Rome in 5 days: a day-by-day itinerary
5 days in Rome, planned stop by stop: when to arrive, how long to stay, how to get to the next place and roughly what it costs. Highlights include Colosseum, Palatine & Forum, Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel and The Pantheon.
- 5 days
- 29 stops
- About $509 per person
- Italy
Costs cover entry tickets and meals, not hotels or getting there. Some links are affiliate links; see the note at the bottom of the page.
Day 1 of 5
Imperial Antiquity & Historic Monti
6 stops · about $131 per person
- 08:3011:30
Colosseum, Palatine & Forum
Explore the iconic amphitheater, imperial palaces, and center of ancient Rome.
Next: walk 10 min to the next stop
- 12:0013:30
La Taverna dei Fori Imperiali
Family-run Roman trattoria serving classic carbonara, amatriciana, and artichokes.
Next: walk 10 min to the next stop
- 14:0015:30
Capitoline Museums
World's oldest public museum complex showcasing bronze imperial statues and marble ruins.
Next: walk 15 min to the next stop
- 16:0017:30
Vittoriano Rooftop Terrace
Glass elevator ride to panoramic rooftop views overlooking the Colosseum and Forums.
Next: walk 8 min to the next stop
- 18:0019:30
Monti District Aperitivo
Cobblestone bohemian quarter filled with vintage boutiques and lively piazzas.
Next: walk 5 min to the next stop
- 20:0022:00
Trattoria Vecchia Roma
Famous underground tavern renowned for flamed amatriciana in a pecorino wheel.
Day 2 of 5
Vatican Splendor & Borgo Environs
6 stops · about $111 per person
- 08:0011:30
Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
Vast papal collections of classical statues, Raphael Rooms, and Michelangelo frescoes.
Next: walk 8 min to the next stop
- 11:4513:00
St. Peter’s Basilica & Cupola Climb
World's largest Renaissance cathedral with an elevator/stair climb to the high dome.
Next: walk 12 min to the next stop
- 13:3014:45
Bonci Pizzarium
Legendary Roman rectangular pizza al taglio with inventive seasonal toppings.
Next: metro 15 min to the next stop
- 15:3017:30
Castel Sant'Angelo
Emperor Hadrian’s cylindrical mausoleum turned papal fortress with river ramparts.
Next: walk 15 min to the next stop
- 18:0019:30
Ponte Sant'Angelo Walk
Bernini-sculpted angel bridge crossing the Tiber River at golden hour.
Next: walk 10 min to the next stop
- 20:0022:00
Day 3 of 5
Baroque Piazzas, Fountains & Trastevere
6 stops · about $50 per person
- 09:0010:30
The Pantheon
2,000-year-old unreinforced concrete domed temple with central open oculus.
Next: walk 8 min to the next stop
- 10:4511:45
Piazza Navona
Baroque piazza built on Domitian’s athletic stadium framing Bernini sculptures.
Next: walk 10 min to the next stop
- 12:0013:00
Trevi Fountain
Grand Rococo water landmark; legend holds a coin toss ensures a return to Rome.
Next: walk 10 min to the next stop
- 13:1514:30
Pane & Salame
Artisan sandwiches, cured meat boards, and local Lazio wines.
Next: walk 15 min to the next stop
- 15:0017:00
Spanish Steps & Villa Borghese
Historic staircase climb leading to landscaped gardens and Pincio Terrace overlook.
Next: bus 20 min to the next stop
- 18:0022:00
Trastevere & Tonnarello
Ivy-covered alleyways, evening musicians, and sizzling cast-iron skillet cacio e pepe.
Day 4 of 5
Ancient Appian Way, Catacombs & Testaccio
6 stops · about $80 per person
- 09:0011:30
Catacombs of San Callisto
Subterranean early Christian burial galleries and sacred chapels carved in tufa rock.
Next: bus 15 min to the next stop
- 11:4513:30
Via Appia Antica
Walk or rent bikes along 2,300-year-old basalt paving stones flanked by pines.
Next: bus 20 min to the next stop
- 14:0015:30
Mercato di Testaccio
Traditional market stalls serving trippa alla romana, trapizzino, and fresh cannoli.
Next: walk 12 min to the next stop
- 16:0017:30
Baths of Caracalla
Immense ruins of imperial public bath complexes with intact mosaics.
Next: metro 15 min to the next stop
- 18:3019:30
Aventine Keyhole & Orange Garden
Famous garden vista framing St. Peter's dome through the Knights of Malta keyhole.
Next: walk 15 min to the next stop
- 20:0022:00
Flavio al Velavevodetto
Trattoria built into Monte Testaccio serving authentic Roman gricia and carbonara.
Day 5 of 5
Day Trip to Tivoli (Hadrian's Villa & Villa D'este)
5 stops · about $136 per person
- 08:3009:30
Cotral Bus / Train to Tivoli
Transit east from Rome into the historic Sabine hills.
Next: local Bus 10 min to the next stop
- 09:4512:30
Villa Adriana (Hadrian’s Villa)
Emperor Hadrian’s sprawling countryside estate with Canopus pool and thermal ruins.
Next: local Bus 15 min to the next stop
- 13:0014:30
Ristorante Sibilla (Tivoli)
Historic cliffside dining beneath the columns of the ancient Temple of Vesta.
Next: walk 10 min to the next stop
- 14:4517:30
Villa d’Este Fountains
UNESCO Renaissance palace famed for hundreds of gravity-fed fountains and terrace views.
Next: train 50 min to the next stop
- 19:3022:00
Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina
World-class charcuterie and dining bar celebrating Rome’s finest cured pork and cheeses.
Before you go: Italy
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Language
- Italian
- Plugs
- Type C, F, L, 230V / 50Hz
- Cars drive on the
- right
- Calling code
- +39
- Time zone
- UTC+1 (CET), UTC+2 in summer (CEST)
Want your phone to work the moment you land? Get an eSIM for Italy
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