Rome Travel Forum

hello,
Here is my mock itinerary for my 4 day visit to rome:
pantheon
colloseum
forum
st peters basilica
spanish steps,trevi fountain
palantine hill

any other must sees, in your opinions? A must see piazza or 2?
Thank you in advance.

I would consider the hop on hop off bus for the first day to get your bearings. The tickets are reasonably priced and last for 24 hours from time of issue or first use.

With four days to explore Rome I would add a bit more to your list. Rome is a walkers paradise. All you need is a good map and your camera of course. I think the best sights in Rome are the ones you stumble across while walking.

Santa Maria Maggiore is a magnificent church near Termini Station.
Piazza Navona is great for people watching.
Trastevere on the other side of the river is a local neighbourhood and great for wandering about in. Lots of restaurant choices there as well.

The ancient Roman port of Ostio Antica is well worth a half day visit if you have time. Take Metro line B to Magliana and then get on the Ostio Lido train.

Make sure to include the Papal Tombs in your visit to St Peters Basilica. There is no charge to do this.

realistically, can i cover, st. peters square/basilica and the sistine in a day?

Yes you can, but it would be dependant on a few factors.

ie:- Is there a public occaision such as an audience on
The queue's at the museums etc.

It also depends how much depth you want to explore these places in

I've done the Vatican Museum and St Peters Bsilica in half a day comfortably, including 1hr queueing for Museum entrance and 1/2hr at the Basilica. This was in the morning though. I understand that the queues are shorter from lunchtime onwards if this helps.

Of course stevemt is correct in saying that you need more time if you want to explore the museum in depth. I just wandered through at my own pace but didnt stop at any particular areas for a long period. If you only want to admire the highlights such as the Sistine Chapel then a couple of hours will be enough. Keep in mind there will be crowds especially in the Sistine Chapel.

For a lovely evening sitting watching the world go by, I recommend Piazza Navona. It has lovely fountains that are lit up at night and also the street entertainers and musicians that are there are very good, also there are artists set up during the day that are a joy to watch. It was my favourite night in Rome.

You have missed the most important thing of all. Gelato shops and lots of them. Stop and taste at every one you pass by.

When I went to Rome we did a lot more than this in 4 days and very comfortably. I will try to remember my trek.

Day 1: Go to the Forum before the Collesium.This is VERY important. There will be a ticket booth towards the back of the Forum, near the bathrooms and stairs. If you don't know what I am talking about...go to the gift shop at the entrance and ask before you enter...where you can buy a collesium ticket in the Forum. Purchasing that ticket in the Forum will save you hours. You will not wait in line and can literally pass the crowds waiting to get in at the Collesium!!! I would go to the Pantheon day also. Also stop in for a few minutes near the Forum to the jail cell that held St. Peter. That is a donation only, but SO worth it.

Day 2: The Vatican, St. Peters, the Vatican Museum/Sistine Chapel, and pay the extra money to see what I think they call Gem or Treasure museum (inside the Vatican). It's worth it.

Day 3: Go to The Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon (if you didn't do it already), Piazza Novena, also walk to the Venuto. There is a church of the Cappucian Monks that is a MUST SEE, also donation based.

Day 4: Walk around more, go into plenty of churches, especially the one near the Pantheon. We went to A LOT of them, some past the Collessium. So, yes, 4 days is fine. As another poster said, and I agree...eat lots of gelato!!!

I found most of the REALLY good restaurants to be near Via Tritone off the Del Corso, which is near Augustus Tomb.

Have fun!!!

i agree with aldf, hubby and I ha gelato every evening. There are several gelato shops/bars that open till midnight... cheap too.

We also spent four nights in Rome, this is how we spent our 3 full days in rome

Day 1 - Colossuem, Forum, Palatine Hill, Maxim Circo, Terme di Caracalla
Day 2 - St Peter's Square, (missed Vatican Museum as the Q was long), Castel Sant Angelo, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain
Day 3 - Pantheon, Vatican Musuem ( to aviod long queue, go after 2pm, but have less time to visit the vast musuem)

thank you all! great itineraries...im sure to make all these stops, and the tips mentioned im sure will be very helpful. Maybe i can do it in 3 days, and on up north.
Anyone have any suggestiosn of cant misses as i go up to tuscany?
I plan to visit the obvious: pisa,florence and venice, and maybe milan if i get time. any other must see places, i will be giving myself about 5 days or so do do the north.
Thank you in advance.