A Guide to 4 Perfect Days in Rome

Arrive in Rome! If you are flying directly into Rome, make sure to hop on a train that is at the airport to take a ride into the city and get settled into your hotel. Pro-tip: take a Frecciarossa train, NOT a city or regional train!

Once you are all settled in, enjoy dinner at Alla Rampa, just off the Spanish Steps. This place makes you feel right at home, especially after a long travel day! The service is great and they make you feel like family. After dinner, see Rome at night. Alla Rampa is right in the historical center, so you are only steps away from so many great things.

Walk around the Spanish Steps and maybe eat some gelato while sitting on the steps. After you finish gelato, make your way over to the Trevi Fountain to see how truly magnificent it is and then take a stroll by the Pantheon. Once you’ve seen all of the exciting things there is to see that first night, rest up at your cozy hotel before a big day of sightseeing tomorrow.

Have some pastries or salati at the wonderful Roscioli Caffe Pasticceria. Whether you like sweets or savory food for breakfast, this little shop is perfect. They have something for everyone, and of course, you have to have an Italian cappuccino with it. The Roscioli brothers opened up this shop after having huge success with their pizza and bread at Antico Forno. You truly can’t go wrong with this place (but be prepared for some standing because it is quite small and the locals love it so it fills up quick).

Once you finish breakfast, hop on a train and make your way over to the Colosseum. There is plenty to see in the area, so make sure you allow some time to walk around before you start touring. Stop in at La Nuova Piazzetta for a quick bite to eat and then tour the Roman Forum and Colosseum (be prepared for this to last quite a while! That’s why I recommend eating lunch beforehand).

After you have seen all of the rich history at the Colosseum and Roman Forum, hop on a train back over to Trastevere. Trastevere is known for its’ little streets and character. Take the time to enjoy and soak it all in along the Tiber River. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, enjoy dinner at Antica Osteria Rugantino. This cozy, old-fashioned restaurant is so warm and welcoming, and a place that the locals go to. Try their plate of four traditional Roman first courses (Tavolazza co li Quattro Mejo Primi Nostrani). This will give you a great selection of authentic Roman food with enough to share with your friends or family. Once you’ve finished dinner, take an evening stroll along the Tiber and grab a glass of wine or cocktail at Enoteca CUVERIE.

Get ready for the day! It’s going to be lots of walking again. Start your morning with breakfast and a cappuccino at Caffe Delle Commari. This is near the Vatican, so you will likely need to catch a train depending on where your hotel is. This charming restaurant has some delicious pastries and the servers go above and beyond.

Once you’ve finished up breakfast, take a quick walk over to the Vatican City to begin your tour of the museums. Be prepared that if you go in the summer, the museums are not air-conditioned. They are very busy and it can get very hot. Make sure to dress appropriately, covering shoulders and knees, but don’t overdress for the summer heat. A thin shawl does the trick!

After the museum tours, you will be led to St Peter’s Basilica, where you can stay as long or as short as you would like. Take a few moments to bask in the beauty of the intricacies of the Basilica. After you have finished your tours, head over to Campo de’ Fiori. This is a square in Rome with a market that is held every morning as well as lots of restaurants and shops nearby. Enjoy an aperitivo from one of the nearby restaurants before starting a guided food tour.

It’s your last day in Rome! Soak up every minute. This day is much more relaxing after all of the walking you’ve done the last few days. When you’re ready to go, grab a bite to eat at Trecaffe on Via Dei Due Maccelli. Once you finish up, make your way over to Villa Borghese. Your options here are open. You can choose to see some artwork in Galleria Borghese, rent a rowboat to float on Villa Borghese Lake, or rent a bike and ride around the park. Whatever you choose to do, they are all great options. Once you finish up at the park, make your way back to the hotel to pack up and head to the train station for your next destination.