How to Spend One Day in Rome 2023
Rome wasn’t built in a day, but you can certainly make the best out of your one day in Rome. Although if you can, it would be better to dedicate more time to this beautiful city. Still, if your time in Rome is limited, you can make the best out of it by seeing some of the city’s highlights and most iconic landmarks.
If you only have 24 hours to spend in Rome, coming well prepared is essential. That’s why we’ve put together a short guide on how to make the best out of your time in Rome and what famous must-see attractions of the Eternal City you can not miss out on.
Is One Day in Rome Enough?
Short answer – NO! One day in Rome is not nearly enough time to explore the incredible history of the Italian capital. Romans will say that Rome is like lasagna – it has many layers, and all of them are equally fascinating and worth your time. However, it is possible to see some of the most famous parts of Rome in a day.
One thing is sure, even after spending only a day there, you will want to come back to Rome. There are countless things to see and do in the Eternal city. Each time you visit Rome, you’ll discover a new osteria, shop, or a charming ally.
Valuable Tips for Spending One Day in Rome
If you are going on a day trip to Rome, it’s crucial to plan your time to make the best out of your limited time in the city. Visiting Rome in a day may seem challenging, but if you come prepared and with a plan, you’ll find that you can see and do a lot within the 24 hours in the city.
Continue reading to find out how to spend 24 hours in Rome best.
One Day in Rome (24 h) Itinerary
This one-day in Rome itinerary was made assuming you have 24 hours in the city and can start sightseeing early in the morning. If your schedule in Rome is a little different, feel free to tweak our visiting guide and take from it what works best for you.
Overview of places to visit In Rome in one day:
- Colosseum with Roman Forum & Palatine Hill
- Trevi Fountain
- Pantheon
- Piazza Navona
- Spanish Steps
- Vatican City (St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican Museums, and Sistine Chapel)
The Colosseum
When visiting Italy and Rome, a must-see site is the Colosseum—also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre. The Colosseum is the icon of Ancient Rome and the Roman Empire. That’s why it’s one of the sites you shouldn’t miss out on when visiting Rome. We advise you to start your day in Rome by visiting the Colosseum early in the morning. To get the most out of your Rome visit, we recommend booking a guided tour of the Colosseum. That way, you won’t waste any time wandering around the site. You’ll also have a professional tour guide at your disposal who will give you a fantastic insight into the ancient history of Rome.
Roman Forum & Palatine Hill
A great thing about booking a guided tour to Colosseum or buying a skip-the-line Colosseum ticket is that Roman Forum and Palatine Hill access are included in the price.
Visit Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill
Historic City Center
The good news is that a lot of Rome’s most popular attractions and monuments are located in the historic city center. All of them are only a short walk from each other, and if your time in Rome is minimal, you’ll still be able to see them all. Central Rome is very easy to navigate on foot. You can actually visit several famous sites and landmarks without having to worry about your time limitation and means of transport.
Piazza Navona
Piazza Navona is one of Rome’s most beautiful and most visited piazzas. Stroll over the square and see the three beautiful fountains on Piazza Navona. This is a perfect time of the day to take a little lunch break. There are many osterias and restaurants around the Piazza Navona. We recommend ordering traditional Roman pasta like the Carbonara, Cacio e Pepe, Grecia, or Amatriciana.
Pantheon
Just a few steps and a short walk from the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon in Rome is located on Piazza della Rotonda. Pantheon was built in 126 AD, and it was initially commissioned by Emperor Hadrian. Pantheon’s Dome is considered the best-preserved building from the ancient world. You can visit Pantheon for free since there is no entry fee. But don’t worry, although the entrance to the Pantheon is free, the queues are not long, and you will not spend a lot of time waiting in line to get in.
Spanish Steps
Located on Piazza di Spagna, Spanish Steps have been one of the most recognizable sites in Rome. The steps were built in the 18th century, leading up to the beautiful Trinità dei Monti church. Make sure to take some incredible photos here and make beautiful memories of your day trip to Rome.
Visit the Vatican City!
Finish your day in Rome by visiting Vatican City. Walk on to St Peter’s Square and enter the St Peter’s Basilica. Entrance to the St Peter’s Basilica is entirely free, but you may have to wait in line for a little bit to get in. This is the part of the schedule you can do without any problem, but if you have more time on your hands, try to squeeze a visit to the Vatican Museum complex. Buy Vatican Museums, and Sistine Chapel Skip the line tickets in order to avoid pointless waiting in the ticket line.
If you want to dedicate a more significant portion of your day in Rome, look at the best Vatican tours available online.
Do’s & Don’ts When Visiting Rome in a Day
DO wear a pair of comfortable shoes! You’ll walk a lot, so make sure you wear a pair of sporty and comfortable shoes.
DON’T come to Rome for a day trip without a plan! Since your time in the city is limited, you should come prepared to make the most out of your one day in Rome.
DO take breaks! This is a very intensive one-day itinerary, so make sure you take breaks when needed. Stop for some delicious Italian pastries or gelato, and of course, take an espresso break and get energized.
DON’T miss out on visiting Colosseum. Even if you only have 24 hours to visit Rome, make time to visit the iconic Colosseum.
DO take a lot of photos! The city is stunning, and every corner has its own charms. So, immortalize your day in Rome with beautiful photos.
Are you going to visit Rome soon?
Have a look at our guide for the best Colosseum Visiting Tips!
