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The Secret to Seeing the Highlights of Rome in a Day

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Roman Forum, one of many stops as we attempted to see the highlights of Rome in a day, Italy
The ruins of the Roman Forum highlight the classic roman architecture we saw as we travelled through much of Europe.

We attempted the impossible, to see the highlights of Rome in a day, including a visit to the Vatican. While this is not the recommended way to see this historic city, it was our only option, as it was a port on a Mediterranean Cruise. The secret to our success was two-fold. First, we did our research. We knew what was here, studied the history, and selected what was most important to us.

Secondly, we found a guide that could meet all our needs. He had VIP passes that allowed us to cut the queue just about everywhere. And, he had a driver, so we were dropped off at one destination, and picked up from the next.

In addition to seeing the Vatican, these photos are our highlights of Rome in a day:

The Pantheon is a well-preserved former Roman temple (now a church) built in 126 AD.
Pantheon in Rome, Italy
Like most places we visited in Rome, the Pantheon is filled with tourists, and getting a photo without them seemed an impossible task.
Outside the Pantheon in Rome, Italy
A street scene outside the Pantheon. It’s a great spot for lunch, but we just had sweets. Our guide bought us Cassata, a Sicilian treat.
Parliament in Rome, Italy
Italy’s Parliament building in the capital city of Rome.
Roman Theatre in Rome, Italy
The Roman Theatre is an example of classic Greek architecture in Italy.
Trevi Fountain in Rome, Italy
Of course, we stopped to throw coins in Trevi Fountain, a superstition that guarantees our return to the city.
Roman Forum, one of many stops as we attempted to see the highlights of Rome in a day, Italy
The ruins of the Roman Forum highlight the classic Roman architecture we saw as we travelled through much of Europe.
Madonna statue in Rome, Italy
The Column of the Immaculate Conception has the Madonna atop an 11.8-metre marble column.
"The Wedding Cake" in Rome, Italy
Nicknamed “The Wedding Cake”, the Altare della Patria was completed in 1925 and honors the first king of unified Italy, Victor Emmanuel. It is also home to Italy’s tomb of the unknown soldier and eternal flame.
Spanish Steps in Rome, Italy
We even found a few minutes to stop and do some people watching at the Spanish Steps.
Piazza del Campidoglio atop of Capitoline Hill in Rome Italy
At the top of Capitoline Hill, the most important of Rome’s seven hills is the beautiful Piazza del Campidoglio. It was in part designed in by Michelangelo in the sixteenth century.
Colosseum in Rome, Italy
The Colosseum in Rome (The Flavian Amphitheatre) is still the current Guinness World Record holder as the largest amphitheatre ever built. It opened in 80 AD and hosted gladiator battles and wild animal fights.
Arch of Constantine stands next to the Colosseum in Rome, Italy
Arch of Constantine stands next to the Colosseum. The 21-meter tall arch was built in 315 AD to commemorate Constantine the Great’s victory over the Roman tyrant Maxentius.
The view from Janiculum hill in Rome Italy
The view from Janiculum Hill.
Fountain on Janiculum hill in Rome Italy
Our final stop on an exhausting day was the giant fountain on Janiculum hill.

See Our Vatican City Images:
Photo Tour: Vatican City – The World’s Smallest Country

Note: Based on world conditions, we advise checking official channels including cancellation policies prior to booking. Also, with often reduced capacity, booking ahead becomes more important.

Tips to see Rome in a Day:

  • If you are going to try to cram in Rome in less than a week, get a guide.
  • Be sure your guide has VIP tickets for the Colosseum and the Vatican Museum to avoid the long queues. This saved us over an hour wait in each location. We met a few people on the ship who were happy with Viator (Get the lowest prices on Skip-the-Line Tours in Rome)
  • Remember to cover your shoulders and knees if you are going into the Vatican or other Catholic churches in Rome.

Rome was our third port on a 12-day Mediterranean cruise that started in Spain then headed to the French Riviera. The day before was also busy as we disembarked and visited both Pisa and Florence in a day.  Our next stop will be Naples, where we will head to Pompeii. Then we leave the coast of Italy and head to Greece and Turkey before returning.  While some days are a bit exhausting, we are enjoying the cruise. If you headed out a cruise, check out these tips.

Is it possible to see Rome in a day? What do you consider to be Rome’s highlights? What did we miss?

If you enjoyed this photo tour of Rome in a day, please share it on social media including Pinterest:

The Roman Forum is one of the many highlights of Rome. We managed to see it all in a day. Read the article to see how.

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About Rhonda Albom

Capturing the essence of travel through photography, Rhonda Albom is the primary author and photographer at Albom Adventures. She is an American expat based in New Zealand. She travels the world with her husband.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rosey

    We didn’t have time to visit the Sistine Chapel when we went (we were there 3 days) but we did see most of these. The Spanish Steps were desolate on the rainy days and really came to life the last day we were there, and the sun came out. Such a treat to see your pictures!

    Reply

  4. Trekking with Becky

    This is great! I can’t imagine only having one day in Rome, but this is definitely how to do it if that’s all you have. I would hate to feel rushed, especially in the Colosseum, but did cutting the queues make up for it?

    Reply

  7. Anda

    The secret to your success were the VIP passes. Being able to shortcut all those lines allowed you to cover a lot of territory. Now you have an idea about what’s there and when you return you’ll feel right at home. Rome is one of those cities I could never get bored of. The first time we’ve been there (in 1989) se stayed for 3 weeks and left feeling that there was so much more to see. The second time (just a few years ago) we stayed for 10 days and left with the same feeling. Well, I guess moving there for a while would be in order. How can you not fall in love with Rome?

    Reply

  9. Debbie D.

    I am amazed you were able to see so much all in one day! Love the photos. My husband has family in the area and we’ve been to Rome twice. This is a place one never gets tired of. 🙂 The Roman Forum and Colosseum were especially exciting for this ancient history buff.

    Reply

    • Rhonda Albom

      If we had family or people to see, we never would have been able to see so much. We didn’t have time to stop and relax, and certainly not enough to visit. But if we did have family, I am sure we would have stayed longer.

      Reply

  10. Lyn @ A Hole in my Shoe

    Great itinerary for the day. We were the same when we did a Mediterranean cruise. It’s not like I wanted to rush to see everything, but wasn’t going to go all the way to Rome and not at least try. Like you say, wasn’t optimum way to see Rome, but still very happy with what we saw.

    Reply

  11. Cathy Kennedy

    Rhonda, the architecture is amazing in Rome! How amazing to walk the streets of such an old city to see where gladiators fought but it’s also a city that holds a lot of sadness. I think about the countless Christians facing off with furious lions in the colosseum arena. Great photo op and experience. So, glad you shared it with us on WW! Thanks for visiting yesterday!

    Reply

  12. Barb

    Seeing Rome in a day is very ambitious. I cant think of another city that has as many places to visit as Rome does. Surely, you can visit the top five sites in the city.

    Reply

  17. Lexa Cain

    Wow! You deserve an award for seeing so much an sharing the pics with us! Funny that the Pantheon has such blackened stone. I wonder why they can’t clean it. The Trevi fountain is awesome and so is the Coliseum! The arch and the back wall of the Coliseum seem to be leaning… You were so lucky to have found a great guide. No way you could’ve done all that without him.!

    Reply

  20. Elizabeth

    You covered a lot in a day! On a trip to London we took day trips to Edinburgh and to Paris. Edinburgh wasn’t to hard to see in a day, but we didn’t get to see much of Paris other than the Eiffel Tower, a boat tour up the Thames and a fabulous meal at a sidewalk cafe. Enough to know I want to go back!

    Reply

  25. Paul F. Pietrangelo

    Oh my goodness! What a place to visit. I’m so proud just being an Italian. Even though I’ve never been there, my father was born in the mountains around 50 miles. You must be exhausted seeing as much as you did. The Colosseum in Rome (The Flavian Amphitheatre) was where many Christians died for their religion. Just thinking about that I wonder how I would feel in those days. Thanks Rhonda. By the way, have you ever created a book a book about your travels? I thought you did but I can’t remember.
    Enjoy your day my friend. See ya.

    Cruisin Paul

    Reply

    • Rhonda Albom

      I am sure you will visit one day. I know you like to cruise. Many ships start or end in Rome, so you could tack on some serious time. Don’t try and do it the way we did. As for a book, mine is about Auckland, but he publisher pulled the series a few months ago. I need to change the cover and republish it.

      Reply

    • Rhonda Albom

      Sarah ruptured her ACL ( the ligament that holds your knee together) in Argentina and has had it surgically repaired here in Auckland. She is doing great, but the recovery is a long slow 9-month process, with no long-haul flights for at least 12 weeks.

      Reply

  27. indah nuria

    I love Rome! Wherever you look, it’s all world class art! I made a few visit here, but I have tried to see all the highlights, well most of the highlights, in a day. It was super tiring but I was thrilled and happy!

    Reply

  28. Sandee

    Great shots of a place I’ll never visit. We’re okay with that. Some people love to travel, and others don’t. We’re in the don’t category.

    Have a fabulous day. ☺

    Reply

  29. Hilary Melton-Butcher

    Hi Rhonda – I’ve only visited Rome with a friend whose parents lived there … so we had a Roman time … rather than a visitor’s time – I did get down to the Vatican though and I’m sure I saw other places .. though don’t really remember – it was long ago, it was very hot … and … but this seems a great way to see the sights – clever – cheers Hilary

    Reply

    • Rhonda Albom

      Honestly, I would have had a tough choice deciding between the sights in this historic city and a locals day. In most places, I would pick the local cultures, but Rome I am not so sure.

      Reply

    • Rhonda Albom

      I had to look it up again before I republished as it is hard to believe it is still the largest. I am guessing there are bigger ones, but they are classified as something other than amphitheatre.

      Reply

  39. Aussiepomm

    Oh I loved Rome… I so want to go back there as well… Maybe next year…

    Mines up as well at AussiePomm – Cymbidium Orchids

    Have a great WW!!

    Reply

  40. MaryDPierce

    Oh, the places you’ve been. . . .

    I love reading your posts, even if I don’t always comment. You should do a book when it’s done and the dust has settled. I homeschooled my son, and it never occurred to me that a trip such as this was even possible. Your daughters are getting an education like no other. Bravo!

    Reply

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