Visiting the eternal city is a staple of most seasoned travelers' bucket list, and the ancient seat of the Roman emperors can make for quite the intimidating metropolis if you aren’t sure where to head. One can spend years exploring all the nooks and crannies of the old city and still not experience everything, but most travelers don’t exactly have that kind of time.
In this article, we are going to take a look at three different trip lengths and give recommendations for what to do for each. While being able to spend more time in the city is obviously better in terms of the amount of things you’ll be able to experience, even a day trip can provide an unfriendly experience in Rome.
Day trip
While a day trip is not going to be enough to properly explore the deepest secrets of Rome, many travelers operate on a limited time budget and can’t necessarily afford to stay much longer. Rest assured though, because even if it’s only a day, Rome still offers many secrets that can be uncovered if you spend your time wisely, especially if you do it alongside one of our many private tour guides!
For a day visit, we would recommend getting a dose of both ancient and renaissance Rome. To do this, we would definitely advise a visit to the Colosseum and the nearby Palantine Hill. After this, we head over to St. Peter’s Basilica to take in the rich culture of Catholic and renaissance Rome.
If you’re looking for a great outdoor photo opportunity, we would also recommend visiting the famous Trevi fountain to marvel at the sculptures of the god Neptune and his steeds - and don’t forget to toss a coin into the fountain while there!
2 Day (Weekend) trip
If you have a bit more time on your hands, we would recommend checking out the sites above, and then taking your time for a leisurely stroll to enjoy the myriad of shops and restaurants that populate the many squares dotted around the city.
We can also head underground, taking a tour through the subterranean passages that snake beneath the Colosseum, giving visitors an intimate look into the terrifying world which gladiators and other participants (or victims) would have experienced during the moments before they were thrust into the ring.
If one would like to experience something even more unusual, we would recommend an eerie night tour of the Roman catacombs themselves, though this may not be for the faint of heart. These underground passages were used as burial chambers for centuries, especially for Jewish and Christian citizens who frowned upon the old Roman habit of burning bodies.
These passages stretch for several kilometres beneath the city, and there are more than sixty to be found underneath Rome. Only five of them are open to the public at this time, though that should be more than enough to satisfy your curiosity. These are the Catacombs of San Sebastiano, San Callisto, Priscilla, Domitilla, and Sant’Agnese. All of them have guided tours available where professional guides can help you explore the hidden niches of Rome.
5 Day (Week-long) trip
If you are lucky enough to be able to spend upwards of a week in the eternal city, you’ll be able to explore the city in much more detail. Again, we would recommend the main attractions including the Colosseum, Vatican City, Trevi Fountain, Palatine Hill, and the Pantheon.
Additionally, the passages beneath the Colosseum as well as the catacombs of Rome would also make for a great travel experience on one of your days in the city. Furthermore, you will have the luxury of spending a day or two simply enjoying the city, not having to worry about tour schedules and the like.
If time permits, we would always recommend this, as it’s always a great experience to explore by yourself without any constraints. This can include visiting some of Rome’s amazing restaurants and bars, as well as enjoying shopping in the city's many interesting curio shops.
We would also recommend spending a day enjoying a leisurely driving tour of the city - there are several options available for this, including private golf cart tours. If you want something that feels a little bit more ‘Italian’ though, you can always enjoy a tour of the city in the iconic Fiat 500, either via a chauffeured tour or even as a drive-yourself option!
These are fascinating and fun tours, and allows you to escape the constraints of public transport for a while and make your own way through the winding ancient streets of the city. The best thing about these tours? They are one hundred percent private, and you are able to book them via GoWithGuide! This means you receive peace of mind and financial security by using our tested system, via which you can also communicate with your chosen guide personally whenever you choose to.
Conclusion
Whether you only have a day or a whole week, you can easily and safely experience some of the wonders of Rome via our vetted team of private tour guides. We hope this article helps you decide which sights to visit when operating on a restricted schedule. The great thing about Rome is that one can experience new things about the city even after visiting several times, so whatever option you go for, be assured that there will always be more to explore if you do happen to find yourself in the eternal city again.
At GoWithGuide we offer a wide plethora of private tour options, many of which are customizable, and all guaranteed to provide an unforgettable experience.