Walking through the ancient streets of Rome gives you the feeling as if you are walking in a museum. As the city is that big and there are so many things to see and do, I’ve made this 3-day guide for you in which I’ve used my own route. From one of the seven world wonders to Vatican City and several “hidden gems” that are well worth visiting.
Preperation
You’ll obviously book your flight in time, but also make sure that you book several activities quite some time in advance as well.
The Vatican Museum as well as the Colosseum are among the highlights that you must visit, preferably with a guided tour to get the full experience. You can either choose to go in a group, or take your own pace with an audio guide. Lastly, I would recommend visiting both on a separate day as early in the morning as possible.
Arriving at Fiumicino Airport.
There are several ways to get yourself from Aeroporti Leonardo da Vinci to the city:
- Take a Taxi to the city center at a fixed rate of € 50,-
- Take the bus to the Termini Train Station for +/- € 12,- (Terravision, 45 minutes)
- Take the train to Termini Train Station (30 minutes)
How to get around in Rome?
As Rome is a large city it might be too hard to walk all day long from place A to B. I walked +/- 25 KM a day, but luckily the city offers several other (more convenient) transporting methods. You can rent an E-Step/ Bike via Apps as Lime, Bird or Ridemovi. The Metro network is also very good to get you across larger distances at € 1,50 for a single ticket. I’ve used the E-Bike (Ridemovi), the metro and walked the majority of the time.
Enough preparation, on to the highlights. Choose the order you like best, just keep in mind that on Sundays the Vatican Museum is closed (except the last Sunday of the month).
Day 1. Centro Storico
The historic center is packed with highlights and depending on the place your hotel/Airbnb/hostel is located you can choose your own route along these highlights. Don’t eat to near any of these, especially very well-known highlights, as these are mostly tourist traps with restaurants charging you way too much for some food and drinks.
- Trevi Fountain
Preferably, you’ll want to start with the Trevi Fountain first. I can recommend you to not arrive to after 10:00, as it’s just too crowded by then (summer months). I was there at 06:45 and had several other people around me. I was kind of surprised how many people were already there that early in the morning. Therefore, try to get there as early in the morning as you preferably want to. Be prepared for more people around you the later in the day you go.
A very famous tradition when visiting the Trevi Fountain is throwing a coin into the water with your right hand over your left shoulder. Legend says that if you toss (1) one coin: you’ll return to Rome (2) two coins: you’ll return and fall for an attractive Italian, and (3) three coins: you’ll end up marrying that person in the ancient city of Rome.
2. Pantheon
This Roman temple has one of the most ancient structures that you’ll find in the city. The monument functions as a church and is free to enter from 09:00 – 19:00 (last entry at 18:30).
3. Piazza Navona
This Piazza is characterized by its monuments, fountains and the Sant'Agnese Agone church. During the day you will find various street performers, musicians, artists and a wonderful Italian vibe. Near Piazza Navona is pizzeria La Montecarlo. A famous pizzeria with delicious pizzas with a thin base. Whether you go for lunch or dinner, a pizza is always possible in Italy!
4. Piazza del Campidoglio
A short walk (+/- 15 minutes) from the Piazza Navona will bring you to the second of the various Piazzas this city has to offer: Piazza del Campidoglio. Michelangelo (a name that you’ll see and hear from more often when you’re in Rome) designed the square and it has two sculptures of the famous emperor Marcus Aurelius at the front.
It’s a quick stop, but you could opt for a visit to the Capitoline Museum if you’re a big fan or art, paintings and ancient sculptures. I didn’t, as I saw enough of this in the Vatican Museum. Head to the back of the square for a cool view of the Roman Forum.
Tip: head to the back of the square for a cool view of the Foro Romano.
Pantheon
Piazza del Campidoglio
5. Piazza Venezia
For most people in Rome, this monument is too large and doesn’t match the style of the majority of the ancient Roman monuments.
Anyway, for a tourist it’s really an eyecatcher with the first king of Italy Vittorio Emanuele II looking over the city on his horse. You can go to the panoramic terrace for a nice view of the city, it’ll cost you € 12,- and you can go there from 09:30 till 19:30 (last entry at 18:45).
6. Via del Corso, Via dei Condotti & Via Borgognona (shopping and fashion)
In itself not a highlight, but Via del Corso is the main shopping street of Rome. On this street you will find several monumental buildings in addition to several stores. The tail starts at Piazza Venezia and takes you all the way to Piazza Del Popolo.
However, I recommend you turn right at Via dei Condotti, Rome's fashion street. This street will take you to another highlight: the Spanish Steps. Before you get to the Spanish Steps, you can make a short visit to Via Borgognona to check out several designer boutiques.
7. Spanish Steps & Trinità dei Monti
It’ll take you 174 steps to the top at the Piazza di Spagna (Spanish Steps), but it’s surely worth it. At the top you will find the beautiful church Trinità dei Monti, and you also have a nice view of the Via dei Condotti, the famous fashion street.
8. Park Borghese
After all that sightseeing it’s time to relax a bit in the Borghese Park. You can see Villa Medici, relax at the top by the lake (Laghetto Di Villa Borghese) or go to the Borghese Gallery if you are a fan of art and paintings. Just like at the museum at the Piazza del Campidoglio, I also didn’t visit this one. However, I heard from several people that it’s a very nice museum. A ticket will cost you € 15,- and the museum is open from Tuesday till Sunday (09:00 – 19:00 with the last entry at 17:45).
Inside the Borghese Park is the Terraza del Pincio, a terrace with a spectacular view of Piazza Del Popolo and the rest of the city. A cool place to watch the sunset, whilst being accompanied by several musicians providing you, some nice tunes.
9. Evening walk around the historic center
Once the sun has set, the places you saw during the day will lit up. At night, it’s not as busy as during the day. Thus, you can surely visit the Colosseum or the Piazza Venezia at night, whilst the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps are also places to see lighting up at night.
When and where to eat dinner during your first day?
The Roman kitchen is home to several local specialties, one of them being the famous Pasta Carbonara. Somehow, you’ll never manage to get it this good at home as many of the restaurants serve them here. Ristorante Sora Lucia, La Carbonara, Salumeria con Cucina and Tonnarello. I didn’t have the chance to go to all of them by myself, but managed to get these places from locals.
Day 2. Vatican
- Basilica di San Pietro & Cupola
Preferably, you want to start your day at the Basilica di San Pietro which opens at 07:00. You don’t have to be that early, but as the Cupola opens at 07:30 I highly recommend you to go there early. As I always say: “The early bird gets the worm.” You can start off at the Piazza di San Pietro and admire the by world’s largest church. From there, you can go inside and see the piece of art that Michelangelo designed (free entrance).
For me, the main highlight of the basilica was the view from the world’s tallest dome (Cupola). 551 steps (or 320 if you take the elevator for the first part) will take you to the top of the dome for a spectacular view of the Piazza di San Pietro and the rest of ancient Rome. A picture often speaks more than a thousand words!
For € 8,- you have a ticket to climb all 551 steps , whilst you pay € 10 to skip the first 231 with the elevator ticket. The Cupola opens at 07:30 and closes at 17:00 (18:00 from October to March). As it can get hot in the summer months, go early. The queue also tends to get bigger the later you go. Even more reasons to go be an early bird for this day!
2. Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel
The Vatican Museum is packed with history and has many remarkable pieces of art inside of it. Next to all the paintings, sculptures and mosaic, standing out to me was the room with drawings of the Italian regions back in the days.
For me, the main highlight of the museum was the Sistine Chapel, a project that took Michelangelo 4 years of painting. Yes, 4(!) whole years. No wonder he has an own castle next to Vatican City. It’s a holy room, so people have to be silent and your shoulders have to be covered. Besides, you are not allowed to take pictures. I saw several people doing so, but admiring the piece of art through my own eyes felt more spectacular than I could capture with a camera.
The museum is open from Monday – Saturday (09:00 – 18:00 with the last entry at 16:00), whilst it’s closed on Sundays (except for the last Sunday of the month: 09:00 – 14:00 with the last entry at 12:30).
Yes, it can also get crowded here the later you go; but since most of the museum is inside, you can handle the heat a bit better. If you visit on a tour or buy tickets in advance and reserve a timeslot, you don’t have to wait that long to go in.
- Castle Santangelo
You can enter the castle on specific times: 09:00, 10:30, 12:00, 13:30, 15:00, 16:30 and 18:00. Once you go in, you’ll be given 1,5 hours to visit before the next group of visitors are allowed to go in. Book tickets in advance to prevent missing out on this beautiful fortress castle that protected the Pope. A ticket costs € 15,-
Don’t forget to walk across the Ponte di Sant’Angelo, a special entrance to the castle.
- Walk along the Rio Tiber
As you cross the Ponte di Sant’Angelo, you’ll go to the other side of the Rio Tiber, giving you an amazing view of the Corte Suprema di Cassazione.
As the water in the river is mainly still, you see the building of the supreme court reflecting in the water. As you continue to Ponte Umberto I, the view of the castle will get even better!
- Isola Tiberina
After visiting Vatican City and the Castel Santangelo, you might be in for some food as it’s been quite an eventful day. Walk to the trastevere neighborhood and enjoy the delicious Roman kitchen, before finishing off the day in style at the Isola Tiberina with some drinks, live music and a nice vibe. You can also decide to eat dinner here, with a bit of good timing you can enjoy it while the sun sets. Win-Win!
Day 3. Colosseo
Time to see and learn more about the history of one of the 7 world wonders: the Colosseo.
- Colosseo, Foro Romano & Palatine Hill
Ideally, you’ve booked the tickets for 09:00, straight away once it opens. In the summer months it’s hot, so the later during the day you’ll go; the hotter it will mostly be. Take the time to really learn more about the monument, the Gladiators, the role of the crowd and much more. If you buy the full experience ticket, you’ll also be able to access the Gladiator Arena.
You can either choose between an audio/ video guide or a live guide, a decision which will obviously depend on how much you want to spend and whether you like to explore it by yourself instead of with a group. I bought my ticket via Tiqets.com and had to wait only a few minutes before I could get in.
Tip: Reserving your timeslot when you book your ticket is mandatory. Also, it’s recommended to arrive at least 30 mins before the opening time (09:00) to get through the entrance faster.
Foro Romano & Palatine Hill
A ticket to the Colosseo will also include a ticket for the Foro Romano & Palatine hill, located next to the Colosseo. Most people go for the nearest entrance, but walking an extra 250 meters brings you to the other entrance where there is probably little to no queue.
In the Roman Forum, you can see the ruins of what used to be the oldest, most important, temples of Rome. From Palatine Hill, most consider it as Rome’s birthplace, you have a stunning view of the Colosseo.
Visiting the Colosseo plus Foro Romano & Palatine Hill will take you at least three hours, so it might be time for some lunch. I really liked the Bruschetta and Ravioli at Ai Tre Scalani, only a 10 minute walk from the Foro Romano.
2. Terme Di Caracella
To see ancient Roman public baths, visit the Terme Di Caracella (Baths of Caracella). You can buy a ticket online for € 11,- and choose your desired time for a visit.
3. Giardino Degli Aranci
Get yourself a stunning view of Rome from the Belvedere terrace in the Orange Garden (Giardino Degli Aranci) and enjoy the quietness after a busy morning at the Colosseo. On the other side of the river, you’ll find the neighborhood Trastevere, which will be your next stop after relaxing a bit in the park.
4. Trastevere
Rome’s food hotspot is right here! There is such a nice vibe and there are so many restaurants that it can be hard to choose. Before it’s time for dinner, head to the Basilica di Santa Maria on the Piazza di Santa Maria to see one of Rome’s oldest churches.
5. Gianicolo Hill
Take a walk uphill to the Gianicolo Hill for a 360 view of the city and watch the sun going down over the ancient city.
After seeing the sun going down, head back to Trastevere and get yourself some local food. I had an amazing pizza at Dar Poeta, but be mindful that there could be a queue here as well as at several other restaurants. Trastevere is really Rome's food hotspot and it's certainly known among tourists. That’s why you can also decide to have dinner first, before enjoying the sunset at Gianicolo Hill.
3 days in Rome
That's it: walked 75 KM, slept 15 hours and as you can read above saw a lot of this historic city (definitely don't consider it a foreshadowing, I'm that "nut" who likes to get up at 05:00 to enjoy the sunrise at the Colosseo). Intensive, but if you want to see a lot of the city in 3 days then it's not bad to have some longer days.
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