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Rome
Photo: Nicholas Hartmann · CC BY-SA 4.0

5 Days · in Rome

Five Days in Rome: Icons, the Appian Way & a Day Trip

Five days lets you go beyond the icons, adding the green Appian Way and its catacombs, a day trip to the ancient port of Ostia Antica, and the flavors of the old Jewish Ghetto, without rushing the essentials.

5 days
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Day 01

Day 1 — Ancient Rome & the Center

Colosseum, Forum, Pantheon, and the baroque piazzas.

  1. Morning

    Colosseum

    Timed entry at opening for the arena and underground before the crowds.

  2. Late morning

    Roman Forum & Palatine Hill

    Walk the Forum and Palatine on the same ticket.

  3. Lunch

    Monti

    Trattoria lunch in the lanes of Monti.

  4. Afternoon

    The Pantheon

    Visit the Pantheon and center, coffee standing at the bar.

  5. Late afternoon

    Trevi Fountain & Spanish Steps

    Trevi coin toss and a Tridente stroll to the Spanish Steps.

  6. Evening

    Piazza Navona & dinner

    Fountains at dusk and dinner near Campo de' Fiori.

Day 02

Day 2 — The Vatican & Trastevere

The Vatican, Castel Sant'Angelo, and a Trastevere evening.

  1. Morning

    Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel

    Early entry for the galleries and Michelangelo's ceiling.

  2. Midday

    St. Peter's Basilica

    The basilica and an optional dome climb.

  3. Lunch

    Prati

    Pizza al taglio or a trattoria lunch in Prati.

  4. Afternoon

    Castel Sant'Angelo

    The riverside fortress and angel bridge.

  5. Late afternoon

    Gianicolo terrace

    Sunset panorama over the domes.

  6. Evening

    Trastevere dinner

    Dinner in Trastevere's lantern-lit lanes.

Day 03

Day 3 — Borghese, Baroque & the Aventine

Bernini, gardens, hidden viewpoints, and a Testaccio night.

  1. Morning

    Galleria Borghese & Villa Borghese

    Your booked Borghese slot, then the park.

  2. Midday

    Piazza del Popolo & the Tridente

    Popolo, its Caravaggios, and the shopping streets.

  3. Lunch

    Near the Spanish Steps

    A light lunch around Piazza di Spagna.

  4. Afternoon

    Capitoline Museums & Campidoglio

    Michelangelo's square and the Capitoline collection.

  5. Late afternoon

    Aventine (Orange Garden & Keyhole)

    The Orange Garden view and the keyhole framing of St. Peter's.

  6. Evening

    Testaccio food crawl

    A Roman dinner in the city's food heartland.

Day 04

Day 4 — The Appian Way, Caracalla & San Giovanni

Green ancient road, catacombs, colossal baths, and the mother church of Rome.

  1. Morning

    Baths of Caracalla

    Start among the towering ruins of the imperial baths, serene and rarely crowded. Marvel at the surviving 30-meter walls before the day heats up.

  2. Late morning

    Via Appia Antica (Appian Way)

    Rent a bike at the park's visitor center and roll along the original basalt paving past tombs and ruins. Sundays are car-free and especially pleasant.

  3. Lunch

    Appia Antica park

    Lunch at a countryside trattoria along the Appian Way, a leafy break far from the center. Refuel before the afternoon.

  4. Afternoon

    The Catacombs

    Tour one of the early-Christian catacombs (San Callisto or San Sebastiano) for a hushed descent into ancient underground burial galleries. A memorable change of pace.

  5. Late afternoon

    San Giovanni in Laterano

    Return via San Giovanni in Laterano, the cathedral of Rome, with its colossal apostle statues and the Holy Stairs across the street. Quieter and grand.

  6. Evening

    San Giovanni / Monti dinner

    Dine in San Giovanni or nearby Monti, perhaps at a new-guard trattoria like Santo Palato. A relaxed end to a big day.

Day 05

Day 5 — Ostia Antica & the Jewish Ghetto

An ancient port day trip, then the flavors and lanes of the old Ghetto.

  1. Morning

    Ostia Antica

    Take the 30-minute train to Rome's remarkably intact ancient port and wander its streets, theater, and mosaic-floored baths. A greener, quieter alternative to Pompeii.

  2. Lunch

    Ostia Antica

    Grab lunch near the site (or picnic among the ruins) before heading back to the city. Allow a leisurely morning out here.

  3. Afternoon

    The Jewish Ghetto

    Back in town, explore the atmospheric old Ghetto, the Portico d'Ottavia ruins, the synagogue, and the narrow lanes. One of Rome's most characterful, layered quarters.

  4. Late afternoon

    Tiber Island & Trastevere

    Cross to the boat-shaped Tiber Island and into Trastevere for the golden hour, ending atop the Gianicolo if you missed it. A scenic riverside stroll.

  5. Evening

    Roman-Jewish dinner

    Dine in the Ghetto on carciofi alla giudia and other Roman-Jewish specialties, a unique and delicious farewell to the city. Finish with a passeggiata through the lit center.