I have a five-hour layover at FCO on an upcoming Sunday afternoon/evening (departing at 2130h). Having never been to the city, I am tempted to get out and try to see a little bit.

Anyone have suggestions for places to see, things to do, or (especially!) things to eat? I plan on going back in the spring for a few days with someone else, so it isn't important to cram in a bunch of sightseeing. I just hate to waste five hours there by sitting in the AZ lounge eating blister-packed cookies.

I'll have a couple of carryons with me that I'd like to leave in the airport someplace if I can, and then just set out by taxi or train for a little adventure.

I agree, pop into the city for a good Italian meal. Two of my favorites:

1) You won't find a tourist here:
You can take the train from FCO to Ostiense station, then subway line B to Garbatella. There is an amazing hole in the wall restaurant for an experienced traveler only called Ar Grottino der Traslocatore (Largo Delle Sette Chiese 2, 00145 Roma. Tel 06 514 1261). Incredible home-made 'cucino romano' cuisine. Call to see if they're open for the time you want though.

2) For pizza:
You can't go wrong. My favorite is a trendy place on Via del Vantaggio, a small street near Piazza del Popolo (subway stop Flaminio), but I forgot the name. Then you can walk over to the Spanish steps before returning.

alanw:

5 hours is not a lot. I have seen lots of traffic, pile-ups from and to the airport. You might have some luck, as it will be Sunday.
Next, you have to leave the restaurant early...most restaurants - in Trastevere and elsewhere - get busy at 9:00 or so (you know, you are from Sitges/Barcelona...).

You may go to Piazza del Popolo, there are many outside caf�s, lots of Romans (and tourists).

There are two trains from the airport to Rome. One goes to Central Termini and another one with a stop in Trastevere, may be somebody can post how often this train goes and how long it would take. Trastevere also has lots of restaurants.

Not too far from the airport is this place:

Agriturismo Borgo di Tragliata
Via del Casale di Tragliata 23
00050 Fiumicino (Roma)
06 6687267 (Buero)
http://www.tragliata.it/_en/home.htm

We had dinner there ... the place is very nice, look at the website .. the food was O.K.

What ever you do: Have fun and don't miss your plane ...

That's not much time, but IF money is not an object, arrange for a Limo pickup, and 3 hour food stop/driving tour. Offer to take the driver to a restaurant (he'll pick a fine place ), then head back to the airport.

Probably very expensive, but you'll get your 5 hours worth!

If this is out of the question, I can give you a walking itinerary from Popolo (subway from Termni) to the Spanish Steps, to Trevi, the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, taxi to the Coliseum, and subway back to Termini. You could do this in several hours, but may have to eat a sandwich on the fly. (I'll tell you where to get that too ) The first thing to check is the train schedule on a Sunday (both ways) from FCO to Termini, and see how much time you'll lose waiting for the trains.

Edited to add last paragraph.

Near the airport is the Ostia Antica, the ancient port of the 2-3 centuries, that was abandoned when the river changed course. It's very much worth seeing. It's an amazing place and you could learn from my mistake. I had many trips to Rome before my husband and I finally visited there.

You could get a lot out of your 3 hours or so there. We took the train out from the center and still had to walk quite a distance to get to the entrance. Cabbing it from the airport would put you right at the entrance so your time would be well spent. When you arrive, ask the personnel out there to help arrange a taxi to pick you up for the airport. There was a little cafe and a very nice book store, too.

http://www.ostia-antica.org/

Thanks everyone for the helpful replies. I think I'm going to stash my carry-on in a lounge, take the train into the city, and just walk around and take photos, then grab a bite to eat.

Any more suggestions?

Bump.
Two of us will have a 5h:20m layover on an upcoming YYZ-FCO-LCA trip, arriving at FCO at 7:10am and leaving at 12:30pm. I'd like to leave the airport for a quick stroll and breakfast somewhere (either in Rome, or perhaps in a village/town closer to the airport that's reachable by train from the airport).

I believe we'll have two hours or so to devote to this sidetrip (leaving enough time for transportation to/from FCO, security, etc). Any suggestions where we can go?

I love Rome, it's my favorite place.

First, I recommend you move the FCO - LCA to the next day so as to have 30hrs in Rome atleast.

No worries - I'll catch Rome on the way back (we'll have a 'whopping' 3-days there, so we'll be able to see more at that time...)