Week in Rome

By <a href="#author-bio">Stuart Bak</a>
By Stuart Bak
Published: July 18, 2024
Woman taking photographs in a picturesque square in Trastevere, Rome

Planning to spend a week in Rome? Well, lucky you! Many visitors to the Eternal City make the error of booking just two or three days here, then end up rushing around, frantically trying to tick off as many bucket-list attractions as possible. The best way to experience this sometimes chaotic city is sloooowly, pausing for Italian espresso and cannoli when the mood takes you and lingering at attractions like the Colosseum and St Peter’s Basilica long enough to get a real feel for the place, rather than just a few hurried photographs.

There’s so much to see and do in Rome. Seven days feels just about right to enjoy a relaxed sightseeing break and to really fall in love with the place. Do bear in mind though that time spent queueing at the more popular attractions will add up. So decide on your must-sees, book skip the line tickets where possible and be inspired by our suggested itinerary for a week in Rome.

Day 1: Ancient Rome

Good news! Many of the most sought-after attractions in Rome are within fairly easy walking distance of each other. It’s perfectly possible, for example, to experience the well-preserved ancient ruins of the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill in a single day. Start at the Colosseum, where a tour of the interior really brings this vast amphitheater to life. Close your eyes and imagine the roar of the crowd baying for thieves and swindlers to be thrown to the lions 2,000 years ago. Wander the avenues of the Roman Forum, taking in huge arches, ruined temples, great columns and spooky headless statues before heading up Palatine Hill. It’s here, among the colorful wildflowers, hilltop ruins and sweeping views of the ancient city, that Romulus and Remus, Rome’s mythical founders, are said to have been raised by a she-wolf.

If you've got enough gas left in the tank after all that, spend your first evening in town getting to know atmospheric Piazza Navona, with its beautifully illuminated Bernini fountain, theatrical street entertainers and fairytale churches and palazzos.

Day 2: Villa Borghese and a Few Bucket List Biggies

This one is a little hectic, and you may wish to skip one or two of the attractions on the list and return to them on a less packed day.

Start your morning with a visit to the Pantheon, one of Rome’s best-preserved Ancient Roman structures, with its fine portico featuring 12 grand Corinthian columns, checkerboard marble floors and impressive concrete dome complete with oculus, a central opening that allows sunlight (and indeed rain) to pour inside. It’s less than half a mile from here to the Trevi Fountain. And can you truly say you’ve visited Rome before you’ve jostled your way through the crowds to toss in your coin? Another half mile takes you to the foot of the Spanish Steps. Steel yourself for the 135-step climb to the top, where the majestic Trinità dei Monti church with its elaborate decorative features and pair of 17th-century anamorphic frescoes are your well-deserved reward.

Spend the afternoon exploring Villa Borghese’s sumptuous formal gardens and exquisite villas, and pay a visit to the Galleria Borghese, where landmark works include Caravaggio’s Saint Jerome, Raphael’s Deposition, and Bernini’s Apollo and Daphne sculpture. Or, you know, just grab a smooth, creamy gelato and sit on the lawns people-watching for a few hours.

Day 3: Trastevere

A week in Rome most definitely merits at least one day spent exploring the medieval cobbled lanes, atmospheric alleyways and pretty piazzas of Trastevere, a laidback neighborhood just downriver from the Vatican. Here’s where to find beautiful churches, ocher-colored houses draped in vines and brightly blooming window boxes, and some of the finest pizza this side of Naples – wafer-thin, crispy crusted, wood-fired and fresh from the oven.

A walk up Janiculum Hill reveals sweeping city panoramas, as well as plenty of Instagrammable attractions, including an imposing statue of Garibaldi on horseback, a monumental 17th-century fountain with marble carvings of eagles and dragons, and a sprawling botanical garden.

Day 4: Museums and More

If ancient artifacts are your thang, you’ve come to the right place. The Capitoline Museums atop Capitoline Hill are reached via a long and graceful Michelangelo-designed staircase, and the climb is well worth it for the multiple museums containing classical statues, medieval bronzes, Roman pottery and a veritable treasure trove of paintings and sculptures from the likes of Caravaggio, Rubens, Titian and van Dyck. Highlights here (and, believe us, there are many!) include the famous statue of the Dying Gaul and the symbolic Capitoline Wolf, a large bronze piece depicting the mythical Romulus and Remus being suckled by the she-wolf who raised them.

Afterwards, wander downriver to take your chances with the Mouth of Truth (Bocca della Verità) – a forbidding medieval marble mask that invites you to place your hand inside its mouth, at peril of having it bitten clean off if you've ever told a lie. Then, hopefully with both hands intact, make your way to Aventine Hill for one of the coolest views in town: the dome of St Peter’s Basilica framed by an avenue of perfectly manicured cypress trees, seen through the keyhole of an otherwise fairly unassuming door. Magical.

Day 5: The Appian Way

A walk on the Appian Way is an absolute must when spending a whole week in Rome. Seemingly frozen in time, much of this ancient Roman road remains unaltered since Julius Caesar marched his armies along it 2,000 years ago. The fine cobbled avenue stretches around 40 miles south of the city (significantly shorter than in its heyday when it went all the way to Brindisi!). Beyond the soaring pines that flank the road are fields and fields containing dozens of ancient monuments to explore. We’re talking catacombs, mausoleums, temples, Roman baths and stacks more. Take a bike to cover more ground and make a real day out of it – a market-sourced picnic of salamis and cheeses will be the icing on the cake.

Day 6: The Vatican Museums

It should go without saying that the Vatican should be on your Rome itinerary and it’s worth setting a whole day aside for, just in case you become transfixed by the beauty of the Sistine Chapel Ceiling for, like, three hours (not entirely unheard of, but also not recommended unless you want to take home a neck brace as a souvenir of your visit). Other highlights of the Vatican’s complex of museums include Raphael’s unfinished Transfiguration, an ancient marble statue depicting Trojan priest Laocoön and his sons being attacked by sea serpents, and a gallery of fine 16th and 17th-century tapestries. Make sure to take a close look at the ceiling in this one: though apparently sculpted in relief, it is in fact completely flat. That’s down to 18th-century painters whose skill at painting light and shadow meant they were able to create an utterly convincing 3D illusion.

Day 7: Souvenir Shopping

Whaddya mean you haven’t bought any souvenirs to take home yet? Better get yourself down to the weekend Campagna Amico market by the Circus Maximus. This is the place for the best local produce, with everything sold here grown, reared, pressed, baked or brewed within a 100-kilometer radius. Pick up fruity Lazio wines, moreish extra virgin olive oils and fine cured meats to gift to friends and relatives, then head to Rome’s main tourist drags for the lovably naff novelty nick-nacks you so desperately need in your life: Colosseum keyrings, Trevi Fountain snow globes and plastic Pope Francis figurines for the win.

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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Fontana della Barcaccia at the foot of the Spanish Steps
Blog

Weekend in Rome

Offering up a particularly unique blend of renowned cultural hotspots, booming nightlife, world-famous shopping and delectable local cuisine, Rome stands as one of Europe’s most popular city break destinations. Whether you’re a history buff or a jet-setting holidaymaker, a weekend in Rome is sure not to disappoint. Visiting Rome at the Weekend Should you choose to take a weekend break in the Italian capital, it’s worth noting that this will by and large be the busiest time of the week. Though the exact scale of foot traffic throughout the city will depend on the time of year, weekends tend to see a consistent upsurge in foreign visitors, and many locals, too, choose to spend their days off visiting many of Rome’s traditional cafés, bars and restaurants. That being said, anybody visiting Rome should already expect some amount of bustle given its sheer global popularity and appeal. In many ways, the increased local presence offers somewhat of a more relaxed and authentic feeling to the city, while its bars and nightlife become a whole lot more lively. Just be prepared to book your desired attractions and venues sufficiently in advance to avoid any potential disappointment. Things to do at the Weekend Naturally, just about any trip to Rome is bound to be brimming with visits to many of the city’s world-class cultural and historical sites. As mentioned above, many of these attractions are likely to be busier than usual over the weekend, so you’ll want to plan accordingly to be sure to fit everything in. Topping most lists is likely the Colosseum, the world’s largest standing amphitheater and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Following closely behind is the Pantheon, another UNESCO World Heritage site and a former Roman temple. Both of these incredibly well-preserved ancient sites offer visitors a glimpse into the daily lives and customs of citizens in a civilization now long since passed. Another of Rome’s hugely popular boasts is Vatican City, the beating heart of Roman Catholicism and permanent residence to the Pope. Officially the smallest country in the world, nestled just outside Rome’s city center, the site is home to some of the world’s most impressive religious buildings, namely the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica, not to mention the vast collection of the Vatican Museums. Many visitors to Rome find themselves on the search for their next big photo op, with the majority drawn to the likes of the elegant Trevi Fountain and the iconic Spanish Steps joining Piazza di Spagna to Piazza Trinità dei Monti. These landmarks tend to get particularly busy at the best of times, so if you’re looking to snap a more authentic and serene photo, you’d be best off visiting early in the morning ahead of most of the crowds. Those with a penchant for the Italian capital’s historical value will likely enjoy a stroll through the Roman Forum, where vague ruins now stand as mere whispers of a formerly grand administrative district. If ancient is truly what you’re looking for, though, there’s nothing in Rome older than the ruins atop Palatine Hill, considered the cradle of Roman civilization and the fabled location of the Lupercal cave of ancient Roman myth. Bars and Nightlife If you’re spending a weekend in Rome, chances are high that you’ll be keen to get a piece of its renowned nightlife. Though the daytime tourist scene may already seem bustling and lively enough, you haven’t seen anything until the evening rolls around. Whether you’re keen on a light appetizer in one of its charming squares, a hearty Italian meal or a tipple of some authentic local vino, the Trastevere district is easily one of your best options. Home to many of Rome’s largest tourist spots, it offers just about everything you could want from a Mediterranean night on the town. Particularly popular with a younger scene are Campo dei Fiori and San Lorenzo, featuring all manner of bars, restaurants and leisure spots with an overall informal vibe. Given their following, these spots can get rather crowded as the night goes on, so be sure to keep your wits about you. Retail Therapy Aside from cultural hotspots, bustling nightlife and diverse history, few things define a European city break like a perusal of the city’s boutiques and shopping districts. Whether you’re in the market to bag yourself some Italian fashion or simply want to explore some authentic, independent stores, Rome has you covered. While Milan is famed as the fashion capital of Europe, Rome certainly isn’t far behind. If prestigious boutiques and luxury retailers are your thing, you’ll want to make your way to Piazza di Spagna and its surrounding streets, where you’ll find the likes of Prada, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Armani and other such labels. The key benefit of spending a weekend in Rome are the markets, where you can grab all manner of clothing, jewelry, antiques, books and fresh produce. The Porta Portese Market spread throughout the streets of Trastevere Railway Station is a particularly popular Sunday flea market, while the charming Mercato dei Fiori sells various flowers, plants and fresh fruit and vegetables. Though Rome is much more of a stranger to shopping malls and department stores than much of Europe, there are certainly still some options. The Galleria Alberto Soldi, for example, offers a small yet impressive selection of retail boutiques, while the Stazione Termini Roma shopping complex offers a much more diverse and typical assortment of retail therapy options. Getting Around With only a weekend to spare in the eternal city, you’ll likely want to make the most of your time. While many of the city’s top sights are easily accessible on foot and within relative walking distance of one another, you may find yourself looking for faster means of getting around to fit as much in as possible. Fortunately, Rome has a fairly extensive transport system covering much of the city. The fastest options are naturally the metro and tram services, but with only a small few serviced lines running through the city center, they aren’t always of much use to most tourists. Buses, on the other hand, operate a much more convenient alternative, with over 350 lines servicing over 8,000 stops throughout the city center and wider suburbs. However, most public transport in Rome tends to get rather busy at the best of times, let alone over the weekend. For somewhat of a more convenient, comfortable and entertaining means of getting around, a Big Bus Rome tour runs a main route passing by most of the capital’s top attractions, along with a hop-on, hop-off policy and optional audio commentary in several major languages.
Robert Heaney
Movies Set in Rome
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Movies Set in Rome To Inspire Your Visit

Pay a visit to where some of your favorite films were set, walk in the footsteps of great characters and actors and feel transported to the silver screen from Rome!
Dom Bewley
Souvenirs of Rome including a mug and a selection of fridge magnets
Blog

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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