5 Days in Rome Itinerary: What To See & Do

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5 days in Rome is the perfect amount of time to see the popular attractions, get off the beaten path, and spend some extra time exploring. This 5-day Rome itinerary will show you exactly how to optimize your time in this ancient city and see everything on your bucket list.

Spending five days in Rome is enough to make you relish in this splendid open-air museum, and being there I couldn’t help but be transported to different eras with every masterpiece I encountered.

Dotted with treasures, with history, myth, and legend – Rome is a city unlike any other. Having five days to spend in Rome is a great way to get a taste of the city’s mysteries and glamour! Here’s how to fit all the major attractions in five days.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. This means that should you click on certain links, and then subsequently purchase a product, I will receive a small commission.

Rome Quick Guide

Planning a trip to Rome? Find here everything you need:

Top-Rated Tours and Day Trips to Do in Rome:

– Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill Fast-Track Tour

– VIP Colosseum Underground Tour with Roman Forum & Palatine Hill

– Borghese Gallery Tour & Tickets: With Bernini, Caravaggio, & Raphael

– Pristine Sistine, early entrance small group Vatican tour

– Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and Basilica Tour

– From Rome: Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius Day Trip with Lunch

Where to stay in Rome: Navona Colors Hotel (close to Navona square),  Palazzo Medusa (near Navona Square), Piazza Del Gesu Luxury Suites (near piazza Navona)

How Many Days In Rome Is Recommended?

This is almost a trick question. If you’re short on time you can squeeze a lot of Rome’s best sites into a 2-day or 3-day itinerary…but I truly feel that to give a real feel for the city, you’ll need about 5 days in Rome.

With 5 days, you can see all of the major attractions in the city without rushing, plus have plenty of time to wander, relax, and really just soak up all that the city has to offer. Depending on the time of year you visit, Rome can be super crowded and you’ll need to reserve specific time slots at many of the attractions.

Where to Stay in Rome

The Orange Hotel: The Orange Hotel offers incredible design, proximity to the most major sites, and a very quintessential vibe that reflects Italian architecture. The rooms are modern and spacious, a breakfast buffet with Italian delicacies is served daily on the rooftop restaurant, that enjoys views of St Peter’s Basilica. The neighborhood is lovely with the Vatican and a metro stop just steps away. There was also a great choice of restaurants, bars, and shops nearby. Click here for more information and to check the latest prices.

Royal Rooms – Via Del Corso: You could stay at Royal Rooms which is about 201m away from Via Margutta and enjoys all types of amenities – from shopping, nearby plazas, cafes and things to do, along with amenities like a bidet, shower, hairdresser and much more. – Check here the latest prices and more details.

Palazzo Medusa: Located just outside Palazzo Medusa, this property is one of the best in Rome and is a lot of people’s top pick there. Not only do you get a large TV, bathroom, hairdryer, and more, you also get to enjoy a wonderful gastronomic experience, bike rental, and super comfy beds! – Check here the latest prices and more details.

Navona Colors Hotel: The thing about Navona is that it sells well and it sells fast. It’s an incredible choice for travelers – there is food, the city walks around, and bike rental. But there’s also the unbeatable location of being 192 m from Piazza Navona. You’ll thoroughly enjoy the Baroque architecture of the hotel.- Check here the latest prices and more details.

Piazza Del Gesu Luxury Suites: This is where comfort and slide go hand in hand, and the hotel itself has a hard to compete with the location. Located directly on the Piazza Navona, this hotel is a 5-minute walk away from history – the Pantheon… You’ll also enjoy free city views, free WI-FI, furnishings, and everything you need.- Check here the latest prices and more details.

Check out my post on the best areas to stay in Rome by a local.

How To Spend 5 Days in Rome: A Detailed Itinerary

• Day 1: Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Campo dei Fiori
• Day 2: Piazza Venezia, Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II, The Roman Forum & Palatine Hill, Colosseum
• Day 3: Villa Borghese and Galleria Borghese, Piazza di Spagna and Spanish Steps, Fontana di Trevi, Via Veneto, Via del Corso,
• Day 4: Vatican City, St Peter’s Basilica, Castel San Angelo,
• Day 5: Day trip to Pompeii, or Food Tour, or Pasta Making Class,

5 Days in Rome: Day One

After arrival, I spent some time in my hotel settling, taking everything in, and ready for all the sightseeing I would be doing in the next few days. I decided to make the Pantheon my first stop!

Pantheon

The Roman Pantheon, the most complete and best-preserved Roman building (and building in general) in the world is a sight to behold. The concrete structure is the largest in the world, and the building is simply wonderful. Interestingly enough, on the walls, you can see the dates that reveal the age – a structure dating back to 125 A.D!

Apart from the exterior, the interior itself is even more impressive. The Oculus inside is the only source of light, and you’re advised to stay silent, so the play of lights, architecture, the dome, and the designs inside along with the silence made this experience so much better.

Piazza Navona

I then headed to the famous Piazza Navona, lined with Baroque palaces, shops, cafes, and lavish fountains. Originally a circus, the piazza was a lively place to be filled with energy, tourists, and street artists!

I walked around the Bernini Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi, a fountain that has an Egyptian obelisk as a masterpiece, and then took pictures of Fontana del Moro and Fontana del Nettuno.

Campo dei Fiori

After being in Piazza Navona, I went over to Campo Fiori, by far the city’s liveliest plaza ringed by a medieval castle and a bustling market. The plaza is noisy, colorful, and vibrating with life and the market is a true reflection of Roman life with fresh veggies and nice drinks.

At night, the plaza turns into an open-air bar with hundreds of people drinking in the streets from the bars that line the plaza.

5 Days in Rome: Day Two

Piazza Venezia

I started my second day in the Piazza Venezia, the geographic heart of the city with proximity to some of the most important attractions. There’s plenty to see there, from palaces, shopping streets, fun restaurants, and even a hill!

Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II

Passing by this remarkably large building, I couldn’t help but explore. White-washed with marble, and showcasing medieval architecture – this building was built to honor the unification of Italy.

What struck me at first was the contrasting white marble with the surrounding brown-colored, normal buildings. It just completely stood out and entering it I couldn’t help but be amazed at the statues, columns, grand stairways, and of course the statue of the horseman.

After exploring, I went to the top for 360-degree panoramas of the entirety of Rome – from there I could see pretty much all important sites including the Colosseum, the monuments, and of course, the squares!

The Roman Forum & Palatine Hill

The Roman Forum was once the greatest sight in all of Europe, the center of the Roman Empire, and Rome’s pulsating hub where life ebbed and flowed. It was once dotted with temples, palaces, shops, stalls, and much more from the Empire.

Today, the site is still filled with history, and I was able to get a glimpse into the past grandeur of this place. There was an abundance of things to see; from triumphal arches to remains of buildings, and temples.

Colosseum

I then arrived at the most important attraction in all of Italy…The Colosseum…The personification of majesty, grandiose, and splendor of the Ancient world.

Of course, it’s as symbolic to Rome as the Eiffel Tower is symbolic to Paris, and the monument perfectly juxtaposes gore and glory together. You’ll find a structure that has survived earthquakes, fires, riots, wars, and still stands proudly, showcasing survival and lavishness!

2000 years’ worth of history are perched in the Colosseum, and exploring the structure, the second floor, the passageways, and the arena is a wonderful experience.

Tip: The Roman Forum, the Colosseum, and Palatine Hill were incredible places to visit, and the most important monuments in Rome, so needless to say, the lines were massive. Luckily, we bought skip the line tickets that helped make our tour so much easier and convenient.

I highly recommend the VIP Colosseum Underground Tour with Roman Forum & Palatine Hill by the company Walks of Italy. You get to skip the line in all the attractions and have VIP access to the Colosseum.

5 Days in Rome: Day Three

Villa Borghese and Galleria Borghese

Now Rome is known for its extensive collections of art, museums, and galleries. On every corner, there were displays of art in museums, piazzas, churches, and even in plazas.

The Galleria Borghese is one of the greatest museums in Italy, with one of the world’s largest private art collections. The villa that the museum is housed in was used for entertainment and now is used to display the art collection.

I loved that you could see major works by artists like Bernini, Titian, Caravaggio, Raphael, Correggio, Rubens, and Canova, while also admiring the incredible works of marble, the statues, and the Renaissance gallery. I bought skip-the-line tickets that made the entire ordeal much easier since the lines were discouraging!

After exploring the gallery, I spent some time amongst beautiful flowerbeds, fountains, and temples in Rome’s largest park – Villa Borghese.

I highly recommend a guided tour at the Villa Borghese and I highly recommend the Borghese Gallery Tour & Tickets: With Bernini, Caravaggio, & Raphael by the company Walks of Italy.

Piazza di Spagna and Spanish Steps

Piazza di Spagna is one of the most renowned plazas in all of Rome, with the iconic golden hues of Spain perched in the middle of Italy. Fountains, the iconic steps, and a bustling vibe all give this square its personality.

Fontana di Trevi

I had to elbow my way through the crowds to get to the gorgeously illuminated Fontana di Trevi. The true epitome of magic and fantasy – an attraction straight out of a storybook fairytale.

The Trevi Fountain is an iconic sight in Rome, and it was even more awe-inspiring to see it in real life. Great examples of Baroque art, the sea god Neptune, winged horses, and allegorical figures all give this fountain the ethereal vibe it permeates.

This is where you come to toss one coin so you can come back again to Rome, according to legend. If you want romance, toss two, and if you want to marry your partner, toss three!

Via Veneto

After a long day of exploring some of Rome’s most important attractions, it was time for me to shop at the Via Veneto. The classic boulevard boasts some of the best shops in Rome, along with lively bars and vintage shops. There was an array of handbags, accessories, antiques and much more.

Via del Corso

The shopping doesn’t end there! The longest street in Rome is dotted with high-street stores, designer shops, boutiques, and an array of international brands. Not much of an authentic Roman shopping experience, but an authentic one nonetheless.

You can also do a little bit of sightseeing as you walk the street with the Piazza Venezia and Piazza del Popolo.

5 Days in Rome: Day Four

Vatican City

My fourth day was one of the most life-changing experiences to be had. Vatican City, the Holy See and the smallest country in the world, this place is nothing short of magical, and holy. An unparalleled spiritual discovery, the Vatican is dotted with holy buildings, lavishly decorated churches, galleries, and gardens.

Tip: Visiting the Vatican is an essential Rome experience, and it will be quite overwhelming! Before anything, you should know that the queues are huge. No matter how much you think you can wait, you can’t. The queues go on for seemingly forever, so I recommend a skip-a-line tour.

Another way to enjoy the Vatican if you don’t have much time is by this Pristine Sistine, early entrance small group Vatican tour. The reason I like this tour is that you get inside the Vatican one hour before it opens, the group is small and you get to see the Vatican in under 3.5 hours.

All 3 times I’ve been there were with the skip-the-line guided tour, and it added to the overall comfort and convenience of my entire visit there.

The Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel

No museum in the world compares to the Vatican Museum. It is simply without any doubt, the most beautiful museum in the world. Countless masterpieces are housed in this building, along with paintings and sculptures.

The largest museum complex in the world is almost impossible to explore in one day. There are over 1,400 rooms filled to the brim with priceless art that dates back 3,000 years.

Think Egyptian mummies, classical sculptures, tapestries, canvases and everything ranging from Renaissance art to detailed frescoes. You could also check out the Hall of the Maps showing you some of the most important lands and their old maps.

The Pinacoteca Vaticana and the Stanze di Raffaello are also definitely worth checking out.

St Peter’s Basilica

The Vatican is ridden with superlative, and it doesn’t end at the museum. The St Peter’s Basilica is the largest church in the world with some of the most lavishly decorated interiors in the world. It’s a celebrated edifice, with unparalleled size and opulence, and is an unforgettable experience in general.

You can check out the breathtaking interior, La Pieta, the moving sculpture of the Madonna, or the main basilica halls. There are tombs to discover, colored windows, and golden angels!

Climbing the Dome

After exploring the Basilica, you can reach the dome (either through an elevator or a 320-step climb), and get rewarded with the most breath-taking, gasp-deserving views in Rome. You’ll get panoramas of Rome, the buildings, the winding alleys, the plazas…This is when you realize the true grandeur you’re surrounded with.

Check out some great tours of the Vatican:

Skip the Line: Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter’s

Exclusive Early Morning Vatican Tour.

Castel San Angelo

Enter through a stone ramp and check out the Castle that dates back to Roman Times to the year 135! You can explore the mausoleum, the prison, and the warehouses, or the upper terrace with unparalleled views!

Book here your skip the line tickets and 1 hour tour of the Castle

5 Days in Rome: Day Five

The great thing about the fifth day is the flexibility you have. You’ll be done exploring the main attractions of Rome, and it would be the perfect time to explore your options.

Day Trip to Pompeii

You can have a day trip to Pompeii where you get to explore the mountains, and the volcanic crater, get gorgeous views of the Bay of Naples, and travel back in time to explore the lost city of Pompeii. The city is filled with ruins; frescoes, winding streets, and much more that are surprisingly very well preserved. The place there takes a full day to see.

Find here more information about the day trip to Pompeii

Food Tour or Pasta-Making Class

You can also have a food tour if you’re more of a foodie and want to experience the delicious Italian cuisine. It’s practically a walking tour where you taste different wines and tours around Rome!

If you want to learn how to make that delicious food so you can take and utilize your skills back home, then definitely go to a pasta-making class!

Does Rome Have a City Pass?

One of the first things I do when I decide to spend several days in a city is research to see if they have a city pass. Not all cities do but I find that they’re typically a great investment as they usually offer free or discounted entry into attractions and sometimes free transportation as well.

A great city pass option in Rome is the “Explore Go Rome” pass via Go City. With it, you’re able to visit more than 40+ attractions in Rome for free, saving up to 50% vs buying individual tickets. It includes free entry to the Vatican, the Colosseum, Hop on Hop off bus, Italian Cooking Class, the Catacombs, and more.

Click here for more information and to buy your Rome city pass.

How to get from and to the airport in Rome

Rome has two airports, Fiumicino and Ciampino. All intercontinental flights on major airlines land in Fiumicino while budget airlines and flights from other parts of Italy and Europe land in Ciampino. Luckily, both are close to the city center so just pick whichever one makes the most sense for your travel plans!

From/to Fiumicino airport:

Fiumicino airport is only 26 km away from Rome.

Train: The Leonardo Express is a direct train that connects Fiumicino Airport and Termini Station in Rome in 30 minutes. Tickets cost 14 euros each way. Remember to validate your ticket in the machine before entering the train. Tickets are valid for 90 minutes.

Regional FL1 Train connects the airport with other stations in Rome (not Termini) like Tiburtina. From there you can take the metro to the city center. Tickets cost 8 euros. You will need another ticket for the metro (1,50 euros) Remember to validate your ticket in the machine before entering the train. Tickets are valid for 90 minutes.

Shuttle Bus: The cheapest way to travel between Fiumicino airport and Rome’s city center is by a shuttle bus that makes 2 stops in the center (Termini Station and Piazza Cavour near the Vatican). Journey time is 55 minutes depending on traffic.

Tickets cost 6 € one way and you can buy them online.

Book your shuttle bus from and to Fiumicino airport here.

Taxi: You will find taxi stands outside all the airport terminals. Always use the official taxi services and do not take offers from drivers inside the terminal.

Private Airport Transfer with Welcome Pick-Ups: The easiest and most comfortable way to get to the city center is by a private transfer service like Welcome Pick-Ups. It costs exactly the same as a regular taxi, only now you will have already prepaid for it, your driver will be waiting for you at the arrivals hall holding a sign with your name on it, a bottle of water, and a city map. You will not have to worry at all about the language as all drivers speak English.

Click here for more information and to book your trip

From/to Ciampino Airport:

Shuttle Bus: The cheapest way to travel between Ciampino airport and Rome’s city center is by a shuttle bus that makes a stop at Termini Station. Journey time is 40 minutes depending on traffic.

Tickets cost 5 € one way and you can buy them online.

Book your shuttle bus from and to Ciampino Airport here.

Private Airport Transfer with Welcome Pick-Ups: The easiest and most comfortable way to get to the city center is by a private transfer service like Welcome Pick-Ups. It costs exactly the same as a regular taxi, only now you will have already prepaid for it, your driver will be waiting for you at the arrivals hall holding a sign with your name on it, a bottle of water, and a city map. You will not have to worry at all about the language as all drivers speak English.

Click here for more information and to book your private transfer.

Where to Eat in Rome

Of course, it’s no secret that Rome offers one of the best gastronomic experiences in the world. Who doesn’t love Italian food with all its flavors and diversity? You can experience Italian food on every street, and in every back alley and neighborhood, but you can also choose some of the best!

La Proscuitteria: This is one of the best places to eat in, Rome and is renowned for its incredible food and wine. It’s a small place, very cozy, with incredible staff and it is just around the corner from the Trevi fountain! This is where you go to have a quintessential Italian food experience!

Address: Via della Panetteria, 34/A, 00187 Roma
Via della Scala, 71, Trastevere, 00153 Roma
Via del Governo Vecchio, 21, Navona, 00186 Roma

Obica: This modern mozzarella place gives you authentically delicious Roman pizza, and has a great breakfast, fresh food, and decent portions.

Address: Piazza di Firenze, 28, 00186 Roma 
Piazza Campo de’ Fiori, 16, 00186 Roma

Antica Enoteca di Via della Croce: A restaurant that dates back to 1842, this place has managed to keep its wooden bars, its authenticity, and its interior! Very close to the Spanish Steps, the restaurant has great food like soups, pasta, polenta, and pizza and it’s not at all overly priced.

Address: Via della Croce, 76, 00186 Roma

Pizzeria da Baffetto: If you want the best pizza in town, this is where to go! Delicious, warm pizza in a gorgeous, cozy environment, and it’s definitely worth the wait for the legendary pizza.

Address: Via del Governo Vecchio, 114, 00186 Roma

Café Sant Eustachio: Rome is known for its bustling café culture, and this is simply one of the best there. Great coffee, a great location next to the Pantheon, a cozy atmosphere, and unique coffee combinations!

Address: Piazza di San Eustachio, 82, 00186 Roma

San Crispino: You can’t really go to Rome without trying the renowned gelato! This place has been offering the best gelato since the early ’90s, with different flavors and a quirky exterior.

Address: Via della Panetteria, 42, 00187 Roma

You can also check out my post: What to eat in Rome.

When Is The Best Time to Visit Rome?

Like most major European destinations, the best time to visit Rome is the off-season or shoulder season. I think the best month to visit Rome is October but, truthfully, any time of the year can be lovely.

Winter: the Christmas period is one of the best choices for a trip to Rome because you’ll have the chance to see the lights, the Christmas trees, and the colorful decorations, other than to visit the Christmas markets. Roman winter is quite mild (the temperature rarely goes below 10°C) allowing you to stay long hours in the open air.

Spring: it’s the most popular period to visit Rome, both because of Easter celebrations and its warm and sunny weather attracting large crowds of tourists. It’s the best time of the year to discover the Roman parks, but some rainfalls are still possible.

Summer: Roman summer is too hot to go sightseeing, but it could be the right moment to explore the surroundings, like the Roman castles or the Lazio coastline with the seaside resorts of Anzio and Ostia.

Autumn: the best period to enjoy warm weather, fewer tourists around, and a charming atmosphere created by the seasonal light and colors.

The best month to visit Rome: October

How to get around Rome

By subway: fast, cheap, and efficient, the subway has 3 lines (A, B, and C) taking you everywhere in town. 1 ticket costs 1,50 euro and it lasts for 100 minutes after validation. You can also choose the ticket named “Rome 24h” lasting 24 hours after validation and costing 7 euros. As an alternative, choose Rome 48h or 72h costing respectively 12,50 euro and 18 euro. Download the subway map here.

By bus: they are slow and often late due to the frequent traffic jams, but you can choose from more than 400 lines! Tickets are valid both on subway trains and buses. Download the map here.

By car: it’s not a good choice, because of heavy traffic

On foot: it’s the best way to discover the city, especially if you stay in the city center!

Practical Tips For Your 5-Day Rome Itinerary

Here are a few key things to help you make the most of your 5 days in Rome:

• PREBOOK ATTRACTIONS. My most important advice to you would be to get a skip-the-line ticket pre-booked. Nothing really prepares you for the harrowingly long queues except booking in advance and getting a skip-the-line ticket. This itinerary would not have been possible without it, and each attraction would have taken an entire day to get there. Pre-booking attractions is truly the key to exploring Rome in 5 days.
• Check your luggage. Don’t want to haul your suitcase around after checking out of your hotel on the last day (or before checking in on the first day)? While some hotels may store your luggage for you, there are other options as well, like the Termini Station Luggage Storage.
• Dress appropriately for the Vatican. Note that when entering the Vatican and other religious sites, you’ll need to have your knees and shoulders covered.
• Download offline maps. To make sure you don’t get (unintentionally) lost while wandering the streets, be sure to download offline maps (such as on Google Maps) before leaving wifi or at least that you have plenty of data on your phone.
• Wear comfortable shoes. You’ll be walking a lot on this 5-day Rome itinerary, so be sure to bring shoes that are comfy. Make sure you break them in ahead of time too, there’s nothing like blisters to ruin a vacation!
• Stay hydrated. This is easy in Rome because there are water fountains everywhere. It’s especially important during the summer months when it’s hot.
• Ignore strangers handing you things. In crowded areas, you may find strangers attempting to hand you a rose or bracelet or even attempting to help you with your things. It’s best to ignore them or politely say no thank you to avoid needing to pay later (even if they say it’s “free”).

Overall, Rome was an overwhelmingly beautiful experience. There was so much to do, and getting bored or tired of the sites was almost impossible. I hope you enjoy this Rome 5-day itinerary as much as I did!

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