24hrs in Rome
So you've just found some cheap flights to Rome for the weekend, you want to see everything you can to make the most of it but suddenly you're overwhelmed by the sheer amount there is to see in Rome? I've been there!! I've compiled this guide to show you how to make the most of your day there, of course you can choose what you would rather do and skip over some things if they simply don't interest you.
Morning
To start off your day, get up nice and early, grab an espresso and pastry at your nearest coffee shop and head on out to the touristy places before they get busy. Italian's don't really do breakfast, its more of a 'shot of coffee, grab some pastry and go' on the way to work. If you really want a proper breakfast there will definitely be some cafes near the tourist locations, however the price will be a lot more!!
Colosseum
This may be the most famous monument in Rome so it is definitely not to be missed however everyone will have the same thought, so early in the morning will be dodging tourists and the heat.
The Colosseum is the largest ancient amphitheatre ever built, and there is almost always something going on nearby. Check out the link below for the latest updates:
As this is such a historic place, the best way to learn about it is through a tour which often includes trips to nearby attractions such as the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill so you can amaze your friends with lots of fun facts about Rome. My favourite is linked below but if its full there are always similar ones going on around the same time.
Trevi Fountain
Live your best Lizzie McGuire life and make a wish in this iconic fountain. This really is an architectural masterpiece, it can be admired regardless of how arty you are due to all the details and the incredible scale of it. This will without a doubt be super busy, even in the morning but the later in the day you go, the busier it will be.
When you throw your coin in over your shoulder, the money is collected and put towards a foundation which supports Rome's poor population, so it is definitely worth giving it a go! If you have some spare time it is worth checking out the Spanish Steps at the piazza nearby built in the 18th century.
Pantheon
Another historic and incredibly famous building is the Pantheon. With many kings and queens having been buried here this is an iconic place not to be missed. As this is a church, you will have to ensure you're dressed in a respectful manner - this means no short shorts, shoulders, knees and feet covered and hats are to be taken off. Use this as a rule when going to places of worship all over Italy, even if it's not monitored it's always good to show respect to these places.
To enter you do have to pay but it's only €5 and the money is invested back into the building to preserve it for future generations. The ceiling in the pantheon was amazing, especially when you consider that the building is almost 2000 years old!!
This piazza used to be a stadium in the 1st century, and there is a museum telling you all about it which is definitely worth a visit if you have time!
Villa Borghese
To finish off our morning, we're heading to the Villa Borghese for a slightly less touristy area but so beautiful. Villa Borghese is a nice end to a busy morning, you can walk around the tranquil park, rent a boat and go for a nice float on the pond, or wander around the museum within the park.
This is personally my favourite part of the park. The beautiful villa standing as the backdrop to the pond is stunning, and offers the perfect place for a picnic or just a quick rest after your full morning of walking and touring!
Lunch
You're best finding a touristy place, walking a couple blocks away and then finding a restaurant that way!! If that fails, I have some suggestions below of places to go:
Afternoon
Use lunch as a chance to recharge so that you are ready to go for afternoon activities. Below are a couple of options of things to do, depending on budget and energy levels!
Vatican City
You could definitely spend a whole day here however it could also just as easily be done in an afternoon - it's not every day you can jump between 2 countries!!
Tours
Another great way to spend an afternoon is to explore Rome with a guide and learn all about its history. The Catacombs are haunting but really interesting and definitely worth a visit.
If you're tired from walking in the morning and your brain has taken in all the information it can, a wine and food tour is just what you need. This could even be done after a quick visit to Vatican City so your lunch has time to settle and work up an appetite for the wine and food tour!!
Dinner
After a full day of exploring treat yourself to a good meal at some of the places below.
It’s definitely worth checking out some nearby bars for an apperitivo before dinner, as Italians tend to have their meal at 8/9pm so you may find some places aren’t open until 7.30pm.
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