If you only have five days in Rome, these are the top attractions to maximize your time:
Day One:
1. Colosseum
• Address: Piazza del Colosseo, 1, 00184 Roma RM, Italy
• Cost: €16
• Highlight: Start with a visit to this iconic ancient amphitheater.
• Travel: Metro Line B to Colosseo (€1.50)
• Breakfast (Quick Option): Bar Amore (€5-€10)
• Address: Via del Colosseo, 31, 00184 Roma RM, Italy
2. Roman Forum
• Address: Via della Salara Vecchia, 5/6, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
• Cost: Included with Colosseum ticket
• Highlight: Explore the heart of ancient Rome.
• Travel: Walk from the Colosseum.
Lunch
• Budget Option: La Carbonara (€15-€25)
• Address: Via Panisperna, 214, 00184 Roma RM, Italy
• Luxury Option: Ristorante Aroma (€100+)
• Address: Via Labicana, 125, 00184 Roma RM, Italy
Afternoon:
3. Piazza Navona
• Address: Piazza Navona, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
• Cost: Free
• Highlight: Baroque architecture and lively atmosphere.
• Travel: Bus #75 from Roman Forum to Piazza Navona (Approx. €1.50).
4. Pantheon
• Address: Piazza della Rotonda, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
• Cost: Free
• Highlight: Marvel at this ancient temple turned church.
• Travel: Bus 64 (€1.50)
5. Trevi Fountain
• Address: Piazza di Trevi, 00187 Roma RM, Italy
• Cost: Free
• Highlight: Toss a coin for good luck.
• Travel: Walk from the Pantheon.
Dinner
• Quick Option: Pizzeria Baffetto (€10-€20)
• Address: Via del Governo Vecchio, 114, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
• Luxury Option: La Pergola (€200+)
• Address: Via Alberto Cadlolo, 101, 00136 Roma RM, Italy
DAY TWO:
1. Vatican Museums
• Address: Viale Vaticano, 00165 Roma RM, Italy
• Cost: €17 (Standard Ticket)
• Highlight: Explore the vast art collections and Sistine Chapel.
• Travel: Metro A Line to Ottaviano Station (Approx. €1.50).
2. St. Peter’s Basilica
• Address: Piazza San Pietro, 00120 Città del Vaticano, Vatican City
• Cost: Free (Dome climb €10)
• Highlight: Visit one of the largest churches in the world.
• Travel: Short walk (5 min) from Vatican Museums.
Lunch
• Quick Option: Pizzarium (approx. €10-€15)
• Address: Via della Meloria, 43, 00136 Roma RM, Italy
• Luxury Option: La Pergola (approx. €200+)
• Address: Via Alberto Cadlolo, 101, 00136 Roma RM, Italy
Afternoon:
3. Castel Sant’Angelo
• Address: Lungotevere Castello, 50, 00193 Roma RM, Italy
• Cost: €15
• Highlight: Historical fortress with panoramic views.
• Travel: Walk (15 min) from St. Peter’s Basilica.
4. Spanish Steps
• Address: Piazza di Spagna, 00187 Roma RM, Italy
• Cost: Free
• Highlight: Iconic stairway of 135 steps.
• Travel: Metro Line A to Spagna Station (Approx. €1.50).
Dinner
• Quick Option: Osteria Da Fortunata (approx. €15-€25)
• Address: Via dei Piennari, 3, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
• Luxury Option: Antico Arco (approx. €70-€150)
• Address: Piazzale Aurelio, 7, 00152 Roma RM, Italy
DAY THREE:
1. Borghese Gallery
• Address: Piazzale Scipione Borghese, 5, 00197 Roma RM, Italy
• Cost: €13 (Booking required)
• Highlight: Renaissance and Baroque art collection.
• Travel: Bus #49 from Termini to Galleria Borghese (Approx. €1.50).
2. Piazza del Popolo
• Address: Piazza del Popolo, 00187 Roma RM, Italy
• Cost: Free
• Highlight: Beautiful square with fountains and churches.
• Travel: 15-minute walk from Borghese Gallery.
Lunch
• Quick Option: Caffè Rosati (approx. €10-€15)
• Address: Piazza del Popolo, 1, 00187 Roma RM, Italy
• Luxury Option: Hotel De Russie (approx. €70-€150)
• Address: Via del Boccaccio, 4, 00187 Roma RM, Italy
Afternoon:
3. Trastevere
• Address: 00153 Roma RM, Italy
• Cost: Free
• Highlight: Explore the charming streets and Santa Maria in Trastevere.
• Travel: Tram #8 to Trastevere (Approx. €1.50).
4. Janiculum Hill
• Address: 00165 Roma RM, Italy
• Cost: Free
• Highlight: Stunning views of the city.
• Travel: Walk from Trastevere (20 min).
Dinner
• Quick Option: Tonnarello (approx. €15-€30)
• Address: Via della Paglia, 1, 00153 Roma RM, Italy
• Luxury Option: La Gattabuia (approx. €50-€100)
• Address: Via del Moro, 45, 00153 Roma RM, Italy
DAY 4: Ancient Rome and Ostia Antica
1. Ostia Antica
• Address: Viale dei Romagnoli, 717, 00119 Roma RM, Italy
• Cost: €12
• Highlight: Explore ancient Roman ruins.
• Travel: Train from Roma Termini to Ostia Antica (Approx. €3).
Lunch
• Quick Option: Osteria da Giovanni (approx. €10-€20)
• Address: Viale dei Romagnoli, 717, 00119 Roma RM, Italy.
• Luxury Option: Ristorante Il Fienile (approx. €40-€80)
• Address: Via di Valle dei Casali, 6, 00163 Roma RM, Italy.
Afternoon:
2. Cimitero Acattolico
• Address: Via Caio Cestio, 6, 00153 Roma RM, Italy
• Cost: Free
• Highlight: Historic cemetery with notable graves.
• Travel: Train back to Roma Termini and tram #3 (Approx. €3).
3. Piazza Venezia
• Address: Piazza Venezia, 00187 Roma RM, Italy
• Cost: Free
• Highlight: Iconic square with the Altare della Patria monument.
• Travel: 15-minute walk from Cimitero Acattolico.
Dinner
• Quick Option: Ristorante La Vacca M’briaca (approx. €15-€30)
• Address: Via del Portico d’Ottavia, 6, 00186 Roma RM, Italy.
• Luxury Option: Imàgo (approx. €100-€200)
• Address: Via di San Sebastianello, 8, 00187 Roma RM, Italy.
DAY 5: Day Trip and Local Exploration
1. Tivoli
• Villa d’Este
• Address: Piazza Garibaldi, 1, 00019 Tivoli RM, Italy
• Cost: €13
• Highlight: Stunning Renaissance gardens and fountains.
• Travel: Train from Roma Termini to Tivoli (Approx. €5).
Lunch
• Quick Option: Trattoria Da Danilo (approx. €10-€20)
• Address: Via del Colle, 12, 00019 Tivoli RM, Italy.
• Luxury Option: Ristorante Sibilla (approx. €50-€100)
• Address: Via dei Plebisciti, 10, 00019 Tivoli RM, Italy.
Afternoon:
2. Villa Adriana (Hadrian’s Villa)
• Address: Viale di Villa Adriana, 1, 00019 Tivoli RM, Italy
• Cost: €12
• Highlight: Explore the vast ruins of Emperor Hadrian’s retreat.
• Travel: 20-minute walk from Villa d’Este.
3. Return to Rome
• Travel: Train back to Roma Termini.
Evening:
• Explore Trastevere: Enjoy the charming streets, bars, and local shops.
• Dinner:
• Quick Option: Pizzeria La Montecarlo (approx. €10-€20)
• Address: Vicolo Savelli, 13, 00186 Roma RM, Italy.
• Luxury Option: Ristorante Trastevere (approx. €70-€150)
• Address: Via della Lungaretta, 88, 00153 Roma RM, Italy.
Hotel Recommendation:
Grand Hotel Plaza: This is one of my most favorite hotels in the world... the staircase has a giant full size lion at the base... carved out of marble. To the left is a huge ballroom and the rooms are huge and well appointed, with many opening to a center courtyard. This place is stunning and it is centrally located
Or... you can find your own favorite place here:
Annual Events in Paris to Consider:
• Carnevale An 8-day festival that takes place before Lent and is a time of joy and celebration in Rome
• Rome Marathon A marathon that takes place in March or April and is surrounded by art, history, and architecture
• The Pantheon A visit to the Pantheon on April 21st at noon to see the sunlight illuminate the entrance