Rome Itinerary

5-Day Rome Itinerary

ByKyle

Check out my comprehensive guide on “How to Travel on a Budget” where I reveal my proven framework for experiencing luxury travel on a shoestring budget.

Starting Point: Historic Center

Day 1 Rome Itinerary: Ancient Rome

Breakfast

  • Roscioli Caffè (Piazza Benedetto Cairoli 16) – Famous for cornetti and cappuccino
  • Alternative: Sant’Eustachio Il Caffè (Piazza Sant’Eustachio 82) – Historic coffee bar

Morning

  • Start at the Colosseum (book skip-the-line tickets in advance)
  • Explore the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
  • Walk through the ruins of ancient Rome

Lunch

  • Roscioli Restaurant (Via dei Giubbonari 21/22) – Renowned Roman cuisine
  • Alternative: Salumeria Roscioli (Via dei Giubbonari 21) – Gourmet deli with seating

Afternoon

  • Visit the Capitoline Museums
  • Explore the Jewish Ghetto
  • Walk to the Theatre of Marcellus
  • Visit the Mouth of Truth (Bocca della Verità)

Dinner

  • Roscioli Ristorante (Via dei Giubbonari 21) – Traditional Roman pasta
  • Alternative: Pierluigi (Piazza de’ Ricci 144) – Upscale seafood
  • Evening walk through Trastevere

Day 2 Rome Itinerary: Vatican and Baroque Rome

Breakfast

  • Sciascia Caffè 1919 (Via Fabio Massimo 80/A) – Historic coffee shop
  • Alternative: Coromandel (Via di Monte Giordano 60/61) – Elegant brunch spot

Morning

  • Early visit to Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel (book first entry)
  • St. Peter’s Basilica
  • Climb St. Peter’s Dome for city views

Lunch

  • Lela’s Restaurant (Via di Borgo Pio 132) – Modern Roman cuisine
  • Alternative: La Pratolina (Via degli Scipioni 248) – Famous for Roman pizza

Afternoon

  • Castel Sant’Angelo
  • Piazza Navona
  • Pantheon
  • Church of San Luigi dei Francesi (Caravaggio paintings)

Dinner

  • Roscioli Ristorante (Via dei Giubbonari 21) – Romantic setting
  • Alternative: Armando al Pantheon (Salita dei Crescenzi 31) – Classic Roman trattoria

Day 3 Rome Itinerary: Historic Center and Shopping

Breakfast

  • Bar del Cappuccino (Via Arenula 50) – Local favorite
  • Alternative: Caffè Greco (Via dei Condotti 86) – Rome’s oldest café

Morning

  • Spanish Steps
  • Shopping along Via Condotti
  • Trevi Fountain (go early to avoid crowds)
  • Galleria Borghese (requires advance booking)

Lunch

  • Il Piperno (Via Monte dè Cenci 9) – Historic Jewish-Roman cuisine
  • Alternative: Emma (Via del Monte della Farina 28) – Famous for pizza

Afternoon

  • Villa Borghese Gardens
  • Piazza del Popolo
  • Chiesa di Santa Maria del Popolo (more Caravaggio masterpieces)
  • Shopping along Via del Corso

Dinner

  • La Pergola (Via Alberto Cadlolo 101) – Three Michelin stars
  • Alternative: Salumeria Roscioli (Via dei Giubbonari 21) – Gourmet Italian

Day 4 Rome Itinerary: Appian Way and Catacombs

Breakfast

  • Le Levain (Via Luigi Santini 22/23) – French-style bakery
  • Alternative: Linari (Via Nicola Zabaglia 9) – Traditional Roman breakfast

Morning

  • Catacombs of San Callisto
  • Appian Way archaeological park
  • Tomb of Cecilia Metella
  • Church of Domine Quo Vadis

Lunch

  • Flavio al Velavevodetto (Via di Monte Testaccio 97) – Traditional Roman
  • Alternative: Felice a Testaccio (Via Mastro Giorgio 29) – Famous for pasta

Afternoon

  • Baths of Caracalla
  • Aventine Hill and Orange Garden
  • Keyhole view of St. Peter’s at Malta Embassy
  • Santa Maria in Cosmedin

Dinner

  • Checchino dal 1887 (Via di Monte Testaccio 30) – Historic Roman cuisine
  • Alternative: Enzo al 29 (Via dei Vascellari 29) – Intimate Trastevere restaurant

Day 5 Rome Itinerary: Local Rome

Breakfast

  • Marigold Roma (Via Giovanni da Empoli 37) – Modern international
  • Alternative: Panella (Via Merulana 54) – Historic bakery

Morning

  • Campo de’ Fiori Market
  • Historic shops in Via dei Coronari
  • Palazzo Altemps
  • Chiesa Nuova

Lunch

  • Secondo Tradizione (Via Rialto 39) – Wine bar with excellent food
  • Alternative: SalottO42 (Piazza di Pietra 42) – Contemporary Italian

Afternoon

  • Palazzo Doria Pamphilj
  • Church of Sant’Ignazio
  • Palazzo Colonna (open only on Saturday mornings)
  • Quirinal Palace area

Dinner

  • Il Pagliaccio (Via dei Banchi Vecchi 129a) – Two Michelin stars
  • Alternative: Enoteca La Torre (Villa Laetitia – Lungotevere delle Armi 23) – Romantic setting

Restaurant Tips:

  • Book restaurants in advance, especially for dinner
  • Typical dining times: Lunch 12:30-14:30, Dinner 20:00-22:30
  • Many restaurants are closed on Sunday evenings and Mondays
  • Coperto (cover charge) is standard and legal in Rome
  • Tipping is appreciated but not required (10% is generous)
  • Coffee is typically drunk standing at the bar (costs more to sit)
  • Always greet with “Buongiorno” (day) or “Buonasera” (evening)

Practical Tips:

  • Purchase the Roma Pass for museum entry and public transport
  • Book major sites (Colosseum, Vatican, Borghese) well in advance
  • Carry water bottle – use Rome’s many drinking fountains
  • Dress code for churches: covered shoulders and knees
  • Avoid tourist menus – look for restaurants where locals eat
  • Learn basic Italian phrases for greetings and courtesy

Emergency Contacts:

  • Emergency number: 112
  • Police: 113
  • Ambulance: 118
  • Fire: 115
  • Tourist Police: +39 06 4686
  • U.S. Embassy: +39 06 46741 (if applicable)
  • Nearest Hospital to Center: Ospedale Santo Spirito (Lungotevere in Sassia 1)

Similar Posts