How Many Days Do You Need In Rome? An Honest Guide for Your Rome Itinerary
So you’ve decided you’re going to visit the capital of Italy. Fantastic choice! Rome has so much to offer. But you may be wondering, “How many days do you need in Rome?”
I asked myself the same thing when I spontaneously booked a flight to Rome with my sister during Spring 2018. We knew that Rome had a LOT to offer, enough to spend weeks and weeks without getting bored. But, we also wanted to see many of the other gorgeous cities in Italy. So how many days in Rome is enough to see the city?
Well, there is no perfect answer. Because everyone has different travel styles, different ideas of how much they want to see, and different “speeds.”
Even the season can dictate this question, as during peak season it will be much more challenging to see several attractions in the same day.
But, I will do my best to answer this question so you can book your trip without hesitancy or regrets!
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Map of Rome
To determine how many days in Rome are enough for your vacation, you will need to first determine what your must-see attractions are in Rome! Rome is a very walkable city, but planning activities in one day that are close together makes the most sense for efficiency!
Even though things don’t look that far, I can tell you from personal experience that it is very easy to accidentally walk more than 9 miles per day. And thats even with grouping activities!
How Many Days in Rome?
To answer this question, let’s determine a realistic itinerary for various amounts of time in Rome! Some travelers may be interested in only the top attractions, while others want to slow travel through the different neighborhoods of Rome.
1 Day in Rome
Rome is a common starting point for many travelers Italy trips due to the size of Rome International Airport. Many visitors may be combining Rome with other popular destinations in Italy, such as Lake Como or Lake Garda, Venice, or Florence!
If you only have one day in Rome, you will likely only have enough time to head to one neighborhood in Rome, with the most common being the centre of the city, where the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill are located.
Travel Tip: Booking a skip the line tour of the Colosseum in advance will allow you to see the inside of one of the original wonders of the world without wasting your day!
A sample itinerary for 1 day in Rome may include:
- Visit a café for espresso and pastries
- Tour the Colosseum
- Pass by famous sites in Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
- Lunch at one of the various restaurants in the centre of the city
- Evening at Trevi Fountain
Doing all of this in one day is doable, especially if you are visiting in the off-season, or if you have booked tours that allow you to skip the line! Just be sure to wear good walking shoes, as this is typically the best way to get around Rome!
Overall: One day in Rome is perfect for anyone that wants to see many of the famous attractions in Rome’s city center before heading to another destination within Italy.
2 Days in Rome
If you have time for 2 days in Rome, you will be able to do everything on the 1 day in Rome Itinerary, plus you will have time to visit Vatican City!
Vatican City is actually the smallest country in the world. Even though it is its own independent country, you DO NOT need to bring your passport with you to enter!
In Vatican City, the most common attractions include the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Gardens of Vatican City.
No matter what your religion is, a visit to Vatican City is well-worth it, because of the beauty and history that is apparent throughout this incredible landmark. Just be sure to wear appropriate clothing in the Vatican that covers your shoulders and knees, otherwise you may not be allowed to enter.
I recommend booking a tour of Vatican City for faster access, as well as a guide that will be able to answer questions and explain relevant history that you don’t want to miss!
Overall: Two days in Rome is needed for anyone who wishes to also see the Vatican City.
3 or 4 Days in Rome
I believe that 3 or 4 days in Rome is the sweet-spot to seeing most of what Rome has to offer without feeling rushed.
With 3 days in Rome, a sample itinerary may include:
- Day 1- Visit the Colosseum, Roman Forums, and Palatine Hill
- Day 2- Tour Vatican City
- Day 3- Visit the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and Spanish Steps
4 days in Rome would be very similar, with the ability to visit one of the incredible towns near Rome, or visit additional museums around Rome, including:
- Museo e Galleria Borghese- one of the top art museums in Rome
- Museo Nazionale Romano- four collections of art and historical artifacts important to establishment of Rome
- Capitoline Museums- showcases artwork of Michelangelo and other famous artists
Overall: An itinerary for 3 or 4 days in Rome is perfect for any traveler who wishes to see most of the highlights of Rome, visiting several attractions within one day.
5 to 7 days in Rome
Spending anywhere from 5 to 7 days in Rome will allow you to build in more buffer time to see Rome’s iconic attractions without feeling rushed. 5-7 days will also allow you to visit each attraction more fully, and includes enough time incase something goes wrong during your trip (not feeling well one day, busy lines, etc).
If you are traveling in Rome with kids, 5-7 days is definitely recommended, as this will allow more flexibility built into the itinerary incase there are any hiccups (which there often are when traveling with kiddos!)
This amount of time in Rome is also perfect for someone looking for a short holiday that prefers staying in one location rather than hopping from city to city.
Rome is a great home base for a vacation in Italy, as there are many day trips from Rome that allow you to experience more of Italy while leaving your luggage in your hotel!
Overall: For anyone that wants to build in more buffer time to visit each attraction fully, or anyone who also wants to explore nearby villages, 5-7 days in Rome is a perfect option for you!
The Final Verdict- How many days in Rome are enough?
As mentioned earlier, this will really depend on what you are looking to experience on your vacation, as well as your individual travel style.
For me, I think 3 days in Rome is the perfect balance of being able to see much of what Rome has to offer, while still leaving time in my Rome itinerary to experience the other incredible cities!
Rome is a very busy city with lots of hustle and bustle, which is both exciting but also can be exhausting. If you are looking for a more relaxed environment, I recommend a short trip to Rome to see the must-visit attractions, then moving on to a more intimate city.
My top recommendation for a more charming city in Italy is Florence, which is only ~2 hours away from Rome by train. I spent 4 days in Florence during my recent trip to Italy, and absolutely fell in love.
But, I would love to hear from you! How many days in Rome did you spend? Did you think it was enough? Let me know below in the comments!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
What is the best neighborhood in Rome to stay in?
If you only have a short amount of time in Rome, such as 2-3 days, I would recommend staying in the centre of the city to have quick access to many of the famous landmarks. Staying somewhere like Boutique Centrale Palace Hotel is within walking distance of the most famous landmarks, allowing easy access!
What is the best way to get around Rome?
By far, the best way to get around Rome is by walking. The roads are extremely narrow, and there are not many places to park, making renting a car not an ideal option.
There are public transportation option in Rome, too, such as buses and a subway if traveling farther distances in Rome. Taxis and uber are also available, but are the most expensive transportation option in Rome.
What are the must-see attractions in Rome?
The most iconic attractions in Rome that should be added to everyones itinerary include: The Pantheon, The Colosseum, Vatican City, and the Trevi Fountain.
