Rome in 5 days

Getting there: Metro C from Malatesta to Colosseo/Fori Imperiali, no changes (about 15 minutes).

1. Colosseum — At the first entry slot, when it’s quietest. With the Full Experience Arena ticket you walk on the arena floor.
2. Palatine Hill — Enter from Via di San Gregorio. House of Augustus, Stadium of Domitian, Farnese Gardens terrace.
3. Roman Forum — Walk down from the Arch of Titus along the Via Sacra.
4. Lunch in Monti — Monti is the closest neighbourhood: trattorias and bakeries.
5. Imperial Forums and Trajan’s Column — From the street, for free: Trajan’s Column and the Forum of Augustus.
6. Capitoline Museums — Don’t miss the original Marcus Aurelius and the underground gallery overlooking the Forum.
7. Vittoriano — The panoramic terrace by lift, at sunset in winter.

Getting back: Walk to Metro C Colosseo/Fori Imperiali (12 minutes), then home.

Getting there: Metro C to San Giovanni, then Metro A to Ottaviano (35–40 minutes).

1. Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel — At the first entry slot: Laocoön, Gallery of Maps, Raphael Rooms, Sistine Chapel.
2. St Peter’s Basilica — Pietà, Bernini’s baldachin, St Peter’s tomb.
3. Lunch in Borgo — Between the Vatican and Castel Sant’Angelo.
4. Castel Sant’Angelo — Inside: the Roman ramp, the papal apartments, the Angel’s Terrace. Closed on Mondays. Then Ponte Sant’Angelo at sunset.

Getting back: Metro A from Lepanto, changing at San Giovanni, or a taxi.

Getting there: Metro C to San Giovanni, then Metro A to Flaminio (about 35 minutes).

1. Piazza del Popolo — Go into Santa Maria del Popolo for the two Caravaggios in the Cerasi Chapel.
2. Spanish Steps — You get there along Via del Babuino.
3. Trevi Fountain — €2 ticket to go down next to the basin.
4. Sant’Ignazio — Look at the fake dome from the disc on the floor.
5. Pantheon — With a timed ticket.
6. San Luigi dei Francesi — The three Caravaggios of St Matthew, before the midday closure.
7. Lunch between the Pantheon and Navona — In the streets around the Pantheon.
8. Piazza Navona — The Fountain of the Four Rivers and Sant’Agnese in Agone.
9. Campo de’ Fiori and Palazzo Farnese — Then Palazzo Farnese, just round the corner.
10. Jewish Ghetto and Theatre of Marcellus — Portico d’Ottavia, the Turtle Fountain, the Theatre of Marcellus.

Getting back: Walk from the Theatre of Marcellus to Metro C Colosseo/Fori Imperiali (about 20 minutes).

Getting there: Metro C and Metro A to Spagna, then walk through Villa Borghese.

1. Borghese Gallery — First entry, at 9:00.
2. Villa Borghese — Walk to the Pincio terrace.
3. Pincio Terrace — The view over Piazza del Popolo.
4. Lunch near Piazza del Popolo — Between Via del Babuino and Via di Ripetta.
5. Santa Cecilia in Trastevere — To Trastevere by bus or taxi, or with tram 8 from Largo Argentina.
6. Santa Maria in Trastevere — The lanes and the golden mosaics of Santa Maria in Trastevere.
7. Janiculum Hill — Climb the steps of Via Garibaldi: Bramante’s Tempietto, the Fontanone, the terrace at sunset.

Getting back: Taxi, or tram 8 to Piazza Venezia and Metro C from the Colosseum.

Getting there: Metro C to San Giovanni, then bus 218 to Porta San Sebastiano.

1. Porta San Sebastiano and Museum of the Walls — You walk along the Aurelian Walls. Check the museum’s opening hours.
2. Domine Quo Vadis — The church where, according to tradition, Peter met Jesus.
3. Catacombs of St Callixtus — Guided tour included in the ticket.
4. San Sebastiano and Circus of Maxentius — The basilica, the catacombs and the Circus of Maxentius.
5. Lunch at a trattoria on the Appian Way — A trattoria on the Appian Way.
6. Tomb of Caecilia Metella — With Capo di Bove, Archaeological Park ticket (€8).
7. The stretch of Roman paving — The most beautiful stretch: Roman paving stones, pines and tombs on both sides. Or rent a bike at the start of the road.

Getting back: Bus 660 to Metro A Colli Albani, then Metro A and Metro C.