ROME: 5 Walking paths / tour ideas


ROME HOMEBASE - 3 nights - Campo Marzio
Rome's 4th Rione, Campo Marzio or, as we might say, the Field of Mars was its most populous in the middle ages. 
North of it is Flaminio; the ancient Roman Via Flaminia passed through the Porta del Popolo and ended at the Via del Corso, 
once the Roman Via Lata, a street of expensive things these days.


Scott's Maps & thoughts on Rome
  • illustrate 'reasonable'  3-mile walking routes (does not include all the steps in a museum). There are ways to find places to get feet up and rest the legs, sometimes to find quieter spaces.  
  • Villa Borghese, Vatican Museum, Coloseum, Roman Forum require timed reservations (bought weeks or months in advance for some).  
  • many churches (with astounding master scultures and paintings) are closed noon to 16:00.  
  • Papal Basilica's generally open 07:00 to 19:00.  (there are archeo tours for the lower layers under churches and around rome).
  • Museums are best for middle day when churches closed.   
  • Many dining options.  (consider special diet needs).
  • Drink water from the pasoni fountains all across Rome.  
  • Keep 50 cent euros for public toilets.... use app to find toilets, but plan to use when stop for eats... 
  • to blend in... use more mild color,... black is default for base.  Suppose not so much like Adam Sandler ;-)   Italian's have a sense of fashion... as a guy I notice big difference from USA guys style.  
  • comfortable shoes
  • i use a Scott's Vest with pockets - i find it less obvious and easier than a lil expanding mini pack thingy (which was my old method).
  • Middle of May should not have any really cold days - especially in Rome... so that helps.   Can always buy an article of clothing if needed... they have shops in Italy ;p
  • Utilize Metro RED Line - FLAMINIO (Piazza del Popolo) - 72 hour pass. 
    • I do not use buses in Rome, yet the pass is for metro (subway or bus).
    • I've used 'regional' buses in combination with regional trains (not Roma Metro bus).


Likely a Taxi drop-off to start.  partial day.  I know how to go across river and get start, yet why walk all those steps ?
This starts with most amazing Villa Faresina, with museum next door.
then walk into Trastevere (food and vibe) and hit churches (art masterpieces), 
wait in line for Mouth of Truth (or got into this old church)
head across the Tiber River (Island).
Taxi for reset. 

  • No reservations this route.  (but Trevi fountain and Pantheon now have tickets to buy).  This is a good first day experience, and can be flexible with time.
  • This takes you into some of the 'romantic' and iconic Piazza - some master artworks in churches along the way.  
  • Piazza Navona is one of my favorite places to wind down the day... museums to north and south of Piazza Navona
  • then the Taxi stand saves my legs - back to hotel.


  • This tour depends on getting Reserved Time Ticket at Galleria Borghese... that controls the timing of this day.   
  • PARK setting:  rent a little boat and drift in thoughts and relax a bit.
  • This is a great second day option, as it is more quiet experience.  Generally not the huge crowds.  
  • Really cool overlook of Rome !
  • The modern art museum is still centuries old - some really amazing stuff.
  • Learn about the Etruscan society at Villa Giulia museum.



Vatican City and a little bit of stuff along the walk.
Saint Peters security line can get long... often plan is arrive at 07:00, then get Museum ticket entry time after St Peters.  
there are optional Dome Climb at St Peters,  as well as lower layers

Vatican Museum is always full of people - everyone in the world wants to see it.  Sistine Chapel is included.  There are special tours (early and late) that may be of interest (fewer people).

Castel Sant' Angelo has been on my list, yet not taken time - super deep history and some cool museum church and veiws.  There is a Passetto di Borgo option that would be cool.  

Ponte Sant'Angelo - sculptures !!!   At night go to the next bridge (Ponte Umberto I) to get cool pic of St. Peters dome reflecting in light.



Use RED Metro subway line (or Taxi) to start.  Use Taxi to end (reset).

Start this tour of Christian Relics at Basilica di Santa Croce in Gerusalemme (significant relics), then walk along a nice park with the Roman walls to your left... 

walking towards one of four Papal Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano. 
  • cross street is Santuario della Scala Santa (steps Jesus walked to Roman judgement, etc).  
  • Baptistry
  • Vatican museum (palace).
walk down a street whose buildings frame the Coloseum in the distance.

Basilica San Clemente 
worth the timed ticket to experience the fascinating layers of earliest church and a roman temple at lowest levels.  coolness factor.  (they just kept building on top of the big foundations to escape the floods over centuries).

Decision on Coloseum and Forum (timed entries and ticket lines - some variable ways to make it easier, but it will suck time...).  Decision if want to walk around Forum or through Forum.  
I would suggest consider to take a nice walk around Coloseum and Forum (free / no ticket).... 
keeping in mind that the next destination (Museo Capitolini & Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele II give elevated views).   
unless you are really educated and/or have the time, consider using time at the Museum and Vittorio having a meal with view and hit the elevator view.

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