Walk to Many of Rome’s Top Attractions

I’m all about walking a city where you can and allowing time for leisurely meals or breaks. I’m not big on speed touring unless you are limited in time and don’t think you will ever have the opportunity to return. If you have no choice and have to see what really deserves three days in two, so be it. Just wear comfortable shoes, take snacks, drink lots of water, and start early.

Many of Rome’s top attractions are in the center of the city and within walking distance of each other. You can easily see The Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, and Piazza Navona all on the same day, and still have time for a leisurely lunch. I would then head to the Trastevere District for dinner (about a 30-minute walk from The Pantheon) where you can unwind, have a good meal, and ‘feel’ Rome.

The Colosseum and Roman Forum are very close to each other. Many tours combine these two attractions so these could be done on the same day.

Vatican City is farther from the center of the city and will take about an hour or so to walk from the Colosseum. I recommend splitting Vatican City off as a separate sightseeing day because St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums, plus travel time, is a full day. I would take a cab at least one way because you will be on your feet the entire day except at lunch. Read our Vatican Museums blog and St. Peter’s Basilica blog to learn more about these attractions.

The Pantheon

30 minutes to one hour. Go early to miss the crowds.

The Pantheon is considered Rome’s best-preserved building. It’s quite impressive due to its massive dome and the way the oculus (hole in the top) allows light and sometimes rain in. While we visited, a slight shower passed through the area and brought in a bit of rain through the oculus. It felt like a mist more than the rain shower that people experienced outside (we left soon after and saw lots of umbrellas and pretty wet people in the piazza.) I had been standing about five feet from the direct center of the oculus when I felt the mist. The floor directly below the oculus did get wet but no puddle formed. Like many structures built centuries ago, the Pantheon is considered to be an engineering marvel.

Entry is free but online reservation tickets are required (still free) for Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. You can also pay for an audio guide or a full guided tour. The Pantheon is a Christian Church and many churches in Rome have a dress code that includes covering your shoulders and knees and not wearing flip-flops.

The Piazza della Rotonda (the square right outside the Pantheon) is a great place to people-watch and grab a snack or lunch.

Trevi Fountain

15 minutes. A nice time to visit is early evening.

You’ll see lots of selfie sticks at Trevi Fountain. (Photo: Edie L. Kramer)

You’re probably hoping to find a time when you can visit the Trevi Fountain without a big crowd but that’s unlikely. Regardless of the day, you’ll find the Trevi packed with tourists and selfie sticks. Don’t despair. People generally spend only a few moments here and then move on. While you’re waiting for your space in front of the fountain, take a look at its beauty and listen to the water. It’s quite spell-binding.

Standing with your back to the fountain, with your right hand toss a coin over your left shoulder. The coin toss is done for good luck and to ensure that you will visit Rome again in the future.

Spanish Steps

5 minutes.

Old Hollywood loved this location. Not much more to say other than it is a great place to rest on a busy day and just people-watch. Usually quite busy.

Trastevere District

Around 1.5 hours. More if a meal is involved.

*San Cosimato Market, Trastervere District. (Photo: Edie L Kramer)*

The Trastevere district is south of the Vatican. It’s a neighborhood filled with university students and tourists. It’s got a lighter, more laid-back feel about it than some of the other sections of the city. The many narrow alleys offer restaurants, trattorias, and cafes that are more reasonably priced (and often better) than those directly next to the tourist sites (Colosseum, Pantheon, Roman Forum.) We enjoyed walking through the neighborhood without an agenda, poking in a few shops, and having really good pizza and wine at a small pizzeria filled with students. There are many restaurants to choose from with a variety of menus and specialties.