Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter’s Basilica Guided Tour
4.542,000 reviews3h
from €69
Check availabilityBudget · 5 Days
€425
Mid-range · 5 Days
€985
Best months
Apr, May, Oct
Hotel per night (mid-range)
€140
With 5 days in Rome, you'll have time to experience the city's highlights. The Eternal City earns its name through sheer persistence. Empires rose and fell, popes warred and built, and artists transformed stone into miracles—yet Romans carried on with their daily rituals of coffee, conversation, and la dolce vita.
Perfect for history buffs
Perfect for couples
Perfect for food lovers
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival & First Impressions
Start your Rome adventure by getting your bearings and exploring the city's most iconic landmarks. Take time to soak in the atmosphere and discover why this destination captures the hearts of millions.
1
Colosseum
Step inside the ancient arena where gladiators fought, holding up to 50,000 spectators.
⏱️ 2-3 hours
💡 Tip: Book the underground and arena floor tour for exclusive access. Combined tickets include Roman Forum.
2
Vatican City
Explore the world's smallest country, home to St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel.
⏱️ 4-5 hours
💡 Tip: Book skip-the-line tours online. Dress modestly (no shorts or bare shoulders).
Day 2: Local Life & Neighborhoods
Experience Rome like a local today. Wander through authentic neighborhoods, discover hidden cafes, and get a taste of everyday life in Italy.
1
Trevi Fountain
Toss a coin into Rome's most famous fountain to ensure your return to the Eternal City.
⏱️ 30 minutes
💡 Tip: Visit at sunrise for photos without crowds. Nighttime illumination is magical.
2
Roman Forum
Walk through the political, religious, and commercial heart of ancient Rome.
⏱️ 1.5-2 hours
💡 Tip: included with Colosseum tickets. Use an audio guide to understand what you're seeing.
Day 3: Art, History & Discovery
Uncover layers of history that shaped Rome. From ancient remains to modern marvels, today reveals the stories behind the city's evolution.
1
Pantheon
Enter the best-preserved building from ancient Rome, featuring a remarkable domed ceiling.
⏱️ 30-45 minutes
💡 Tip: Free entry! Visit around noon when sunlight streams through the oculus.
2
Spanish Steps
Sit on the iconic 135 steps connecting Piazza di Spagna to Trinità dei Monti church.
⏱️ 30 minutes
💡 Tip: Sitting is prohibited but standing for photos is fine. Great for people-watching.
Day 4: Day Trip to Orvieto
Leave Rome behind for a day and head to Orvieto (1 hour by regional train).
1
Orvieto
A dramatic hilltop town in Umbria crowned by one of Italy's most stunning Gothic cathedrals. Underground tunnels, excellent white wine, and a slower pace make this a perfect escape.
⏱️ Full day
💡 Tip: Highlights: Duomo of Orvieto, Underground city tours, Orvieto Classico wine, Medieval quarter.
Day 5: Testaccio & Hidden Gems
Spend your last day away from the main sights: slow down in Testaccio and seek out a few places most visitors to Rome never find.
1
Testaccio
Rome's most authentic neighborhood, built on an ancient Roman rubbish dump and still home to the city's best traditional trattorias. This is where chefs come to eat, where butchers have perfected quinto quarto cuisine for generations.
⏱️ Half day
💡 Tip: Don't miss: Testaccio Market, Monte Testaccio (ancient amphora hill), Cimitero Acattolico (Keats' grave).
2
Protestant Cemetery (Cimitero Acattolico)
A peaceful cypress-shaded cemetery where Keats and Shelley rest among crumbling monuments and prowling cats.
⏱️ 1-2 hours
💡 Tip: One of Rome's most romantic spots, largely unknown to visitors. The resident cats and weathered tombstones create an atmosphere poets would appreciate.
3
San Clemente Basilica
A 12th-century church built atop a 4th-century church built atop a 1st-century Mithraic temple—descend through layers of Roman history.
⏱️ 1-2 hours
💡 Tip: This underground journey through 2,000 years illustrates Rome's layered history better than any museum, yet sees a fraction of Vatican crowds.
Top tours and experiences in Rome
The tours and tickets travellers book most, with ratings and reviews from Viator.
Rome: Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill Guided Tour
4.625,913 reviews1h 30m
from €59
Check availability
Skip-the-Line Group Tour of the Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica
4.615,662 reviews3h
from €20
Check availability
All things to do in Rome →
Tours and prices from Viator, a Tripadvisor company. Prices change with your dates. We may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.
Why Visit Rome
Witness Baroque Rome, where Bernini and Borromini turned the city into an open-air gallery of dramatic fountains, curving facades, and theatrical piazzas.
Live la dolce vita: linger over long lunches, take the afternoon slow, and join Romans for the evening passeggiata as the city turns golden.
Walk through 3,000 years of history in a single afternoon—from the Roman Forum where emperors ruled to Baroque masterpieces and modern Italian life.
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How much do 5 days in Rome cost?
Plan on roughly €425 on a budget, €985 mid-range or €1,800 for a comfortable trip, per person and excluding travel to Rome.
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (per night) | €60 | €140 | €240 |
| Food and drinks (per day) | €17 | €35 | €70 |
| Sightseeing and activities (per day) | €8 | €22 | €50 |
| Total per day | €85 | €197 | €360 |
| Total for 5 days | €425 | €985 | €1,800 |
Estimates exclude flights and long-distance transport. Compare daily costs across cities
Where to stay in Rome
Hotels close to the centre of Rome, from budget to luxury. Prices are typical nightly rates at our last check.
Budget
Mid-range
Upscale
LuxuryHotel prices come from Traveloka, last checked on February 4, 2026, and change with your dates. We may earn a commission if you book through our links, at no extra cost to you.
Travel Tips
- 1Book accommodation in the city center for easy access to attractions. Rome is best explored by combining walking with public transport.
- 2The best time to visit Rome is April to June, September to October. Shoulder seasons offer fewer crowds and pleasant weather.
- 3The local currency is Euro (€). Cards are widely accepted.
- 4A few words in Italian go a long way with locals. Even "please" and "thank you" will earn smiles.
- 5Download offline maps and translation apps before your trip. WiFi can be spotty in historic areas.
- 65 days gives you time to see the highlights and discover some hidden gems.
Must-Try Food in Rome
Carbonara (egg, guanciale, pecorino—no cream, ever)
Cacio e pepe (pecorino and black pepper pasta)
Supplì (fried rice balls with mozzarella)
Carciofi alla giudia (Jewish-style fried artichokes)
💡 Restaurants near major monuments are almost always tourist traps. Walk 5 minutes away and the quality doubles while prices halve.
Neighborhoods to Explore in Rome
Trastevere
Rome's most romantic neighborhood winds through cobblestone alleys, past ivy-covered trattorias, and around intimate piazzas.
Centro Storico
The historic heart where ancient temples, Renaissance palaces, and Baroque churches compete for attention.
Monti
Rome's oldest neighborhood has reinvented itself as the city's hippest quarter.
Day Trip Ideas
With 5 days in Rome, you have time for a memorable day trip. Here are some great options nearby:
Pompeii & Naples
1 hour 10 minutes by high-speed train to Naples
Walk the streets of the ancient city frozen in time by Vesuvius, then explore Naples' chaotic charm, legendary pizza, and archaeological museum holding Pompeii's finest treasures.
Tivoli (Villa d'Este & Hadrian's Villa)
45 minutes by regional train
Two UNESCO sites in one day: Hadrian's sprawling imperial retreat and the Renaissance Villa d'Este with its spectacular water gardens and hundreds of fountains.
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