One day in Rome

I came to Rome for just one day, and this morning I was sure that it was enough to get at least a little understanding of the city. By the evening, I realized how naive this thought was. Rome is not a city that you can "see" in a few hours. Rather, he's constantly giving you something new, forcing you to change your route.

8:00 - first coffee

I started the morning with coffee and a regular walk without a clear plan. I just wanted to feel the city first, and not immediately run to the Colosseum.

Rome is especially pleasant at this time. There are already a lot of people on the streets, but the tourist flow has not yet managed to completely capture the center. Small cafes are opening, someone is in a hurry to get to work, shopkeepers are raising the shutters.

I took an espresso, looked at my watch and realized that I had already spent almost an hour of my only day.

But for some reason, he wasn't upset at all.

9:30 a.m. - Colosseum

I went to the Colosseum anyway. No matter how many times you see him in photographs, he makes a completely different impression in person.

Probably because the brain does not perceive the age of such structures well. You stand next to it and realize that these stones are almost two thousand years old, and at the same time buses are driving around you, people are talking on phones and someone is trying to take the perfect selfie.

Rome Colosseum

I walked around the Colosseum, sat nearby for a while, and walked on. I wanted to see a lot more, but the day was already starting to end suspiciously quickly.

12:00 - the city instead of the sights

Then I decided not to build a route and just walk towards the historical center.

And that's when I liked Rome the most.

Narrow streets, old buildings, small squares, laundry on balconies, scooters that somehow fit where it seems even a bicycle should not pass. Sometimes I stopped just because some courtyard looked more interesting than another landmark.

At some point, I realized that I hadn't looked at the map for a long time.

And that was a good sign.

14:00 - lunch

I wasn't specifically looking for a high-rated restaurant for lunch. I just chose a small place where there were a lot of locals.

I ordered pasta and for the first time that day I was in no hurry.

It was probably one of the most enjoyable parts of the trip. I was sitting on the street, watching the passers-by and thinking that Rome doesn't really want to be examined according to the list.

He rather suggests that you stay longer.

Sit down.

Watch.

Take a wrong turn.

Pasta

17:00 - The Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain

After lunch, I walked to the Pantheon, and then went to the Trevi Fountain.

The mood here was completely different. There are a lot of people, someone is taking pictures, someone is trying to squeeze closer to the water, someone is throwing a coin.

The Pantheon

Trevi Fountain

I quit too.

I don't know how well this tradition works, but I decided not to take any chances. If Rome really makes you come back, I wasn't going to argue.

20:00 - last evening

By evening, I was so tired that I stopped trying to do anything.

I just went where I wanted to go.

As the sun began to set, the stone walls of the houses turned a warm golden color. Street musicians appeared in the squares, restaurants filled with people, and the city gradually moved into the evening rhythm.

And that's when I realized the main thing.

I didn't see Rome in one day.

I've only seen a few pages of it.

But that's probably why I wanted to come back. Because a good city is not one after which you put a check mark in front of all the attractions.

This is the one that leaves you feeling like you haven't figured out a lot yet.

So, there is a reason to come again.