The Trevi Fountain in Rome, illuminated at dusk

5 Days in Rome

By <a href="#author-bio">Stuart Bak</a>
By Stuart Bak

Packed to bursting with more household-name attractions than you could shake a very large scepter at, Rome is one big open-air museum. Think the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Roman Forum, the Baths of Caracalla, the Circus Maximus and St Peter’s Basilica. And that’s just for starters. There are also lush green parks to relax in, hills to climb for sigh-inducing city views and, of course, all the authentic wood-fired pizza and creamy gelato you can eat.

Spend five days in Rome and you’ll just about scratch the surface of this endlessly fascinating city, experiencing just enough of its atmospheric cobbled lanes, charming piazzas and ancient monuments to whet the appetite for a second visit. The sheer number of things to see and do around the city is staggering, making it difficult to know where to even start. Fear not though: our suggested 5-day Rome itinerary is here to help guide and inspire you.

Day 1: Ancient Rome Bucket List Bonanza

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There’s no point beating about the bush: you came to Rome to snap a selfie in front of the Colosseum. Everything else is just gravy, right? So let’s dive straight in with a day one itinerary that takes in not just one, but four of Ancient Rome’s biggest hitters. First stop on your self-guided walking tour is – you’ll be pleased to hear – the Colosseum. Grab that much-anticipated snap then step inside to experience the largest and best-preserved ancient amphitheater ever built. It doesn’t take a whole lot of effort to imagine the roar of the crowd baying for gladiator blood in one of the deadly battles that were staged here on an almost daily basis nearly 2,000 years ago.

Suitably roused, it’s onwards to the Roman Forum, the city’s ruined former heart, which contained markets, temples, brothels and more, then up Palatine Hill where, legend has it, Rome’s mythical twin founders Romulus and Remus were raised by a she-wolf. Wildflowers grow among the ancient ruins atop this verdant oasis and there are excellent views of the Forum and Aventine Hill from one side, and the Circus Maximus, Colosseum and Capitoline Hill from the other.

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Not ready to throw in the towel just yet? Continue your walk to the ancient Baths of Caracalla, a spa complex that would have accommodated up to 1,300 bathers at a time back in the day. If you still have energy after that, you’re not a million miles from Aventine Hill, atop which stars of the show include the legendary Mouth of Truth (Bocca della Verità) and a keyhole through which you can view the dome of St Peter’s Basilica framed by perfectly manicured cypress trees. After all that, your first large glass of chilled pinot grigio will be richly deserved.

Pro-tip: Go City’s Rome Explorer Pass includes an audio tour that covers part of this itinerary, taking in the Colosseum, Forum and Palatine Hill.

Day 2: Villa Borghese

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Footsore and hungover, you’ll be looking for something a little less taxing on day two of your 5-day Rome itinerary. Step forward Villa Borghese, Rome’s great green lung, packed with beautiful villas, gardens and monuments. Grab a picnic from the morning market on Campo dei Fiori – some salami, pecorino and fresh focaccia ought to fit the bill – and find a shady spot among the park’s towering plane and pine trees to stretch out, savor your lunch and enjoy some blissful Rome relaxation. Afterwards, pop by the Galleria Borghese, home of landmark works by Italian masters, including Raphael’s Deposition, Caravaggio’s Saint Jerome, and Bernini’s dramatic Apollo and Daphne sculpture in smooth Carrara marble. There’s also a temple, a slew of grand villas, several fountains and gardens, a lake and a puppet theater to explore in and around the park. The ever-popular Spanish Steps are tantalizingly close by, too, should you wish to tick off another of the city’s top attractions before returning to your hotel.

Day 3: Trastevere

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For the third of your five days in Rome, head for the laidback Trastevere neighborhood. Just downriver from the Vatican, it feels a long way from the honking car horns of the city center, with oodles of atmospheric alleys, pretty piazzas and Instagrammable ocher-colored houses with painted shutters, vines that wrap around wrought-iron balconies and window boxes that burst with joyful blooms.

Take time to visit the duo of stunning churches here. One of Rome’s oldest, the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere has sections that date from the 4th Century, as well as a Romanesque 12th-century bell tower and incredible mosaics by artist Pietro Cavallini. Cavallini’s masterpiece, a huge fresco depicting the Last Judgment, can be seen at the nearby Church of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere, alongside several other fine medieval artworks.

Climb Janiculum Hill for sweeping views along the Tiber to the dome of St Peter’s Basilica and beyond, find your inner zen in the Japanese garden at the Botanical Gardens, and take in a little more art at the Palazzo Corsini where the collection includes fine pieces by Caravaggio, van Dyck, Rubens and more. Reward yourself with an authentic artisan gelato – flavors in these parts range from traditional stracciatella to a somewhat more challenging artichoke sorbet – and stick around for evening, when Trastevere’s piazzas burst into life as locals come together for fine wine, delicious local craft ales and the best thin and crispy pizza this side of Naples.

Day 4: Vatican City and Castel Sant’Angelo

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There aren’t many cities you can visit where you get two countries for the price of one, but this is one of them, and a visit to the Vatican City should be considered an essential part of any 5-day Rome itinerary worth its salt. You’ve spent the last three days snapping St Peter’s Basilica from various other vantage points around the city. Now’s your chance to get inside and see Michelangelo’s iconic dome up close, with its biblical scenes by Botticelli, Perugino and Michelangelo himself. The basilica also contains dozens of other works of fine art and sculpture, including Michelangelo’s Pieta and Bernini's vast bronze Baldacchino, as well as relics such as St Peter’s chair and tomb.

And of course no visit to Rome would be complete without visiting the planet’s most famous fresco on the planet. You can get a combi ticket for access to the Sistine Chapel as well as several other Vatican museums, including impressive collections of classical sculpture, modern art and more.

Sure, there’s a lot to take in here, but if you arrived early enough it’s worth making time to pop over to Castel Sant’Angelo for a quick mooch around. This imposing cylindrical fortress was commissioned by Emperor Hadrian as a family mausoleum 2,000 years ago. It’s now a fantastic museum chock-full of frescoes, sculptures, paintings and military weaponry, all topped off with far-reaching views across the Eternal City from the lofty castle terrace.

Day 5: A Spot of Souvenir Shopping

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Now’s the time to mop up any of those must-see attractions that you just didn’t have time to visit. Whaddya mean you haven’t thrown a coin into the Trevi Fountain yet? Or enjoyed the uniquely mesmerizing experience of watching rain cascade through the Pantheon’s oculus during a downpour?

Make time to grab some gifts for loved ones and a few souvenirs for yourself. We’re talking fruity Lazio region wines and olive oils, tangy pecorino cheeses and – naturally – armfuls of Colosseum keyrings, Forum fridge magnets, Vatican votives and Trevi Fountain t-shirts.

Finish up with an atmospheric evening stroll through baroque Piazza Navona, pausing for a romantic selfie at Bernini’s Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers), before settling in at one of the local trattoria for wood-fired pizza and a few local craft ales.

Save on things to do in Rome

Save on admission to Rome attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.

Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Freelance travel writer

Stu caught the travel bug at an early age, thanks to childhood road trips to the south of France squeezed into the back of a Ford Cortina with two brothers and a Sony Walkman. Now a freelance writer living on the Norfolk coast, Stu has produced content for travel giants including Frommer’s, British Airways, Expedia, Mr & Mrs Smith, and now Go City. His most memorable travel experiences include drinking kava with the locals in Fiji and pranging a taxi driver’s car in the Honduran capital.

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Neighborhoods in Rome

Exploring some of the planet’s best-preserved Ancient Roman architecture, wandering cobbled lanes lined with swoonsome palazzi and picture-perfect ocher-colored houses, or just watching the world go by over espresso at a sidewalk café: there’s really something for everyone in Rome’s patchwork of 21 districts, or rione. Hop aboard for our whistle-stop tour of seven of the best neighborhoods in Rome. Centro Storico Right in the heart of the action, Rome’s historic center is unquestionably the best place to start your voyage of discovery in this ancient city. The name is really a catch-all for the relatively compact area that encompasses – deep breath – the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, the Capitoline Museums and the Circus Maximus. And that’s just for starters. This magical labyrinth of atmospheric cobbled alleys, sprawling baroque piazzas and gleaming Renaissance palaces is a treasure trove for history lovers and, well, anyone with even a passing interest in beautiful art or architecture (you’ll find works by the likes of Caravaggio, Bernini and Michelangelo in many of the museums and churches around these parts). And, if it all gets too much, you can always rest up with tagliatelle at a traditional trattoria or people-watch over coffee and cannoli at a cute café. Afterwards, head over to the Largo di Torre Argentina, home of Rome’s biggest cat sanctuary, to spot felines basking in the sunshine amid the ancient ruins of Roman Republican temples and the Theatre of Pompey. Tridente Tridente picks up where the historic center left off, and is loosely defined as the area around the triple-prong of streets that radiate out south from Piazza del Popolo, a vast cobbled square lined with churches and palazzi, as well as several grand fountains and a monumental Egyptian obelisk (they don't do things by half in Rome). It’s here you can get kitted out in the finest Italian fashions in the boutiques on and around Via dei Condotti. We’re talking Gucci, Fendi, Armani, Valentino et al, so be prepared to splurge. Suitably attired, make for the Trevi Fountain where you can indulge in the age-old tradition of throwing in a coin. Assuming you have any left, that is. Then give the quads a workout on the 135-step climb up the Spanish Steps. At the top sits the magnificent Renaissance confection that is the Trinità dei Monti church. Step into its cool interior, where a pair of anamorphic frescoes from the 17th Century are among the many splendid decorative features. Monti Crammed in between the Colosseum, the Quirinal Hill, and the Santa Maria Maggiore basilica, diminutive Monti is an attraction all of its own. Ivy climbs ocher-colored houses and wraps itself round iron balconies and locals chatter over morning coffee on the picturesque piazzas. In case it wasn’t already obvious, this largely residential Rome neighborhood is a photographer’s paradise. Budding snappers should head to La Casetta, a tiny trattoria for which the term ‘ivy-clad’ is something of an understatement – it’s virtually drowning in the stuff! Or make for Piazza della Madonna dei Monti, a vibrant square where sunset Aperols are accompanied by sensational views of the Colosseum silhouetted against the skyline. Monteverde Vecchio The clue’s in the name here: Monteverde Vecchio is one of the greenest neighborhoods in Rome. Go here to seek respite from the urban sprawl and enjoy the fresh air and tranquility promised by the Janiculum Hill and the expanse of landscaped gardens surrounding the grand Villa Doria Pamphili. Trastevere Just downriver from the Vatican, Trastevere is another of those Rome neighborhoods that just begs to be photographed, chock-full as it is of café-lined piazzas, achingly picturesque medieval churches and those familiar ocher-colored houses sporting quirky cast-iron door knockers and brightly painted window shutters. Grab a gelato and stroll across medieval Ponte Sisto to Piazza Trilussa, where locals meet and mingle in the evening by the monumental fountain. Visit the fine botanical garden that overlooks baroque Palazzo Corsini. And don’t miss the Sunday flea market at Porta Portese, an absolute treasure trove for diehard rummagers. Take your best haggling game to snare bargains on everything from vintage fashions and antique jewelry to pre-loved vinyl, classic comic books and, well, just about every other trinket and knick-knack you can imagine. Ostiense On the banks of the Tiber, Ostiense wears its industrial heritage on its sleeve, its landscape dominated by a huge metal gasometer from the decommissioned gasworks. If that’s already piqued your interest in this buzzing ‘burb, where ancient and modern Rome collide, you’re going to absolutely love the Central Montemartini museum, where dozens of ancient Greek and Roman statues, busts and friezes hewn from marble and stone are displayed against a backdrop of pipes, engines, turbines and dials inside a former electrical power station. And that’s not all. There’s a thriving street art scene here – meaning Ostiense is one of the best places to see work from up-and-coming Rome graffitos – as well as a number of hip bars, a smattering of craft beer pubs, and a cat café. One of Catholic Rome’s ‘big four’ basilicas, St Paul Outside the Walls, cuts an incongruous figure against what is an otherwise distinctly modern urban landscape. Parione The central rione of Parione is probably most famous for its two sprawling piazzas. Make for vibrant Campo dei Fiori, where Rome’s longest-running market (operating here since 1869), brings its riot of color, sound and scent every morning (except Sunday). Follow your nose past the rainbows of blooming gerberas to the unmissable foodie stalls. You’d require the willpower of a saint to resist temptation in the face of these mountains of homemade cake, freshly baked loaves and pungent Italian cheeses. In the evening, do as the locals do and soak up the baroque splendor of Piazza Navona on a twilight stroll across its cobbled expanse, pausing to swoon at Bernini’s Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers), watch the street entertainers ply their trade and snap Instagram-ready shots of the fairytale palazzos and churches that line the square. Paper thin and ultra crispy wood-fired pizza at an authentic trattoria (washed down with local craft ales, natch) provides the perfect ending to a day in this historic Rome neighborhood. Save on things to do in Rome Save on admission to Rome attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Souvenirs of Rome including a mug and a selection of fridge magnets
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Best Rome Souvenirs

A trip to the Eternal City is unforgettable for so many reasons: its world-class pizza, those beautifully preserved ancient monuments, romantic strolls through the gardens of the Villa Borghese. But, if your memory ain’t what it used to be, you’ll probably want a memento of your vacation to take home with you. Or maybe just a special gift for a loved one. Either way, we’re here to help, with our guide to the best souvenirs in Rome. Best Rome Souvenirs One tourist’s trash is another’s treasure and, like most capital cities worth their salt, Rome is awash with affordable trinkets and knick-knacks that will continue to bring a wistful smile to the face of their owners for many years to come. We’re talking those ubiquitous Vespa fridge magnets – available in every color under the Italian sun – and little ornaments in the shape of the Trevi Fountain, the Capitoline Wolf, the Mouth of Truth and the Pantheon. Chief among these is, of course, the Colosseum. There's seemingly no end to souvenirs related to the world’s most famous amphitheater. Keyrings, wine stoppers, mugs, t-shirts, tea towels, gladiator figurines, even snow globes – if you can think of it, it probably exists. What else? You can get rosary beads, crucifixes, jewelry and votive candles from the official Vatican gift shops in St Peter’s Square. Or, indeed, pick up the cheaper knock-off varieties elsewhere. You can even get an effigy of Pope Francis in bronze or marble. Or treat yourself to a more affordable plastic bobblehead Pope, though you’re unlikely to find the last of these in or around the Vatican itself... And sure, you could go shopping for expensive Italian haute couture along the exclusive Via dei Condotti, but who needs to get their threads from Armani, Valentino, Dolce & Gabbana when you can make like Pope Francis and head for Gammarelli instead? Opened in 1798, this shop sells a vast selection of ecclesiastical garments and is official tailor to the Pope himself. Pick up a pair of his famous bright red socks for yourself or for a relative, smug in the knowledge that these make a way better gift than the novelty ‘days of the week’ socks you send your dad every birthday and Christmas. Personalized Rome Souvenirs Nothing says ‘thinking of you’ like a gift you’ve had personalized for someone, and what could be more Italian than a piece of marble? These two things come together in perfect harmony at La Bottega del Marmoraro on Via Margutta, just round the corner from the Spanish Steps. On entering this tiny hole in the wall, you might legitimately feel like you’ve inadvertently stepped into the workshop of an ancient Roman craftsman: walls are festooned with inscribed marble slabs and statues and busts crowd the corners. Friendly proprietor Enrico Fiorentini will happily inscribe whatever message you like into a marble tablet, for the ultimate in personalized gifts. Prices for small tablets with short messages start at just a few euros and you’re guaranteed a high-quality souvenir for your dough. Pro-tip: give some thought to an inscribed saying or motto that will mean a lot to a friend or loved one and try not to leave with a stone reading, for example, ‘Gaz woz here 2022’. Liquid Gold Wine, glorious wine. Italy’s reputation for excellent vino is virtually unmatched, as anyone who has quaffed a chianti or guzzled a pinot grigio will no doubt attest. You’ll find fine wines just about everywhere here, from Tuscany to Puglia and Sardinia. But if you’re looking for something a little more local to Rome, try picking up a couple bottles of fruity red Cesanese, the Lazio region’s signature tipple, though certainly less ubiquitous than the (equally superb) local Merlot. Or grab some dry whites from Lazio’s Castelli Romani commune just south of the city. You’ll find these in any decent Rome wine shop, or at the Campagna Amica, a weekend market next to the Circus Maximus that deals almost exclusively in produce – including wine – from the Lazio region. Easily one of the best food markets in Rome, this is also the place to get your hands on authentic local oils. Think rich, velvety extra virgin olive oil, and earthy aromatic truffle oil. Pair with some fine balsamics for the perfect souvenir gift... to yourself, natch. Chocolate and Cheese While you’re there, why not really fill your boots and stock up on regional cheeses? Sure, you can also get these in Rome’s fantastic cheese shops, but what could be more authentic than getting free tasters straight from the farmer who made them? Pick your favorites and splash out on kilos of creamy buffalo mozzarella, pungent Pecorino Romano and soft, sweet ricotta. Your only challenge will be making it back onto home soil without scoffing the whole delicious lot. There’s also prosciutto, pickles, preserves and pasta galore to be found at the market, so you’re unlikely to go away empty-handed. Re: pasta, we strongly recommend buying yours here rather than succumbing to the short-lived schoolboy giggles promised by Rome’s ubiquitous packs of phallic pasta shapes. Trust us: no-one will be laughing when you inadvertently serve them up to the in-laws at your next dinner party. Prefer the sweet stuff? The Italian chocolate-making tradition is the stuff of legend, so expect to find dozens of places selling sweet treats. The best of these are to be found in the stores of genuine artisan chocolate producers, such as Moriondo and Garglio near the Pantheon. With almost two centuries of chocolate-making experience, you can be sure the quality is going to be high. Many of their chocs are made to traditional 19th-century recipes. Classic Rome Souvenirs Some of the best Rome souvenirs are also some of the simplest. How about some fine Italian leather, for example? The century-old Mancini store is just a hop and a skip from the Pantheon and stocks the briefcases and suitcases that made its name way back in the day, as well as belts, purses, wallets, and plenty more well-crafted accessories. Or seek out smaller, family-run leather shops, which may well be more willing and able to make bespoke items for you on request. Leather gladiator skirt and sandals, anyone? Meanwhile, the ceramics and glassware on display in so many shop windows and stall fronts around the city are not all destined to smash into a million pieces in your luggage on the flight home. For the good stuff – and we mean robust, good quality ceramics made by genuine artisans – dodge the tourist traps and make for Studio Forme, whose unique vases, plates, cups and ornaments are a color-popping cut above. Considered one of the very best souvenir shops in Rome, L’Artigianato on Piazza Navona is also great for ceramics... and so much more. Murano glass? Check. Designer Italian kitchenware and home furnishings? Yep, available right here. Chess and checker boards? You bet. Statues and busts of Roman emperors? Oh, go on then! Save on things to do in Rome Save on admission to Rome attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak

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