1 Day in Rome Itinerary Roaming Through Italy’s Capital
TRAVEL DATE: MAY 2022 + JULY 2024 | EST. READING TIME: 23 MIN
IN THIS GUIDE ✺
Craving a taste of ancient history with a glimpse into gladiator life?
This Eternal City evolved from a small settlement into the capital of a vast empire, and later, a major European city—making Rome your Italian gateway to the past. Experience the likes of ancient history firsthand by strolling the stage where gladiators fought to the death or gazing upon the ruins of a bygone city center. Everywhere you look, dramatic tales arise with whispers of a former world.
Alongside this history lesson come to life is tasty regional Roman cuisine which stands out from other destinations around the country—dig into carbonara, cacio e pepe, and gricia to delight in local delicacies! No matter how you spend your time in Rome, a one-day stop in Italy’s capital is sure to be a delightful introduction to this artistically romantic culture.
1 Day in Rome Itinerary
In a hurry? Here’s a time-stamped overview detailing this 1 day in Rome itinerary walking around the city:
10:00 - 10:30 AM: ⛪ Stroll around the Spanish Steps, window shopping and people watching (30 min)
10:30 - 11:15 AM: ☕ Grab cannoli and coffee from the 18th-century favorite, Antico Caffè Greco (45 min)
11:15 - 11:45 AM: 🪙 Toss a coin over your shoulder into the Trevi Fountain and make a wish! (30 min)
11:45 AM - 12:15 PM: 🏛️ Continue to the Pantheon to admire preserved Roman architecture (30 min)
12:15 - 1:45 PM: ⛲ Stroll around Piazza Navona before a traditional Roman lunch at Virginiae (1 hr 30 min)
1:45 - 2:30 PM: 🍰 Gaze upon the controversial “wedding cake” monument in Rome, Vittoriano (45 min)
2:30 - 3:45 PM: 🤼 Walk the ancient battleground of gladiators as you tour the Colosseum (1 hr 15 min)
3:45 - 4:45 PM: 📜 Experience the previous center of public Roman life within the Roman Forum (1 hr)
4:45 - 5:45 PM:🍦 Try Rome’s #1-rated dessert spot (yes, seriously!) on TripAdvisor, Gelateria Pasquino (1 hr)
6:00 - 8:15 PM: 🏨 Return to the hotel to freshen up before your fancy dinner (2 hr 15 min)
8:30 - 11:15 PM:🪿 Dig into the best meal of your life at two Michelin star Enoteca La Torre (2 hr 45 min)
In actuality, I accomplished the following itinerary over two days after arriving during the late afternoon following a flight over from Taormina. Marinating in bed the morning of my second day, I visited the city quite tired during the tail-end of an action-packed Sicily trip.
That said, you could absolutely fit everything into one day, or take it easy if you have time to spread this Rome travel guide describing what to see, do, and eat over two days.
How to Get From Florence to Rome?
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FROM: Firenze Santa Maria Novella (Piazza della Stazione, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy)
TO: Roma Termini (Via Giovanni Giolitti, 40, 00185 Rome, RM, Italy)
TRANSPORTATION: Trenitalia high-speed FRECCE trains via Trainline (1 hr 59 min, direct, ~€45)
If you’re only stopping in Rome for a day, it’s likely you’re coming from another Italian destination or using Rome’s international airport as a starting point before venturing further into the countryside. In that case, a northern Italy exploration will likely take you through Florence, since it’s the next closest major city before Milan and Venice!
Fortunately for you, Florence is my favorite place I’ve visited in Italy and it’s one and a half hours away from Rome by train! Easily reach Florence by hopping on one of the many Trenitalia routes from Roma Termini to Firenze Campo Marte. This line runs every 15 minutes during the day and costs ~€45 one-way for economy tickets.
When simply traveling within the country, there’s nothing more to do than show up at the station and hop on the correct line! Racks are available to store luggage, and most long-distance trains have comfortable seats with outlets and tray tables, similar to a typical airline offering.
How to Get Around Rome?
WALK: Walking is the best way to go if the journey takes 20 to 30 minutes. Rome is quite walkable—especially in the city center where the majority of landmarks are located—plus you never know what hidden gems are tucked away in the cobblestone alleys of this ancient city!
TAXI: Request a cab in your hotel lobby or call one on Uber or FreeNow to see the estimated wait time and fare up front. I used both apps for my 1 day in Rome transportation needs, and at least one of these options was always able to offer me a swift ride!
The base taxi fare is €3.50, with an added €1.10-1.70 per kilometer during the day. Fiumicino Airport transfers have a fixed rate of €55 to the city center and Ciampino Airport has a fixed rate of €40. Most taxis accept credit cards as a payment method—which is guaranteed if you order a ride on Uber or FreeNow anyways.
BUS: Truth be told, I’ve never taken any public transportation in Rome since I walked everywhere in the city center or was so tired and sweaty I was willing to call a cab. Since traffic can cause bus delays—especially around landmarks with the most tourist congestion—and the limited metro network only offers 3 subway lines, I’d recommend simply walking around during the single day you spend in Rome.
This will be easy when following the above itinerary, with the only place you may want to take the bus being Enoteca La Torre—but if you’re going out to a fancy dinner anyways, you’ll likely want to call a taxi as opposed to getting on the bus in heels!
Where to Stay in Rome?
HAUTE HOTEL: Hotel Splendide Royal Rome ($1,091.44 for two nights, split among two people)
Offering refined Italian style and elegant sophistication, Hotel Splendide Royal in the heart of Rome is a 5-star jewel with irresistible charm. This 19th century haute hotel stands out for its refined style and regal architecture. A luxury experience blending absolute comfort, ancient atmospheres, and modern technology guarantees an unforgettable stay in the capital.
A stone's throw from exclusive Via Veneto and the main shopping streets, this finely furnished hotel provides the perfect home base for your walking tour through the city.
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In the main lobby, find precious marble floors and lavish Murano chandeliers recalling the exclusive atmospheres of ancient Capitoline nobility. Stay as the Roman nobles once did within Palatine Hill, with sumptuous decorations, gilded wood, and handcrafted Baroque nuances embedded in the contemporary yet classic style of each room.
I was delighted to receive an upgrade to a Splendide Prestige Room. Glamorous romantic flair was expressed through the single large space including a king-size bed with a Simmons Black Diamond mattress, couch wrapped in soft capitonné, and bathroom covered in Italian marble. The furnishing style rich in vintage decor was a perfect alchemy of ancient allure and modern design, blending warm parquet floors and antique paintings with modern amenities like a smart TV equipped with Chromecast streaming.
Begin each morning in the Crystal Lounge, where mirrors and light interplay within the 6th floor breakfast spot. While this room offers a magnificent perspective, a truly unparalleled view stretching from the Spanish Steps to St. Peter's Basilica is granted by the rooftop fine dining Mirabelle restaurant. Following dinner, continue the evening with a night cap at the Adèle Mixology Lounge, a panoramic sky bar!
What to Do in Rome?
Spanish Steps
Begin your Rome 1 day itinerary with a leisurely 10 minute walk down Via Francesco Crispi to one of Rome’s most iconic landmarks, the Spanish Steps.
Built between 1723 and 1725, the Spanish Steps were funded by a French diplomat to connect the Spanish Embassy—hence the name—at the bottom of the steps with the Trinità dei Monti church at the top. The 135-steps are a masterpiece of Baroque architecture mixing curves, straight flights, and terraces to create a dynamically grand ascent.
A longtime meeting place, the area around the steps—particularly Piazza di Spagna at the base—is surrounded by luxury boutiques, cafés, and historical sites, making it a vibrant social and cultural hub. Eye the designer drip gracing upscale storefronts of famous fashion houses, or simply set up a perch on the base of the steps and people watch to your heart’s content!
Brunch - Antico Caffè Greco
Steps away from the steps (get it?) down Via dei Condotti find Antico Caffè Greco, where John Keats and Lord Byron once sat at the marble tables of this richly-ornate 18th-century café.
One of the oldest cafés in Rome and in Italy, this is a must-visit spot for travelers interested in the city’s cultural heritage—but even more notably, this is one of the few historic landmarks where you can enjoy a refreshing cup of coffee and air conditioning! In addition to your caffeine vehicle of choice, try their authentically creamy ricotta-filled cannolo!
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Founded in 1760, Antico Caffè Greco has always been a gathering place for intellectuals, artists, and political figures, imbedding the literary hub with a cultural importance. This rich history adorns the café’s interior, lined with paintings, photographs, and artifacts that reflect its storied past while giving it the appearance of a museum as much as a café.
Despite the passage of time, Antico Caffè Greco has maintained much of its traditional charm, with furnishings evoking the atmosphere of a bygone era you can explore via this unique glimpse into Rome’s historical café culture.
Pro Tip:
A “latte” in Italy is just a glass of milk, so if you’re intending for some espresso to be served in your cup don’t make the €8 mistake I did and be sure to order a “caffè latte”
Trevi Fountain
It’s time for another historic landmark; walk 10 minutes to Rome’s most notable water feature — the Trevi Fountain! The largest Baroque fountain in Rome and one of the most famous designs by Nicola Salvi, it’s renowned for dramatic grandeur and intricate architecture. Centered around powerful Neptune god of the sea, the main statue is flanked by Tritons, beautiful sea horses, and allegorical figures representing abundance and health.
The fountain stands at the end of Aqua Virgo, an ancient 19 B.C. aqueduct which was restored during the Renaissance to supply water to Rome. Following the retirement of this outdated invention, the Trevi Fountain was built as a tribute to showcase the abundance of fresh water it provided—with water cascading from rock formations into the large basin below.
This becomes an even more spectacular sight while illuminated at night! Don’t hesitate to toss a coin over your shoulder and make a wish either, since this currency is donated to charities helping fund food programs for the city's needy.
Pro Tip:
Legend has it that if you throw a coin over your shoulder into the fountain, you’ll return to Rome one day. Throwing two coins means you’ll find love in Rome, and throwing three means marriage is around the corner!
Pantheon
Up next 8 minutes away is yet another piece of inspiring history: the Pantheon. Famous for its perfectly preserved Roman architecture—particularly the massive dome—this revolutionary achievement was built around 126 A.D. during the reign of Emperor Hadrian with the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world. At the center of this significant engineering feat is a large circular opening, or oculus, which allows natural light to enter the building while serving as a symbolic connection to the heavens.
Originally dedicated to all Roman gods—hence the name meaning "all gods"—this temple represents both the grandeur and religious inclusiveness of the Roman Empire during its peak, which ultimately helped protect the structure from abandonment and damage over the centuries. Unlike many other ancient Roman buildings that have been destroyed or heavily modified, the continuous use of the Pantheon as a place of worship has enabled it to remain remarkably well-preserved. Converted into a Christian church in 609 A.D., it’s now technically known as the Basilica of St. Mary and the Martyrs, serving as the final resting place for famous figures like Renaissance painter Raphael and two Italian kings, Victor Emmanuel II and Umberto I. It remains an active religious site today where Mass is celebrated on special occasions like Pentecost, involving the dropping of rose petals through the oculus to symbolize the descent of the Holy Spirit!
Piazza Navona
Continuing another 4 minutes down Via del Salvatore will bring you to Piazza Navona, a vibrant center of social and cultural life in Rome built on the site of the 1st century A.D. Stadium of Domitian. Its transformation from a Roman stadium to a Baroque piazza showcases the city’s long-standing tradition of repurposing spaces over time, and the name "Navona" is even thought to derive from the Latin word "agones" meaning "games." The ovular layout and function of Piazza Navona today as a lively atmosphere hosting street performers, artists, and vendors maintains this connection with its ancient origins as a public space, blending Rome's layers of history.
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The dramatic Baroque façades flanking the charming cafés, restaurants, and gelaterias here conceal the artistic rivalry between Bernini and Borromini, who were each commissioned to work on different parts of the Piazza, injecting an intriguing layer of historical drama to this site. Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi designed by Gian Bernini in 1651 is the piazza’s centerpiece, featuring allegorical statues representing four major rivers from four continents—the Nile, Ganges, Danube, and Rio de la Plata—and topped with a dominant Egyptian obelisk. The positioning of the statues in Bernini's fountain—particularly the figure of the Nile covering its face—is often interpreted as a critique of Borromini's work on the church this statue faces, Sant'Agnese in Agone.
Although you can find a host of spots within this piazza to grab lunch, I’d recommend enjoying a plate of cacio e pepe from traditional Roman restaurant Virginiae, located down Via di Tor Millina just behind Borromini's church. The perfect synthesis of tradition and innovation, here you’ll find the typical Roman menu conveyed to the palate through authentic flavors, ancient recipes, and high quality dishes reflective of the national cuisine including amatriciana, carbonara, and gricia always prepared to perfection following the precise dictates of tradition.
Vittoriano
After lunch, continue your sightseeing with a 20 minute walk to the controversial layered "wedding cake” more formally known as the Victor Emmanuel II Monument or “Vittoriano.” Built to honor the first king of a unified Italy following the Risorgimento, it is an enormous and elaborate example of grandiose Neoclassical architecture which was initially met with public criticism from locals who found it to be an eyesore. The overly ostentatious white marble, towering columns, and intricate sculptures stand in stark contrast to the surrounding architecture, lacking the subtle refinement of ancient Roman ruins, medieval buildings, and Renaissance structures. But more importantly, a significant portion of Rome's historical fabric was demolished to make way when it was constructed. This included medieval churches, Renaissance palaces, and a large section of the Capitoline Hill, a major center of ancient Roman religion and government, leading to a loss of historic heritage many felt could not be justified by the construction of the new monument.
In theory, the monument was meant to symbolize the birth of the modern Italian state, invoking national pride in this solemn tribute to Italy’s unified identity. Adding another layer to these tiers of complexity, the monument was also unfortunately co-opted by Mussolini’s regime during the Fascist era, tainting its image further as it became a site for Fascist rallies and ceremonies. With all this context in mind, many today consider this well-intended landmark to be more of a triumphal statement of power than a true artistic merit.
Nonetheless, today you can tour the Vittoriano and Great Garden of Palazzo Venezia for free daily from 9:30 AM - 7:30 PM, with the last entry available at 6:45 PM. In the front of this structure, you’ll find the home of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which was added in 1921 after World War I. Honoring the sacrifice of all those who fought for Italy, an eternal flame burns at the tomb and the site is guarded by soldiers 24/7. To take in one of the best panoramic views of Rome, you’ll have to pay the €17 entry fee to access this rooftop terrace located at the monument's highest point from which you can see a 360-degree view of the city, including iconic landmarks like the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and St. Peter's Basilica. This ticket also grants you access to the Sommoportico, the Central Museum of the Risorgimento, and Palazzo Venezia.
Colosseum
You’re not done sightseeing just yet during this one day in Rome walking tour—Rome has more than enough global cultural treasures to fill up one day! Walk 13 minutes down Via dei Fori Imperiali to arrive at the most iconic enduring legacy of ancient Rome, the Colosseum or Flavian Amphitheater. The largest ancient amphitheater ever built—yes, you read that right—was capable of holding 50,000 - 80,000 spectators within the elliptical structure which in itself is a remarkable feat of Roman engineering. Built between 70 - 80 A.D. under the emperors Vespasian and Titus, this member of the New Seven Wonders of the World symbolized the power, wealth, and architectural prowess of the Roman Empire at its peak while practically functioning as a grand stage for public spectacles demonstrating the might of Rome.
The Colosseum’s innovative architecture included advanced features such as a complex system of vaults and arches along with sophisticated elevators and trapdoors for moving animals and scenery into the arena—which was necessary for holding brutal gladiatorial contests. In these cruel combat events, gladiators fought each other or wild animals to entertain the emperor and other elites seated closest to the arena, serving the political purpose of providing "bread and circuses" to the lower class populace.
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Today, you can tour the Colosseum daily from 8:30 AM - 7:15 PM for €18 to see the complex inner structural architecture up close, exploring viewing tiers of various heights to reimagine the ancient amphitheater from each of the three different perspectives. Whenever you visit, your best bet is to purchase admission tickets online in advance, as the ticket box office frequently sells out and buying a ticket in this manner entails waiting potentially hours in a long queue.
The most desirable ticket times—namely the morning hours when it’s not so hot in the summer—sell out the fastest, so you can imagine obtaining full experience and guided tours to the underground levels and attic are even harder to secure! Tickets are released 30 days in advance on the exact minute of the tour time; for example, if the tour time you’re seeking starts at 9:30 AM CEST, then the tickets will release at 9:30 AM CEST exactly 30 days before the designated date. That being said, set an alarm if you’re seeking one of these more premiere packages, since a substantially smaller amount of these experiences are offered compared to the standard entry admission!
Pro Tip:
On the first Sunday of each month, entry to the Colosseum is free, however you should expect much larger crowds on these days.
Roman Forum
Just next door during 1 day in Rome, Italy find the Roman Forum, the heart of ancient Rome serving as the center of public life for centuries, which today persists as a symbol of this enduring legacy. Here you’ll find important governmental buildings, temples, and spaces where citizens used to gather for political, commercial, and social activities. As such, the Forum became a symbol of the influential power and historical depth of Rome, today providing a tangible connection to the ancient world and a chance to walk through the ruins of one of the most important centers of the Roman Empire.
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On the governmental side, this diplomatic epicenter housed the Senate House or Curia and the Rostra, a large platform used for speeches from which leaders like Cicero addressed the public with famous orations. Here decisions that shaped the empire were made, as well as significant events in Roman history like the cremation of Julius Caesar in 44 A.D. and the following establishment of dominance by his grandnephew, Augustus. Facilitating past religious practices and rituals were the temples of Vesta, Saturn, and Castor and Pollux. These structures coexist with a rich collection of ruins from different periods, including features like the Arch of Septimius Severus and the Basilica of Maxentius, showcasing the architectural advancements of ancient Rome through layers of history as the space evolved over time to meet the urban planning needs of a growing empire.
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Inside the larger archaeological park you’ll also find Palatine Hill, the political and residential center of ancient Rome during the Republican and Imperial periods, since it was home to many of Rome’s elite who built their imperial palaces on the hill. Beginning with the first Roman emperor Augustus, many rulers chose to build their residences here with well-preserved frescoes, mosaics, and sculptures which remain today, giving rise to the name meaning "palace,” from the Latin word palatium.
Traveling back even further in time, archaeological excavations on the hill uncovered some of the earliest evidence of human settlement in Rome, dating back to huts and early dwellings from 10th century B.C.
Even before that, Roman mythology details this as the site where Romulus founded the city of Rome in 753 B.C. after being abandoned as an infant with his twin brother and raised by a she-wolf in the Lupercal cave on the Palatine. No matter which origin story you choose to believe, you’re guaranteed to find some of the best panoramic views of Rome from this vantage point, with the hill in view of the Roman Forum, the Circus Maximus, the Colosseum, and other key ancient landmarks.
Since all three of these landmarks are so close together—the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill that is—you might as well explore all of them around the same time, and the €18 combined 24-hour admission ticket allows you to do just that! This ticket is literally sold for the exact same price as the variations granting entry to each individual landmark alone, so you won’t be spending any extra dough seeing them all in the same day! You can tour the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill daily from 9:00 AM - 7:15 PM, except on Saturdays when the Forum closes a bit earlier at 5:30 PM.
Dessert - Gelateria Pasquino
After a full day of exploring this last stop is going to be a final 24 minute trek before you return to the hotel, but I promise it’s worth it since you’ll be visiting the #1 ranked dessert out of 950 spots in Rome on TripAdvisor at the time of writing! Gelateria Pasquino serves up artisanal ice cream in Trastevere, decidedly the most ideal place for excellent gelato in Rome in an informal and friendly atmosphere. Choose the traditional yet innovative taste of their offerings, as the organic, genuine ingredients used are what make all the difference here.
From fruit flavors to creams and chocolates, all their frozen treats are prepared with only fresh, certified, and high-quality raw materials. A stop at Gelateria Pasquino is a delicious opportunity to carve out an exclusive moment of pleasant relaxation; savor this tasty cold treat with the right creamy consistency which conveys sensations of freshness, cleanliness, and lightness to the palate. The best part is that the prices are astronomically reasonable for the notoriety of this establishment—I dug into a medium cup with two flavors for only €4, choosing lavanda and fior di latte of course!
Dinner - Enoteca La Torre
FROM: Hotel Splendide Royal (Via di Porta Pinciana, 14, 00187 Roma RM, Italy)
TO: Enoteca La Torre (Lungotevere delle Armi, 23, 00195 Roma RM, Italy)
TRANSPORTATION: 8 min, ~€18 euro taxi from the hotel to the restaurant via Uber or FreeNow
For dinner concluding this 1 day in Rome itinerary, indulge in the fanciest, most delicious dinner you’ve ever had in your life at this two Michelin star, three Gambero Rosso fork masterpiece situated within the aristocratic Hotel Villa Laetitia, Enoteca La Torre. Upon arriving at the villa Love Island style (just kidding!), you’ll first be greeted by refined Renaissance and Baroque architecture dating from 1911 inside the magnificently elegant dining room adorned with stucco and columns.
The perfect setting for a special occasion—and in my opinion, taking any trip is a special occasion—you’ll delight in native Campania concoctions like Tarallo crackers imagined by Chef Domenico Stile alongside more creative influences from Italy and further beyond. In our case, this meant trying entirely new protein sources like guinea fowl from one of the youngest chefs to receive his second Michelin star. Given this dinner represents one of the most exclusive food experiences in the capital, you can certainly expect to find refined cuisine celebrating creativity with energy, exuberance, and the search for typically Mediterranean flavors neatly paired with welcoming customer service that finishes some courses directly in the dining room!
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Opting for the6-course surprise tasting menu entitled, “a journey with your eyes closed,” this was truly an unforgettable night of 360°gourmet fun marked by the surprising scents, watercolors, and overall encounter with a decidedly festive cuisine. Whether trying the poetic honey-inspired amuse bouche served on a delicate hive cracker with a photorealistic bee bite on top or the charming rum baba and sorbet dessert prepared table-side—which, mind you, is followed by an animatronic big top circus candy cart—expect your mind to be blown in this dynamic reality that makes passion for fine dining the emblem of its daily life.
To really lean into this experience, I’d recommend pretending to be a food competition critique with your fellow diners, comparing notes on the balanced “sweet umami” flavor profile of the bright pink cherry, beet, and salmon roe appetizer. While the course we selected was described to entail 6 dishes, by the end of the night we had really tried more than 11 incredible innovations when taking into account all the amuse bouches, the sides, and the many extra desserts we enjoyed. That being said, I found the €200 price tag on this set course menu to be outrageously reasonable, especially considering how only 2 - 3 just okay dishes can easily rack up this high of a bill back home in the U.S.
Adding on to our final bill, we also indulged in three glasses of wine procured from the well-stocked cellar, ordering our pairings based on recommendations which sublimated the corresponding dishes. For some reason, it costs more to select the three-glass wine pairing laid out in the drink menu as opposed to simply ordering each of the same three selections individually yourself, so be sure to order those recommendations as separate entities if you’d like a proposal by the glass to accompany your meal. If you prefer to go off script, you’ll find about a thousand bottles on the menu available from the historic cellar which is dug into the ancient walls of the city to preserve the old vintages!
Enoteca La Torre is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, but otherwise open for lunch from 12:30 - 2:30 PM and for dinner from 7:30 - 10:00 PM—although as evidenced by our 11:30 PM departure time, they won’t kick you out if your dinner runs long! Be sure to book a dinner here, because it’s going to change your life—I guarantee it!
How Much Does One Day in Rome Cost?
Following the above 1 day in Rome itinerary led the cost of a one day, two night trip to be $1,035.45 for me as a young 20-something on a couples trip to Rome:
Lodging
$545.72 - two nights in Hotel Splendide Royal, split amongst two people
Transportation
$21.79 - taxi ride from the Roman Forum to Hotel Splendide Royal
$35.96 - taxi rides to and from Enoteca La Torre departing from Hotel Splendide Royal
$57.20 - Uber ride to the airport from Hotel Splendid Royal
Food
$37.05 - two coffees and a cannolo from Antico Caffè Greco
€15 - plate of cacio e pepe from Virginiae behind Piazza Navona
$4.36 - water bought from Terre E Domus
€4 - medium sized gelato cup from Gelateria Pasquino
$303.45 - two Michelin star meal from Enoteca La Torre
Activities
€18 - 24-hour Colosseum and Roman Forum admission ticket
Evidently, the largest expense I encountered was our hotel, which really isn’t reflective of a one day in Rome itinerary in most cases since we spent a total of two nights in Rome. On top of that, I was traveling with my boujee boyfriend on our first ever Europe trip together, so we heavily splurged on our lodging and dinner in manner I typically wouldn’t recommend if you’re on a tighter budget—that is, unless you want to go all in on living your best life in Italy!
Aside from those two massive expenses, I found the food and activities in general to be extremely reasonably priced in Rome, and I saved a ton of money on transportation since we pretty much just walked everywhere! Your largest transit expense will be the ride to and from the airport, but otherwise you can generally expect to only spend about €20 on delicious, authentic Roman meals and incur around the same expense to tour ancient areas if they aren’t already free and open to the public—which I found most common tourist sites to be!
What to Wear in Rome?
Fashion in Rome blends timeless elegance with pieces that can practically endure the summer heat, ensuring you’re comfortable enough to spend all day exploring while still capturing the city's effortlessly chic vibe. Known to be a rich historical tapestry dotted with ancient landmarks, Rome invites you to embrace a classic yet relaxed style, where sophistication meets everyday wear.
Light neutral tones such as beige, white, and soft pastels are a natural choice, especially since they won’t absorb heat to the extent that a little black dress would! Lightweight fabrics like linen and cotton comprising airy adornments are a MUST when it comes to staying cool under the Roman sun. As for footwear, opt for fashion-forward flats crafted with interesting leather strap configurations, since Rome’s cobblestone streets require shoes which convey style while offering stability. If you're keen on blending in with the locals, consider wearing simple, well-tailored pieces elevated with contrast stitching or a belt tied around your bodice to seamlessly incorporate visual interest without the need for added clothing layers. Think classic Italian refinement, but with a breezy, laid-back twist perfect for the city’s warm summer days:
Little White Dresses
beat the summer heat in a breezy little white dress which reflects the intense daytime light rather than absorb it!
Contrast Stitching
exude elegance with monochrome contrast stitching adding visual interest to your fit in the most sophisticated way
Belted Bodices
since it’s too hot to accessorize with layers, convey old money charm with a classy belted bodice outfit add-on
Spaghetti Straps
you’ll surely be sweating wearing shoulder coverings, so stay cool with teeny spaghetti strap tops and dresses
Airy Adornments
stay comfortable while walking around by only packing outfit adornments composed of airy, breathable fabrics
Fashion-Forward Flats
strut around town in comfy, fashion-forward flats elevated by interesting strappy shapes and bold pops of color
Is Rome Worth a Stop on Your Italy Tour?
The first time I visited Rome in 2022 was truly for only a single day after an extremely hungover train ride following the previous day of wine tasting in Florence, so you can imagine how well prepared I was to receive the city at that point. Prior to my recent return, I would’ve said Rome was an okay destination in Italy but couldn’t compare with Florence or Lake Como, as I really only remembered walking around for hours on end during a hot, humid summer day. Not that anything was really that different this time around—since it was so hot we returned to our hotel room 3x in a single day to change clothes!—but without a pounding headache I was immensely more impressed by the ancient architecture I found all around. Rome is really one of those cities that takes you allll the way back in time, preserving structures that would be incomprehensible to the modern mind otherwise.
I guarantee that if you haven’t visited Rome before, you truly can’t imagine nor grasp the monumental size of the Colosseum—or even the Trevi Fountain for that matter—which is why doing the typical “touristy” things on an initial visit is extremely worth it. On any future visits or additional days during your trip you have more than enough time to explore local spots outside the city center like the hip Trastevere neighborhood or lesser known landscapes like the Villa Borghese, but the most notable, famous landmarks have earned that reputation for a reason, and making all the expected stops is more than worth it to get the authentic taste of ancient Italy that only Rome can provide. So to address my original question—yes, you should absolutely stop by Rome on your Italy trip! Not only will you be exploring the country’s capital, but you’ll embark on a sensory journey through layers of history built upon each other over centuries like sedimentary rock made out of entire civilizations in one of the oldest continuously occupied cities in Europe!
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Hi, I’m Ashley. I’m determined to see the world. All of it. Are you coming with?
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