How to Spend 3 Days in Rome – Itinerary
There’s something surreal about seeing relics of thousands of years of Roman history sitting right next to common retail stores. Growing up, we probably all learned bits and pieces of the city’s history or saw the dramatized version on TV – maybe it was the gladiator fights in the ancient Colosseum or the military might of the Roman Empire. Either way, I don’t think anything fully prepares you for seeing all the city has to offer in terms of history and culture. After having visited, I can fully see why this is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. While some might consider it overhyped, Rome is probably one of my favorite places I had the opportunity to explore and I would gladly go back again and again.
While I had about 4.5 days in Rome, I think 3 days is a good amount of time to hit all the major sights, the Vatican, and some other off the beaten path neighborhoods! I hope you find some trip inspiration from this itinerary on how to spend 3 days in Rome!
Day 1:
Trevi Fountain
When in Rome, you can’t miss the Trevi Fountain. As one of the most famous fountains in the world, this Baroque Fountain is located at the junction of three roads. One of the famous myths here is to toss a coin into the fountain with your right hand over your left shoulder. Supposedly, one coin means you will return to Rome; two – you’ll fall in love with an attractive Italian; three – you’ll marry the person you met. So why not give it a try on your next trip:)
Pantheon
The Pantheon is another one of those iconic Roman landmarks that cannot be missed. It is one of the best-preserved ancient buildings in the city because it’s been in continuous use throughout its history! It’s free to enter but there will still be a long line to get inside. However, once you’re inside, you’ll realize the wait was worth it. The architectural genius behind this building is unparalleled. After 2,000 years, the Pantheon still has the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome. This dome has a central opening, the oculus, which is never covered!
Lunch at Osteria da Fortunata
Rome is home to Carbonara, Amatriciana, and Cacio e Pepe, so why not try all 3?! My mom and I made a visit to the Milan location, but their Rome location is the original. Osteria da Fortunata is a popular Roman restaurant making pasta with really fresh, homemade, and quality ingredients. It’s super cool seeing ladies in the window hand-rolling the pasta! The pasta has a nice bite to it, and I loved how my Carbonara tasted super creamy and rich with the runny egg yolk on top. There will probably be a wait, but I think it’s well worth it!
Spanish Steps
Fun fact: the Spanish Steps were actually commissioned by the French! Funny how it’s by the French, named with Spanish, and located in Italy haha. These steps actually connect the Piazza di Spagna to the French Monastery church. At the top, you get great views of the city below and you’re only a couple minutes walk away from Villa Borghese.
Villa Borghese/ Borghese Gallery
Villa Borghese is a beautiful park, the largest in Rome, offering numerous attractions including pavilions, sculptures, the zoo, villas, and of course, the Borghese Art Gallery. The Borghese Gallery has an impressive collection of antiques, sculptures, and paintings. Some notable pieces include the “Apollo and Daphne” statue and “David” statues by Bernini as well as paintings by Da Vinci, Raphael, and Caravaggio. You can buy tickets for the museum here. Note that only 360 people are admitted at a time, so there is a 2 hour time limit on visits.
Dinner
There are numerous dining options around Villa Borghese. For more upscale options, you can check out Mirabelle or La Terrazza which both offer great city views. If you’re looking for classic Italian dining, check out Il Gabrielo or Osteria Barberini.
Day 2:
Regoli Pasticceria
If you’re up early on day 2, I recommend grabbing a pastry from Regoli Pasticceria! Here you’ll find classic Roman pastries, but the must try is the Maritozzo. I had seen videos of this pastry all over social media for a while and I knew I had to try it at some point during the trip and wow. If you love whipped cream, like me, you’ll love it! It’s a fluffy bun absolutely STUFFED with lightly sweetened whipped cream! We also grabbed a Sfogliatelle (lobster tail) filled with cream which was also delicious!
We started off the first half of the day by booking a tour of the Colosseum and Palatine Hill. While you definitely don’t need to be a part of a tour group to visit these landmarks, I found it a lot more enjoyable to hear the history as we walked through each location. Otherwise, I feel like I wouldn’t have really known what I was looking at, especially since Palatine Hill/ Roman Forum was mostly ruins. For both these sites, I would recommend getting there as early as possible to avoid the crowds and long lines to get in!
If you’re looking to join a tour, you can check out the one we took here.
Colosseum
The Colosseum, one of the seven wonders of the world, has always fascinated me and it’s even more impressive seeing the sheer size of this amphitheater in person. After 2,000 years old, only a portion of the building remains as a result of earthquakes and repurposing of the marble & stone throughout the years. While it was used for gladiator fights, as depicted in many movies, there were many other uses. Some uses include wild animal hunts, mock sea battles, a cemetery, a place of worship, housing, and even a marketplace!
Palatine Hill/ Roman Forum
The Roman Forum holds the ruins of several important government buildings, temples, and monuments. Public meetings, law courts, and even gladiator fights were once held here. For centuries, it was the center of public and economic life, thus, many emperors and wealthy families lived nearby in the Palatine. The Palatine Hill, one of the most central of Rome’s seven hills, is one of the oldest parts of the city and is considered to be the birthplace of the Italian capital! While there’s really not any buildings still intact, it’s still cool trying to imagine what it would’ve looked like thousands of years ago.
Lunch
To avoid tourist spots around the Colosseum, I recommend walking a couple minutes away for lunch. One place that I came across with really great reviews and recommended by locals was La Carbonara (Monti). The staff are very friendly and the food is really good!
Campidoglio/ Capitoline Museums
After a filling lunch, head towards the Campidoglio, a square designed by Michelangelo. It’ss located on the most important of Rome’s seven hills, the Capitoline Hill. Surrounding the square, you’ll find the Capitoline Museums (the world’s first public museum!). To reach Campidoglio, you’ll have to climb the “Cordonata” which is a long set of wide step stairs that was originally meant to make it easy for knights to climb.
Altar of the Fatherland
Just a few steps away from the Capitoline Museums is the Altar of the Fatherland. This monument was built to honor Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of a unified Italy. For a great view of the Altar, you can stand in the Piazza Venezia. This Piazza actually connects the monument, located in the symbolic center of ancient Rome, to Modern Rome!
Piazza Navona
I thought this plaza was just so cute & lively! There are a bunch of restaurants/ cafes with outdoor seating, perfect for aperitivo & people-watching! Also, you can’t miss the Fountain of Neptune.
Via del Governo Vecchio
My mom and I stumbled upon this street after leaving Piazza Navona. Via del Governo Vecchio is famous for its unique boutiques & vintage shops, aperitivo bars, and gelato! Something about this street is just so charming and makes me want to walk around for hours.
Pont Sant’Angelo Sunset
Again, this part of our day was totally unplanned, but ended up being one of the highlights in Rome. Pont Sant’Angelo is an ancient bridge across the Tiber River that was meant to connect the city center to the emperor Hadrian’s Mausoleum (now Castel Sant’Angelo). It’s the perfect place to watch the sunset over the Tiber and enjoy the sights and sounds of Rome.
Campo de’Fiori Dinner
This piazza is home to a well-known flower, fruit, and vegetable market that takes place every morning from Mon-Sat since 1869! At night, it becomes a lively place to meet up for aperitivo or dinner at any one of the numerous restaurants, cocktail bars, and terraces in the square.
Day 3:
Vatican City
I always forget that the Vatican is it’s own independent city-state, even though it’s located in Rome. As the center of authority of the Roman Catholic Church, the Vatican is home to the second largest religious building in Christendom and is home to the Pope. Here you’ll find religious and cultural sites such as St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums with some of the world’s most renowned paintings and sculptures!
St. Peter’s Basilica
This Renaissance style Basilica was finished in 1626 and built on top of the tomb of Saint Peter, one of Jesus’s twelve apostles. Inside St. Peter’s, you’ll find many famous pieces of art. Some include Michelangelo’s Pietà and baldachin by Bernini. It’s free to enter the Basilica, but you must pay to climb to the top of the dome. Unfortunately, you can only buy these tickets at the door unless you participate in a guided tour.
Vatican Museums
This impressive collection of over 70,000 paintings and sculptures is housed across more than 54 galleries. Built back in the 16th century, the Vatican Museums display more than art, archeology, and anthropological pieces, but also religiously significant pieces of art. Things you can’t miss when you visit include:
- Raphael’s Frescoes in the Raphael Rooms
- Sistine Chapel – Michelangelo (note: pictures are not allowed)
- Spiral Staircase
- Gallery of Maps (one of my favorite parts of the museum!)
- Sala Rotunda
This is definitely not a comprehensive list of all there is to see. However, these were the most memorable parts of the museum for me! You could honestly spend days exploring each section of the museum, but if you’re an amateur museum-goer like me, a couple hours is a solid amount of time to see the highlights! You can book tickets here.
Travestere Neighborhood
This neighborhood is super picturesque and home to many hidden gems. Located on the other side of the Tiber River from the rest of Rome, it’s about a 20 min walk away from The Vatican City. For your last night in Rome, Travestere is a great place to really experience the Italian neighborhood of your imagination, complete with narrow cobblestone streets and ivy-covered buildings. It’s known to have plenty of great food options and lively nightlife. While you’re in the area, some attractions to visit include:
- Piazzi di Santa Maria – the main plaza
- Basilica Santa Maria – oldest Marian Church in Rome
- Villa Farnesina – mansion with works by Raphael & Peruzzi
- Porta Portese – most popular flea market held every Sunday until 2 pm
If you can, I would recommend getting a reservation at Roma Sparita. This restaurant is considered to be one of the best places for Cacio e Pepe, even Anthony Bourdain loved it! Don’t fret if you can’t find a time. We ate at Tiberino Ristorante Bar which is nearby, and thought the Cacio e Pepe there was really good! Plus, you also get Tiber River views.
There’s truly so many things to see and do in this city, that 3 days isn’t enough time. With thousands of years of culture and history, Rome is one of those cities I believe is worth visiting more than once. I’m really looking forward to the next time I get to visit this beautiful city and I hope you enjoy your time there!
Wishing you safe and happy travels,
Cindy<3
