I am arriving in Rome on a Sunday and due to probable jet lag I have not planned anything for this day. I am, however wondering what to plan for the next day, Monday. I know most things are closed and I am going to be ready for some major sightseeing. What are some good monday options? I know the Vatican is open but we have a scavi tour booked on tuesday, so that is not an option.
Posted by
Denver
787 posts
Pick up Rick Steves guide to Italy or Rome for a quick and easy listing of those sites that are closed on Monday. The Forum, Palatine Hill and the Colosseum are all open daily (though the Colosseum is currently closed due to snow damage). All sorts of churches are open on Mondays, such as Saint Peter's; San Pietro in Vincoli (Saint Peter in Chains), in which Michelangelo's "Moses" sculpture is located; San Clemente; Santa Cecilia; etc. More than enough to keep you busy all day Monday.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23315 posts
Even with the best jet lag program, you will still be a little off Monday. I would suggest one of the hop on/off buses to give you a good orientation to the city. Ticket is good for 24 hrs. so buy about noon and you can still it on Tuesday AM. Not everything is closed on Monday.
Posted by
Huntington Beach CA
1116 posts
Rick's guide is priceless as it gives you all that info. He even has a section that gives you what sites are open/closed on whatever day of the week it is. Just make sure you include a gelato stop or two into your plans and by that I mean include that into your daily itinerary!
Posted by
Cesena, Italy
791 posts
Just be sure to check on those gelato prices BEFORE you order. I'm sure you won't want to pay 12 euro for a cone like we did.
Posted by
Toledo
653 posts
Jess, in addition to churches being open on Monday, you'll be able to get oriented to the city. Lots of green space in Rome, if you like parks. Get your gift shopping done!
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
We had a similar situation last May, so we chose to do a cooking class that first Monday in Rome, then went to a nearby park then just kind of wandered around. We had a great time. The other thing we thought about doing was the Rome from the Sky elevator at the Vittoriano/Campidoglio, but changed our minds. It's open until 6:30 but you have to get your tickets by 5:45.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15597 posts
Rick has 4 audio walking tours of Rome: one through Trastevere and another just across the Tiber through the Jewish Ghetto, and of course the Colosseum and the Forum. The 4th is St. Peter's Basilica which you could do before or after the scavi tour.