Rome in one day: Tour of the Eternal city in one day

Rome in One day

Rome wasn’t build in a day… and of course one day trip to Rome will not give enough time to visit the city properly but if you have the chance to come to Rome just for one day this guide will help you to see as much as possible. This itinery may take from 6 hours to 8, depending how fast you go, how long you stop for lunch, and how long your visit takes.

If you stay overnight or not this doesn’t matter much, let’s take as starting point the Stazione Termini, Rome’s Central Train Station.  From here you can either catch Metro B (blue line) Southbound (Laurentina is the direction that will appear on the signs) and get off in 2 stops at Colosseo. In you are not staying in a different place, or getting to Rome by car, just go straight to the Colosseum, there is also a car parking on Colle Oppio (remember to pay the parking!!!)

As you get out of the station you will see the Colosseum (this), if you don’t, go back inside and ask for directions, because you are wrong!

Here we will start our e “Rome in one Day” Tour, from the archaeological heart of the eternal city. The Amphiteatrum Flavium, better known as the Colosseum (or Coliseum), in which thousands of cruel fights between beasts and slaves took place, we will then admire the majesty of the triumphal Arch of the Emperor Constantine. Nearby this arch, the Roman Forum is a journey into ancient roman history: from the early Seven Kings to the Late Empire every man who ruled Rome left a reminder of himself in Rome main public square. From the Rome of the Emperors to the Rome of the Popes we will take a walk in the heart of Baroque Rome: from Trevi fountain, the monumental celebration of the Virgin Aqueduct, crossing the Galleria Colonna recently restored and opened to the public, we’ll visit then Piazza Colonna, taking its name from the Column in honour of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius. And then Piazza Montecitorio, with the 17th century old tribunal is now the seat of Italian Parliament, Piazza Sant’Ignazio, beautiful rococo square and the Jesuit renaissance church with the illusionist dome by Andrea Pozzo. We’ll enter Pantheon with its huge Ancient Roman dome and the grave of the great Italian artist Raphael, the church of St. Louis of France, with the famous canvases by Caravaggio, the eclectic dome of Saint Ivo alla Sapienza by Borromini. Our morning  tour finish off with Piazza Navona and its famous fountain of the Four Rivers designed by Bernini for the Pope Innocent X Pamphilj.

Just two blocks away from Piazza Navona there is Campo de’ Fiori, the perfect locationfor a lunch break where you will have the chance to taste some roman cuisine as well. In the actual square there is normally a flea market in the mornig, by lunch time they will be all shuting down. There are many bars, pubs and cafes, but if you want to taste some authenthic roman cuisine choose one of this places or  restaurants:

Obika, the mozzarella bar, for an authentic mozzarella tasting, it’s cool and fancy, you may have a dish including Prosciutto di Parma and Mozzarella di Bufala, whith a glass of wine (Falanghina or Greco (white)  or Aglianico (red) go best with mozzarella as they are originally from Campania, I also like Shiraz Casale del Giglio made in Lazio) Budget 15 EUR

La Carbonara, the only restaurant in the square (at least the only one I consider a Restaurant), luch can take 45 minutes if you are having a quick starter and a main (pasta). Try the Carbonara or some other of the delicious pastas, they have tables outdoor or indoor on 1st floor so if you are lucky you can get a good table whith the view. A starter and main (pasta) including driks may vary from 30 to 40 EUR per person.

If you ar looking to eat like in a roman house where mamma cooks and get you as many courses as you can fit on the table go to Trattoria Der Pallaro (Largo del Pallaro, 15, 00186 Roma  TEL 06 6880 1488)‎. It may take one hour and half to tast all the starters the pasta and the main course whith many sides you will be served whitout ordering it. Just sit and eat as much as you can, fixed price is less tha 25 euros, including drinks. Remeber to save some room for the homemade dessert and the freshly squeezed mandarin juice (I mean the actual fruit, non a chinese thing!)

For a Pizza you may look for “Baffetto Due” or also have one in the many places in the square, some places make also a very good white pizza (focaccia I would say) filled as you like (even shimps and avocado!) but I suggest to go traditional: Mortadella and Cheese, or Prosciutto, Mozzarella and Aubregines.

After lunch get a cab or a Bus (from cosro Vittorio any bus going to the Vatican area) to go to visit the Vatican Museums. The Museums are a must, and often crowded, you can make a reservation online, or go before it shuts down, normally between 2 and 4 pm is much less crowded. Enter the Pinecone Courtyard, visit the collection of Greek and Roman sculptures, admiring the famous statue of Apollo, the Laocoon and the Belvedere Torso, the statues of animals, the Coffins of St. Helen and St. Constance, the Galleries of Tapestries and the frescoed Maps of all Italy painted in 1585. The Rooms painted by Raphael and his pupils, ending with the amazing Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel. Afterwards the tour will lead you to the highest temple of Christendom: St. Peter’s Basilica. More than a simple church the Basilica, originally built by Emperor Constantine over the tomb of the very first pope, the apostle Peter, was designed by the best Italian architects. Its construction took more than 150 years, and from a certain point of view is still a “work in progress”. The Pieta by Michelangelo, the Jubilee Gate, Bernini’s main altar, the staircase enlightened by eternal lamps leading to the tomb of Saint Peter designed by Carlo Maderno, the tombs of the Popes made by Bernini, Della Porta, Canova, Thorwaldsen and many others, Michelangelo’s amazing dome and more masterpieces will overwhelm you. Ending up with a quick view of Castle San Angelo, and the secret wall connecting with the papal apartment, will give you the complete picture of the headquarter of Roman Catholic Church.

From here you will end up in piazza San Pietro, time for the last picture and the you can go home, or, if you have some extra time you can go to do some shopping!

Now last suggestion is, if you want a coplete free-hassle and informative tour, to hire a private guide. It is not as horribly expensi as you may think, and generally is well worthed the money. Is your party is larger than 6 people is generally more convenient than a group tour. To send us an equiry please send us an email or you can use the contact form!