It is a bit of a shame to spend only one day in Rome, but it can give a taste for future discoveries.
We propose here a walking tour focused on a part of the city east of the Tiber, between the Pantheon, the Roman Forum and the Spanish Steps, setting aside the Saint Peter’s Square because it is on the other side of the river and it is often necessary to wait to visit the basilica. However, you can finish the day by going to Saint Peter’s Square and enjoy the majesty of the square and the outside of the basilica.
Our itinerary is deliberately very exhaustive, and is carried out in its entirety over a long day, travelling between 7.5 km and 13 km on foot, mentioning the main and «secondary» places along the route, which you can choose according to your desires. It is advisable to do only part of it, and to take time to stroll. Following the rhythm of the Dolce Vità is the best way to enjoy Rome.
Summary of the itinerary
The itinerary begins with the exterior tour of the Colosseum, the symbolic monument of ancient Rome built in the 1st century AD, then next to the Arch of Constantine built in the 4th century AD by assembling elements of older monuments.
We continue through the Roman Forums, the heart of ancient life since the Roman Republic, with its temples, memorial buildings or civil. Then we go up to the Capitolium, an ancient famous hill of Rome which was the religious place. The beautiful Capitoline Square was designed in the sixteenth century by Michelangelo. A copy of the bronze equestrian statue of Emperor Marcus-Aurelius is in the middle. There, the church of Santa Maria in Aracoeli retains a beautiful interior, including frescoes of the Pinturicchio.
After descending the great staircase, you reach on the right Piazza Venezia, where you can not miss the great white marble monument to Victor Emmanuel II of the late nineteenth, the «typewriter» for the Romans.
On the other side by Via dei Fori Imperiali crossing and following the Imperial forums, you reaches the Trajan’s Forum with its markets and the remarkable Trajan’s Column, carved with the account of the campaigns of Trajan against the Dacians.
You reach Piazza della Rotonda, by Via del Corso, by the church of Sant’Ignazio di Loyola. On this pretty square with its beautiful baroque fountain is the Pantheon of Rome, one of the best preserved ancient monuments that was dedicated to the Roman gods. On is side is the pretty Piazza Minerva with the Gothic church and the elephant carved by Bernini who carries another obelisk.
Via Piazza Sant’Eustacchio and Via degli Staderari lead to Piazza Navona. It is one of the four most fabulous squares in the city, whose shape is that of the ancient Domitian Stadium, with its three fountains. The one in the centre is the Fountain of the Four Rivers by Bernini, surmounted by a large Egyptian obelisk.
We continue the route to the Trevi Fountain, passing possibly before by the Basilica San’Agostino, the Church of Saint Louis of the French, then the Piazza Montecitorio with the palace hosting the Italian assembly. Just behind, in Piazza Colonna was erected another ancient column, recounting the military campaigns of Marcus Aurelius.
You cross next the Via del Corso joining the Art Nouveau Alberto Sordi Gallery with its shopping arcade, to reach the most beautiful Roman fountain, the Trevi Fountain, a masterpiece of baroque art that reproduces a waterfall with its rich statues. From there, you can reach the Spanish Steps with its majestic staircases that join the Church of Trinità dei Monti in 5-10 minutes.
Finish the itinerary by reaching Piazza del Popolo, with the Fountain by Valadier and the Great Obelisk in the centre, the Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo, and just north the terrace of the Pincian Hill with a beautiful view.
To end the visit, or for the next day, you can reach Trastevere from Piazza Venezia, passing by the Largo Argentina where the republican sanctuary preserves the remains of temples among the oldest in the city (3rd century BC). We continue with the Campo dei Fiori square, with its bars and the statue of Giordano Bruno, then the Piazza Farnese square where the splendid palace hosts the French Embassy, and we reach via the Trastevere by the Ponte Sisto bridge.
→ An alternative to Trastevere to end the day is to go to Saint Peter’s Square, you will not regret it either. The site is impressive.
Detailed route
1. Colosseum – Roman Forum – Capitolium
Distance : 1750 – 2500 meters
2. Piazza del Campidoglio – Piazza Venezia – Trajan’s Forum
Distance : 750 meters
Distance : 1700 meters
4. Baroque Route to the Spanish Steps – Trevi Fountain
Distance : 1800 – 2300 meters
5. Piazza di Spagna – Piazza del Popolo – Pincio
Distance : 900-1200 meters
6. Trastevere o Boccà della Verità o Saint Peter’s square
Distance : 1000 – 1900 meters
7. Trastevere
OR
ONE DAY in ROME
Suggested itinerary for a day in Rome
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