Things To Do In Rome For A Week

By Go City Expert

Soak up the culture, discover the history and embrace the Roman lifestyle with our top tips on things to do in Rome for a week!

Are you planning a trip and looking for things to do in Rome? With 280 fountains, more than 900 churches and world-famous monuments spanning more than 2,700 years of history, the Eternal City is full of beautiful surprises. If you’re lucky enough to be staying for a week, look no further than our favourite top tips. However, you’d be well advised not to over-plan, and to leave some time to just wander and soak up the atmosphere in the piazze.

Day 1 – Guided tours

Why not use your first day to find your bearings? There are lots of different kinds of guided tour to help you orient yourself and make getting around during your stay that bit easier. Choose from hop-on-hop-off bus tours with audio commentary, excellent (and often free) guided walks, bike tours (with or without the help of an electric motor) and even segway tours. While Rome is well known for being a ‘walkable’ city, it’s also famous for being built on seven hills. If you are planning on cycling, a reasonable level of fitness will be needed! Once you have worked up an appetite why not choose a ‘trattoria’, a type of informal restaurant, and settle down to a traditionally Roman pasta dish of ‘cacio e pepe’ or ‘amatriciana’?

Day 2 – the Vatican

The Vatican is one of the must-see attractions for most visitors to Rome. Although the Vatican sights are always busy, you may want to plan your visit for a Tuesday, Thursday or Friday and to consider a fast-entry ticket. The museums are closed on Sundays except for the last Sunday of the month when there is free entry - and mind-boggling numbers of people. St Peter’s Basilica and its Necropolis, the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican Museums and the thousands of famous paintings and sculptures mean that you could easily spend the day here. If you spent a minute looking at each painting in the museums’ collections, you would have to stay for four years!

Day 3 – Ancient monuments

Follow in the footsteps of the Ancient Romans, starting with a visit to the Colosseum, the amphitheatre that is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The Forum with its ruins of ancient government buildings and Palatine Hill with its views over the oldest parts of Rome, are only a short walk away. The Pantheon, the temple built around 120 AD by Emperor Hadrian, is another must-see landmark. Did you know that concrete was a Roman invention? The Pantheon has a completely unreinforced concrete dome, which is larger than that of St. Peter’s Basilica.

Day 4 – Ostia Antica

Although there’s more than enough things to do in Rome to keep you busy, there are also some great options for day trips. Why not check out the archaeological site at Ostia Antica, the ruins of Rome’s old sea port, just 30 minutes from central Rome? Wandering around the ruins, you’ll see the remains of homes, baths, docks and warehouses, as well as an amphitheatre and a small museum. Trips to other Italian towns and cities are also possible, including Florence, Orvieto, Naples and Pompei.

Day 5 – Museums

If you’re looking for a quieter, more reflective day, why not head to the Capitoline Museums and the Museum of Rome? The Capitoline is remarkable in itself, dating back to 1471, and most of the exhibits come from the city of Rome and relate to its history. Particular crowd-pleasers include the collection of classical sculpture and picture gallery with masterpieces by the likes of Titian, Tintoretto, Rubens and Caravaggio. The museum includes a famous sculpture showing Remus and Romulus being suckled by a she-wolf, part of the legend of Rome’s foundation. This image has come to represent Rome and can be seen around the city. There are many other captivating museums in Rome including Maxxi and Macro for modern art and the Museum of Rome, which has over time become primarily an art museum too.

Day 6 – Castel Sant’Angelo

Take in some fresh air with a visit to Castel Sant’Angelo, on the banks of the Tiber. Built in the 2nd century AD, it was originally designed as a mausoleum by the Roman emperor Hadrian. Over the centuries it has been used as a fortress, papal residence and even a prison, before becoming a museum in 1901. As you walk up the wide ramp into the castle, a statue of the archangel Michael appears overhead, sheathing his sword as a sign of the end of the plague of 590. The views from the Castle’s rooftop over the city are beautiful and it’s well worth leaving time for a stroll by the river and to explore the magnificent grounds.

Day 7 – Villa Borghese

Finish your stay with a visit to Villa Borghese. Although you couldn’t tell from the name, this is a fairly large public park, which houses a popular art gallery and other attractions. Tickets for the gallery have to purchased online in advance. Within walking distance of the park are the Spanish steps and the Trevi fountain, two other popular Roman landmarks. Tradition has it that if you throw a coin into the Trevi fountain, you will return to Rome. In fact, every night about 3,000 Euros are swept up from the bottom of the basin and donated to the charity Caritas, to provide services for families in need. This concludes our suggestions for things to do in Rome for a week. We hope that you have an amazing trip!
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Secret Parks in Rome

Rome is a-flurry with people, sounds and visual delights so it’s not surprising that a visit can leave your senses a bit assaulted. Although Rome’s historically famous for its ancient Empire whose ruins you can’t escape, dotted all around the city, from the impressive Coliseum to the looming dome of St Peter’s Basilica, the city also has some hidden areas to explore – and some only the locals know. So alongside these must-see monuments, take some time-out to enjoy a bit of rest and relaxation in some of Rome’s greenest of oases. In no particular order, our favourite verdant spaces are as follows... Villa Borghese There’s no escaping this little pocket of greenery which sits in the middle of the city, coincidentally in the shape of a heart. Villa Borghese is one of the most popular spots for love-struck teenagers and elderly veterans alike and is a handy resource for a quiet break. With 148 acres to explore, its green meadows and manicured lawns are there to host picnics and Frisbee games, as well as sooth sore feet and unclutter busy minds. In the park are elegant temples and classic buildings, inspired by English architecture, which provide a stunning backdrop and perfect photo opportunity. Within walking distance from most major attractions, you can find it at the top of the Piazza del Poplo – where the Pincio will offer you a great viewpoint over the city, too – and is a safe option for those travelling with a family as there are plenty of toy-selling kiosks and ice cream vendors at hand! Villa Aldobrandini For something a bit more romantic and private, and dare we say it, more adult (sorry kids), Villa Aldobrandini is a tiny stamp sized garden nestled between the Trevi Fountain and Coliseum, up a hill to the East of the Vittorio Emmaneuel monument. Tree lined paths and handy benches make it the perfect stop-off if you’ve been exploring the Roman Forum and are working your way back into the city. If you walk to the very edge, you can overlook the Wedding Cake, the Roman's name for the big white Vittorio Emmanuele, and watch the world go by underneath your feet. Giardino delle Arance If secrecy and seclusion are your thing then the Giardino delle Arance, or Orange Garden to you and me, is just the one. A gorgeous private garden for you and your loved one to explore, or for your kids to pick an orange or two off the trees (there are plenty to go round), it’s an urban oasis and promises spectacular views over the city. Along the banks of the Tiber, to the left of Circus Maximus and the Aventine Hill, you can see the dome of St Peter’s Basilica and the terracotta topped buildings that stretch across the Eternal City. If you’re after a view to remember, go at dusk when you can see the city illuminate under nightfall and you’re guaranteed a bit of calm as the park is at its quietest. Just across the river is Trastevere, the perfect place to find a delicious local meal to finish off your evening in true Roman style. Villa Ada Villa Ada is great escape from the hustle and bustle of the city as it lies slightly out of the centre to the northeast. Best reached by local buses, it’s a huge expanse of green with windy paths through its impressive 450 acres and peaks at a historical summit, Monte Antenne. With a picturesque lake, you’d never think you were in Rome as Villa Ada transports you into a rural, exotic setting with squawking parrots in the trees, bright flowers in bloom and thick grassy fields. A great park if you’re in Rome for a few days and have time to spare out of your busy sightseeing itinerary, and great if you have kids – let them run wild and free and expend all their energy while you sit back and relax with a book. Villa Doria Pamphilj As Rome’s largest landscaped park, Villa Doria Pamphilj is actually the name of the monumental seventeenth century villa (or palace) whose landscaped meadows stretch for over 1.8km2. Up on the Janiculum, it was nicknamed the Bel Respiro, or beautiful breath, thanks to the spectacular views from its post up high on the hill. Much like Villa Borghese this park drew heavily on the classical English influences and is reminiscent of 18th century gardens in Stowe and Stourhead. So if you’re an Anglophile and know your classic architecture, this park has your name on it, not to mention for the Sound of Music qualities. That is of course substituting the Alps for a Mediterranean vista and ancient ruins. With the OMNIA Vatican & Rome Card you can save both time and money and make your trip to Rome that extra bit easier. With Fast Track Entry and free admission into Rome's most popular sights, as well as a 3 day travelcard included, it's your all-inclusive ticket to a stress-free vacation. Find out more, here...
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Museums in Rome

The museums in Rome are second to none and known around the world for their cultural and historic offerings, from paintings, sculptures, ancient ceramics and more. Rome is a city that benefits from a wide range of these museums and every visitor should make the most of the smorgasbord of what’s on offer. From the iconic Vatican Museums to the MAXXI, Castel Sant Angelo and the Borghese Gallery, each museum has its own subject matter and specialty waiting to be discovered. Vatican museums The Vatican Museums are considered some of the best museums in the world in terms of their priceless artifacts and historic pieces of art, sculpture, and tapestries. Its contents are an estimated €15 billion and covering over 9 miles, the Vatican Museums are definitely packed with plenty to see. The Raphael Room, the Papal Entrance, the portraits of the Popes and the Sala Rotonda are some of the best things to see – and don’t miss the iconic Sistine Chapel, an exhibit in itself! Address: Viale Vaticano, 00165 Roma Metro: Ottaviano-S.Pietro-Musei Vaticano (Metro A line) Visit Duration: 4 hours Museum of Rome The Museum of Rome is a fine example of Baroque architecture and within champions some of Rome’s best art from the medieval ages to the twentieth century. It’s a fascinating museum in Rome to discover the forgotten art and artists, see frescoes, ceramics, and paintings you wouldn’t usually see. The Palazzo Braschi in which its housed is an important historic building in itself, built for Pope Pius VI’s nephew Luigi Braschi Onesti. Address: Piazza San Pantaleo, 10, 00186 Roma Tram: Arenula/Cairoli (Tram 8) Visit Duration: 2 hours Borghese Gallery If you like your art, the Borghese Gallery is considered one of the finest museums in Rome for classical antiquities and paintings, as well as sculptures. You’ll find famous pieces on exhibit from Caravaggio’s David with the Head of Goliath, as well as Young Sick Bacchus, and sculptures by the iconic Bernini dating back to the 1620s – including the iconic Apollo and Daphne. There are over two thousand years of works to admire, not to mention set in the stunning Villa Borghese Park offering you a picturesque setting once you’re finished. Address: Piazzale del Museo, Borghese, 5 - 00197 Rome Bus: Pinciana- Museo Borghese Visit Duration: 3 hours Capitoline Museums The Capitoline Museums are the oldest national museums in the world, founded originally by Pope Sixtus IV in the 15th century. He donated a collection of bronze statues, making it the first museum open to the public and people of Rome. The museum is set within three historic buildings with a beautiful piazza in the middle. The museum is dedicated to art from Ancient Rome and features the She-Wolf, Hall of Tapestries and historic sculptures, artifacts, and mosaics. Address: Piazza del Campidoglio, 1 - 00186 Rome Metro: Colosseo (Metro line B) Visit Duration: 2 hours Ara Pacis Museum Commissioned by the Roman Senate in 13 BC to honour the return of Augustus, this magnificent sculpture-come-structure depicts the Augustan victory in intricate engravings. Made purely of marble, it’s a spectacular example of the fine classic Roman skill and sculpture. It’s considered one of the most important pieces of ancient sculpture in Rome and is not one to be missed. Address: Lungotevere in Augusta, 00186 Roma Metro: Spagna (Metro line A) Visit Duration: 2 hours Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica: Palazzo Barberini One of Rome’s best museums and art galleries is the Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica at Palazzo Barberini. Home to a fantastic collection of 16th-century tapestries, as well as works by Raphael and Caravaggio, visitors can admire the private collection within the former home of Pope Urban VIII. The palazzo itself is a testament to the Roman architecture of the time, complete with marble pillar and an orange garden. Address: Via Delle Quattro Fontane, 13, 00186 Roma Metro: Barberini (Metro line A) Visit Duration: 2 hours National Museum of Castel St. Angelo Sat proudly on the northern bank of the River Tiber, Castel Sant’Angelo is Rome’s ancient fortress and mausoleum with a fascinating museum dedicated to exploring its past, from the role it played guarding the city, to being a papal refuge. Castel Sant’Angelo is over 2,000 years old – so that’s over 2,000 years of history to uncover within the museum. See the papal apartments, the statue of the angel and learn about the secret passageway into the Vatican… Address: Lungotevere Castello, 50 - 00186 Rome Metro: Lepanto (Metro line A) Ottaviano (Metro line A) Visit Duration: 2 hours MAXXI Museum The MAXXI museum and art gallery in Rome is one of the finest museums in the world for the art of the 21st century. A real contemporary art gallery and museum, it was designed as a ‘multidisciplinary space’ by Zaha Hadid in 2010 and has been deemed to be the architect’s finest design to date. For those who like contemporary art and architecture, this museum is a must. See the permanent exhibitions and new works, commissions, and ones-to-watch. Address: Via Guido Reni, 4a, 00196 Roma Tram: Flaminia-Reni Visit Duration: 3 hours
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St Peter’s Basilica; a brief history

With such an iconic silhouette, St Peter’s Basilica is one of the most recognisable landmarks in Italy – not only for its breath-taking skyline, but for the huge role it played in supporting the Roman Catholic Church and inspiring art and architecture for centuries. As a visitor to Rome it would be a crime not to visit the Basilica so before you do, here’s a brief history of the impressive building and its patrons to help you get ahead. Saint Peter and the original Basilica St Peter was believed to have been the first Pope, chief apostle and a martyr. Legend has it he died on the Vatican Hill where he was entombed – so it makes sense that this Basilica was dedicated to him as a sort of shrine. The early basilica was constructed by Emperor Constantine and was completed around 349 AD. Much smaller than how it stands now, it was a mere 85m in length with four aisles, a central fountain and bell tower. To put that into perspective, its nave now measures 211.5m alone – that’s over four Olympic swimming pools. St Peter’s Basilica gets a revamp The Basilica was falling into ruin in the middle of the fifteenth century but it wasn’t until the early 1500s that work began to restore it. Pope Julius II commissioned Bramante as chief architect who designed the high dome. After Bramante’s death in 1514 he was succeeded by a number of other architects; including Michelangelo Buonarroti, Giacomo della Porta and Carlo Maderno, all of whom altered and personalised the design. In 1626 it was finally re-venerated and was on its way to becoming the centre of Christianity; attracting pilgrims and visitors from around the world. Bernini’s Square St Peter’s square was created in the mid seventeenth century by Lorenzo Bernini, in front of the Basilica. Surrounded by imposing colonnades, the square itself is almost as impressive as the building it leads up to. 140 hand-sculpted statues look down onto the paved square with its two fountains and tall Egyptian Obelisk, which was brought to Rome in 37 AD. If you look up to St Peter’s Basilica from the square, you can admire Maderno’s 45.5m façade, lined with religious statues of the apostles, crafted by Giuseppe Valadier. The wealth of the Catholic Church in the 1500s The interior of the Basilica is a testament to the wealth of the Catholic Church in the sixteenth century and Bernini was commissioned to create many of the statues and monuments that adorn its vast 15,160 square metres. The Baroque bronze Baldachin is perhaps one of the most notable monuments, standing at 26m high, made from bronze taken from the roof of the Pantheon. You can also admire the intricate detail of the painted dome ceiling, the statues of St Peter and Michelangelo’s famous marble Pietà. The Dome The Romans aren’t ones to do things in half; the dome at St Peter’s Basilica is also one of the world’s largest, measuring 42 meters in diameter, with a height of 132.5 meters. Winding up the dome is a slanted narrow staircase that leads up to a spectacular viewpoint where you can walk all the way round for stunning panoramic views of Rome. As you can see, nothing was left unplanned or without years of intricate design. From the supportive outer structure of the façade and square, to even the most minute of decorations within the church itself, St Peter’s is a true example of the wealth of the Catholic Church, the brilliance of the esteemed Italian Renaissance artists and sculptors of the fifteenth and sixteenth century, and the underlying belief in creating a centre for Christianity. What Emperor Constantine set out to achieve over 1600 years ago is so far from what he must have envisaged. St Peter’s is now regarded as one of the most famous landmarks in the world and receives over 4 million visitors a year – it has even starred in films and books! So from its humble beginnings as a martyr’s shrine, to the iconic religious monument as it stands today – we’d recommend a quick visit; at least pop your head through the door. NB: You have to adhere to a strict dress code and women need to cover their shoulders and legs. Make your trip to Rome that extra bit easier and invest in a OMNIA Vatican & Rome Pass. Not only can you visit the top attractions and monumental landmarks for free and with discounted entry, but you can travel round the city with a Travelcard and experience the sites from the comfort of a hop-on, hop-off bus tour.
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