Our Eternal City of Rome, Gaeta, Vatican, Nemi and Tivoli Italy Visit: Day 1

Our plane landed early in the morning at 7.45 am at Fiumicino Airport. And so it started our new adventure in Italy, our first day in the eternal city of Rome: Quartiere Coppedè, Rome Colosseum, Altare della Patria, Campidoglio and Trevi Fountain, and also other highlights.

From Termini Train Station we turned right at Piazza dei cinquecento, passed by Hotel NH Collection Roma Palazzo Cinquecento and Best Western Hotel Royal Santina and then turned right on Viale Enrico de Nicola and continued forward on Via Solferino. We crossed the intersection at Piazza dell’Indipendenza and then turned left on Via Goito. At the second intersection we turned right on Via Montebello and finally arrived at Virginia Hotel. Officially, the check-in at Virginia Hotel starts at 12.30. The check-in wasn’t possible that early, as it was around 9 or 10 am when we got there. But we were able to let the luggage at the reception and so we decided to go for a walk.

Exploring Quartiere Coppedè – A Hidden Gem in the Eternal City of Rome, Italy

We decided to visit Quartiere Copede, famous for it’s beautiful and interesting architecture. From Virginia Hotel to Quartiere Coppede it was a 30-minutes walk. Out of the hotel we turned left on Via Montebello and then at the intersection we turned right on Via Goito. We continued forward on Via Goito and then at the second intersection turned right on Via Venti Settembre in front of Gelateria La Romana and at the next big intersection we found Museo Storico dei Bersaglieri which we admired from the outside. More precisely, what we could see was the gate – Porta Pia, a neoclassical gate in the Aurelian city wall designed by Michelangelo in the 1500s.

We turned left on Corso d’Italia and then continued ahead until we got to a big intersection where Porta Salaria is.

We crossed the intersection, surrounding Porta Salaria and then went slightly north on Via Salaria, the third street to the left. Then we kept forward on Via Salaria and at the fifth intersection, after passing a garden enclosed by a concrete fence, which was in fact the beautiful Villa Albani Torlonia, we turned right on Via Adda. We then continued forward on Via Adda and at the fifth intersection went left on Viale Regina Margherita.

The Artistic Charm of Quartiere Coppedè

At the first intersection we saw Chiesa Santa Maria Addolorata on the right and then turned right on Via Tanaro in front of the church.

Further ahead, at the second intersection, we found the Fountain of the Frogs and also we saw Palazzo del Ragno on the right. The fountain was in rehabilitation at that time, so we couldn’t admire it entirely. The water fountain was created by the architect Gino Coppedè in 1924.

This is Quartiere Coppedè, a neighborhood build in the Art Nouveau style, also known as Liberty in Italy, which prevailed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

We went left on Via Dora and then passed through the archway – Arco dei Palazzi degli Ambasciatori.

Our Accommodation and First Lunch in the Eternal City of Rome, Italy

Afterwards, we walked back to Virginia Hotel on the same itinerary. The return walk was a little exhausting, given it was quite a distance and, even it was still morning, it became very hot outside, as it was the middle of August when we visited Rome. We checked-in and rested a little in the hotel room, where the air conditioning was doing a great job.

We had 5 nights booked in a standard double room at 2-star Hotel Virginia for the small price of 175 euros, as we booked 8 months in advance. The breakfast wasn’t included, because they didn’t have this option. The city tax is 3 euros per person per night, so we paid 30 euros at the reception.

First we went for lunch at Florian’s Café, in Piazza dell’Indipendenza, on our way from the hotel towards Termini. It is a nice café/restaurant. We had some pizza, espresso, desserts and also some orange juice. The pizza costed us only 10 euros.

Picking Up Our Roma Pass and Visiting Santa Maria Maggiore

Then we went to Termini and picked up our 2 Roma Passes 48 h from the Tourist information center Termini in Via Giovanni Giolitti, within the train station. We then got back to the main entrance to Termini train station, in Piazza dei Cinquecento and went towards left on Via Cavour. At the 4th intersection (4 blocks) we finally got to Piazza del Esquilino and found Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore and also Obelisco del Esquilino.

We surrounded the church to get in front where the main entrance is, in Piazza di S. Maria. Maggiore.

In the piazza rises Colonna della Pace near the Fontana di Santa Maria Maggiore.

Exploring Ancient Rome – Colosseum and Palatine Hill

We decided to skip the visit to Basilica San Clemente, so got back to Termini on the same route we came and then we took the metro to the famous Colosseum of Rome. We didn’t activate the Roma Pass 48 h because the second day we were planning to do a day trip from Rome to Gaeta – Sperlonga – Terracina. Therefore we bought regular tickets, 1.5 euros each. After 2 stops on line B direction Laurentina, we got there; it took us around 10 minutes.

From the Colosseum we continued our Rome tour towards south west at Piazza del Colosseo and then to the right on Via Celio Vibenna after surrounding the Colosseum from where we could see the Arch of Constantine in the distance.

Palatine Hill, Aqua Claudia and Ludus Magnus

We continued forward on Via di San Gregorio and got to the entrance to the Palatine Hill, Portale Vignola. We didn’t pay to visit neither the Colosseum nor the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill, as it was crowded and we would have wasted a lot of time. As a matter of fact, we could see and photograph the Colosseum from all of its angles and we also caught a panoramic view of the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill from the belvedere point at Campidoglio.

Across the street from the entrance to the Palatine Hill we saw the Fountain Nymph of the Palatine.

Further ahead, after the entrance to the Palatine Hill on the same side, is Aqua Claudia, the highest aqueduct ever built in Rome. You can notice it in the picture below in the background.

Afterwards, we returned to Piazza del Colosseo, a 2-minutes walk.

Back in Piazza del Colosseo, at the intersection with Via Labicana, we also admired Ludus Magnus, the remains of an arena once used as a training facility for ancient gladiators.

Then we left Piazza del Colosseo and then climbed up the street on the right, Via Nicola Salvi. From that higher street we could admire the Colosseum again.

A Refreshing Break in Rome with a Colosseum View

We had some refreshments at Oppio Caffe, outside on the terrace, in order to enjoy the view of the Rome Colosseum. The beer was 6 euros and the cocktail 8 euros.

Then, a few steps further we got back to the metro stop Colosseo. So, we did another photo session.

Walking the Imperial Forums and Trajan’s Market

Afterwards, from there we headed in the direction of Piazza Venezia on Via dei Fori Imperiali. We turned right at the first intersection at Largo Corrado Ricci and then immediately turned left on Via Tor de’ Conti. We could see Forum of Augustus and Arco dei Pantani on the left.

We continued up the street and thus got to Piazza del Grillo.

In Piazza del Grillo we found Palazzo del Grillo on the right.

We then continued on Salita del Grillo, by passing through the archway of Palazzo del Grillo. On the left we could see Trajan Market. These are the ruins of a Roman shopping center.

At the end of the street we also found the Military Cathedral of Santa Caterina da Siena in Magnanapoli on the left and the Tower of Milizie in the back. We crossed the street in order to capture its photo.

We went to the left, along the walls of Mercati di Traiano, on Via Quattro Novembre and then at the intersection we kept ahead on the stairs in Via Magnanapoli. We could see Trajan’s Column from the top of some stairs.

Then we climbed down the stairs and therefore we arrived in a piazza. On the right we saw Chiesa del Santissimo Nome di Maria al Foro Traiano, followed by Santa Maria di Loreto. And on the left we could also admired the Trajan Forum.

Piazza Venezia and the Altare della Patria

We finally arrived in Piazza Venezia and also admired the Altare della Patria.

We then took a rest on the stairs at the entrance to Fori Imperiali. 

We crossed the street to get to Altare della Patria. The Altar of the Fatherland is free to visit. We could have climbed the stairs to the terrace for free to take panoramic pictures. It was open until 7.30 pm (last entrance at 6.45 pm), but we arrived late.

In the following picture you can see Fontana dell’Adriatico.

Also, on the opposite side of the building is another fountain, the Fountain of the Tyrrhenian.

In the middle of the square there is the equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius.

In the back of the statue is the Senatorial Palace, a 12th-century municipal building. Then, as walking by the left corner of the building, we could admire the statue of the Lupa Capitolina, a replica of the famous wolf statue, symbol of Rome.

On the left side are the Gemonian Stairs and next to them is a little park with some benches. We took a rest there and also drank some fresh water from the Fontana dell’Acqua Marcia we found at the entrance to the park.

We then went back to Piazza del Campidoglio and, as facing the Fontana della Dea Roma, we went to the right on Via del Campidoglio, underneath an arch.

So we got to a panoramic terrace called Terrazza sul Foro and enjoyed panoramic views of the Roman Forum.

Also the Palatine Hill could be seen in the distance.

Back in Piazza del Campidoglio, before the stairs of the Cordonata Capitolina we turned left on Via delle Tre Pile.

Then we eventually arrived in Piazzale Caffarelli. As it was past 7 pm we couldn’t’ get to Terrazza Caffarelli – Caffetteria dei Musei Capitolini, above the Capitoline Museums.

Evening Stroll from Piazza Venezia to Quirinale Palace and Fontana di Trevi

Then we finally went back to Piazza Venezia and headed towards Palazzo Quirinale.

From Piazza Venezia we turned right at the roundabout on Via Cesare Battisti and continued forward on Via Quattro Novembre. We then turned right continuing on the same Via Quattro Novembre and we took the first street to the left called Via delle Tre Cannelle. We climbed the stairs of the Via della Cordonata, passing by the Fontana delle Tre Cannelle.

As the stairs ended, we continued on Via della Cordonata. Then we got to a wide street called Via Ventiquattro Maggio and went left on this street and finally got to Piazza del Qurinale where is Palazzo del Quirinale.

From the Piazza del Quirinale we went to the left, climbed down the stairs, then continued on Via della Dataria, and then turned right on Via di S. Vicenzo at the intersection.

Because Fontana di Trevi was just a few minutes away, we then decided to pay a quick visit.

Overlooking Fontana di Trevi, on Via delle Muratte we found L’ Antico Forno Di Fontana Di Trevi, an elegant espresso bar. We were lucky it was still open at the time we got there. So we bought some delicious paninis with traditional porchetta.

They had very reasonable prices: paninis at 3 – 5 euros, pizza slices at 3 euros, also pizzas at 8 – 15 euros, pastries and also desserts at around 3 euros, coffee from 1 euro, drinks starting from 3 euros.

Dinner and Night Walk Through Quirinale and Quattro Fontane

Afterwards, from Piazza di Trevi, after the United Colors of Benetton store we went forward towards east on Via del Lavatore. Then, at the first small intersection we turned right on the narrow Vicolo Scanderbeg and got to Piazza Scanderbeg. Then we wandered around through these tiny streets at night while eating the traditional porchetta paninis. We then continued on Vicolo Scanderbeg and at the end of the street we turned left on Via della Dataria. At the intersection we climbed the stairs and so we were back at the Quirinale.

After the Quirinale, we turned left and then went forward on Via del Quirinale, along the walls of the Giardini del Quirinale.

Keeping forward on Via del Quirinale we saw the beautiful baroque Chiesa di San Carlino alle Quattro Fontane on the right and then we arrived at the Crossing of Quattro Fontane, a group of historic fountains representing gods and also goddesses.

We then continued forward on Via Venti Settembre until we got to a big intersection, Piazza di San Bernardo, where we could see Fontana dell’Acqua Felice across the piazza. From the fountain we turned right on Via Vittorio Emanuele Orlando and then finally got to Piazza della Repubblica. Then, we turned left on Via Cernaia, passing by Aula Ottagona. At the second intersection we turned right and then left on Via Montebello and finally arrived at the hotel. We were exhausted.

Read On

Make sure to check out Our Eternal City of Rome, Gaeta, Vatican, Nemi & Tivoli Italy visit: Day 2 to continue exploring — from hidden corners to grand vistas, there’s much more to discover. You can find all our posts about Rome on this page. And also for more inspiration and practical tips on visiting Italy, grab our maps and travel guides and head over to our Italy Travel Hub and Italy Bucket List — your starting point for all things Italian! And if you’re looking to expand your itinerary, don’t miss our posts on Naples, and also our day trips to the Amalfi Coast, Capri and Pompeii.

Thanks for reading!

Related:

• Destination Italy: The Eternal City of Rome, Gaeta, Vatican, Nemi and Tivoli – Day 1
• Destination Italy: The Eternal City of Rome, Gaeta, Vatican, Nemi and Tivoli – Day 3
• Destination Italy: The Eternal City of Rome, Gaeta, Vatican, Nemi and Tivoli – Day 6
• Our Eternal City of Rome, Gaeta, Vatican, Nemi and Tivoli Italy Visit: Day 3
• Destination Italy: The Eternal City of Rome, Gaeta, Vatican, Nemi and Tivoli – Day 5
  

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