Rome wasn’t built in a day, so is it possible to take in its top sights in just 24 hours? Along with exploring the Colosseum and Roman Forum, can a day-long itinerary squeeze in some time for strolling around a piazza or two, taking a break from the midday sun at a gelato stand, and sipping an aperitivo as the sun sets over those famous seven hills? We Romans are always up for a challenge, so I’ve put together a blockbuster of an itinerary for you.

There’s something magical about the Colosseum, no matter if it’s your first time seeing it or your tenth. I pass it every day on my bus route, and it still stuns me whenever I catch a glimpse of the ancient amphitheater outside the window. Though the Colosseum is striking during the day, visiting it at night, when it glows gold, adds an extra layer of drama and the chance to experience the Roman wonder in a whole new light—literally.