4 Days Rome Itinerary

Hi Kathleen,

The National Museum of Rome is near the Termini Station so that would be one nearby option or;

Take the Metro to the Colosseo stop and visit the Colosseum and Palatine Hill--you might save the Forum for the next day.

You're smart to make a plan for the things that you want to see! The 116 Elettrico Mini Bus (see map in Rick's guidebook) goes near the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Campo de Fiori, Piazza Navona, and St. Peters. That's a pretty easy way to get around to some major sites.

Also, purchase your Roma Pass at the TI in the Termini station as it will cover the bus and metro.

I definitely recommend seeing Trevi at night. First, it's always "open" so you won't lose time that you could spend elsewhere, and secondly I think it's a lot more impressive all lit up and beautiful.

I think if you're planning on the Spanish Steps for Saturday evening, I'd do Rick's Night Walk Across Rome, in reverse. Start at the Spanish Steps and work your way down to Trevi, the Pantheon (get there before it closes at 7 if you want to go inside), and Piazza Navona.

Hi Kathleen - Things you are missing - The Trevi Fountain, The Via Veneto,The Roman Forum, Piazza di Spagna with all it's Cafes, Restaurants, shopping!! The heart of Rome !! The Markets of Roma - Porta Portese, Campo dei Fiori, The Underground.
The religious sites are wonderful - Perhaps a bit too many BUT that's your decision.

Have a Great Trip, Greg

The Pantheon isn't near the Colosseum and Forum. Depending on where your hotel is (is it near the Pantheon?), plan to go there another time.

Rome and its National Gallery seems to be opening new museum spaces and moving painting and other art around. On our last visit, we went to the Palazzo Barberini to see, among other art, Raphael’s “La Fornarina." The palazzo itself is beautiful, too.

What you have planned for Saturday won't take the entire day (Vatican City won't either).

In addition to other places already mentioned, Piazza Navona for cafe-sitting and people-watching. Trastevere is a fun neighborhood, and there are some interesting churches there, as well (Santa Cecilia and Santa Maria in Trastevere).

If you like Michelangelo's works, his "Moses" is at St. Peter's in Chains (San Pietro in Vincolo); "Jesus Carrying the Cross" is at Santa Maria Sopra Minerva. There are Caravaggios at San Luigi and San Agostino. These are only must-sees if you like those artists and/or their work.

Enjoy!

Kathleen,

Your plan for the day you arrive sounds very intense to me! For that day, I'd chose a site or two in the neighborhood where you're staying and/or possibly visit the Vatican later in the afternoon.

As suggested, be sure to plan some time for shopping, sitting in a cafe, and a walk that includes the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, and Campo de Fiori Market.

Rick's book offers great suggestions for using the Roma Pass and also explaining what sites are open each day as many are closed on Monday.

Also know that you might just have to plan another trip to see everything that you want to see--there's lots to do in Rome!

Have a great trip!

Thanks for all the suggestions so far.

Greg- I was thinking of maybe seeing the Trevi fountaion and Via Veneto one evening, or is this best done during the day.

Lexma and Sharon - My hotel is near Termini (Hotel Sonya, so do you have any suggestions about a better time to see the Pantheon or how to lighten the Friday schedule?

You're getting great advice, especially about possibly overdoing it your first day. I'll just add that whatever you do, don't miss the Borghese. I'm not a museum person and I was blown away!

If you have to chose between the National Museum of Rome and the Borghese because of time constraints, I agree with Roy, go to the Borghese!

It's been a few years since I did this, but I think you can reserve specific time slots for the Borghese. If you can, do, and I'd suggest you go on Saturday morning, first time slot (around 9 a.m.). That's when I went. The museum wasn't crowded, it was a lovely (but long) walk from the subway stop, through the park to the museum. Since I wasn't tired yet, I liked having the long walk of the day in the morning.

I too agree you have too much on your list for the first day. Roma is crazy...after a long flight you don't want to plop yourself into the chaos of the Colosseum, Forum, etc. Consider doing this a second or third day. Since you're staying at the Sonya, the National Museum is right there, you can drop your bags at the hotel and go there, and be able to go back and check in, take a short nap, and move on to another activity.

Kathleen

I just realized that your "ancient Rome" day is on your arrival day. I would say to visit what you have the energy for - being outside is good for combatting jet lag. Then, the next day, so the rest.

I agree on the National Museum of Rome. We visited it on a previous trip to Rome, but primarily because I love mosaics, and they have a lot of them. I would always choose Galleria Borghese over the National Museum.

Visit the Pantheon whenever you visit Piazza Navona and that area. All of them are also good to visit at night, but you can't go inside the Pantheon at night.

If you've been reading Rick Steves, you know that reservations are required for the Galleria Borghese. On our recent trip, while we knew what to do because we've been there before, I thought it would be confusing to someone who was visiting for the first time. First, you go to the basement to collect your pre-reserved and prepaid tickets. Often there's a line for the ticket pickup (or, if you're late, like us, there is no line anymore!). Then you move over and check all your bags - only the smallest bags are allowed. Then you go outside, and up the big stairs to the entrance to the museum. As we entered, what looked like maybe a group from a cruise ship, that already had tickets, tried to get in without checking bags - about 80% of them were turned away (not very nicely, BTW) and sent to check their bags.