Last Updated on January 10, 2024 by AMANDA CASTILLO
The Ultimate List of things to do for one week in Rome
Rome is known as The Eternal City and is a place like no other. Its Old World Charm is indescribable, but I will do my best in this post to efficiently share the ultimate list of things to do when visiting Rome in one week. It might look like a lot, and honestly, you could spend months or years in Rome and still find gems off the beaten path. Don’t worry; whether you have a week or a weekend you can absolutely make it worth your while and see the majority of the most notable highlights. I’ve got you covered in this post of The Ultimate list of things to do for one week in Rome.
After all, Rome is one big open-air museum with gorgeous buildings, countless fountains, piazzas, history, art, culture, and of course, gelato at every turn. The saying goes, “Rome wasn’t built in a day,” and it’s incredible to think that the timeless structures at every turn were built thousands of years ago. The Pantheon is still a mystery to historians worldwide. Built in 120 AD, it is the largest concrete freestanding dome structure in the World. It goes without saying Roman architecture has been inspiring to architecture World wide.
There is also a feeling of family, connectedness, and respect for others. There is even a sense of romance as you stroll the cobblestone streets. Visiting Rome captures the heart and imagination while walking down ancient roads and observing the breathtaking architecture. Love fills the entire City with its hold from the past and present. If you reverse the Italian spelling of Rome, “Roma,” you get “Amor,” which means love.
Best time to visit
Located between Florence and Naples, the Capital of Italy is great to visit year-round.
Think of hot summers and somewhat mild winters. Generally, spring and autumn, the shoulder season, are the ideal times to visit as temperatures aren’t scorching like they are in prime summer, and tourism is still mild. The high season (the most expensive) is June, July, August & September. Temperatures are at their highest, and the crowds are bigger around this time of year. The low season is in the winter when temperatures are at their chilliest and crowds start to dim. It is always a wonderful time of year to visit Rome or Italy in general.
Editors Tips
Pack comfy shoes! There will be tons of walking. As I mentioned earlier, Rome is an open-air museum, so roaming around Rome is integral to seeing the City’s charm. You also never know when you will want to go inside a church. Since there are so many around the City, be sure to bring the appropriate cover-ups and the proper clothing because the dress code is enforced.
Public transportation could be better in Rome, and the drivers are notorious for being less than patient in a car. However, taking a taxi to dinner or something else may be necessary. The concierge can arrange one for you; if you’re feeling up to it, hailing a cab yourself is an option. There are also two metro lines, and a third is under construction. However, the stops are a relatively far distance from most attractions.
Purchasing a hop-on hop-off bus ticket may be worth it to you as it stops at eight different locations, and from there, you can explore as you see fit and then hop back on at your leisure. Combined tickets are great if you will be using the metro and want the option of a hop-on, hop-off bus. There are plenty of options to plan your trip to Rome just right. However having a plan isnt always necessary and more often than not plans go out the window when you are there and you find your own stride. Check out what not to plan!
What to do
As much as you might want to plan and have a daily itinerary, please don’t. The best part is getting lost wandering this epic City rich in history and culture with gelato in hand. Rome never fails to inspire and impress. However, having a general list of ideas is always an excellent reference.
1. Ancient Rome area:
Ancient Rome includes Colosseum, Palatine Hill, Forum Romanum
The Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and Forum Romanum are all nearby each other, making it a perfect day to explore them all.
The Colosseum
Built-in 72CE, one of the most beautiful landmarks in the World is The Roman Colosseum. This arena gives you an insider’s look at how gladiators battled to the death in the enormous arena built to entertain 65,000 people. It is now considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Tickets to go inside are all sold online.
There are several options for guided tours, but general tickets include entrance to Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. You can also purchase a tourist card with admission to the Colosseum, Forum Romanum, St. Peter’s Basilica, and Sistine Chapel. It’s a great option to purchase and will save you time and money around the City.
Palatine Hill
Palatine Hill is one of Rome’s seven hills and the City’s most ancient part. Palatine is an archaeological park that is attached to the Forum. While roaming around the ruins, you will come across other monuments such as the 16th-century Cardinal Farnese gardens, emperor Domitian’s magnificent buildings, and an Antiquarium that houses mock-ups of the first settlements and archaeological finds.
Forum Romanum
One of my favorite places in Rome is the Forum. It is the heartbeat of Rome and where some of the most historic ruins lie. Getting to the Forum, you take the Via Sacra, Rome’s oldest and most famous road. On it, you come across the Temple of Vesta, the Temple of Saturn, the basilica of Maxentius, and more. A lot of the Forum is visible from the Via Dei Fori Imperiali (road area), but actually going inside will be life-changing. I highly recommend cruising down Via Dei Fori Imperiali while in the neighborhood to soak in the feeling of ancient Rome.
2. Campo Marzio area
An area well known for the Piazza del Popolo and Piazza di Spagna. The stunning streets, monuments, great shopping, and spectacular views make this an area not to be missed.
Piazza di Spagna & Spanish Steps
Located at the bottom of the Spanish Steps is Piazza di Spagna. Checking out both are a must when in Rome. In addition, the Piazza itself has many restaurants and quality shopping if you need a break after climbing the 135-step staircase.
Here you can also admire the magnificent Barcaccia fountain by Bernini and visit the church at the top of the steps.
Piazza del Popolo
Designed between 1811 and 1822 and otherwise known as The People’s Square, this Piazza is where foreigners arrived and were welcomed during the era of the Empire. In addition, you can see Porta del Popolo, the northern gates of the City that played an essential part in the city entrance.
It is one of the larger piazzas. In the center of the square is an Egyptian obelisk dedicated to Ramesses II, also called the Flaminio obelisk. You will come across more churches here as Rome houses over 600 churches. They may look the same on the outside, boasting beautiful examples of baroque style, but are far from the same on the inside.
Fontana di Trevi
Possibly one of the most famous fountains in the World and absolutely the most famous fountain in Rome is the Trevi Fountain. Built over 250 years ago, its baroque architecture and intricate design make this fountain incredibly unique.
The area around the fountain is small and can get crowded, but it is worth taking a few minutes to visit and make a wish! The story goes that if you throw one coin in the fountain, you will return to Rome one day. Two coins into the fountain they say you will find your love. There is always those looking to get married (or divorced)? Try to throw three coins into the fountain.
Villa Borghese Gardens
You might be thinking, do I really want to walk around a park while I’m in Rome? YES, you do! This is not just any park; it is a historical Villa, home to one of the most beautiful art collections in the World. The grounds are breathtaking. There is so much to do here too. You could spend an entire day here from the romantic city views, museums, and plenty of things to do for adults and kids. It is a special place and should be a must on your itinerary.
The Mausoleum of Augustus
Piazza Augusto Imperatore is North of Campo Marzio, which houses the Mausoleum of Augustus. Built in 28BC, the Mausoleum is the largest circular tomb in the World and was recently opened after being closed for 80 years! That being said, getting tickets to visit the Mausoleum can be tricky. Because the tickets are highly sought after, it may be in your best interest to reserve a ticket when booking your trip to Rome. Tickets can book months in advance, and this is something you want to take advantage of. The tour of the Mausoleum lasts approximately 50 min.
*If you’re not tired, you can cross the Ponte Cavour bridge and get some great pictures at the Tiber river.
3. Centro Storico area
Centro Storico area is excellent for sights such as the famous Piazza Navona, The Pantheon, and other nearby squares and gorgeous fountains.
Piazza Navona
Piazza Navona is my favorite Piazza and the most famous. From the gorgeous fountains, churches, and elongated shape, this Piazza is truly unique. With plenty of choices, grab a seat at a trattoria and take it all in with Italian aperitivos.
The Pantheon
The best-preserved building from the Roman days is the Pantheon. Now used as a church, it is incredible that the history of its original use is still unknown. It’s a unique dome-shaped building that is still completely intact. It is also known for the oculus built into the design so visitors could be closer to the heavens when inside.
Seven niches surround the central space with tombs of various Italian Royalty and, most famously, the tomb of painter Raphael.
4. Vatican City
Headquarters of the Catholic Church, Vatican City is its own state, complete with its own security, the Swiss Guard. The highlights of the City include Vatican Museums, Vatican Gardens & Saint Peter’s Basilica. Still, there is so much more to see and do here. No trip to Rome would be complete without a visit here.
The Vatican Museums
The Vatican Museums are said to be some of the largest museums in the World. It is home to pieces that vary from personal collections of Popes over centuries, masterpieces from the Renaissance era, ancient Roman and Egyptian artifacts, and the Sistine Chapel. The Sistine chapel was painted in the 16th century by Michelangelo. The one-of-a-kind frescoes are reason enough to visit. The Sistine Chapel is where history takes place, and the Cardinals meet to elect a new Pope.
Vatican Gardens
Known as the “Green Heart of the Vatican,” The Vatican Gardens are now open to the public thanks to Pope Francis, but tickets and tours with officials are required. The green heart dates back to medieval times and is separated into three different styles. Italian, English, and French. Marvel at the tranquility and beauty that makes up most of the Vatican Hills.
Saint Peter's Basilica
More than just a church, St. Peter’s Basilica is a treasure built in the traditional Italian Renaissance style located inside Vatican City. It is also said to be the final resting place of St. Peter, with his tomb located directly under the altar. A highlight for art lovers is that every inch of the church is covered in art, carvings, and mosaics polished into something unreal. Take advantage of the epic views from the top of the dome. You can climb to the dome’s top on the extremely narrow and unforgettable staircase.
Above all, make sure to eat your way through all of these sights. Stop at as many trattorias for traditional Italian aperitivos, eat gelato until you drop (it’s not cheating on holiday), and fall in love with the Eternal City by getting lost down the cobblestone streets. Then, go off the beaten path to find your own trip treasures. You will encounter countless things in Rome with the terrific mix of history, religious culture, historical monuments, unique architecture, and exceptional cuisine. Rome is somewhere you will want to visit again and again.
2 Comments
Yes! What a dream. Rome looks like such a beautiful place to go.
It is incredible. I hope you can visit soon.