Help me plan for my first Sunday in Rome
 

As some of you may remember (I have placed other posts about this trip before) I will be going on my first trip to Rome on the last week of September. My first real day there will be on a Sunday (I will arrive on late Saturday night), and I hope it will be "perfect". Should I try St.Peter's Square and visit the Vatican Museum, or will it be too crowded (because of the Pope's blessing)? Do you recommend mass at another Church?

And how about the restaurants? Will they be open on a Sunday?

I thank you in advance for your help (I have planned the other days there on the basis of the great tips I have found in other threads about Rome - thanks!!).

The Vatican Museums are normally closed on Sundays, but open on the last Sunday of each month, when they are free of charge, and lines even worse than usual.
Some restaurants are open on Sundays, others not, which ones were you thinking of?

Hi Julienas,

I will be going with two friends and we will be looking for family style restaurants, nothing really expensive. We are renting an apartment in the Trastevere area where I gather there are a lot of good inexpensive places to eat.

This is a family resto near Campo di Fiori. It's lively and fun, with a mix of tourists and locals. There's no formal menu, but the food is abundant and good. The family is lovely and will happily pose for photos. The price was the equivalent of 18 USD about 18 months ago.

DER PALLARO - Largo del Pallaro 15- 06 68801488 Family run Roman Trattoria. There is no need to order, the owner will take care of everything! Average price Euro 20.00 - 25.00

Don't try to combine St. Peters & the Vatican Museum in the same day - you'll be exhausted. Especially if you climb into the dome or do more than a quick glance at the treasures in te museum.

I suggest that first of all you drop your idea of "perfect." Travel is full of unexpected surprised, and disappointments, so the better attitude, I've found, is to head out into Rome with a lot of curiousity and see what you find.

The church of Santa Maria in Trastevere is exceptionally beautiful with stunning mosaics, so you might consider going to morning mass there.

As pointed out, the Vatican Museums are closed, but if it is a sunny day, you might well enjoy walking to the Basilica of St. Peter's. If it is not a sunny day, read up on museums so you have a back up (the Borghese requires reservations well in advance).

After visiting St Peter's, you might enjoy walking to both Piazza Navona and Piazza delle Rotunda to see the Pantheon. Near the Piazza Navona there is a marvelously inexpensive and delicious hole in the wall that serves "pizza bianca," which is thick fresh flatbread that is stuffed with meats and cheese or tuna -- whatever you like. You can take it to the Piazza Navona to eat and people watch.

When you get to the Piazza delle Rotunda, you can have a cup of coffee at the bar in Tazza d'Oro.

Since so many restaurants close on Sunday in Rome, it's a good idea to have tracked down in advance the names of a few that are open. Da Giggetto at the Portico d'Ottavia in the Jewish Quarter is a good Sunday choice, and it is easily walkable from Trastevere.

You might consider starting another tread specifically titled: "Restaurants open on Sundays in Rome?" and name the places you think you might be that day (St Peter's, Trastevere, etc) so you don't recommendations nowhere close to your planned stops.

Have a nice time! Remember that everything happens more slowly in Italy than you think it will, so keep your plans loose.

Sorry -- I forgot to include the name of the pizzeria: It is called Lo Zozzone, and it is at 32 Teatro Pace, an alleyway off the Piazza Navona. It's fun to find and all the small alleys around the Piazza Navona are interesting to walk through, although on Sunday the shops will be closed.

One more PS: If you go to Da Giggetto, their specialities are fried artichokes and fried cod. Delicious!

I have a favored Sunday scenario in Rome. Since it is family day in Italy, I suggest ending up in the Borghese gardens to people watch. And, making a reservation for the spectacular Galleria Borghese for sometime after lunch. A mass at Santa Susanna is also a good idea in the AM. Have lunch on via Veneto as you meander up to Borghese. All in all. a relaxing but fun day in Roma.

Thanks so much for all the great tips.

Betsy, I will try Der Pallaro the restaurant at Campo de Fiori for sure, if not on Sunday, another day during my week in Rome. And Bardo1, I will remember not to visit both St.Peter's and the Museum on the same day.

Nessundorma, you are certainly right, I should drop the "perfect". But you came up with great suggestions to make it a wonderful Sunday, no doubt. My mouth is already watering for fried artichokes and fried cod!

As to your suggestions, Bob, they alos do sound fab. I am left with the difficult task of chosing.

I am really looking forward this trip, too bad I will only be there for 7 days...

You could also try the Jewish quarter in Rome on a Sunday.

Hello Brazilnut, Bobthenavigator just gave you a description of how I like to enjoy Rome on a Sunday. Sunday afternoons in the Borghese Park always seems special to me along with lunch somewhere on the Via Veneto. I always like my Sundays to be relaxing whether I am on a trip or at home and BTN's suggestion is certainly a lovely way to relax in Rome on a Sunday.

LoveItaly, Villa Borghese will be!

We've found attending Mass at churches in Europe to be among the highlights of our trips. We've had wonderful experiences in many different countries. We usually research a little to try to find a church with good music. I bring a Mass book from my church so that I can follow the service with a degree of understanding.