5 days in Rome itinerary: where to go and what to see?

How to see all the most important things in the capital of Italy and at the same time enjoy the unique atmosphere? If you visit Rome for a couple of days, then just choose the appropriate route: the ancient city, the central part, or the Vatican.

If you have many questions such as how can I spend 5 days in Rome or how many days is sufficient in Rome, do not worry? Prepare for your trip in advance and find out what to see in Rome in 5 days.

When is the best time to visit Rome?

In general, it is ideal to go to Rome in spring and autumn, when it is no longer cold and not yet hot. Summer in Rome is hot, and the stones heat the city, even more, exuding a stuffy heat even at night.

In winter, it’s great if you live in a northern country with real frosts. And you want warm weather.

Daytime temperatures during this period are up to +59 °F, and as soon as the sun sets, it drops to +39 °F. It was enough to put on a light jacket and a scarf, after which it became comfortable. And in winter, there are few tourists in Rome and there are no queues.

How to get from Fiumicino?

Airport to the center of Rome, Fiumicino Airport is an international airport 30 km from the city center. Despite the rather large distance from the city, there are several options for how to quickly or inexpensively get to or from the airport.

The fastest is the Leonardo train

The fastest way, without traffic jams and stops, is the high-speed train, Leonardo. Runs from Fiumicino airport to Roma Termini railway station daily from 6:23 to 23:23. In the opposite direction – from Termini railway station to Fiumicino airport – from 5:35 to 22:35. The schedule can be viewed on the official website.

Travel time is 32 minutes. A one-way ticket costs €14. Children under 12 years old are free when accompanied by an adult with a ticket. No baggage restrictions. You can buy the ticket online on the TraneItalia website. Or at the railway station in the machine (you can pay in cash or by credit card).

Fara Sabina train and metro

You can get to the airport with transfers, but this is quite confusing and not the fastest way. Regionale FR train branch, which leads in the direction of Fiumicino Aeroporto – Fara Sabina / Orte.

Stops

The train makes the following stops in Rome:

• Roma Nomentana;
• Roma Tiburtina;
• Roma Tuscolana;
• Roma Ostiense;
• Roma Trastevere.

From it, you can transfer to the metro or bus and then get anywhere in Rome. The fare for the train is €8, and the cost of a single ticket for the metro is €1.5.

Shuttle buses

Shuttle buses from several companies run from the airport to Rome: Terravision and SITBusshuttle. Terravision bus – direct non-stop to Roma Termini train station.

SITBusshuttle – also goes to the Roma Termini station, but makes a stop near the Vatican City. This is convenient for those who have booked a hotel or apartment near the Vatican or Piazza di Spagna.

Terravision bus – direct non-stop to Roma Termini train station. SITBusshuttle – also goes to the Roma Termini railway station, but makes a stop near the Vatican. This is convenient for those who have booked a hotel or apartment near the Vatican.

Such a trip costs 2 times cheaper than the Leonardo train. But the bus goes for at least an hour, and if there are traffic jams, it can take longer. If you’re not in a hurry, you can save money.

The cost of a one-way trip is €8 if you buy a round-trip ticket – €7 each way. Round-trip ticket with an open date. That is, you can use it to return to the airport at any day and hour.

How to get from Fiumicino Airport to Rome at night?

There are several options. The first is the Cotral bus. The stop at the airport is opposite Terminal 2.

Stops

The bus to the airport leaves from the Piazza Dei Cinquecento stop (opposite the National Museum) and makes the following stops:

• Tiburtina Station;
• Cornelia Station;
• Eur-Magliana Station;
• Ostia – Piazza Sirio;
• Ostia – Piazza Station.

Schedule

• Weekdays: 1:45, 3:45, 5:45, 10:55, 15:30 and 19:05.
• Saturday: 1:45, 3:45, 5:45, 15:30 and 19:05.

You can order a taxi in advance through the KiwiTaxi service to the Piazza di Spagna
— for a company of four, a taxi costs about €50. It is cheaper than the night taxi fare at the airport (from €70).

Day one: Palatine hill, Roman Forum, and Colosseum

The first day of any trip is considered to be the most difficult. A long flight and the difference in time zones reduce the efficiency of the body.

Do not plan a large number of excursions on the first-day trip.

Considering that the tourist has only 5 days in Rome, we recommend visiting the main architectural structure of the city, the Colosseum, first of all.

Guided tour to the Coliseum

The Colosseum is one of the few world attractions, the grandeur of which cannot be described in words. To be 5 days in Rome and not see the Colosseum is a mistake that you do not forgive yourself.

The architecture of this building is thought out to the smallest detail – a huge number of exits allowed more than 50 thousand citizens to leave the building within a few minutes.

Recently, the prices for entrance tickets to the Colosseum have increased significantly.

Now, to view ancient Rome and the amphitheater, an adult traveler has to pay €16 instead of €12.

The cost of visiting the arena and spectator levels has increased by €4 and now stands at €18. For children, as well as tourists under the age of 18, visiting the Colosseum remains free.

A separate category is made for 18-25-year-old citizens of the EU member states, for them, the cost of the entrance ticket has not changed and is €2.

When building a route to the Colosseum, you should know that the easiest way to get there is by metro, namely the blue line marked “B”. The cost of one metro ride is €1.5.

Experienced tourists recommend coming here in the morning.

This is because in the morning, the queue of those wishing to enjoy the grandeur of the structure is only a few hundred people. Arriving at the Colosseum after lunch, the tourist runs the risk of spending 3-4 hours in line.

Next to the Colosseum is another historical landmark that you can see – this is the Triumphal Arch of Constantine. This three-span arch was built in 315 and is dedicated to the victory of Constantine over Maxentius.

It is listed as the latest triumphal arch of all surviving in the city. The Colosseum offers an unforgettable view of the Arc de Triomphe. This place can be a good location for beautiful photos.

Roman Forum during your visit to Rome

In ancient times, the Roman Forum was the main social, political and religious center of ancient Rome.

It was here that the life of the ancient Romans was seething: residents came to the Roman Forum to find out the latest news and discuss the next tax increase, drink a couple of glasses of wine in a tavern, or just chat.

Today, here you can independently see the ancient ruins of Roman temples, triumphal arches, for example, the Arch of Constantine, the remains of the main platform of the Roman forum, and many other sights of Rome.

One of the most ancient structures of the Roman Forum is the Temple of Saturn, built in the 5th century BC, and one of the largest is the Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine, where in ancient times all kinds of meetings and even court hearings were held.

In addition, in the Roman forum you can see the building of the Curia, built back in the time of Julius Caesar, and near the Palatine hill – the remains of the Golden House of Nero (Domus Aurea), are buried underground.

The main attraction of the city and its symbol is the grandiose amphitheater, called the Colosseum, built in the 1st century AD by emperors Vespasian and Titus from the Flavian dynasty. The Colosseum is one of the largest buildings of ancient Rome that have survived to this day.

Next to the imperial forums is the oldest prison in Rome – Mamertine, formerly called Tullian, which was built in the 7th century BC, during the reign of the ancient Roman king Ancus Marcius. It had two levels – underground and ground.

It was here, according to legend, that the Holy Apostle Peter, the first Pope, was chained.

After the prison was closed, in the 4th century AD, this place became a place of pilgrimage for pilgrims. In the Middle Ages, the Basilica of San Giuseppe dei Falegnami was built over the Mamertine prison.

Now, the Mamertine prison is completely buried under a layer of soil. You can get into both the upper and lower levels of the ancient dungeon through modern steps.

Palatine Hill

Palatine Hill is the center of the seven hills on which Rome stands and is one of the most ancient parts of the city. Palatine Hill rises 40 m above the Roman Forum and the Circus Maximus.

According to ancient Roman mythology, Palatine Hill was the location of the very cave where the she-wolf found Romulus and Remus.

According to legend, as adults, the boys killed their great-uncle, who seized power from their grandfather and decided to build a new city on the banks of the Tiber river.

But a quarrel broke out between them, and Romulus killed Remus. And the city was named after Romulus – Rome.

According to another legend, it was on Palatine Hill that Hercules defeated Kakos, a giant and fire-breathing ogre.

This is where the excursions of the first-day trip to the Italian capital should be completed, and the other most interesting places in Rome better left for the other 4 days in Rome. Finish the first of 5 days in Rome with atmospheric evening gatherings in restaurants in the center.

Second day trip to Rome: itinerary to Vatican City and famous places of the ancient Rome

Pantheon – temple of all gods

During your visiting Rome, you must visit the temple of all the gods – the Pantheon. It is on a small square – Piazza Della Rotonda.

The Roman Pantheon was built in the 1st century BC by the son-in-law of the first Roman emperor Augustus – Marcus Agrippa.

In the II century, after a devastating fire, the temple was restored, and with the advent of Christianity, it was consecrated in honor of all the saints.

To date, the Pantheon is the only active ancient temple – to this day clergy holds masses and believers gather.

Representatives of the royal dynasty are buried in Patneon – King Vittorio Emmanuele II, his son Umberto I with wife Margherita, as well as the outstanding Renaissance artist Rafael Santi.

The most interesting places are in the Rome city center. Therefore, it is most expedient to devote the second day out of 5 to walks around the Vatican. Seeing the Vatican is important for anyone who has been to Rome.

Guided tour to the Pinakothek in the Vatican

The Pinakothek was founded by Pope Pius VI. He began to collect a unique collection of paintings by Italian and Byzantine masters. The museum is open Monday to Saturday from 9:00 to 18:00.

The cost of a ticket for a self-guided tour, without a guide, varies from €8 to €17, depending on the age of the travelers.

Children under 6 years old can enter the territory for free, children from 6 to 18 years old must pay €8.

A full adult ticket costs €17. It is worth noting that this price includes admission to all the sights of Vatican City.

Experienced tourists recommend purchasing tickets on the museum’s official website. Such foresight helps save time waiting in lines.

Vatican Museums

The collections in the Vatican Museums were created by the popes and contain artwork from the classical masters, including works from the Renaissance period. Everyone should see all these amazing works in the Vatican Museums.

To be sure to get into the Vatican Museums, it is easier to buy tickets online through the official Musei Vaticani website or use the services of reliable guides.

Otherwise, you risk standing in line for many hours. Subscription prices to the Vatican Museums start at €20.

On the last Sunday of the month, if you come to the Vatican Museums by 7:00, there is a chance to get in for free.

The Vatican museum also opens its doors to fans of evening visits: on Friday, if you make a preliminary ticket reservation, you can view the expositions from 19:00 to 23:00.

Vatican Library

Still haven’t decided what to see during the 5 days in Rome on your own? The Apostolic Library in the Vatican is a great option for a variety of Roman holidays.

There are books and manuscripts of the Renaissance here.

In addition to the rich epistolary fund, the library delights visitors with its beautiful architecture.

But, unfortunately, only a small part of the building is open to tourists. But for teachers and students working on dissertations, all the halls of the library are available. It is worth noting that taking photos or videos within the walls of the building is prohibited.

Guided tour to the Vatican Gardens

The photos that tourists have after their day trip to the gardens delight them for many years to come.

Gardens occupy almost half of the entire territory of the Vatican. A beautiful park in tandem with the palace complex is beautiful at any time of the year – both in spring and autumn.

When visiting this attraction, you should remember that the holy father walks along the paths of the gardens at noon, so entrances to certain areas are limited or completely closed.

Answering the question about what you can see during the 5 days in Rome on your own, it is worth mentioning the Vatican gardens.

Especially in autumn, the local nature begins to play with new colors. Unfortunately, walks through the gardens are only available with a guide.

This is one of the few historical places in the city where it is impossible to go on your own. But this is not a reason to deny yourself pleasure?

Third day trip to Rome: itinerary and most famous attractions

Castel Sant’Angelo

Castel Sant’Angelo in Rome was originally designed and built as a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian. The wife and adopted son, as well as several subsequent emperors, were buried here.

A little later, the castle was rebuilt into a military fortress and included in the system of defensive structures.

In the Middle Ages, the military residence of the Pope was located here, and even later the building was used as a prison.

Today, Castel Sant’Angelo is open to the public, and from its wide rooftop terrace, you can enjoy panoramic views of the city.

Guided tour to the Saint Paul’s Cathedral

The Vatican is one of the smallest recognized independent states. It is here that the world-famous Vatican Museums, Raphael’s Stations, and the Sistine Chapel are.

The Sistine Chapel is one of the most famous sights in the Vatican. Every day, Sistine Chapel is visited by more than 25 thousand travelers (and more than 5 million a year!) from all over the world, admiring the extraordinary masterpiece of Michelangelo’s work.

It is better to visit the Sistine Chapel with a guide as part of an individual or group excursion to the Vatican; otherwise, there is a risk of missing out on a lot of impressions. Every square meter of the Sistine Chapel is filled with history, legends, and symbolism.

Special attention deserves St. Peter’s Cathedral – the main Christian cathedral in the world and the largest in Europe.

The interior decoration of the Basilica of San Pietro impresses with its splendor and luxury.

Inside the cathedral, you can see the masterpieces of famous masters of the past, including the famous sculptural composition Pieta, created by Michelangelo Buonarroti, the grandiose ciborium of Lorenzo Bernini, and much more.

Famous Trevi Fountain

The beautiful Trevi fountain deserves special attention!

This is not just a fountain, but a real masterpiece, striking with its charm, sophistication, and workmanship. Not surprisingly, the Trevi Fountain is the most famous.

Also, the Trevi fountain is one of the most beautiful and famous fountains in the world.

Many famous films of both Italian and foreign production were filmed near the Trevi fountain, including: “Sweet Life”, “Roman Holiday”, “Madly in Love” and many others.

National Gallery of Ancient Art

The National Gallery of Ancient Art (Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Antica) is located in the Barberini and Corsini palaces.

The first contains such masterpieces as Raphael’s “Fornarina” and “Judith and Holofernes” by Caravaggio, as well as many paintings by Titian and El Greco. In the second – the same Caravaggio, Rubens, and Brueghel.

Guided tour to the Spanish Steps and Barcaccia Fountain

One of the most picturesque sights of Rome is the Spanish Square – Piazza di Spagna, or rather, the architectural ensemble that adorns it: a wide staircase leading to the Basilica of the Holy Trinity, and a beautiful fountain “Barcaccia”, translated from Italian – “Boat”.

This attraction looks especially beautiful in spring and early summer when the Spanish steps of the stairs are lined with flower pots.

The Spanish Steps have repeatedly become a filming location for feature films and served as a kind of podium for fashion shows.

In everyday life, this place attracts not only tourists but also local youth. It’s always fun and noisy here.

4 days in Rome: famous tourist attractions

So, if you think about it, is 4 days in Rome too much, we want to show you the best places that you do not see previous 3 days.

National Gallery of Modern Art

Rome knows no shortage of samples of ancient art. But it’s time to somehow introduce the modern! For this purpose, an exhibition hall was built next to the famous Villa Borghese, where in 1915 the National Gallery of Modern Art (Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderno) was opened.

Italian futurists and realists (Renato Guttuso) exhibited here, a sculpture of the 19th century represented by the works of Canova and Jimenez. In the middle of the 20th century, the gallery was replenished with works by foreign artists: Monet, Van Gogh, Cezanne, and Picasso.

Guided tour to the Piazza Venezia and the Vittoriano

On Piazza Venezia, located not far from the Colosseum, you can admire the majestic snow-white building, reminiscent of its appearance in the architecture of ancient Rome.

This is a grandiose monument erected in honor of Victor Emmanuel II – the first king of a united Italy, Vittoriano, also known as the Altar of the Fatherland.

The construction of this structure lasted almost 50 years, and its opening took place in 1935.

The monument is made in the Empire style, using elements of ancient Roman life in architecture. In the historic center are a twelve-meter bronze equestrian statue of Victor Emmanuel II and the tomb of the unknown soldier.

Inside the Vittoriano are two museums – the Risorgimento and the Museum of War Banners.

Capitoline Museums and the Capitoline Wolf

The Capitoline Museums are the largest art and archaeological collection, located on the premises of the palaces in Capitoline Square, designed by Michelangelo Buonarroti.

The history of museums begins in the 15th century when Pope Sixtus IV decided to donate a small collection of bronze sculptures to the Roman people.

It was this collection that became the basis of the world’s first museum.

Today, in the Capitoline Museums, you can see ancient sculptures of Rome, Greek and Egyptian sculptures, dishes, a stunning collection of paintings, and much more.

One of the most remarkable exhibits is the Capitoline she-wolf, nursing babies, which has become a symbol of Rome, as well as a bronze equestrian statue of the Roman emperor-philosopher Marcus Aurelius, a copy of which is installed on the Capitoline Square.

5 days in Rome: last ancient Roman sites and beautiful places for visiting

Museums in Rome: Museum Aula Ottagona (or Della Minerva)

Near the temple of Santa Maria Degli Angeli, there is a beautiful octagonal structure with 4 semicircular niches, which at one time was part of the Baths of Diocletian.

This museum in Rome exhibits the “Seated Boxer” (bronze – 1st century BC), famous sculptures that once adorned the various baths of Rome.

Also, the legendary statue of Aphrodite Anadyomene or Venu was created according to the painting by Apelles (4th century BC) and is in the Temple of Venus at the Forum of Caesar.

Guided tour to the Villa Borghese

Villa Borghese, called the “green heart of the Eternal City”, is a luxurious architectural and park ensemble in the central part of Rome.

Walking along the winding paths of one of the most beautiful Villa Borghese gardens in the capital of Italy, you can admire the beautiful fountains and sculptures, luxurious mansions that once belonged to representatives of the Roman nobility, and relax in the canopy of centuries-old trees near a picturesque pond and enjoy the birds singing.

This green oasis is popular not only with visitors to the city but also with residents. The Romans like to come to Villa Borghese with their families, take walks with children or pets, play sports, and just relax from the daily hustle and bustle.

On the territory of the villa, there are several museums, including the famous Borghese Gallery, which has collected a large number of works by Caravaggio and Lorenzo Bernini, a luxurious park, as well as the Silvano Totti Globe Theater.

Travel Tips

Useful tips for tourists making an independent trip around the city:

1. For accommodation, it is better to choose a hotel room. If you’re lucky, you can take part in effective discounts. Cheaper hostel options are available close to the train station, filled with people.
2. In McDonald’s, you can expect a potato or a burger for a very long time. There are many convenient pizzerias and cafes for a quick bite next to the Campo dei Fiori morning market.
3. Shopping is easy at the large Porta Portese market. Everything is here. Do not forget about the issue of discounts on any product.
4. It is better to buy products in shops on Via Cola di Rienzo. It passes near the Vatican.
5. In Rome, there are two tariffs used to pay for taxi fares: the first for the zone within the ring road, the second outside it. They differ. It is better to ask about the route of movement before starting the trip.
6. For guests of the city, travel cards are like tickets and allow you to visit at least three museums, and archaeological excavations, and travel by public transport all day long.

Conclusion

We think that now you can ask is five days in Rome too much? Because you want to visit Rome more and more. This is a beautiful city that attracts with its architecture, atmosphere, and beauty. Despite its ancient history, it creates more and more new views of its sights.