What is a must see in Rome?

My first comment is that the must see items are about the same from one good guide book to another. They don't charge and their are no secrets. Check our a couple books, includes Steves' Rome book from your local library. The Trevi Foundation at night unless it is very, very late will be packed with tourists, maybe 15 to 20 deep to the edge of the fountain. Not all that romantic. Between late arrival, jet lag, and departure the next day you will not have much time to do anything other to walk by a couple place. So pick the ones that appeal the most to you.

A 'must-see' is only a 'must' if you want to see it. Someone else's idea of what that is may be very different than your own.

Frank has the best idea: get a guidebook (which you really should have for your trip anyway) and spend some time with it. We don't usually have a plan for our landing days in Rome; just walk around, do some people watching over a couple of beers, and stay awake until bedtime. If there is a church or two open, we might pop in for a lookabout.

I'd agree with him that Trevi is not my idea of romantic - too crowded - but you could always just walk by and see what you think? It won't take up much time, though.

From what I see, you have two main problems.

1. Rome has more must sees than you have time for. I would say the Colosseum, Forum, Pantheon, Vatican Museum, St. Peter's, etc. Hence it comes down to what is must see for you, as already suggested. Frankly, I think you should just throw out any idea of must see and instead think about it from planning a romantic 24 hours in Rome perspective.

2. You'll be flying in from the States, so your biological clock will be all messed up. If you are on a flight that lands around Noon direct from the East Coast, you might be be ok adjusting if you can get some good sleep on the plane. Otherwise, the issue is Italians eat dinner late, and it's very possible you'll want to be asleep before most good restaurants are even open. A nice Italian dinner would be at the top of my list for the best way to spend a romantic day in Rome.

Personally, I would think about spending time in the Villa Borghese (and perhaps the Galleria if an art lover) or strolling through Trastevere would be fun if not totally obvious for a romantic trip. If it was me, I would be sure to get up early the next morning to see the Colosseum and other Ancient Rome sites, but again, it would come down to your interests.

I like early morning on Piazza Navona. The fountains are beautiful. P. Navona is probably the most beautiful piazza in Rome - any time of day.

Given your limited time, I would do a walking tour that focuses on mostly free, but very few "waiting in line" options. I would head up to Vatican City and take in St Peters square and head into the Basillica, maybe even if the lines are long. Then head back to central Rome via Castle San Angelo (no need to go in), hit the Spanish Steps... you could then do Ricksteves Heart of Rome walk, (See the guide book) still in many trips one of the best walking tours I have followed, it hits most of Central Romes best sights, plus a number of interesting lesser known ones. (the steps, Trevi Fountain, The Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Campo di Fiori) then follow up with Trajans column and forum foloowed by the Forum and the Colloseum (buy a ticket).

That probably is split into the afternoon and Morning for you, some can be done at night, especially central Rome. Mix in a few stops for a glass of wine, a cafe in the morning, dinner someplace in there. Make a point to pop into the random church when you find them, there are gems hid all over. Campo di Fiori has a market most mornings, that would be nice, or find another market, they can be great fun.

Our first evening in Rome we went to see St. Peter's Square and then walked across the bridge toward the Spanish Steps, wandered that area . It s not Rome until I see St Peters

Rated according to Rick Steves himself ...
▲▲▲ Colosseum - Huge stadium where gladiators fought.
▲▲▲ Roman Forum - Ancient Rome's main square, with ruins and grand arches.
▲▲▲ Pantheon - The defining domed temple.
▲▲▲ St. Peter's Basilica - Most impressive church on earth, with Michelangelo's Pietà and dome.
▲▲▲ Vatican Museums - Four miles of the finest art of Western civilization, culminating in Michelangelo's glorious Sistine Chapel.
▲▲▲ Borghese Gallery - Bernini sculptures and paintings by Caravaggio, Raphael, and Titian in a Baroque palazzo. Reservations mandatory.
▲▲▲ National Museum of Rome - Greatest collection of Roman sculpture anywhere.
▲▲▲ Capitoline Museums - Ancient statues, mosaics, and expansive view of Forum.

▲▲ Palatine Hill - Ruins of emperors' palaces, Circus Maximus view, and museum.
▲▲ Trajan's Column, Market, and Forum - Tall column with narrative relief, forum ruins, and museum with entry to Trajan's Market.
▲▲ Museo dell'Ara Pacis - Shrine marking the beginning of Rome's Golden Age.
▲▲ Dolce Vita - Stroll Evening passeggiata, where Romans strut their stuff.
▲▲ Catacombs - Underground tombs, mainly Christian, some outside the city.
▲▲ Church of San Giovanni in Laterano - Grandiose and historic “home church of the popes,” with one-of-a-kind Holy Stairs across the street.

▲ Arch of Constantine - Honors the emperor who legalized Christianity.
▲ St. Peter-in-Chains - Church with Michelangelo's Moses.
▲ Piazza del Campidoglio - Square atop Capitoline Hill, designed by Michelangelo, with a museum, grand stairway, and Forum overlooks.
▲ Victor Emmanuel Monument - Gigantic edifice celebrating Italian unity, with Rome from the Sky elevator ride up to 360-degree city view.
▲ Trevi Fountain - Baroque hot spot into which tourists throw coins to ensure a return trip to Rome.
▲ Castel Sant'Angelo - Hadrian's Tomb turned castle, prison, papal refuge, now museum.
▲ Baths of Diocletian - Once ancient Rome's immense public baths, now a Michelangelo church.
▲ Santa Maria della Vittoria - Church with Bernini's swooning St. Teresa in Ecstasy.
▲ Capuchin Crypt - Decorated with the bones of 4,000 Franciscan friars.

On your first day, maybe lunch, then a nap, then go out in the evening. After dark, the Colosseum, the Forum, Capitoline Hill is a pretty walk. What time do you have to leave the next day for Assisi? Maybe you'd have time for a stroll along the Tiber and in Trastevere. There's a farmer's market and they'd be setting up stalls pretty early, so kind of interesting.

A walk around the Borghese villa/gardens (outside) and the surrounding park could be nice in the late afternoon or early morning.

Thank you for some great suggestions. We are flexible with our next day departure time. I have decided to do a guided tour the next day in the morning. This way we have the day of arrival to ourselves , relax and do some walking around on our own. Walks of Italy was suggested and I do think its the best way for such a short time to see a few things. I am not big on tours and rather explore on my own but with a tour in the AM we can avoid some crowds and I think its money well spent. For my last trip I did buy a bunch of tour books from RS and they helped me a lot. For instance parking in Sienna lol. I do love this board, first hand travel tips are always very helpful.

It's a short stroll from Trevi to the wonderful coffee bar Tazza d' Oro, just around the corner from the Pantheon. Get your caffe and cornetti, then be at the massive front doors of the Pantheon when it opens at 8:30. For a few minutes at least you'll have the magnificent building almost to yourself. Unforgettable.

Just behind the Pantheon is the Gothic Basilica di Santa Maria sopra Minerva, with its statue of Jesus with the Cross, by Michelangelo. Walk south a couple of blocks to the open-air ruins of Largo Argentina, then five minutes further south to Campo dei Fiori. Return northward to Piazza Navona, then continue north on Via Giuseppe Zanardelli to the river. The imposing facade of the Corte di Cassazione faces you. Turn left and follow the south bank of the Tiber to the first bridge, Hadrian's Bridge, with Hadrian's Tomb (Castel Sant'Angelo) just across the river, and you have a nice view of St. Peter's Basilica as well. Double back eastward on the Lungotevere on the south bank until you come to the (air-conditioned!!) Ara Pacis Museum. Then walk north on Via di Ripetta to Piazza del Popolo, and back to Trevi on Via del Babuino past the Spanish Steps.

• or - ...

Walk southeast on Via dei Fori Imperiali, clockwise around the left side of the Colosseum, and turn south on Via Celio Vibenna. The sidewalks around the north and east sides of the Colosseum are at a higher elevation, and give a nice view while avoiding the crowds queued up below. Via Celio Vibenna becomes Via di San Gregorio. Walk past the tour coaches down to Circus Maximus. cross to the southwest corner of Circus Maximus to the Church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin and the Bocca della Verità. Walk north past the Foro Boario and Theater of Marcellus on your left then ascend Michelangelo's elegant staircase to Campidoglio. A breathtaking view of the Imperial Forum is just behind the Comune di Roma. Cross Via dei Fori Imperiali, go up the steps just east of Trajan's Column, up to the traffic circle, then up Via 24 Maggio to the Quirinal Palace. Then walk down the steps to the left of the Palace facade, and return to Trevi.

Either of these routes would take about 2 - 3 hours and will give you a wonderful overview.

I didn't catch when you are going, but the Spanish Steps are currently being renovated, and are inaccessible. With limited time, if this is the case when you go, I would suggest skipping them.
You have to see the Trevi Fountain, but it doesn't take long and won't be the highlight.

I say you must see:
St. Peter's (inside the basilica for sure, climb the tower for a great view if you are so inclined)
Pantheon
Colosseum
and make time for gelato.

One of the must see sights in Rome is to go to the top of the Victor Emananuel Monument. It has the best view of Rome. You look down on the Roman Forum with the Colosseum in the background. From the top, you can see a number of the major attractions including the Pantheon and St Peter's dome.

Saint Peter's Basilica has a dome you can climb (not a tower), but you can take an elevator to the roof and get great views from there if you don't have time (or desire) for a lot of stair-climbing.

After reading through here we added another night to our stay. So flying in on a Friday, leaving on a Sunday afternoon. We will park our rental in a garage for 2 days though. Is the Sistine Chapel open Sundays? I cant find a tour..thanks

The Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel, are closed Sundays except for one Sunday a month. I would not go on that Sunday: too crowded. Take a Walks of Italy "Pristine Sistine" tour early on Saturday instead.