Rome doesn’t just preserve history—it lives in it. Founded, according to legend, by twins raised by a she-wolf, the Eternal City has been the stage for emperors and popes, poets and painters, revolutionaries and dreamers. Over seven days, you’ll walk roads first paved by Romans, look up at Michelangelo’s ceiling, and taste recipes perfected over centuries.

From the Colosseum to the Vatican Museums, from the Jewish Ghetto’s artichokes to Trastevere’s twilight lanes, this itinerary balances icons and neighborhoods. You’ll climb domes, linger in piazzas, and learn why Romans debate the “correct” way to make carbonara as if the Republic depended on it. Expect great espresso, generous hospitality, and glorious sunsets.

Practical notes: Dress modestly for churches (shoulders and knees covered). Watch for pickpockets in crowded areas like Trevi, the Metro, and buses. Taxis from FCO have a fixed city-center fare, and restaurants often appreciate reservations. Bring comfortable shoes—Rome is best seen on foot.

Rome

Rome is a tapestry of seven hills, marble fountains, and centuries of stories. Ancient sites like the Colosseum and Roman Forum sit beside Baroque splendor—Bernini’s fountains, Borromini’s curves—and neighborhood markets where nonnas still haggle for the best artichokes.

Top sights include the Colosseum and Palatine Hill, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Capitoline Museums. Don’t miss the Appian Way, the Baths of Caracalla, and hidden moments like the Aventine Keyhole and the Orange Garden.

• What to eat: Roman pasta canon—cacio e pepe, carbonara, amatriciana, gricia—plus supplì (fried rice croquettes), pizza al taglio, carciofi alla giudia (Jewish-style artichokes), and seasonal gelato.
• Where to stay: Centro Storico for first-timers; Monti for indie boutiques and wine bars; Prati for quieter nights near the Vatican; Trastevere for bohemian lanes and nightlife.
• Fun fact: SPQR, etched on manhole covers and monuments, stands for Senatus Populusque Romanus—“The Senate and People of Rome.”

Recommended accommodations (book with our affiliate partners):

• Hotel de Russie, a Rocco Forte Hotel — Iconic garden oasis between Piazza del Popolo and the Spanish Steps; refined rooms, standout spa, and a beloved courtyard bar.
• Hotel Eden - Dorchester Collection — Hilltop elegance near the Villa Borghese; panoramic restaurant views and polished service.
• Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel — Resort-style stay with city views, art collection, and an outdoor pool for summer.
• Hotel Santa Maria — Trastevere favorite with orange-tree courtyards; intimate and atmospheric.
• Kolbe Hotel Rome — Steps from the Forum with peaceful gardens and modern comforts.
• Hotel Mascagni — Solid value near Piazza della Repubblica; easy Metro access.
• The Beehive — Stylish budget-minded rooms and a friendly vibe close to Termini.
• Browse more Rome hotels on Hotels.com or Rome apartments on VRBO.

How to get to Rome:

• Flights within Europe: Compare prices on Omio (flights). Typical one-way fares €40–€150; FCO (Leonardo da Vinci) is the main hub, CIA (Ciampino) serves many low-cost carriers.
• Long-haul flights: Search Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com. Shoulder-season round-trips to FCO often run $550–$950 from North America.
• Trains in Europe: From Florence (~1.5h) or Naples (~1.1h) on high-speed lines; compare and book via Omio (trains). Advance fares can be €19–€45.
• Buses in Europe: Budget-friendly but slower; check Omio (buses) for overnight or low-cost routes.

Airport transfers: From FCO, the Leonardo Express to Termini takes ~32 minutes (~€14); regional trains to Trastevere/Tiburtina run ~45–55 minutes (~€8). Official city taxis have a fixed fare (~€50–€55 to central Rome). From CIA, the fixed fare to central Rome is ~€31; buses to Termini run ~40 minutes.

Day 1: Arrival, Centro Storico Stroll, and a Roman Welcome

Morning: Travel day. If you land early, drop bags at your hotel and refresh. Grab a first espresso and cornetto at Sant’Eustachio Il Caffè (historic roastery) or Tazza d’Oro near the Pantheon—both beloved for robust, old-school Roman roasts.

Afternoon: Start at the Spanish Steps and the Trinità dei Monti terrace for a city panorama. Wander down Via Condotti, detour to the Trevi Fountain (toss a coin over your left shoulder), then amble to the Pantheon to marvel at its 2,000-year-old dome. Pause for pizza bianca at Forno Campo de’ Fiori—flaky, salty, and perfect on the go.

Evening: Dinner near Piazza Navona: book Armando al Pantheon (classics like cacio e pepe and amatriciana) or Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina (cured meats, carbonara, deep wine list). Gelato at Giolitti or Frigidarium. Nightcap options: Salotto 42 for a civilized cocktail or the award-winning Drink Kong for cutting-edge mixology.

Day 2: Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill + Monti

Morning: Dive into Ancient Rome with a guided experience that uses the Gladiator’s Gate for arena-floor access:

Colosseum Arena Floor, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill Guided Tour

Standing on the arena, you’ll grasp the scale of the amphitheater and the stories of gladiators and emperors. Continue to the Forum’s basilicas and arches and up Palatine Hill for views across Rome.

Afternoon: Lunch in Monti: Ai Tre Scalini (Roman plates and local wines) or La Taverna dei Fori Imperiali (family-run trattoria beloved by locals). Explore Monti’s artisan boutiques on Via del Boschetto and grab a specialty coffee at Faro Monti.

Evening: Aperitivo at Blackmarket Hall or drink a glass of Cesanese at Enoteca Provincia Romana near Trajan’s Column. Dinner at Trattoria Monti (reserve for their tortello al rosso d’uovo) or Urbana 47 (farm-to-table). Gelato at Fatamorgana Monti—creative, clean flavors.

Day 3: Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s

Morning: Beat the crowds with skip-the-line entry and expert guidance:

Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter’s Basilica Guided Tour

Marvel at the Raphael Rooms, the Gallery of Maps, and Michelangelo’s frescoes in the Sistine Chapel, then step into St. Peter’s to experience the immensity of the world’s most famous basilica.

Afternoon: Casual lunch in Prati: Pizzarium Bonci for pizza al taglio (try potato–mozzarella or mortadella–pistachio) or Panificio Bonci for sandwiches. If energy allows, climb the dome of St. Peter’s for an unforgettable city view.

Evening: Stroll Borgo Pio’s lanes and along the Tiber. Dinner at Il Sorpasso (seasonal Roman with excellent charcuterie) or La Zanzara (lively brasserie vibes). Finish with gelato at Old Bridge near the Vatican walls.

Day 4: Markets, Jewish Ghetto, and Trastevere by Night

Morning: Coffee at Sant’Andrea della Valle’s nearby Bar Pascucci, then browse Campo de’ Fiori’s market—look for pecorino romano, sun-dried tomatoes, and seasonal produce. Grab warm pizza rossa from Forno Campo de’ Fiori.

Afternoon: Cross into the Jewish Ghetto for carciofi alla giudia (deep-fried artichokes) and Roman-Jewish classics at Nonna Betta or Ba’Ghetto. Visit the Turtle Fountain, stroll Tiber Island, and, if time permits, admire Renaissance frescoes at Villa Farnesina in Trastevere.

Evening: Eat your way through Trastevere with a beloved small-group experience:

Winner 2025 Rome Twilight Trastevere Food Tour by Eating Europe

Expect supplì, porchetta, artisanal cheeses, and gelato—plus neighborhood history woven between bites. Post-tour, sip amaro at Freni e Frizioni on the piazza.

Day 5: Day Trip — Pompeii, Amalfi Coast, and Positano

Let Rome rest while you witness the ruins of Pompeii and the drama of the Amalfi Coast on a full-day small-group excursion:

Pompeii, Amalfi Coast and Positano Day Trip from Rome

Typically 12–13 hours door-to-door with comfortable transport, guided Pompeii visit, and free time in Positano. Bring sunscreen, a hat, and comfortable shoes. Grab an early cappuccino and pastry at your hotel or Bar Fondi near Termini before departure. Return to Rome late; if you have energy, a simple plate of cacio e pepe awaits at Da Enzo al 29 (reserve), or opt for a late-night slice at Pizzarium if you’re staying in Prati.

Day 6: Art & Green Rome — Borghese Gallery, Villa Borghese, Testaccio

Morning: Reserve a timed slot for the Borghese Gallery: Bernini’s Apollo and Daphne and Canova’s Pauline Bonaparte are must-sees. Espresso and a maritozzo (cream bun) at Antico Caffè Greco near the Spanish Steps makes a classic start.

Afternoon: Stroll or rent bikes in Villa Borghese park, then head to Testaccio—Rome’s culinary heart. Lunch at Felice a Testaccio (tableside cacio e pepe) or Flavio al Velavevodetto (ancient-amphora backdrop). Browse Mercato Testaccio for bites like trapizzino (saucy fillings in pizza pockets) and Sicilian cannoli.

Evening: Golden-hour views from the Orange Garden (Giardino degli Aranci) and a peek through the Aventine Keyhole. Dinner at Osteria Fratelli Mori (seasonal Roman) or Cesare al Casaletto (a tram ride but worth it for exceptional fried starters and pastas). Gelato at Otaleg on the way back.

Day 7: Capitoline, Farewell Lunch, and Departure

Morning: Coffee at Tram Depot (Aventino kiosk) and a quick walk to the Circus Maximus. Head to the Capitoline Museums for a final immersion—Marcus Aurelius’ equestrian statue and the She-Wolf are touchstones of Rome’s story. If museums aren’t your mood today, linger in the streets you loved most for last-minute photos and artisan shopping.

Afternoon: Farewell lunch near the Pantheon: Salita 22 (modern Roman plates) or Armando al Pantheon if you missed it earlier. Pick up edible souvenirs—pecorino, guanciale (vacuum-packed), artisanal olive oil. Transfer to the airport or station; from Termini, the Leonardo Express gets you to FCO in ~32 minutes.

Evening: Fly home with a pocket full of ticket stubs, a camera full of domes and cobbles, and a new way of measuring time: before Rome and after.

Optional Add-Ons and Practical Tips

• Transport passes: A 72-hour integrated pass can be great if you’ll ride Metro and buses daily; otherwise, buy single tickets or tap-to-pay on buses/Metro.
• Dress code: For the Vatican and most churches, cover shoulders and knees. Bring a light scarf in summer.
• Reservations: Book popular restaurants several days ahead, especially Friday–Sunday. Tours like the Colosseum Arena and early Vatican entries sell out in peak months—reserve early.

Another great tour option if you want more Vatican time (swap into Day 3 if preferred):

Skip-the-Line Group Tour of the Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica

Across a week, this Rome itinerary weaves ancient ruins, Renaissance masterpieces, slow mornings with cappuccino, and late dinners in lantern-lit alleys. May the memories—first glimpses of the Colosseum, the hush of the Sistine Chapel, the snap of al dente pasta—pull you back to the Eternal City again.