Buon Giorno! Are you ready for an exciting Rome trip? The Italian capital is known for its rich history, stunning architecture, and cultural significance. It once saw the rise and fall of one of the longest-lasting empires in history. From iconic gladiator tales to advanced engineering and architectural feats, the Roman Empire’s prowess remains in remnants across the city. But, how long should you spend in Italy’s capital? This primarily depends on your preference and budget; still, five days are ideal if you want to fully immerse yourself in the city’s culture, energy, and cuisine. Here, we present a 5-day Rome Itinerary, including the must-visit and hidden gems as well as fascinating activities.
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Budgeting For Rome Travel
The beautiful Rome is a top travel destination, boasting millions of visitors annually. As a matter of fact, tourism hugely contributes to the city’s economy. That said, many people hesitate to travel, assuming it might drain their bank balance. You can enjoy a trip to Rome without worrying about high expenses. All you need is proper budgeting. Let’s discuss it more down below:
Food
Eating out is expensive anywhere in the world. To save money, it’s better to cook your own food. If it’s not possible, have your meal in local eateries or mid-level restaurants. Areas like Trastevere offer cheaper deals on cocktails and happy hours. A budget traveler can expect to spend around $38 per day. Similarly, a full meal can cost about €15-€25 per person at a sit-down restaurant.
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Accommodation
When arriving in a foreign country, you need to stay somewhere. Rome has many budget-friendly, mid-level, and 5-star hotels. Depending on the type of lodging and the time of year, a visitor can expect to spend below €100 in a budget hotel and above €500 in a luxury hotel. When booking from Agoda and Booking.com, you might get discount deals.
Transportation
Rome is a very walkable city, allowing visitors to explore its many landmarks on foot. But not everyone prefers walking, and some enjoy traveling in comfort. The best transportation method is public transit. A single ticket is priced at €1.50 and is valid for 100 minutes. Save money by purchasing diverse travel packages, such as a 24-hour ticket (€7), a 48-hour ticket (€12.50), a 72-hour ticket (€18), and a 7-day pass (€24).
To summarize, a budget traveler can expect to spend around $235 per day, while luxury visitors will have to spend several hundred dollars more.
Day 1: Ancient Rome
Step Back In Time At The Colosseum
- Address: Piazza del Colosseo, 1, 00184 Roma RM, Italy; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
Upon arrival, begin your Rome itinerary with visits to ancient city highlights, such as the Colosseum. This Flavian amphitheater was once the venue for hosting some of the cruelest animal hunts and gladiatorial games. It also organized reenactments of famous battles as part of public spectacles. The venue could accommodate up to 50,000 spectators. While the Colosseum is no longer its former grand self, it remains a must-see ancient Roman attraction.
See City Ruins At The Roman Forum
- Address: 00186 Rome, Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Italy; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 9 AM – 4:30 PM
If you want a closer look at ancient Rome, head to the Roman Forum. The ruins of several significant ancient government buildings surround this rectangular plaza. It was once the center of public life in ancient times, where public speeches, gladiatorial matches, criminal trials, and triumph processions occurred. Today, the Roman Forum is a famous tourist destination where visitors come to see surviving structures like the Temple of Saturn, the Tabularium, the Temple of Vespasian and Titus, the Tarpeian Rock, and the Arch of Septimius Severus.
Explore The Palatine Hill
- Address: Parco archeologico del Colosseo, Via di S. Gregorio, 30, 00186 Roma RM, Italy; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 9 AM – 7:15 PM
Your final destination of the day is the ancient Palatine Hill. It is considered the birthplace of Rome and has been inhabited since 1,000 BC. During the imperial times, it housed rich people and palaces. It also has religious significance, since the Temple of Apollo Palatinus and the Temple of Cybele were once here. Today, Palatine Hill is an open-air museum and a significant archaeological site. Save money by booking a combo tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill.
Day 2: The Vatican City
Visit St. Peter’s Basilica
- Address: Piazza San Pietro, 00120 Città del Vaticano, Vatican City; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 7 AM – 7:10 PM
- Social Media: Official Website
Did you know Vatican City is located in Rome? This landlocked sovereign state is unique on its own and deserves a day of exploration. So, this itinerary’s second day is all about visiting Vatican City’s highlights. Your first destination is St. Peter’s Basilica, aka the Papal Basilica of Saint Peter. This Italian High Renaissance church is one of the most renowned works of Italian Renaissance architecture. Famous artists like Michelangelo, Donato Bramante, and Carlo Maderno worked on this church. It houses a Michelangelo-designed dome, the altar of confession, the chair of San Pietro, the tomb of San Pietro, the Vatican Necropolis, the museum, and the Vatican Grottoes.
Explore The Vatican Museums And The Sistine Chapel
- Address: 00120 Vatican City; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 8 AM – 8 PM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Instagram
The remaining day, you will visit the Vatican Museums. These public museums house roughly 70,000 works, including Renaissance art masterpieces and famous Roman sculptures. These artifacts are displayed in twenty-four galleries. The Sistine Chapel is the last room within the museum, where visitors admire the Sistine Chapel Ceiling and The Last Judgment. The chapel is also the site for the papal conclave.
Afterwards, you can explore the shopping areas around the Vatican to buy souvenirs. Or, you can visit Castel Sant’Angelo before calling it a day.
Day 3: Trastevere And Jewish Ghetto
Stroll Through Trastevere
- Address: Rome, Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Italy; Google Map
- Things To Do: Walking, Eating, Nightlife
Begin your third day in the colorful Trastevere, a funky, bohemian area in Rome. This neighborhood exudes an old-town ambiance with its narrow medieval streets and warm terra cotta-colored buildings. The locals are very friendly and make you feel like you are in a real neighborhood rather than a tourist destination. Stroll through the narrow streets while exploring stores and eateries. You will also find many pubs, clubs, and restaurants here.
Admire The Mosaics Of The Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere
- Address: Piazza di Santa Maria in Trastevere, 00153 Roma RM, Italy; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 7:30 AM – 8:30 PM
Continue your Trastevere expedition to the gorgeous Basilica of Santa Maria. It is one of the oldest Roman churches, known for its impressive 12th—and 13th-century mosaics by Italian painter and mosaic designer Pietro Cavallini. These mosaics include the Coronation of the Virgin, Life of the Virgin, and The Madonna della Clemenza. The church’s lavish interior with 22 Roman columns is also impressive. It is an ideal destination for those who want to learn about Roman art and history.
Check Out The Tempio Maggiore In The Jewish Ghetto
- Address: Lungotevere de’ Cenci, 00186 Roma RM, Italy; Google Map
- Opening Hours: Open for services and visits during the day
Your final destination for the day is the Tempio Maggiore, or the Great Synagogue of Rome. It is a must-see building in the former Jewish Ghetto area. This two-storey building symbolizes the Emancipation of the Jews of Rome after 330 years of oppression from the strict rules established by the Popes inside the ghetto. It also signifies the Jewish community’s freedom and citizenship rights. You can explore this area alone or book a combo tour of the Travstevere and the Jewish Ghetto.
Day 4: Baroque And Renaissance Rome
Have A Coffee At Piazza Navona
- Address: 00186 Rome, Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Italy; Google Map
- Things To Do: Visiting local attractions, dining, shopping
Rise and shine early and take a walk through Piazza Navona. This public square offers many attractions and activities. It is renowned for its three fountains: the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (The Fountain of the Four Rivers), the Fontana del Moro (The Fountain of the Moon), and the Fontana del Nettuno (The Fountain of Neptune). Each features statues by renowned artists. Since you are up early, have a coffee at any of the cafes in the area. You can also shop for souvenirs and local products.
See What The Fuss Is All About Pantheon
- Address: Piazza della Rotonda, 00186 Roma RM, Italy; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 9 AM – 7 PM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official X
Your Rome itinerary will be incomplete without visiting the legendary Pantheon. This 2nd-century temple is one of the most famous Roman architectural structures. It houses the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome. Visitors worldwide come to admire the Pantheon’s perfect geometry of the dome and its oculus. Explore this ancient structure and admire its unique design. Don’t forget to look at the porch to see the original inscription, “M-AGRIPPA.L.F.COS.TERTIVM.FECIT,” meaning “It was built by Marcus Agrippa, son of Lucius, consul for the third time.”s
Make A Wish At Trevi Fountain
- Address: Piazza di Trevi, 00187 Roma RM, Italy; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 24 hours
- Things To Do: Throwing a coin, photographing, admiring the architecture
What could be more unexpected than tossing a coin into the fountain? Trevi Fountain is an iconic destination where coin tossing is massively popular. You only need to turn your back to the fountain, then toss the coin from your right hand over your left shoulder. This is done to ensure a return to Rome. If you throw a second and third coin, the second one symbolizes finding love in Rome, and the third symbolizes getting married here. Aside from the coin-tossing ritual, you can admire the fountain’s architecture, photograph the scene, and relive movie scenes.
Day 5: Relaxation And Exploration
Spend A Leisurely Morning In Villa Borghese
- Address: 00197 Rome, Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Italy; Google Map
- Opening Hours: From Dawn Until Dusk
Since it’s your last day in Rome, take things slow and steady. Start your morning at the beautiful Villa Borghese Gardens. This urban park houses museums, fountains, a lake, and villas. It also houses the Galleria Borghese, which features Renaissance and Baroque art, including works by Raphael, Bernini, Titian, Caravaggio, and Canova. You can take a walk through the gardens, admire the fountains, ride a bike, or enjoy jogging.
Catch Stunning Views From Pincian Hill
- Address: Viale Gabriele D’Annunzio, 00197 Roma RM, Italy; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 24 hours
After a quick morning stroll, go for a charming hillside walk. The Pincian Hill, aka Passeggiata del Pincio, is a fantastic viewpoint offering panoramic views of Rome. It covers an area of 8 hectares and has the largest obelisk at its center. Roman Emperor Hadrian erected the Pincio Obelisk in the early 2nd century AD. You can climb the hill alone or book guided tours for a better experience.
Shop Or Explore Local Markets
- Top Markets: Campo de’ Fiori, Porta Portese, Mercato di Testaccio, Mercato Centrale
Before departure, stop by the Roman local markets to buy souvenirs or gifts. Campo de’ Fiori is among the top markets, having been around for 400+ years. It is in the south of Piazza Navona and is open daily. The market sells fresh produce, vegetables, fruits, meats, and cheeses. It is bustling during the mornings and turns into a nightlife destination after the sun goes down. If you want to buy antiques or vintage goods, visit Porta Portese, Rome’s most famous flea market. Other markets where you can try street food and buy fresh produce are Mercato di Testaccio and Mercato Centrale.
Also Read:
- Best Things to Do in Rome
- Giro d’Italia: Route, Start List, and Cycling Tours
- Ultimate Guide to Milan, Italy
This 5-day Rome Itinerary is only an alternative for those who hate planning activities. It only gives an inkling about Rome’s vast cultural, historical, and culinary presence. You can create your own itinerary after researching the city’s top attractions and activities. Don’t forget to bring the important documents (visa, ID, passport, travel tickets, hotel reservations) and pack clothing according to your time of visit.
