They say Rome wasn’t built in a day—but we did manage to explore the Eternal City in one unforgettable day.
And we had a twist that opened the gates of the usually hours-long-wait-only Colosseum and Roman Forum for us, without standing in the burning sun or buying tickets in advance. I’ll share this trick with you too: how to visit these famous sights without waiting in line.
Getting Into Rome From Ciampino Airport
This one-day trip to Rome was a birthday gift—no hotel stay, no extra frills. We flew in on a budget airline and landed around 9 a.m. at Ciampino Airport (CIA), and our flight back was from Fiumicino (FCO) around 9 p.m. It was a long day—40,443 steps—but we fit in everything that you’d want to see on your first visit to the Eternal City.
It was a one-day trip without a set itinerary, as you’ll see later on when we talk about the Colosseum.
The chaos started right away at Ciampino (CIA). This is Rome’s smaller—or let’s just say, tiny—airport, and you feel it the moment you land. Mostly used by Ryanair flights, it’s compact, and due to the low volume of passengers, there’s no direct train or major transport connection to the city. With multiple bus companies offering transfers, it’s tough to figure out which one leaves next.
So we started our one-day Rome adventure by waiting nearly an hour at the airport bus stop before a relatively comfortable bus finally showed up and dropped us off downtown—specifically, at Termini Station.
Walking to the Colosseum
I think every trip to Rome needs to include the Colosseum, so that’s where we headed first. It’s about a 30-minute walk from the very modern-looking Termini Station to the ruins that date back to the start of our calendar—a perfect way to soak in the city, its vibe, and its climate.
And also to get a feel for the terrain, which really drives home that Rome was built on 9 hills. That’s something you don’t really notice from pictures or maps, but in the sweltering summer heat, you definitely feel it: in Rome, walking means going up and down just as much as forward.
Colosseum, Take 1 – Must-See From the Outside
If there’s one thing you have to see in Rome, it’s the Colosseum. Even just from the outside, as we had originally planned. When we saw the long line of people already holding tickets and waiting to enter the Colosseum and nearby Roman Forum, we immediately gave up on the idea of going inside. More on this later.
Even from the outside, it’s a can’t-miss experience. Nearly 2,000 years of history tower over you—and suddenly, everything you learned about the Roman Empire feels real. You can read about it, see photos, watch films, or visit other Roman ruins, but seeing the Colosseum in person is something else entirely.
After the required photo ops and moments of awe, we decided there was no way we’d stand in line for hours in the blazing 95°F sun. So we gave up (or so we thought) on going inside and moved on to check out more of ancient Rome.
Roman Forum, Take 1 – From the Outside
Right next to the Colosseum, the Roman Forum—or Foro Romano in modern Italian—is another major and impressive remnant of ancient Rome. But just like the Colosseum, getting inside seemed like a challenge, so we stuck to admiring it from outside.
Via dei Fori Imperiali is the perfect street to soak up the contrast between modern Rome and its ancient imperial heart. On one side, a wide avenue lined with stone pines. On the other, countless ruins of ancient buildings.
Sure, you’ll miss some of the detail, but if you’re short on time, energy, or budget, you still get the feeling. You can check it off your list and honestly say you were there. Plus, it becomes pretty clear that what was once the bustling center of the Roman Empire is now mostly epic ruins.
The Prison of Saints Peter and Paul
This is when things got interesting—though we didn’t know it yet.
We turned into a small side street and stumbled upon a tucked-away museum advertising itself as the prison of Saints Peter and Paul (Mamertine Prison).
Should we go in? Sure—especially since we were already skipping some of the big sights.
The underground entrance immediately offered a refreshingly cool temperature, which already made it worth it in the scorching August heat.
But then came the biggest surprise of our entire one-day Rome trip!
Only one other family was ahead of us, and we were at the ticket counter within a minute. We asked for two tickets, and then the cashier pleasantly asked:
“Would you also like to visit the Colosseum and Roman Forum?”
Of course we would! That was our first thought—but we were too stunned to speak. We figured it was a joke, thinking of the massive lines and tickets sold out days in advance.
“Sure,” we replied, a little unsure. “Is that even possible—today?”
“Yes, if you’d like,” came the casual response. Like it was totally normal to buy same-day tickets to the Colosseum, from a calm, air-conditioned ticket counter, without waiting in line.
We didn’t hesitate. We bought the combo ticket that included both the Colosseum and Roman Forum. The Colosseum visit was for a specific time; the Forum could be visited anytime that day.
The museum itself was interesting and worth visiting, but what really stuck with us was that unbelievable ticket deal. And the surprises didn’t stop there.
Roman Forum, Part 2 – Skipping the Line
After leaving the Mamertine Prison, we had some time before our Colosseum entry, so we walked over to Piazza del Campidoglio. The views here and the monument to Victor Emmanuel II are stunning, and totally worth checking out, even during a one-day visit.
But then, on our way back to the Colosseum, we stumbled across a small side street named Foro Romano, right beside the ruins. There we found a hidden entrance to the Roman Forum. Not only was there no line in the blazing sun—there wasn’t a single person in front of us. With our lucky tickets, we were in immediately.
We only had about 30 minutes before our Colosseum time slot, so we planned to just pass through quickly. But the ticket checker reminded us: the ticket only allows one entry to the Forum. He was kind enough to say, “If you feel rushed, come back here before 4 PM, I’ll still be here and I’ll let you back in.”
That kind of hospitality was definitely not what we expected at such a major tourist site.
Honestly? The 30 minutes we spent there were rushed, sure, but enough for us to see most of the Forum from various angles. We didn’t go back.
The Forum is an incredible, awe-inspiring place—literally the center of the ancient Roman Empire. You can feel the weight of history and imagine what might have happened right on those streets. Yes, you could easily spend days exploring every detail, but since we were doing Rome in one day, we settled for a quick visit and the overall vibe—plus that blazing 95°F sun.
Colosseum, Part 2
Next up: our scheduled visit to the Colosseum.
Even with a timed entry, there was still about a 10-minute line. But after everything that had gone right, we weren’t about to complain. Totally worth it.
If you thought seeing the Colosseum from the outside was impressive, wait until you’re inside. Even with just one day in Rome, don’t skip it.
It’s almost impossible to put the feeling into words. You realize these same stones once hosted epic battles, wild animal fights, and even mock naval battles when the arena was flooded. And standing where Roman emperors once gave the thumbs-up or thumbs-down? Unreal.
Bonci Pizzarium – On the Way to the Vatican
Our next stop was the Vatican and its surroundings, with a bit of planned and unplanned detour.
I had already wanted to visit Bonci Pizzarium—a now internationally renowned pizzeria that was recommended to me by the owner of D’Al Michele Pizzeria in Budapest, a student of the master himself. Since the Ottaviano metro stop, the one closest to the Vatican, was closed, we went one stop further and got off at Cipro, which made it easy to visit the place.
Don’t expect a traditional pizzeria—here they sell pizza al taglio, the Roman square-cut pizza, sliced with scissors. And there’s absolutely no seating.
The sight of the beautiful pizza creations and the buzzing Roman vibe were enchanting, but the overall experience was just okay. Maybe it’s because I felt the pizzas were overloaded with toppings—personally, I think the master’s student in Budapest makes better pizza. Or maybe it was because we had to eat them on a dirty bench in the 100°F sun, surrounded by bold flies.
If you want to try this pizza, I’ve got a better tip for a one-day Rome itinerary: they have a location at Fiumicino (FCO) Airport where you can enjoy this special yet traditional Roman treat in a much more pleasant setting.
St. Peter’s Square, Vatican
From Bonci Pizzarium, we walked along the Vatican walls until we reached St. Peter’s Square. Although we had time for it—and if Rome in one day is on your agenda, you’ll have time too—we skipped visiting St. Peter’s Basilica.
St. Peter’s Square is impressive enough on its own and left us with a lasting memory. A few obligatory photos and a mental checkmark for visiting a new country were more than enough for us that day.
Rome in 1 Day: Tevere Chill Out
By now, we were starting to feel the fatigue—even though it was only around 4 PM. A full day of walking in the scorching August heat had taken its toll.
Crossing the Tevere River (formerly Tiberis), we found a lovely, if unimaginatively named, spot by the water called Terrazza Tevere. It would’ve been a shame not to stop here. With a view of Castel Sant’Angelo across the river, we truly enjoyed the Italian vibe, the coffee and cold drinks, and just sitting in the shade of the riverside trees with pleasant music playing.
Strolling Through the City Center
At this point, we were honestly pretty tired, and although we still had time before our flight, we started heading in the direction of Termini Station. But it was just a direction. This roughly 90-minute walk still packed in tons of sights and gave us a final chance to soak up the pulse of Rome’s tourist life.
What else did we squeeze into those 90 minutes?
- A heavenly tiramisu from a place offering about ten flavors and variations.
- The stunning colonnade of the Pantheon.
- A free sausage tasting of amazing Italian salumi at a deli next to the Pantheon.
- Exploring the narrow streets of Rome.
- A visit to the must-see Trevi Fountain, which, along with the Vatican and the Colosseum, I consider an essential stop on any Rome trip—whether it’s 1 day or longer.
That’s a Wrap
Rome in 1 day—this is what we managed to fit in. Well past our 30,000th step, we dragged ourselves to Termini Station, grabbed a quick coffee, and boarded the Leonardo Express to Fiumicino Airport.
Fiumicino (Leonardo da Vinci) really is Rome’s “main” airport—and not just because of its size. Comfortable, direct trains run regularly, so we got there quickly.
To wrap up the day, we found a seat, relaxed in a comfortable climate, and enjoyed our final Roman treat from Bonci Pizzarium at the airport.
Rome in One Day Map
Here’s a map of our one-day Rome adventure with all the key spots marked on an interactive Google Map:
A Few Things We Missed
Yes, seeing Rome in 1 day may require some compromises—you might not visit everything. Or maybe you can, as long as you don’t compromise on the exhaustion either.
We could have visited a few more sights, but personally, I find that an hour spent relaxing in a local café or bar is just as valuable as ticking off another monument.
Here are the most famous spots we missed, but you could easily add them to an even more ambitious one-day itinerary:
- St. Peter’s Basilica
- Castel Sant’Angelo – though we did see it from the outside
- Circus Maximus
- Piazza Navona
- Villa Borghese
