✨The Perfect 24 Hours in Rome 🇮🇹

Rome wasn’t built in a day… but with the right shoes and enough espresso, you can definitely see a whole lot of it in 24 hours. You can soak in the magic of the Eternal City, eat your weight in carbs, and maybe even find love (with a gelato, obviously). Buckle up, we’re going full Vespa-mode through Rome, baby.

Where to Stay: Hotel Raffaello by Best Western

First things first, drop your bags at @hotelraffaellorome.* This little gem is just minutes from Termini Station, the Colosseum, and basically every Roman must-see that’s ever graced your Pinterest board. Think old-world charm meets modern comfort, with bonus points for their rooftop terrace and yes, your breakfast will taste better up there

Quick tip: Staying central = saving time = more gelato. Always the right math in Rome.

Pizza at La Mela D’Oro

Time to carb-load like a gladiator. Head to La Mela D’Oro for a seriously delicious pizza lunch. Whether you’re gluten-free or gluten-full, they’ve got options that’ll make you want to kiss your fingers like a true Italian.

Roamin’ the Colosseum

You have to stop by the Colosseum. This is non-negotiable. It’s where gladiators once battled lions and now influencers battle for the perfect angle. It's jaw droppingly massive and genuinely awe-inspiring.

Pro tip: We didn’t go inside but if you do want to we reccomend booking your tickets online in advance to skip the line.

Trevi Fountain & Sweet Treats

Channel your inner Lizzie McGuire and toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain.Then strut over to @anticofornotrevi for an espresso and a sweet bite. It’s adorable, it’s delicious, and it’s right there.

Legend alert: Over €3,000 in coins are thrown into the fountain daily. All of it goes to charity, which means your rom-com moment also helps people. Win-win!

Snack Time: Maritozzi Magic

You haven’t truly tasted Rome until you’ve tried a maritozzo, a sweet bun split and stuffed with clouds of whipped cream. It’s dreamy. Grab one from a local street vendor or, if you're gluten-free, @newfoodglutenfree has your back (and your belly).

The Orange Garden

Perched atop the peaceful Aventine Hill, Giardino degli Aranci (The Orange Garden) is one of Rome’s most serene spots, perfect for a golden hour stroll or a mid-day breather. Lined with fragrant orange trees and offering sweeping views over the city, this little park feels like a secret locals don’t want to share.

Bonus nearby stop: Just a few minutes’ walk away is the famous Keyhole of the Knights of Malta, where you can peek through and see perfectly framed views of St. Peter’s Basilica.

The Pantheon: Day & Night

This ancient temple turned church is a Roman icon. Visit during the day for the sunbeams slicing through the oculus, and again after sunset when it’s romantically lit and oddly quiet. Trust me it hits different after dark.

Cool to know: The Pantheon’s dome is still the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world. Yep, the Romans really did that.

Sant’Ignazio di Loyola

Just a short walk from the Pantheon, Sant’Ignazio di Loyola is one of Rome’s most underrated treasures. Step inside and look up you’ll be greeted by a breathtaking ceiling fresco by Andrea Pozzo that creates the illusion of a grand dome. The effect is so convincing, it’s hard to believe it’s completely flat.

Dinner at Pantha Rei

Right behind the Pantheon (like, literally tucked in an alley) is @pantharei_roma, an absolute treasure of a restaurant. They serve all the Roman classics; carbonara, cacio e pepe, amatriciana and even have a full gluten-free.

Insider tip: Italians eat late. Don’t show up for dinner before 7 PM unless you want to dine with the early-bird-tourist crowd.

Rooftop Breakfast Goals

Rise and shine with a slow Roman morning on the rooftop terrace at Hotel Raffaello. Their breakfast spread is the stuff of European dream sequences: pastries, fruit, eggs, yogurt, and fresh coffee that might actually hug your soul.

One Day, A Lifetime of Memories

Can you “do” Rome in 24 hours? Maybe not all of it but you can definitely soak up the best of it, one unforgettable moment at a time. From ancient ruins to espresso breaks, this city is a feast for every sense. So go ahead, toss the coin, eat the pasta, and fall a little in love with Rome.

Because let’s be real… you’ll be back. 😉

*Disclaimer: We stayed at Hotel Raffaello in collaboration with Best Western during our time in Rome. This blog post, however, was not sponsored or paid for, and all opinions, recommendations, and enthusiastic gelato mentions are entirely our own.