Rome isn’t just a city—it’s a 3,000-year conversation. Emperors, popes, artists, and everyday Romans left layers of beauty from the Forum to Bernini’s fountains. In a week, you’ll trace the arc from antiquity to modern café life, savoring perfect espresso in the shadow of Renaissance masterpieces.

Along the way, you’ll skip lines at the Vatican, walk the Colosseum’s gladiator stage, and meander cobbled lanes where laundry flutters above trattoria tables. We’ll pair big-ticket sights with local favorites—markets, wine bars, artisan bakeries—so you feel the rhythm of Rome, not just the highlights reel.

Practicalities matter: book timed entries for popular museums, wear comfy shoes for uneven stones, and embrace the Italian day—slow mornings, long lunches, golden-hour strolls, late dinners. For transit, taxis and the metro are easy; gelato stops are essential. Buon viaggio!

Rome

Rome rewards curiosity. Turn a corner and you might meet a Caravaggio, a tucked-away cloister, or a bakery selling just-out-of-the-oven pizza bianca. Neighborhoods each have a voice—Monti’s indie boutiques, Prati’s elegant avenues, Trastevere’s convivial piazzette.

Top sights include the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s, the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, Capitoline Museums, and Galleria Borghese. Balance those with strolls on the Appian Way, browsing Mercato Testaccio, and sunset viewpoints like the Pincian Terrace.

Where to stay (handpicked, bookable now):

• Hotel de Russie, a Rocco Forte Hotel — Iconic gardens between Piazza del Popolo and the Spanish Steps; refined rooms and an excellent courtyard aperitivo.
• Hotel Eden – Dorchester Collection — Classic Roman glamour with striking rooftop views; ideal for special-occasion stays.
• Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel — Resort-style escape with a famed art collection and panoramic pool; shuttle to the center.
• Hotel Santa Maria — Trastevere charmer with orange-tree courtyard; perfect for evenings of wine bars and alleyway wanderings.
• Kolbe Hotel Rome — Peaceful base by the Forum, with a tranquil cloister garden for breakfast.
• Hotel Mascagni — Central, value-friendly, near the Metro and the Teatro dell’Opera.
• The Beehive — Stylish budget stay by Termini; café, community vibe, and smart design.

Compare more options: Hotels.com: Rome | VRBO: Rome Apartments

Getting to/around Rome:

• Flights: Within Europe, compare fares on Omio (Flights). For long-haul routes, check Kiwi.com and, for non-Europe routes, Trip.com Flights.
• Trains within Italy: Use Omio (Trains) for routes like Florence–Rome (~1.5 hours, roughly €20–€45) or Naples–Rome (~1–1.25 hours, roughly €15–€35).
• Airport transfers: From FCO, Leonardo Express train (~32 min; about €14) to Termini or licensed taxis with a fixed fare around €50 to central Rome. From CIA, taxis run around €31–€35 to the center.

Day 1: Arrival, Golden-Hour Rome, and Your First Pasta

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Shake off travel at the elegant Piazza del Popolo, then stroll Via del Babuino toward the Spanish Steps. For a first espresso, try Sant’Eustachio Il Caffè (caramel-leaning house blend) or La Casa del Caffè Tazza d’Oro near the Pantheon.

Evening: Make a wish at the Trevi Fountain at dusk, then dinner in the historic center. Try Armando al Pantheon (classic Roman pastas; book ahead), Osteria delle Coppelle (bustling osteria with Roman staples), or Emma Pizzeria (paper-thin pies and top-notch mozzarella). Gelato at Gelateria del Teatro (sage–raspberry and Sicilian pistachio are standouts).

Day 2: The Colosseum, Forum, and Monti’s Wine Bars

Morning: Fuel up at Roscioli Caffè (perfect maritozzi, the cream-filled Roman bun), then step into ancient glory with a guide who brings it to life. Book:

Rome: Colosseum Arena, Palatine & Forum - Gladiator's Stage Tour (about 2.5–3 hours; typically from ~$55–$85). Skip lines, enter via the restricted gladiator’s gate, and stand on the arena floor before walking the Forum and Palatine Hill.

Book the tour on Viator

Afternoon: Linger on the Via dei Fori Imperiali overlook, then the Capitoline Museums for the she-wolf and a terrace view. Lunch in Monti at La Taverna dei Fori Imperiali (family-run; amatriciana is excellent), Broccoletti (seasonal plates), or the landmark wine bar Ai Tre Scalini (crostini and Roman cheeses).

Evening: Aperitivo at Court (cocktails with a Colosseum view; arrive early), then dinner at Trattoria Monti (book; roast meats and eggy carbonara) or Osteria La Carbonara – Monti (traditional, convivial). Gelato at Fatamorgana Monti (creative, natural flavors).

Day 3: The Vatican Masterpieces and Trastevere by Night

Morning: Head to Prati’s Sciascia Caffè 1919 for espresso, then a timed skip-the-line Vatican visit. This small-group option optimizes time and context:

Skip-the-Line Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's | Small Group (around 3 hours; often from ~$60–$90). You’ll navigate Raphael Rooms, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s with explanatory depth.

Book the tour on Viator

Afternoon: Climb the St. Peter’s Basilica dome for postcard panoramas, then grab lunch at Pizzarium Bonci (pizza al taglio; try potato–mozzarella or caponata toppings). Stroll the Borgo backstreets and the bridge to Castel Sant’Angelo for riverside views.

Evening: Eat your way through Trastevere with a guided tasting walk that folds in history and neighborhood lore:

Winner 2025 Rome Twilight Trastevere Food Tour by Eating Europe (roughly 3.5–4 hours; commonly from ~$95–$125). Expect suppli, Roman-style pizza, cured meats, and gelato, plus wine pairings at beloved venues.

Book the tour on Viator

Nightcap at Freni e Frizioni (creative spritzes) or the cozy natural-wine bar Il Goccetto back across the river.

Day 4: Baroque Rome, Caravaggio, and Villa Borghese

Morning: Browse Campo de’ Fiori Market, then grab warm pizza bianca at Forno Campo de’ Fiori. Walk to Piazza Navona (Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers), the Pantheon (now ticketed—reserve a slot), and the Caravaggio canvases at San Luigi dei Francesi and Sant’Agostino.

Afternoon: Timed entry at the Galleria Borghese (Bernini’s Daphne and Apollo, Canova’s Pauline Borghese). Afterwards, stroll the Villa Borghese park to the Pincian Terrace for sweeping city views.

Evening: Aperitivo at Salotto 42 (design-forward lounge by Hadrian’s Temple) or Terrazza Borromini (book for sunset). Dinner options: Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina (carbonara royalty; book), Pianostrada (modern, market-driven plates), or Osteria da Fortunata (hand-rolled tonnarelli). Cocktails at Drink Kong (award-winning bar with Japanese flair).

Day 5: Appian Way Biking, Catacombs, and Testaccio Traditions

Morning: Rent bikes near the Via Appia Antica Visitor Center and pedal ancient basalt stones past Cecilia Metella’s mausoleum and the Circus of Maxentius. Visit the Catacombs of San Sebastiano or San Callisto (cool, atmospheric underground galleries).

Afternoon: Picnic at Caffè Appia Antica or head to Mercato Testaccio for Roman street food: Trapizzino (saucy fillings in warm pizza-pocket bread), Mordi e Vai (braised beef panini), and CasaManco (creative pizza al taglio). Coffee at Marigold in Ostiense (Scandi-Italian bakery-café).

Evening: Dinner in Testaccio at Flavio al Velavevodetto (cacio e pepe inside Monte Testaccio’s pottery hill) or Felice a Testaccio (celebrated tonnarelli cacio e pepe, tossed at the table). Craft beers at Ma Che Siete Venuti a Fà in Trastevere or a reservation-only speakeasy, Jerry Thomas Project, for a final nightcap.

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

Early light breakfast and daypack ready—today is long but unforgettable. This small-group excursion lets you explore a buried Roman city and the coast’s photogenic cliffs without the logistics puzzle:

Pompeii, Amalfi Coast and Positano Day Trip from Rome (about 12–13 hours; typically from ~$170–$220). Air-conditioned transport, expert guide in Pompeii, free time in Positano or Amalfi for coastal views and lemon sorbet.

Book the day trip on Viator

Back in Rome late evening. If you’ve got energy, a light bite near your hotel—think Supplizio (gourmet supplì) or a slice from Antico Forno Roscioli.

Day 7: Villa Walks, Last Bites, and Departure

Morning: A final passeggiata: wander the Jewish Ghetto lanes and Teatro di Marcello, then coffee at Barnum Café or Caffè Greco (historic). If you missed it, a quick stop inside the Pantheon or a view from the Capitoline hilltop over the Forum is a stirring farewell.

Afternoon: Early lunch at Nonna Betta (carciofi alla giudia and Roman-Jewish specialties), or graze at Mercato Centrale Roma by Termini for last-minute bites to-go. Depart for the airport or train station (plan ~1 hour to FCO with taxi or train).

Evening: Departure day—arrive at the airport relaxed with memories, photos, and maybe a vacuum-sealed wedge of pecorino in your bag.

Optional/alternate experiences if you want more: Capitoline Museums in-depth, Ostia Antica half-day in place of Pompeii, the Baths of Caracalla and a terrace aperitivo, or an evening city overview by golf cart for minimal walking and maximum scenery.

Handy Booking Shortcuts

• Hotels and Apartments: Hotels.com (Rome) | VRBO (Rome)
• Flights and Trains: Omio Flights (Europe) | Omio Trains (Italy/Europe) | Omio Buses | Kiwi.com (long-haul) | Trip.com Flights

One more can’t-miss skip-the-line option (if swapping days):

If you prefer the Vatican earlier or on a different day, this guided tour is also excellent:

Skip the line: Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peters Tour

Book on Viator

In a week, you’ve walked with gladiators, looked up at Michelangelo’s ceiling, biked a Roman highway older than memory, and eaten like a local. Rome lingers—on your camera roll and your palate. Arrivederci… until next time.