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First Day Rome after flight

Posted by on

Hey all, I am trying to figure out what to do on my first day when I land in Rome. We land at 7:15am at FCO airport so we have the whole day. We generally like to force ourselves to fill our first day with activities despite being tired so that we go to sleep at a normal time and wake up jet-lag free the next day. These were the two options I was thinking. Hoping to get some input, and especially interested in hearing which option is perhaps easier to manage logistically.

Option 1:

  • Airport to Ostia Antica (is bus logistically easy? or is taxi just better?)
  • How many hours to visit Ostia Antica realistically? We tend to take our time at sites
  • I see there's a luggage storage company called stasher that has availability. Website says it's a storefront near Castello di Giulio II and hours are from 9am-1pm and 4pm-7pm. Has anyone used this storage company/facility/location? I am unclear about the 3 hour gap in hours and if I would be able to access my luggage during those times if needed.
  • Would head back to Rome city center after Ostia Antica using the train, check into hotel, wander for whatever part of the day is left, dinner, sleep

Option 2:

  • Airport to Rome City center - drop off bags at hotel (ask to hold until check in)
  • Visit Pantheon and walk past Trevi Fountain / Spanish Steps
  • Explore Appia Way / Catacombs / Aqueduct Parc - I see a bunch of e-bike tours that start at 3pm with various companies. Is this the best way to do this or can we simply rent an ebike and see all these sights on our own / go at our own pace?
  • Dinner after then sleep
Posted by
15762 posts

I would do 2. However instead of going to the Appian way (too far out), I would walk around the city center more (Piazza Navona, Campo dei Fiori, Ghetto, Campidoglio, etc.). If you feel up to it you could also walk to the Colosseum.

Posted by
714 posts

Option 2. We also arrived in Rome before 8:00 on a Sunday this past May. We stored our bags and enjoyed a cappuccino at our hotel, then walked through campo de Fiori to the victor Emanuel monument, took the elevator to the top for panoramic views of Rome, walked to Capitoline Hill and took in all the sights there — all before lunch. Got fresh air and steps in to help combat jet lag, and because it was so early nothing was the least bit crowded. After we checked in to our hotel room, showered, and relaxed for about an hour we followed the RS audio tour that starts in campo de Fiori and ends at the Spanish steps. It was an excellent first day.

Posted by
107 posts

Oh wow that all sounds perfect actually! Seems (as usual) I am overcomplicating things haha I may follow your exact first day plan!

Posted by
7866 posts

My preference would be something closer to the second. I like to get my bags to the hotel, and on rare occasions, they have even had a room ready (I never count on it).

Then plan activities, outdoors, mainly walking, but that do not require advance booking. You really do not know what you will be up for, so play it by feel.

Posted by
107 posts

Thanks, I agree with that notion as well. Will likely plan for something like that

Posted by
2176 posts

Here's another vote for option #2 with Roberto's modification.

Posted by
8410 posts

Agree with Roberto. Ostia Antica is hot and a slog for jet lag day. When we did it, we went by local commuter train and it was easy. Interesting place but on the first day I'd stick to the center of this very scenic city.

Posted by
107 posts

Thank you, yes we’ll have to see if we can fit it in. At this time we only have one additional free day in Rome for which we were planning to do a day trip to Tivoli. But if that happens to not pan out maybe we’ll do Ostia Antica in its place. Never enough time!! Haha

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