Rome is a massive city with endless opportunities for exploration. With its ancient ruins and centuries of history around every corner, planning the perfect Rome itinerary can feel overwhelming, especially if you only have a few days to explore.  During my visit to Rome, I spent several days wandering the historic streets, visiting known landmarks, and seeing as much of the city as I could. With so much to do and see in Rome, having a well planned itinerary makes all the difference. In this guide, I’ll share my suggested 2-4 day Rome itinerary based on my trip. Whether you are spending a long weekend in Rome or visiting for multiple days, this itinerary covers must-see attractions, hidden gems, food experiences, and tours.  ** This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or widgets throughout the page, whether it be Viator, Booking.com, Agoda, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! Quick Rome Itinerary (2-4 Days) Day 1: Ancient Rome Explore the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill The Colosseum and Underground Day 2: Vatican City Tour the Vatican Museums See the Sistine Chapel Visit St. Peter’s Basilica Day 3: Famous Landmarks Capuchin Friar Crypt Spanish Steps Piazza del Popolo Trevi Fountain The Pantheon Largo di Torre Argentina Day 4: Day Trip from Rome Hadrian’s Villa & Villa d’Este Tuscany Day Tour Tips for Planning Your Rome Itinerary ✅ Book Major Attractions Well in AdvanceRome is one of the most popular tourist destinations and its famous landmarks do sell out quickly, especially during peak travel seasons. If you plan to visit places like the Vatican or Colosseum, it’s best to book skip-the-line tickets in advance. Check available tours on Viator, Get Your Guide, or Klook.  ✅ Start Sightseeing EarlyRome’s top attractions become extremely crowded as the day goes on. Arriving early at places like the Trevi Fountain or Colosseum allows you to enjoy the attractions before the crowds arrive. Plus, earlier in the day or in the evening are great times of day to take photos.  ✅ Plan Your Attractions by AreaRome is huge and spread out. Many attractions are located in different parts of the city yet other attractions are grouped in specific areas. For instance, the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill can easily be seen in one day. The Vatican is in a different area and can be toured along with sites like Castel Sant’Angelo. ✅ Take a Day TourIf you are visiting Rome more for multiple days, don’t be afraid to get out and see more of Italy. I took a tour to see Hadrian’s Villa and learned even more about Roman history.  ✅Wear Comfortable Shoes and ClothesExploring Rome means a lot of walking. Not just walking but the surface can consist of cobblestone streets and uneven surfaces. Some of the attractions like the Vatican involve a lot of walking around as well. Make sure to wear clothing that is suitable for the weather as well and is comfortable.  ✅Keep Dress Codes in Mind for Religious AttractionsYour Rome Itinerary probably includes a day tour to the Vatican or possibly venturing into other churches. Always keep in mind that religious sites do require shoulders and knees to be covered.  ✅ Allow Enough TimeIn all honesty, you won’t see all of Rome in one trip. Don’t underestimate how much there is to see and do in Rome. Major attractions can take several hours to explore and Rome is a massive city. Take your time and plan wisely without exhausting yourself. ✅ Beware of PickpocketsIt’s a thing! I saw several warning signs at businesses and popular attractions to be aware of petty crime including pickpockets. I had no issues and never felt in danger. But like anywhere else in the world, be mindful of your belongings and use common sense.  Where to Stay in Rome Choosing the right area or neighborhood in Rome can make a big difference when planning your Rome itinerary. The best places to stay in Rome might depend on your travel style, budget, and what you want to see and do in Rome.  For my personal Rome itinerary, I stayed in two separate locations based on what I wanted to in Rome and access to tours that I booked.  I opted to stay near the Spanish steps because it was within walking distance to the Vatican City and Piazza del Popolo, where my Tuscany Day Tour started.  The second location I stayed at was within walking distance to Ancient Rome, where the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill are located.  Below are the hotels that I booked with in Rome and can recommend based on location, customer service, cleanliness, and breakfast.  Hotel GregorianaVia Gregoriana, 18, 00187 Roma RM, Italy Aenea Superior InnVia Urbana, 156, 00184 Roma RM, Italy Feel free to scan the map below for your desired area and hotel.  2-4 Day Rome Itinerary We spent about 4 full days in Rome and had a jam-packed schedule each and every day. Rome is one of those cities where it’s impossible to see everything in a short period of time.  There are must-see attractions and historical landmarks in Rome that are a must, especially for first time visitors. That is exactly what I was, a first-time visitor to Rome.  Below you can find my Rome itinerary. I cover everything from what we did that day to places we ate and Rome tours we booked. Feel free to follow my Rome itinerary or mix and match based on your interests and time.  Day 1 – Ancient Rome If you only have one day in Rome, I highly recommend spending the majority of the day in Ancient Rome. Here you can find the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and the Colosseum.  Roman Forum and Palatine Hill When visiting Ancient Rome, I highly recommend booking a guided tour. A guided tour of Ancient Rome will usually include a package of the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and the Colosseum.  If going this route, I highly recommend booking this Roman Forum and Colosseum Underground Tour. The guided tour started at the Roman Forum. The Roman Forum used to be the center of the political, social, and economic life of ancient Rome. We walked around the remnants of temples, government buildings, and famous arches.  We then made our way up to Palatine Hill which was home to emperors and Roman elites, you get great views of Rome from Palatine Hill.  Roman Colosseum One of the most famous landmarks in the world, the Roman Colosseum is as impressive in person as you could imagine. This massive amphitheater once hosted gladiator matches, public spectacles, and other events attended by thousands!  Again, I highly recommend booking a skip-the-line tour of the Colosseum with underground access. I booked this Roman Forum and Colosseum Underground Tour.  Seeing the Colosseum is amazing but the getting a chance to visit the underground portion really made visiting the Colosseum worth it.  The Colosseum underground consisted of passageways, holding areas, and a lot of cool archaeological finds from artifacts left behind from the audience to unique animal bones.  If you are short on time and only have a day in Rome, make the Colosseum priority, it truly is an amazing landmark that everyone should see at least once in their lifetime.  👉 To learn more about the Roman Colosseum and how I got tickets to the Colosseum Underground, feel free to read my post: Is the Colosseum Underground Tour Worth It.  Day 2 – Vatican City I booked a Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and Basilica Tour months in advance prior to my trip to Rome. Reading online, I knew that the Vatican was one of the most popular attractions, therefore busy and tickets sell out quick.  The Vatican is huge and deserves almost a full day to explore. If you want to get the most out of your day at the Vatican, I recommend booking a tour that covers the Museums, Sistine Chapel, and Basilica, most include skip the line options.  Trapizzino Our guided tour of the Vatican started shortly before noon, so we were looking for somewhere to grab an early lunch.  Nearby, I found a restaurant called Be.Re. + Trapizzino. This restaurant had great Italian craft beers on tap and a variety of Trapizzinos. Trapizzinos might be my favorite food, at least snack food in Italy. They are little triangular pockets of dough filled with classic Italian food like chicken cacciatore or meatballs.  Do yourself a favor and stop at Be.Re. + Trapizzino for lunch  or dinner when visiting the Vatican City.   Be.Re. + TrapizzinoPiazza del Risorgimento, 7/A, 00192 Roma RM, Italy Vatican Museums The Vatican City is one of the most important religious sites in the world and no Rome itinerary is complete without a visit to the Vatican. I recommend booking tickets in advance and plan for crowds of people. Our Vatican City tour was a guided tour that included skip the line access to the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and Basilica.  The Vatican Museums is home to one of the most impressive art collections. You can find beautiful artwork, sculptures, and artifacts here. Thankfully, our guide was able to explain everything to us.  Sistine Chapel The Sistine Chapel was amazing to see in person. Seeing the famous ceiling painted by Michelangelo especially seeing the famous The Creation of Adam was a once in a lifetime experience for me.  Remember, photos are not allowed in the Sistine Chapel. I watched so many people try to be sneaky and take a photo and were quickly yelled at. Don’t be that tourist!  St. Peter’s Basilica St. Peter’s Basilica was the final attraction on my Vatican City tour. St. Peter’s Basilica is one if not the largest and most important churches in the world.  Visitors can freely enter and walk around St. Peter’s Basilica. I was amazed by the stunning dome design and architecture.  👉 Planning your trip to the Vatican City? Feel free to read my post on visiting the Vatican City: best Tours, Tickets, and Tips.  Day 3 – Rome’s Iconic Landmarks Outside of visiting the famous Colosseum and Vatican City, what else is there to do? No Rome itinerary is complete without visiting the following landmarks and attractions. You really do need an extra day to see these iconic landmarks. Or you can mix in one or two of these attractions with a day trip to Ancient Rome or the Vatican City. For instance, you can stop by Castel Sant’Angelo while on the way to the Vatican.  Regardless, I think day 3 in Rome is best to just take your time and see as much of the other sites as possible. We walked from our hotel to the Spanish Steps to Trevi Fountain and everywhere in between. Santa Maria Della Concezione dei Cappuccini On day 3 of our Rome itinerary, we started the day off with a somewhat dark attraction, the Santa Maria Della Concezione dei Cappuccini.  I’m drawn to dark tourism sites and learned about the catacombs with the remains of 4,000 Capuchin Friars. The Santa Maria Della Concezione dei Cappuccini has an interesting museum on the Capuchin Friars and allows visitors to see the crypt.   Spanish Steps My hotel was near the Spanish Steps, so I ended up walking up and down this famous staircase at least a dozen times. For visitors, I highly recommend visiting the Spanish Steps early in the day before the crowds come.  The best time to visit the Spanish Steps at least for us was early morning before one of our tours, it was still somewhat dark out but there were only a couple people at the bottom of the stairs.  The Spanish Steps is simply a beautiful staircase that connects Piazza di Spagna with the Trinita dei Monti Church. You get incredible views of Rome with St. Peter’s Basilica off in the distance.  👉

Few cities in the world compare to the history, culture, and sights of Rome. From ancient ruins and Renaissance masterpieces to the lively piazzas and incredible food, the Eternal City is a must visit and deserves plenty of time to explore.  While on my trip to Rome, I realized that while there are countless things to do, there are a few iconic attractions and landmarks that truly stand out.  In this guide, I am sharing the must-see attractions and top things to do in Rome, including world-famous sites like the Colosseum but I’ll also cover food, tips, and so much more to help plan your Rome itinerary.  ** This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or widgets throughout the page, whether it be Viator, Booking.com, Agoda, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! Quick Rome Travel Tips ✅ Book Major Attractions Well in AdvanceRome is one of the most popular tourist destinations and its famous landmarks do sell out quickly, especially during peak travel seasons. If you plan to visit places like the Vatican or Colosseum, it’s best to book skip-the-line tickets in advance. Check available tours on Viator, Get Your Guide, or Klook.  ✅ Start Sightseeing EarlyRome’s top attractions become extremely crowded as the day goes on. Arriving early at places like the Trevi Fountain or Colosseum allows you to enjoy the attractions before the crowds arrive. Plus, earlier in the day or in the evening are great times of day to take photos.  ✅ Plan Your Attractions by AreaRome is huge and spread out. Many attractions are located in different parts of the city yet other attractions are grouped in specific areas. For instance, the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill can easily be seen in one day. The Vatican is in a different area and can be toured along with sites like Castel Sant’Angelo. ✅ Take a Day TourIf you are visiting Rome more for multiple days, don’t be afraid to get out and see more of Italy. I took a tour to see Hadrian’s Villa and learned even more about Roman history.  ✅Wear Comfortable Shoes and ClothesExploring Rome means a lot of walking. Not just walking but the surface can consist of cobblestone streets and uneven surfaces. Some of the attractions like the Vatican involve a lot of walking around as well. Make sure to wear clothing that is suitable for the weather as well and is comfortable.  ✅Keep Dress Codes in Mind for Religious AttractionsYour Rome Itinerary probably includes a day tour to the Vatican or possibly venturing into other churches. Always keep in mind that religious sites do require shoulders and knees to be covered.  ✅ Allow Enough TimeIn all honesty, you won’t see all of Rome in one trip. Don’t underestimate how much there is to see and do in Rome. Major attractions can take several hours to explore and Rome is a massive city. Take your time and plan wisely without exhausting yourself. ✅ Beware of PickpocketsIt’s a thing! I saw several warning signs at businesses and popular attractions to be aware of petty crime including pickpockets. I had no issues and never felt in danger. But like anywhere else in the world, be mindful of your belongings and use common sense.  Must-See Attractions in Rome I spent about five days in Rome, including a few day trips. It’s safe to say that you can’t see all of Rome in a few days or even weeks. We all know or at least heard of famous landmarks like the Colosseum or the Vatican City in Rome. These are absolute must visit attractions in Rome but there is so much more to the Eternal City.  To better help you plan your Rome itinerary, I have a few must-see attractions and things to do in Rome that I personally recommend. Below are in my opinion must-see attractions in Rome.  The Colosseum No visit to Rome is complete without visiting the Colosseum. Built in 80AD, the Colosseum is a massive amphitheater that once hosted gladiator battles and public spectacles for tens of thousands of people.  If you get a chance, I highly recommend visiting the Colosseum underground. Visiting the underground portion of the Colosseum is a guided experience that gives visitors exclusive access to restricted areas beneath the arena.  👉 If looking for tours of the Colosseum Underground, I highly recommend this Roman and Colosseum Underground Exclusive Tour. Roman Forum & Palatine Hill Located next to the famous Colosseum are the ruins of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. Here you get a fascinating look into the political and social center of ancient Rome.  You can spend an entire day at the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and Colosseum. Here you can explore ancient ruins of temples, basilicas, government buildings, all while enjoying panoramic views over the city. To get the most out of a trip to visiting the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, I recommend a guided tour. I booked this Roman Forum and Colosseum Underground Exclusive Tour, it combined the Forum, Palatine Hill, and the underground portion of the Colosseum.  Vatican City Visiting the Vatican City is an obvious must when you are in Rome and honestly, I’d prepare for a fully day at the Vatican City. It’s small, but there is so much to see and learn here you really need to take your time.  When visiting Vatican City, I highly recommend booking a tour that includes the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica.  A lot of Vatican City tours include a skip-the-line option which really saves time where you can maximize your day in Rome.  The Vatican Museums are full of galleries, famous sculptures and paintings, and historical artifacts. Visit the Sistine Chapel to see Michelangelo’s legendary ceiling, and St. Peter’s Basilica once of the most important religious sites in the world. 👉 Booking tours to the Vatican City in advanced is recommended. I booked this Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, & St. Peter’s Basilica Tour, and highly recommend it! The Pantheon The Pantheon is one of the best-preserved buildings from Ancient Rome and a highlight of any Rome bucket list itinerary.  The Pantheon was originally built as a Roman temple, and the original dome and structure still stand nearly 2,000 years later.  The Pantheon is located in Rome’s historic center, it’s an easy stop while exploring the city. I visited The Pantheon at night, although it was closed, the structure was lit up and looking stunning!  👉 If interested in visiting the interior of the Pantheon, I recommend booking this Guided Tour with Entry Ticket and Skip-the-Line access. Trevi Fountain The Trevi Fountain is one of the most beautiful fountains in the world and a must-visit attraction in Rome.  Trevi Fountain is truly impressive measuring nearly 50 meters wide and 26 meters high. It was completed by the architect Giuseppe Pannini in 1762. Because of its popularity, this baroque masterpiece can be incredibly crowded. I visited the Trevi Fountain twice, once during the day and once at night, it was shoulder to shoulder traffic both times. It is recommended to visit the Trevi Fountain early in the morning or late at night. Perhaps start your Rome itinerary at the Trevi Fountain to avoid the crowds.  Spanish Steps I read an article recently that said to skip the Spanish Steps, because you can’t eat here and it’s crowded but I highly disagree. I stayed near the Spanish Steps and went up and down the steps numerous times.  The Spanish Steps connect Piazza di Spagna with the Trinita dei Monti Church and they are absolutely stunning not to mention the views are incredible from the top.  Of course, the Spanish Steps can get crowded, but I never felt overwhelmed. I recommend visiting the Spanish Steps first thing in the morning to avoid the crowds.  Castel Sant’Angelo I walked from the Spanish Steps to the Vatican City and passed the Castel Sant’Angelo along the way.  Castel Sant’Angelo was originally built as a mausoleum or Emperor Hadrian but later became a fortress and papal residence.  You can visit Castel Sant’Angelo but I just walked across Ponte Sant’Angelo (bridge build in 134 AD) and enjoyed Castel Sant’Angelo from the outside. Santa Maria Della Concezione dei Cappuccini If you like dark tourism sites and have a little bit of morbid curiosity like me, then I highly recommend visiting the Catacombs at Santa Maria Della Concezione dei Cappuccini.  Santa Maria Della Concezione dei Cappuccini is the site of the Museum and Crypt of the Capuchin Friars.  The crypt is decorated with the skeletal remains of 4,000 Capuchin Friars. Interestingly enough, the whole crypt is full of bones from the chandeliers hanging from the ceiling to the wall decorations.  👉 Interested in Dark Tourism? I have a whole post on Dark Tourist sites around the World. Piazza del Popolo Piazza del Popolo was my favorite Piazza in Rome. It’s located at the northern entrance to the historic center of Rome. Known for its grand architecture, twin churches, and Egyptian obelisk, Piazza del Popolo is often a gathering spot for day tours from Rome.  Largo di Torre Argentina Largo di Torre Argentina is a sunken square that contains the ruins of Ancient Roman temples and is famous because it is the location where Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44BC.  Today, visitors can view the ruins from above or walk along the designated paths amongst the ruins.  Largo di Torre Argentina is also a cat sanctuary which is the main reason for our visit. We visited in the evening and unfortunately only saw one cat. Maybe you’ll have better luck then we did spotting kitties.  Other Things to do in Rome I covered must-visit attractions in Rome. I stated earlier, Rome needs a lot of attention, you simply can’t do it all in one go. I spent about 5 days in Rome and want to share more things to do in Rome outside of the typical attractions and must-visit sites.  Below you can find some of my recommended things to do in Rome from eating Gelato to day trips from Rome.  Try Gelato In my opinion, no visit to Rome is complete without trying authentic Italian gelato. Gelato is abundant in Rome and you can find great gelaterias throughout the city.  No matter what time of day or my mood, I am always down for gelato and I found a few good places in Rome that served great gelato.  Here are a few of my recommended Gelaterias to try in Rome. ✅ Gelateria Della PalmaVia della Maddalena, 19-23, 00186 Roma RM, Italy ✅Gelateria MadamePiazza del Viminale, 18, 00184 Roma RM, Italy ✅ FrigidariumV. del Governo Vecchio, 112, 00186 Roma RM, Italy Trapizzino: Beloved Street Food I’d hate to say it, but the most memorable food I had in Rome was a Trapizzino. I mean, not like that is a bad thing because a Trapizzino is absolutely delicious!  What is a Trapizzino?  It’s known as a street food in Rome but served in specific restaurants so I am not sure how it related to street food but that is beside the point. It’s a Triangular pocket of thick dough filled with classic dishes like chicken cacciatore or meatballs.  A Trapizzino is both cheap and delicious so it’s great if you are traveling Rome on a budget.  I would usually order three at a time and it would be quite filling. The Chicken Cacciatore was my favorite but you can’t go wrong with any of the flavors.  If you are looking to try an amazing Trapizzino and sample delicious local Italian beers, I highly recommend Be.Re. + Trapizzino, near the Vatican City.  ✅ Be.Re. + TrapizzinoPiazza del Risorgimento, 7/A, 00192 Roma RM, Italy Roman Dishes For food lovers, trying authentic Roman cuisine is one of the top things to do in Rome. For beginners,  try

When visiting Rome, a visit to Vatican City is an absolute must. The Vatican City is stunning, historical, and important but it also felt overwhelming. Between the crowds, long security lines, and sheer size of the Vatican Museums, I realized this isn’t an attraction you just “wing it,” if you want to appreciate the art, learn about the history, and get a sense of the iconic sites.  Before my visit to the Vatican City, I debated whether to book a guided Vatican tour or to do it on my own. In the end, I am glad I decided to book a tour. The tour was a skip-the-line type tour and the guide explained everything thoroughly.  In this post, I’m sharing what tours to book to get the most out of your Vatican City visit, whether it’s worth even booking a tour, the highlights included in the Vatican City tour, and some general tips and information.  ** This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or widgets throughout the page, whether it be Viator, Booking.com, Agoda, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! Why I Chose to Take a Vatican Tour I visited Rome and right away, I wanted to visit the Vatican City. For several reasons, It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a sovereign city-state, and I’ve always been interested in the history of the Vatican and events that take place there.  I spent some time researching, prior to my trip to Rome and decided it was best to take a guided tour. I figured I’d get more out of the tour then doing in on my own. Plus, the skip-the-line was a major selling point for me.  In the end, I am glad I went with a Vatican tour. The tour guide was able to explain nearly everything and answer any questions I had. If I were to visit the Vatican on my own, I definitely would have missed a few important features and descriptions.  After taking the Vatican City tour, I was amazed by how easy it was for us to enter the museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica.  Reasons Booking a Vatican City Tour is Worth Considering You can certainly visit the Vatican City on your own. I was considering it but ended up booking a guided tour of the Vatican. I read online that lines can be long and you might miss out on important details.  The Guided Tours I found and booked, claimed to skip-the-line (which they did) but also explained a lot of information and detail. I’d say, if you want to maximized your time at the Vatican without feeling overwhelmed, book a tour!  If you are considering booking a Vatican City Tour, I’ve outline a few reasons below why a tour is well worth it. ✅ Skip the ticket line to access the Vatican Museums. ✅ Skip the line to access the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica. ✅ Tickets for certain sites can sell out.  ✅ The Vatican Museum is overwhelming. A guided tour guarantees the most important details and information.  ✅ The Vatican City guided tour includes the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica.  👉 Check availability for Vatican City tours here.  The Tour I Booked My goal was to see as much of the Vatican as I could in a half day. This Vatican tour I booked online through Get Your Guide offered everything I had included on my Vatican itinerary with skip the line access.  The Vatican City tour included a visit to the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica.  The tour consisted of a knowledgeable guide, headsets, and skip the line access to the attractions and ticket line. Although some lines were unavoidable, due to the amount of visitors, we managed to save a lot of time with the skip the line access to the Sistine Chapel and ST. Peter’s Basilica.  When booking this tour, just make sure to pay attention to the Meeting Point.  Attractions and Sites Inside the Vatican Most tours that visit the Vatican will provide a similar itinerary, a visit to the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and finish at St. Peter’s Basilica.  After taking a tour and visiting the main attractions within the Vatican City, these are must-see sites and I highly recommend not missing out on any of these sites. Below you can find more information on each site.  The Vatican Museums I didn’t know what to expect when visiting the Vatican Museums but it was like stepping into one of the most impressive art collections I’ve ever been to. There were galleries, famous sculptures, beautiful rooms, and one of my favorites as a geographer, historical maps of the area.  The Vatican Museums are definitely overwhelming. Having a guided tour helped navigate the highlights efficiently and I was able to understand and appreciate what I was looking at.  The Sistine Chapel In my opinion, visiting the Sistine Chapel was the highlight just because how familiar I am with Michelangelo’s famous painted ceiling at the Sistine Chapel and seeing the Last Judgement and The Creation of Adam in person was powerful.  The Sistine Chapel was very crowded and you cannot take photos inside. There are guards here and people monitoring the area. I saw quite a few visitors try and snap a photo and were quickly withheld from doing so. Don’t be that guy!  St. Peter’s Basilica The grand finale of our Vatican City tour was going inside St. Peter’s Basilica. St. Peter’s Basilica is considered one of the largest churches in the world and it’s impressive. I felt like I walked around the inside with my jaw open in awe.  Every corner within the Basilica reflects centuries of history and beautiful art. I spent easily an hour inside St. Peter’s Basilica. I even got to walk through the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica as it was during a Jubilee year.  Additional Tips and Information Below you can find a few helpful tips and additional information for visiting the Vatican City.  ✅ Book Your Tickets or Tours in AdvanceVatican City is one of the most visited places in the world. Tickets to certain attractions within the Vatican can sell out. ✅ Book Skip-the-Line ToursLines at the Vatican can be very long, although you will still find yourself in some lines, a skip-the-line Vatican Tour will save a lot of time. ✅ Go EarlyI think morning is the best time to visit the Vatican. There will be less crowds and the experience will feel a bit more relaxed. ✅ Dress AppropiatelyRemember where you are. The Vatican City is a religious site. Cover up and make sure the shoulders and knees are covered.  ✅ Expect Security ChecksThere was at least one airport-style security check I went through at the entrance.  ✅ Plan at least 2-4 hours minimumThe Vatican City is huge, the Museums alone can take a few hours to cover. Between getting there and seeing the sites, plan for a half day.  ✅ Sundays are LimitedParts of the Vatican are closed Sundays. St. Peter’s Basilica and the Square are open but the Vatican Museums are closed, except for the last Sunday of the month.  ✅ Vatican Post OfficeDon’t forget to visit the Vatican Post Office and send out a post card to friends and family. It’s a unique experience, you can purchase a post card, get as stamp, and drop it in the yellow Poste Vaticane bins outside. Conclusion Visiting Vatican City was easily one of my highlights from my time in Rome, Italy. I am glad I went with booking a Vatican Highlights tour as it’s not a place you want to approach without a plan because of the crowds and sheer size of the Vatican.  It was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity being able to stand inside the Sistine Chapel and see St. Peter’s Basilica, booking this tour definitely made all the difference for me.  If you are looking to skip the long lines, better understand what you are seeing, and want to make the most of your limited time in Rome, I highly recommend reserving your Vatican tour in advance.  If you’ve been to the Vatican City and have other tour recommendations or personal experiences, let me know so we can all learn on our next experience, safe travels!  Enjoying my photos and want to see more? Check out my Picfair Store. 📸   Plan Your Trip: 🗺 ✈️ 🇮🇹 Booking Accommodations ⛺️ 🛖  For booking recommendations on the best deals and locations, check out Agoda or Booking.com Activities and Tours  🏖 🚁  Find fun activities and things to do through Tripadvisor. If you are looking for tours and day trips, Viator and Get Your Guide have a lot of great options.  In need of a car rental? 🚗 🚘  I recommend checking with Rental Cars.

One of the easiest and best day trips from Rome is visiting Hadrian’s Villa. It’s the perfect opportunity to escape the tourists in Rome without sacrificing history and sightseeing.  When I was deciding on day trips and attractions to book beyond the Colosseum and Vatican, Hadrian’s Villa in Tivoli stood out as one of the more interesting ancient sites near Rome.  Hadrian’s Villa is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that offers visitors a peaceful, open-air experience with Roman baths, ruins, museums, and beautiful landscapes.  I booked a guided tour from Rome paired with Villa d’Este and want to share my experience, what tour I booked, and if it’s worth a day trip from Rome.  If you’re short on time, booking a guided day tour from Rome is the easiest way to visit Hadrian’s Villa without worrying about navigating on your own.  ** This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or widgets throughout the page, whether it be Viator, Booking.com, Agoda, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! Why I Chose Hadrian’s Villa from Rome I was looking for day tours from Rome just to see as much of Italy as I could in the limited time I was there.  I was looking for additional Roman sites around the city that were less crowded and touristy.  I’ve heard of Hadrian, the Roman emperor. Honestly, I knew more about Hadrian’s Wall in England then I did his Villa just outside of Rome. I was curious and wanted to learn more about Hadrian’s life outside of Rome and visit the beautiful villa.  Booking this full day tour to Hadrian’s Villa from Rome just made sense to me. It was close enough to Rome for an easy day trip and offered plenty of experiences, insights, and things to see.  What is Hadrian’s Villa Hadrian’s Villa (Villa Adriana in Italian) is a vast ancient Roman Palace that was built as a retreat for Emperor Hadrian around the 2nd century AD.  The Villa is located in the town of Tivoli, about 30 km (20 miles) from Rome.  Hadrian’s Villa is the largest and most complex known to date. Although most of it lies in ruins today, at the time of Hadrian, it was expansive, at least a square kilometer big.  The site has sprawling ruins, temples, baths, libraries, gardens, reflecting pools, and so much more.  On our tour, I was told that Hadrian built this Villa because he grew tired of the palace at Palatine Hill, new the Colosseum in Rome. Meant for rest and leisure, Emperor Hadrian, most likely did a good amount of work at the Villa as well.  Today, Hadrian’s Villa is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed in 1999. It is one of the most impressive ancient sites you can visit on a day trip from Rome.  Booking a Tour to see Hadrian’s Villa After visiting Hadrian’s Villa, I can honestly say that booking a guided day tour from Rome made this trip much easier and informative. Especially because I didn’t have to figure out transport and I was short on time.  While it is absolutely possible to visit Hadrian’s Villa in Tivoli independently, getting to Hadrian’s Villa from Rome does take longer then expected and a day tour did simplify everything.  When booking a Hadrian’s Villa day trip from Rome, transportation, tickets, food, and times are all handled for you through the tour company.  Why Book a Hadrian’s Villa Day Tour? Based on my experience, I found that a guided tour is ideal if you: ✅ Want direct transportation from Rome. ✅ Prefer skip-the-line entry. ✅ Are interested in learning as much as possible and asking questions. ✅ Are combining Hadrian’s Villa and Villa d’Este in one day (highly recommended) ✅ Don’t want to navigate Tivoli on your own.  Hadrian’s Villa is massive, and having a tour guide who knows the area and its history makes for a more pleasant journey.  Recommended Tours to Hadrian’s Villa from Rome If you are considering booking a day tour to Hadrian’s Villa from Rome, here are some of the more popular tours:  ✅ Tivoli Full Day Trip from Rome: Hadrian’s Villa and Villa D’EsteThis is the tour I took and really enjoyed it. I highly recommend visiting Villa d’Este.  ✅ From Rome: Villa D’Este and Hadrian’s Villa Tivoli Day TourThis tour covers both Hadrian’s Villa and Villa d’Este. Hadrian’s Villa Itinerary: What to See If you are visiting Hadrian’s Villa with a guided tour, you get anywhere from 1 to 2 hours to explore the Villa. I honestly think you could spend more time here just because the area is so massive.  There is a little walking involved when visiting Hadrian’s Villa. After entering, you walk up a hill prior to entering the Villa.  Our first stop on our itinerary included the Maritime Theatre, this was actually my favorite part of the tour.  The Maritime Theatre is a circular shape with an island in the center surrounded by water. The island includes a domus (residence). We visited the Philosophers Hall which is a huge rectangular shape with columns. This Hall did house statues of seven philosophers. The Hundred Chambers, this was a section of the Villa that was potentially used to house the staff and storing goods. Smaller Baths, these were luxurious baths that were decorated with marble. Larger Baths, was another bath house that were used by a high number of users.  The Canopus and Serapeum, this was one of my favorite areas to explore around Hadrian’s Villa. This was an elongated pool of water. Our guide mentioned this was created to honor his son who died.  We then visited the Museum. The museum housed artifacts, a lot of which had to do with Egyptian artifacts and monuments.  Other Must See Sites in Tivoli A day trip to Tivoli from Rome deserves a day trip. You could easily spend upwards to several hours at Hadrian’s Villa, but there is more to see in Tivoli that I feel you would not want to miss. Our Tivoli day tour, included a visit to Hadrian’s Villa, but we also had time for lunch, to walk around the historic city center, and visit Villa d’Este, another UNESCO World Heritage Site in Tivoli.  Villa d’Este Villa d’Este is a beautiful Renaissance villa in Tivoli, famous for its spectacular fountains and terraced gardens.  A visit to Villa d’Este is often combined with Hadrian’s Villa on a day trip from Rome.  Villa d’Este is much different then Hadrian’s Villa. It’s elegant and feels more like a palace then anything.  Make sure to stop and listed to the Fountain of the Organ, it’s rather underwhelming but it’s fun. While exploring the villa and gardens, make sure to get photos by Neptune’s Fountain, walk the terraces, and stop to enjoy the beautiful views.  Explore Tivoli Our day tour to Tivoli gave us free time to explore the town of Tivoli and grab lunch. I think Tivoli itself is worth a quick walkthrough. I found the Piazza del Plebiscito to be nice and the narrow streets were fun to navigate.  When in Italy, you have to visit a Gelateria for some amazing gelato. Right at the main Piazza, there was a place called Bar Gelateria da Maurizio, we were able to grab fresh gelato and enjoy being in the moment.  Conclusion Taking a day trip to Hadrian’s Villa and Tivoli from Rome ended up being one of my most memorable experiences from my time spent in Italy. Walking through the impressive ruins of this UNESCO World Heritage Site in Tivoli felt completely different then Rome, it was quieter, more open, and I learned so much! Visiting Hadrian’s Villa is a must and booking a tour is a hassle free option.  Enjoying my photos and want to see more? Check out my Picfair Store. 📸   Plan Your Trip: 🗺 ✈️ 🇮🇹 Booking Accommodations ⛺️ 🛖  For booking recommendations on the best deals and locations, check out Agoda or Booking.com Activities and Tours  🏖 🚁  Find fun activities and things to do through Tripadvisor. If you are looking for tours and day trips, Viator and Get Your Guide have a lot of great options.  In need of a car rental? 🚗 🚘  I recommend checking with Rental Cars.

Rolling hills, medieval towns, great food, and some of Italy’s best wines. A Tuscany day tour from Rome is the perfect way to spend a day and see the picturesque Italian countryside.  I’ve always wanted to see those medieval towns in Italy perched on a hilltop that you see in travel guides. With limited time in Rome, I wanted to experience a little bit of Tuscany without changing hotels or renting a car.  This Rome to Tuscany day trip turned out to be the perfect solution. I visited two charming hill towns, Montepulciano and Pienza which gave me a true taste of Tuscany in one day.  If you are staying in Rome and share similar interests to see Tuscany in a day, I wrote this post to provide you with all the information you need to book a day tour and what to expect.  ** This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or widgets throughout the page, whether it be Viator, Booking.com, Agoda, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! Why Take a Tuscany Day Tour from Rome? If you are in Rome and your dream has been to visit Tuscany or the Italian countryside, then a Tuscany day tour is easily achievable and very doable in a day.  Instead of navigating train schedules or worrying about car rentals, let a guided tour transport you and explain the history of the two towns, Montepulciano and Pienza.  In just one day, you’ll get the chance to visit two iconic towns in Tuscany, Montepulciano and Pienza. Soak in the views of the rolling hills of the Val d’Orcia, sample local wines, try Tuscan cuisine, and visit famous historic sites.  For travelers who want a true taste of Tuscany but are short on time or just want to get outside of Rome for the day, a Tuscany day tour is perfect and a well planned experience.  Overview of Our Tuscany Day Tour Itinerary I spent nearly a week in Rome and had a few free days on my Rome itinerary, and decided to book a day trip to see Tuscany. I’ve always wanted to see the medieval towns perched on the hilltops of the Italian countryside. Researching tours through Viator, I found this tour:Rome: Tuscany & Montepulciano Day Trip with Lunch& Wine Tasting. The itinerary for my interests were perfect, it included two towns in the Val d’Orcia region of Tuscany: Montepulciano and Pienza, an authentic Tuscan lunch with wine tastings from a local winery.  The Tuscany day tour to Montepulciano was a full day tour, so it started early. We met the tour guide at Piazza del Popolo in Rome, hopped on a bus, and began the tour to Tuscany.  There was a lot of driving, but there were breaks in between at local souvenir shops.  For this tour, our Tuscany itinerary was as followed.  ✅ From Rome, drive through the Val d’Orcia region. ✅ Montepulciano: A Renaissance hill town known for its wine, cobblestone streets, and beautiful views of the Italian countryside.  ✅ Tempio di San Biagio: A brief stop at St. Biagio’s Church. ✅ Pienza: One of Italy’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites.  ✅ Ride back to Rome We booked this Tuscany day tour: Rome: Tuscany & Montepulciano Day Trip with Lunch & Wine Tasting.  Exploring Montepulciano On our Tuscany day tour from Rome, our first stop was Montepulciano. Honestly, this was one of my favorite places in Italy and deserves a full day of exploration.  Arriving in town, we met our tour guide who stopped us at the entrance, the views from the walled city looking out at the Tuscan countryside were enough to stop me in my tracks.  Walking through the historic center and narrow cobblestone streets of Montepulciano, I loved the blend of Renaissance architecture and laid-back local atmosphere. A little background about Montepulciano. It’s a medieval and Renaissance hilltop town. It has a rich history dating back to the 3rd century BC.  We visited the Piazza Grande, explored many of the narrow streets, shopped, and sampled food along the way.   Though visiting Montepulciano from Rome was just a short stop on a day trip, Montepulciano made me want to come back on my own to explore more.  San Biagio of Montepulciano After visiting Montepulciano, we went to the base of the town and spend a brief moment at San Biagio Church. The church was built between 1518 and 1540 and is an example of a Renaissance Greek cross central plan.  Although visitors can’t access the church with the exception of certain times and days, it’s worth visiting in order to see the church and the beautiful Tuscan landscape. Tuscan Wine and Lunch at Ristorante Pulcino When you think of Tuscany, you probably think of wine. I personally am not a huge wine drinker, but I really enjoyed the wine from this region of Italy, in particular the Montepulciano wine.  Our tour included a stop or lunch and wine tasting at a family owned vineyard and restaurant called Ristorante Pulcino. The staff gave us a brief tour of the restaurant to include the wine cellar.  We then were served local Tuscan cuisine in the restaurant area with a wine pairing.  Visiting Pienza We visited the historic centre of the city of Pienza, one of the region’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites.   According to UNESCO, Pienza was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1996. It was here where the Renaissance town-planning concepts were put into practice by Pope Pius II in 1459. He wanted to change the look of Pienza, his birthplace.  Pienza was completely different then Montepulciano so I was glad that we were able to spend time in each town. The day we visited Pienza, it was much quieter then Montepulciano but it’s also much smaller. We enjoyed the peaceful streets, the architecture, and viewpoints.  When walking around Pienza, we visited the Piazza Pio II, the Duomo di Santa Maria Assunta, explored almost every narrow street, and gazed out over the Tuscany countryside from the Belvedere Via Gozzante. You’ve seen the movie Gladiator right? From the Belvedere Via Gozzante, you can see the famous Gladiator Homecoming Scene.  The building and path that you see from the walls at Pienza was used as a filming location in the movie the Gladiator.  Being a day tour to Tuscany from Rome, I felt our time was limited but our short stop at Pienza felt like a perfect snapshot of what I envisioned Tuscany to be like.  Is a Tuscany Tour Even Worth it from Rome? If you are staying in Rome for more the two days, I feel like a Tuscany tour from Rome is absolutely worth it. Especially if you are short on time but still want to experience the classic Tuscan countryside.  Seeing the historic towns of Montepulciano and Pienza on a Tuscany day tour from Rome gives you access to two of Tuscany’s most beautiful hill towns without the stress of renting a car and navigating the rural roads.  Montepulciano was my favorite of the two towns and was worth it alone. You even get to try Tuscan wines and cuisine on this day trip from Rome.  A day tour through the Tuscany countryside makes for a long day, but it is so worth it. The journey of driving through Tuscany is part of the experience.  While you won’t see everything in one day, the our does provide a well balanced taste of Tuscany, it really does feel like an authentic, scenic, and worthwhile day trip from Rome.  Conclusion After my Tuscany day tour from Rome, I couldn’t have asked for a better way to experience the Tuscan countryside in such a short amount of time. We got to visit two beautiful towns: Montepulciano and Pienza, and got to eat Tuscan cuisine and sample local wines.  It has always been a dream of mine to see historic hill top towns in the Tuscan countryside, finally that dream came true. After scratching the surface, I feel the need to come back to explore more.  If you are based in Rome, and like me dreaming of seeing the Italian countryside, booking a Rome to Tuscany day tour is one of the easiest ways to do it.  If you’ve taken a day trip from Rome or have been to other historic hill top towns in Tuscany, let me and others know in the comments section. Safe Travels!  Enjoying my photos and want to see more? Check out my Picfair Store. 📸   Plan Your Trip: 🗺 ✈️ 🇮🇹 Booking Accommodations ⛺️ 🛖  For booking recommendations on the best deals and locations, check out Agoda or Booking.com Activities and Tours  🏖 🚁  Find fun activities and things to do through Tripadvisor. If you are looking for tours and day trips, Viator and Get Your Guide have a lot of great options.  In need of a car rental? 🚗 🚘  I recommend checking with Rental Cars.