- Georgina D'Angelo
A Day in Rome: The Ultimate 1-Day Rome Itinerary
Updated: Jul 24
How to See the Best of Rome in One Day
Are you looking to plan the best day in Rome? There is so much to see, do, and eat in Rome. But lucky for you, we’ve narrowed it down so you can see the best of Rome in just one day!
Make sure you pack your comfiest shoes as you will be walking a lot! If you're not sure what else to pack for your Rome trip, head over to our Italy Packing List to make sure you have everything you need.
While we walked to most places, the buses and trains are quite reliable and convenient in Rome. You can use any contactless credit card to buy tickets for the metro; this is probably the easiest mode of transportation.
You must buy tickets before you board any bus in Rome. Download the app, MooneyGo, before your trip and create an account. Or you can usually buy tickets at any "Tabacchi" store. They have a big "T" sign outside and are basically small convenience shops.
Now let's take a look at the best Rome Itinerary for spending one day in this lively, beautiful city. We love Rome and all it has to offer, and we would love to help you plan your trip to Italy. So let's get started with what to do in Rome...
Ultimate 1-Day Rome Itinerary
Breakfast at Cafe Monte d’Oro
Colosseum
Roman Forum
Lunch at Ristorante Agrodolce Roma
Trevi Fountain
Pantheon
Dinner at Life Restaurant
Breakfast at Cafe Monte d’Oro
Start your day off right with coffee and pastries from Cafe Monte d’Oro. You must try a cappuccino or caffe latte when you’re in Rome; even if you’re not a big coffee fan. I arrived in Italy hating coffee and left drinking it every day. It’s that good. And don’t get me started on the pastries…
Colosseum
The ultimate Roman experience: the Colosseum! You cannot miss this incredible ancient Roman site when you're here. You can buy tickets for both the Colosseum and the Roman Forum and see them both in one day, but you can also admire them both from the outside and still have your breath taken away.
Roman Forum
Along with the Colosseum, you should spend some time at the Roman Forum. Home of the original heart of Rome, these ancient ruins are incredible to see in person. The best part is that it’s only a 2-minute walk from the Colosseum. Buying combo tickets is the best idea if you want to wander through both the Colosseum and the Roman Forum.
Lunch and Gelato Break
After a busy morning, you’ll definitely want to fill up on food. Grab a delicious lunch from Ristorante Agrodolce Roma and a double-scoop gelato from Flor Gelato. You just have to get gelato when you’re in Italy, and Rome is home to some amazing gelaterias and delicious flavors. Our personal favorites are pistachio, coconut, lemon, and fior di latte (sweet cream).
Trevi Fountain
The Trevi Fountain is located in a rather small piazza, but it is a must-see. While Rome is famous for its many beautiful, artistic fountains, the Trevi is hands down the best. Therefore, it gets super busy. But we found it so worth the crowds! Remember to be patient if you want a photo; everyone else wants one too, so just be nice and wait your turn. Usually, other tourists will take your photo in return for a photo of them.
Pantheon
Along with the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon is free to get into, but you will most likely have to wait in line. Don’t stress though! The line moves along quickly, it's just to keep people more spaced out and crowd the inside. The Pantheon was originally built to worship Roman gods and is still an active church. It’s a beautiful architectural feat that you don’t want to miss!
Dinner at Life Restaurant
Finally, end your busy day in Rome at Life Ristorante. All the food here is insanely delicious, the service is friendly and helpful, and the atmosphere is relaxed and enjoyable. If they have outdoor seating available when you’re there, we recommend you go for it! Another bonus here is sitting outside and watching Roman life go on before your eyes. It’s a wonderful city, and this was a great way to end the day here.
We hope you have the best time in Rome with the help of this 1-Day Rome Itinerary. We fell in love with this city, and we hope we can help you do the same. It’s so charming and full of life, it keeps you wanting to come back for more.
Now grab your bag, get packing, and have the best time in Rome! If you need help packing, head over to our Italy Packing List as well, we'd love to help you make this trip a dream come true! And if you're staying in Rome longer than one day, check out...
This itinerary is meant for being a helpful guideline, especially for those who are visiting Rome for the first time. There is so much Rome has to offer, but we highly recommend the above activities. Having an itinerary to follow, even if just loosely, will help you make the most of your time in this ancient city!
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