The Best of Rome in Five Days

Use this itinerary to spend 5 days in Rome and you won't miss any of the best sights.

You are starting your five day trip to Rome in Vatican, the seat of the Pope. Enjoy the enormous St. Peter's Square, admire the fresco paintings in the Sistine Chapel and pay a visit to the world-famous Vatican Museums. Don't forget to stop by Castel Sant'Angelo nearby. After the busy first half of the day, take a walk through Navona Square and the Field of Flowers Square and end your day in the Trastevere district, which is well known for its nightlife and various restaurants.

On the second day, you'll get to know the heart of the ancient city: the Roman Forum and Circus Maximus. The Colosseum, the true center point of Rome, is just around the corner. Don't forget to explore the complex of Ancient Roman squares known as Imperial Forums and the Campidoglio Square, one of the most imposing squares in Rome. Then, see Trajan's Forum with the memorial commemorating the Roman emperor Trajan and his victories in Dacian Wars. Your last stop is the Pantheon, one of the best preserved pieces of Ancient Roman architecture which boasts the largest unreinforced concrete cupola in the world.

On the third day, have a look at the Capuchin Crypt and pass by the beautiful Trevi Fountain, probably the most famous fountain in the world. The Borghese Gallery and surrounding Villa Borghese Gardens are planned for the evening in your itinerary. Rome's most popular park is an ideal place to have some rest after an exciting day in Rome.

The two last days of your Rome itinerary are devoted to exploring the outskirts of the Eternal City. You'll visit Hadrian's Villa, Ostia Antica or Etruscan Necropolis of Cerveteri.
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Day 1: The Best of Rome in Five Days

Vatican Museums

Home to an enormous collection of pieces of art that were collected by the Popes in the last 500 years.

Sistine Chapel

The Papal Chapel which is incorporated into the complex of the Apostolic Palace (the official residence of the Pope) is one of the most…

St. Peter's Basilica in… @ Giacomo della Porta

Saint Peter's Basilica

A Renaissance church located in the Vatican City and the largest church building in the world with the interior area spreading across 15…

St. Peter's Square

The elliptical baroque square is located right in front of St. Peter’s Basilica.

Castle of the Holy Angel

Originally built in the second century AD by the Roman emperor Hadrian as his mausoleum, in the 14th century, it was decided that the…

Navona Square

Piazza Navona, the famous square in Rome, began its existence as an ancient Roman stadium.

Field of Flowers Square

Campo de’ Fiori, which translates as the “Field of Flowers Square” is a beautiful square located close to Piazza Navona.

Trastevere @ Martin Kucera

Trastevere

The 13th rione (administrative district) of Rome and a labyrinth of narrow streets.

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Day 2: The Best of Rome in Five Days

Circus Maximus

The present-day public space, where concerts are organised (e.g. Rolling Stones) and meetings are held, dates back to the 6th century BC.

Roman Forum @ Mohamed Elsaid

Roman Forum

The forum used to be the centre of Ancient Rome, surrounded by the most important government buildings, temples, and arches of which, sadly…

Palatine Hill

The central one of the Seven Hills of Rome. According to the legend, it was here where the she-wolf found the abandoned infants – Romulus…

Colosseum

The largest amphitheatre of the Roman Empire is a must-see when in Rome.

Imperial Forums

A complex of Ancient Roman squares located close to the Roman Forum. The complex consists of: Forum of Caesar, Forum of Augustus, Forum of…

Capitol Square

This Piazza is one of the most imposing squares in Rome. It is located on the Capitoline Hill in the very heart of Rome.

Trajan's Column

This column, located in Trajan's Forum, commemorates the Roman emperor Trajan and his victories in Dacian Wars.

Pantheon

The Pantheon is not only one of the best-preserved pieces of Ancient Roman architecture but it also has the largest unreinforced concrete…

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Day 3: The Best of Rome in Five Days

Basilica of Saint Mary Major

Not only the largest Marian church in Rome but also one of its oldest ones. It was built around the year 440 by Pope Sixtus III.

Museum and crypt of Capuchin Monks

The museum is located in a crypt under the church Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini.

Trevi Fountain

Probably the most famous fountain in the world, Trevi was constructed in 1762 by Nicola Salvi.

Column of Marcus Aurelius

The column located on Piazza Colonna (named after the column) commemorates the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius and his victories over the…

Spanish Steps

Not only one of the best-known staircases in Europe but also a popular meeting point for the Romans.

Porta Pinciana

This 5th-century Roman gate is one of the latest additions to the Aurelian Walls, a 19-kilometres-long defensive circle of walls, which was…

Borghese Gallery

A must-see for all art-loving visitors of Rome. The 17th century Villa Borghese Pinciana, built for Cardinal Scipione Borghese as his…

Villa Borghese Park

The peaceful English manner gardens around the Villa Borghese are a great place where you can escape the bustle of the city.

Pincio Hill Gardens

In the ancient Rome era, many rich Roman families had their villas and gardens built on the Pincio Hill.

People's Square

A neoclassical square and one of the most visited plazas in Rome. From the northern side, you enter through the Porta del Popolo which was…

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Day 4: The Best of Rome in Five Days

Ponte Mammolo

Ponte Mammolo is an above ground station on line B of the Rome Metro in the Ponte Mammolo district of Rome.

Detail from the Villa… @ Self-photographed, photo by Szilas

Villa Gregoriana

Villa Gregoriana is a park located in Tivoli, Italy.

Villa d'Este

If you visit Rome, you should not miss this Renaissance villa in Tivoli.

Hadrian's Villa

The Ancient Roman villa was built in the second century by Hadrian - the emperor of Rome.

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Day 5: The Best of Rome in Five Days

Roma Ostiense railway station

Roma Ostiense is a railway station in Piazza dei Partigiani serving the Ostiense district of Rome, Italy, a short distance from the Porta…

Castello Orsini-Odescalchi

Castello Orsini-Odescalchi is a castle in Bracciano, Lazio, Italy. It is located on the southern shore of Lake Bracciano.

Lake Bracciano

The crystal clear volcanic lake is a wonderful spot for swimming, sailing, canoeing or just relaxing by the water.

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