Things to do in Rome: what to book, what to see, what to skip
Rome is spread out and old, and most of what people come for sits within a 30 minute walk of the Pantheon. The big sights run on timed tickets, so the trip goes better if you book three or four things before you fly and leave the rest open. Three days is enough for the center, the Vatican and one slow afternoon.
The short answer
- First trip
- Book the Colosseum and the Galleria Borghese, see the Vatican early, and walk the center between the Pantheon, Piazza Navona and the Forum.
- Where to stay
- Monti or the centro storico for a first visit on foot, Trastevere for evenings out. The full guide is linked below.
- How many days
- Three days covers the ancient center, the Vatican and the Borghese. Add a fourth for a day trip.
- Best time to go
- April to early June and late September to October. July and August are hot and crowded.
- Book ahead
- The Colosseum and the Galleria Borghese, a few weeks ahead in season. The Vatican Museums need a ticket too.
- From the airport
- From Fiumicino, the Leonardo Express train runs non-stop to Termini in about half an hour. Taxis from the official rank have a fixed fare to the center.
Where to stay in Rome, in brief
Monti
walking to the ancient sites
Low-rise streets ten minutes from the Forum, with wine bars and small restaurants. Quiet late, and the metro at Cavour is close.
Centro storico
a first visit with the sights on foot
The Pantheon, Piazza Navona and Campo de' Fiori are all within walking distance. It is the busiest and least local part of the city.
Trastevere
evenings out
Across the river, lively until late and easy to get lost in. It is a longer walk to the Forum, and noisy on weekend nights.
Prati
the Vatican and calm streets
Orderly streets by the Vatican, well placed for an early museum slot. Quieter at night than the center.
Things to do in Rome
Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine
Entry to the Colosseum is by timed slot, and the standard ticket also covers the Forum and Palatine for 24 hours. Allow a morning, and take water in summer.
sales open 30 days before; book soon after in season
Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel
Miles of galleries ending in the Sistine Chapel. The first entry slots are much calmer than mid-morning, when the Gallery of Maps fills up.
1 to 2 weeks ahead outside holidays
St Peter's Basilica and the dome
The basilica is free to enter, with a security queue. The dome climb gives the best view over the square, and the stairs are steep.
Galleria Borghese
Bernini and Caravaggio in a villa in the park. Entry is in timed slots of two hours, with numbers capped, so allow the two hours and no more.
3 to 4 weeks ahead in season
Pantheon
A Roman temple that is still a church, with the original dome and its open oculus. Go early or late, and look up.
Piazza Navona and Campo de' Fiori
A baroque square with Bernini's fountain, and a market square a few minutes away. Both are good for a slow afternoon, not for lunch.
Trevi Fountain
Crowded at any hour, and best at first light or after dark. Throw the coin, then move on to the quieter streets nearby.
Trastevere
Cobbled lanes across the river, with churches, bars and small restaurants. Come in the evening, and climb to the Gianicolo hill for the view.
Appian Way and the catacombs
An ancient road outside the center, with underground burial galleries you visit on a guided tour. Hire a bike on a Sunday, when traffic is limited.
a few days ahead
Castel Sant'Angelo
A fortress by the river that began as an emperor's tomb. The terrace on top looks straight down the Via della Conciliazione to St Peter's.
What to book before you go
These sell out. Most of the rest of Rome can be decided on the day.
- Colosseum2 to 4 weeks ahead in season
Slots are fixed and sell out in busy months, and the official ticket is the one to buy.
- Galleria Borghese3 to 4 weeks ahead in season
Entry is capped by timed slots, so it sells out before most other sights.
- Vatican Museums1 to 2 weeks ahead outside holidays
A ticket saves the long queue, and early slots avoid the crowds in the Sistine Chapel.
What to skip in Rome
- Skip-the-line sellers outside the Colosseum
They charge extra for a slot you can book online, or sell a group tour you did not want. Book the official ticket ahead.
- The hop-on hop-off bus
The center is small and the traffic is slow. Walk, and take a taxi or the metro when your feet give out.
- Restaurants ringing the Pantheon and Piazza Navona
Photo menus, a person at the door and a charge for the view. Walk three streets in any direction.
- Three-country day trips
Pompeii, Amalfi and Capri in one day is nine hours on a coach. Pick one place and see it properly.
Best time to visit Rome
April to early June and late September to October are the best months, with warm days and softer light. Easter week and the big holidays are busy at every sight.
July and August are hot, often above 35 degrees, and the Colosseum and the Forum have little shade. Winter is mild and quiet, with shorter days and the shortest queues.
- From Fiumicino airportThe Leonardo Express runs non-stop to Termini in about half an hour. A slower regional train stops at Trastevere and Ostiense. Taxis from the official rank charge a fixed fare to the center.
- From Ciampino airportBuses run to Termini, and taxis have a fixed fare to the center. Ciampino is mostly used by low-cost airlines.
- On footThe center is flat enough and most of the sights are within 30 minutes of the Pantheon. The cobbles are hard on thin soles.
- Metro and busesMetro lines A and B meet at Termini, and line B stops at the Colosseum. Buses fill the gaps, and a taxi is easier for the Vatican at night.
Rome in three days
- Day 1
The Colosseum, Forum and Palatine in the morning. Lunch in Monti, then the Capitoline Hill and an evening walk to the Pantheon and Piazza Navona.
- Day 2
The Vatican Museums at the first slot and St Peter's. Cross the river for the afternoon in Trastevere and dinner there.
- Day 3
The Galleria Borghese at a morning slot, then the park, the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain at dusk.
Day trips from Rome
- PompeiiAbout an hour and a half by fast train to Naples, then a local train. It needs a full day, with comfortable shoes and a hat.
- TivoliHadrian's Villa and the Villa d'Este gardens, about an hour by train or coach from the city.
- Ostia AnticaA ruined Roman port town, easy by suburban train from Piramide in about 40 minutes. It is much quieter than the Forum.
Rome: questions people ask
How many days do you need in Rome?
Three days covers the ancient center, the Vatican and the Galleria Borghese with room for a slow afternoon. Two days is tight, and four lets you add a day trip.
Do I need to book the Colosseum in advance?
Yes. Entry is by timed slot, and tickets go on sale 30 days before the visit. Book as soon as your dates are fixed, especially in spring, summer and around holidays.
Is the Roma Pass worth it?
Usually not for three days. The Colosseum still needs its own timed reservation, and the Vatican is not included, so check what you plan to see before you buy.
What is the best month to visit Rome?
May, early June, late September and October have warm days and fewer people than July and August.
Is Rome walkable?
Yes. The center is compact and most visitors walk between the main sights. Use the metro for the Colosseum and Vatican, and a taxi late at night.
Where should I stay in Rome for the first time?
Monti or the centro storico put the main sights on foot. Trastevere is livelier at night, and the full guide to where to stay in Rome compares every area.