Rome is one of those cities that feels almost too big for a short visit — too much beauty, too much history, too much gelato (if that’s even possible). But sometimes all you have is one day. I travelled from Ferrara, spent about 7 hours in the Eternal City, and tried to make the most of every minute. Did it go smoothly? Not exactly. Was it worth it? Absolutely.
So if you’re thinking of visiting Rome in one day — whether you’re on a tight itinerary or just curious — here’s what I got right, what I completely messed up, and the small things that made a big difference.
✅ What I Did Right
Went to Rome (even if just for a day)
Let’s start with the obvious: yes, one day in Rome is totally worth it. I had doubts — three hours by train each way felt like a lot — but the journey was smooth, the views were great, and Rome itself was as magical as I’d hoped. The streets were easy to navigate, the food was excellent, and even a few hours were enough to soak in the atmosphere.
Sure, ideally, you’d stay a week. But if you only have one day — go. Seriously. Even half a day is better than nothing.
Picked February for the trip
I went in early February, and I think I hit the sweet spot. The weather was lovely — sunny, +17°C, light-jacket level — while back home it was -6°C and grey. And best of all? No crowds. Unlike summer months when Rome is bursting at the seams, in February it felt… almost peaceful.
Yes, I missed the famous wisteria season (late March), but hey, that just gives me a reason to come back.
Avoided standing in queues
The Vatican tempted me. So did St. Peter’s Basilica. The line was short. But I resisted. Why? Because queues steal time — and when you only have a few hours, every minute counts.
Next time, when I stay longer, I’ll book tickets online for museums and major sights. Yes, there’s often a small markup, but I’d gladly pay it to skip the lines.
Knew where the toilets were
Unsexy but essential: I mapped out toilet stops in advance. In a city like Rome, this saves both time and stress. One tip — there’s a big, clean, and free toilet on Piazza San Pietro. If you’re facing the Basilica, it’s to your left.
Didn’t buy bottled water
Rome’s drinking fountains are fantastic. The water’s clean, cold, and tastes great. I brought a bottle from home and refilled it throughout the day like a local.
Skipped restaurant planning
Normally I research restaurants like my trip depends on it. But in Rome, I let go. When I got hungry, I just sat down at the first inviting spot. It was outdoors, it was delicious, and it saved me from wandering hangry through the streets.
❌ What I Messed Up
Tried to see everything
Here was my original plan:
- Piazza San Pietro
- Castel Sant’Angelo
- Ponte Sant’Angelo & Ponte Vittorio Emanuele II
- Piazza Navona
- Pantheon
- Trevi Fountain
- Piazza di Spagna (skipped)
- Monument to Victor Emmanuel II (skipped)
- Campidoglio (skipped)
- Roman Forum (skipped)
- Colosseum
It looks doable on paper — all in a straight-ish line. Friends told me it would take two hours, including lunch. Maybe… if you just walk past everything.
But Rome doesn’t let you “just walk past.” I spent over an hour just soaking up St. Peter’s Square. Another 40 minutes at Piazza Navona. Every corner is a postcard. Eventually, I ditched half the list and took a bus straight to the Colosseum. And you know what? That was the right call.
Forgot about pickpockets
Yes, I’d read the warnings. No, I didn’t take them seriously. The bus was crowded, and when I got off — surprise! — my backpack was unzipped. They took something wallet-shaped… which turned out to be a box of band-aids. Lucky me. Lesson learned: Rome may be romantic, but stay alert.
Arrived too late
I took the earliest train I could and got to Rome at 11:30. Not bad, but not ideal either. Between 07:00 and 09:00, the city is bright, calm, and almost yours alone. Next time, I’ll aim to arrive with the sunrise.
Didn’t check the metro map
Rome’s metro is easy… if you actually look at the map. I didn’t. Took the wrong line. Got off. Got back on. Wasted 10 minutes. But hey, I also heard a musician playing the cymbals — an unexpected little joy. Still, check the map. It’s not hard.
Ignored everything beyond the centre
I focused only on the historic centre, and yes, it’s amazing. But with more time, I’d love to explore Rome’s vintage markets — Porta Portese on Sundays, or Borghetto Flaminio and Piazza Verdi for antiques. Or maybe even take a day trip to Tivoli or Viterbo. One day was just a teaser.
✨ Final Thoughts
📍Planning more Italian travels? You might enjoy my guide to Lake Como — and if you’re curious about the charming town I travelled from, check out my Ferrara travel guide.
