Rome didn’t become the “Eternal City” by accident. Founded (so the legend goes) by twins raised by a she-wolf, it grew into the heart of an empire whose roads, laws, and monuments still shape our world. Today, ancient marble rubs shoulders with lively markets and espresso bars: one minute you’re in a basilica gazing at a Caravaggio, the next you’re sharing cacio e pepe in a family-run trattoria.

This 7-day Rome itinerary blends big icons—the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, Vatican Museums—with slow explorations of Monti, Trastevere, Testaccio, and the Appian Way. You’ll master Roman dining (from carbonara to Roman-style pizza al taglio), take a hands-on cooking class, and savor a sunset food tour. A day trip to Tivoli adds cascading Renaissance fountains and Hadrian’s grand villa to your Lazio story.

Practical notes: Rome is walkable but spread out; combine strolling with metro, tram, and buses. Respect church dress codes (shoulders/knees covered in basilicas), watch for pickpockets around crowded sights, and prebook headline attractions. For European flights and trains, search with Omio (flights) and Omio (trains); for hotels and apartments, browse Hotels.com and VRBO.

Rome

Rome is a palimpsest of time: Etruscan foundations, Republican stones, Baroque facades, and contemporary creative energy. It’s a place to look up (at domes and frescoes), look down (at cobblestones and ancient paving), and lean in (to menus written on chalkboards).

• Top sights: Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Basilica, Galleria Borghese, Castel Sant’Angelo, Appian Way.
• Neighborhoods to savor: Monti’s ateliers, Trastevere’s lanes, Testaccio’s food scene, Prati’s polished cafés, and the green sweep of Villa Borghese.
• What to eat: Roman pastas (cacio e pepe, carbonara, amatriciana), fried artichokes in the Jewish Ghetto, pizza al taglio, supplì, and gelato. Great espresso is standard; try Sant’Eustachio or Tazza d’Oro.
• Sleep well: See hotel picks below, or search broad options on Hotels.com and apartments on VRBO.

Where to Stay (curated picks)

• Hotel de Russie (Centro/near Piazza del Popolo): Garden oasis, refined rooms, and an excellent bar for aperitivo. Book via Hotels.com or this link.
• Hotel Eden (above the Spanish Steps): Skyline views and an elegant rooftop. Book via Hotels.com or this link.
• Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel (Monte Mario): Resort-style pool, art collection, and panoramic terrace. Book via Hotels.com.
• Hotel Santa Maria (Trastevere): Intimate cloister-like hideaway perfect for evenings in Trastevere. Book via Hotels.com.
• Kolbe Hotel Rome (by the Forum): Garden rooms steps from Ancient Rome. Book via Hotels.com.
• Hotel Mascagni (Repubblica): Solid midrange base near Termini and Via Veneto. Book via Hotels.com.
• The Beehive (Termini): Friendly, budget-minded with a café and courtyard. Book via Hotels.com.

Prefer your own kitchen or a family flat? See Rome apartments on VRBO.

Getting In & Around

• Flights: Fly into FCO (Fiumicino) or CIA (Ciampino). Compare routes and fares on Omio (flights).
• Airport transfers: Leonardo Express train FCO→Termini ~32 minutes; fixed-fare taxis serve central Rome; shuttle buses run to Termini. For intercity trains, check Omio (trains) and Omio (buses).
• Transit tips: Metro/bus/tram tickets cover 100 minutes; day and multi-day passes are good value if you’re moving a lot. Validate on entry and keep your ticket.

Day 1: Arrival, Pantheon to Piazza Navona

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Shake off jet lag with an espresso at Sant’Eustachio Il Caffè or Tazza d’Oro, then step into the Pantheon to admire the oculus and perfect proportions; there’s now a small admission fee and timed entry on busy days. Continue to Piazza Navona to see Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers and watch street artists at work.

Evening: Toss a coin at the Trevi Fountain after sunset when the crowds thin, then climb the Spanish Steps for a twilight view. Dinner near the Pantheon: Armando al Pantheon (classic Roman pastas), Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina (cult carbonara and an epic wine list), or Osteria del Sostegno (cozy, wood-beamed). End with gelato at Gelateria del Teatro.

Day 2: Colosseum, Forum & Palatine + Trastevere by Night

Morning: Dive into Ancient Rome with a guided experience that covers it all.

Rome: Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill Guided Tour — a dynamic, context-rich visit with priority entry; allow ~3 hours. Expect vivid stories of gladiators, emperors, and everyday Romans.

Afternoon: Linger in Monti, a stylish neighborhood of ateliers and cafés. Lunch picks: La Taverna dei Fori Imperiali (family-run institution), Pizzeria Alle Carrette (paper-thin Roman pies), or Urbana 47 (farm-to-fork). If you have energy, visit San Pietro in Vincoli to see Michelangelo’s Moses.

Evening: Eat the city with an award-winning progressive dinner in Trastevere: Winner 2025 Rome Twilight Trastevere Food Tour by Eating Europe. You’ll sample supplì, porchetta, artisanal cheeses, Roman pasta, and gelato across beloved local spots—guided by a food expert.

Day 3: Vatican City Masterpieces & the Tiber

Morning: Beat the lines and immerse yourself in a world-class collection.

Skip the line: Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peters Tour — discover the Raphael Rooms, Gallery of Maps, and the Sistine Chapel’s ceiling, followed by St. Peter’s Basilica. Allocate ~3–4 hours.

Afternoon: Grab lunch at Bonci Pizzarium near Cipro (inventive pizza al taglio by the slice) or Pastasciutta for quick fresh pasta. Stroll Borgo lanes, then cross to Castel Sant’Angelo and the angel-topped bridge for river views.

Evening: Aperitivo in Prati at Il Sorpasso (cured meats, small plates) or La Zanzara. Dine at L’Arcangelo (elegant takes on Roman classics, famed gnocchi) or return across the river for contemporary plates at Retrobottega. Nightcap at Drink Kong (acclaimed cocktail bar) if you’re up for a cab ride.

Day 4: Markets, the Jewish Ghetto & Hands-On Cooking

Morning: Start at Campo de’ Fiori Market for produce, pecorino, and sun-dried tomatoes; grab warm pizza bianca from Forno Campo de’ Fiori. Espresso at Sant’Eustachio, then wander to Largo di Torre Argentina (cat sanctuary and Julius Caesar history) and into the Jewish Ghetto.

Afternoon: Lunch on carciofi alla giudia (crispy Jewish-style artichokes) and amatriciana at Nonna Betta, or the cacio e pepe at Sora Margherita. Explore the Capitoline Museums for a refined take on Rome’s antiquities, and step out to Terrazza Caffarelli for a Roman rooftops panorama.

Evening: Tie on an apron for a convivial, delicious class.

3 in 1 Cooking Class near Navona: Fettuccine, Ravioli & Tiramisu — make fresh pasta and tiramisù, then sit down to enjoy your creations with wine. A memorable, hands-on Roman evening.

Day 5: Day Trip to Tivoli (Villa d’Este & Hadrian’s Villa)

Trade Rome’s bustle for Lazio’s hill town beauty. Take a Regionale train from Roma Tiburtina to Tivoli (~45–60 minutes; modest fare), or a Cotral bus from Ponte Mammolo. Compare schedules on Omio (trains) and Omio (buses). Start at Villa d’Este, a UNESCO gem with frescoed halls and spectacular Renaissance fountains cascading down terraced gardens.

Taxi or local bus to Hadrian’s Villa (Villa Adriana), the sprawling second-century retreat of Emperor Hadrian—temples, pools, and libraries spread over hectares. If time allows, swing by Villa Gregoriana for waterfalls and a gorge walk. Lunch options in Tivoli include historic Ristorante Sibilla (near the Temple of Vesta) or Il Ciocco for terrace views; finish with a maritozzo pastry at a local pasticceria. Return to Rome for a casual evening: try Trapizzino (stuffed pizza pockets) and a craft beer at L’Oasi della Birra in Testaccio.

Day 6: Gardens, Bernini, and the Ancient Appian Way

Morning: Prebook a timed slot at Galleria Borghese (two-hour entry). Bernini’s Apollo and Daphne and David, Canova’s Paolina Borghese, and Caravaggios are highlights. Stroll the lawns of Villa Borghese afterwards; grab coffee at a kiosk or nearby café.

Afternoon: Head to the Appian Way (Via Appia Antica)—the queen of roads. Rent a bike/e-bike to cover more ground, touring the Catacombs of San Sebastiano or San Callisto (modest entry fee, guided access) and the Baths of Caracalla for soaring ruins. Pack a simple picnic: pizza al taglio, olives, and seasonal fruit make a Roman feast.

Evening: Dine in Testaccio, the city’s culinary heartbeat: Flavio al Velavevodetto (benchmark carbonara and amatriciana), Felice a Testaccio (famous cacio e pepe tossed at the table), or Da Remo (classic Roman pizza). Sweet finish at Pasticceria Linari.

Day 7: Ostiense Street Art, Aventine Views & Farewell to Rome

Morning: Coffee and a pastry at Faro – Luminari del Caffè (specialty coffee) or brunch at Marigold (sourdough, seasonal plates) in Ostiense. Explore street art murals along Via Ostiense and, if you like sculpture among turbines, visit Centrale Montemartini (industrial-meets-classical).

Afternoon: Climb the Aventine Hill for the Orange Garden view and the famous keyhole peek at St. Peter’s. Wander to the Gianicolo (Janiculum) for Rome’s grandest panorama; detour to the Bocca della Verità if you enjoy legends. Snack on supplì at Supplizio near Campo de’ Fiori.

Evening: A celebratory finale: book Taverna Trilussa (pastas served in the pan) or Pierluigi (seafood and a storied piazza setting). For a glamorous toast, the Stravinskij Bar at Hotel de Russie shakes elegant classics; or watch the last light from a rooftop near the Spanish Steps before your departure tomorrow.

Alternative/Extra: Golf Cart City Spin (fun, low-effort overview)

If mobility or time is tight, consider a breezy overview that includes major highlights with plenty of photo stops.

Rome Highlights City Tour by Golf Cart with Gelato is a family-friendly way to cover a lot in a short window.

Practical Food & Coffee Shortlist

• Espresso & pastry: Sant’Eustachio, Tazza d’Oro, Faro – Luminari del Caffè.
• Pizza al taglio: Bonci Pizzarium, Antico Forno Roscioli, Forno Campo de’ Fiori.
• Roman pasta: Armando al Pantheon, Felice a Testaccio, Flavio al Velavevodetto, Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina, L’Arcangelo.
• Gelato: Gelateria del Teatro, Fatamorgana.
• Aperitivo/cocktails: Il Sorpasso, Freni e Frizioni, Drink Kong, Stravinskij Bar.

Departure Day Notes

Assume an afternoon flight; fit in a last coffee and a quick stroll. Leave ample time for airport transfers; the Leonardo Express runs frequently to Termini, and fixed-fare taxis serve the historic center.

In summary: This 7-day Rome itinerary balances headline icons with neighborhood texture and food-forward moments: you’ll stand in the Colosseum’s shadows, read the Sistine Chapel ceiling, twirl cacio e pepe, and coast along the ancient Appian Way. With one day in Tivoli, you’ll add fountains and imperial grandeur to your story—returning home with Rome in your step and a dozen new favorite places to eat.