Rome didn’t earn the title “Eternal City” by accident. From imperial forums and Renaissance piazzas to baroque churches and bohemian neighborhoods, each corner presents a new chapter in a 2,000-year story. This 7-day Rome itinerary weaves the must-see icons with slow moments—espresso at the bar, sunset over domes, and dinners that stretch late into the night.

Expect crowd-pleasers like the Colosseum, the Vatican Museums, and the Pantheon paired with local favorites: a morning at Testaccio Market, a stroll on the Appian Way, a plate of carbonara just where it was perfected. You’ll taste Rome through trattorie, bakeries, and gelaterie beloved by residents, not just guidebooks.

Practical notes: pack a scarf or light shawl to cover shoulders and knees for churches, bring comfortable shoes for cobblestones, and keep valuables secure on public transport and in busy squares. Tap water from Rome’s stone fountains (nasoni) is safe and delicious—refill your bottle often.

Rome

Rome is a living museum and a lived-in city. Mornings begin with a stand-up espresso; afternoons drift into golden-hour passeggiate. Ancient columns punctuate modern life—metro stations sit near ruins; markets thrive beside Renaissance palaces.

• Top sights: Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, Spanish Steps, St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican Museums, Galleria Borghese.
• Neighborhoods to know: Trastevere (lanes and trattorie), Monti (boutiques and wine bars), Testaccio (market and Roman cuisine), Prati (wide boulevards, shopping), Ostiense (street art, cafes).
• Where to eat: Roman pasta temples (carbonara, amatriciana, cacio e pepe), suppli’ (fried rice balls), pizza al taglio, seasonal artichokes, gelato from small-batch artisans.

Getting to Rome and around: Fly into FCO (Leonardo da Vinci) or CIA (Ciampino). For flights within Europe, compare fares on Omio (flights in Europe). For long-haul flights to Europe, check Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com. From the airport, the Leonardo Express reaches Termini Station in about 32 minutes (~€14), while official white taxis have a fixed fare of about €50 to central Rome.

Trains to Rome: High-speed trains connect Florence (~1.5 hours), Naples (~1h10), and Milan (~3 hours). Book at Omio (trains in Europe). For buses, see Omio (buses). Within the city, use metro lines A/B/C, buses, and trams; buy tickets at metro stations, tabacchi, or newsstands.

Where to stay (handpicked):

• Hotel de Russie, a Rocco Forte Hotel — Legendary gardens near Piazza del Popolo; elegant rooms, standout aperitivo scene.
• Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel — Hilltop views, Roman art collection, and the three-Michelin-star La Pergola.
• Hotel Santa Maria — Intimate courtyards in Trastevere; perfect for evenings of cobblestone wandering.
• Kolbe Hotel Rome — Steps from the Forum with garden serenity; great for history lovers.
• Hotel Mascagni — Solid value near Repubblica; easy metro access.
• The Beehive — Friendly, budget-minded base with mindful touches near Termini.

Browse more stays: Hotels.com: Rome | VRBO: Rome

Day 1: Arrival, Centro Storico, and Sunset Squares

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Shake off jet lag with a classic espresso at Sant’Eustachio Il Caffè (noted for its caramel crema) or Tazza d’Oro by the Pantheon. Walk the Centro Storico triangle: Pantheon (2nd-century temple), Piazza Navona (Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers), and Campo de’ Fiori market for seasonal fruit and pecorino tasting.

Evening: Toss a coin into Trevi Fountain, then climb the Spanish Steps for a pink-hour view. Dinner options: Armando al Pantheon (reservations essential; Roman pastas, grilled lamb), Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina (iconic carbonara; excellent wine list), or Da Enzo al 29 in Trastevere (slow-cooked oxtail, tiramisù). Nightcap at Salotto 42 (cocktails under the columns of the Temple of Hadrian) or bar-hopping in Monti at Blackmarket Hall.

Day 2: Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill

Morning: Quick breakfast: cappuccino and cornetto at Panificio Bonci or Roscioli Caffè. Join a guided visit for context and skip-the-line access. We recommend the Colosseum Arena Floor, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill Guided Tour for Gladiator’s Gate entry onto the arena floor.

Afternoon: After exploring the Forum’s Sacred Way and Palatine gardens, lunch nearby: Taverna dei Fori Imperiali (family-run, seasonal Roman menu) or La Prezzemolina (excellent pizza al taglio on the go). Wander to the Capitoline Hill for an overlook of the Forum; if time allows, dip into the Capitoline Museums for she-wolf lore and Renaissance masterpieces.

Evening: Aperitivo in Monti at Urbana 47 (farm-to-table bites) or Ai Tre Scalini (cozy wine bar). Dinner at Trattoria Monti (Le Marche specialties; order the tortino) or hostaria-style Cesare al Casaletto (a tram ride away, but beloved for fried starters and textbook cacio e pepe). Gelato at Fatamorgana or Gelateria del Teatro.

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

Morning: Dress code check (shoulders and knees covered). Fuel up at Pergamino Caffè near the Vatican for specialty coffee. Join a small-group tour to maximize time and insight—like the Skip-the-Line Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's | Small Group.

Afternoon: Climb St. Peter’s Dome for sweeping city views (optional) and pause in St. Peter’s Square to appreciate Bernini’s colonnade. Lunch in Prati: Pastasciutta (casual fresh pasta), Il Sorpasso (modern trattoria; great charcuterie), or Bonci Pizzarium (creative pizza by the slice).

Evening: Cross the Tiber via Ponte Sant’Angelo’s angel-lined bridge. Dinner around Piazza Navona at Osteria del Sostegno (cozy, classic dishes) or Retrobottega (contemporary, chef-driven). For cocktails, try Drink Kong (award-winning, high-concept) or Freni e Frizioni in Trastevere for a lively aperitivo scene.

Day 4: Trastevere, Janiculum Hill, and a Food Tour

Morning: Start with cappuccino at Caffè Settimiano or breakfast cakes at Le Levain. Explore Santa Maria in Trastevere’s shimmering mosaics and the ivy-draped alleys. Hike up to the Janiculum (Gianicolo) Terrace for one of Rome’s finest panoramas.

Afternoon: Lunch at Taverna Trilussa (rigatoni alla gricia served in the pan) or Trapizzino (Roman street-food pocket stuffed with classics like chicken cacciatora). Browse artisan shops along Via della Lungaretta and Via della Scala.

Evening: Dive deeper into the neighborhood’s flavors on the Winner 2025 Rome Twilight Trastevere Food Tour by Eating Europe—a curated feast of salumi, Roman pastas, suppli’, and gelato, with stories behind each bite.

Day 5: Borghese Art, Villa Gardens, and Testaccio Market

Morning: Reserve ahead for the Galleria Borghese (mandatory timed entries). Marvel at Bernini’s “Apollo and Daphne” and Caravaggio’s chiaroscuro. Afterwards, rent bikes or a pedal cart in Villa Borghese and roll to the Pincian Terrace for a postcard view over Piazza del Popolo.

Afternoon: Head to Testaccio: graze at Mercato Testaccio—Mordi & Vai (famed panini with slow-braised meats), CasaManco (seasonal pizza al taglio), and fresh produce stalls. Walk to the Pyramid of Cestius and the Non-Catholic Cemetery (Keats and Shelley’s final resting place) for a tranquil interlude.

Evening: Dinner in Testaccio at Flavio al Velavevodetto (classic Roman pastas in a terraced space built into Monte dei Cocci) or Piatto Romano (seasonal, market-driven). If you’re in the mood for craft beer, try Ma Che Siete Venuti a Fà in Trastevere; for natural wine, Enoteca L’Angolo Divino near Campo de’ Fiori.

Day 6: Full-Day Excursion to Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast

Trade the city for coastal cliffs and ancient streets on a small-group experience: Pompeii, Amalfi Coast and Positano Day Trip from Rome. Typical schedule: early departure by comfortable minibus (~2.5 hours to Pompeii), a guided walk through frescoed villas and forums, then a scenic coastal drive with free time in Positano for lunch and beachside wandering before returning to Rome in the evening.

Back in Rome, keep it easy: late dinner near your hotel. In the Centro, try Osteria delle Coppelle (convivial vibe, Roman staples) or Emma (excellent thin-crust pizza). If energy permits, stroll by the illuminated Trevi Fountain or the quiet Pantheon square.

Day 7: Appian Way, Catacombs, and Farewell Rome

Morning: Coffee at Marigold (Ostiense; great sourdough and cinnamon buns) or Pergamino if you’re north of the river. Rent bikes and ride the Via Appia Antica, Rome’s ancient “Queen of Roads,” past pine trees and crumbling tombs. Visit one set of Catacombs (San Sebastiano or San Callisto) for a glimpse of early Christian burial chambers.

Afternoon: Return via the Baths of Caracalla (massive 3rd-century complex). Lunch at Eataly Ostiense (varied counters; quick and good), or Trattoria Pennestri (creative Roman dishes; save room for dessert). If you prefer a relaxed last afternoon, book a small-group golf cart city spin like Rome Highlights City Tour by Golf Cart with Gelato—or linger in Monti for final souvenir shopping along Via del Boschetto.

Evening: For a memorable finale, book Imàgo (Michelin-starred dining with spellbinding views) or settle into Pianostrada (inventive plates; stylish, intimate). One last gelato at Giolitti or Gelateria del Teatro, then a slow walk through softly lit streets—Rome’s finest goodbye.

Bonus: Alternative Vatican/Colosseum Options

If tickets are sold out on your preferred day, consider these excellent alternates:

• Rome: Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill Guided Tour
• Skip-the-Line Group Tour of the Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica

Departure Day Tips: Aim for an afternoon flight/train. Squeeze in a final espresso at Sant’Eustachio or a quick spin through Campo de’ Fiori for edible souvenirs (dried porcini, vacuum-packed pecorino). For European trains or buses onward, check times and fares on Omio Trains or Omio Buses; for flights within Europe, Omio Flights, and for long-haul flights, compare on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

One more standout guided experience: If you want a deeper Vatican dive, consider the Skip the Line: Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel + Optional Basilica, which focuses your time on the masterpieces.

Final Notes: Book marquee sights (Vatican, Colosseum, Borghese) and the Trastevere food tour well in advance, especially for spring and fall. For dining, reservations are increasingly essential at popular trattorie; lunch is your best bet for walk-ins.

Trip Summary: In a week, you’ll walk with emperors and popes, dine with locals, and discover neighborhoods that feel built for lingering. Rome rewards curiosity—peek down side streets, follow the smell of fresh bread, and let your evenings end under a canopy of domes and stars. Arrivederci, and alla prossima!