Guest Post
Another exciting Guest post from, this time we take you around Rome. Find out how you could spend one day in Rome and follow AUdreys Rome Itinerary.
Visiting Rome for just one day and wondering how to make the most of your limited time in this stunning city? You’re in for an unforgettable adventure!
When I visited Rome, I had three days to explore, and even then, it still wasn’t enough time to feel satisfied. But one day is better than none, and I’ve created the perfect itinerary to ensure you hit the iconic highlights and experience Rome’s most famous sights. We’ll visit the Colosseum, Vatican City, and the Trevi Fountain, and eat at some amazing restaurants along the way. This is the exact itinerary I followed, while a full day can be pretty tiring, these are absolute must-sees when you visit Rome.
if you like Rome you may also add to your travel plan “One day in Pisa” or read “How best to visit Florence (with kids)”
By the end of this itinerary, you’ll be able to say you got to see the best of Rome, ticking off the essential landmarks and soaking in the beauty of this historic city!
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Attractions in Rome
- Trevi Fountain
- Colosseum
- Roman Forum
- Palatine Hill
- Vatican City
- Vatican Museum
- St. Peter’s Basilica
- Sistine Chapel
- Trastevere
Other attractions not included in this post, but if you do have an extra day we would recommend adding these to the itinerary in Rome.
- Spanish Steps
- Pantheon
- Baths of Caracalla
- Vittoriano
- Villa Borghese
The famous Trevi Fountain in Rome
Start your day bright and early heading to the Trevi Fountain. The earlier you arrive at the Fountain the better, as you’ll get to enjoy it without the crowds. This place gets absolutely packed after 9 am and stays crowded all day. Aim to arrive there at 7 am the latest to get to enjoy an empty Trevi.
There is a small drinking fountain to the right of the Trevi, called the Fountain of Love, or Fontanella degli Innamorati. According to an ancient legend, couples who drink from this fountain will be together forever!
Before you leave, make sure to toss a coin with your right hand over your left shoulder into the Trevi Fountain. If you do so, the tradition states you’ll find yourself back in Rome again one day!
At least, that’s how the legend goes…
Enjoy Breakfast at Deroma – Farine Romane
For Breakfast, stop by Deroma – Farine Romane, a local cafe serving breakfast pastries and sandwiches.
I’ll be honest, most of the cafes in the city are incredible, and most of them serve amazing food. However, Deroma is located close to Trevi Fountain, so it wins in location. You can have amazing filled croissants and cannolis, as well as fresh coffee or juice.
I love classic Italian pastries—they’re absolutely amazing. They’re not too sweet, but are packed with flavour and just the right amount of crispiness. My recommendation? A jam-filled croissant and maybe a pistachio pastry if you’re feeling extra hungry.
When you’re ready, head on over to the Colosseum, the largest amphitheater ever built.
The Colosseum
The Colosseum is known worldwide for being an astounding architectural feat, built in 70 AD.
This amphitheater was long known to be the center of epic gladiator battles. Warriors battled against each other, ferocious wild animals like lions and bears, and there were even times where the stage was flooded with water for naval battle!
You should book a Colosseum tour for around 9 am or 10 am before it gets too hot in the day, and plan to allocate around 3 hours to fully enjoy this historical landmark. Touring the Colosseum will be entirely outdoors, so there is no escape from the sun’s rays.
I recommend a guided tour, because without someone knowledgeable pointing out what to watch for, it’s hard to see past the rubble. The Colosseum is only a third of what it once was—it was a massive structure, and construction is still ongoing to restore it to its former glory. With a guide, I was able to recognize how incredible and humongous the amphitheater previously was.
There are multiple ticket options that you can do, depending on what area of the Colosseum you want to see. While touring the Underground and Arena areas of the Colosseum are recommended, with such limited time I would encourage you to put your time into seeing the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill nearby instead. These attractions are included if you purchase a bundle ticket.
Next – Roman Forum
The Roman Forum is a short walk from the Colosseum, and was known as the center of activity during Ancient Rome times.
This area was the center of politics, marketplaces, and temples. Everyone would pass by here during their day. You’ll walk through the breathtaking Arch of Titus, a large triumphal arch that has its origins back to the 1st century AD, built to celebrate Rome’s victory over Jerusalem.
You probably won’t spend too much time here, probably 30 minutes to an hour. Afterwards, your final stop in this area will be Palatine Hill.
Palatine Hill
Palatine Hill was the center and birthplace of Ancient Rome, where the upper class built incredible gardens and homes to reside in. The House of Augustus, Rome’s first emperor, is located here as well.
The area requires you to walk up a slightly steep hill, but it is paved and manageable for anyone, including children and the elderly. It is relaxing and peaceful up here, with archeological sites and gardens to stroll past and enjoy. It’ll be a nice break after the couple hours you just spent exploring the Colosseum!
You’ll get a nice view of the city and the Colosseum from here, and have the opportunity to visit the House of Augustus if you wish. I spent around 30 minutes here before I headed out to grab lunch.
Stop for Lunch
Ristorante Pizza Forum Roma-Forno a Legna
Can you leave Rome before trying a slice of classic Italian pizza, Roman style?
Maybe you can, but I don’t recommend it. This spot is a short walk from the Colosseum, with fast service, and delicious food. I got to try a bunch of different pizzas and pasta, and they were all delicious! If you’re a fan of spicy sausage, you’ll like the Santa Barbara pizza, my personal favourite.
Lunch will be a pretty fast ordeal so that you can head over to Vatican City afterwards, where endless masterpieces await to be seen.
Vatican City
During this one day in Rome itinerary we will spend the afternoon on the other side of Rome. At theVatican City.
Vatican Museum
I recommend hopping in a quick taxi to save time and energy, as you’ll be doing a lot of walking in the Vatican as well. I toured the Vatican at 3 pm, and I won’t lie, it was packed. However, I needed to see Rome in a day, and I wasn’t going to let crowds stop me from seeing the city’s most important sites.
Don’t worry, even though the Vatican is always relatively busy throughout the day, the immense beauty of this vast collection of art and artfacts will take your breath away no matter how crowded it is.
You can get your ticket here, however I do recommend joining a tour that will also take you to the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica to enjoy the main attractions of Vatican City.
You’ll have a few hours to browse through over 20,000 pieces of the museums collection. Some of the most famous pieces are: Laocoon and His Sons, The Last Judgment, and of course, the Sistine Chapel, which you’ll exit the main museum and head into the Chapel to view.
Sistine Chapel
The Sistine Chapel is the most famous work of art that the Vatican has, and for good reason.
The entire ceiling is adorned with Michelangelo’s frescoes, and is incredibly beautiful and massive. It took my breath away when I saw it for the first time, and I‘m sure you will love it as well. The amount of detail and effort put into this masterpiece is unfathomable.
Seriously, how did he even manage to paint on the ceiling with that technique and intricacy?! It’s an incredible work of art, and keep in mind you’ll be requested not to talk so that everyone can enjoy the experience without interference.
St. Peter’s Basilica
St. Peter’s Basilica is the largest and most opulent church in Italy, dedicated to Saint Peter, Rome’s patron saint. It’s absolutely stunning, and beautifully adorned with marble and gold all over.
Climb St. Peter’s Dome
While visiting the Basilica, you have the option to climb the dome of St. Peter’s, the highest point in Rome that provides panoramic views of Vatican City and Rome.
You’ll get to see some beautiful works of art as you ascend the stairs, but fair warning, there are a lot of steps. I’m predicting that you may be be pretty tired by now after walking all day, so I recommend paying an extra 2 euros for a ticket that includes an elevator ride halfway up the dome (€10).
Dinner Time & Gelato in Rome
For dinner, I recommend heading out of Vatican City and moving down south to the enchanting neighborhood of Trastevere.
Trastevere is a famous neighbourhood well known for its lively, whimsical atmosphere and awesome food. Its cobblestone streets, ivy-clad buildings, and warm, glowing lights make it feel magical. It’s full of restaurants, bars, and cafes, and is the perfect place to wander and get lost in. Pick any dinner spot you find, you won’t be disappointed.
A night ending with some gelato is, in my humble opinion, a perfect night.
If you enjoyed dinner in Trastevere and are hanging around the area, I recommend checking out Fonte della Salute Roma. It’s a hidden gem in the neighbourhood, and serves more than just ice cream! There’s also coffee, frappes, cakes, and other pastries available to taste.
Anywhere in Rome, I recommend checking out Venchi. It’s a popular chain, with good reason. They have delicious ice cream flavours and the most stunning interior decor. The Pantheon location has a beautiful chocolate fountain that will make you do a double take when you pass through the street.
Conclusion
That concludes our 24 hours in Rome! I hope you had an unforgettable day exploring the city’s iconic landmarks and soaking in all the history and charm Rome has to offer. From the awe-inspiring Colosseum and Vatican to the romantic Trevi Fountain and the vibrant streets of Trastevere, you’ve experienced some of the best features in the city.
Rome is a truly magical place, filled with rich history, vibrant culture, and of course, incredible food. Now that you’ve had a taste of what makes this city so special, I’m sure you’re already going to be planning your next visit back—there’s so much more to discover!
More Travel Guides in Italy
- After you visited Rome we suggest take a break on the beautiful island Elba. Here are some great Hikes with kids on Elba, or maybe you just like to relax at the the many hidden beaches Elba has to offer.
- Not far from Rome is of course the breathtaking Tuscan region, you will discover some of the most beautiful villages in Tuscany
I hope you enjoyed reading One day in Rome, and can use this itinerary for your next trip.
If Audrey has left anything out, please ask your questions in the comments below and share your experience, so that other readers can join in the conversation and benefit from your queries and stories as well
By: Audrey, I’m a nurse, real estate investor, and travel blogger with a focus on Japan! I love making romantic itineraries for various places throughout the country to help you have the best vacation while visiting Japan.
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