Visit Rome in 7 days: itinerary between sport, relaxation and well-being

Ideas and advice for a 7-day itinerary to discover Rome, the capital of Italy, in the name of sport, relaxation and well-being.

Romeit is a very popular tourist destination in any season. Whether it's summer, winter, spring or autumn, with its immense artistic, historical and cultural heritage, the capital ofItalyhe is always able to enchant and bewitch. It is certainly no coincidence that it is annually among the most visited cities in the world.

I got to explore the Eternal city during the“Roma Sport & Slow” projectand in this article I want to leave you the 7-day itinerary that I created myself in Rome in the name of sport, relaxation and well-being.

7-day itinerary to visit Rome

If you want to fully enjoy Rome and be able to visit its main attractions, you will have to dedicate at least 7 days to them. For longer journeys you can use public transport (on the website of theAtacyou will find the various season tickets, the one for 7 days costs 24 euros) while in the center and in the various districts I recommend some nice walks. Only in this way, in fact, will you be able to grasp the true essence of a city which, at every corner, always offers new and unexpected glimpses.

Day 1: Historic Center of Rome

Considering that you will lose some time upon arrival and accommodation in the hotel, I suggest you start your 7-day itinerary to discover Rome from themost central points.

The very first stop could beThe Trevi Fountainwith the inevitable coin toss. Tradition wants it to be a propitiatory act for a return to the Eternal City.Piazza di Spagna, iconic symbol of the city with thestairway of Trinità dei Montiand the Barcaccia Fountainbuilt by Bernini in 1627, it is located not far away. Don't forget to take a souvenir photo and immortalize the magical moment. A curiosity? Piazza di Spagna is so called because it overlooks the Spanish embassy building directly.

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Intercepting and continuing east along via del Corso, you will find yourself in the immenseVenice plaza, famous for having witnessed fascist propaganda. This is where you will find theAltar of the Fatherland and theTomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Other fundamental stages of the small walking tour in the historic center of Rome are thenthe Pantheon and Piazza Navona. The first was born as a temple during the Augustan age and was then rebuilt in 128 AD by the emperor Hadrian. It is characterized by a round building and a dome with a hole in the center. The second, however, is known for thefountain of the Four Riverscreated by Bernini.

Day 2: Vatican Museums, St. Peter's Basilica and Colosseum

The second day could be dedicated to visiting theVatican museums, open from Monday to Saturday from 9.00 to 16.00, and dellaBasilica of Saint Peterwhere, to welcome you, will be Bernini's colonnade and the "Cupolone" designed by Michelangelo.

The Basilica of Saint Peterit is of an enviable beauty. Inside are kept treasures such as the funeral monument of Pope Urban VIII, thePieta by Michelangelo, the Canova monument created for Clement XIII and the mosaic of theGiotto's spacecraft. There is also an entire area dedicated to the tombs of the popes including that of John Paul II.

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For a visit to the Vatican Museums, I recommend that you set aside a couple of hours. It is one of the largest art collections in the world with a long journey full of wonders. Don't miss thePio-Clementine Museumwith 12 rooms filled with works from the Greek and Roman eras, theApollo Belvederein the Octagonal Courtyard, theLaoconte group, the Gregorian Egyptian Museum (especially if you have already visited theEgyptian Museum of Turin), the Gallery of Maps, Raphael's rooms and the majesticSistine Chapelon whose vault there are frescoes by Michelangelo and theLast Judgment.

The afternoon of the second day of this 7-day itinerary to discover Rome could be dedicated to visiting theColiseum, also known as the Flavian Neronian Amphitheater. This is the largest amphitheater in the world whose name derives both from its immense size and from the fact that once upon a time there was a statue of Nero in front of its entrance. The Colosseum can be visited every day, from 10.30 in the morning until 16.30 or 19.30 depending on the season.

Day 3: Trastevere, Jewish Ghetto and Campidoglio

Rome will never cease to amaze you. Whenever you're sure you've seen it all, around the corner, next to a building or under a street trampled a thousand times, you'll see something pop up that will take your breath away.

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The third day of this 7-day itinerary to discover Rome will be dedicated to less traveled paths, and therefore even more wonderful, proposed byRome Experience.

Among the numerous proposals on the site, I chose the walk betweenTrastevere and the Jewish Ghetto, two of the most characteristic and picturesque districts of the capital. Guided by the talented Elisa, I went to discover unique works of art – often overlooked by tourists – such as theTheater of Marcellus, dating back to the first century,the ancient Tiber Island and the Basilica of Santa Cecilia and Santa Maria in Trasteverewhere is the Ecstasy of Blessed Ludovica Albertoni created by Bernini.

At sunset time, if you are not too tired, enjoy a romantic onewalk towards Ponte Milvio, the attraction that attracts lovers from all over the world. To end on a high note, a dinner in a typical Roman restaurant with a nice plate of matriciana or cacio e pepe.

Day 4: Cycling along the Appia Antica

The fourth day of this 7-day itinerary among the beauties of Rome can be dedicated to sport and will developalong the 13 km in theAppia Antica. The first section is the oldest and allows you to pass next to theCaracalla's thermal baths andGate of San Sebastian.

Along the trail you will find many attractions, all well signposted, including the majesticMausoleum of Cecilia Metella. Enjoy the ride with extreme calm, savoring every artifact you find along the way and breathing in some clean air of the Roman countryside. I advise you to equip yourself with a good packed lunch and eat in the open air, surrounded by greenery. Once back in the center, if you still have some energy, enjoy the sunset from an unusual place, generally not present in the classic tourist itineraries,from which you have a magnificent view of San Pietro.

Where is it? On top of the Aventine hill, next to theOrange Garden, you will find the gate of the Villa del Priorato dei Cavalieri di Malta. From the keyhole you can see, almost two centimeters from your nose, the magnificent dome of St. Peter's Basilica.

Day 5: Villa Borghese

The 7-day itinerary to discover Rome can only include a visit toVilla Borghese, the large green park where the more daring and more sporty can also enjoy going for a jog. Inside the perimeter, panoramic points stand out, small squares and hidden treasures.

Among the things not to be missed stand outSiena square, The Temple of Aesculapius, one of the most romantic monuments of Rome which can be reached by boat by navigating the small lake in front and thePincio Terrace, one of the most beautiful panoramas of the Capital.

Other gems of Villa Borghese are theSmallest cinema in the world, which with only 63 seats won the Guinness World Record award, theWater clockwith its unique gear eibusts of the Pincioamong which illustrious characters such as Dante Alighieri stand out.

Day 6: excursion to Lake Albano

During the last 48 hours of this 7 days itinerary in Rome you will be able to make someout-of-town excursions.On the sixth day, to stay on the "sport" theme, I suggest you visit theLake of Albano. Of volcanic origin, it is the ideal place to combine relaxation, wellness and outdoor activities. Here you can stroll, experience theSup(a sport similar to surfing where you use an oar) or, if you are a biker and a lover of bike rides, try your hand at the cycling route that crosses theCastelli Romani Regional Park.

 Day 7: horse riding in Tuscia

The "horse ride in Tuscia" is a very special itinerary proposed byRome Experience, in collaboration with the Lazio Region, where you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in meadows, streams and medieval towers.

Roman Tuscia is a very ancient area that stands out in the northern part of the province of Rome north up to Lake Bracciano. On this picturesque journey, astride trained horses, you will be able to retrace the history of ancient Rome accompanied by certified guides who will literally immerse you in nature and culture.

Where to sleep in Rome

If, like me, you have decided to follow an itinerary among the wonders of Rome in the name of well-being and relaxation, you will agree that the accommodation also deserves a careful selection. For this I had no hesitation in choosing theSavoy Hotel in Rome,hotel structure housed in an elegant building dating back to the end of the 19th century whose essencerecalls the scenes of the Dolce Vita.Elegant and refined, the Savoy is located behind Piazza Barberini, a stone's throw from the historic center and the city's main attractions.

Among white marbles, period furniture, large mirrors and Murano glass chandeliers, the atmosphere you breathe is beautiful. The real gem? On the top floor, in the rooftop, there is a terracefrom which it is possible to enjoy a splendid view over all of Rome.

How to get to Rome

Rome is a well-connected cityboth with Italy and with the whole world through railway stations, buses and the twoairportsof Fiumicino and Ciampino.

Most domestic and international flights are through Fiumicino airport where it has recently openedPlaza Premium Lounge, the perfect place to begin or end an itinerary (like the one I have just proposed) in the name of relaxation and well-being.

The Plaza Premium Lounge is located atPier E of Terminal 3and allows access to all travellers, regardless of the type of air ticket (even for those not traveling in first or business class). It is a large area, with attention to the smallest details, equipped with comfortable armchairs, private spaces, electrical outlets for connecting telephones and computers, as well as free WI-FI. The refreshment area, located in the center, offers numerous choices between hot and cold dishes, as well as various vegetarian options. If you want to discover the Plaza Premium Lounge and all the services including the numerous discountsI invite you to click here.

Where to park in Rome

A service that I recommend you use to eliminate any stress factor deriving from parking in Rome isParkingMyCar, the platform that allows you to locate, quickly and easily, the parking space closest to you at the best available price. In addition to the official ones, there are numerous car parks that guarantee savings in time and money… an excellent solution for not wasting precious minutes visiting the city!

Verónica Crocitti