What to see in Rome when you don't have much time

I am going to Rome for business, but, I am flying in the day before.  They booked a flight that gets in at noon the day before!  I also have a half day on Thursday.

What can I see in very little time?  I need help because my historian brain wants to see it ALL!

For me it would be the Forum, absolutely. It's free and you can just stroll around. If you have time the Colosseum too. My favorite thing about Rome are the kitties.

I agree with pkmac.  The Forum and Colosseum are must-sees.  If you have time, the Vatican is well worth it too.  There's also supposed to be catacombs in town, but I didn't get a chance to see while I was there - we were only there for the day. 

I spent a sunny afternoon walking around the Forum, and it was by far my favourite thing in Rome.

I would do the Forum or the Colosseum over the Vatican if you only have an afternoon.

Vicky

Brilliant ideas!  Can anyone suggest a smallish and easy use map of Rome?

I will have to go back after my business trip.  It will be like a really cool tease!

How easy is it to get around Rome?  Is there a Tube type thing or an easy bus system?

There is a metro/underground system and there's a bus network.  We took the underground from our hotel to the Forum/Colisseum, and we took the bus to the Vatican.  It is pretty easy to navigate.

There is a metro/underground system and there's a bus network.  We took the underground from our hotel to the Forum/Colisseum, and we took the bus to the Vatican.  It is pretty easy to navigate.

Oh good!  Thanks!  Is the metro fairly good price wise?  Is there a day pass like on the Tube?

This is a very basic map to give you an overview

My folks just returned from Italy, and said (and showed pictures) that there are verrrrrrrrrrrry long lines and waiting times to get into the Vatican.

Some suggestions I have:
Get yourself up to the Pantheon (or even further back, at the Trevi Fountain) and walk down to the Via dei Fori Imperiali from there, passing by the Vittorio Emanuele II monument, and once your back is to that, you're only a few steps away from The Forum, and a very short walk from the Forum to the Coliseum.

AND/OR

You can walk around the Vatican perimeters and there is plenty to see, then stroll along the river passing Castel Sant'Angelo (The Mausoleum of Hadrian).  It's a gorgeous walk, and if you're into handbags/wallets along with interesting bookstalls, you can haggle for some great deals

AND/OR

there is a Metro stop just around the corner from the Spanish Steps, which puts The Borghese Gardens just behind you, and Piazza di Spagna down in front, leading to *Via Condotti, which is the 'most fashionable' street in Rome (all the top designer shops), or, around another corner a few short blocks south, you'll find the Trevi Fountain.  And very close to that, you'll find the Pantheon.

AND/OR

If you like the kitties, the least heartbreaking and more interesting place to see them is at  Largo Argentina, an old ruin in the middle of a busy traffic square, but closed in, which is also a cat sanctuary (with a 'no-kill' policy).  You can see the ruins and the cats from the street as you walk by, or there are specific hours you can go in.  And whattya know, it's just around the corner from the Vittorio Emanuele II monument (also known as the Wedding Cake)!

It's fairly easy to get to places, and just by walking around the city in general you can see loads, as lots of things are fairly close together.  It's deciding how much time to spend inside somewhere once you get there that is going to be your bigger issue (somewhere like the Pantheon is not a long visit and you can go straight in).  The Metro is efficient, but not expansive (I think there are 2 major lines, A & B - and a few that spring from those), and covered in graffiti.  I don't know about passes.
Here's a link to a map and info

Take in what you can, take notes, look at this as a 'sampler visit' - so you'll know a bit better what to spend time on next time!

(Yes, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, this city!)

*eta to correct the street name

Thank you, thank you, thank you, E!   I've printed that out! 

My husband will yell at you since you told me where the bookstalls are (but he isn't with me!  muuuwahahahahahahahahaaaa)!   

Oh good!  Thanks!  Is the metro fairly good price wise?  Is there a day pass like on the Tube?

I don't remember if there's a day pass but I would guess probably so.  As E said, it's pretty walkable as far as cities go.

I don't remember if there's a day pass but I would guess probably so.  As E said, it's pretty walkable as far as cities go.

Thanks, Geeta!  I won't worry about the Metro then.  I will most likely walk and only take the Metro if get really short on time.  I am so excited!

If you do use the Metro, a word of warning:  Be careful in Termini station.  Ross got his pocket picked there - there are gangs of professional pickpockets, and that kind of ruined the day for us (exceedingly stupid, really.  They only got 20 Euros, but we got a huge headache and spent the rest of the day cancelling all our cards).  Just maintain your "personal space" and it will be fine.  Have a good time!

Rome has that 'original hop on/ hop off tour bus' thing that's in all the big cities. You pay about $25.00 and it's a double decker bus that stops at all the tourist destinations and you 'hop on/off' whenever you want. It's a good deal and it goes until around 8 or 9 pm. This way you don't have to figure out maps and maneuver metro stations. I've used it all over the world especially when I have a small amount of time and want to cover as much as possible with the least hassle. Just google 'hop on hop off tours' and it'll give you all the information you need.

Have a great time!!

Hubby and i went to rome last year in june for like 4 days..it was so hot we walked and walked around for like 10 hours each day...my legs were so achy...it has been my favourite city so far...we ate in a restaurant rite across from the collesuem and saw the view...i would def check out the pantheon at nite if poss...its amazing