Rome itinerary
7 days, hour by hour · ItalyOctober–May
- Days
- 7
- Stops
- 33
- Per day
- ≈ €109
- First stop
- 08:00
Short answer
The TripWalkers Rome itinerary runs 7 days and lays out 33 stops, hour by hour, for October–May. The first three days:
- Day 1 Ancient Rome: Colosseum and Forum
- Day 2 The Vatican
- Day 3 Baroque Rome: Pantheon, Navona and Trevi
Staying less? Start with the first days — TripWalkers uses the opening days of this plan for shorter trips too. Day 6 is a day trip out of the city. Food, entry fees and local transport come to about €109 a day (excluding accommodation and flights).
Day 1 · 08:30–18:30
Ancient Rome: Colosseum and Forum
Culture
Colosseo
One ticket covers the Colosseum, Forum and Palatine Hill (about 18 EUR); book the 08:30 first slot online. The arena floor costs extra, there is no shade, so bring water.
≈ €18 per personCulture
Foro Romano
Included in the same ticket; walk along the Via Sacra and see the Temple of Vesta.
FreeCulture
Palatino
Imperial palace ruins and views over the Forum; there is an orange grove.
FreeFood
Trattoria Luzzi
A cheap, no-frills local trattoria next to the Colosseum; try the cacio e pepe. The queue moves fast.
≈ €18 per person- 3 h 15 min · travel, break, free time
Landmark
Piazza del Campidoglio
Michelangelo's square; the terrace behind it gives a free sunset view over the Forum.
Free
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- Li Rioni PizzeriaRoman-style pizza near the Colosseum; open in the evening.
- Basilica di San ClementeA three-level church built over a Roman temple; right next to the Colosseum.
Day 2 · 08:00–17:00
The Vatican
Culture
Musei Vaticani
Book the 08:00 first slot for the Sistine Chapel (25 EUR online, bookable 60 days ahead); expect the Raphael Rooms and long corridors.
≈ €25 per personCulture
Basilica di San Pietro
Free to enter, but there is a security queue; the dome costs 10 EUR (551 steps), and the Pietà is by the entrance.
FreeFood
Bonci Pizzarium
Gabriele Bonci's pizza by the slice; near Cipro metro station for the Vatican, eat standing up.
≈ €12 per person- 1 h · travel, break, free time
Culture
Castel Sant'Angelo
Hadrian's mausoleum turned fortress; the terrace has views toward the Vatican.
≈ €15 per personLandmark
Ponte Sant'Angelo
Bernini's bridge lined with angels; photograph it before sunset.
Free
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- Pizzeria Da Remo TestaccioThin Roman pizza; evenings, in Testaccio.
- Giardini VaticaniGuided tour of the Vatican Gardens; an alternative to the castle.
Day 3 · 09:00–15:45
Baroque Rome: Pantheon, Navona and Trevi
Culture
Pantheon
See the oculus in the dome; entry is 5 EUR, the morning light is best, and Mass is held on Sundays.
≈ €5 per personLandmark
Piazza Navona
Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers; the cafes are pricey, so come for the photos.
FreeShopping
Campo de' Fiori
Morning market with cheese, spices and truffle products.
Free- 45 min · travel, break, free time
Food
Roscioli Salumeria
Carbonara and a deli counter display; booking is essential, and it is among the best in Rome.
≈ €35 per person- 1 h 30 min · travel, break, free time
Landmark
Trevi Fountain
Toss in a coin; it is empty at 07:00 or 23:00 and swamped by day (entry system in place since 2025).
Free
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- Armando al PantheonRoman cooking since 1961; next to the Pantheon, book ahead.
- Galleria Doria PamphiljA private palace collection with Caravaggio and Velázquez; a calm alternative to Trevi.
Day 4 · 09:30–18:30
Trastevere and the Janiculum
Culture
Santa Maria in Trastevere
One of Rome's oldest churches dedicated to Mary; golden mosaics, and quiet in the morning.
FreeLandmark
Trastevere Streets
Cobblestones and ivy-covered walls; stroll Via della Lungaretta.
Free- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Food
Da Enzo al 29
A small Trastevere classic; amatriciana and artichokes. Join the queue when it opens at 12:00.
≈ €20 per person- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Culture
Villa Farnesina
A Renaissance villa with Raphael frescoes; peaceful.
≈ €12 per person- 2 h 30 min · travel, break, free time
Nature
Janiculum Terrace
Rome's best free view; the Garibaldi monument, and sunset.
Free
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- Trapizzino TrastevereStew stuffed in a pizza pocket; street food.
- Orto Botanico di RomaA botanical garden in Trastevere; an alternative to the villa.
Day 5 · 09:00–15:30
Borghese and Spanish Steps
Culture
Galleria Borghese
Bernini sculptures and Caravaggio; 2-hour slots, and booking weeks ahead is mandatory.
≈ €18 per personNature
Villa Borghese Gardens
Walk through the park; the Pincio terrace overlooks Piazza del Popolo.
FreeLandmark
Spanish Steps
Sitting on the steps is banned; Via Condotti is nearby.
FreeFood
Pastificio Guerra
Fresh pasta for 5 EUR just behind the Spanish Steps; there is a queue at 13:00.
≈ €5 per person- 45 min · travel, break, free time
Culture
Ara Pacis
Augustus's altar of peace, housed in Richard Meier's glass pavilion; air-conditioned.
≈ €13 per person
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- Ginger Sapori e SaluteA light Italian lunch near the Spanish Steps.
- Piazza del PopoloTwin churches and a Caravaggio (Santa Maria del Popolo, free).
Day 6 · 09:30–16:30Day trip
Tivoli day trip
Culture
Villa d'Este
Renaissance fountain gardens in Tivoli; 500 jets, and open in winter too.
≈ €15 per personFood
Sibilla Ristorante Tivoli
A historic restaurant beside the Temple of Vesta; views over Tivoli.
≈ €25 per person- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Culture
Villa Adriana
Hadrian's vast villa; the Canopus pool, and a 2-hour walk.
≈ €12 per person
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- Antica Trattoria del Falcone TivoliA trattoria in central Tivoli.
- Castelli Romani FrascatiA wine town in the hills outside Rome; an alternative to Ostia.
Day 7 · 09:30–15:30
Testaccio: a gentle farewell
Food
Mercato Testaccio
Local market; try the beef stew sandwich at Mordi e Vai, and supplì (fried rice balls).
≈ €10 per personCulture
Pyramid of Cestius and Non-Catholic Cemetery
A pyramid in Rome and the Keats-Shelley cemetery; look out for the cats.
FreeNature
Aventine Orange Garden
Giardino degli Aranci and the Knights of Malta keyhole; a farewell view.
FreeFood
Flavio al Velavevodetto
A trattoria carved into Monte Testaccio; carbonara and coda alla vaccinara (oxtail stew).
≈ €22 per person- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Landmark
Roma Termini
The Leonardo Express reaches Fiumicino in 32 minutes; time to say goodbye.
Free
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- Trapizzino TestaccioStew stuffed in a pizza pocket; a quick farewell bite.
- Baths of CaracallaRuins of a huge Roman bathhouse; an alternative to the pyramid.
Good to know: 6 things that make a Rome trip easier
- Rome is walkable; metro lines A and B are limited, and bus 64 goes to the Vatican. The Leonardo Express to Fiumicino costs 14 EUR. The Roma Pass (48/72 hours) covers museums and transport.
- Timed online tickets are ESSENTIAL for the Colosseum, Vatican Museums and Borghese; book Borghese weeks ahead and the Vatican 60 days ahead.
- Winter is 8-14°C and rainy, but without the crowds; the Colosseum and Vatican are calm, Piazza Navona has its Christmas market, and January brings sales.
- Rome's four pastas: carbonara, cacio e pepe, amatriciana, gricia; the coperto (cover charge) is 2-3 EUR, and tipping means rounding up.
- Cover shoulders and knees in churches (the Vatican is strict); the fountains (nasoni) give drinkable water, so refill your bottle.
- Watch for pickpockets on bus 64 and at Termini; say 'no grazie' to bracelet sellers at Trevi and the Spanish Steps.
Spending: ≈ €760 per person for 7 days
- Food€450
- Entry and tours€180
- Local transport€50
- Other€80
Excludes accommodation and flights. 2026 price estimate, per person.
On world lists: 2 places in this city
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Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Rome?
This itinerary is built for 7 days. With 3 days, do the first 3 — TripWalkers uses the opening days of the plan for shorter trips too. The day trip is on day 6; skip it on a short stay.
How much does a day in Rome cost?
In this plan, food, entry fees and local transport come to about €109 per person per day. Accommodation and flights are not included. Figures are 2026 estimates.
What time should you start the day in Rome?
The first stop is at 08:00. Most days start early so you arrive before the crowds, and evenings end with dinner.
Which season is this itinerary for?
This page covers October–May. There is a separate plan for June–September: opening hours, the sea and the weather change the route.