I have a feeling that Rome, Italy is very high on almost everyone’s travel bucket list. This is exactly why organizing a trip to Rome can sometimes be quite a complex and complicated process. A lot of placed need to be booked several weeks in advance, which includes entry to some of the most famous tourist locations. How to visit Rome in 5 days? See as much as possible and keep a good pace. Above all, to eat well and cheaply, and with all that set aside a day to spend on the beach? Here is a perfect 5 day Rome itinerary!
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As one of the world’s most popular travel destinations, Rome has A LOT to offer. However, organizing the trip itself can be a headache. Just because there is too much information. This may lead to the fact that there are not enough of them of good quality or even available.
I came to this conclusion already during the first minutes of organizing the trip my Rome itinerary. As a result, hours and hours were spent finding the best (and cheapest) options.
For this reason, I decided to write my experience and create guidelines for all future travelers to this incredible historical destination – Rome itinerary in 5 days. We already know that all roads lead to Rome. So let’s go.
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What to visit while in Rome, Italy and how to organize your time?
Wen traveling to Rome, it is important to be aware that queues to enter tourist locations are incredibly long.
To enter the Vatican Museum or the Colosseum, you can wait for up to three hours. Besides, we all know how precious time is when traveling. The solution is skip the line tickets as well as booking in advance.
Trevi Fountain
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A must see when in Rome
For many, this is the first association with the capital of Italy. And for good reason, it is beautiful, a real masterpiece, sumptuous and unexpectedly HUGE. With everything listed, it also attracts many tourists, so whatever time of the day or night you come to this baroque fountain IT’S PACKED.
There will be hundreds of people standing in front of it and most likely, taking photos. So, It’s not easy to reach the fountain!
Recommendation: It is best to come super early in the morning, before 7 am.
Due to it’s central location, Trevi Fountain is often visited several times during a stay in Rome.
Fun fact. Up to 3,000 euros are poured into the Trevi fountain every day (more than a million euros a year)!
The Colosseum
One of the main attractions of Rome. There are also endless queues here to buy tickets on the spot.
Recommendation: buy tickets online. That is, the sooner the better. Due to the fact that many appointments are booked months in advance. When purchasing an entry online, select the date and exact time of entry to the Colosseum.
I also recommend appointments later in the day. For example, my appointment was August 12. at 17:15. This means that you collect the ticket earlier in the day and arrive at the place 15 minutes before the appointment. After the given time (in case of delay) it is not possible to enter.
As part of the Colosseum ticket, you can also enter the Roman Forum + Palatine Hill during the same day. So a good idea is to spend the first part of the day in the Roman Forum + Palatine Hill then go to Colosseum.
The tour for these 3 sports lasts for hours since there is a lot to see. In addition, it is important to leave enough time for a meal between visiting tourist attractions. The tour (independently, without a guide) really lasts for hours whether you like it or not.
Price: for pre-purchased online tickets to enter the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine, the price goes from 20 euros per person without skip the line. For students up to 25 years old with valid documents, the entrance is slightly cheaper! – Great offer for three large locations.
In addition to the above, there are several options for combining tickets, even with public transport. More below.
For a good view of the Colosseum, the Parco del Colle Oppio park is ideal.
Public transport and multi-day tickets for a perfect Rome Itinerary
There are several options for moving around the city. The fastest is public transport, which includes buses, trams and the metro. It is possible to buy a ticket at various tariffs:
- Single ride 1.5 euros
24 hours – 7 euros
48 hours – 12.50 euros
72 hours – 18 euros
7 days – 24 euros
If you wish, you can buy a ticket HERE.
Depending on the length of stay in Rome – for a 5 day Rome itinerary it is definitely worth buying a ticket for 7 days (24 euros).
Another option is the Roma Pass: 48 or 72-Hour City Card or Omnia card (includes a visit to Roman attractions).
Airport shuttles Rome edition
Right in front of the airport there are kiosks with various transport companies. There is the possibility of choosing one and buying a ticket from them. There are various prices in the range of 15-20 euros for a RETURN ticket. Here you can also buy a ticket online, which is a bit cheaper, and there is also the option of buying a return ticket immediately, which I definitely recommend: Rome: Airport Shuttle Bus Transfer.
In addition, it’s good to ask before buying, especially if you have a flight home at an inconvenient time of day, because whichever carrier you choose for the trip to the center, you have to return with the same one. We chose T.A.M. the return ticket was 15 euros per person and the bus leaves every 30-60 minutes 24 hours a day. You can buy this one online and there are departures throughout the night, a return ticket is around 12 euros.
Vatican city
Vatican Museum + Sistine Chapel
It is necessary to set aside a whole day for the Vatican. It’s a good idea to go to the Vatican Museum first thing in the morning. You can expect to wait in the line for hours. Fortunately, there is a way to avoid the queues.
Recommendation: buy a visit to the museum through one of the many agencies that offer skip the line service. This means that for just a few euros more (which is definitely worth it), you can choose an appointment (remember to book it at least 2 weeks in advance). We picked THIS ONE.
The way this works is, on the choosen date and time, they gather the group organized by the selected agency and then the guide will introduce you to the museum. Waiting in line is reduced from 3 hours to 15-20 minutes.
Tours for Vatican:
- Vatican: Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel tickets
- Rome: Vatican, Sistine Chapel, Basilica of St. Petra (3-hour guided tour)
- St. Peter’s Basilica: Tour with ascent to the top of the basilica
- Vatican City: Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel (guided tour)
- Omnia card (includes a visit to Roman attractions).
Certain things and food are not allowed. Check the information before the trip.
It is very important to be mindful on how to dress when visiting the Vatican, more info at the link. After the guide hands you the tickets, you are free. The guide no longer deals with you (unless you book guided tours).
You will need to set aside a few hours for the Vatican Museum. Because it is a large area with a lot of content, from art, souvenir shops, parks, to restaurants and cafes. Halfway along the tour is the famous Sistine Chapel (Cappella Sistina). Photography is prohibited in the Sistine Chapel area and there are strict controls.
Basilica of St. Peter
The basilica is located on St. Peter’s Square. Entrance to the basilica is free, but the queue is endless already from early morning. On the other hand, there are several options. Either buy “skip the line” again, or, in my opinion, a better option, come a little later. That’s what we did, first we spent the day in the Museum, visited the Vatican City and everything around.
After a detailed tour of the Vatican Museum, we went for a late lunch/dinner (we ate at a restaurant called Ristorante Spaghetti, right next to the Vatican walls). Excellent restaurant and selection of pasta, affordable prices and sufficient portions, considering the location and level of hunger after a full day in the Vatican).
After dinner, we returned to the Square of St. Peter to see the situation with the entrance to the Basilica. It was around 6 pm and there was no longer a line. We entered the Basilica immediately without waiting, climbed to the top and enjoyed the view at sunset.
Recommendation: watch out for mobile phones/cameras at the top. Every 10 minutes someone drops their cell phone trying to capture the perfect picture.
The Pope’s speech in the Vatican
One thing that should not be missed while in Rome is the Pope’s speech. The Pope speaks before the faithful on Wednesdays and Sundays. On Wednesdays, the entrance is free and anyone can come. The address is short. He holds holy mass on Sundays.
For this event it is necessary to “buy” a ticket. Tickets are free and can be picked up at the offices on St. Peters square. However, it is necessary to have a ticket due to the limited capacity of the audience. More information with the schedule is available here.
Other must-sees for 5 day Rome itinerary:
Spanish steps – it is strictly forbidden to sit on them, as well as on other monuments. The police are constantly present and control the behavior of visitors. It is definitely a good idea to stick to this ban because you can be fined a few hundred euros. In short, it is always crowded with tourists, as is the Trevi Fountain.
- Monument – Salute to the Homeland / Monument to Viktor Emanuel li.
- Basilica of St. John Lateranski (official church seat of the Roman bishop or pope).
- Bridge of St. Angelo + Castle of St. Angelo. Entrance to the castle is paid extra. There is no need to enter, the most beautiful things can be seen from outside.
- Pantheon – entrance is free.
- Piazza Navona – fountain of 4 rivers.
- Piazza del Popolo + Terrazza del Pincio – a few minutes’ walk from the Spanish Steps.
Trastevere + Janiculum Terrace as the icing on the cake for Rome itinerary
Trastevere is a cute and slightly different neighborhood in Rome, easily accessible by public transport. It is specific because of its Mediterranean architecture and calmer atmosphere than the tourist-focused center of Rome. On the other hand, Trastevere can be visited in an hour. I definitely suggest trying gelato in one of the local pastry shops along with the walk.
In addition, transportation to the Janiculum Terrace is available from this part of the city.
Janiculum Terasa is a must see!
As part of this Rome itinerary, you can also reach this awesome spot in the city. I discovered this location quite by accident. It is not hyped and so popular among tourists.
During the planning of the trip, I did not come across as a suggestion to see. The best thing about this spot is that there are not many people at the very top. It is a unique place that offers a 360-degree view of Rome. Likewise, the ideal time to visit is before sunset.
Accommodation in Rome
Accommodation in the center is expensive. Most of the cheaper and smaller hotels are located around the main station. However, for 5 day Rome itinerary, this is a great location since the departure and arrival from the airport are from the main station. Also, with purchased tickets for public transport, everything is easily accessible I definitely recommend choosing accommodation with breakfast, it is definitely worth it in a city like Rome.
Food & drinks – where to eat during 5 day Rome itinerary
Pizza, pasta and gelato are at every turn. The food everywhere was delicious and the prices low. I must single out one restaurant in the very center of the city, right next to the Pantheon. It’s called Miscellanea Pub. A wide selection of food, from Italian cuisine to steaks – The price of a meal is around 10-15 euros. Very cheap for the city center, and very nice! Most importantly, the owner of the restaurant, who greets and animates all the guests, provides an additional atmosphere. This detail creates a pleasant, friendly atmosphere. Certainly, for lunch it is good to come before 1 pm to get a seat.
Also, the already mentioned Ristorante Spaghetti, next to the Vatican Museum. Great pasta!
I give Rome a big plus because there is a spring with free fresh water at every corner of the city! You just have to remember to bring a bottle.
Day at the beach – Lido di Ostia
To visit the whole of Rome in 5 days and still manage to spend one whole day on the beach is a real hit!
The beach is located about 30 minutes by train from Rome on the west coast of Italy. However, to get from “door to door” – for example from the accommodation to the beach itself, depending on the location and changes in metro/bus lines, it can take an hour to an hour and a half.
How to get to the beach Lido di Ostia?
From the main station (Roma termini) you need to take the metro/bus to the “Piramide” station. There, change at the “Roma Porta S. Paolo” station to the train that leads to the coast. The drive is direct and takes about half an hour. You can get off at the “Lido Centro” or “Stella Polare” station, from where you can walk down to the beach for a few minutes. For train transportation, if you have purchased a ticket from one of the above-mentioned tariffs, you do not pay anything, this train is included in the price.
The beaches are sandy. Most of the beaches are private. This means that the space is from a cafe or hotel and the entrance has to be paid. The price depends on the service and the time of day (it is possible to rent an umbrella, deck chair…). They range from 5 to 15 euros. In addition to private beaches, there are parts of the beach that are public and anyone can come there. That part is fine.
The only difference is that rocks can be found in that part of the sea. You should be careful or go to the part of the sea that is under the private part, because even if some parts of the beaches are privatized, there are no clear boundaries and you can walk freely from one part to another.
Pro tip: Sit on the public part of the beach and swim on the private part. You’re welcome.
5 Day Rome Itinerary – Conclusion
Five days Rome Itinerary is a possible and ideal option. With a little luck and a lot of will, it is very easy to plan a trip like this in a few steps. It is enough to follow the instructions in the text and an ideal holiday in this historic metropolis is guaranteed.
In the end, I will recommend that you plan your trip to Rome well in advance. It is good to book accommodation several months in advance. Touring tourist attractions and buying tickets is a good idea to do a month or two in advance. Definitely no later than 14 days before departure.
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*All photos and text of the article are the property of the author and may not be used without consultation.
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