Rome can be an overwhelming city to visit for the first time! There is so much history at every turn, and it can be difficult to try to fit it all in. If you only have one day in Rome, the pressure is really on! Thankfully this itinerary can help you hit all of the top attractions in a limited time. Here is my guide to spend one day in Rome for first timers!
Early AM: Trevi Fountain
While this is being branded as a “TikTok Hack”, it’s really just common sense in traveling. The tourist attractions get busy and are best visited early in the morning! This is especially true with the Trevi Fountain. Start your day early and get to the Trevi Fountain as the sun is rising. You’ll have very few other tourists and plenty of space and time to get photos and videos. Make a wish by standing with your back to the fountain, hold the coin in your right hand, and throw it over your left shoulder. Who knows, an Italian popstar might approach you right after asking you to dub as his singing partner (a la Lizzie McGuire).
Morning: Vatican City
After your early morning, make your way over to Vatican City – a new country! Getting to the Vatican early in the morning will still bring crowds, but you can try to beat the mid-afternoon rush (that we got stuck in!). If you don’t have a “skip the line” tour to enter St. Peter’s Basilica, don’t fret. When we arrived, the line zigzagged through the queue, but then wrapped around the entire piazza. We decided we didn’t want to wait in the line at first, but then later changed our mind when we saw how fast the line moved. We waited probably about 45 minutes total, which was way less than it looked like it would take!
After your visit to St. Peter’s and the Sistine Chapel, take a few minutes to mail a postcard from the world’s smallest country! When we visited, there was a small pop-up post office right in the piazza to buy your postcard and stamp. If that’s not there, you can visit the official post office here. The postcard plus international postage cost about €3, but worth it for a fun souvenir to send to loved ones (or yourself!) back home.
Read More: Top 6 Tips for Visiting Vatican City
Early Afternoon: Spaghetti, Steps, and Shopping
After a busy morning, make your way outside of Vatican City for some lunch! Pasta in Corso is a perfect, casual spot for fresh Italian pasta. With any tourist spot (like the Vatican), I always try to find places to eat that are at least a 10 minute walk away. You’ll find more authentic, reasonably-priced restaurants that are actually focused on quality instead of churning out meals to tourists they will never see again. Pasta in Corso hit all those boxes. It’s about a 10 minute walk from the Vatican, was casual enough to wear your day clothes into, and you could see the fresh pasta being made in the kitchen. Perfetto!
After, work off those carbs by making your way to the Via dei Condotti. This street is famous for it’s luxury shopping (or in my case, window shopping). Gucci, Prada, Hermes are just a few of the big names you’ll find along this street. It’ll be busy, but the crowds are part of the experience. Right at the end of the Via dei Condotti are the famous Spanish Steps. The 135 steps that lead up to the Trinità dei Monti are beautiful and the views from the top are unmatched. We visited in early Spring so they were lined with fresh flowers and the sun shined off the fountain at the base.
Tip: if needed, there is also a hidden elevator that will take you to the top of the stairs. It is next to the Spagna metro station, located here.
Late Afternoon: The Famous Landmarks
Next, time to start hitting more of the famous landmarks that make Rome famous! Your first stop will be about a 15 minute walk to Chiesa di Sant’Ignazio di Loyola. This absolutely stunning Roman Catholic Church is a little unassuming from the outside, but your jaw will hit the floor on the inside. When you walk in, look up to the ceilings right away. The painted ceiling will stop you in your tracks. The detail is spectacular! They even have a mirror set up on the side of the church to look in so you can appreciate the details of the ceiling.
Next, make your way just a few minutes down the street to the Pantheon. This temple was completed in 125 AD and is a true staple in Rome. If you didn’t reserve tickets ahead of time, the lines were long both to purchase tickets, and then to get in. We admired from the outside, but definitely plan ahead if you want to go inside to maximize your time!
Just a few minute walk from there is Piazza Navona. This was one of our favorite stops during the day! The large piazza was surrounded by gorgeous buildings, restaurants, and shops. Inside the square, there were beautiful fountains and statues and even artists doing live paintings. It was one of the more tranquil spots we found during our one day in Rome, so it was nice to take a breather away from the crowds.
Evening: Al Fresco Dinner & More Landmarks
Next, time to hit two more of Rome’s famous landmarks, less than a 20 minute walk away. Along the walk, stop for an al fresco dinner. Simply stroll along the streets and stop to eat wherever your heart tells you. I found that many restaurants in Rome have a menu posted outside their door, so you can review before committing. And of course, eating outside is the best as you sip on an Aperol spritz and people watch.
Less than a 20 minute walk away is the Roman Forum. This is basically an outdoor museum of ruins of Rome from 2,000+ years ago. In a nutshell, this area used to be the center of the city! Again, we didn’t plan ahead and the line to buy tickets were insanely long. If you want to go inside (and get more than just the limited viewpoints along the Via dei Fori Imperiali), definitely buy your timed tickets ahead of time. The hours vary seasonally, so make sure you research that depending on when you’ll be visiting.
Finally, it’s time for the star of the show: the Colosseum! The area is free to enjoy, and I definitely recommend doing a full walk-around of the amphitheater. Later in the evening, you’ll have less crowds and the photo opportunities during golden hour? *Chef’s kiss!* Again, if you want to go inside, definitely plan ahead and check the closing hours when you’ll be visiting as they change seasonally. We ended up being totally content just viewing it from the outside, but I’ll tack on a tour inside to my next visit to Rome! Need to channel my inner Lizzie McGuire, after all.
Late Night Gelato and Rooftop Drinks
After a jam-packed one day in Rome, it’s time to slow down and treat yourself! No day in Italy would be complete without a scoop of gelato! My favorite gelato spot in Rome is Venchi, which has a few locations throughout the city. They also sell a bunch of different luxurious chocolates, which are a great souvenir to take home with you (or eat in bed later that night, no judgement). As a pro tip, the best gelato can be found in gelaterias that serve their goods out of metal tins with lids. If you see a gelato shop with these (rather than having them in high stacks), you’re in the right place! Here is a guide to finding the best gelato in Italy!
After your sweet treat, end your night with a rooftop cocktail. Rooftop bars are not hard to find in Rome and are the perfect place to end your long day. We stayed at the Hotel Diana, which had their own rooftop bar. It was a really beautiful, peaceful space that had great views over the city at sunset. Truly no better way to end your one day in Rome!
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