The Perfect One Day in Rome Itinerary that Actually Works, Rome, Italy

If you’ve only got one day in Rome, don’t panic — it can be done. You’ll need comfy shoes, caffeine, and a camera with enough memory to survive one of the most photogenic cities on Earth. This one day in Rome itinerary covers all the top things to see in Rome in one day: ancient ruins, Renaissance piazzas, marble fountains, and a sandwich so good it might make you cry.

One thing I’ve realized is that Rome rewards early risers. Start at the Colosseum, because, well… how could you not? Imagine 50,000 roaring Romans watching gladiators battle it out (and you thought modern sports fans were intense). The Colosseum is Rome’s most iconic landmark and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. The best photo spots are from Via Nicola Salvi (where you can frame the amphitheater with trees) and Colle Oppio Park above, which gives a slightly elevated angle and fewer crowds.

The Colosseum opens at 08:30 AM, but getting there early (at least 08:00) lets you capture photos in that soft Roman morning light — and snag an early entry ticket to beat the hordes. Buy the Colosseum + Roman Forum + Palatine Hill combo + skip-the-line ticket online (around €18). Inside, plan about 1 hour to explore the arena, upper levels, and the underground passageways if you’ve booked that access. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).