the sloping floor).
Pantheon Tickets:
You now need a ticket to enter. We highly recommend booking Pantheon tickets online in advance to avoid the massive standby lines.
Hidden Gems & Market Vibes
Before lunch, we made two quick stops:
Sant'Ignazio: Skip the long line for the "mirror photo" and look up at the fake dome. It’s actually an optical illusion because it’s a flat ceiling that is painted to look like a massive dome! Notice that it looks normal when viewing it from one direction, but it looks a little off when viewing it from other directions!
Campo de’ Fiori: A vibrant market square perfect for picking up some fresh fruit or going souvenir shopping. It has a darker history, though, the statue in the center commemorates Bruno, who was executed here in 1600.
Afternoon: Colosseum & Roman Forum
The highlight of our day was the Colosseum. This is the one place where you absolutely cannot wing it. Tickets for the Colosseum sell out weeks in advance so it’s really important to book ahead. If you’re stuck, look for the audio-video guided tickets. They are often overlooked and can be a hidden secret for scoring last-minute entry.
Sometimes the street to the Colosseum is turned into a pedestrian zone
Fun Fact: Ever wonder where the word "vomit" comes from? “Vomitorium” is the Latin word for the Colosseum's hallways, which would "vomit" out 50,000 spectators at the end of a match.
Right next door to the Colosseum is the Roman Forum. Your Colosseum ticket includes entry here so it’s worth a stop. The Roman Forum is huge and the ruins date back to 500 BC. For the best views overlooking the ruins, head up to Palatine Hill.
Pro Tip: Time your visit to Palatine Hill with golden hour and you’ll see the ruins of the Roman Forum sparkle with golden sunlight!
Evening: Sunset over the Tiber
We ended our whirlwind adventure with a walk toward the Tiber River. Our final destination: Ponte Umberto. Watching the sun set over the water with Vatican City in the distance was the perfect way to end our whirlwind day in Rome.
Rome in a day is exhausting, but seeing 2,000 years of history in 12 hours is a feeling you’ll never forget.
Ponte Umberto is a great spot for sunset in Rome!
Want to see more of Rome?
Check out our One Day in Rome video for even more details, history, and fun information about how we spent this epic day in Rome!
See this video for more information about how we spent one whirlwind day in Rome seeing the top sights!
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