One Day in Rome – Girl Interrupted

It wasn’t until later that I admitted that truth; it was COVID. Round two, only two weeks after recovering from the first. I didn’t know what to do – I had twelve hours before my night train to Sicily. I even considered booking a day use hotel room, but I’d have to check out by 4pm. In the end, with a mask on and strong paracetamol in my bag, I did the only thing I could… keep going.

So this isn’t going to be a typical post where I tell you about all the amazing things I did. I still did some amazing things, but this one is more about struggling through.

Getting There

The Florence – Rome train journey takes around 90 minutes. I travelled with Italo on the 10:03 service, booked via Trainline) for £35.95. It was my most expensive regional ticket of the trip, but it brought me a full day to explore Rome.

Exploring Rome

Storing Your Bag at Roma Termini

The first thing on my list was to store my bag, which was quite easy to do at Roma Termini. There’s a left luggage office just five minutes from the platforms. Simply follow the blue sign Deposito Bagagli signs: take the exit to your right your leave the gates to the main concourse, then turn left onto Via Giovanni Giolitti. Re-enter the station via the entrance after the Coin store; the left luggage office is just there – opposite the car hire.

There was quite a long queue when I arrived, so you if you are short on time, it’s worth booking a spot in advance via their website. Just remember that the storage closes at 9pm – something to keep in mind if, like me, you’re catching a night train later on.

With my suitcase safely stored away, I headed out on to the Roman streets to explore the great city beyond me … or so I thought.

Imperial Fora

As I reached the end of Via Cavour on my way to the Centro Storico, I suddenly found myself surrounded by ruins, stretching out on both sides of the road. Fascinated by the unexpected discovery, I lingered to explore.

These are the six imperial forums of Rome, which were once the central hubs of the Roman empire; vast public spaces where religion, politic, and everyday life intertwined. Most visitors know the oldest and most famous, the Roman Forum, but several others followed: Trajan, Augustus, Caesar, Vespasian, and Nerva. Each was a statement of power and prestige, built to outshine what came before.

The Roman Forum (Foro Romano)

📍Main entrances on Via della Salara Vecchia or Via dei Fori Imperiali
🕰️ 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
🎟️ Starting at €18, see official ticket website for prices and options

Built in the 8th century BC, the Roman Forum was the heart of daily life in ancient Rome. It was the site of triumphal processions, elections, public speeches, legal proceedings, and even gladiatorial matches. The first of all the fori, it became the nucleus of Roman civilisation, and most of the city’s iconic landmarks, including the Colosseum, are clustered around it.

Over time, much of the city’s business and politics shifted to the newer and more extravagant Imperial Forums that grew up around it. Yet in 312 AD, Emperor Constantine the Great oversaw a major expansion that briefly restored the Forum’s status as the political heart of Rome.

There’s far too much history here to cover in a few paragraphs, but if you want to dive deeper, the website A Touch of Rome has an excellent article about the Roman Forum.

Visiting the Roman Forum

To visit The Roman Forum you’ll need a ticket, and the best (and cheapest) place to buy one is via the official website. There are several ticket types, most of which include entry to the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine (except from the Forum-only option).

⚠️ the ticketing website can be temperamental. If you see a message saying you’re blocked try using your mobile phone and switching to the data. Or try again later. With a little persistence, you’ll get there… if not there are official ticket offices near the Colosseum… or try when you’re in Rome.

Forum of Caesar (Foro di Cesare)

Commissioned by Julius Caesar and completed in 46BC, the Forum of Caesar was the first of the Imperial Forums and was built directly beside the Roman Forum. Its purpose was practical; to ease the overcrowding of Roman Forum. But when Caesar took a personal interest to the construction, it was where he conducted public business, met with the senate, and to surrounded himself with monuments to his own greatness.

Amongst its ruins stands what remains of the Temple of Venus Genetrix, dedicated to the goddess of motherhood and domestic virtue and (fittingly) the divine ancestress of Caesar’s own Julian line.

Forum of Augustus (Foro di Augustus)

Built by Julius Caesar’s heir, Emperor Augustus (also known as Octavian), who ruled from 27 BC to 14 AD, the Forum of Augustus continued his predecessor’s vision of grandeur. It was created to house a temple honouring Mars Ultor, the Mars Avenger, and to provide yet another space for legal proceedings as the nearby Roman Forum grew increasingly crowded.

The courtyard leading to the Temple of Mars Ultor was lined with colourful marble and flanked by grand porticos. Within them stood bronze and marble statues of Rome’s great heroes; those who had shaped the empire’s history and identity.

Today, little of that splendour remains. Only fragments of the temple survive – the stairways to its podium, the stumps of colossal column, and four towering columns that still support part of the entablature.

Temple of Peace (Forum of Vespasian)

The Temple of Peace, also know as the Forum of Vespasian, was built in 71 AD under Emperor Vespasian, in honour of Pax, the Roman goddess of peace. Unlike the other Imperial Forums, it had no clear political function, which is why it’s referred to as a temple rather than a forum.

The irony is hard to miss; this moment to peace as financed by the spoils of Vespasian’s brutal campaign in Jerusalem during the Jewish-Roman wars. Inside, it was richly decorated with treasure taken from that conquest, alongside statues and artworks brought from Greece by Emperor Nero.

Today, little remains of the temple. A section of the western portico’s steps survives, while the columns standing above them are partly modern reconstructions that incorporate fragments of the originals. Portions of its ancient walls were later repurposed into other building, Basilica of Saints Cosmas and Damian and the medieval Torre dei Conti.

Forum of Nerva (Foro di Nerva)

The Forum of Nerva is the smallest of the Imperial Fora. Construction began under Emperor Domitian before 85 AD, but it was completed by his successor, Emperor Nerva, in 97 AD. Built in the narrow space between the other forums, it served both as a grand thoroughfare and as an elegant entrance linking them together.

At its heart stood the Temple of Minerva, the goddess to whom Nerva was particularly devoted. The temple survived until 1606, when Pope Paul V ordered its demolition to reuse the materials for the Acqua Paola fountain and the Borghese chapel in the Santa Maria Maggiore.

Centuries later, between 1924 and 1932, the construction of the Via dei Fori Imperiali caused further damage to the site; ironically, the very road built to celebrate the rediscovery of these ancient Roman marvels.

Trajan’s Forum (Foro di Traiano)

Trajan’s Forum was the largest and the last of the Imperial Fora to be built. Commissioned by Emperor Trajan to commemorate his victories in Dacia, it was largely financed with the spoils of that conquest. Construction began between 105 and 107 AD, with Trajan’s Column added later in 113 AD, a masterpiece of Roman engineering and storytelling that still stands proudly day.

The complex was vast, entered through a triumphal arch entrance and a dominated by the monumentally Basilica Ulpia. Every part of it was designed to celebrate Trajan’s reign and achievements. Trajan was widely regarded as one of Rome’s greatest emperors; a benevolent ruler, skilled soldier, and expansionist who presided over the empire at its height. So admired was he that the Roman Senate granted him the honorary title of Optimus – “the Best”.

Trajan’s Market

Trajan’s Market formed an integral part of the forum complex. Once believed to have been a grand ancient shopping mall, the arcades are now thought to have housed administrative offices that supported the emperor’s vast bureaucracy.

You can still visit today by purchasing a ticket for the Mercati di Traiano Museo dei Fori Imperiali, where you can explore the market’s multi-level ruins and see fragments recovered from the various fora. It’s one of the most immersive ways to step back into the daily life and architectural grandeur of ancient Rome.

Centro Storico

After being awed by the fora, I set off on one of my trademark wanders, this time toward the cobbled alleyways of the Centro Storico. I didn’t have long, as my Colosseum time slot was fast approaching, so this was just a reconnaissance stroll to get a feel for the area before returning later to get the full experience of the cultural delights and charm that this historic area has to offer.

I planned a simple loop taking in the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain. Along the way, I stumbled upon a great gelateria for later and passed the Shamrock, an Irish pub that looked like the perfect spot for lunch.

It was a lovely stroll through the narrow alleyways until I turned into Piazza della Rotonda, the square in front of the Pantheon, from Piazza della Minerva. The crowds hit me like a wave. It was so overwhelming that I ducked back into the quieter Piazza della Minerva and perched on a small wall to catch my breath back.

And just to pause on this moment, I know I mention crowds a lot on this blog, but I’ve recently been diagnosed with ADHD, and I’ve discovered that what I’m actually describing is sensory overload. It’s not that I dislike the people or the energy; it’s the sheer intensity of it all. I don’t have a problem with why the crowds are there, I completely understand the pull of these incredible places, I just sometimes need a moment to step back and breathe before rejoining the flow.

Pantheon (Basilica di Santa Maria ad Martyres)

📍Piazza della Rotonda, 00186 Rome
🕰️ 9:00am – 7:00pm
🎟️ Starting at €15. See official ticket website for prices and options

The Pantheon is one of the best-preserved ancient building in Rome; originally a 2nd-century Roman temple, now a Catholic church known as the Basilica of St Mary and the Martyrs (great name for a band). It was first built by Marcus Agrippa and later rebuilt by Emperor Hadrian around 128 AD as a temple dedicated to all the gods.

Its most remarkable feature is the vast, unsupported concrete dome – still the largest of its kind – with a central opening, called the oculus, the floods the interior with natural light. Inside, you’ll also find the tombs of several notable figures, including the Renaissance painter Raphael

As with most of Rome’s landmarks, you’ll need a ticket to enter. To save time (and patience) book in advance. There will be queues, and plenty of slightly bewildered tour groups trying to work out where to queue.

Trevi Foundation (Fontana de Trevi)

📍Piazza di Trevi, 00187 Rome
🕰️ Queuing system: 9am – 9pm. Unrestricted: 9pm – 9am
🎟️ Free but entrance fee may be introduced in the very near future

The Trevi Fountain, the largest Baroque fountain in Rome, has to be one of my favourite monuments in the city. It holds so many happy memories for me. When I first visited the it, a million of years ago, I remember simply walking up to it and tossing a coin into the water. Later that night, after being out drinking, we returned to the fountain for those glorious late-night photos. It was a messy night, it’s a wonder that I can remember it.

According to tradition, anyone who throws a coin into the Trevi Fountain is destined to return to Rome. I’ve been back several times since that first toss, so perhaps the legend really does work its magic.

Sadly, you can no longer just wander up to the fountain as I once did. To manage the crowds, there is now a queuing system with a limit of 400 visitors at a time during peak hours, from 9am to 9pm. Outside those hours, access is free and unrestricted, so if you want a quieter moment, go early or very late.

On Mondays and Fridays, the fountain closes until noon for cleaning, and every other Monday it reopens at 2pm after having a deep clean. There are even discussions about introducing a small entrance fee in the future, and possibly banning coin throwing altogether.

Now knowing what to expect and my time slot rapidly approaching, I headed to Colosseum. I wish I could say I skipped up the road but there was honestly no skipping to be done, I was now dragging myself everywhere.

Colosseum (Colosseo)

📍Piazza del Colosseo, 1, 00184 Rome
🕰️ 8.30 am – 4.30 pm
🎟️ Starting at €18, see official ticket website for prices and options

I don’t know what it is, but along with the Trevi Fountain, I’m absolutely fascinated by the Colosseum. I hadn’t made any definite plans for my day in Rome, except I had to see it again! I think it’s because when I first saw it, years ago while visiting from New Zealand, it completely blew my mind. We just don’t have anything like it back home.

The Colosseum is the largest ancient amphitheatre in the world. Originally known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, construction began under Emperor Vespasian in 72 AD and was completed in 80 AD by his heir, Emperor Titus. For centuries it hosted gladiatorial contests, animal hunts, public executions, and dramatic re-enactments of famous battles.

Visiting today is a surprisingly slick experience. The route is carefully designed to guide you through without bottlenecks, so you never feel crushed by crowds. I never once felt overwhelmed, and I got to see everything I wanted without having to hover awkwardly behind another visitor’s selfie.

That said, tickets are like gold dust during peak season, so book as soon are you even think about visiting Rom. A month before my trip, it was already sold out for my date. By sheer luck, I managed to nap one last-minute ticket just before leaving Florence.

Tickets are available through the same official website as the Roman Forum, and most options include entry to the Forum and Palatine as well. My ticket covered all three, but I never made it beyond the Colosseum…

A Break from Exploring

As I left the Colosseum, something felt off. I just needed to get away from the buzz of the Colosseum. So I crossed the road to Parco del Colle Oppio across the road and planted myself in shade by the athletic field, right next to a very welcome drinking fountain. There I laid, refilling my water bottle again and again, trying to cool down and gather myself.

I kept messaging friends for advice – should I stay put or try to reclaim my day? I can’t describe the headache; it felt like someone had my head in a vice and was constantly tightening the grip. Most friends thought it was a migraine and told me to keep hydrated and medicated. Then one friend had a brilliant idea: a hop-on hop-off bus.

I’m not sure how long I stayed in the park before I decided to move. A man kept approaching me, I tried to understand what he wanted. Realising he didn’t want anything in particular, I took it as my cue to go. I gathered my belongings and headed off to Stop 1 at Termini Station.

And this how ill I must have looked. The ticket seller gave me his full attention, walked me a nearby cafe so I could get a drink, and kept checking on me until the bus arrived. I don’t know what he said to the driver as I boarded but as I sat there the entire journey adorned in my hat, sunglasses, and mask, hugging my water bottle, no-one bothered me. Not one person questioned why I wasn’t hopping on and off.

Hop-On and Hop-Off Tour

At the time, the ticket cost around €25 for three hours. I honestly can’t all the details, but I do recall that it was valid for both the Big Bus and the generic Hop On Hop Off services; and that it was absolutely worth it … beyond acting as a ‘sick bed’.

You don’t see every landmark up close; some stops are only nearby, so you’ll need to hop off if you want to explore properly. But from my perch on the upper deck, I had a fantastic panoramic view of the city, which I wouldn’t have gotten at street level.

Would I do a bus tour again? Maybe not, I am a walker at heart; I love to roam and get my steps in. But if I was in for a lazy day, the weather was bad or I was sick again, absolutely! I wouldn’t hesitate! It’s a wonderfully effortless way to watch the city roll by.

Reflections

I’m simply disappointed that I didn’t get to experience Rome the way I’d hope to. Writing this post has already sparked plans for my return – Christmas 2026, to be exact.

The heat during my visit was unbearable (though perhaps that was partly the COVID), and I remember thinking even then that I should come back in autumn or winter instead. Like so many popular European destinations, Rome in peak season was just too crowded for me. I never felt I could truly explore or see the places I wanted to see.

Next time, I want to do Rome differently; slower, quieter, and off the beaten path. I’ll seek out the lesser-known landmarks, the cosy cafès, and the gelaterias that prove ice cream isn’t just for summer. Hope this time I won’t on death’s door with COVID.

Practical Tips

Book everything early – seriously

Rome in peak season is glorious chaos. Tickets for major landmarks like the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Pantheon sell out weeks in advance. I got lucky with a last minute Colosseum ticket, but don’t rely on luck, book as soon as you know your dates.

Use the official websites (and bring patience)

There are endless third-party sellers, but the official sites are always cheaper.

Store you luggage at Termini

Roma Termini has a left-luggage office (Deposito Bagagli) just a few minutes from the platforms. Follow the blue signs, or book ahead online if you’re short on time. It closes at 9pm, so don’t cut it fine if you’re catching a night train like I did.

Embrace walking – or cheat with a bus pass

Rome is best explored on foot, but if you’re short on time (or energy, or have COVID… speaking from experience), a Hop-On Hop-Off bus is a surprisingly lovely alternative. Sit on the top deck for unbeatable views, it’s a lazy day well spent.

Stay hydrated – fountains are your best friend

Rome’s drinking fountains (nasoni) are dotted all over the city and perfectly safe to drink from. Keep a refillable bottle on hand; in summer they’re an absolute lifesaver.

Timing is everything

• Visit the Trevi Fountain early morning or late at night to skip the queues.
• The Pantheon and Roman Forum are busiest mid-morning – aim for opening time if you can.
• Mondays and Fridays are cleaning days for Trevi, so check before you go.

If you hate crowds (or heat), avoid summer

July and August can feel like walking through treacle. For a calmer Rome, visit in late autumn or winter – the light is softer, the locals reclaim their city, and the gelato tastes just as good.

Be kind to yourself

Rome can be overwhelming, even more so if you’re unwell or neurodivergent. Don’t feel pressured to see everything. Sit in a park, watch the chaos pass by, and remember; Rome has been here for millennia – it will wait for you to come back.

Happy & safe travels

L x 🩴