3-Day Rome Itinerary: Heart of the Ancient Roman Empire
Rome is not just today’s capital of Italy, it was also the heart of the Roman Empire and a key part of ancient history. Because of this, Rome is the perfect example of blending a modern city with ancient histories and ruins. With world-renowned landmarks such as the Colosseum and the world’s smallest sovereign state of Vatican City landlocked within, it is no wonder why Rome is one of the most visited cities in Italy. This 3-day Rome itinerary will help you plan the must-sees for a first-time visitor, including the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, St Peter’s Square as well as its historic district (Centro Storico).
Do also refer to my Italy Travel Guide for an overview of Italy including tips on budget, safety and food.
This Rome itinerary contains affiliate links (marked with *) that will earn me commission if you click and make any bookings, at no additional cost to you.
Updates:
2 Aug 2026 – The Stadio di Domiziano Piazza Navona archaeological site is currently closed for restoration. It is still unknown when it will reopen.
This article is also featured on GPSmyCity. To download this article for offline reading or create a self-guided walking tour to visit the attractions highlighted in this article, go to Walking Tours and Articles in Rome.
Rome Itinerary
This 3-day Rome itinerary is designed generally to suit first-time visitors. That would include the must-see sights of the Colosseum, Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel as well as the historic centre (Centro Storico). 3 days is typically the most optimal time you need to be able to comfortably cover the essence of the city, but I will also suggest itineraries for shorter stays in this article.
For a start, you may wish to browse some of the activities available* to have an idea of what you’d be interested in to include in your Rome itinerary, in case you have any other more specific interests.
Rome itinerary planning considerations
1. Number of days
Rome is actually not as large a city in terms of land area, especially when compared to other European capitals such as London, Paris or Berlin. However, to properly explore and cover the main highlights of the city, you will need about 3 days. Any less will either make the itinerary too rushed for time, or miss out on other sights. Adding more days will allow you to explore much more, perhaps even allowing you to take a day trip to Naples, Pompeii, or both.
Nevertheless, we will also discuss the options for less and more days for your Rome itinerary.
2. Getting to Rome
By Air
As one of the major capitals in the European continent, there is not surprisingly an abundance of flights to Rome from all over the world. It is therefore not difficult to get into Rome by air especially from within Europe.
The capital is served by the Leonardo da Vinci Rome Fiumicino International Airport (FCO), the busiest airport of Italy and the 8th busiest in Europe. So you are likely to have a direct flight available with the national carrier of the country you are travelling from. Even if not, you will find many flights from all around Europe including budget carriers such as easyJet and Ryan Air.
Once you arrive at FCO, you can take the direct express train from the Fiumicino Aeroporto train station to the Roma Termini station – right in the city in about 30 minutes. This is operated by Trenitalia and costs €14 each way.
Additionally, there is also the Ciampino Airport (CIA) located in the southeast. The budget carriers Ryan Air and Wizz Air are the main airlines to arrive at this airport. From the CIA airport, you can take the Terravision bus service to the Roma Termini station for €6 each way.
By train
As illustrated by the map above, there are 5 intercity train stations (not the Metro) in Rome, but there is one main station – the Roma Termini. If you are travelling by rail from any other Italian cities, there is a very good chance that you will be arriving at the Roma Termini station. Some non-express trains may also stop at the other stations before ending at Roma Termini.
If you are travelling from anywhere within Italy, I’d strongly recommend you to arrive at Rome by train because I find it the easiest and most convenient. It is also likely to be the quickest way. For example, it takes just under 2 hours from Florence Santa Maria Novella station, under 4 hours from Milano Centrale station and Venezia Santa Lucia station, and just over an hour from Napoli Centrale station.
From Roma Termini station, the Metro and bus systems can help you connect to other parts of the city.
By Car or Bus
As the saying goes, all roads lead to Rome. You can choose to do it, but more often than not, the trains get you to Rome much faster than the roads do. However, if you are within its vicinity (at Naples for example) and you have a car on hand, it is definitely easy to do so. I would advise against driving within the city of Rome though, as you may spend more time in traffic than moving.
There are bus options, particularly with FlixBus, should you prefer a budget option over time savings. To illustrate this, it takes at least 6 hours to reach Rome from Venice by bus, compared to just 4 hours on the train. You can reach Rome from Florence in 3 hours by bus, compared to 2 hours by train. And that’s 2 hours by bus from Naples while a train journey takes just over 1 hour. You get the idea.
By Ferry
Lastly, it is also possible to reach Rome by ferry. The nearest port is at Civitavecchia but travelling to Rome from there may be a bit of a pain. The easiest but expensive way is to get a taxi with a journey of about 1.5 hours depending on traffic. Otherwise if going by public transport, there is a 1 hour train to Roma Termini. The catch is that it is a 30-minute (2-kilometre) walk from the port to the train station – and that is probably not something you would look forward to doing with luggage.
Ferry departures are also said to be fairly unreliable with poor service levels. In case you’d like to explore this option, Grimaldi Lines provides ferry services in the region, including from Barcelona and Tunis.
3. Accommodation
Especially for a first-timer to Rome, the district where you stay in can make a huge difference to your experience. However, it is also important to note that in Rome, there is no perfect place to stay in. So it is absolutely essential that you know your priorities and know what you care more about.
To begin with, take a look at the summary below of the main districts in Rome.
Centro Storico
For most first-timers, Centro Storico is arguably the best place to be in because of its close proximity to the major sights. Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps and Pantheon to list a few. It is the historical centre of Rome and so is where you should be. Not only that, you are also in the midst of all the shopping and food!
But much of this district requires walking and there is hardly any public transport. So you’d need to consider this if you will be carrying huge luggage. This area is also always bustling and noisy.
Prati
For a quieter stay, go for either Prati or Testaccio. But I’d recommend Prati over Testaccio for its proximity to both the Vatican City and the Centro Storico district. Prati is also very conveniently served by the Metro, so makes it easier to get around with luggage. Testaccio however, is quite far from where you would want to be.
Trastevere
For great food, night life as well as authenticity, Trastevere is the place to be. But again, transportation is tricky unless you are willing to walk long distances or take the taxi.
Monti
Monti is a district right in the middle of Roma Termini, the Colosseum as well as Centro Storico. It is also served by the Metro network. But as you expect, accommodation prices here can be expensive.
Where I stayed
I have visited Rome twice, both trips a whopping 18 years apart! And both times I have stayed near the Roma Termini station. The first time in October 2007, I stayed in Esquillino on the south side of the station, while the second time in March 2025, I stayed in Castro Pretorio on the northern side of the station.
There are a few reasons why I chose to do so. Firstly, the proximity to the main train station meant that we didn’t have to walk or travel too far with our luggage. Especially so when I was travelling with the elderly in my second trip.
Secondly, the Metro and bus transport network was great in this area, which meant that visiting the sights of Rome was quite straightforward most of the time.
And lastly, accommodation prices in this area are generally much more palatable.
However, this area can get quite sketchy at night, especially on the south side of the Roma Termini station in Equillino. The area is perfectly fine during the day, but when night falls, it can get quite different. If you decide to stay in this area, stay vigilant and mind your own business. Perhaps get a taxi to drop you off directly at your hotel at night, and stick to the brightly litted main roads when walking at night. Also watch out for pickpockets in the area as they usually hang around in the area targeting tourists.
North of Roma Termini within Castro Pretorio felt alright and I felt relatively safe walking about here with the elderly.
4. Getting around Rome
As you can probably infer from the earlier sections, Rome is not the easiest city to get around. The Metro network is not the most extensive (probably because of the numerous underground ruins). And among the points of interests, it only serves the Vatican Museums and the Colosseum. There are 3 main lines that serve the city centre – Lines A, B and C. Line C serves mostly the residential areas, although extensions to more areas of the city centre are ongoing.
Anywhere else besides the Vatican Museums and the Colosseum will require the bus and tram network or on foot. Google Maps will be your best friend when it comes to deciding what bus or tram to take. However, if you are getting around Centro Storico (the historical centre), you are likely to have to walk.
The Metro, bus and tram networks are now unified with a single ticketing system, and with the Tap & Go system, you can use any of your contactless cards to pay for your journey. If you prefer the more traditional way, you can purchase paper tickets at the nearest newsstands. When doing so, make sure to validate your tickets at the yellow machines when boarding buses or at the Metro gantries. Each journey within 100 minute costs €1.50.
5. Passes for Rome
There are a number of tourist passes for Rome, but I found none of them to be of any particular worth for a typical first-time visit. They are the Omnia Pass, the Roma Pass as well as the Roma City Pass, to name the three main ones. Although they offer a wide coverage of attractions in Rome, most of them aren’t necessarily ones that are commonly visited by first time visitors.
Therefore if you are going for a typical Rome itinerary such as what I have suggested in this article, you do not need any of these passes. That is unless you are a museum buff and would love to cover much more in depth the history and art of the city. If so, then make sure to browse through the passes in the links above to decide.
Of all the passes, the Roma Pass is the least expensive and most likely to be the most worthwhile.
Transport pass
If you are planning to make multiple trips in a day on either the Metro, bus or tram, then you can consider the Metrobus transport ticket. For €7, €12.50, €18 and €24, you can get unlimited rides on the above transport systems for a day, 48 hours, 72 hours and 7 days respectively. Given that each single journey costs €1.50 individually, that equates to a breakeven point of 5, 9, 12 and 16 trips during each period respectively.
This 3-day Rome itinerary however, doesn’t require you to purchase this pass either.
6. Safety
As I have said above, the area around the Roma Termini station can get quite sketchy after dark, especially on the south side of the station in the district of Esquillino. Therefore, exercise caution at night and it may be better to get a taxi send you directly to your hotel entrance. Also, avoid narrow and poorly-litted streets in the area.
Petty crimes can be quite rampant in the city as well. Always make sure to keep watch of your own belongings – your mobile phones, bags, wallets for example. Pickpockets often use distraction tactics to prey on their victims. For example, grabbing your wallet when accidentally spilling water onto you.
There has been widespread efforts to control tourist scams and touting in recent years. When I first visited in 2007, lots of people were selling entry tickets outside the Colosseum and Vatican for high prices (and sometimes were invalid). However, during my visit in 2025, I’ve noticed that every ticket purchased was tagged to an ID, which was required for verification upon entry. This has therefore almost eradicated ticket scamming.
7. Food
There is an abundance of great food in the city of Rome – and they are dotted all over the city. And based on my experience, the majority of the highly rated and recommended restaurants require advance reservation, at least more than a week ahead. So make sure to reserve early to avoid the disappointment that I faced. To put this into context, I tried making reservations a week in advance and they were already full during my trip in March. And March isn’t even the busiest season!
Just like how the other parts of Italy have got their specialty food dishes (such as couscous and busiate in Trapani, and cicchetti in Venice), Rome has got their fair share as well. Particularly so in their pastas.
Carbonara
This is a very internationally well-known pasta, typically known to be served with a creamy sauce often mixed with bacon. But what you get in Rome can taste quite different from what you get from other countries. The creamy sauce in Rome is typically made up of egg yolks, Pecorino Romano cheese and water, and is served together with cured pork (Guanciale) and black pepper. The Guanciale is fried until crispy, to the point that the fat released leave the pasta in a coat of fat.
Trattoria Da Enzo in the Trastevere district gets numerous rave reviews in the travel blog community. It is extremely popular and so you should expect to see a very long line. They do not accept reservations, so try to head there just before their dinner opening time to get ahead of the queue. My family and I had to queue for an hour before we could get a table. We could be the minority, because we found the carbonara not quite to our taste. You may have a different opinion, so do let me know what you think!
Amatriciana
Much less known, is Amatriciana – another pasta dish with simple ingredients. Similar to the carbonara, the sauce also contains Pecorino Romano cheese and guanciale. But the main difference is that the Amatriciana is tomato based and often topped with black pepper or chilli.
Gricia
A third pasta dish famous in Rome is the Gricia, also known as ‘white Amatriciana’. It’s nickname comes about because Gricia is essentially Amatriciana without the tomato.
So how is the Gricia different from carbonara then? The main difference is in the use of egg yolks in carbonara to give a creamy emulsified sauce. This is not the case in the Gricia.
Cacio e Pepe
Finally, ending off a quartet of Roman pastas is Cacio e Pepe, which literally means cheese and pepper. And that is exactly what it is! Simple, but takes a lot to be really good! I had the cacio e pepe pasta at Trattoria Da Enzo in the Trastevere district, together with the carbonara.
On hindsight though, we probably might have enjoyed the meal better if we didn’t pair the carbonara with cacio e pepe. That was 2 really creamy pastas we had at the same time!
Pizza Al Taglio – Roman pizza
You find pizza served all around the world, mostly in a round shape. But Pizza Al Taglio (which means by the cut) refers to a Roman-style pizza that is served by rectangular slices, mostly for people to consume quickly on the go. It is a common street food in Rome that is very quick and budget-friendly. You will find a huge range of ingredients used as toppings so take your pick!
Artichokes
Often in the menu as a starters (antipasto), Roman artichokes are cooked in boiling water and olive oil together with other seasoning. The result is a very soft and tender artichoke dish.
Also commonly found is a deep fried version, often called the Jewish-style. This is the much crispier version.
Suppli
This is a Roman street food – a deep fried rice ball with ragu on the inside. It is very similar to the Sicilian version arancini except that it is smaller and more oblong in shape, and most of the time contains mozzarella.
Porchetta
This is a boneless Italian pork roast, often fatty with a crackling skin and usually served in a sandwich. It is often infused with salt, pepper, rosemary and other herbs to produce an amazing flavour.
Saltimbocca alla Romana
A classic Roman dish that has thin slices of veal wrapped in prosciutto and sage, and then pan-fried with butter and often also with white wine. It literally means ‘jump in the mouth’ and is normally served in the second course of the menu.
The above highlights some of the main dishes to try in Rome, and of course there are many more – including great food from other parts of the country. Below are some of the highly recommended restaurants collated during my research, but unfortunately most of them were already fully booked a week before my time in Rome. So book early!
Restaurant recommendations
Near the Vatican
- Alice Pizza – Via delle Grazie, 7/9, 00193 Roma RM, Italy
- Scialla the Original Street Food – Vicolo del Farinone, 27, 00193 Roma RM, Italy
- Dal Toscano – Via Germanico, 58-60, 00192 Roma RM, Italy
Trastevere
- Trattoria Da Enzo – Via dei Vascellari, 29, 00153 Roma RM, Italy
- Roma Sparita – Piazza di Santa Cecilia, 24, 00153 Roma RM, Italy
Near the Colosseum
- Naumachia – Via Celimontana, 7, 00184 Roma RM, Italy
- La Taverna dei Fori Imperiali – Via della Madonna dei Monti, 9, 00184 Roma RM, Italy
Naumachia Restorante
Centro Storico
- Hosteria Grappolo d’oro – P.za della Cancelleria, 80, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
- Ponte e Parione – Via di Santa Maria dell’Anima, 62, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
- Pancrazio dal 1922 – P.zza del Biscione, 92, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
- Armando al Pantheon – Salita de’ Crescenzi, 31, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
Ponte e Parione
Rooftop bars
- Oro Bistrot – Via di S. Eufemia, 19, 00187 Roma RM, Italy
- AcquaRoof Terrazza Molinari – Via del Vantaggio, 14, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
You know my thoughts about Trattoria Da Enzo. Other than that, my family did enjoy the meals at Ponte e Parione and Naumachia, as well as the rooftop bar AcquaRoof.
AcquaRoof Terrazza Molinari
Breakfast
An Italian breakfast is normally very simple affair of a pastry (often sweet) and a coffee. You can refer to Where to Eat Breakfast in Rome – My 8 Favourite Breakfast Nooks for suggestions.
Rome Day 1
Day 1 – Rome
Day 1 of this 3-day Rome itinerary covers the heart of the Roman Empire, that is, from the Colosseum to the Palatine Hills and Roman Forum. Then the itinerary continues on to the Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II and the Campidoglio Square before ending with dinner at the Trastevere district.
Expected expenses (adult prices):
€18 or €24 – Colosseum (depends on whether you choose the full experience tickets – book here)
€18 – Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II (book here online with extra €1.80 charge)
€20 – Capitoline Museums (optional – book here online with extra €1 charge)
Things to note:
- There are several different ticket options for the Colosseum, with visits to varying parts of the Colosseum (main area, underground, as well as the attic). You can visit The Colosseum in Rome: What to Consider Before You Visit to read in detail.
- Tickets to the Colosseum are released exactly 30 days before your ticket entry time. For example, if you wish to visit on 31 May at 2pm, the tickets will be released on 1 May at 2pm. Full Experience tickets get sold out extremely quickly. In case you were not able to secure tickets, head to third party websites such as Get Your Guide here*.
- Other than the entry to the Colosseum, you do not need to pre-book tickets to the monument to Vittorio Emanuele II and Capitoline Museums
- This is a full-day plan so you should ideally arrive in Rome either the day before, or very early in the morning.
Colosseum
The Colosseum is a 2,000-year amphitheatre built during the Roman Empire and was used for various public events such as gladiator fights. Its sheer size is one for your own eyes to see and in fact, it is said to have housed 65,000 spectators on average! It is also one of the top most visited attractions in Italy and in the world!
It is important to also read The Colosseum in Rome: What to Consider Before You Visit for more information about how to get there, what ticket options are available, what the tickets include as well as tips to buying tickets online.
The Colosseum is divided into several sections – firstly a general section for most visitors comprising the first and second tier. Then there is also an underground section, an arena section as well as the attic section. None of the tickets on sale includes all sections of the Colosseum so there are choices you need to make.
Things to take note of
My article The Colosseum in Rome: What to Consider Before You Visit clearly explains the differences between the tickets so you can better decide what you want. But if you were to ask me, the Full Experience covers a lot more for just €6 more and are definitely worth going for. However, Full Experience tickets get sold out almost as soon as they are released, so make sure to read the abovementioned article to give yourself the best chance of getting them.
Be prepared to spend at least 2 hours visiting the Colosseum when on the standard ticket. And I will also suggest you to add an additional hour if you are visiting on the Full Experience ticket. The 2,000-year structure is so awesome and breathtaking at all angles that you will find yourself taking numerous photos!
In case you are still unable to secure your tickets to the Colosseum even after reading The Colosseum in Rome: What to Consider Before You Visit, fret not. Look up for tickets at Get Your Guide*. These may come more expensive but you may be provided a guide, audioguide, transport or any other services along with it.
Arco di Costantino (Arch of Constantine)
The Arch of Constantine is the largest Roman triumphal arch measuring 21 metres (69 feet) in height. It has a triple arch design and was built in AD 315 to celebrate the Roman emperor Constantine’s victory at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge.
Once you are done at the Colosseum and heading to the next stop (Palatine Hills and Roman Forum), pass by the arch for a quick photo.
Before heading to the Palatine Hills and Roman Forum, you might want to consider having lunch. My family enjoyed our lunch at Naumachia Ristorante located a 10 minute walk away. The food was generally enjoyable and we particularly liked one of the starters – a grilled octopus and potato salad (I can’t remember the full name).
Other nearby choices include La Taverna dei Fori Imperiali (reservations required) and La Prezzemolina.
Palatine Hills and Roman Forum
Palatine Hills
The Palatine Hills is one of the most ancient parts of Rome and is said to be the ‘first nucleus of the Roman Empire’. This was where a number of imperial palaces were built, and so today features what remains of these palaces. For example, you can find the House of Augustus (palace of the first emperor of the Roman Empire) as well as the House of Livia (palace of the first emperor’s wife).
Take note that the remains of these palaces (called the SUPER sites – ‘Seven Unique Places to Experience in Rome‘) require the Full Experience tickets to enter. Entry to the Palatine Hills grounds itself is included within your Colosseum tickets.
Roman Forum
On the other hand, the Roman Forum is an archaeological site of what used to be the central commercial and marketplace, and the centre of day-to-day life of the people. The area features numerous ruins of temples, marketplaces, meeting places as well as monuments.
Also read more about the SUPER sites at The Colosseum in Rome: What to Consider Before You Visit
Your visit
As I have said above, the Palatine Hills and Roman Forum is a huge archaeological compound and it can be easy to get lost in time while visiting. The map below shows a general guideline as to how I think is the most efficient way to cover both the Palatine Hills and Roman Forum.
Both Palatine Hills and the Roman Forum are within one single ticketed area and comes together with your ticket to the Colosseum. Due to the large area, you can easily spend on average around 3 hours to visit.
Also, make sure to head to where Google Maps marks as ‘Terrazza Belvedere del Palatino‘ for a complete bird’s eye view of the Roman Forum.
Note as well that there is always at least one SUPER site that is closed – each of them are only open on certain days of the week.
Pay a visit to the toilets of the Palatine Hill and Roman Forum (located close to the entrance opposite the Colosseum – you should see it as you turn left to Palatine Hill from the entrance), because that gives you a great view of the Colosseum as featured in the cover photo of this post.
Tour option
If you’d like to skip the hassle, then joining a guided tour of the Colosseum, Palatine Hills and Roman Forum is definitely a great option. Not only do you get to see the best of those sights, but you also get to understand the history better and appreciate what you see much more. So make sure to check out the available guided tours available with the Get Your Guide links* below.
Via dei Fori Imperiali
The main street of Via dei Fori Imperiali connects the Colosseum to the Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II. This street is often pedestrianised and lined with impressive sights of Roman ruins. It is also from along this street that you get some of the best views of the Roman Forum ruins, especially closer to sunset.
After your visit to the Palatine Hills and Roman Forums, make your way along this street to the modern Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II. The walk from the Colosseum to the Monument to Vittorio Emmanuele II is a very pleasant one, especially with views of the Roman Forum ruins to the left and more Roman ruins to the right. The walk from the Colosseum, past the Roman Forum and to the monument should take you altogether around 15 minutes.
Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II
This monument is designed with a neoclassical interpretation of the Roman Forum and was built particularly to honour Vittorio Emmanuele II, the first king of unified Italy. It is also known as the Altar of the Fatherland and houses several museums relating to Italian history. Especially so relating to the unification of Italy. It also features a terrace reachable by a glass elevator where you can get a bird’s eye view of the Colosseum and the Roman Forum.
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
After taking photos of this impressive structure, take a few steps up the stairs to arrive at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This is a memorial commemorating soldiers who have fallen during the wars. It is being guarded round the clock by the Italian armed forces and a short change of guard parade takes place every day at every hour.
Museums
After that, continue your climb up the monument and enter the building. There are museums housed within the structure, as well as a panoramic terrace at the top. You can purchase a ticket for €18 that will give you access to all the museums, together with the panoramic terrace.
One of the main museums is the Central Museum of the Risorgimento, which features the history involving the unification of Italy. This museum tells the story starting from the 18th century, passing through the main stages of Italy’s liberation process till WWI. It houses a number of historical relics relating to that era and will be an interesting visit for a history lover.
Panoramic terrace
For many, the highlight has to be the panoramic terrace at the top of the Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II. And that is because of the incredible views of the surrounding Roman ruins, including the Colosseum and Roman Forum.
The ticket allows you to take a glass elevator up to the top floor for the views. Unfortunately though, there isn’t a separate ticket pricing just for the terrace alone. So in case you are not interested in the museums, you still have to pay the full price for the visit to the terrace.
If you asked me, I found €18 to be very expensive just for the visit to the terrace. The views are not the best ones I’ve ever seen, but it is probably one of the few aerial views you can get of the ruins.
You have to climb the steps in order to reach the elevator to the panoramic terrace. Please approach staff for accessibility requirements in case of any disabilities. I am aware that there is a separate accessible entrance.
Campidoglio Square
As you exit from the Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II, head round to the back of it and climb a series of gentle steps to arrive at the Campidoglio Square.
This square is located on the Capitoline Hill and was designed by Michelangelo in a trapezoidal shape. It is flanked on three sides by Palazzo Senatorio, Palazzo dei Conservatori as well as Palazzo Nuovo, collectively the Capitoline Museums.
Capitoline Museums (Optional)
The Capitoline Museums is considered to be the first and oldest public museum in the world, comprehensively featuring art and history of the ancient Roman world. While dominated by a vast collection of ancient statues, it also features numerous Roman paintings, coins, jewellery and other artifacts.
The full ticket for the Capitoline Museums along with other temporary exhibits costs €20, though if you only wish to view the permanent exhibits of the Capitoline Museums that will just be €15.
Last entry to the Capitoline Museums is normally at 6.30pm, so if you are interested to visit, you should start this day’s itinerary as early as you can (by booking the earliest ticket for the Colosseum).
Aperitif (optional)
It is typical in Italy that people go for an aperitif before dinner time. An aperitif is a light alcoholic beverage, typically served in the evening between 5pm and 7pm to stimulate appetite for dinner.
Just nearby is Oro Bistrot, a popular rooftop bar that serves aperitif. It is absolutely recommended to make a reservation prior to your visit to avoid disappointment. This is because it offers an amazing view of the Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II, and it is literally being recommended by most of the popular travel blogs.
Trastevere
The district of Trastevere, located to the west of River Tiber, is characterised by its authentic Roman cobbled streets as well as its vibrant nightlife. It is also filled with some great restaurants to have dinner in.
From Campidoglio Square, it is generally about a 15-minute walk across the River Tiber and Tiberina Island to get to Trastevere (about 20 minutes if walking from Oro Bistrot).
Spend some time walking around the area and enjoying the streets and vibrant nightlife. Then find a restaurant that catches your eye for dinner. You can also consider Trattoria Da Enzo or Restorante Roma Sparita – two places that have been recommended by various travel blogs. If choosing Trattoria Da Enzo, then you should probably get there to queue early to avoid a long queue.
End the day with some drinks and nightlife before heading back to your place of accommodation.
Rome Day 2
Day 2 – Rome
The second day of this 3-day Rome itinerary brings you to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, before one of three options for the afternoon – the Capuchin Crypt and Catacombs tour, Villa Borghese or the Circo Massimo experience and the Knights of Malta Keyhole.
Expected expenses (adult prices):
€25 – Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel (book here)¹
various – Capuchin Crypt and Catacombs tour, OR
€18 – Villa Borghese tickets (book here)², OR
€12 – Circo Massimo VR experience (book here)
Things to note:
- Online booking of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel includes a €5 additional charge for skip-the-line tickets. Do make sure to book your tickets early as tickets get snapped up very quickly. In case tickets are sold out on the official website, head to Get Your Guide* to search for guided tour options.
- The official Villa Borghese website can be extremely unreliable. If unable to load, then browse Get Your Guide*. They may be more expensive but many of them comes with a guided tour.
Start the day with an Italian breakfast, possibly at one of the locations in the link above (under Food).
Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel
The Vatican Museums boast 70,000 sculptures and Renaissance paintings collected by the Catholic Church over the past centuries. Additionally, they are organised and displayed in many different impressive rooms, all of them beautifully and lavishly decorated. Also included in your ticket to the Vatican Museums is a visit to the Sistine Chapel, the chapel of the Pope’s residence and also the location of the ‘conclave’ (a closed door election of a Pope).
Ticket information
Entry to the Vatican Museums cost €20 but cost an additional €5 for skip-the-line tickets reserved online. I’d strongly urge you to book the skip-the-line ticket with an allocated timeslot instead of on the spot. This can save you hours of your time.
The situation at the entrance to the Vatican Museums was at best chaotic, even though I had my skip-the-line tickets. So much so that the crowd was spilling over to the roads. Therefore, I simply cannot imagine how it’d be for those without pre-booked tickets. But if you do, you will be let in promptly during your allocated window. So just give them the €5 for a better experience if you can. Otherwise, it is possible to have to queue for more than an hour, or even more than 3 hours!
However, it is important to book your tickets early from the official website, as they are sold out pretty quickly and as far as a month in advance. If they are sold out for your dates in Rome, I suggest you go on their official guided tour at €40 from the same website.
For more information on how to improve your experience at the Vatican Museums, make sure to read my post before you plan: Visiting the Vatican City: How to enhance your experience
Sistine Chapel
It is most important to note that no pictures or videos are allowed in the chapel, and you have to remain silent as well. This is very closely monitored and enforced by the guards all around the room (the picture below is from canva.com where I have a paid subscription). Very significantly, this is precisely the location of the conclave, which is a closed-door election of the next Pope by cardinals all around the world. The most recent of which happened in May 2025.
The main attraction of the Sistine Chapel is of course the ceiling frescoes – painted by Michelangelo across four years between 1508 and 1512. In particular, and arguably the most well-known, is the Creation of Adam, depicting God’s creation of man.
Note: I have arranged the visit to St Peter’s Square and Basilica to be on the final day of this 3-day Rome itinerary, so as to have them both in the mornings. This is because you will have to compete with lower crowds and get a more comfortable experience. In case you prefer, you can make the swap to cover the Vatican city within the same day.
Tours available
With thousands of details and sculptures all over the Vatican, it is easy to be overwhelmed and consumed by all of them, so a good way to get a proper understanding of the visit is to go on a guided tour. While there are many of them on offer by many various tour agencies, there is also an official one done by the Vatican, bookable at their website.
There are also a number of agencies that offer you a more private visit, i.e., during the early mornings or night tours. If you are into the subject, several agencies also offer you tours to exclusive areas such as the Secret Rooms, a Key Master Experience (following the key master all around the Vatican early in the morning to unlock the doors) or a visit to the original Bramante Staircase. LivTours as well as ItalyWithUs are two that offer such tours. Warning: They are highly exclusive but also highly expensive!
You can also browse tours that are available on GetYourGuide*:
Lunch
You should expect to spend at least 2 hours in the Vatican Museums as well as Sistine Chapel. My post on Visiting the Vatican City: How to enhance your experience can give you an idea of what to see and what to expect during your visit.
After that, head for lunch, possibly at one of the nearby eateries mentioned above. For example, Alice Pizza, Scialla the Original Street food and Dal Toscano are all within the vicinity of the Vatican Museum.
Then for the afternoon, make a choice from one of the following 3 options.
1. Capuchin Crypt and Catacomb tours
The Capuchin Crypt is an underground ossuary beneathe the Church of Santa Maria della Concezione and houses the skeletons of almost 4,000 monks (or more specifically the Capuchin friars). During the visit, you can explore the number of crypts and chapels that are intricately decorated by the bone remains in complex manners and patterns.
Then explore the miles of underground catacombs used as burial sites during the 2nd to 5th centuries. Most of such tours take about 3 hours and so will cover your entire afternoon. Browse through the available Capuchin Crypt and Catacombs tours on Get Your Guide*:
2. Villa Borghese and Galleria Borghese
Villa Borghese is a large public park located just north of the historical district, and is dotted all around by various fountains, Roman structures, sculptures, as well as lakes and walking paths. One of the most prominent structures, is of course the 17th century Villa Borghese Pinciana, which currently houses the Galleria Borghese.
Galleria Borghese is an art museum that houses a vast collection of masterpieces by artists such as Caravaggio, Bernini, Canova, Raphael and Titian. Pre-bookings are mandatory and have to be reserved in 2-hour slots. The official ticketing website however, feels quite unstable and is often down. So if it doesn’t work for you, then try your hands on Get Your Guide*.
If the weather is good, then for the rest of the afternoon you can take a leisurely walk around the gardens.
You can reach Villa Borghese very easily from the Vatican Museums by the Metro Line A, just 2 stops away (from Ottaviano to Flaminio stations). On your way to or from the gardens, don’t forget also, to pop by Piazza del Popolo to enjoy some of the magnificent structures in the area.
3. Circo Massimo VR Experience and the Knights of Malta Keyhole
If bone churches are too eerie for you, and art museums are not your thing, then how about experiencing more history?
Circo Massimo VR Experience
Firstly, the Circo Massimo is the first, the largest and the longest stadium in ancient Rome. It was used mostly for chariot races – though sometimes was used for gladiator fights as well – and can hold up to 150,000 spectators at a time! Today however, its remains is part of an archaeological site as well as a free public park.
While the site is free for all to visit, the Circo Massimo Virtual Reality (VR) experience costs €12 and gives visitors a 40-minute immersive experience into the stadium. This is in essence an outdoor-guided tour that uses VR headsets to show the evolution of the stadium and the simulations of what races would look like back then.
Knights of Malta Keyhole
Also called the Aventine Keyhole, this is the keyhole of a large wooden door, through which you can see the dome of St Peter’s Basilica of Vatican City, framed by a garden path. It is entirely free for you to look into the keyhole, although you should expect a long line leading up to it.
There is a common claim that you can see ‘Three Countries’ through this keyhole: Vatican City (the dome of St Peter’s Basilica), Italy (the gardens) as well as the the Sovereign Military Order of Malta (the keyhole). However, this is not quite correct. While the Sovereign Military Order of Malta is a sovereign entity with its own government, it is not a country. And neither does it own any territory.
Similar to Villa Borghese, you can reach Circo Massimo easily using the Metro. Take the Metro Line A to Termini before transferring to Metro Line B to Circo Massimo station.
Then from Circo Massimo, you can take a 15-minute walk to the Knights of Malta Keyhole.
You might still have some time in the afternoon even after both these activities. If so, you can cross the River Tiber into Trastevere again to further explore this vibrant district.
Aperitif and dinner
For the rest of the day, spend some time having aperitif before heading for dinner.
Rome Day 3
Day 3 – Rome
The final day of this 3-day Rome itinerary brings you once again to Vatican City, this time to the St Peter’s Square and St Peter’s Basilica. Then do a self-guided tour into the historical centre from Castel Sant’Angelo, to Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and finally to the Spanish Steps.
Expected expenses (adult prices):
€10/€8 – Climbing the dome of St Peter’s Basilica (with or without the lift option)
€16 – Castel Sant’Angelo (optional – book here)
€15/€10 – Stadio di Domiziano Piazza Navona tour (optional – book here) CURRENTLY CLOSED
€5 – Pantheon (book here)
€2 – Trevi Fountain (book here)
Things to note:
- It is most important to note that there is no skip-the-line ticket for St Peter’s Basilica. The queue is for the security checks and it is not possible to skip this line.
- The Papal’s Audience (when the Pope addresses the public at St Peter’s Square) is held on Wednesday mornings. During this time, the basilica will be closed until 12.30pm. So do not plan to visit St Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday mornings unless you wish to attend the Papal’s Audience.
- If you’d like to be in attendance at the Papal’s Audience normally held on Wednesday mornings, you will need to book your free tickets in advance.
- Starting from 2 February 2026, you need to pay €2 to access the lower basin level closest to the Trevi Fountain. Residents as well as children under the age of 5 are exempt from this.
Start the day with an Italian breakfast, possibly at one of the locations in the link above (under Food).
St Peter’s Basilica
St Peter’s Basilica is the largest church in the world and is free for all to enter. However, there are thorough security checks and this is often the reason why there are long queues to enter the basilica. Therefore, it is best to head there early in the morning, or as soon as the basilica is open (usually around 7am).
Once again, I should mention that there is no skip-the-line ticket for St Peter’s Basilica. The queue is for the security checks and it is not possible to skip this line. The queue tends to clear very quickly though.
Be very wary about skip-the-line tickets for the basilica – many of them are silent about the security checks. Most of them include an audioguide for what you pay, but no, please do not book them if what you want is to skip the queue. Unless you truly want the audioguides of course. To be honest, I nearly fell for it myself but thankfully I managed to fact-check this to several online sources before actually making the purchase. So to repeat, there are no skip-the-line tickets for St Peter’s Basilica.
Inside the basilica
Once you step into the basilica, you will be invited by impressive gold ceilings, marble pillars and huge spaces. Completed in 1826, the St Peter’s Basilica was designed by several Italian architects such as Michelangelo, Bernini and Bramante.
While you explore, pay attention to the interior of the dome, the pavilion-like bronze structure called the Baldacchino together with its altar, and the Chair of St Peter.
For more information on how to improve your experience at the St Peter’s Basilica as well as more information on what to see, make sure to read my post before you plan: Visiting the Vatican City: How to enhance your experience
Climbing the dome or cupola
If you are up to it and game enough, then you should do the climb to the top of the dome for one of the best views you can get of Rome. You can do so either by climbing the 551 steps, or by taking the elevator and then climbing a further 320 steps. The full climb will cost you €8, whereas a partial climb with the elevator will cost €10.
Take note though, that these steps are not your ordinary steps. They can get narrow or steep or inclined at various different points of the climb, making it slightly more challenging on top of the physical exertion.
I personally did the climb 17 years ago during my first trip to Rome. And I’d recommend to do the climb if you can, as you’d be at one of the highest points in the area for some great views. Unfortunately though, I haven’t been able to track down those pictures I took those years back.
Tickets can be purchased on the spot by following the signs after completing the security checks and before entering the basilica.
St Peter’s Square
St Peter’s Square is where the Pope normally delivers his speeches (the Papal Audience). Stand and appreciate the vastness of area that is used for this purpose. In the middle of the square stands the Vatican Obelisk, which in truth is actually an Egyptian obelisk. It is made of granite measuring more than 25 metres in height and was brought back by former Roman Emperor Caligula in 37 AD.
Once you are happy with your photos at St Peter’s Square, walk eastwards along Via della Conciliazione. Make sure to periodically turn back to enjoy great views of the St Peter’s Basilica and its dome.
Castel Sant’Angelo (optional)
Walking eastwards along Via della Conciliazione will soon lead you to Castel Sant’Angelo.
The castle was originally built as Emperor Hadrian’s mausoleum, but was then used as a fortress and castle for popes in later years. It is connected to the Vatican by an elevated walkway erected in 1277 (the Passetto di Borgo), used by the Pope as an escape route in times of danger. This walkway can be seen along the street of Borgo Sant Angelo.
The castle presently houses a museum where you can uncover its history, explore the rooms of Emperor Hadrian, as well as enjoy panoramic views of Rome from its terraces.
And in case you are interested to walk down the Passetto di Borgo and imagine yourself escaping from danger, then browse some of the guided tours in Get Your Guide* below that include a walk down this escape route.
Then, cross Ponte Sant’Angelo to head into Centro Storico, the central historical district of Rome.
Piazza Navona
Piazza Navona is an oval, elongated public square in the historic district of Rome that is built on the ruins of the 1st century Stadium of Domitian. The shape of the square follows that of the ancient stadium and features 3 fountains.
The most prominent of which is the 17th century Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers) featuring a tall Roman obelisk. As the name suggests, the fountain represents the 4 major rivers that were known at that time – specifically the Nile (Africa), Ganges (Asia), Danube (Europe) and Rio de la Plata (South America).
Spend some time enjoying the bustling square, especially with the mesmerising street performances.
Lunch
This is also a perfect time to get lunch, but avoid the restaurants directly located at Piazza Navona – many of them are tourist traps. Especially those with restaurant touts trying to attract your interest. Head one street behind and you can find Ponte e Parione Ristorante. I had my lunch there and they have some lovely Roman dishes, especially the desserts.
Stadium of Domitian (optional)
This was ancient Rome’s very first permanent venue for athletic contests, and was one that could seat up to 30,000 spectators! Today, the ruins under Piazza Navona are open for public visit and the entrance is located at the northwestern end of the piazza along Via di Tor Sanguigna. You can choose to go on either the normal tour or the exclusive tour. Visit the Stadium of Domitian website to find out more.
Pantheon (Basilica of St. Mary and the Martyrs)
Then, from Piazza Navona, head eastwards for 5 minutes to arrive at the Pantheon (or the Basilica of St Mary and the Martyrs).
The Pantheon, or translated as the ‘Temple of all Gods’, literally means that, until it was converted to the Church of St Mary and the Martyrs. The structure consists of a rectangular portico connected to a domed rotunda, at the top of which is a 9m wide opening as its light source. This opening, called the oculus, was built in such a way to reduce the weight of the roof to prevent collapse. It is also said to represent the connection between the temple and the heavens.
The Pantheon houses the tombs of several Italian kings as well as other prominent figures such as artist Raphael.
And in case you haven’t had lunch at Piazza Navona, you can also do so at Armando al Pantheon. However, advance booking is often required for this restaurant due to its popularity.
Trevi Fountain
Yet another key landmark in the historical district of Rome is the Trevi Fountain. The fountain is a Baroque masterpiece and got its name because of its location marking the intersection of three roads (tre vie). It gets its source of water from the ancient Virgo aqueduct and is the only ancient aqueduct in continuous use to present day.
But before you make your way to the Trevi Fountain, you might want to make a short detour to Giolitti – a hugely popular although rather touristy gelateria. There is usually a very long line though. And it will also cost you more if you choose to dine in.
Now back to the Trevi Fountain. Traditionally, it is said that if visitors throw a coin over their left shoulder with the right hand (back facing the fountain), then they will make a return visit to Rome. Well, that was true for me because I threw the coin in 2007 and made a return 18 years later in 2025! If you’ve already fallen in love with Rome and craving a return by then, make sure to do it!
Things to note
In order to control tourist crowds, from 2 February 2026 onwards, a charge of €2 will be imposed for all visitors wanting to get to the lower basin of the fountain (the closest you can possibly get to the fountain). All residents and children under the age of 5 are exempt from this charge. If you wish to avoid large crowds, you can visit the Trevi Fountain either early in the morning or later at night.
It often gets extremely crowded in this relatively tight and small area, so make sure to keep watch of your belongings and stay alert against pickpockets!
Spanish Steps
This is a famous set of Baroque-style marble staircase that connects Piazza di Spagna (Spanish square) on the lower ground to the Trinità dei Monti church on higher ground. The Spanish Steps are thus named after the Spanish Square, which in turn was named because it housed the Spanish Embassy to the Holy See (the oldest continuous diplomatic mission in the world). There are altogether 135 steps if you wish to climb it.
Close to Piazza di Spagna is also where you can find some high street shopping. This is the perfect time to do some shopping if you wish to, or just take a stroll around the area. However, do note that you are now not allowed to sit on the stairs of the Spanish steps or be prepared to face hefty fines.
Then it is time for some food and drinks. Nearby, you can try either Alla Rampa, Colline Emilliane or the rooftop bar AcquaRoof Terrazza Molinari.
Rome Day 4
Day 4 – Return
Until your transport to the airport or your train to other parts of Italy, you can further explore Centro Storico the historical district, or get some last minute souvenir.
If you have an extra day for your Rome itinerary
On the whole, this 3-day Rome itinerary has pretty much covered the essential places for a first-timer’s visit.
Pompeii
But if you have extra days to spare, why not cover some of the other options that I suggested for Day 2? Otherwise I can also suggest to take a day trip out to the nearby archaeological site of Pompeii – the city that was buried in volcanic ash following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. While taking a walk around the ruins, imagine the bustling city that it used to be and how it was devastated overnight by a volcanic eruption.
My suggestion is to take an organised day trip so that you are all covered in terms of transport and time management. A one way journey from Rome to Pompeii takes about 2 hours – both by car and by train. That then leaves you about half a day at Pompeii, which to be fair is more than enough, but you also don’t want to be spending time looking for train platforms and finding the right trains. Or worse, getting lost when time is critical.
Below are some of the options from Get Your Guide* that you can consider for a day trip to Pompeii from Rome:
Naples
Another city that may be worth visiting is Naples, which surprisingly to me is the third largest and populous city after Rome and Milan. Its historic city centre is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site largely because it is one of Europe’s oldest and continually inhabited cities. The city has a unique rustic charm with bustling narrow streets with overhanging residential balconies.
Furthermore, Naples is the birthplace of the pizza, so make sure not to miss that! I can recommend one that I enjoyed – L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele.
You can either take a direct train of just over an hour from the Roma Termini station to the Napoli Centrale station, or drive for just over 2 hours.
Of course, you can also take an organised day tour. Several tour organisers combine the visits of Naples and Pompeii into one single tour, and with good reasons too. Because they are just about 30 minutes apart whether by train or by car.
If you have less days for your Rome itinerary
I do not recommend it, but if you are really hard for time in Rome, or if you wish to only do a weekend getaway, then you can try to pack your itinerary based on the following:
2 days
Day 1 – Follow Day 1 of this 3-day Rome itinerary accordingly (Colosseum, Palatine Hills, Roman Forum, Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II, Campidoglio Square and Trastevere)
Day 2 – Start as early as possible at the Vatican Museums, then head to St Peter’s Basilica and St Peter’s Square. After that, follow the itinerary for Centro Storico (Piazza Navona, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps)
1 day
This will be an extremely packed day but with some careful planning and time management, you can do the following. I say careful planning is required because you will need to book your Vatican Museum entry at the exact time you need as soon as tickets are released.
7am – St Peter’s Basilica and cupola
9.30am – Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
12 noon – Lunch near Colosseum
1pm – Colosseum
3.30pm – Centro Storico (Piazza Navona, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps)
What I did
As I have said above, I have visited Rome twice. First in October 2007 and then in March 2025. Both visits were very similar and largely follow the above 3-day Rome itinerary.
October 2007
Day 1: Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, St Peter’s Basilica and cupola climb followed by Centro Storico (Piazza Navona, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps)
Day 2: Colosseum, Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II
Day 3: Shopping and exploring
The original plan was to also explore Palatine Hills and Roman Forum on Day 2 but that was closed due to strikes. Day 3 was also meant to be our day trip to Pompeii which ultimately did not happen because I was down with serious vomitting.
March 2025
Day 1: Arrival in the morning followed by visit to the Colosseum and Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II. Then dinner at Da Enzo in Trastevere.
Day 2: Roman Forum and Palatine Hills in the morning, followed by the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel after lunch
Day 3: St Peter’s Basilica and Square followed by photo stops at Castel Sant’Angelo, Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps, including a visit to the Pantheon.
This itinerary was on a much slower pace adjusted accordingly to my parents’ comfort levels.
Whichever itinerary or options you choose, I am sure you will have an impressive experience in Rome – a city full of ancient history.
Rome Itinerary key takeaways
Generally, a 3-day Rome itinerary for a first time visit can be organised as follows:
Day-1: Colosseum, Palatine Hill and Roman Forum, Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II, Campidoglio Square and Trastevere
Day-2: Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, and a half day at either (i) Capuchin Crypts and Catacombs tour, (ii) Villa Borghese and Galleria Borghese, or (iii) Circo Massimo VR Experience and Knights of Malta Keyhole
Day-3: St Peter’s Basilica and St Peter’s Square, Castel Sant’Angelo, Piazza Navona, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps
Additional days: Take a day trip out to the archaeological site of Pompeii, or city of Naples, or both
Get to Rome: By air either via the Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino International Airport (FCO) or the Ciampino Airport (CIA). You can also reach Rome easily from other parts of Italy via the trains and arriving at Roma Termini station.
Pass: You can consider the Omnia Pass, the Roma Pass as well as the Roma City Pass. But generally for first timers, these passes are not necessary and not worth the while.
Accommodation: Choose one within the historic centre (Centro Storico) or Trastevere for closer proximity to the nightlife, attractions and food. Go for Monti or Prati for better public transport options. Choose to stay near Roma Termini for more budget options, but extra caution is needed at night.
Transport: Walking is generally essential and a key mode of transport. The Metro connection in the city centre is fairly limited, but there are several buses and tram options. Public transport is fairly limited in Centro Storico.
Safety: Stay vigilant and be wary of pickpockets especially in crowded areas.
Food: The Carbonara, Amatriciana, Gricia and Cacio e Pepe are pasta options that have strong connections to Rome.
Begin planning your Rome Itinerary
Export the outline of this 3-day Rome Itinerary to Microsoft Excel and begin your planning and customisation! Leave me a comment if you have any questions and happy planning!
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