Rome wasn’t built in a day, but it can indeed be conquered in a day! If you are planning to visit Rome, but you’re short on time, read on to find out the best way to go about seeing Rome’s greatest hits in one day:
If you only have one day to enjoy Rome, then the best thing to do is get up early, put on your most comfortable pair of shoes, and make your way over to the Vatican City. Our Rome in One Day tour will help you make the most of your short stay in the City! To save even more time, try to book a tour prior to arriving, that way you’ll get ‘skip the line’ tickets included, so there’s no time wasted waiting in line – especially as this is one of the most popular sites in the world, so lines can be very lengthy here.
The Vatican Museums are inspirational – and are home to some of the world’s most treasured pieces of art, including those by Da Vinci, Michelangelo and Caravaggio. The place is mesmerising, and it feels like there’s a treasure on every corner. Having a guide greatly helps the experience, adding a human touch and making the visit even more memorable when you hear about the rich history connected with the exhibits. It’s like a feast for all of your senses.
The 54th gallery of the Vatican Museums is the exquisite Sistine Chapel – famous in its own right, but its fame is surely heightened by the presence of the frescoes and the Last Judgement – painted by Michelangelo. It’s an overwhelming feeling to go inside, even for those who are not religious. I could spend hours just looking up.
St Peter’s Basilica is the 2,000-year-old church that dominates the tiny Vatican City, and – it’s also an iconic symbol of Rome. The vast, expansive building is one of the best examples of Renaissance architecture you’ll see. Its size and beauty are incredible. If you have time, you can visit the Cupola – and for a little extra you can take the elevator. At the top you’ll get an incredible view of Piazza San Pietro before making your way back to Rome to have some lunch!
In the afternoon, the next stop has to be the Colosseum, one of the most famous and incredible buildings in the entire world. The Colosseum is another iconic symbol of Rome – built by the Romans 2,000 years ago. No matter how many times you’ve seen the pictures, the experience will be spectacular. At the height of its fame it held around 80,000 people who would be inside watching a public spectacle like the gladiatorial games. As you enter the building, you’ll undoubtedly feel that the place is thick with atmosphere – the hairs on the back of my neck always stand on end. It is incredible that a place like this is still standing in what is a modern city.
From the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill is just a short walk away. The Palatine Hill is where Rome began and where Emperors and Senators made their home – the most desirable piece of real estate in the entire Roman Empire. Below it, in the Roman Forum, you can walk through what was the beating heart of Rome – the centre of public and commercial life. It is not always clear what you’re looking at, so to get the full effect of walking through history, you are best to visit with a guide who will bring to life the amazing stories connected to the structures before you.
Seeing Rome in a day, will be your busiest, but most rewarding day. It’s one of the most visually stunning sights in Europe. In Rome, you’ll be able to see one of the largest, and most beautiful churches in the world, along with some of the most precious works of art on the planet – before heading to our best-preserved ancient sites. It will be a rewarding few hours. Rome is full of history, stories and facts – not all of them are obvious, so we’d definitely recommend touring the city with a guide like Gray Line I love Rome – it is the best way to make the most of your precious time. Contact us for a truly unforgettable experience of Rome, and Italy!