Rome, the Eternal City, has been captivating travelers for over two millennia—an open-air museum where emperors engineered spectacles, popes commissioned genius, and daily life unfolds among ruins and fountains. Founded (legend says) in 753 BCE, it grew upon seven hills, then outlasted empires to become a cradle of art, cuisine, and culture. Today, its layers—Republican temples, Renaissance palazzi, baroque church façades—stack like pages of a living history book.

Couples fall for Rome’s twilight tones, piazza buskers, and wine bars tucked into cobbled lanes. Between masterpieces by Michelangelo and Bernini, you’ll share cacio e pepe, sip espresso pulled by fourth-generation baristas, and watch the Tiber glow at sunset. Iconic landmarks—Vatican Museums, the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps—sit minutes apart, inviting slow walks and café breaks.

Practical notes: dress modestly for churches (shoulders/knees covered), book timed entries for top sights, and watch for pickpockets in crowded areas. Public transit is simple: 100-minute tickets (~€1.50), 72-hour passes (~€18), and a 7-day pass (~€24) are widely sold; taxis and ride-hail fill gaps after midnight. Rome levies a nightly tourist tax, paid to your accommodation.

Rome

Rome rewards curiosity. Wander from the Pantheon to Piazza Navona’s fountains, cross the Tiber into bohemian Trastevere, then climb the Pincio terrace for a golden-hour view. Food here is fiercely local: carbonara with guanciale, fried artichokes in the Jewish Quarter, and pizza al taglio from counters where the line wraps the block.

Top sights include the Colosseum and Roman Forum, the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Borghese Gallery, and the Appian Way. Between them, you’ll find artisan gelato, historic cafés, and lively markets like Campo de’ Fiori.

• Getting there & around: For flights within or to/from Europe, compare options on Omio (Flights). For European trains and buses, use Omio (Trains) and Omio (Buses). If you’re booking long-haul routes outside Europe, also compare on Trip.com (Flights) or Kiwi.com.
• Airport transfers: From FCO: Leonardo Express train to Termini (32 min, ~€14), fixed-fare taxi (~€50 to central Rome), or bus (~€7–8, 50–60 min). From CIA: SIT/ATAC buses (~€6–7, 40–60 min) or fixed-fare taxi (~€31 to central Rome).

• Where to stay (romance-friendly picks across budgets):
• Search apartments and homes on VRBO Rome or hotels on Hotels.com Rome.
• Hotel Santa Maria (Trastevere): Candlelit courtyard and ivy walls—classic for couples. Book on Hotels.com.
• Kolbe Hotel Rome (by the Forum): Peaceful garden cloister steps from Ancient Rome. Book on Hotels.com.
• Hotel Mascagni (near Repubblica): Stylish mid-range base with good transit links. Book on Hotels.com.
• The Beehive (budget-chic): Design-forward rooms, café vibes, green ethos. Book on Hotels.com.
• Hotel de Russie (luxury splurge): Secret garden between Piazza del Popolo and the Spanish Steps. Book on Hotels.com.
• Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel (resort-style): Hilltop views, art collection, and a destination pool. Book on Hotels.com.

Day 1: Arrival, Centro Storico Stroll, and a Tiber Sunset

Morning: Fly or train into Rome. If you arrive early, drop bags and keep moving to beat jet lag—fresh air and sunlight help reset the clock.

Afternoon: Ease into Rome with a walk: Piazza di Spagna, the Spanish Steps, then the Trevi Fountain (toss a coin over your shoulder). Coffee stop at Sant’Eustachio Il Caffè for their signature “gran caffè.” Gelato at Giolitti or Gelateria del Teatro—both excel in pistachio and seasonal fruit flavors.

Evening: Golden hour along the Tiber, then dinner in Trastevere. For a romantic Roman feast, try Taverna Trilussa (rich amatriciana served in a pan) or Da Enzo al 29 (tiny, book ahead). Budget-friendly and lively: Pizzeria Ai Marmi for thin-crust Roman pies. Nightcap at Freni e Frizioni (aperitivo-style cocktails) or Il Goccetto (historic wine bar).

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

Morning: Step into antiquity with a guided tour that brings the arena to life:

Rome: Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill Guided Tour

Choose options with Arena Floor access for unforgettable photos. Quick breakfast near Monti: Panella – L’Arte del Pane for Roman pastries.

Afternoon: Explore the Capitoline Museums for the bronze equestrian Marcus Aurelius and sweeping Forum views from Piazza del Campidoglio. Grab pizza al taglio at La Prezzemolina or a plate of cacio e pepe at La Taverna dei Fori Imperiali.

Evening: Aperitivo on a rooftop—Minerva Roof Garden (near the Pantheon) or Terrazza Cielo at Monti Palace—then dinner at Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina (Roman classics and a wine list to get lost in). Sweet finish: tiramisù at Two Sizes near Piazza Navona.

Day 3: Vatican Masterpieces and the Borgo’s Backstreets

Morning: Beat the crowds with a priority-entry guided visit to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel:

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

Marvel at Raphael Rooms and Michelangelo’s ceiling, then step into St. Peter’s. Dress code enforced (shoulders/knees covered).

Afternoon: Climb St. Peter’s Dome for the city’s best panorama. Lunch nearby: Pizzarium Bonci (inventive pizza squares) or Pastasciutta for fast, fresh pasta.

Evening: Stroll across Ponte Sant’Angelo at sunset. Dine in elegant Prati: La Zanzara (modern trattoria, great for sharing plates) or Osteria dell’Angelo (homey Roman cooking). For dessert, cremolato at Neve di Latte.

Day 4: Trastevere, Jewish Quarter, and a Twilight Food Tour

Morning: Breakfast at Le Levain (buttery croissants) or Caffè Settimiano. Visit Villa Farnesina for Renaissance frescoes by Raphael—an under-the-radar gem that couples love. Pop into Santa Maria in Trastevere to admire glittering mosaics.

Afternoon: Cross to the Jewish Ghetto. Try carciofo alla giudia (crispy fried artichoke) at Nonna Betta or Ba’Ghetto, then wander to the Portico d’Ottavia and Tiber Island.

Evening: Join Rome’s award-winning evening tasting walk through Trastevere’s tiny lanes:

Winner 2025 Rome Twilight Trastevere Food Tour by Eating Europe

Expect supplì, porchetta, cheeses, gelato, and local wine at beloved spots. After, enjoy a riverside walk or a cocktail at Jerry Thomas Speakeasy (book ahead).

Day 5: Gardens, Galleries, and a Hands-On Pasta Night

Morning: Book a timed entry for the Borghese Gallery to see Bernini’s Apollo and Daphne and Canova’s Pauline Bonaparte. Afterwards, rent a rowboat on the Borghese lake or cycle through the park to the Pincio Terrace.

Afternoon: Brunch or coffee at Marigold (Ostiense) or Faro (specialty coffee, near Termini). Explore Testaccio’s food scene—grab a trapizzino pocket at Trapizzino Testaccio and peek into the ancient Monte Testaccio hill of amphorae.

Evening: Learn, cook, and dine together a few steps from Piazza Navona:

3 in 1 Cooking Class near Navona: Fettuccine, Ravioli & Tiramisu

You’ll prepare fresh pasta and dessert, then sit down to your own creations—an intimate, very Roman date night. If you’re still peckish later, stroll for gelato at Fiordiluna or Gelateria del Teatro.

Day 6: Tivoli Day Trip—Fountains, Ruins, and Hilltop Views

Morning: Escape to Tivoli for a romantic garden-and-villa day. From Roma Tiburtina, regional trains (~50–70 min, ~€3–€5) or buses (~60–75 min) reach Tivoli; check Omio (Trains) or Omio (Buses). Visit Villa d’Este’s terraced Renaissance gardens and musical fountains, then Hadrian’s Villa (Villa Adriana), a vast imperial retreat of pools and porticos.

Afternoon: Lunch at Ristorante Sibilla (historic spot by the Temple of Vesta) for handmade pasta and cliffside views. Wander Tivoli’s lanes for biscotti and lemon granita.

Evening: Return to Rome. Casual dinner ideas: Flavio al Velavevodetto (Testaccio; tonnarelli cacio e pepe) or Seu Pizza Illuminati (inventive pies, great for sharing). Night walk through Piazza del Popolo and up to the Pincio terrace for one last sunset glow.

Day 7: Market Morning, Appian Way Biking, and a Farewell Feast

Morning: Start at Campo de’ Fiori—grab pizza bianca from Forno Campo de’ Fiori and seasonal fruit from the stalls. Espresso at Tazza d’Oro or Sant’Eustachio, then dip into the Pantheon’s perfect dome (a rare ancient interior that still stuns).

Afternoon: Rent bikes near the Baths of Caracalla and pedal the Appian Way (Via Appia Antica), Rome’s ancient “Queen of Roads,” lined with cypresses and tombs. Stop at the Catacombs of San Sebastiano or San Callisto. Picnic with porchetta, pecorino, and olives picked up earlier.

Evening: For a romantic finale, book Pianostrada (creative seasonal plates; intimate) or Aroma (splurge-worthy, Colosseum views). Mid-budget coziness: Osteria delle Coppelle (candlelit rooms). End with a fountain-side stroll through Piazza Navona and one last gelato at Fatamorgana.

Insider Tips, Budget Notes, and Practicalities

• Timing: Reserve Borghese Gallery, Vatican, and Colosseum tours at least 1–2 weeks ahead (longer in spring/fall).
• Transit: A 72-hour pass (~€18) works well midweek; a 7-day pass (~€24) suits this whole itinerary if you’ll ride daily.
• Dining: Book popular restaurants for 8 pm or later; many kitchens open for dinner around 7:30 pm. Coperto is not standard in Rome, but pane e coperto or service charges may appear—check the menu.
• Churches: Bring a light shawl or scarf to meet dress codes; Sundays and religious holidays can affect opening hours.
• Safety: Keep bags zipped and phones stowed on metro lines and around major squares; use crossbody bags.

Optional Add-On: Another Vatican or Colosseum Angle

If you crave an alternative perspective, consider one of these (swap into Days 2–3 as desired):

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

  

With a week in Rome, you’ve balanced headline sights with long, romantic rambles and memorable meals. Expect moments that linger: the hush beneath the Pantheon oculus, the sparkle of Villa d’Este’s fountains, the first spoon of tiramisù you whisked together. Arrivederci—for now.