What to do on a Layover in Rome?

What to do on a Layover in Rome?

Can Rome be successfully explored during an airport layover? The answer is yes… but it very heavily depends on how long said layover is!

This tell-all guide will help you gage whether making the journey into the city center is worth it, and what to actually do once you get there. Personally, I feel any opportunity to be in Rome is a worthwhile one — even just for an hour or two!

Rome – by Claudio Hirschberger – Unsplash

Getting to Rome From the Airport 

To put things into perspective, Rome’s major airport is called Fiumicino International. It also goes by the name of Leonardo da Vinci Airport, but Fiumicino is more used amongst the locals.

This airport is situated somewhere between the Roman metropolitan and the coast of Italy. It’s outside of the city center, close to the beaches that Roman locals venture to in the summer months.

In order to get to the center of Rome, one needs to catch the airport train that goes directly into the city center. The distance between the two destinations is just over 30km, and unfortunately Rome’s public transport takes some sweet, sweet time to cover it.

Rome – by Christian Nordmark – Unsplash

When using the train, you’ll need to plan for an hour there and an hour back in travel time; everything in between can be spent enjoying the city.

Taking a taxi is an option, but it doesn’t save a whole lot of time. Taxis can move between Fiumicino Airport and the city center in around 45 minutes.

For this reason, a 3 hour layover wouldn’t be worth the risk of venturing to the city center. Layovers of 5 hours or longer are much safer and easy to manage.

Best Attractions to See During a Layover in Rome

So where to first? Upon arrival at Termini Station in the center of Rome you’ll be in continent walking distance from some of the city’s most famous landmarks.

The Colosseum

This monument is one of the most recognizable structures on the face of the earth, and it’s only a 20 minute walk from where the train has dropped you off!

The walk itself is a beautiful first encounter with the ancient city, especially if you happen to arrive early morning or evening when the charm is at its highest.

The Colosseum – by Matthew Waring – Unsplash

Seeing the Colosseum come into view as you turnt the correct corner is a moment that will stay with you for life. You won’t have enough time during a layover to actually explore the inside of the Colosseum, but seeing it from the outside is satisfying enough.

For some fascinating facts about the Colosseum in Rome, click here!

The Trevi Fountain

From the Colosseum it makes sense to walk the next 20 minutes north until you get to another globally renowned attractions: the Trevi Fountain.

This is a great spot to visit during a layover because it is naturally fast paced. You don’t need to wait in any queues, simply make your way to the fountain edge, toss your coin, snap your pictures and be done with it.

Trevi Fountain – by Christopher Czermak – Unsplash

Expect medium to heavy crowding at the best of times.

For some great things to do near the Trevi Fountain, click here!

The Pantheon

Rome’s Pantheon is a lesser known but equally as impressive monument within the city scape.

From the Trevi Fountain, it’s a short 8 minute walk over to the Pantheon. During a layover one can definitely make time to have a stroll through the inside. Once you’ve seen part of it, you’ve seen all of it.

For some interesting history on the Roman Pantheon, click here!

The Roman Pantheon – by Christopher Czermak – Unsplash

Best Neighborhoods to Walk on a Layover in Rome

Lucky for you, Rome is a relatively small city and one that is best explored on foot.

During a layover, let the airport train bring you into Termini Station and then use the Roman metro to get into the more specific neighborhoods that you can then walk.

The Vatican

Seeing the Vatican City in the flesh is on the bucket lists of a lot of people around the world. A layover in Rome is the perfect opportunity to check it off the list.

The Vatican is on the left bank of the Tiber River that cuts Rome into two. Unfortunately, during a layover you will likely only be able to walk the perimeter of the city, as gaining access to the Vatican museums and attractions is something that people spend hours queuing for.

The Vatican – by Eduardo Garcia-Nieto – Unsplash

The Trastevere

If you’re less interested in sightseeing during your short time in Rome, and more interested in experiencing the city at its essence, then you need to head straight to the Trastevere.

This is a neighborhood also on the left bank of the Tiber. It’s Rome’s most vibrant and exciting part of the city, where shopping, eating and simply enjoying life take place by day, and bars, restaurants and clubs takeover by night.

Trastevere – by Marialaura Gionfriddo – Unsplash

The cobblestone streets give you that authentic “ancient city” experience. Just stay on top of your time limits while in this part of Rome as there is no public transport once you cross over the Tiber (the old infrastructure doesn’t allow for it).

For more things to do in the Trastevere, click here!

Best Places to Eat on a Layover in Rome

Since you only have a few hours in Rome, it’s worth splurging a little to have the most memorable experience possible.

When it comes to dining, there is no better way to do it than to get high up above the city scape. Rome has some phenomenal rooftop restaurants scattered across the metropolitan.

While you eat you’ll be able to pin point all of the most iconic Roman monuments right from the sky. Saves you trying to squash them all into just a few hours!

For the best rooftop restaurants in Rome, click here!

Monti in Rome – by Oleksandr Zhabin – Unsplash

If you don’t want to venture too far from Termini Station, then I recommend a short stroll down into the neighborhood called Monti. It’s about a 10 minutes walk from the station, and will put you into the heart of local Rome.

These streets are littered with trattorias and traditional Roman pizzerias. It’s not everything Rome has to offer cuisine wise, but it’s all you need for an unbelievable meal or two during your short visit.

For 10 great things to eat in Monti, click here!