8 Hours in Rome
 

Have 8 hours in Rome next month. What are the must sees and best use of our time? I know it's not much, but that's the way it's worked out. I've never been there.

Visit the Colosseum. Afterwards, find a nice trattoria or osteria for lunch and then spend the rest of the day with wine and a good book.

largely I agree with Edward. the other main "attraction" [besides the very centre of the City around the Pantheon and Piazza Navona] is St Peter's. If your 8 hours includes travelling from the airport or cruise port then fitting in both might be difficult and you might be better advised choosing one or the other and filling the rest of your time with a decent meal and a walk around The Pantheon, the Trevi fountain, the Piazza Navona etc., but if you have 8 hours to devote to exploring Rome, you might manage both, with the help of a local taxi or two.

Your choice really about how much you want to explore and how much you would prefer just to soak up the atmosphere of Rome.

With so little time, I suggest admiring the Colosseum from the outside, leaving more time to stroll around the other ancient remains in the area. A lot can be seen from the street.

After that, I would walk around the center, past the Theatre of Marcellus, Piazza Farnese, Campo dei Fiori, Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, and Trevi Fountain. Definitely go inside the Pantheon, so that you can appreciate the enormous ancient dome. For over 1000 years, it was the world's largest dome and it's still the largest unreinforced concrete dome.

Finally, I suggest you go to St. Peter's Square. If the Basilica is still open, and if the queue isn't too long, go inside.

there is I think a special public shuttle bus from Colosseum/Forum area to the center of Rome where bvlenci has listed some must - I'd add the Spanish Steps- Vatican may be too much but play it by ear.

are you coming from the airport for 8 hours or by train or whatever - if you just have to go from train station and back OK but if coming to and from airport may be less time.