7 Days in Rome: A Day-by-Day Itinerary with Ostia Antica, Tivoli and Orvieto

Get ready for a week that combines the best of the Eternal City with three of the finest escapes in central Italy. This plan suits first-time visitors who want the big icons (Colosseum, Vatican, Pantheon, Trevi) without rushing. It also suits curious travellers who want to see Roman life beyond the capital: a buried port town, two beautiful villas and a cathedral city on a cliff of volcanic rock.

The pace is comfortable: one headline sight each morning, a lighter afternoon, and evenings free for long dinners. You spend four days in Rome itself and three on day trips, and you come back to the same bed every night. Plan less, see more, and leave room for gelato.

At a glance

Day	Area	Highlights
1	Ancient Rome	Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, Monti
2	Vatican and Prati	Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, St Peter’s Basilica
3	Centro Storico and Borghese	Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Galleria Borghese
4	Day trip: Ostia Antica	Ancient Rome’s port city, evening in Testaccio
5	Day trip: Tivoli	Hadrian’s Villa, Villa d’Este fountains
6	Day trip: Orvieto	Funicular, cathedral, hilltop lanes
7	Trastevere and the river	Jewish Ghetto, Trastevere, Gianicolo views

Plan around closing days. The Vatican Museums are closed on Sundays except the last Sunday of the month. Ostia Antica is closed on Mondays, and the Galleria Borghese opens Tuesday to Sunday. Tivoli is your best Monday option. Move the days around to fit.

Day 1: Ancient Rome, where it all began

Morning

Welcome to Rome! Your adventure starts with the city’s most famous icon. Get to the Colosseum as close to opening time as you can. The standard ticket covers the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine for 24 hours and costs EUR 18 (EUR 2 for EU citizens aged 18 to 25). You must book, so reserve a timed slot on the official site, ticketing.colosseo.it. The park opens at 8:30. Closing time changes with the season, so check the official page for your dates.

Good to know: with this ticket you can spend a maximum of 75 minutes inside the Colosseum. See the arena first and save your slow wandering for the open-air sites.

Afternoon

Walk across to the Roman Forum and climb the Palatine Hill. The same ticket lets you enter from either side. Picture senators, temples and victory parades as you walk the Via Sacra, then head up the Palatine for views over the Circus Maximus. Allow three hours and bring water and a hat, because there is little shade.

Leave towards the Capitoline Hill, a short walk away, for the view back over the Forum from behind the city hall.

Evening

Walk a few minutes north of the Colosseum into Monti, a village-like area of ivy-covered lanes, small wine bars and trattorias. It’s a lovely first night in Rome.

Day 2: The Vatican, art and faith on a grand scale

Morning

Get ready for a day of jaw-dropping art and grand domes. The Vatican Museums open Monday to Saturday from 8:00 to 20:00, with last entry at 18:00. A full ticket costs EUR 20 at the door. Booking online on the official site adds a booking fee but lets you skip the queue. Buy only from tickets.museivaticani.va, the museums’ only official online shop. On the last Sunday of each month, entry is free from 9:00 to 14:00 (last entry 12:30), so those days are very busy.

Book the earliest slot you can. Allow three to four hours for the galleries, the Raphael Rooms and the grand finale, Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel.

Afternoon

After lunch in Prati, walk round to St Peter’s Square and the Basilica. From 26 October 2026 to 28 March 2027 the Basilica is open from 7:00 to 19:00 (until 25 October it closes at 20:00). The dress code is enforced: long or below-knee trousers, skirts below the knee and covered shoulders for everyone. There’s no cloakroom, so travel light.

Want the view from the top? The Dome is a separate visit. You can book it on the official Basilica site, basilicasanpietro.va, along with audio guides and guided tours.

Evening

Walk down Via della Conciliazione to the Tiber and see Castel Sant’Angelo lit up at dusk. Then cross the bridge of angels for dinner on the other side of the river, or stay in Prati for a relaxed local meal.

Day 3: Fountains, domes and Bernini

Morning

Set your alarm, because this is the day for Rome’s most romantic sights. The Trevi Fountain charges EUR 2 to enter the close-up area by the basin, every day from 9:00 to 22:00. Tickets are sold online at fontanaditrevi.roma.it, at Tourist Infopoints and at the entrance (card only). Anyone can still view the fountain from the square. If you arrive early, you’ll also have fewer crowds around you when you toss your coin.

From Trevi, it’s roughly a 10-minute walk to the Pantheon, open daily 9:00 to 19:00 (last entry 18:30). Since 1 July 2026 tickets cost EUR 7 (EUR 2 for ages 18 to 25, free under 18). Buy on the official Musei Italiani website or app, or on site. Visitors go in as they arrive, and there are no skip-the-line options.

Carry on a few minutes west to Piazza Navona for Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers, then have lunch around Campo de’ Fiori.

Afternoon

Head north to the Spanish Steps, then up to the Galleria Borghese, home to stunning Bernini sculptures and Caravaggio paintings. Every ticket must be booked: the full price is EUR 16 (EUR 11 for the last slot) plus a EUR 2 booking fee. Entry is on the hour and visits last two hours. The gallery is open Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 to 19:00, with last entry at 17:45. Book well ahead on the official ticket site.

Evening

Walk into the Villa Borghese park and on to the Pincio terrace for sunset over Piazza del Popolo and the domes of Rome. Pure magic.

Day 4: Ostia Antica, Rome’s ancient port

Morning

Today feels like stepping into a time machine: you explore a whole Roman town: streets, apartment blocks, bakeries, baths, a theatre and wonderful floor mosaics. It’s often far less crowded than the Forum.

To get there, take the Roma-Lido railway from Porta San Paolo station, next to Piramide on Metro B, and get off at Ostia Antica. Check the operator’s site for current timetables before you go.

The site is open Tuesday to Sunday from 8:30. It’s closed on Mondays, 1 January and 25 December. A full ticket costs EUR 18 (reduced EUR 2), and entry is free on the first Sunday of the month. Booking is optional, through the official CoopCulture link on the ministry page. The Museo Ostiense is currently closed to the public.

Afternoon

Take your time: the site is big and best enjoyed slowly. Bring a picnic or snacks and plenty of water, and wear sturdy shoes for the ancient paving stones.

Evening

Take the train back to Piramide and walk into Testaccio, Rome’s classic food neighbourhood, for Roman favourites like cacio e pepe and carbonara.

Day 5: Tivoli, emperors and Renaissance gardens

Morning

Save your energy for a dreamy day trip. Tivoli has two spectacular villas, one built for an emperor and one from the Renaissance. Cotral regional buses run to Tivoli from Ponte Mammolo (Metro B). Check the Cotral timetable for current departures and for the stops near each villa.

Start at Villa Adriana (Hadrian’s Villa), open every day. This huge imperial retreat has pools, libraries and baths, with paths and slopes, so the official site recommends suitable clothes and shoes.

Afternoon

Head up to the old town for Villa d’Este, famous for its terraced garden full of fountains. It’s open daily, but on Mondays it opens at 14:00. Time your visit for the Organ Fountain, which plays daily from 10:30 and then every two hours. After heavy rain, the water to the fountains can be switched off for a while.

Both villas are free on the first Sunday of the month. Buy tickets through the official online ticket link on villae.cultura.gov.it, and check current prices there.

Evening

Head back to Rome and keep tonight easy. A drink before dinner near where you’re staying is a perfect end to a day of walking.

Day 6: Orvieto, a cathedral city on a cliff

Morning

This is the day for a hilltop town straight from a postcard. Take a train from Roma Termini to Orvieto. Check times and fares on trenitalia.com, and book ahead for the faster trains. From the station, the funicular takes you up to the old town. Trenitalia’s Orvieto Link lets you add the funicular to your train ticket for EUR 1.30 per trip. Or buy a local Busitalia town ticket, valid for 90 minutes on town buses and the funicular.

Afternoon

Walk to the Duomo, whose glittering Gothic front will stop you in your tracks, and go inside to see the painted chapels. Check hours and tickets on the official site, duomodiorvieto.it. Then wander the medieval lanes, browse the pottery shops and look out over the Umbrian countryside from the town walls.

Evening

Stay for an early dinner with a glass of local Orvieto Classico, then take the funicular back down for your train.

Day 7: Trastevere, the Ghetto and a farewell view

Morning

Your last day is all about lively lanes, great food and one more glorious view. Start in the historic Jewish Ghetto, with the Portico d’Ottavia and its famous fried artichokes. On a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, you could also visit the Domus Aurea, Nero’s golden palace. Book it on colosseo.it.

Afternoon

Cross Tiber Island into Trastevere and get happily lost in its cobbled streets. See the golden mosaics of Santa Maria in Trastevere, then climb the Gianicolo hill for one of the best free views in Rome.

Evening

Come back down for a last dinner in Trastevere, then take a final night walk past the Pantheon or Piazza Navona. Arrivederci, Roma.

Getting there and getting around

From Fiumicino Airport (FCO):

• Leonardo Express to Roma Termini: EUR 14, about 32 minutes, with trains every 15 minutes. Trains leave the airport from 05:38 to 23:27.
• FL1 regional trains link the airport with other Rome stations, including Roma Tiburtina. They run every 15 minutes on weekdays and every 30 minutes on weekends and holidays.
• Official taxis charge a fixed fare of EUR 55 from Fiumicino to the centre inside the Aurelian Walls. Use the official taxi ranks at Arrivals.

Landing at Ciampino? Check the Aeroporti di Roma website for current bus and taxi options.

In the city (ATAC):

Ticket	Price	Validity
BIT	EUR 1.50	100 minutes, one metro ride
Roma 24 ore	EUR 8.50	24 hours from first use
Roma 48 ore	EUR 15.00	48 hours
Roma 72 ore	EUR 22.00	72 hours
CIS weekly card	EUR 29.00	7 days, unlimited within Roma Capitale

You can also tap a contactless bank card at the gates with Tap & Go, and the system charges the right fare. For this plan, the weekly CIS card is good value if you’ll use the metro and buses every day. Central Rome is very walkable, so you’ll see a lot on foot.

Where to stay

• Centro Storico (Pantheon, Navona): for first-timers who want to walk out the door into a postcard. Lively and central, within walking distance of most sights on Days 1, 3 and 7.
• Monti: for couples and food lovers. Charming streets, close to the Colosseum and a short walk from Termini.
• Prati: for families and anyone who likes quiet evenings. Elegant, residential and next to the Vatican.
• Around Termini and Esquilino: for day-trippers. The Leonardo Express and trains to Orvieto leave from Termini, so early starts are easy.

Budget

Item	Typical cost
Colosseum, Forum and Palatine	EUR 18
Vatican Museums	EUR 20 plus online booking fee
Pantheon	EUR 7
Trevi Fountain basin (9:00 to 22:00)	EUR 2
Galleria Borghese	EUR 16 plus EUR 2 booking fee
Ostia Antica	EUR 18
Villa Adriana, Villa d’Este	check the official site
Orvieto Duomo	check the official site
Leonardo Express (each way)	EUR 14
Taxi Fiumicino to centre	EUR 55 fixed
ATAC weekly CIS card	EUR 29
Orvieto Link funicular add-on	EUR 1.30 per trip

The “EUR 20-35 per day” figure in our summary covers the Rome sights and city transport above. It does not include accommodation, meals, train and bus fares to Tivoli and Orvieto, or tickets in Tivoli and Orvieto. It also leaves out Rome’s city tax (contributo di soggiorno). Ask your accommodation for the exact amount.

Practical tips

• Dress for churches. St Peter’s requires covered shoulders and knees, and most Roman churches expect the same. A light scarf in your bag solves it.
• Check closing days. Vatican Museums: closed Sunday (except the last Sunday). Ostia Antica: closed Monday. Galleria Borghese: open Tuesday to Sunday. Villa d’Este: closed Monday morning.
• Free first Sundays. State sites such as Ostia Antica and the Tivoli villas are free on the first Sunday of the month. Expect crowds. The Galleria Borghese still requires a paid booking, even on free days.
• Book the big four early: Colosseum, Vatican Museums, Galleria Borghese and, in busy seasons, the faster trains to Orvieto.
• Money. Italy uses the euro. Cards are widely accepted, and the Trevi Fountain entrance only takes cards.
• SIM and eSIM. Buy an EU eSIM before you fly, or a local SIM at the airport or in town. Bring your passport in case the shop asks for ID.
• Visas and entry. Italy is in the Schengen area, and the rules depend on your nationality and passport. Check the official visa website of Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Il Visto per l’Italia, well before you travel.

Heads-up

Rome is a joy, and a few simple habits keep it that way:

• Fake ticket sites. The Vatican Museums warn about websites with addresses similar to the official one, sometimes charging more. Buy only on tickets.museivaticani.va.
• “Skip-the-line” tickets that don’t exist. The Pantheon and the Galleria Borghese both say they have no skip-the-line options. Anyone selling one is not official.
• Unofficial airport rides. At Fiumicino, use the official taxi rank, where the fixed EUR 55 fare to the historic centre applies.
• Turned away for clothing. St Peter’s checks its dress code at the door: no bare shoulders, no short shorts or short skirts.
• Colosseum time limit. The standard ticket gives you a maximum of 75 minutes inside the Colosseum.
• Closures and weather. Ostia’s Museo Ostiense is closed to the public, and Villa d’Este’s fountains can be switched off after heavy rain.

FAQ

Do I need to book the Colosseum in advance?

Yes, you must book. Reserve a timed entry on ticketing.colosseo.it. The EUR 18 ticket also covers the Roman Forum and Palatine for 24 hours.

Are the Vatican Museums open on Sunday?

Only on the last Sunday of the month, when entry is free from 9:00 to 14:00 (last entry 12:30). They’re closed on other Sundays, so plan your Vatican day for Monday to Saturday.

Is the Trevi Fountain free?

Viewing it from the square is free. Getting close to the basin costs EUR 2 from 9:00 to 22:00. It’s free for Rome residents, children under 5, and people with disabilities and their carers.

Which day trip works on a Monday?

Tivoli. Villa Adriana is open every day and Villa d’Este opens at 14:00 on Mondays. Ostia Antica is closed on Mondays.

Is the 7-day CIS card worth it?

It costs EUR 29 for seven days of unlimited ATAC travel within Roma Capitale, so it pays off if you ride a few times a day. If you mostly walk, single EUR 1.50 BIT tickets or Tap & Go may cost less.

Can I visit St Peter’s Basilica in shorts?

No. Everyone must cover their shoulders, and trousers or skirts must reach below the knee.