One day in Rome: can it be done?

We will certainly try

There once was a dream that was Rome. The eternal city. The seat of power in the ancient world, whose influence is felt across the entire planet to this very day. A cultural, religious and military powerhouse the likes of which the world has never seen, either before or since. Fortunately, it’s still there! You can go! We did. It’s hot, it’s busy, it’s magical. The best thing about a city break is that they can be short and sweet. If you have a few days of annual leave to use up, or if you’re looking to make the most of a bank holiday weekend, a quick trip to Rome is the perfect solution. Here, we’ll look at some of the best things you can do and how to make the most of your time there.

As an aside, if you’d like to support the site, you can buy us our next cappuccino at the link below. Cheers!

One of the many beautiful views across Rome

Can Rome be done in a day?

A real FAQ. the answer is technically yes. Technically, all of Europe can be done in a day, if you’re willing to just see one or two bits. It’s all relative. How much do you want to see? The thing about Rome is that there’s just so much of it. Round every corner you’ll stumble upon another monument, church, temple or statue that tells a fascinating story from years gone by. One day might be enough to get a little flavour, but you’d be missing out! You may as well take a little more time and really get stuck in.

Can Rome be done in 3 days?

Again, technically, yes, Rome can be done in 3 days, but it depends on what you’re willing to miss out on. You could spend a lifetime there and discover something brand-new every day! If, however, you’re content with a superficial look, three days is enough to hit the big attractions and postcard staples. While a massive, sprawling city, Rome is actually fairly compact, with beauty around every corner. For example, we were going to skip the Trevi fountain this year, but ended up stumbling across it by accident anyway!

Castel Sant'Angelo with restoration works underway

Our Rome 3-day itinerary

If you’ve only got a few days in Rome, you can make the most of your time in the centre, checking all the big spots off of the list. We recently did a three-day excursion on foot. Highly recommended if you love blisters! We did 28 thousand steps on day 1, 22 on day 2 and 14 on day 3. No matter when you’re reading this, we guarantee our feet have not yet recovered. Fortunately, if you don’t fancy the long march, with buses, tubes and trains, Rome has a pretty decent public transport system! Here’s what we did and when:

Day 1

This looks like a lot but, fortunately, you’ll find all five of these attractions on just two streets, easily within walking distance.

• Circus Maximus

• Colosseum

• Palatine Hill

• Forum

• Vitorio Emmanuele II Monument

The ceiling of the Basilica di Santa Maria in Ara Coeli, just behind the Vittorio Emmanuele II monument

Day 2

A word of warning - the Vatican museum and St Peter’s Basilica are two completely separate things. Don’t queue for the latter and expect it to lead into the former like we did! (facepalm).

• Vatican Museum

• St Peters Basilica

• Castel Sant’Angelo

The Basilica of Saint Peter (it is deceptively massive)

Day 3

A final day spent in the bustling shopping district - these three are all, basically, right next to each other, making for a lighter day on the feet and lots of opportunities to stop and enjoy a Spritz.

• Trevi Fountain

• Pantheon

• Piazza Navona

The Pantheon by night

BONUS DAY

If you find yourself with an extra day to spend in the Italian capital, we’d recommend spending it at the spots below. The gardens are the perfect place to relax after a busy couple of days, and there’s still plenty of history to get your teeth into while you’re there.

• Piazza del Popolo

• Villa Borghese Gardens

• Galleria Borghese 

Piazza del Popolo, as pictured from the Villa Borghese gardens

If you’re looking for a more in-depth breakdown of how we spent our weekend in Rome, click below!

Are Rome buses free?

There is a rumour flying around that they are. Regrettably, it is just that - a rumour. You can, however, use your phone or card to pay, hopping on and off at your leisure. It’s €1.50 for 100 mins and you can use whichever bus or train you need to within that time, tapping in and out as you go. Once the 100 minutes are up, the next time you tap in, you’ll pay another €1.50. It’s super simple and makes getting around the city really easy. 

What are the best places to eat in Rome?

This could be a post all its own, as everyone has a different opinion. We won’t claim that these are absolutely the best, but we’ll give you some of our faves!

Dar Bottarolo

All-you-can-eat pasta. We’ll say that again. All-you-can-eat pasta. Need we say more? Yes because, aside from the delicious Roman pasta dishes, you can get a whole variety of other Roman dishes, including braised beans, meat and even tripe (worth a try)! They’re actually a chain, with about 8 restaurants dotted around the city, so you can be sure you’re never far from one. Each cover comes with unlimited wine (red or white) and the food is of great quality.

Check it out here.

As much amatriciana and gricia as you like

L’Altra Guancia

You’ll find this restaurant not far from the Vatican. The name literally translates to “the other cheek.” The name is appropriate, as every dish involves ‘guanciale,’ which is the cheek of the pig. It’s a lot like pancetta, although more fatty and packed with so much flavour. You’ll find the Roman classics, such as carbonara and gricia, as well as some of their own interesting concoctions.

Find it here.

Pasta in Corso

Do you like pasta? This is the place for you! It’s all about the pasta, at reasonable prices and excellent quality. There’s a huge menu, and you’ll hardly find a dish on the menu over 15 euros. It never disappoints. There’s also an extensive gluten-free menu - when you can’t eat pizza or pasta, a trip to Rome can be tricky! This place has you covered.

Check it out here.

A modern take on a classic Roman pasta restaurant (it did fill up, we were just really early/hungry)

Eden Ristorante

Also known as ‘Il Paradiso del Pistacchio,’ Eden is the place to go for all pistacchio lovers. Every dish on the menu incorporates pistacchio to some degree, whether it be a stuffed croquette or a sprinkle on top of a burger - well worth trying out!

Take a look here.

Forno a Legna

This is a pick as much for its location as for the food itself - it’s right opposite the Colosseum! Here, you can enjoy all the Roman classics, pizza and pasta, while you sit out front and enjoy the view of the greatest stadium ever constructed. We always start our Rome trips here with coffee and maritozzi too!

Andrew looking the wrong way

Feeling peckish now? So are we! Check out our list of Marche classics that will get your stomach rumbling!

Will Rome be busy in 2025?

Short answer: YES. Yes it will. You might have noticed word floating around the web that Rome is currently covered in scaffolding. It’s true (sad)! 2025 sees the latest of the Jubilee years - important years in the Catholic calendar, with emphasis placed upon the importance of pilgrimage, forgiveness and mercy. There is a lot of restoration work to be done before the massive influx of people. Catholics the world over will be making their way to Rome as part of this pilgrimage and the Jubilee will run from 14th December 2024 with the opening of the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica, to 24th December 2025. It’s going to be busy! We’ll be back in 2026. Can’t wait!

Also, if you fancy supporting the site, you can buy us our next coffee at the link below. Cheers!