If we want to visit all these sights, how should we manage our time?

Question

Okay, here is a list of places I want to visit while in Rome:

I want to take a day trip to Pompeii
The Colosseum
Arch of Constantine
St. Peter's Basilica
The Vatican museums
Catacombs (haven't decided which yet...I guess the Catacombs of St. Callixtus)
The Trevi fountain
Circus Maximus
The Pantheon
Church of St. Peter in Chains
Capitoline Museum
The Roman Forum
Baths of Caracella
Villa Borghese
Mamertine Prison
The Victor Emanuel Monument (I hear that Italians dislike this landmark because it is overly-ornate...is that true?)

I know that I'll want to spend more time in some of these places than others...but, I want to visit them all. I'll be in Rome for 8 days (I know, not much time but it's all I could afford) and want to see them all. So, how should I schedule my time? Thanks!

Answer 1

You'll definitely be able to see all that with eight days. I was there this summer for five days and we saw the majority of that stuff. Plan to waste a whole day in Pompeii...it's about a three hour bus ride from Rome and you'll want to spend a lot of time there. Get to the Vatican really really early ( we got there at around 8am and we stood in a three hour long line just to get inside the walls). Go to the Trevi fountain at night it's a little crowded but so beautiful all lit up. The Pantheon is near the Trevi so go there before dinner and then hit the Trevi. Circus Maximus is on the way to the Baths of Caracalla so do those at the same time. The Church of St. Peter in Chains is right down the street from the Colosseum and the roman forum so do those on the same day. Also add Palentine to your trip, it is right next to the Roman forum and the Colosseum. It is included in your ticket to the Colosseum. Palentine is still being excavated and it is absolutely amazing. HAVE FUN! sorry I was so long winded... I just had such a great time when I went. Hope I helped.

Answer 2

Get to the Vatican early as the lines are very, very long.

The Colosseum, Roman Forum, Arch of Constantine, Victor Emanuel Monument (Italians call the the "Wedding Cake", because of the size, white color and the look of the structure from the front), Capitoline Museum, Circus Maximus are all fairly clode together.

The Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Santa Maria Sopra Minerva (behind the Pantheon, there is a great obliesk in front) are in the same area.

The other locations I didn't have a chance to go to.

Answer 3

I agree that you should easily be able to cover this. I spent four days in Rome back in March, and I covered almost the same things you did. Without rushing! I recommend that you get a guidebook that groups things by area. I know Fodor's arranges them by "walking tours." Something like this will be very helpful.

A couple of tips:
The Colosseum and Palatine Hill are on the same ticket. Buy your tickets and Palatine to bypass the extreme lines at the Colosseum. Arch of Constantine is right there in the Roman Forum. All this is right on top of each other.

Catacombs are also very close together. You can easily visit all of the main ones, if you choose to. Beware, they are all closed on different days. I took two guidebooks with me, and they both showed different times for the Catacombs, and they were both wrong! If you don't have a car, you'll have to take a bus to these. They are outside the city somewhat. Sunday is the best day to visit because the streets around here are closed to traffic and make a beautiful stroll!

The Victor Emanuel Monument is gigantic and you can pretty much spot it from anywhere. You'll have no trouble finding it and just strolling in as you pass by.

I strongly recommend some strolling around time! There's so much to see in Rome. Just walk around and wander in to whatever strikes you. Have a great trip!

Answer 4

You will have plenty of time to do all of this in 8 days. Spend a day or two in the Vatican museums, depending on your level of interest. Minus the trip to Pompeii, I gave all of these sites a fairly complete visit in 4 days. Many of them are very quick stops--the Trevi fountain for instance. It's really a 20 minute attraction. You toss some coins for good luck and snap a few pictures--then, if you want to stretch out the occasion, you get a gelato. The Mamertine Prison is simlar. Even if you are a huge Biblical scholar, the prison is a dungeon that doesn't require much time to fully absorb. In 8 days, you can do all these things at a leisurely pace and have plenty of time to take in other attractions--like amazingly constructed fountains--and sample great food.

I highly recommend the crypts at the Church of the Immaculate, via V. Veneto 27. Phone [phone]. It's an amazing display of human bones that shouldn't be missed.

Also--try to walk a lot. The Roman subway isn't that great or particularly convenient. The more you walk, the more cool stuff you are likely to come accross.

Answer 5

I lead tours to Rome.

Here is the best idea:

Check a map and group them like this:

1.) Vatican and immediate area

2.) North Rome such as Trevi, Pantheon, Spanish Steps, etc.

3.) Old Rome such as Forum, Colosseum, etc.

Don't worry about the Victor Emmanuel Monument - you will not be able to miss it.

Hope this helps

Answer 6

Hi!

I am an American Tour Guide living in Rome...
Trust me 8 days is plenty of time! On the tours I used to do off of cruise ships we used to do most of what you do in a full day tour!
Obviously though, you do not savor every aspect of what you see. I would definitely say that 8 days is perfect to see Rome.
these are within 2 km from one another:

Colosseum
arch of Constantine
trevi
circus maximus
pantheon
roman forum
baths of Caracalla
villa borghese
victor Emanuel's monument (altare della patria) which is where the distances are calculated from in italy (chilometro zero) and is disliked by Romans because they say it looks like a giant typewriter and when it was built it cost a ton of money when resources where REALLY scarce) I see you've been doing your homework!


The Vatican is a day in itself as you have two lines, the museums and the basilica. I recommend going to the museums at around 12pm as the line is really short, if not, you can risk finding a line that stretches even a mile or more! Then check out the basilica and the tombs under the basilica. as well.

Pompeii is a FULL day trip as in leave at 6 am and get back at 10pm. It is really tiring so sleep ALOT and wear really comfortable shoes and bring a big bottle of water per person.

Anyhow, if you need help as far as accommodations are concerned, I know of may apartments or B&B in the center of rome that are elegant and very convenient price-wise and with an apartment, you would have a kitchen that allows you to save the money you'd otherwise spend eating out.

I also offer group tours of all the places you'd like to see including a few places you didn't mention :) San Giovanni in Laterano, San Paolo Extra muros, Caio Sestio's Pyramid, and I personalize tours in the sense that you can tell me the places you'd like to see and I create the tour for you...at a FRACTION of the prices you'll find in rome (walking tours range from 80-179 euro per day) I offer discounts even on top of the low prices for people who buy more than one tour and obviously kids are always free...Plus, I offer all-around help not just explaining monuments, but culture-wise and can recommend restaurants that don't try and scam tourists, genuine 'trattorie' and I love my job and take every opportunity to help my fellow americans here :) so any information you may need- please do not hesitate to contact me :)
Buone Vacanze!

http://www.myspace.com/rometourguide
[e-mail]
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Answer 7

pompeii is way south & out of your way -- there are bus tours but....... you want to go to ostia which is right outside of rome & a short train trip away. catacombs are on appian way & you'll want to spend some time walking around & you can enter the catacombs only on tour-- there are many tombs. go to trevi fountain when it's lit up & romantic...at night hang out & find a nearby cafe to have drinks. go to pantheon first thing in morning when its empty & no crowds -- there's an excellent famous gelato shop around there. vatican museums take time -- maybe get tickets online so no waiting in line... colosseum is easy, don't enter the first long line you see, go around there are several entrances & one will have a short line. forum takes time to wander thru. look at a map & see which sites are in proximity to each other & do sections....but you're leaving out the plazas & a lot of other fountains & areas. rome has soooooo much, do what is easy & have a great time!!

Answer 8

You'll need reservations for the Villa Borghese museum. The Vittorio Emanuele monument is best enjoyed from outside and you can hardly miss it! I think it's beautiful.

You'll find many great tips in our Italy travelogues: http://www.thetravelzine.com

Have a great time in one of our favorite cities!