Rome 1 DaY itinerary Tutorial

If you have but 1 day in Rome or 1 week, this is the best 1st day Rome Itinerary

On your first day or only day in Rome this is what I would do and here is why.

Think of Rome as the world’s greatest buffet, If you were at the greates buffet in the entire world chances are you would not load your plate with a bunch a mashed potatoes even if you really loves mashed potatoes. On your first time through the line you would likely try small portions of several things and the next time through the line you would get more of the things you like the most. Rome need to be treated similarly. Rome has so many historical sites, and things to see and do, your first day should day a day of sampling.

By taking this approach it will free you up on the second day to go back and visit the things that you really liked or where impressed with on your first day. You will not feel the pressure of missing out a certain sites and the second day will be much more enjoyable because you will have seem most of the major sites and you can now focus on things that are of the most interest to you.

If you only have one day in Rome this itinerary will take you past most of Rome’s main sites. You will not get the opportunity to spend a lot of time at any one site, but you will get inspired to come back to Rome another time.

1st Day Itinerary

8:00AM Start, first stop The Vatican

The first stop is the Vatican. The Vatican is one of Rome’s most important sites but needs to be the first stop of the day to avoid the lines. The Vatican cathedral opens at 8am. It is best to get here about 15 minutes early and you will avoid the long lines. The line grows fast and come late morning or early in the afternoon it is likely you will be in line for 2 or more hours just to get inside. It as amazing how short the lines are at 8am, so get there early! The cost to get inside the Vatican is free.

The Vatican Dome Overlook

If you are interested in climbing to the tome of the Vatican Dome that opens at 9am. Be sure to get in line a little before 9am so you can be one of the first to the top and so you will avoid the waisting too much time in line. The cost is around 10 euros and there are about 500 steps in tight places to get to the top. If that is doable the view is incredible!

Second Stop the Colosseum to Spanish Steps

The goal is to leave the Vatican no later then 10:30am and head to the metro station Otaviano and hop on the metro heading toward Anagnina, and exit at Termini where you will switch to the B lines that heads towards Laurentina and exit at the Colosseum station. From St Peters it takes less than 30 minuted to get to the Colosseum by way of the metro. On your way to the metro there are several places along the way where you can jump in and get a pastry, juice of coffee, a quick bite to eat.

Exit the metro at the Colosseum and then we will make out way over to the Spanish Steps by way of several of Rome’s best sites. From the Colosseum you will walk along the Roman Forum, walk past Piazza Venezia and the Victor Emmanuel monument, walk through the Jewish Ghetto, visit Torre Argentina, Campo dei Fiori, the Pantheon, Piazza Navona. Trevi’s Fountain and finally to the Spanish Steps. I recommend grabbing lunch in the Jewish Ghetto but there are lots of places for you to grab lunch along the way.

This leg of the Itinerary you will be walking for just over 3 miles and it will take about 4 to 5 hours at a leisure pace and giving you plenty of timeand you will have about 1 hour to stop for lunch.

Note

If you are visiting Rome from a cruise ship and need to be back, you will need to leave Rome by about 5pm to get to the port in time before the ship departs. From the Spanish Steps you can take the Metro to the Termini train station and catch a train to the port. If on the other hand you have the evening to spend in Rome this Itinerary continues to Circus Maximus.

Next stop Circus Maximus to Trastevere

From the Spanish Steps hop on the metro there and head to Termini station and take the train heading toward Anagnina and exit at the Termini stop, swich to the B line heading towards Laurentina again but this time exit at the Circus Maximus station. If you are on schedule you should be departing the Spanish Steps around 4pm and arriving at Circus Maximus close to 4:30pm. If you are running a little late not a problem unless you need to get back you your ship.

You will exit the metro station and walk Circus Maximus field, where they chariot races once were in Rome. From there you will be heading across one of Rome’s most important bridges making your way into Trastevere, one of Rome’s best neighborhoods. This is were you will be spending the evening, having dinner and walking the streets. Trastevere is the perfect spot in Rome for a fantastic evening. Make your way towards Piazza Santa Maris and see where the wind blows you!