Rome rewards wanderers and history-lovers alike. Nearly 3,000 years of stories are written in its stones—Republican temples, imperial forums, medieval bell towers, and Baroque piazzas stitched together by lively neighborhoods and the steady flow of the Tiber. Sit with an espresso, and you’ll watch eras (and impeccable outfits) parade past.

From Michelangelo’s ceiling to Bernini’s sculpture and Caravaggio’s shadows, art here is visceral and close. Iconic landmarks—the Colosseum, Pantheon, and St. Peter’s—anchor each day, while trattorie, markets, and wine bars fill the hours between with flavor: cacio e pepe, supplì, and gelato worth a detour.

Practicalities: Spring and fall bring mild weather and fewer crowds. Bring modest clothing for basilicas (shoulders/knees covered) and a reusable bottle to drink from Rome’s “nasoni” fountains. Taxis are metered; watch for ZTL restricted driving zones. Reserve big-ticket sights and popular restaurants in advance.

Rome

Rome is a city of layers—and the most joyful way to absorb them is neighborhood by neighborhood. Start with the Centro Storico’s dramatic piazzas, then cross the river to Trastevere’s ivy-wrapped lanes and artisan workshops. Monti serves cool boutiques and wine bars by night; Testaccio plates the city’s most honest Roman cooking.

• Top sights: Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, Castel Sant’Angelo, Galleria Borghese, Appian Way.
• Don’t miss foods: Cacio e pepe, amatriciana, carbonara, carciofi (artichokes), thin Roman pizza and pizza al taglio, supplì, maritozzi (cream buns), gelato.
• Fun fact: Cats are protected residents at Largo di Torre Argentina’s ruins; the Pantheon’s oculus is an architectural “open eye” that drains rain invisibly through floor vents.

Where to stay (handpicked):

• Hotel de Russie (Piazza del Popolo/Spanish Steps): Leafy oasis with a celebrated garden and spa. Check availability
• Hotel Eden, Dorchester Collection (Via Veneto): Refined rooms and one of the city’s great rooftop views. Check availability
• Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel (Monte Mario): Resort-style stay with a three-Michelin-star restaurant. Check availability
• Kolbe Hotel Rome (by the Forum): Garden calm steps from Ancient Rome. Check availability
• Hotel Santa Maria (Trastevere): Intimate cloister-style hideaway in a storied district. Check availability
• Hotel Mascagni (Repubblica): Solid mid-range near the Metro and Termini. Check availability
• The Beehive (Termini): Traveler-favorite budget base with a friendly vibe. Check availability

Browse more options: VRBO Rome | Hotels.com Rome

How to get to Rome: Fly into FCO (Leonardo da Vinci) or CIA (Ciampino). Compare flights to or within Europe on Omio. If you’re traveling from outside Europe, also price out long-haul options on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. From FCO, the Leonardo Express train to Termini takes ~32 minutes (~€14); official city taxis have a fixed fare (~€50) to central Rome. From CIA, plan ~45–60 minutes by bus+Metro or ~€31 fixed-fare taxi.

Trains to Rome: Fast trains to Roma Termini/Tiburtina are frequent—e.g., Florence (~1h30), Naples (~1h10), Milan (~3h). Compare times and fares on Omio Trains (buses and ferries also via Omio Buses / Omio Ferries).

Day 1: Centro Storico First Impressions

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Shake off travel at the Spanish Steps, then wander Via dei Condotti toward the Trevi Fountain—toss a coin over your left shoulder to ensure you return. Continue to the Pantheon; step inside to feel the cool air and see the oculus spotlight sweep the ancient interior.

Evening: Aperitivo at Salotto 42 (craft cocktails facing the Temple of Hadrian) or wine at Il Goccetto (excellent by-the-glass list). Dinner options: Armando al Pantheon (old-school Roman, reserve early), Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina (iconic carbonara and a deep wine cellar), or Osteria Barberini (truffles and Roman classics). Finish with gelato at Giolitti or Gelateria del Teatro.

Day 2: Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Monti

Morning: Fuel up at Sant’Eustachio Il Caffè (signature crema-topped espresso) or Tazza d’Oro near the Pantheon. Then join a guided Colosseum experience for context and priority access:

Rome: Colosseum with Arena, Roman Forum and Palatine Guided Tour (approx. 3 hours; special Arena Floor access).

Afternoon: After Palatine Hill’s views, pop into the Capitoline Museums (Marcus Aurelius equestrian statue, the Capitoline Wolf). Lunch in Monti: Taverna dei Fori Imperiali (family-run), La Prezzemolina (excellent pizza al taglio), or Trattoria al 19 (casual Roman plates). Browse Monti’s indie shops along Via del Boschetto.

Evening: Cocktails at Drink Kong (award-winning, futuristic bar) or Blackmarket Hall (speakeasy vibe). Dinner at Trattoria Monti (Le Marche specialties; book ahead) or Urbana 47 (modern Roman). Night stroll past the Forums lit up—magical.

Day 3: Vatican Masterpieces and Castel Sant’Angelo

Morning: Cappuccino and cornetto at Sciascia Caffè 1919 (Prati) or Panificio Bonci near the Trionfale Market. Then explore the Vatican with skip-the-line access:

Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter’s Basilica Guided Tour (small-group, priority entrance).

Afternoon: Climb St. Peter’s Dome for a skyline panorama. Walk Via della Conciliazione to Castel Sant’Angelo and the angel-topped bridge. Lunch in Prati: Pizzarium Bonci (creative pizza squares), Il Sorpasso (gourmet panini/charcuterie), or Pastasciutta (fast, good fresh pasta).

Evening: Cross the Tiber for sunset on Ponte Umberto I with St. Peter’s dome aglow. Dinner near Piazza Navona: Da Fortunato (classic Roman), Pipero (refined, for a splurge), or Da Francesco (beloved for pizza and pasta). Dessert: Fatamorgana (creative gelato) or Otaleg (serious gelato craft).

Day 4: Trastevere, Renaissance Frescoes, and a Night of Tastes

Morning: Breakfast at Le Levain (Trastevere French-Italian pastries) or Marigold (Ostiense; sourdough, seasonal plates). Visit Santa Maria in Trastevere (gold mosaics) and the frescoed jewel of Villa Farnesina (Raphael’s Galatea). Detour up to Janiculum Hill for one of Rome’s best views.

Afternoon: Cross to the Jewish Ghetto for carciofi (in season) and history around Portico d’Ottavia and Tiber Island. Lunch: Da Enzo al 29 (cacio e pepe royalty), Taverna Trilussa (pasta in the pan), or Beppe e i Suoi Formaggi (cheese and wine). Coffee showdown: Sant’Eustachio vs. Tazza d’Oro by the Pantheon.

Evening: Dive into Trastevere’s flavors with a guided tasting walk:

Winner 2025 Rome Twilight Trastevere Food Tour by Eating Europe (around 4 hours; multiple stops from salumi to gelato).

If you prefer DIY, start with Negronis at Freni e Frizioni, then sample Trapizzino (saucy Roman “pocket” sandwiches) and finish with wine at Enoteca Ferrara.

Day 5: Gardens, Galleries, and Testaccio’s Roman Kitchen

Morning: Timed entry to the Galleria Borghese (2-hour slot; Bernini’s Apollo and Daphne, Canova’s Pauline). Stroll the Villa Borghese gardens to the Pincio Terrace for a sweeping view of Piazza del Popolo. Breakfast or second coffee at Canova near the piazza.

Afternoon: Head to Testaccio, the city’s culinary heart. Snack at Mercato Testaccio (Mordi e Vai’s scottona-panini, CasaManco pizza by the slice). Explore Centrale Montemartini (classical statues amid vintage turbines) or nearby Ostiense street art.

Evening: Dinner at Flavio al Velavevodetto (textbook Roman pastas, dining in an amphora-filled hill) or Osteria Fratelli Mori (warm service, seasonal dishes). For a nightcap with a view, try Terrazza Borromini (over Piazza Navona) or the Minerva Roof Garden.

Day 6: Full-Day Escape to Pompeii, Sorrento & the Amalfi Coast

Trade Rome’s cobbles for seaside cliffs and ancient ruins on a small-group day trip (typically 12–13 hours, early start, comfortable coach, and guided ruins visit). Expect coastal viewpoints, a stop in Sorrento or Positano (time for lunch/gelato), and expert storytelling in Pompeii.

Pompeii, Sorrento & Amalfi Coast Day Trip from Rome

Pack a hat, sunscreen, and comfy shoes; bring cash for coastal snacks. Back in Rome, a simple late dinner near your hotel—consider Ristorante da Cesare al Casaletto if you’re staying west, or a quick supplì and slice at Pizza Zaza near Termini.

Day 7: Appian Way, Underground Layers, and Farewell Rome

Morning: Espresso and maritozzo at Roscioli Caffè, then taxi or bus to the Appian Way (Via Appia Antica). Walk or rent a bike past cypress and tombs; visit the Catacombs of San Sebastiano or San Callisto. Alternatively, explore the Baths of Caracalla, a monumental bath complex you can wander almost alone in the early hours.

Afternoon: Return toward the center via Aventine Hill: peek through the famous Keyhole of the Knights of Malta, then descend to the Giardino degli Aranci for a Tiber view. Lunch at Trapizzino (Testaccio) or Osteria delle Coppelle. If time allows, step into Basilica di San Clemente to trace three layers of Roman history stacked beneath your feet.

Evening: Last walk across Ponte Sisto at golden hour. Toast the week with aperitivo at Jerry Thomas Speakeasy (book ahead) or a glass at Trimani (historic enoteca). Farewell dinner: Da Enzo al 29 (if you missed it), Pierluigi (seafood on a beautiful square), or Armando al Pantheon. One final scoop at La Romana or Gelateria del Teatro.

Local logistics tips:

• Transit: A single BIT ticket (~€1.50) covers 100 minutes on Metro/bus/tram; 24/48/72-hour and 7-day passes are good value if you ride often.
• Timing: Many museums close Mondays; churches may close mid-day. Dress modestly for basilicas.
• Dining: Book popular restaurants 1–2 weeks out. Aperitivo runs roughly 6:30–8:30 pm; dinner often starts 8 pm onward.

Alternate or add-on ideas (if you swap a day): Tivoli’s Villa d’Este and Hadrian’s Villa; Orvieto’s Duomo and underground; a cooking class day; the MAXXI museum for contemporary art.

At-a-glance booking links

• Stay: VRBO Rome | Hotels.com Rome
• Fly: Omio (to/from Europe) | Trip.com | Kiwi.com
• Trains/Buses: Omio Trains | Omio Buses
• Tours used above: Colosseum guided Arena access; Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel; Trastevere Food Tour; Pompeii & Amalfi Day Trip.

One week in Rome lets you touch the city’s great epochs—ancient arenas, papal splendor, and Renaissance finesse—while eating spectacularly between. With this day-by-day plan, you’ll see the icons, savor the neighborhoods, and leave with a few secret corners to call your own.