How much is reasonable to see in a day in Rome?

[Sigyn]

We dock at the port of Civitavecchia at 7 a.m. and leave at 8 p.m.

 

What is reasonable for me to try to see/do in that window of time in Rome? I've never been to Rome before. What's ridiculously too much? What's manageable?

 

Is the Vatican worth bothering to try to see? Or is just being in St. Peter's Square enough?

 

I don't want to leave Rome and feel like I missed something essential.

[cruisemom42]

How are you planning to do your sightseeing in Rome? Keeping in mind that getting there and back will take more than an hour (however you go -- by car, bus or train), you have to plan wisely.

 

If you don't have specific interests, most people would probably recommend seeing something of ancient Rome and something of the Vatican. This could be a visit to the Colosseum (with a quick look at the adjacent Forum) and then a visit to St. Peter's basilica and the square. Or a quick visit to the Vatican Museums (only way to see the Sistine Chapel) and then a visit to the Pantheon and Piazza Navona.

 

A few people have posted a quick on-your-own day that covers several of the most significant highlights at dizzying speed. While that's possible, it's up to you to decide whether it's worth it to see a smidgeon of all the major sites or to see a bit more of 2-3 of them.

[dronnygirl]

Here are my notes fron when we visited Rome on our own by train - sorry it's so long but may be useful. We are 60ish and quite fit.

This is an extremely easy and cheap way to see Rome on your own. The 3 main points that make this day relaxing and enjoyable are:

An early start – be in front of the cruise ship trips

Planning before you go so that you are not dithering what do when you get to Rome

Leave plenty of time for the train back to Civitavecchia as Termini is a very large station

We left the ship at 7.15 am and the shuttle bus was waiting at the bottom of the gang plank to take us the 5 minute journey out of the docks. The bus dropped us off and we walked to the right, around the corner to a kiosk where we purchased tickets to Rome. Tickets are 12 euros each for return journey or 16 euros for the non-stop faster train, however faster train was booked up. They will give you a timetable with your ticket. We took the 08.02 train and arrived at 8.55 am at Rome St. Pietro station. We got off there and walked round the corner to the Vatican. As it was early, there was only a small queue which was moving quickly. 10 minute wait and we were in St Peter’s Basilica (free of charge). Came out of Basilica and decided not to go to Sistine Chapel as you have to go through the Museum and it is a long walk. With limited time, we preferred to try to see Coliseum instead.

Walked towards Castel St Angelo and across the Pont St Angelo. We then took a left turn and walked by the riverbank to the next bridge and turned right, across the road, and we saw a sign for Piazza Navona. Followed sign into Piazza. This is a large open space with 3 fountains and lots of artists painting and plenty of cafes.

Took route out by the middle fountain and followed signs to Pantheon. Again another square with plenty of cafes. Was able to sit in Pantheon to rest our legs!

Then followed route to Trevi Fountain. Very busy square. By this time we were hungry and stopped for lunch in a cafe just off the square.

Moved out of square and toward the Coliseum. We came out at a large crossroad with the Coliseum straight in front. However, the forum is just across the road and it is best to purchase tickets from the Forum for both sites (12 euros) as there was only a 5 minute queue at the Forum, whereas we waited 25 minutes for tickets at the Coliseum. Walked around both.

We had seen all we wanted to see by 3pm so had an ice cream and headed for the underground station opposite the Coliseum as we wanted to take the 16.12 train from Termini back to Civitavecchia to get us back to ship by 17.30. The underground was very easy and we only waited a couple of minutes for a train – 2 stops to Termini Station.

At Termini we had to go up stairs to the main station. This is a very large station and you have to watch the notice boards to see which platform you require. Civitavecchia train was platform 28 and we could only see platforms 1-24. Saw a sign for 25-29 and followed. Then had to walk a good distance to these 4 platforms. We arrived just in time for the 15.45 train which arrived at Civitavecchia at 17.00. Leave plenty of time as this is a very large station and easy to miss signs.

We walked back from the station along the sea front which was very pleasant with cafes and ice cream places, to the shuttle bus back to the ship.

We had a fabulous and cheap day out. We did not stroll along as we wanted to fit so much in but kept walking and did all we wanted.

When we compared notes with people who had done the ships trips, they had paid £78 each and had spent a lot of time waiting for people who turned up late at rendezvous and didn’t see as much as we had.

The trains are clean and comfortable with upstairs if you want a good view. They appear to run on time. However, beware that they sometimes change the platform at the last minute e.g. when leaving Civitvecchia we were told platform 1 but as the train approached we were told platform 3 – just follow everyone else!

Would really recommend this but you will need to keep an eye on the time – don’t miss the train back. Also worth buying a pop-up map of Rome – we got one from ebay for 99p and marked where we wanted to go beforehand!

Keep the phone number of the ship with you in case of an emergency.

[cruisemom42]

Came out of Basilica and decided not to go to Sistine Chapel as you have to go through the Museum and it is a long walk. With limited time, we preferred to try to see Coliseum instead.[/font]

 

It's worth pointing out that if the Vatican museums/Sistine chapel is on your short list of things you want to do while in Rome, you are well advised to purchase your tickets in advance -- you can do so directly from the Vatican website.

 

The tickets are timed, but most have reported that if you are a bit early or late it's not a problem.

 

The lines can be horrendously long if you do not pre-reserve tickets. Not something you want to waste precious time doing if you only have a day in Rome...

[Host Bonjour]

How are you planning to do your sightseeing in Rome? Keeping in mind that getting there and back will take more than an hour (however you go -- by car, bus or train), you have to plan wisely.

 

If you don't have specific interests, most people would probably recommend seeing something of ancient Rome and something of the Vatican. This could be a visit to the Colosseum (with a quick look at the adjacent Forum) and then a visit to St. Peter's basilica and the square. Or a quick visit to the Vatican Museums (only way to see the Sistine Chapel) and then a visit to the Pantheon and Piazza Navona.

 

A few people have posted a quick on-your-own day that covers several of the most significant highlights at dizzying speed. While that's possible, it's up to you to decide whether it's worth it to see a smidgeon of all the major sites or to see a bit more of 2-3 of them.

 

Very much agree with cruisemom's ideas....you'll get to be Vatican City whilst visiting the museums and seeing the Sistine Chapel and see St Peter's Square - it's a nice combination and the Chapel is of course, magnificent. Then to pop on over to the Pantheon - a beautiful, historical architectural marvel in a pretty square - gorgeous inside....and then stroll around Piazza Navona - enjoy a glass of wine or gelato (both?) while seated and people watching....can't think of a greater day in Rome.

 

I covered these things scattered over different days (along with other places in Rome on other days) but putting them together this way makes sense and is practical. Do allow time for the trains but they generally work out alright - you'll need the most time at the Sistine Chapel, I should think - but there's enough time to get to the other places - you'll see on a map - it's manageable. Perhaps if you have time, cross the Tiber at the Castel Sant'Angelo but that's up to you - it's just such a beautiful bridge with all the angel sculptures all across the bridge and the medieval castle when viewed from the other side...Rome is magical. Enjoy :)

[wheezedr]

Did not want to quote Dronnygirl. but would acknowledge that she has outlined well the classic see Rome in a day approach. If you want to say you have seen it all that is the way to go and you should diy as you can control times better, adding or subtracting as you go.

Personally I think it is too much and usually recommend that you pick either Ancient Rome or the Vatican as your primary and do it in detail and then fit in a few of the simpler sites, Trevi, the Steps or the pantheon to fill out the time. What makes doing both of the 2 biggies hard is the time it takes to also cross Rome itself. In any event pre buying tickets to avoid lines is great advice Also look for the BIRG ticket which covers your train from Civi to Rome as well as transit in Rome Best of luck whatever you decide.

[SightCRR]

The Vatican hours may vary depending on what day of the week it is and what day of the month will also have an effect on touring if some of the sites have free days with extra long lines.

[Sigyn]

Thanks so much. This is very helpful info.

[Sigyn]

We have decided to do a three hour small group guided tour in the afternoon while we are in Rome. The tour will go to The Colosseum for an underground tour with the arena floor and third ring, and then we'll go to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.

 

By the time we finish, it will be just after 4 p.m. and time to perhaps have a quick snack and head back to the train station since the ship leaves at 8 p.m.

 

What do you suggest we can fit in the three hours we have from when we arrive in Rome, until we have to meet up with the tour group?

Edited April 22, 2016 by njsmom

[wheezedr]

I would visit St Peter’s Basilica in the morning, walk past Castel Sant’ Angelo, cross the Tiber, have coffee around Piazza Navona, then visit the Pantheon, then walk to Piazza Venezia, and explore the Roman Forum and the Colosseum in the afternnon.

Have a great day!

 

To the OP the above would work well, just realize that you will want to arrive and depart Rome via different train stations. San pietro for the Vatican and probably ostiense for the return. Take that into account as you check the train timetables and plan accordingly. Lucky that you have until 8:00 our upcoming cruise departs at 6:00 which really restricts the return, especially as it is a Sat with fewer trains

[Sigyn]

perfect, love this plan! thanks!

[angeleyes27]

In one day, we went to the Colosseum, walked around the Forum and Circus Maximus before taking the Colosseum underground tour. Next walked to the Pantheon where we went inside before having lunch in the square there. Next went to the Spanish steps and then took the Metro from there to Vatican City where we had Skip the Line tickets for the Sistine Chapel and then St Peters Basilica. We did all this between 8am and 4:30pm without a problem. Get s good map and map out your strategy in advance

[jenZ]

Seeking timing & priority guidance from you logistical & well- traveled experts: We are a group of 6 spending three nights in Rome- essentially 2 days. 4 have been to Rome before. One day will be a private tour of the Vatican and a separate tour of the Pantheon. For our first full day we have a driver for 6 hours ( for structure -6 people! less stress, and less walking for some. We WILL get plenty of street/ neighborhood walking time on each of our three nights as we are staying near Piazza Navona) One of the group will be attending the Papal Audience and we need to link up at a certain time/place. Some of the group have expressed interest in going to the catacombs. ( which can happen during Papal Audience but not sure how that affects options for Colosseum below) I know 6 hours is a lot of time if we just go to the piazzas and don't spend time in a museum and we don't really have a specific itinerary. We will take a lunch break.- maybe just w quick pizza? We do want to go to Trastevere and Campo De' Fiori which are definitely walking neighborhoods. Maybe drop off locations if we don't end at Colosseum as optioned below.

 

My dilemma: what time to start, where to link up? And do we give up the Colosseum underground tour or staying until the end for the Pope's blessing?

 

Issue: we have the pre-purchased Colosseum tickets that can be used over two days. However, the original plan to take the 3rd ring/ underground tour at 4:30 was nixed because no tickets were available at that time. ( due to construction I have read). We have two tickets for the 12:20 tour. Our tour company says the security lines are so long that they are advising that people don't go in to the Colosseum these days.

 

choices:

1) leave Papal Audience at 11 ( ends at noon) to meet group at Colosseum. Not sure how long the security line will take, eating up our driver time. Not sure if the start time for driver group is 11? Can one person stand in line for the others?

2) stay until noon at Papal Audience ( where to meet group?) and skip underground tour but get dropped off at Colosseum at 4:30. This sets the start time at 10:30 and link up time st 12:30.

3) find a private underground/third ring tour for 2:40 ( one of two private tours time slot) where probably still only two of 6 will attend.

 

Insights? I know you can't tell me what priority to put on the choice of which activity to give up, but the timing considerations will help me plan for the optimized experience! Waiting in lines is not fun for anyone!

 

Thanks in advance for your collective wisdom! ( sorry for the length! Thank- you if you stayed until the end!!!)

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[FawnRiver]

Just watch what day you are there on. Sundays can complicate things.

I seem to recall reading that the Colosseum is free for residents on the last Sunday of the month.

 

We did the underground tour and it was definitely worth what we paid for it. Having pre-booked tickets allows you to walk in straight away, unless the Colosseum has hit the maximum occupancy its rated for, then it doesn't matter if you've pre-booked or not.

[cruisemom42]

Just watch what day you are there on. Sundays can complicate things.

I seem to recall reading that the Colosseum is free for residents on the last Sunday of the month.

 

We did the underground tour and it was definitely worth what we paid for it. Having pre-booked tickets allows you to walk in straight away, unless the Colosseum has hit the maximum occupancy its rated for, then it doesn't matter if you've pre-booked or not.

 

Just to clarify....

 

Admission to the Colosseum/Forum/Palatine Hill is free on the FIRST Sunday of each month.

 

Admission to the Vatican Museum is free on the LAST Sunday of each month. Otherwise, it is closed on Sundays.

 

Most museums in Rome are closed on Mondays; the exception being the Vatican museum, which is open (and crowded).

 

Trying to visit either the Colosseum or Vatican museum on the free entry days is usually a zoo....