5-Star First Timer’s Guide: 1-2 Day Rome Itinerary 🍝

This Eternal City evolved from a small settlement into the capital of a vast empire, and now, a major European city—making Rome your Italian gateway to the past where you can experience ancient history firsthand.

Stroll the grounds of gladiators or gaze upon the ruins of Caesar's bygone city center; everywhere you look, dramatic tales arise with whispers of a former world.

Alongside this history lesson come to life find the tasty regional Roman cuisine which distinctly stands apart from other destinations around the country—dig into carbonara, cacio e pepe, and gricia to delight in local delicacies!

No matter how you spend your time in Rome, a one-day stop in Italy’s capital is sure to be a delightful introduction to this artistically romantic culture.

One Day Rome Itinerary 🗺️

In a hurry? Here’s a time-stamped itinerary detailing the can't-miss things to do in Rome during one extravagant day walking around the city:

10:00 - 10:30 AM: ⛪ Stroll around the Spanish Steps window shopping and people watching (30 min)

10:30 - 11:45 AM: ☕ Grab cannoli and coffee from 18th-century favorite, Antico Caffè Greco (45 min)

11:45 AM - 12:15 PM: 🪙 Toss a lucky coin over your shoulder into the Trevi Fountain and make a wish! (30 min)

12:15 - 12:45 PM: 🏛️ Continue to the Pantheon to gaze upon perfectly preserved Roman architecture (30 min)

12:45 - 2:15 PM: ⛲ Stroll around Piazza Navona before a traditional Roman lunch at Virginiae (1 hr 30 min)

2:15 - 3:00 PM: 🍰 Gaze upon the most controversial “wedding cake” monument in Rome, Vittoriano (45 min)

3:00 - 4:15 PM: 🤼 Walk the ancient battleground of gladiators as you tour the Colosseum (1 hr 15 min)

4:15 - 5:15 PM: 📜 Experience the previous center of public Roman life within the Roman Forum (1 hr)

5:15 - 6:15 PM:🍦 Try Rome’s #1-rated dessert spot (yes, seriously!) on TripAdvisor, Gelateria Pasquino (1 hr)

6:30 - 8:15 PM: 🏨 Return to your haute hotel to rest and freshen up before a fancy dinner (1 hr 45 min)

8:30 - 11:15 PM:🪿 Dig into the best meal of your life at 2-Michelin star Enoteca La Torre (2 hr 45 min)

In actuality, I accomplished the following itinerary over two days after arriving late in the afternoon following my flight over to Rome. That being said, you could absolutely fit everything described above into a one day in Rome itinerary.

Or take it easy, sleep in, and explore at a leisurely pace if you have time to spread this 5-star Rome travel guide describing the best things to see, do, and eat over two days. 

Where to Stay in Rome? 🛌🏽

Offering refined Italian style and elegant sophistication, the Hotel Splendide Royal in the heart of Rome is a centrally located 5-star jewel with irresistible charm. 

Hotel Splendide Royal

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This haute hotel housed in an ancient building stands out for its regal architecture, ensuring a luxury experience blending absolute comfort, ancient atmospheres, and modern technology for a guaranteed unforgettable stay in the capital. Stay as the Roman nobles once did within the refined villas of Palatine Hill, with sumptuous decorations and handcrafted Baroque nuances reflected in the classical style of each contemporary room. A stone's throw from exclusive Via Veneto and the main shopping streets, this finely furnished hotel provides the perfect home base for your walking tour through the city!

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How to Spend 1 Refined Day in Rome? 🏛️

Follow the below itinerary in the recommended order to ensure you're maximizing your day in the Eternal City!

(P.S. All these restaurants can accommodate gluten-free diners!)

⛪ Spanish Steps

Begin your day with a leisurely walk down one of Rome’s most iconic landmarks, the Spanish Steps. 

Spanish Steps

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Funded by a French diplomat as a way to connect the Spanish Embassy—hence the name—at the bottom of the steps with the Trinità dei Monti church at the top. The 135-step staircase is a masterpiece of Baroque architecture mixing curves, straight flights, and terraces to create a dynamically grand ascent to the church above. A longtime meeting place for locals and tourists alike, the area around the steps, particularly Piazza di Spagna at the base, is surrounded by luxury boutiques, cafes, and historical sites, making it a vibrant social and cultural hub.

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☕ Antico Caffè Greco

Steps away from the steps (get it?) down Via dei Condotti you’ll find Antico Caffè Greco, where John Keats and Lord Byron once drank coffee at the marble tables of this celebrated, richly-ornate 18th-century cafe.

Antico Caffè Greco

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One of the oldest cafes in Rome and in Italy, this café is a must-visit spot for travelers interested in the city’s cultural heritage—this is also one of the few historical landmarks where you can enjoy a refreshing cup of coffee and air conditioning while you take it all in! Founded in 1760, Antico Caffè Greco has long been a gathering place for intellectuals, artists, writers, and political figures. Despite the passage of time, Antico Caffè Greco has maintained much traditional charm, with furnishings and décor evoking a bygone era you can explore inside this unique glimpse into Rome’s historical café culture. In addition to your caffeine vehicle of choice, be sure to taste their authentically creamy ricotta-filled cannolo! Pro Tip: A “latte” in Italy just refers to a glass of milk, so if you’re intending for some espresso to be served in your cup don’t make the €8 mistake I did and be sure to order a “caffè latte”

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🪙 Trevi Fountain

After your quick coffee break it’s time for another historic landmark, next up is Rome’s most notable water feature — the Trevi Fountain! 

Trevi Fountain

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The largest Baroque fountain in Rome renowned for its dramatic grandeur and intricate design—with water cascading from rock formations into the large basin below, this becomes an even more spectacular sight illuminated at night! The fountain centers around the powerful figure of Neptune surrounded by Tritons, beautiful sea horses, and allegorical figures representing abundance and health. Don’t hesitate to toss a coin into the fountain and make a wish, since this currency is collected and donated to charitable food programs for the city's needy. Pro Tip: Legend has it that if you throw a coin over your shoulder into the fountain, you’ll return to Rome one day. Throwing two coins means you’ll find love in Rome, and throwing three means marriage is around the corner!

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🏛️ Pantheon

Up next is yet another piece of inspiring history: the Pantheon. 

Pantheon

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Famous for perfectly preserved Roman architecture—particularly its massive dome—this revolutionary architectural achievement was built around 126 A.D. with the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world. Unlike many other ancient Roman buildings that have been destroyed or heavily modified, the continuous use of the Pantheon as a place of worship has enabled it to remain remarkably well-preserved. An active religious site today, Mass is celebrated on special occasions like Pentecost, when rose petals are dropped through the oculus to symbolize the descent of the Holy Spirit.

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⛲ Piazza Navona

Continuing another 4 minutes down Via del Salvatore will bring you to Piazza Navona, a vibrant center of social life in Rome built on the site of the 1st century A.D. Stadium of Domitian. 

Piazza Navona

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Transformed from a Roman stadium to a Baroque piazza, encapsulating the city’s long-standing tradition of repurposing spaces over time. The lively atmosphere of Piazza Navona today with street performers, artists, and vendors maintains this connection with its ancient origins as a public space, blending Rome's layers of history. The dramatic façades flanking the charming cafés, restaurants, and gelaterias here also conceal an artistic rivalry injecting an intriguing bit of historical drama into the site. The positioning of the statues in Bernini's central fountain—particularly the figure of the Nile covering its face—is often interpreted as a critique of Borromini's work on the church this statue faces, Sant'Agnese in Agone.

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🍝 Lunch - Virginiae

Although you can find a host of spots within this piazza to grab lunch, I’d recommend enjoying a plate of cacio e pepe from traditional Roman restaurant Virginiae, located down Via di Tor Millina just behind Borromini's church. 

Ristorante Virginiae

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The perfect synthesis of heritage and innovation, here you’ll find a typical Roman menu. Authentic flavors spring forth from ancient recipes reflective of the national cuisine including amatriciana, carbonara, and gricia prepared to perfection following the precise dictates of tradition.

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🍰 Vittoriano

After lunch, continue your sightseeing to the controversial layered "wedding cake” more formally known as the Victor Emmanuel II Monument or Vittoriano.

Monument to Victor Emmanuel II

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Honoring the first king of unified Italy following the Risorgimento, this enormous example of grandiose Neoclassical architecture was initially met with public criticism from locals who found it to be an eyesore. The ostentatious white marble stands in stark contrast to the subtle refinement of ancient Roman ruins. But more importantly, a significant portion of Rome's historical fabric was demolished to make way when it was constructed. Tour the Vittoriano and Great Garden of Palazzo Venezia for free from 9:30 AM - 7:30 PM daily, with the last entry at 6:45 PM. To take in panoramic views of Rome, pay the €17 entry fee to access the rooftop terrace located at the monument's highest point from which you can see a 360-degree view of the city, including iconic landmarks like the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and St. Peter's Basilica. This ticket also grants you access to the Sommoportico, the Central Museum of the Risorgimento, and Palazzo Venezia.

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🤼 Colosseum

You’re not done sightseeing just yet—Rome has more than enough global cultural treasures to fill up one day!

Walk 13 minutes down Via dei Fori Imperiali to arrive the most iconic enduring legacy of ancient Rome, the Colosseum or Flavian Amphitheater.

Colosseum

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The largest ancient amphitheater ever built, this remarkable feat of engineering symbolizing the power,of the Roman Empire at its peak served as a grand stage for public spectacles. In these cruel combat events, gladiators fought to entertain elites seated closest to the arena, serving the political purpose of providing "bread and circuses" to the lower class populace. Tour the Colosseum daily from 8:30 AM - 7:15 PM for €18 to see the complex inner structure up close, exploring viewing tiers of various heights to reimagine the ancient amphitheater from three different perspectives. Purchase admission tickets online in advance. The ticket box office frequently sells out and buying a ticket in this manner entails waiting potentially hours in a long queue. The most desirable ticket times—namely the morning when it’s not so hot—sell out the fastest, so you can imagine obtaining full experience and guided tours are even harder to secure. These tickets are released 30 days in advance on the exact minute of the tour time. For example, if the tour starts at 9:30 AM CEST, then the tickets become available at 9:30 AM CEST exactly 30 days before the designated date. Set an alarm if you’re seeking one of these more premiere packages, since a substantially smaller amount of these experiences are sold compared to the standard admission! Pro Tip: On the first Sunday of each month, entry to the Colosseum is free, however you should expect much larger crowds on these days.

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📜 Roman Forum

Just next door you’ll find the Roman Forum, the heart of ancient Rome which served as the center of public life for centuries, today persisting as a symbol of this enduring legacy. 

Roman Forum

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Find important governmental buildings, temples, and spaces where citizens used to gather for political, commercial, and social activities. This diplomatic epicenter housed the Senate House and Rostra, a large platform used for public speeches from which leaders like Cicero addressed the public with famous orations. Here significant events in Roman history occurred like the cremation of Julius Caesar in 44 A.D. and the following establishment of dominance by his grandnephew, Augustus. Today the Forum provides you with a tangible connection to the ancient world and a chance to walk through the ruins of one of the most important centers of the Roman Empire.

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🏺 Palatine Hill

Inside the larger Roman Forum archaeological park is also Palatine Hill, the residential center of ancient Rome home to many elites who built their imperial palaces on the hill. 

Palatine Hill

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Beginning with the first Roman emperor Augustus, many emperors built their residences here with well-preserved frescoes, mosaics, and sculptures remaining today. Traveling back even further, archaeological excavations uncovered some of the earliest evidence of human settlement, dating back to dwellings from the 10th century B.C. Even before that, Roman mythology details this as the site where Romulus founded the city of Rome in 753 B.C. after being abandoned with his twin brother and raised by a she-wolf in a cave on the Palatine. No matter which origin story you believe, you’re guaranteed to find the best panoramic views of Rome from this vantage point, with the hill in view of the Roman Forum, the Circus Maximus, the Colosseum, and other key ancient landmarks. Tour the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill daily from 9:00 AM - 7:15 PM, except on Saturdays when the Forum closes a bit earlier at 5:30 PM.

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Since all three of these landmarks are so close together—the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill that is—you might as well explore all of them around the same time, and the €18 combined 24-hour admission ticket allows you to do just that!

This ticket is sold for the exact same price as the variations granting entry to the individual landmarks, so you won’t be spending any extra dough seeing them all in the same day! 

🍦 Dessert - Gelateria Pasquino

After a full day of exploring this last stop is going to be a bit of a final trek before returning to the hotel, but I promise it’s worth it since you’ll be visiting the #1 ranked dessert out of 950 spots in Rome on TripAdvisor at the time of writing!

Gelateria Pasquino

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Gelateria Pasquino serves up artisanal ice cream in Trastevere, an ideal stop for excellent ice cream in a friendly atmosphere. From fruit flavors to creams and chocolates, all their gelato is prepared with fresh, certified, and high-quality raw materials. Take this delicious opportunity to carve out an exclusive moment of pleasing relaxation; savor the creamy consistency of this tasty cold treat balancing sensations of freshness, cleanliness and lightness on the palate. The best part is that the prices are astronomically reasonable for the notoriety of this establishment—I dug into a medium cup with two flavors for only €4, choosing lavanda and fior di latte of course!

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🪿 Dinner - Enoteca La Torre

For dinner, prepare to indulge in the fanciest, most delicious dinner you’ve ever had in your life at this two Michelin star, three Gambero Rosso fork masterpiece situated within the aristocratic Hotel Villa Laetitia.

Enoteca La Torre

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Upon arriving, you’ll be greeted by refined Renaissance architecture inside the magnificently elegant dining room, with splendid windows overlooking the exclusive garden. The perfect setting for a special occasion—and in my opinion, taking a trip is a special occasion—delight in Campania concoctions imagined by Chef Domenico Stile alongside creative influences from Italy and beyond. Opting for the 6-course surprise tasting menu entitled, “A Journey with Your Eyes Closed,” this was truly an unforgettable night of 360° gourmet fun marked by surprising scents, watercolor plating, and a decidedly festive cuisine. While the course we selected was described to include 6 dishes, by the end of the night we had really tried more than 11 incredible innovations when counting the amuse bouches, sides, and many extra desserts we enjoyed. That being said, I found the €200 price tag on this set course menu to be outrageously reasonable, especially considering how 2-3 dishes can easily rack up this high of a bill back home in the U.S. For some reason, it costs more to select the 3-glass wine pairing from the drink menu as opposed to simply ordering each of the same 3 selections individually, so be sure to order those recommendations as separate entities if you’d like a proposal by the glass to accompany your meal. Enoteca La Torre is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, but otherwise open for lunch from 12:30 - 2:30 PM. Dinners occurs from 7:30 - 10:00 PM—although as evidenced by our 11:30 PM departure time, they won’t kick you out if your dinner runs long! Be sure to book a dinner here, because it’s going to change your life—I guarantee it!

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How to Get Around Rome?

🚶‍♀️WALK

 As I recommended in most European cities, walking is usually the best way to go if the journey takes anywhere between 20-30 minutes.

Rome is a fairly walkable city as is—especially in the city center where the majority of landmarks are—and you never know what hidden gems you’ll find tucked away in the cobblestone alleys of this ancient city!

🚕 TAXI: 

Request a cab in your hotel lobby or call one yourself on Uber or FreeNow to see the estimated wait time and duration up front.

I used both mobile apps for my taxi transportation needs and at least one of these two options was always able to offer me a swift ride.

The base fare for taxis is €3.50, with an added charge of €1.10-1.70 per kilometer during the day—with Fiumicino Airport transfers having a fixed rate of €55 to the city center and Ciampino Airport having a fixed rate of €40.

The vast majority of taxis accept credit cards as a payment method—which is always guaranteed if you’re ordering a ride on Uber or FreeNow anyways.

🚌 BUS: 

Truth be told, I’ve never taken any form of public transportation in Rome. I either walked around the city center or was so tired and sweaty I was willing to call a cab.

Since traffic often causes bus delays—especially around landmarks with the most tourist congestion—and the limited metro network only includes 3 subway lines, I’d recommend just walking around on the single day you’re planning to spend in Rome.

This will be quite simple when following the above itinerary, with the only place you may want to take the bus being Enoteca La Torre—but if you’re going out to a fancy dinner anyways, you'll probably want to call a taxi as opposed to getting on the bus in heels!

What to Wear in Rome? 👗

Fashion in Rome blends timeless elegance with pieces that can practically endure the summer heat, ensuring you’re comfortable enough to spend all day exploring while still capturing the city's effortlessly chic vibe.

A rich historical tapestry dotted with ancient landmarks, Rome invites you to embrace a classic yet relaxed style where sophistication meets everyday wear.

Light neutral tones such as beige, white, and soft pastels are a natural choice, especially since they won’t absorb heat to the extent that a little black dress would! I wish I would've followed my own advice on this one, since I had to change outfits THREE times during our July summer visit!

Lightweight fabrics like linen and cotton are a MUST when it comes to staying cool under the Roman sun.

As for footwear, opt for fashion-forward flats crafted with interesting leather strap configurations, since Rome’s cobblestone streets require shoes which convey style while offering stability.

If you're keen on blending with the locals, consider simple, well-tailored pieces elevated with contrast stitching or a belt tied around your bodice to seamlessly incorporate visual interest without the need for added clothing layers.

Think classic Italian refinement but with a breezy, laid-back twist perfect for the city’s warm summer days.

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How Much Does One Day in Rome Cost? 💶

Following the above itinerary led the cost of a luxurious one day, two night trip to be $1,035.45 for me as a young 20-something on a couples trip in Rome:

Lodging 🏨

- $545.72 - two nights in Hotel Splendide Royal, split amongst two people

Transportation 🚗

- $21.79 - taxi ride from the Roman Forum to Hotel Splendide Royal

- $35.96 - taxi rides to and from Enoteca La Torre departing from Hotel Splendide Royal

- $57.20 - Uber ride to the airport from Hotel Splendid Royal

Food 🍝

- $37.05 - two coffees and a cannolo from Antico Caffè Greco

- €15 - cacio e pepe from Virginiae behind Piazza Navona

- $4.36 - water from Terre E Domus

- €4 - medium gelato cup from Gelateria Pasquino

- $303.45 - two Michelin star meal from Enoteca La Torre

Activities 🏛️:

- €18 - 24-hour Colosseum and Roman Forum admission ticket

How to get from Florence to Rome?🚉

FROM: Firenze Santa Maria Novella (Piazza della Stazione, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy)

TO: Roma Termini (Via Giovanni Giolitti, 40, 00185 Rome, RM, Italy)

TRANSPORTATION: Trenitalia high-speed FRECCE trains (1 hr 59 min, direct, ~€45) 

If you’re truly embarking on a tour of Italy and only stopping in Rome for a day, it’s very likely you’re coming from another Italian destination or using Rome’s international airport as your starting point before venturing further into the country.

In that case, a northern Italy exploration will likely take you through Florence, since it’s the next closest major city before Milan and Venice!

Fortunately for you, Florence is my absolute favorite place I’ve visited in all of Italy and it’s only an hour and a half away from Rome by train!

You can easily travel to Florence by hopping on one of the many Trenitalia routes departing from Roma Termini to Firenze Campo Marte, which run every 15 minutes during the day and cost ~€45 one way for base economy tickets.

Since you’re traveling within the country, there’s nothing more you need to do other than show up at the station and hop on the correct train!

Racks are available to store luggage, and most of these longer-distance trains have comfortable seats with outlets and tray tables like what’d you expect to find from any typical airline offering!

Is Rome Worth a Stop on Your Italy Tour? 🇮🇹

The first time I visited Rome in 2022 was truly for a single day after an extremely hungover train ride following wine tasting in Florence, so you can imagine how well prepared I was to receive the city.

Prior to my recent return, I would’ve said Rome was an okay Italian destination but couldn’t compare with Florence or Lake Como, since I really only remembered walking around for hours on end during a hot, humid summer day.

Not that anything was too different this time around—since it was so hot we returned to our hotel 3 times to change clothes!—but without a pounding headache I was immensely more impressed by the ancient architecture found all around.

Rome is really one of those cities that takes you all the way back in time, preserving structures that would otherwise be incomprehensible to the modern mind.

I guarantee that if you haven’t visited Rome before, you truly can’t imagine the monumental size of the Colosseum—or even the Trevi Fountain for that matter—which is why doing the typical “touristy” things on an initial visit is extremely worth it.

On any future visits you have more than enough time to explore local spots outside the city center like hip Trastevere or lesser known landscapes like the Villa Borghese, but the most notable landmarks have earned that reputation for a reason—and making all the expected stops is necessary to get the authentic taste of ancient Italy that only Rome can provide.

So to address my original question—yes, you should absolutely stop by Rome on your Italy trip! Not only will you explore the country’s capital, but you’ll also be able to embark on a sensory journey through layers of history made out of entire civilizations in one of the oldest continuously occupied cities in Europe!

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