How to Spend 24 Hours in Rome

Oh, Bella Italia… Indeed, one of Western Europe’s youngest countries, Italy is a place loved by everyone.

A fascinating fact about Italy is that it will greet you with its hospitality, insanely beautiful architecture, and dreamy nature no matter which place you decide to visit. In other words, Italy can offer you everything, so even the biggest skeptics are lured into its magic.

In this article, we’ve provided you with an ultimate guide list on how to spend 24 hours in Italy’s heart – Rome.

They say Rome wasn’t built in a day, but it’s undoubtedly that you can visit it in only one day. Surely, you physically won’t be able to see everything, so we’ve listed the best places to visit if you are in a hurry.

The Colosseum

This one may seem obvious, but it would be a sin not to add it to our list. An oval amphitheater in the center of the city of Rome, the Colosseum attracts more than 7 million visitors per year.

However, as it is one of the most popular places to see in Italy, be prepared that the place will be packed with tourists. As you only have so little time, it is best to visit the Colosseum early in the morning.

Altare della Patria

After you’re done with adoring the Colosseum, the next stop preferably should be an Altare della Patria. Only 15 minutes walk from the Colosseum, Altare della Patria (also known as an Altar of the Fatherland) is another highly visited architecture masterpiece.

It is a massive marble structure memorializing the unification of Italy; therefore, a must-see spot for everyone visiting Rome for the first time. Altare della Patria also has a vast panoramic terrace on top of it. However, due to time shortage, we recommend skipping it this time.

The Pantheon

Nearly 2,000 years old, the Pantheon is an ancient Roman temple built circularly with massive granite columns in the front.

A highlight of the building is the large oculus in the middle of the dome roof, and it’s the only source of natural lighting in the building. This is definitely a deal-breaker if you haven’t decided yet if you want to visit this place.

Trevi Fountain

After visiting the Pantheon, another place to visit nearby is the Trevi Fountain, and it is probably the most known fountain worldwide. Sadly, as in most places in Italy, Trevi Fountain is always full of people, so be prepared for it.

If you want to snap more pictures with the Trevi Fountain, the best time to do it is in the early morning or late at night.

The Spanish Steps

Another place to visit while in Rome is definitely the Spanish Steps. Built around 1725, the Spanish Steps made its big hit after the movie premiere called Roman Holiday.

As Rome is located in Italy, you might wonder: why is it called the Spanish Steps? Well, this place is called Spanish, paid for by the French, and built by an Italian! And for the name, it’s quite simple – the steps lead to the Spanish embassy!

Piazza Navona

Last but not least – mesmerizing Piazza Navona. In Italian, a piazza stands for a central square, and every Piazza has a church in it. This will be your perfect ending for staying in Rome, the capital of country, architecture, and history.

It’s hard to deny that Rome should definitely be on everyone’s “to visit” list. Filled with a perfect mix of culture and history, Rome is a city to love.

Is Rome Safe?

Unfortunately, Rome is known not only for its glorious beauty but also for its unsafeness. Many thieves take advantage of clueless tourists and steal their wallets, backpacks, and other valuable things.

When traveling, always be aware of your surroundings, avoid suspicious districts, and do not talk with strangers. Also, take care of your digital privacy as well.

For instance, do not use any public Wifi, as they are not encrypted and safe. If you have no other choice and must use public Wifi, enable the best VPN connection prior to connecting to the network.

If you’re new to this term, a VPN (a virtual private network) basically gives you a new IP address by rerouting your network through a specially configured remote server.

That means that most hackers will never be able to see what you’re surfing; thus, they cannot see your personal information, such as passwords, bank credentials, etc.