What to do in Rome on a Sunday
 

We are going to be in Rome on a Sunday on a cruise (our first visit) and it seems the Sistine Chapel will be closed among other places we would liked to have visited. Does anybody have any suggestions of things to "not miss" and little shops....Parrot Mom loves to shop or local items.

Get up early and head for the Porta Portese flea market in Trastevere. It runs from 7 until 2. There is everything from junk to antiques and you should haggle on prices. Over the years I've purchased two beautiful charcoal drawings; and old silver gunpowder container; and an antique Sicilian marionette with real gross human hair! I love this place and never miss it when I go to Rome.

But be aware that there is a saying about the Porta Portese market that "You will find for sale on your way out the wallet that was stolen from you on your way in."

I've nothing against shopping, but if this is your one and only day in Rome, I certainly wouldn't spend my time at a flea market. The Colosseum, Roman Forum, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona...just for starters. There's more than enough sites to easily occupy your day, and then some.

You can easily do the flea market first thing in the morning and have plenty of time to see the other sites. I had a great time there and we arrived at around 7 and were back at the hotel by 9.

Does your ship dock at Civitavecchia on Sunday morning? If so, you will need to factor in about an hour of travel time into Rome from the dock. You can still visit St. Peter's Basilica and catch the Pope's blessing at noon in the Piazza. A lot of stores are closed on Sunday but some along the Via del Corso are open and offer a nice shopping opportunity. I agree that if this is your first visit to Rome, you should see the sights. For a first time visitor, Porta Portese can be difficult to get to/from and it is crowded, a pickpocket haven and full of a lot of junk.

Sunday is NOT the best shopping day in Rome, although, as stated, there are some shops open in the area of the Corso. But, in general, you might be disappointed by what is open and what is closed.

A flea/antiques market I enjoyed much more that the Porta Portese was one around the north end of the Corso. I think this is newish and I really enjoyed it on a Sunday morning.

On Sundays, you can certainly visit ancient Rome, see any number of churches, all the parks are in full swing and many museums are open. Eat, sightsee and be merry. If you have your heart set on shopping, I think it won't be your best use of your day.

Also, what shops that are open (department stores and a few others) close relatively early on Sundays.

If you are coming from Civitavecchia, your market opportunities will be severely limited. If that is where you are coming from, I wouldn't even bother wasting my time hunting out shopping opportunities. There are too many other wonderful things to see and do in Rome in one short Sunday.