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Things to do in Rome

12 places · 18 h 30 min of sightseeing · 4 days

How many days do you need in Rome?

12 places add up to 18 h 30 min of pure sightseeing. At 6 hours a day, not counting walking and meals, that's 4 days.

The best-known places in order, as long as they fit into 6 hours of sightseeing a day. Sightseeing only, without walking and meals — build the day-by-day plan with opening hours and the route in a RouteMarket notebook.

1 day — 6 h

2 days — 11 h 30 min

3 days — 16 h 30 min

Top sights

Ordered by how well known each place is. Data: OpenStreetMap and Wikipedia.

Colosseum — 2 h visit. It was the largest structure of its kind in the Roman Empire, capable of accommodating 50,000 to 80,000 spectators. Hours: Mar 30–Sep 30: 08:30–19:15 · Oct 01–25: 08:30–18:30 · Oct 26–Feb 28: 08:30–16:30.
St. Peter's Basilica — 3 h visit. It is the largest church in the world and the most important pilgrimage center for Catholics, built between 1506 and 1626. Hours: Mon–Sun 07:00–20:00.
Sistine Chapel — 1 h visit. Michelangelo's monumental frescoes on the ceiling and altar wall make it a unique gallery of Renaissance art. Hours: Mon–Sat 08:00–20:00.
Pantheon — 1 h visit. It has the best-preserved dome in the world, with a diameter of 43.3 meters and a central opening, the oculus. Hours: Mon–Sat 08:30–19:15 · Sun 09:00–17:45.
Roman Forum — 2 h visit. It constituted the central political, religious, and commercial hub of ancient Rome, encompassing numerous temples and basilicas.
Trevi Fountain — 45 min visit. This is Rome's most famous Baroque fountain, completed in 1762, known for the legend of throwing coins for a return.
Capitoline Hill — 45 min visit. Designed by Michelangelo, it offers a unique view of the Roman Forum from the perspective of a historic hill.
Vatican Museums — 4 h visit. This enormous museum complex houses countless collections of papal art, requiring many hours for a thorough visit. Hours: Mon–Sat 09:00–18:00 · Sun 09:00–14:00.
St. Peter's Square — 45 min visit. Bernini's monumental colonnade, embracing the square, symbolizes the open arms of the Church, and papal audiences are held there on Wednesdays.
Archbasilica of St. John Lateran — 1 h visit. As the Pope's archbasilica, it serves as the mother and head of all churches in the world, including St. Peter's Basilica. Hours: Mon–Sun 07:00–18:30.
Palatine Hill — 2 h visit. It is considered the place where Romulus founded Rome in 753 BC, making it the oldest settlement. Hours: Mar 16–24 08:30–17:30 · Mar 25–Aug 31 08:30–19:15 · Sep 01–30 08:30–19:00.
Apostolic Palace — 15 min visit. This is the official residence of the Pope, most of which is not individually accessible, only the Sistine Chapel as part of the Vatican Museums.
Castel Sant'Angelo — 2 h visit. A cylindrical structure, originally Emperor Hadrian's mausoleum (135-139 AD), also served as a papal fortress. Hours: Mon–Sun 09:00–19:30.
Basilica di San Paolo fuori le mura — 1 h 15 min visit. It is one of the four major papal basilicas of Rome, offering a calmer visit and admiration of mosaics than St. Peter's Basilica. Hours: 07:00–18:30.
Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore — 1 h 15 min visit. It holds the status of one of the four papal major basilicas, unlike the Basilica di San Pietro in Vincoli, which is a minor basilica. Hours: Mon–Sun 07:00–19:00.
Trajan's Column — 30 min visit. It is about 38 meters high, with a spiral relief depicting the Dacian Wars and internal stairs leading to a viewing platform.
Quirinal Palace — 1 h visit. It currently serves as the official residence of the President of the Italian Republic, having previously been a royal and papal palace. Hours: Tue–Wed, Fri–Sun 09:30–14:30.
Circus Maximus — 30 min visit. The vast green area of the former hippodrome invites you for walks and allows you to freely imagine ancient chariot races.
Arch of Constantine — 20 min visit. It is the largest triumphal arch in Rome, measuring 21 meters high and 25.9 meters wide.
Capitoline Museums — 3 h visit. It is considered the oldest public museum in the world, opened to visitors as early as 1471. Hours: Mon–Sun 09:30–19:30 · May 01 closed.
Piazza Navona — 1 h visit. The oval shape of the square results from its location on the ancient Stadium of Domitian from the 1st century AD.
Borghese Gallery — 2 h visit. It houses an outstanding collection of Bernini sculptures and Caravaggio paintings, and entry requires prior reservation with limited visiting time. Hours: Tue–Sun 09:00–19:00.
Trajan's Forum — 1 h visit. It is the largest and last of Rome's imperial forums, completed in 112 AD, unlike the older Forum Romanum. Hours: 09:30–19:30.
Arch of Titus — 20 min visit. Its interiors are adorned with bas-reliefs, testifying to the triumphal procession with spoils from Jerusalem.

Where to eat

Antico Caffè Greco — Opened in 1760, it is the oldest cafe in Rome, offering an elegant, historic interior and atmosphere.
Babington's — Founded in 1893, it is one of the oldest and few English tea rooms in Rome.
Cencio la Parolaccia — It is famous for its humorous and often vulgar atmosphere, where the staff entertains guests while serving traditional dishes.
Caffè Sant'Eustachio — They have been roasting coffee on site since 1938 and are known for their unique recipe for espresso sugar foam.
Hostaria de’ pastini — This traditional restaurant specializes in authentic Roman dishes such as carbonara, cacio e pepe, and saltimbocca.
Salumeria Roscioli — Operating since 1824, it belongs to the same Roscioli family, making it a historic culinary spot.
Vinando — The restaurant serves traditional Italian dishes, focusing on carefully selected wines and fresh, seasonal ingredients.
Espresso & Co — This is a typical Roman cafe with bar service and standing places, primarily dedicated to a wide selection of coffees.