How to See Rome in a Day

Rome may not have been built in a day, but you can at least see its highlights in one. If you are strapped for time in the Eternal City, fear not, follow this guide, and find out how to see Rome in a day.

This guide was written by Alexander Meddings, a travel writer based in Rome. All of our articles are authored by local writers who know their cities inside out & provide commission-free recommendations.

First, A Quick Caveat

You cannot — and should not — try to do the Colosseum and the Vatican if you are only visiting Rome for one day. Although they are not too far from one another, the energy you'll spend standing in lines, touring both, grabbing lunch in between and travelling between them will leave you exhausted.

Our honest advice is to pick just one, preferably for in the morning, then spend the afternoon and evening doing something relaxing that you want to do. Like tasting your way through Rome's famous street food, enjoying a leisurely stroll and aperitivo in the city centre, or visiting a less-crowded museum at your own pace. And when picking between them, we have a slight preference for the Colosseum.

Spend the Morning Exploring Ancient Rome

There's an old Italian proverb — chi dorme non piglia pesce ("Sleep and you won't catch the fish"). In English, we would say 'the early bird catches the worm', and being an early bird is the only way to see Rome in a day. So set your alarm early, perk up the next morning on Italian coffee and cornetto, and head straight for the Colosseum for a small-group Colosseum Arena Tour.

Expect a warm welcome from one of our team upon your arrival at the Arch of Constantine, outside the Colosseum. Since the cost of your skip-the-line tickets is included in the price of our Colosseum tours, all you need to bring is yourself (and a comfy pair of shoes).

⚔️ Browse our Colosseum Tours to decide which is best for you!

Exploring the Colosseum, Palatine Hill and Roman Forum with Carpe Diem

Rivalled only by the Circus Maximus chariot-racing track, the Colosseum was ancient Rome’s most magnificent venue. Built towards the end of the first century CE, it was home to bloodthirsty fights between gladiators, wild-animal hunts, public executions and perhaps even sea battles.

Our guides are experts in bringing to life the fascinating history of the Colosseum and separating legend from myth and fact from fiction. The Colosseum tour lasts 2.5 hours and includes a short break of 30 minutes inside the Colosseum to take photos or visit the gift shop.

All Colosseum tickets also include skip-the-line entry to the Palatine Hill and Roman Forum.

Climb the Palatine Hill & Tour the Roman Forum

The Palatine Hill is where Rome was founded over 2,700 years ago, and over time it became home to wealthy senators and even the emperors themselves. The summit offers spectacular views over the Roman Forum: the political, social, and economic heart of the Roman Empire. No trip to Rome is complete without walking its original roads between temples, political buildings, and triumphal arches.

All our Colosseum tours visit the remains of the Imperial Palace on the Palatine Hill and finish inside the Roman Forum. After your tour, you’ll have time to ask any questions before saying farewell to your guide and group just a few minutes walk from the historic centre.

Couple on a Colosseum tour having a photo against a backdrop of the Colosseum & Roman Forum

Stroll Rome's Historic Centre

Rome is smaller than most people think (just over 12 square miles), which makes it easy to navigate on foot! Rome also lacks effective public transport within the nucleus of the city centre. Digging a metro system has proven difficult since buried archaeological remains await every few metres, and the centre's narrow, largely pedestrianised streets prevent many buses from passing.

Luckily, Rome boasts one of the most beautiful city centres in the world and so exploring it on foot is especially rewarding. Since you only have a day in Rome, we suggest following this route to get the most out of your sightseeing.

Wonders of Rome Walking Tour

4.97(2485)

15 Guests Max

2 hrs

Flexible Travel

from20 €

The Altar of the Fatherland

Starting at the exit of the Roman Forum, make your way towards the Altar of the Fatherland in Piazza Venezia down the road Via dei Fori Imperiale. Inaugurated in the early 20th century, this monument defines Rome's skyline and was built in commemoration of King Victor Emanuel II’s Unification of Italy.

All our Romewalking tours stop in front of the Altar of the Fatherland

Largo di Torre Argentina

Largo di Torre Argentina is a large open square whose centre exposes an excavated area that once belonged to the Theatre of Pompey. The Theatre of Pompey is famous for two things: it was the first permanent stone building in the city that hosted plays and gladiatorial performances, and it is where Julius Caesar was brutally murdered by his fellow senators on the Ides of March 44 BC.

Largo di Torre Argentina – the site of Caesar’s assassination

Pantheon

The Pantheon was constructed by the emperor Hadrian around 125 CE and it still holds the record for the largest unsupported dome in the world! This means that there are no wooden or metal frames to support the structure inside, just pure cast concrete. 

There is a 9-metre hole (oculus) in the ceiling, meaning that when it rains, it rains inside the building too! As if the idea of having a hole in a ceiling isn’t mind-bending enough, it is proven to make the building stronger.

The Pantheon’s iconic oculus

The Trevi Fountain

he perfect day in Rome wouldn't be complete without paying a visit to the most famous fountain in the world for a selfie and a coin toss! Why do people throw coins in the Trevi Fountain? According to a popular legend if you toss a coin in the Trevi you are destined to one day return to Rome.

The Trevi Fountain

The Spanish Steps

Just a short walk around the corner you will find the elaborate masterpiece, the Spanish Steps. The highly artistic setting of the surrounding area has attracted and inspired artists and the British for centuries. Today it is the luxury shopping centre of Rome, surrounded by high-end designers like Valentino, Bulgari, Chanel, and many more! 

Another high-end street is Via del Babuino, where there are no prices in the shop windows!

The Spanish Steps

Treat Your Tastebuds to a Rome Food Tour

Rome's restaurants deserve their world-famous reputation. We've written tried-and-tested guides to where to eat in Rome, including recommendations for the best pizza in Rome, and where to get gelato. As you're only in Rome for one day, it's fundamental that you book any restaurants you want to eat at.

But the best way to fit Rome's food scene into the space of a few hours is through a fun and filling food tour through Rome's district of Trastevere. Our Rome Food Tours start at 1 pm, 5 pm, 5:30 pm, 6 pm and 6:30 pm, giving you plenty of flexibility. As you'll be eating plenty throughout the tour, we suggest you come hungry, and so space out the time between when you eat lunch/dinner and when you take the tour.

➡️ Secure your spot on our Rome Food Tour!

Finish the Day with a Cooking Class

Why just taste Roman cuisine when you can master it? Our Pasta & Tiramisù and Spritz & Spaghetti classes offer a fun, hands-on way to cook, eat, and drink like a local in the centre of Rome.

With a glass of prosecco in hand, you’ll learn how to craft perfectly creamy cacio e pepe or carbonara, all under the guidance of an expert local chef. Want a more customized experience? Book a private pasta & tiramisù cooking class and dive even deeper into Roman culinary traditions.

Not convinced yet? See what past guests are raving about:

🔥 Limited availability—book your spot today!

Travel Planning for Rome

So, there you have it — honest insider advice on how to see Rome in a day!

If you haven’t booked your trip yet, we recommend that you try to spend a little longer in Rome to truly soak up all its flavour, soul, and history.

For more tried and tested itineraries around the Eternal City, check out Kayak's Rome Travel Guide.