Compare prices from several sites before booking

Always bestprice Travel
Guide to Roma
ROMA · ITINERARY

Rome in 7 days – Complete Itinerary

7 days / 6 nights · History, art, neighborhoods, archaeology

This itinerary moves from the sites of Ancient Rome to the historic center, sets aside one day for Vatican City, and then explores Trastevere, the Villa Borghese area, and the Aventine side. The final day is planned as a trip to Ostia Antica, reachable by the Metromare train; the stops and timings are indicative and require checking connections, opening hours, and tickets on official channels. The most popular visits, especially the Colosseum and the Vatican Museums, may require advance booking, which is not guaranteed to be available.

Stops
4 · 4 with location
Mode
Walking
Route
Not available
Source
Mapbox · walking

Stops on the map

Ancient Rome and the Capitoline Hill
Foto: FeaturedPics · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Day 1

Ancient Rome and the Capitoline Hill

09:00–18:00 Intense, with breaks

Explore the archaeological heart of the city and finish with an elevated view over the Roman Forum.

09:00

Colosseum

Dedicate about 2 hours to the amphitheater, observing the arena and the accessible levels; from the Colosseo stop on Metro B, you can get directly to the entrance. Indicative ticket required: check availability and booking through official channels, without assuming it is guaranteed.

Arrive early relative to your booked time slot.

11:30

Roman Forum

Continue on foot through the archaeological area for about 1 hour and 30 minutes, among the Via Sacra, basilicas, and the remains of public buildings. Access may be included in a combined ticket: check official conditions and rates.

13:15

Palatine Hill

Dedicate about 1 hour to the remains of the imperial residences and the viewpoints overlooking the Forum. The route is partly exposed to the sun and on uneven ground; bring water and check for any access restrictions.

15:30

Capitoline Museums

Reach the Capitoline Hill on foot in about 15–20 minutes and spend 1.5–2 hours visiting the sculpture collections and the rooms overlooking the Forum. The ticket is indicative and required; check opening hours, exhibitions, and prices before your visit.

Squares and fountains of the historic center
Foto: Nicholas Hartmann · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Day 2

Squares and fountains of the historic center

09:00–18:00 Urban strolls

Discover the historic center on foot, alternating monuments, squares, and stops in the side streets.

09:00

Pantheon

Visit the interior for about 45–60 minutes and admire the dome and oculus, arriving on foot from the center or by bus. Access and any fee may vary: check the official website before you go.

10:30

Piazza Navona

A walk of about 10 minutes leads to the square, where you can admire the Fountain of the Four Rivers and the Baroque facades. The exterior can be visited freely; consider a break nearby, where local prices may be higher.

12:30

Trevi Fountain

Reach it on foot in about 15 minutes and stop to take in the fountain’s dramatic setting, keeping in mind the crowds and short visits. Check any access rules or changes to visitor arrangements on the official channels.

15:00

Piazza di Spagna

Continue on foot for about 15 minutes to the Spanish Steps and the square. The visit is free; follow local guidance and consider a stroll through the adjacent shopping streets.

Vatican City and Castel Sant’Angelo
Foto: Francesco Gabrielli · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Day 3

Vatican City and Castel Sant’Angelo

08:30–18:00 Museum-focused and monumental

Spend the morning at the Vatican’s main sights and the afternoon on the route toward the Tiber.

08:30

St. Peter’s Square

Reach the square by taking Metro A to Ottaviano and then walking about 15 minutes, keeping security checks in mind. The square is accessible according to the current arrangements; check for any ceremonies or restrictions.

09:00

St. Peter’s Basilica

Allow about 1.5–2 hours for the basilica and the entrance checks, with attire respectful of the venue. Access arrangements and any paid visits may change: check the official information.

11:30

Vatican Museums

Allow at least 3 hours for the collections and the Sistine Chapel, with entrance on the Viale Vaticano side. Booking is recommended but not guaranteed; check availability, time slots, and prices through official channels.

16:00

Castel Sant'Angelo

Walk to the castle in about 25–30 minutes, crossing the Borgo area, and set aside 1–1.5 hours for the rooms and terraces. Entrance is typically paid and subject to hours to be verified.

Campo de’ Fiori and Trastevere
Foto: Myrabella · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Day 4

Campo de’ Fiori and Trastevere

09:00–20:00 Relaxed, with a climb to the viewpoint

Explore the western bank of the historic center and end the day with the panorama from the Gianicolo.

09:00

Campo de' Fiori

Stroll through the square and, if the market is open, browse the morning stalls; activity and opening hours may vary on public holidays. Reach it on foot from the center or by local buses.

11:00

Villa Farnesina

Reach the villa by crossing the Tiber and spend about 1 hour visiting the frescoed rooms, including those connected to Raphael. Admission is typically ticketed: check the official opening hours and visiting arrangements.

13:00

Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere

Continue on foot for about 10–15 minutes to the basilica and take in the mosaics and the square. Behave respectfully during services and check for any temporary closures.

17:00

Janiculum Terrace

Walk up in about 30–40 minutes or take a local bus, keeping in mind the incline and the limited frequency of connections. The viewpoint is an outdoor stop with no entrance fee; in case of rain, replace it with a longer visit to Villa Farnesina or a break at the museums in the center.

Villa Borghese and the Flaminio district
Foto: MM · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Day 5

Villa Borghese and the Flaminio district

09:00–18:00 Museums and walks

Alternate an art visit, the greenery of the park, and two museums in the northern part of the city.

09:00

Borghese Gallery

Spend about 2 hours on the sculptures and paintings; the visit may be organized in time slots and booking is often necessary, though not guaranteed. Check availability, rules, and prices on the official website.

11:30

Villa Borghese

After the museum, take about 1 hour to stroll along the park’s avenues and reach a scenic lookout or resting area. Park access is free, while any activities and rentals have varying costs.

13:30

National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia

Reach the museum by taxi or local bus, typically in 15–25 minutes depending on traffic, and allow 1.5 hours for the Etruscan collections. Admission is typically ticketed; check official opening hours and prices.

16:00

MAXXI - National Museum of 21st Century Arts

Take a bus or taxi for about 15–25 minutes toward Flaminio and spend 1–2 hours on the exhibitions and Zaha Hadid’s architecture. The exhibition schedule and admission price vary: check the museum’s website before your visit.

Aventine Hill, Circus Maximus and Baths of Caracalla
Foto: Dietmar Rabich · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Day 6

Aventine Hill, Circus Maximus and Baths of Caracalla

09:00–18:00 Moderate urban walk

Visit the southern part of the city center, among Roman ruins, churches, and scenic gardens.

09:00

Circus Maximus

Start at the ancient stadium, reachable via Metro B to Circo Massimo, and allow about 45 minutes for the walk through the area. Access to the outdoor spaces is generally free, but events and restrictions may affect visits.

10:15

Mouth of Truth

Reach Santa Maria in Cosmedin on foot in about 10–15 minutes and expect possible waits to see the famous mask. Check the church’s opening hours and entry rules; any donation or fee should be confirmed on site.

12:00

Baths of Caracalla

Head back toward the baths with a walk of about 20 minutes or a short bus ride and spend 1–1.5 hours at the complex. Admission is generally ticketed; check opening times, accessibility, and prices on official channels.

16:00

Orange Garden

Reach the Aventine on foot in about 25 minutes, with a moderate uphill climb, or take a local bus. The visit is outdoors and free; if it rains or the garden is closed, opt for a covered walk in the historic center and check access conditions.

Day trip to Ostia Antica and a seaside walk
Foto: Dieterdreist · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Day 7

Day trip to Ostia Antica and a seaside walk

08:30–19:00 Full day, with train transfer

Discover the archaeological site of Ostia Antica and, if time and connections allow, head to the coast.

08:30

Transfer to Ostia Antica

From Roma Porta San Paolo station, next to Piramide, take the Metromare line toward Cristoforo Colombo and get off at Ostia Antica: the journey takes about 25–35 minutes. From the station, walk about 10–15 minutes to the entrance; check service, tickets, and possible disruptions before you set off.

09:30

Archaeological Park of Ostia Antica

Allow 2.5–3 hours for the theater, forum, streets, and ancient houses; the route is broad, with stretches exposed to the sun and uneven ground. Admission is roughly paid and should not be taken for granted: check official opening times and prices.

13:00

Castle of Julius II and the Borgo of Ostia Antica

After a break, explore the borgo and admire the castle from the outside; interior visits and accessibility may vary, so check before planning your visit. These stops are close to the archaeological site and can be reached on foot in just a few minutes.

15:30

Ostia Pier

For the sea, take the Metromare again from Ostia Antica station and get off at Lido Centro, then continue on foot for about 15–20 minutes to the pier. Allow about 10 minutes by train plus waiting time; in case of bad weather or reduced service, skip the coast and head straight back to Rome on the same line.

Standard return: from Lido Centro station, the Metromare takes you back to Rome Porta San Paolo, next to the Piramide stop on Metro B; check times and service before leaving.

Estimated budget

Accommodation, double room per person€70–180 per night
Meals and drinks€35–75 per day
City transport and a trip to Ostia Antica€8–20 per day
Museum and monument entrance fees€20–60 per day, depending on the visits chosen
Approximate total for 7 days and 6 nights, sum of the items, excluding arrival and departure travelabout €860–2,165 per person

The local currency is the euro; the amounts are rough estimates and may vary depending on the season, availability, accommodation type, and ticket purchases. Check prices, opening hours, reservations, and access conditions on the official channels of museums, monuments, and transport providers before you travel.

Practical tips

  • For the Colosseum and the Vatican Museums, check the official procedures in advance: time slots and reservations are not guaranteed.
  • Wear comfortable shoes: many streets are cobblestoned and several archaeological sites have uneven surfaces or stretches without shade.
  • Use water and sunscreen in the warmer months; bring a reusable water bottle and check for any active fountains along the route.
  • For Ostia Antica, check the Metromare service and the site’s opening hours the day before, allowing extra time for possible waits or changes to service.