Ready-made trips · Italy
Rome in 5 days
The Colosseum and Forum at a family pace, the Explora children's museum, gelato stops and a day exploring the ruins of Ostia Antica.
- Length
- 5 days
- Best time
- April to June, September to October
- Pace
- Relaxed
- Day trips
- Ostia Antica
Five days in Rome: Explora and the Altar of Peace; The Ancient Core, plus a day trip to Ostia Antica. Each full day is one of our own checked days, planned to be walked in order, with opening hours checked and lunch and dinner suggestions close to the stops.
Day by day
1First Evening in RomeArrival
- When you arriveAltare della PatriaThe white Vittoriano monument on Piazza Venezia.Tip: The glass lift to the roof terrace gives a 360° view for a few euro.
Lunch nearby: La Taverna dei Fori Imperiali or Zenobia Cucina Ebraica Siriana
Dinner: Pane e Salame or Fatamorgana Monti
2Explora and the Altar of Peace
- MorningAra PacisAugustus’s Altar of Peace in a modern glass pavilion.Tip: Pair it with the Mausoleum of Augustus across the road, now reopened.
- AfternoonExplora Children’s MuseumHands-on children’s museum near Piazza del Popolo.Tip: Entry is by timed session and weekends sell out.
Lunch nearby: Dal Bolognese or Casina Valadier
Dinner: Romeo Chef & Baker or Hostaria Dino e Tony
3Ostia Antica and the BeachDay trip to Ostia Antica
- MorningOstia Antica Archaeological ParkThe excavated port city of ancient Rome, larger than Pompeii’s and far quieter.Tip: Climb the theatre steps for the view over the streets, and look for the mosaics in the Square of the Corporations.
- AfternoonBorgo di Ostia AnticaTiny walled medieval village with the Castle of Julius II.Tip: Lunch here rather than in the site cafe.
Lunch nearby: Allo Sbarco di Enea
Dinner: Allo Sbarco di Enea
4The Ancient Core
- MorningColosseumAncient amphitheater and Rome’s most iconic site.Tip: Book a combined ticket including the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill — skip-the-line arena floor and underground tickets sell out well in advance in peak season.
- AfternoonRoman ForumRuins of ancient temples, basilicas and arches.Tip: Included with Colosseum tickets — genuinely easy to rush through, but the ruins reward slowing down with an audio guide to understand what you're actually looking at.
Lunch nearby: La Taverna dei Fori Imperiali or Ai Tre Scalini
Dinner: Ba' Ghetto or Armando al Pantheon
5A Last Morning near TerminiLast morning
- Before you leaveBasilica di Santa Maria MaggioreOne of Rome’s four papal basilicas, with 5th-century mosaics.Tip: Shoulders and knees covered; the loggia mosaics are shown on a guided visit.
Lunch nearby: Mercato Centrale Roma or Ai Tre Scalini
Dinner: Il Chianti or Luzzi
Where to stay
Monti
A village-like quarter of wine bars and vintage shops, a few minutes from the Colosseum and the Forum.
Cavour metro (line B) in the middle; 10 min walk to Termini for airport trains.
Centro Storico
The old heart of Rome between the Pantheon and Piazza Navona: fountains, churches and lanes you can walk everywhere from.
Walk to most sights. No metro inside the old centre: Spagna and Barberini are 10–15 min away; buses 40 and 64 run to the Vatican and Termini.
Trastevere
Ivy-covered lanes across the river: the liveliest evenings in Rome and the best trattorias.
Tram 8 to Largo Argentina and Piazza Venezia; no metro. Roma Trastevere station has direct trains to Fiumicino.
Everything in the plan is ready to book
The full plan has a map of each day, directions between stops, opening hours, restaurant choices, hotels in these areas and tickets, tours and trains linked to book with the provider you choose.
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