Planning
Where to start in Rome
A first-day order for Rome that uses the history show as a primer, then the Forum, the Pantheon and the old centre, with options for rain and tired legs.
Book the history show ↗Quick answer
Start with an overview, then the ancient core, then the old centre. A 30-minute history show gives the overview indoors; a guided walk through the Colosseum, Forum and Palatine gives the ancient core; the Pantheon, Piazza Navona and Campo de' Fiori give the old centre. Spread them over two days if you can.
Day one: the overview
Begin with the film. About half an hour of projections gives the order of Rome's ages, from the founding legend to the modern capital, and four models give a plan view of the Imperial Forum, the Forum of Augustus, the Mausoleum of Hadrian and St Peter's Basilica. The Mausoleum of Hadrian is the building that the city now calls Castel Sant'Angelo. After the film, walk the old centre in daylight and let the story settle.
Day two: the ancient core
Book the guided ruins walk for the morning, when you have the most energy. The Colosseum was finished in AD 80 under Titus, Wikipedia says; the Forum was the centre of public life; the Palatine is where emperors built their palaces. Ask your guide to link what you see to the ages the film outlined, and carry photo ID matching the booking.
The Pantheon and the squares
The Pantheon rewards a guided visit if you like detail. Wikipedia says the present building was finished under Hadrian and probably dedicated around AD 126, and that it has been a church since 609. Piazza Navona, with Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers, and Campo de' Fiori, a market square, are both in the same part of the old centre, so a slow walk can take in all three in one evening.
Across the Tiber
If you have a third day, cross the river. Castel Sant'Angelo began as Hadrian's tomb, Wikipedia says, and was linked to St Peter's by a covered corridor, the Passetto di Borgo. St Peter's Basilica was built between 1506 and 1626, with Bernini's baldachin over the papal altar as the central feature of the interior. Both are a natural pair, and the corso where the show stands leads towards them across the Ponte Vittorio Emanuele II.
Evenings
After a day of walking, a seated option fits the end of the day. An open-top bus night tour is a separate booking with its own calendar, and this page lists it among the other bookings in Rome. The Pantheon and Piazza Navona are in the old centre, where the show stands, so an evening on foot there needs no booking at all, only dry weather and comfortable shoes.
What to carry
For the Colosseum tour, the booking asks for a passport or ID card and comfortable clothes, and it bars pets, large bags, sharp objects, glass and alcohol. For the history show, bring your confirmation and decide your audio language. Keep a light layer for the walk between sites, because the ruins are open to the weather and the show room is indoors.
Rainy days and tired legs
The history show is indoors and wheelchair accessible, so it works as a wet-weather plan and as a gentle first day. The guided tour is unsuitable for wheelchair users and anyone with limited mobility, according to its booking, so swap in a seated option such as an open-top bus ride past the sights after dark. Plan outdoor ruins for a dry, cooler part of the day.
How much to book ahead
Book the Colosseum entry early, because its tickets name each visitor and are non-refundable if you arrive late. The history show asks less: free cancellation runs until 24 hours before, and it starts at any time in opening hours. Leave the squares and the Pantheon visit open, so that a long lunch or a wet afternoon does not break the plan. Check each booking's terms for your date.
Frequently asked questions
Which day should I see the history show?
The first day, if you can. The film gives the order of Rome's ages, so everything after it has a place in the story.
Can I do everything in one day?
You can try, but two days is kinder. The guided ruins tour is a long walk, and the show is best taken as a sit-down break.
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