Rome Marathon 2027: spectator guide and weekend itinerary

19 to 21 March 2027 · ExpectedRome, Italy

Rome Marathon takes runners a few hours and spectators all day. This guide gives supporters cheer points they can reach by public transport, plans the expo day and race eve around tired legs, and fills the recovery day in Rome.

Tours in Rome Hotels for these dates

Airport to Start and finish: Via dei Fori Imperiali by the Colosseum

Fiumicino (FCO) has the Leonardo Express to Termini in 32 minutes for 14 euros; taxis charge a flat 55 euros to the centre. Ciampino (CIA) has buses to Termini and a 40-euro flat taxi fare.

The course passes St Peter's, Piazza Navona and the Spanish Steps.

Public transport directions to Start and finish: Via dei Fori Imperiali by the Colosseum

Where to stay by budget

Budget	Where	Why
Budget	Termini and Esquilino	Cheapest rooms, next to trains and the airport express.
Mid-range	Monti and Trastevere	Walkable old neighbourhoods full of trattorias.
Splurge	Spanish Steps and Via Veneto	Grand hotels and rooftop bars.

Three hotels we would book

Budget: The RomeHello
Mid-range: Hotel Artemide
Splurge: Hotel Hassler Roma

Links search the nights from 18 March to 22 March. Event weekends sell out early and prices rise as the date gets closer: book a cancellable room as soon as you know you are going.

Day plans for the free hours

Built around the usual marathon weekend schedule for 19 to 21 March 2027. Session times change: check the official timetable and move the blocks around.

Arrival and expo

Wednesday 17 March

Runners collect bibs at the expo. Companions can split off for a half-day.

Half-dayBorghese Gallery Half day · Indoor · Low walking
Bernini and Caravaggio; timed tickets only.
EatPizzeria da Remo Thin Roman pizza in Testaccio

Day before the race

Thursday 18 March

Runners rest their legs: pick seated or slow outings, then an early pasta dinner.

Easy outingCatacombs and Appian Way Half day · Indoor
Underground burial tunnels and the old Roman road.
EatSant'Eustachio Il Caffè The famous espresso

Race day

Friday 19 March

Spectators: pick two cheer points you can reach by public transport, then meet at the finish.

Cheer pointPiazza del Popolo and Via del Corso in the second half.
Cheer pointFori Imperiali for the finish under the Colosseum.
EatRoscioli Deli and carbonara

Recovery day

Monday 22 March

Sore legs: boats, buses and long lunches beat walking tours today.

Easy outingVatican Museums and Sistine Chapel Half day · Indoor
Book early-morning entry to beat the crowds.
Rain or heat backupPasta-making class Half day · Food · Indoor · Family
Make fettuccine and tiramisu.

Family-friendly picks

Evening · Nightlife · Family

Rome by night walking tour

Trevi, Pantheon and Navona lit up.

See times and prices

Half day · Family

Colosseum, Forum and Palatine guided tour

Skip the line with a guide in three hours.

See times and prices

Half day · Food · Indoor · Family

Pasta-making class

Make fettuccine and tiramisu.

See times and prices

Half day · Low walking · Family

Golf cart tour of Rome

The sights without the walking.

See times and prices

Explora children's museum.
Bioparco zoo in Villa Borghese.
Ostia beach by train.

Evening and day-trip tours

Evening · Nightlife · Family

Rome by night walking tour

Trevi, Pantheon and Navona lit up.

See times and prices

Evening · Food · Nightlife

Food tour in Trastevere

Supplì, carbonara and gelato.

See times and prices

Full day

Pompeii and Naples day trip

Long day by fast train or coach.

See times and prices

Full day

Tivoli: Villa d'Este and Hadrian's Villa

Fountain gardens and an emperor's villa.

See times and prices

After dark

Campo de' Fiori and Trastevere bars.
Rooftop bars near Piazza di Spagna.

Ten tours worth booking for Rome Marathon

Tour	Length	Good for
Pompeii and Naples day trip	Full day	Everyone
Borghese Gallery	Half day	Bad weather, Tired legs
Catacombs and Appian Way	Half day	Bad weather
Colosseum, Forum and Palatine guided tour	Half day	Families
Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel	Half day	Bad weather
Pasta-making class	Half day	Food lovers, Bad weather, Families
Golf cart tour of Rome	Half day	Tired legs, Families
Tivoli: Villa d'Este and Hadrian's Villa	Full day	Everyone
Rome by night walking tour	Evening	Night owls, Families
Food tour in Trastevere	Evening	Food lovers, Night owls

Event weeks sell out. Book tours with free cancellation as soon as the session times are published.

Where to eat

Roscioli Deli and carbonara
Da Enzo al 29 Trastevere trattoria; queue early
Trapizzino Stuffed pizza pockets
Giolitti Gelato since 1900
Armando al Pantheon Roman classics by the Pantheon
Mercato Testaccio Market stalls for lunch
Pizzeria da Remo Thin Roman pizza in Testaccio
Sant'Eustachio Il Caffè The famous espresso

Reserve dinner for the nights around the event: restaurants near the venue fill up days ahead.

Rainy-day backups

Half day · Indoor · Low walking

Borghese Gallery

Bernini and Caravaggio; timed tickets only.

See times and prices

Half day · Indoor

Catacombs and Appian Way

Underground burial tunnels and the old Roman road.

See times and prices

Half day · Indoor

Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel

Book early-morning entry to beat the crowds.

See times and prices

Vatican Museums.
Capitoline Museums.
Castel Sant'Angelo.

Getting around on event days

Two main metro lines and many buses; walking is often faster in the centre.
Stadio Olimpico is reached by tram 2 from Flaminio.
Trenitalia Frecciarossa and Italo high-speed trains link Milan, Florence, Rome and Venice; book ahead for event weekends.
Validate paper regional train tickets before boarding; contactless works on most city metros.

Day trips from Rome

Tivoli: 1 hour
Orvieto: 1 hour 15 minutes by train
Naples and Pompeii: 1 hour 10 minutes by Frecciarossa to Naples

Bringing a group?

Corporate hospitality, fan clubs, teams and families travelling together: tell us the dates and group size and we will put together tours, transfers and a group dinner for Rome Marathon.

Plan a group trip

Questions people ask

When is Rome Marathon 2027?

The next edition is 19 to 21 March 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

How do I get from the airport to Start and finish: Via dei Fori Imperiali by the Colosseum?

Fiumicino (FCO) has the Leonardo Express to Termini in 32 minutes for 14 euros; taxis charge a flat 55 euros to the centre. Ciampino (CIA) has buses to Termini and a 40-euro flat taxi fare. The course passes St Peter's, Piazza Navona and the Spanish Steps.

Where should I stay for Rome Marathon?

For most visitors the best base is Monti and Trastevere: Walkable old neighbourhoods full of trattorias.

What else can we do around Rome Marathon?

Good short outings in Rome include Colosseum, Forum and Palatine guided tour, Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, Pasta-making class. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

What is there for kids and families near Rome Marathon?

Family-friendly picks: Colosseum, Forum and Palatine guided tour, Pasta-making class, Golf cart tour of Rome. Explora children's museum.

How far is Start and finish: Via dei Fori Imperiali by the Colosseum from Rome centre?

About 1 km in a straight line. The course passes St Peter's, Piazza Navona and the Spanish Steps.

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