Italy · 5-day itinerary
5 days in Rome
Three thousand years of history around every corner. Here's a 5-day plan that clusters each day by neighbourhood, with real times, so you walk less and see more.
Day 1
Arrive & settle into Rome
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Arrive in Rome
Check in at your stay in Centro Storico (near Piazza Navona).
- 12:15 p.m. Lunch
1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. · Vatican · ~$21
St Peter's Basilica dome climb
Climb the dome for the city's best view.
- 6:00 p.m. Dinner · Cacio e pepe in Trastevere
7:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. · Centro Storico · ~$7
Pantheon, Navona and Trevi walk
Baroque Rome's greatest hits on foot.
Day 2
A taste of the city
- 1:15 p.m. Lunch
- 6:00 p.m. Dinner · Supplì (fried rice balls) from a takeaway counter
7:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. · Trastevere · ~$64
Trastevere evening
Ivy-draped lanes, trattorias and piazza life.
Day 3
Art & design
1:40 p.m. – 4:10 p.m. · Testaccio · ~$43
Testaccio Market food crawl
Rome's working-class food quarter.
- 6:00 p.m. Dinner · Pizza al taglio by weight
7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. · Spanish Steps · ~$43
Rooftop aperitivo
Spritz with dome views at sunset.
Day 4
Adventure day
- 1:15 p.m. Lunch
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Evening at leisure
Dinner somewhere that catches your eye, then a stroll or an early night.
Day 5
Farewell, Rome
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. · Villa Borghese · ~$7
Villa Borghese park and Pincio terrace
Rent a rowboat and catch sunset over Piazza del Popolo.
- 12:00 p.m. Lunch
1:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Depart Rome
Check out and head to the airport or station, allowing plenty of time.
- 7:00 p.m. Dinner · Gelato from a gelateria that stores it in covered metal tins
Where to stay in Rome
Shoestring
Monti
Bohemian, central and close to the Colosseum.
Hotels in MontiComfort
Centro Storico (near Piazza Navona)
Walk everywhere: the Pantheon, Trevi and Campo de' Fiori.
Hotels in Centro Storico (near Piazza Navona)Luxury
Spanish Steps / Via Condotti
Grand hotels, designer streets and rooftop bars.
Hotels in Spanish Steps / Via Condotti
What to eat in Rome
Carbonara
Guanciale, egg yolk, pecorino and pepper. No cream, ever.
Cacio e pepe
Pasta with pecorino and black pepper, deceptively hard to master.
Supplì
Fried rice croquettes with a molten mozzarella centre.
Carciofi alla giudia
Crisp fried artichokes from the Jewish Ghetto, best in spring.
Maritozzo
A soft bun split and filled with whipped cream, for breakfast.
Gelato
Look for muted colours and metal tubs, a sign it's made in house.
Where locals send visitors
Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina $$$
Deli and trattoria · Campo de' Fiori · Best for dinner · Reserve ahead
A deli-restaurant famous for its carbonara and wine list.
ReviewsDa Enzo al 29 $$
Trattoria · Trastevere · Best for lunch
A tiny, beloved Trastevere trattoria for Roman classics. Queue early.
ReviewsArmando al Pantheon $$$
Trattoria · Pantheon · Best for dinner · Reserve ahead
Family-run since 1961, steps from the Pantheon.
ReviewsFelice a Testaccio $$
Trattoria · Testaccio · Best for dinner · Reserve ahead
Cacio e pepe tossed tableside.
ReviewsPizzeria da Remo $
Roman pizza · Testaccio · Best for dinner
Thin, crisp Roman pizza and supplì in a bustling local favourite.
ReviewsSupplizio $
Supplì · Via dei Banchi Vecchi · Best for lunch
Gourmet supplì to eat on the go near Campo de' Fiori.
Reviews
Heads-up: what to steer clear of
- Scam: Costumed "gladiators" near the Colosseum and people offering roses or bracelets expect payment after a photo or a "gift". Agree a price first, or decline.
- Pickpockets: Pickpockets are active on bus 64 to the Vatican, on the Metro and at the Trevi Fountain.
- Local rules: Sitting on the Spanish Steps and wading in fountains bring fines. Most of the historic centre is a limited-traffic zone (ZTL) that fines cars automatically.
Giro's notes, reviewed October 2026. Things change, so check current advice before you go: Government of Canada travel advisories .
Good to know
- Book Vatican and Colosseum slots a few weeks out.
- Cover shoulders and knees for churches.
- Fill up at the free nasoni drinking fountains.
Daily budget per person
| Shoestring | ~$134 |
| Comfort | ~$285 |
| Luxury | ~$804 |
A shared double room, meals and local transport. Flights and tickets not included.
Make this Rome trip yours
Giro rebuilds this plan for your dates, your group and your budget. Swap stops, drag them between days, add your flights and hotel, and share it with everyone coming.
Plan this tripTimes and prices are estimates (prices in CAD at the latest ECB rate). Check opening hours before you go. Place descriptions and photos from Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons, credited on each photo. Giro may earn a commission on bookings, at no extra cost to you.