Start your day like a local with a quick espresso standing at the bar of a café. Then head to the Colosseum, the massive amphitheater where gladiatorial games and public spectacles once symbolized imperial power.

Pass by the Arch of Constantine, a triumphal arch commemorating military victory and symbolizing Rome’s transition into the Christian era.

Continue into the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, the political, religious, and residential heart of ancient Rome, where ruins of temples, basilicas, and imperial palaces illustrate the rise of a civilization.

Have lunch at a neighborhood trattoria, sampling classic Roman pastas: cacio e pepe (pecorino and black pepper), gricia (guanciale, pecorino, black pepper), or amatriciana (guanciale, tomato, pecorino).

Optional add-on: Visit Campo de’ Fiori, a historic square that functions as a lively daytime market filled with fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, and gourmet items.

Make your way to Piazza Navona, a grand Baroque square built atop an ancient stadium, now known for its elegant fountains and vibrant street life. Take a cafe break and do some people-watching.

Continue on to the Pantheon, famed for its perfectly proportioned dome and open oculus. Requirements for respectful/modest attire apply at churches and other religious sites. Visitors should avoid disrupting religious observances and remain mindful of posted customs.

Grab a quick snack of supplì (fried rice ball with melted mozzarella at its center) and head to the Trevi Fountain, where legend directs you to toss a coin over your shoulder to ensure a return to Rome. Have dinner in the surrounding streets, where you can try Roman-style pizza, known for its thin, crisp crust.

End the evening at Piazza di Spagna, climbing the Spanish Steps to reach Trinità dei Monti. From the top, take in sweeping views of the city with a gelato to close out the day.

Pick up a cornetto (Italian croissant) and a cappuccino before heading to Vatican City, starting at St. Peter’s Square, an immense colonnaded plaza designed to embrace visitors arriving at the heart of the Catholic world.

Then visit the Vatican Museums for its extensive art collections, including Renaissance masterpieces and the Sistine Chapel. Note that much of the Vatican Museum is not air conditioned, so plan your visit accordingly. Requirements for respectful/modest attire apply at churches and other religious sites. Visitors should avoid disrupting religious observances and remain mindful of posted customs.

Continue into St. Peter’s Basilica, renowned for its scale, Michelangelo’s dome, and masterpieces like the Pietà.

Stop for a snack of trapizzino (pizza pocket filled with classic Roman stews like chicken cacciatore or meatballs).

Explore Castel Sant’Angelo, a fortress originally built as a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian, later used by popes as a refuge, offering panoramic views from its terrace. Head to Ponte Sant’Angelo, for a photo op at this bridge lined with angel statues leading back toward the historic center.

Optional add-on: Take a sunset cruise along the Tiber River, a relaxed way to see Rome’s landmarks from a different perspective.

In Trastevere, narrow streets and ivy-covered facades create a neighborhood that feels both historic and lived-in. For dinner, consider Roman favorites of pasta carbonara (eggs, guanciale, and pecorino) for primi and saltimbocca alla Romana (veal with prosciutto and sage) for secondi.

Take a post-dinner walk up Gianicolo Hill, one of the city’s best viewpoints, where sweeping nighttime views provide a memorable ending to the day.