Rome, Italy Question. Please Help.?

Question

I'm going to Rome on a cruise in about a month. It will make a one day stop in Rome. What is the best method to see the Spanish steps, Trevi Fountain, Sistine Chapel, and of course the coleseum.

There are a few excursions offered by the line, but they are too expensive, and they don't go to all the stops.

I read that there is a train station about 15 minute walking distance from the port. That train line will take me into St. Peters Square. I also read that from St. Peters square, I can walk to all of the above places.

Is this true? If so, how far apart are they? Finally, is there any really good interactive maps that I can use to get a good bearing of where I will be at.

Thanks!

Answer 1

Hello,

Depending on the time of day that you arrive at the vatican it might not be possible to see everything you list.  The sistine chapel is the last thing you see when you go into the vatican museums.  This is the only way to see it.  If you get there before noon the line will be huge.  

If you get into the city before noon, take the metro to the termini stop.  From there you can take metro line B to the colosseum.  After the colosseum walk to the trevi fountain (about 10 minutes) and then onto the spanish steps (about 10 minutes).  From there hop on the metro line A and go to the vatican stop.  Go into the museum and end in the sistine chapel.  If you have time after that, go into St. Peter's basillica.  From there you can take the metro back to where you need to go.  

If you get into the city after noon, just do the reverse of what I just suggested.  You should be able to see these sites in just a few hours.

As for a good map, try viamichelin.com.  You can enter start and stop points just like on map quest.  Check the "by foot" option for walking directions.  You can also go to any bookstore  and in their map section look for "pocket Pilot" for Rome.  It's a great, small, detailed map with metro routes and highlightes attractions.  Very good map.

Donna

Answer 2

Depending on the line to get into the Vatican, you might actually be able to see all of the places you mention in a single day, perhaps even walking, but you're going to be really exhausted by the end of it. I'd recommend prioritizing the sights you want to see, checking bus routes (Rome has a subway but it's gruesome and doesn't go to very many useful places), and be content with what you can see comfortably. And pray there aren't any strikes while you're there.