Three Days in Rome: The Perfect Itinerary
Some cities are modern, fashionable, shiny or trendy, but only one is Eternal. Rome with its majestic location on the banks of the Tiber River and along seven hills, is our favorite city in Europe.
Rome was the capital of the Old World. After the fall of the Great Roman Empire, the city never stopped being relevant. Today, the largest city in Italy is vibrant, modern, and as beautiful as ever.
We’ve been to Rome several times and spent weeks in awe. Follow our itinerary and you’ll be able to see its highlights in just 3 days. Trust us, you will fall in love with Rome!
Day 1
Enter the Colosseum
You’ve seen thousands of images of the Colosseum throughout your life and now it’s your chance to see it in person. Rest assured that the millenary structure will take your breath away.
The biggest elliptical amphitheater in the world is almost 2000 years old! We strongly recommend purchasing your tickets online in advance. Be sure to buy the extra tickets for the arena floor or the underground.
You have to enter at your allotted time. You need at least 2 hours. Go at night too to see it illuminated in all of its glory.
Experience History in the Roman Forum
Your ticket to the Colosseum gives you access to the Roman Forum. It’s valid for 24 hours to enter each site once. The Forum is huge and there are no restaurants on site, just water.
Some of the structures within the forum are older than the Colosseum. Particularly interesting are the 7th Century BC Temple of Vesta and the Regia, 8th Century BC.
You need at least 1.5 hours to see the main structures. We recommend visiting the onsite museum too. The views from the hilltop Temple of Venus and Rome over the Colosseum and the park are epic.
Explore Palatine Hill
The third wonder within the Colosseum Archaeological Park is the Palatine Hill. It’s also included in the ticket. Thus, you should visit it after entering the Forum. You’ll need at least 1 hour.
It’s one of the city’s 7 hills and full of palaces, temples, and ancient structures. Our favorites are the House of Livia and Augustus with its lavish frescoes, and the House of Tiberius.
Though built in the 16th Century, the Farnese Pavillion is equally grand. Its gardens where the first botanical gardens in Europe. Don’t skip the nearby Circus Maximus.
Visit Campidoglio
Campidoglio Square is a 15-minute walk west of the Colosseum. Michaelangelo himself designed the hilltop plaza. The views from there over the city and beyond will leave you speechless.
The Capitoline Museums are a group of museums on the plaza. It’s the oldest museum complex in the world. You have three buildings to discover: Pallazzo del Senatorio, Palazzo dei Conservatori, and Palazzo Nuovo.
The statue of Romulus and Remo and the wolf is inside the Conservatori. Walk behind the Sanatorio building to enjoy unforgettable views over the Forum.
Enjoy the Views from Altare della Patria
From Campidoglio Square walk down the stairs, admire the views, and go up the next stairs to the 12th Century Santa Maria Aracoeli Church. The Altare della Patria is next door.
The structure crowns the northern section of the hill. The massive neoclassical building is considered the symbol of Italy. The views from the panoramic terrace on its top are the best in Rome.
You won’t have time to enter the museums, but be sure to check out every single sculpture and the tomb of the unknown soldier. Trajan’s Forum is next door. Notice the incredible Trajan Column.
Day 2
Visit the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major
Begin your second day in one of the most spectacular churches on earth. The Papal Basilica of Sain Mary Major from the 5th Century is a sight to behold.
Access the temple from the back, walking up dell Esquilino Square. Loop around and enter the largest temple in the world dedicated to the Virgin Mary. If you think the temple looks amazing from outside, wait till you get inside.
The ceiling is gilded with gold. Gorgeous 5th Century mosaics cover the apse. Every side chapel is a masterpiece. Outside, notice the massive Corinthian column in front of the temple.
Make a Wish at Trevi Fountain
As touristy as it is, Trevi Fountain does not disappoint. The 1762 rococo fountain is full of delicate sculptures in travertine marble. It’s all about Oceanus taming the waters.
No, you can’t throw coins into the fountain. However, throw your coin into the small pool next to the steel walkway built for tourists to admire the fountain up close.
The fountain is on the side of Poli Palace. You can attend an opera concert inside. The concert lasts one hour and the acoustics are fantastic. You can admire the palace and enjoy memorable views of the fountain.
Enter the Ancient Pantheon
One of our favorite walks is from Trevi Fountain to the Ancient Pantheon. Walk along Pietra Street to narrow Burro Street to San Ignacio Square. Pop into Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola to admire elaborate frescoes.
Continue along Seminario aisle to the Pantheon. The structure is both a 2nd Century Roman temple and an early 7th Century Catholic church. It’s been in constant use ever since.
As soon as you enter you will see the massive dome with the oculus. Walk about admiring the art. Notice the tombs of Vittorio Emanuelle II and of Umberto I.
Spend Time in Piazza Navona
A 5-minute walk west of the Pantheon takes you to one of Rome’s most magnificent squares: Piazza Navona. It was built over an ancient Roman stadium. Hence, its unmistakable shape.
You can actually check what remains of the stadium in a small museum on the plaza. There are three fountains in Navona: Neptune Fountain, Quattro Fiumi, and Moro.
Walk 4 minutes south of Navona to reach Romes’s liveliest square: Campo De’ Fiori. The open-air market is fabulous. Pick your favorite eatery, relax, and people watch.
Feel the Charm of Trastevere
Finish your day in Rome’s most atmospheric and bohemian quarter: Trastevere. Cross the River Tiber, check out the Tempietto del Bramante. The 1502 Chappel looks like a one-piece sculpture!
Walk along the tree lined river and up lovely Trastevere Street. Take a side street and get lost. You will see families, couples, and friends enjoying the hood.
Do not skip the Basilica of Santa Maria of Trastevere. It’s one of the oldest in the city and famous for its medieval mosaics. We loved the 22 massive granite columns in the nave.
Day 3
Stroll around Villa Borghese
Villa Borghese is a massive park full of museums, palaces, fountains, arches, statues, and hundreds of trees. You can spend days discovering the park and never have a dull moment.
Visit the incredible Galleria Borghese. The 17th Century palace houses one of the best art collections in the world. You have 20 halls to explore. Rush, but don’t skip the Caravaggio’s.
From the Gallery, walk about the park west to the Passeggiata del Pincio. There are over 200 busts in the historic promenade. The views from there over the city are fantastic.
Walk the Spanish Steps
From Villa Borghese walk down to the one and only Piazza del Popolo, one of the city’s most authentic squares. The incredible 1300 BC Egyptian Flaminio Obelisk stands in the center.
Though you can reach the Spanish Steps faster, we believe it’s better to walk along the tree lined river bank to the Mausoleum of Augustus and turn left of Via della Croce and reach Piazza di Spagna.
The 18th Century lavish square has a marble boat fountain in the middle. The Scalinata di Trinita dei Monti (Spanish Steps) begins here. Go up and admire the views.
Climb the Castel Sant’Angelo
From the square take Condotti Street to the river bank. Rome’s fanciest boutiques line the street. You will see Umberto I bridge. Continue under the trees along the river to the next bridge, pedestrian St. Angelo Bridge.
The 134 AC marble bridge is stunning and leads to the Castel Sant’Angelo aka Mausoleum of Hadrian. The emperor commissioned it in the 2nd Century BC. The church converted it into a fortress in the 14th Century.
Today, it’s an incredible museum. You can see Hadrian’s chambers and renaissance frescoes. Go to the rooftop for great views. Don’t forget to check the gardens around the Castle.
Admire Saint Peter’s Basilica
No visit to Rome is complete until you admire Saint Peter’s Basilica. To do so, walk from the Castle along Via della Concilliazone to St. Peter’s Square. Check out the Obelisk that Caligula brought back from Egypt.
Walk under the giant colonnade and queue to enter the temple. You don’t need a ticket. However, you can buy your ticket to the museums online.
No matter how many temples you’ve seen in your life, this one is in a league of its own. Even as non-believers we were awed by the art and atmosphere.
Visit the Vatican Museums
There are 26 museums and galleries within the Vatican! Fortunately, all of them are included in a single ticket. You have to book in advance and show up at your allotted time.
You won’t have time to visit them all. Since we’ve visited Rome many times, we have. Therefore, we strongly recommend visiting at least the Sistine Chapel, the Gallery of Maps, and Raphael Rooms.
You will end up exhausted but a better person. No other place in Rome is as grand and as awe inspiring as the Vatican.
If You Have an Extra Day
If you have an extra day, we believe you should visit the Baths of Caracalla. The remains are as impressive as the park around them. If you like temples, visit the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano.
To experience the dolce vita, head to fancy Via Veneto. For modern architecture and a glimpse of fascist era Italy go to the EUR district. Look for the iconic Square Colosseum and modern day The Cloud.
An extra day? You can go to Tivoli with a train in less than an hour. Cerveteri and its renowned necropolis are an hour away by train. A train takes you to Pompeii in under two hours.
Where to Stay in Rome
Our favorite hotel in Rome is the Mercure Centro Colosseo. It has a rooftop pool with views of the Colosseum! Small but super comfy rooms. Great location!
We’ve stayed several times at the Starhotels Metropole and had a great time. Fantastic location: near the main train station and within walking distance to most attractions. Unbeatable value for money.
If you have the money to splurge do so at the Maalot Roma. The former residence of Donizetti is now an uber luxurious boutique hotel in the heart of the city. It’s worth every penny.
