Monthly Archives: February 2022

THE MUSEUMS OF ROME IN 2 DAYS

VISIT THE MUSEUMS OF ROME IN 2 DAYS – WHERE TO GO

homepage, itinerary, Museums

You have only 2 days to visit Rome but are you crazy about museums?
The capital is full of beautiful museums that should all be visited, but since tou have to make a choice, of course, we suggest you to select the most important ones, which represent the main attractions of Rome. Vatican Museums, Capitoline Museums, Galleria Borghese and others are therefore a must to be included in your itinerary if you wish to visit the museums of Rome in 2 days.

To make it easier for you, we can suggest you a choice that you can adapt as you like.
Please note that for every museum it is necessary to dedicate at least two hours, so we suggest you to see only one of them per day. Then you can use the rest of the day to see the areas of the city around the museum that you have decided to visit. 

FIRST DAY

  • Musei Vaticani
  • Piazza San Pietro
  • Castel San’Angelo
  • Piazza Navona
  • Campo dei Fiori (Field of flowers)

 

1. VATICAN MUSEUMS

Sistine Chapel in Roma. The universal judgment

Start your day in the capital with a visit to the Vatican Museums (buy the tickets online to avoid the queue and save time). You will arrive there by stopping at the Ottaviano San Pietro stop.

It will be difficult to forget the experience of having visited this museum which is one of the largest collections of art in the world. It is impossible to see all 7 kilometers of exhibition space where there are more masterpieces than those of many small countries. So you will have to choose what to see.

We advise you to go to:

1. the Pinacoteca (do not miss the Transfiguration of Raffaello)
2. the Pio-Clementino Museum (for the Apollo del Belvedere and the magnificent Laocoonte)
3. the Gallery of Geographical Maps
4.  in the Raffello rooms
5. in the unmissable Sistine Chapel (it is the only room with air conditioning).

2. BASILICA OF SAN PIETRO

At the end of the visit stop in the amazing Piazza San Pietro enjoying the grandeur of the Basilica of San Pietro. Take the usual photos to remember the day and if you wish stop to eat and rest.

3. SANT’ANGELO CASTLE

After resting walk through via della Conciliazione and come up to Castel Sant’Angelo and admire it only from the outside.

The view of San Pietro’s dome from Castel Sant’Angelo

4. PIAZZA NAVONA AND CAMPO DEI FIORI

Cross Ponte Sant’Angelo and stroll through the alleys and squares that will take you to Piazza Navona, characterized by beautiful Baroque palaces and wonderful fountains (including that of the Four Rivers of Bernini)
The square is always crowded with tourists and street artists at every hour of the day and night. If you want to take a break you can go to the nearby Piazza Sant’Eustachio and enter the homonymous café: the place is nothing special but serves the best espresso in the city.
Then return to Piazza Navona and exit the square towards the south by reaching Campo dei Fiori. It is here that the heretic Giordano Bruno was burned alive and in memory of this event there is a statue that represents it. The square is one of the focal points of Roman life: during the day it is a lively market full of people, in the evening a place to go for a drink.

Visit Rome in 2 days: Campo dei Fiori
The statue of Giordano Bruno in Campo dei Fiori

If you do not want to see the Vatican Museums, you can visit alternatively the National Roman Museum: Palazzo Massimo alle terme (metro station: Termini). The museum (accessible to disabled people), is often overlooked, but is wonderful, spacious and bright and contains spectacular classical art pieces (the resting boxer, sleeping Hermaphrodite), as well as extraordinary paintings and mosaics.
After the visit to the museum you can plan the rest of the day according to the itinerary described above. You can arrive in Piazza Navona with a half-hour walk.

TICKETS FOR THE FIRST DAY

To save money on the admission to these attractions we recommend that you use one of the many combined packages, we’ll introduce you to some of them below. Alternatively, you can purchase the Omnia Card.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Vatican Museums: from Monday to Saturday 9.00-18.00 (last admission at 4pm and exit from the rooms half an hour before closing).
Included in the Omnia Card.

St. Peter’s Basilica: October 1 – March 31 every day 7.00-18.30 / 1 April – 30 September every day 7-19.00. Free admission. 

National Roman Museum – Palazzo Massimo alle terme: Open every day from 9 to 19.45. Closed on Mondays (except Monday in Albis and during the cultural week), January 1st, December 25th. The ticket office closes at 19.00. Full ticket € 8 Reduced ticket € 3.50, free under 18 years. Included in the Roma Pass.

SECOND DAY

  • Capitoline Museums
  • Campidoglio square
  • Piazza Venezia

 

1. CAPITOLINE MUSEUMS

the Capitoline Museums in Rome

On your second day of the itinerary to visit the museums of Rome in 2 days we suggest you visit the Capitoline Museums, one of the most popular attractions in the capital (equipped for the disabled).
Arrive in Piazza Venezia (Piazza Venezia bus stop) and reach Piazza del Campidoglio by accessing the Cordonata, the staircase that leads from the Ara Coeli square to the top of the hill.

At the centre of the square, built by Michelangelo, you will find a copy of the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius (the authentic one can be found in the Capitoline Museums).

There are three palaces that surround the square: Palazzo Senatorio at the back, Palazzo Nuovo on the left and Palazzo dei Conservatori on the right. The latter two buildings host the Capitoline Museums.

The main entrance to the museum complex is in the Palazzo dei Conservatori, where there is the original core of the statuary collection and a Pinacoteca (on the second floor) with paintings by Tiziano, Tintoretto, Rubens, Van Dyck and many other great artists.

Palazzo Nuovo instead contains a considerable number of classical sculptures. Not to be missed, among others, is the Capitoline wolf, the dying Galata and the Capitoline Venus.

For the visit, take into account at least two hours.

2. PIAZZA VENEZIA

When you leave the museums stop for lunch and regain some strength. Once you feel refreshed and rested, return to Piazza Venezia, dominated by the Vittoriano, the immense monument of white marble built in 1885 to celebrate the unity of Italy.

The monument was later dedicated to the unknown soldier and a torch perpetually burns inside it, guarded by guards of honour.
Please note that it is forbidden to sit both on the steps and inside, there are strict controls.
To enjoy a full view of the city, go up to the terrace with the glass elevator that is on the side of the monument.

TICKETS FOR THE SECOND DAY

To save money on the admission to these attractions we recommend that you use one of the many combined packages, that we describe below. Alternatively, you can purchase the Omnia Card.

 
PRATICAL INFORMATION

Capitoline Museums: every day 9.30-19.30, 24 and 31 December 9.30-14. The ticket office closes an hour earlier. Closed on January 1st, May 1st, December 31st.  Included in the Omnia Card.

Doria Panphilj Palace and Gallery: every day from 9.00 to 19.00. Last entry at 18.00. Closing on: December 25th, January 1st, Easter. Also open on November 1st, Easter Monday, April 25th, May 1st, June 2nd and August 15th.

You may also be interested

The five attractions and monuments to visit in Rome in two days
Visiting Rome in 2 days – Places to go
Visiting Rome in 2 days with children – Where to go and what to do
Visit Rome in 2 days when it rains

 

Tourist buses in Rome, Hop on Hop off tour tickets

TOURIST BUSES IN ROME

homepage, Tourist buses

A tour on the tourist buses in Rome can be an optimal idea if you plan to visit Rome in 3 days and you want to see all the attractions that the eternal city has to offer. You can enjoy the main places that made it immortal while being comfortably seated listening to the explanations of the audio guide: the churches, monuments, palaces, squares and streets of Rome will no longer be a secret to you. With the formula “Hop on – Hop off”, which characterizes the tourist buses in Rome, you will be able to get on and off the sightseeing buses whenever you want, so you can visit the attractions, take a break to eat something or shop for souvenirs .

The offer of tourist buses in Rome is vast. So you will have no problem choosing the company that suits you according to your needs.
Here are our tips:

1. BIG BUS TOURS

Big Bus Tours offers scenic tours on open buses with audio guides. The “hop on – hop off bus” service allows you to get on and off the bus as often as you want within the hours of validity of the ticket. So you can visit all the attractions of Rome according to your interest and the time you have available. The buses are equipped with air conditioning. Electronic tickets will be sent directly to your Smartphone.

More information and tickets for the tour with Big Bus Tours

 

2. CITY SIGHTSEEING ROMA

City Sightseeing Rome offers scenic buses for a tour of the capital with audio guide and hop on hop off service that will allow you to get on and off at any of the 8 stops on the itinerary when you want and for the time that you want. The buses are equipped with free WIFI and the ticket is valid for 24 or 48 hours.

More information and tickets for the tour with City Sightseeing Roma

You may also be interested

Panoramic hop on hop off bus: tour with City Sightseeing of Rome
Visiting Rome in 2 days with children – Where to go and what to do
What to see in Rome. Ten attractions not to be missed
Visit The Rome museums in 3 days. What to see.

visit rome in 3 days with children

VISIT ROME IN 2 DAYS WITH CHILDREN – WHERE TO GO AND WHAT TO DO

homepage, itinerary

Visit Rome in 2 days with your children and family will be a piece of cake. The Italian capital city offers its young visitors a lot of activities and places to see.
There are many parks, museums and events that you will be able to fit into your itinerary.
If you wish, you can follow the 2 day Rome with children itinerary we have designed for you!
This itinerary is only a suggestion: you can adapt and modify it according to the interests of your family and the time you would like to devote to each activity.

We advise you to use our Roma Pass for your visits. It will allow you to benefit from discounts and additional services while you visit museums and attractions in Rome.

Buy your Roma Pass here!

 

FIRST DAY

What you will see

1. Villa Borghese gardens
2. EXPLORA

1. VILLA BORGHESE GARDENS

Things to see in Rome: Villa Borghese Gardens

The first day of our 2 days Rome itinerary for a visit with children includes a stop at Villa Borghese. With its 80 hectares of green (roughly 200 acres), it is one of the biggest public parks in Rome, as well as one of the most famous.
It is an oasis of serenity, offering several activities for families: it is possible to ride a bike through the park without having to worry about cars.

The park houses the Carlo Bilotti museum, very small but with valuable works of art. It hosts 18 works by Giorgio de Chirico and a portrait of Bilotti’s wife and daughter, performed by Andy Warhol.
The admission is free and a visit does not take long so it could be a good idea to visit it, if the children are not too small. From the museum, go to Piazza di Siena, where horse racing and summer concerts are currently organized.

Near the square you will find the Casina di Raffaello, a playground for children from 3 to 10 years old. Here children can play and listen to animated readings and participate in one of the many activities organized by the toy library.

But the place that you will certainly enjoy the most is the Biopark (BUY THE TICKETS HERE!), which hosts about 1100 animals from 200 different species and is definitely an attraction that your little ones will surely love. The biopark extends for 18 hectares and also organizes children’s didactic laboratories.

2. EXPLORA

After the walk stop in the park for lunch refreshed and rested start your afternoon step of this itinerary to visit Rome in 2 days with children: EXPLORA, a museum dedicated to children from 0 to 12 years old.

It is set up as a child-sized miniature city, where everything can be experienced, touched, lived. The visit (guided) takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Entrance tickets can be purchased online (https://www.mdbr.it/en/info-2/) and give the right of direct access to the museum without going to the ticket office. The museum is very engaging and your kids will love it.

The property is located at Via Flaminio at number 82. From the Bioparco you will have to take a half-hour walk.


SECOND DAY


What will you see

1. Colosseum
2. Venice plaza
3. Wax Museum or Time Elevator
4. Trevi Fountain
5. Piazza Del Popolo

1. THE COLOSSEUM

The Colosseum, symbol and main attraction of Rome
The Colosseum, one of the main attractions of Rome.

On the second day of our itinerary to visit Rome in 2 days with children, we propose a visit of the Colosseum (accessible to the disabled, HERE FOR THE TICKETS ), the attraction that most of all represents the capital. It is undoubtedly the most fascinating of Rome’s monuments.
It was in fact the place where the gladiators fought to their last breath and the condemned to death fought against the lions in front of an ecstatic audience.

It can be visited on two levels and most of the structure of the arena is still visible. Reserve about one hour for the visit. If you have the Roma Pass you can skip the queue and save valuable time, in addition to avoid getting the kids tired even before entering.
When you go out of the Colosseum continue the itinerary along the Via dei Fori Imperiali, at the end of which you can admire the Trajan’s Market and the beautiful Trajan Column, which describes with beautiful bas-reliefs the military campaigns of the Emperor Trajan against the population of Daci.

Tickets for the Colosseum. BUY NOW!

2. PIAZZA VENEZIA

Get up to Piazza Venezia and climb the Vittoriano stairs.

If you do not want to be reprimanded do not sit on the steps (it is forbidden to sit down for respect to the tomb of the unknown soldier to whom the monument is dedicated and the controls are robust).

Enjoy the magnificent view by climbing up to the terrace with the elevator (HERE FOR THE TICKETS) located to the side of the monument and then have a lunch in the area and rest.

3. WAX MUSEUM AND TIME ELEVATOR

After the break, you have two alternatives on this itinerary to visit Rome in 2 days with children: you can bring your children to the Wax Museum.
It is the third largest in Europe for the number of collected characters. It contains a collection of 250 wax figures including, in addition to popes, politicians and poets, Barack Obama, Francesco Totti and, for the joy of the girls, Biancaneve.

Alternatively you can bring your kids to the Time Elevator (HERE FOR THE TICKETS), a 3D cinema inaugurated in 2005, where it’s worth seeing the show on three scenic screens, Time Elevator Roma, a virtual trip in a 45-minute flight simulator during almost 3,000 years of Roman history. The show start every hour.


4. THE TREVI FOUNTAIN

Visit Rome in 2 days with children: Trevi Fountain

The wonderful fountain of Trevi is among the things to see in Rome.

Continue the afternoon until you reach the fantatisc Trevi Fountain, another of Rome’s capital attractions around the world.

The sculptural complex of the fountain occupies almost the whole square. As a result of a recent restoration, the Trevi fountain today is visible in all its original splendor. Make the inevitable usual photos and then take the Via del Corso (the most important shopping street in Rome) where you will be able to shop for the whole family.

5. PIAZZA DEL POPOLO

What to see in Rome: Piazza del Popolo

Finally come to Piazza del Popolo, where you will find a 23.9 meters obelisk. It is the first obelisk to be transported to Rome at the time of Augustus, to celebrate the Emperor’s victory over Egypt. Initially it was placed at the Circus Maximus.

Our itinerary to visit Rome for two days with children ends up here.

May also like

The Trevi Fountain
The Colosseum. What is it like?
Panoramic bus hop on hop off

VISITING ROME IN 2 DAYS: PLACES TO GO

homepage, Hotel, itinerary

If you are on a quick holiday in the Eternal City and want to visit Rome’s most popular attractions in only 2 days, we recommend following our itinerary. You’ll gain insight into this charming and exciting city. What you’ll see will certainly convince you to return for a longer trip!

The following are the itinerary steps for Visiting Rome in 2 Days :

DAY 1

  • Città del Vaticano
  • Musei Vaticani
  • Castel Sant’Angelo
  • Pantheon
  • Fontana di Trevi
  • Piazza di Spagna

 

The Basilica of St. Peter, step one of our Visiting Rome in 2 Days itinerary

 

1. Vatican City

Get off the metro at the Ottaviano San Pietro stop and walk straight to St. Peter’s square. We recommend getting there early in the morning, before hordes of visitors arrive. At St Peter’s Basilica, you will be thrilled by one of the world’s largest public spaces. Its majesty and the decorations and works of art it contains will amaze you.
Bernini’s baldachin on the Papal altar, and the immense dome, are both astonishing. Take some time to admire the Pietà, the touching work of Michelangelo, which is located in a chapel behind bulletproof glass at the beginning of the right nave.
Sculpted by the artist when he was only 25 years old, it’s the only work of art that bears his signature (look closely across Mary’s chest).

Remember to wear proper clothing or you will not be permitted to enter: no miniskirts, shorts, or bare shoulders.
If you have some spare time, climb the 551 steps that lead to the top of the dome, or take the elevator to reach the terrace. From there, you must climb another 360 steps to the top, but you will be rewarded with an amazing 360° view of Rome.

Visiting Rome in 2 days: Vatican Museums

After leaving San Pietro, take some time to rest at the square and snap a few souvenir pictures, then head to the Vatican Museums located nearby. We suggest buying your tickets online to avoid the entrance queue.

Tickets for Vatican Museums. BUY HERE!

The museums are huge, for a general tour, we recommend visiting:

  • the Picture Gallery
  • the Pio-Clementino Museum
  • the Gallery of Geographical Maps
  • Raphael’s rooms  
  • the amazing Sistine Chapel containing precious frescoes painted by Michelangelo (here to ensure your priority) .

Keep in mind that you will spend at least 2 full hours in the Museum.

2. Castel Sant’Angelo

Once your tour of the museum is over, walk across Via della Conciliazione up to Castel Sant’Angelo for an external view. If you aren’t tired yet, you can go ahead and visit it from the inside (If you buy the online ticket will be able to jump the queue ). Be sure to stop at the terrace to enjoy an exceptional view of the city.
Next, take a break for lunch. Avoid the pizzerias and restaurants surrounding the Vatican, where they won’t hesitate to serve you very cheap food at extremely expensive prices.

Piazza Navona, with its beautiful baroque palaces and magnificent fountains

3. Piazza Navona

After enjoying a refreshing meal and some rest, our itinerary for visiting Rome in 2 days continues through Ponte Sant’Angelo. Keep walking until you reach Piazza Navona, with its beautiful baroque palaces and magnificent fountains (including the Four Rivers Fountain of Bernini). Lose yourself in the crowds of tourists, portrait artists, and street performers that fill the square 24 hours a day.

4. Pantheon

From Piazza Navona, cross Corso Rinascimento and continue behind Palazzo Madama (house of the Senate) along the narrow streets that lead to Piazza della Rotonda and the Pantheon. The Pantheon is one of the many symbols of Rome, and the best-preserved historical monument in the city. Upon entering, you will be overwhelmed by the magnificent marble interior and the stunning view of the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome.

4. Fontana di Trevi

After leaving the Pantheon, head back to Piazza Della Rotonda. From there, take Via Pastini up to the Temple of Hadrian. Walk past it; continue on Via di Pietra, cross Via del Corso and onto Via delle Muratte. Follow the sound of flowing water up to the Fontana di Trevi. The view of this fountain will truly leave you breathless. You will be completely captivated by Rome’s must-see attraction.

5. Piazza di Spagna

After stopping here for photos, head on to Via della Stamperia up to Via del Tritone. Cross it and head down Via Due Marcelli. You will arrive at the famous Spanish Steps, which have recently returned to their former glory, thanks to a new restoration. The Spanish Steps are a stairway connecting the elegant eighteenth-century Piazza di Spagna to the Trinità dei Monti, at the foot of which lays the famous Fontana della Barcaccia.

End the evening with dinner at one of the many restaurants in the area.

SECOND DAY

  • Colosseo
  • Piazza Venezia
  • Musei Capitolini

If you want to visit Rome in 2 days do not miss the Colosseo

1. Colosseo

The second day of our visiting Rome in 2 days itinerary will guide you as you discover ancient Rome. The itinerary begins from the Colosseo (Colosseum) (metro stop: Colosseo), quintessential symbol of the Eternal City.

We recommend starting your tour early in the morning to avoid the hot, sunny hours and crowds of visitors. First of all bring bottles of water and something to eat so you won’t spend a fortune at bars or at the food trucks parked in Via dei Fori Imperiali.

If you want to visit Rome in 2 days do not miss the Colosseo.

If you plan to visit the inside of the Colosseo, buy the ticket online  and you can skip the long queue at the entrance.

Not far from the Colosseo is the Arco di Constantino (Arch of Constantine), the most famous Roman triumphal arch and one of the last monuments of ancient Rome, and further ahead is the Palatino. Take a walk along Via dei Fori Imperiali, all the way to the Foro Romano (Roman Forum), on your left. This used to be the heart of Rome. The Fori Imperiali (Imperial Fora) is an archaeological complex extending along the road and contains ancient forums built by various emperors from 42 to 112 BC. You can admire the forums along Via Alessandrina right up to the majestic Colonna di Traiano. Here you can appreciate the wonderful bas-reliefs, carved into stone in a comic strip way, narrating the emperor’s war against Dacia.

You won’t find many restaurants or bars along the way, so we suggest bringing your lunch bag with you and stopping at the Colonna di Traiano to eat something.

2. Piazza Venezia

After lunch, leave the Foro di Trajano and head to Piazza Venezia, towered on one side by the enormous Vittoriano Monument. This building today is dedicated to the Unknown Soldier and was built in 1885 to honor the unification of Italy. Please note that there are strict controls here and sitting down is forbidden. You can reach the top of the Vittoriano in the panoramic glass elevator on the side of the building. Once you reach the terrace, the view is priceless.

3. Musei Capitolini

Our itinerary to visit Rome in 2 days ends at the Campidoglio (Capitoline Hill), the most famous and smallest hill in Rome. You can reach it by climbing the Cordonata (it’s the most spectacular way to get there), a stairway from Piazza d’Aracoeli to piazza del Campidoglio, designed by Michelangelo. Here you can admire a perfect replica of the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius. The original is displayed in the Capitolini Museums (equipped for the disabled) located on the right side of the square. The Capitolini Museums are the oldest public museum in the world and are well worth a visit. If you have enough time, we recommend spending a couple of hours here. Make sure you don’t miss the Pinacoteca and its paintings of Titian, Tintoretto, Rubens, Van Dyck and many other great artists, as well as the Lupa Capitolina, the Galata Morente and the Venere Capitolina. The museums are included in the Omnia Card.

Our itinerary for visiting Rome in 2 days is a general guideline and can be challenging for many. You can choose to follow each step as it is or simply skip a few based on your personal interests, on the time you want to spend at each individual attraction and on how much you’re willing to walk!

PRACTICAL INFO

Vatican Museums: from Monday to Saturday, 9.00 am – 6.00 pm (last entry is at 4.00 pm and exit is half an hour before closing).
Online priority access tickets

Basilica di San Pietro: 1 October – 31 March, every day, 7.00 am – 6.30 pm / 1 April – 30 September, every day, 7.00 am – 7.00 pm. 

Castel Sant’Angelo: every day from 9.00 am to 7.30 pm (ticket office closes at 6.30 pm). Included the Omnia Card.

Capitoline Museums: every day from 9.30 am to 7.30 pm, 24 and 31 December from 9.30 am to 2.00 pm. The ticket office closes one hour earlier. Closed on 1 January, 1 May and 31 December.  Included in the Omnia Card.

You may also be interested

Visiting Rome in 3 days – Our recommended itinerary 
Visiting Rome in 2 days with children – Where to go and what to do 
Trips outside of Rome – What to see and where to go
The Colosseum – What is it like?

La dolce vita, La dolce vita, tra i più famosi film ambientati a Roma

The Itinerary of Movies Set in Rome

attractions, homepage, itinerary

There are so many movies set in Rome that have become part of our culture and have become a reference point in the collective imagination of each of us.
Who does not have in mind the famous bath of Anita Eckberg in the Trevi Fountain, or the unforgettable Audrey Hepburn riding a Vespa around the Capital with Gregory Peck in the Roman Holiday movie?

In this itinerary we offer you a tour of the attractions that have been the background of some of the most beautiful movies set in Rome since the 1940s.
The walk takes place in the center of Rome so we left to you the choice of the point from which to start, according to the movies and their main locations. If you have decided to visit Rome in 3 days you can choose this itinerary as an alternative to the classical tours.

The List of Some of the Most Famous Films Set in Rome

Rome Open City, among the film set in Rome

1. ROMA CITTA’ APERTA (Rome open city) – 1945

The Roberto Rossellini’s film, played by a great Anna Magnani, is considered one of the masterpieces of the world cinema and of neo-realism.

Set in a Rome where the Fascist regime has just fallen, he sees as protagonists a priest, a commoner and a communist engineer who are trying to resist the violence of German invaders.
Many scenes have been shot in the Pigneto (like the final one where the protagonist, Pina, is killed while running behind the truck that takes away her husband captured by German soldiers, this takes place in Via Raimondo Montecuccoli).
Another location is Piazza di Spagna where you can still see the pension from which a partisan, surprised by the Nazis, flees on the roofs of the Spanish embassy.

Vacanze romane, one of the movies Set in Rome

2. VACANZE ROMANE (Roma n Holidays) – 1953

Unforgettable film by William Wyler with Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck. Shot entirely in Rome and in the studios of Cinecittà.

Among the most famous locations where is shown the story of the beautiful Princess Anna, heir to the throne of an imaginary kingdom and the American journalist Joe, there is Via Margutta 51 (the house where Joe lives and where Anna spends a night); the Trevi Fountain (where the haircut scene is set); the Trinity Monument Stairway (where they meet Bradley with an ice cream); The Pantheon (scene at the bar with the photographer who is the journalist’s friend); The Colosseum (where the protagonists enter after the famous Vespa tour); The Mouth of Truth (where the scene of the unspeakable secret takes place); Piazza Barberini, (seat of the Embassy where Anna was a guest).

 

Un americano a Roma: The Itinerary of Movies Set in Rome

Un Americano a Roma (An American in Rome), one of the films set in Rome

3. UN AMERICANO A ROMA (An American in Rome) – 1954

Directed by Steno, is a costume satire of post-war Italy. Alberto Sordi interprets Nando Mericoni, Trastevere‘s young boy ridiculously obsessed with all that is American. The location included in the itinerary of films in Rome is that of the Colosseum. It is here that the movie begins. In fact, in the initial scene, Nando climbs the Colosseum and threatens to throw himself down if he is not alllowed to reach his dream or going to Kansas. His friends attend the scene and begin to remember the most exhilarating episodes of his young life. Unforgettable scenes are those of the spaghettis or that of road information given in a stingy English.

 

4. A DOLCE VITA (The sweet life) – 1969 

Directed by Federico Fellini who in this film immortalizes the image of a Italy after the end of the war, which after losing its innocence, looks to the American model, with the desire for a life of indulgence and pleasure. The novelist Marcello Rubini (Marcello Mastroianni) tells the story of Rome.
The most famous venues are the Trevi Fountain, in which Anita Ekberg enters and invites Mastroianni to dance by whispering the famous “Marcello come here!”, and Via Veneto, in the past, a symbol of celebrity nightlife. Among the other locations there is also Piazza del Popolo, where the parties attended by Mastroianni took place.

Among the famous films set in Rome there is Il talento di Mr. Ripley (Mr. Ripley’s talent)

5. IL TALENTO DI MR. RIPLEY (Mr. Ripley’s talent) – 1999

Of the Oscar-winning director Anthony Minghella and taken from the novel by Patricia Highsmith, the film is a psychological thriller played by a great cast. Tom Ripley (Matt Damon), a brilliant but psychopathic man, meets Dickie Greenleaf (Jude Law) and his girlfriend Marge (Gwyneth Paltrow) who escaped in Italy to live with the money of Greenleaf’s father. The latter hires Ripley to bring him back home but after some time, overwhelmed by envy, Ripley ends up killing Greenleaf and assuming his identity. Among the scenes in Rome there are those set in Piazza Navona, at the Roman Forum and the Campidoglio.

Angel and Demionds, set in Rome

Angeli e demoni (Angels and Demons), one of the films set in Rome


6. ANGELI E DEMONI ( Angels and Demons) – 2009

Dan Brown’s best-selling film directed by Ron Howard and with Tom Hanks deals with the story of the brilliant professor Robert Langdon who is called to Rome by the Vatican to decipher the symbol delivered together with a threat letter. A symbol that belongs to the Illuminati, a secret society that has in its ranks scientists and artists with the sole aim of destroying the Catholic Church.
The film features some of Rome’s most characteristic places: the Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria (inside it the scene of the shootout between the murderer and the men of the Vatican Gendarmerie was shot); St. Peter’s Square (where Robert Langdon arrives inside a Lancia Delta); Piazza Navona (here there are dangerous chases between the police cars with sirens blaring and the assassin who, when reached, manages to run away leaving behind a trail of blood); Castel Sant’Angelo (within which there are shootings and chases and the area is surrounded by police and helicopters in an attempt to stop the assassin, hidden in the secret); The Pantheon (chosen as the scene of the first horrible crime. On the floor the body of the first killed Cardinal will be found).

Take part in the tour of the Dan Brown’s novel locations!

7. LA GRANDE BELLEZZA (The Great Beauty) – 2013

Directed by Paolo Sorrentino, winner of the Oscar 2014 as the best foreign film. He narrates the story of the novelist Jep Gambardella (played by Toni Servillo) who begins to meditate on his life between lounges, terraces, gardens and Roman squares. The film has been shot almost entirely in a decadent and beautiful Rome.

Amongst the breathtaking sceneries that can be seen in our itinery of films set in Rome, there are Villa Medici, Palazzo Barberini, Piazza Navona, Palazzo Pamphilj, Caracalla’s Baths.

You may also be interested

Visiting Rome in 3 days – Our recommended itinerary 
Visiting Rome in 2 days with children – Where to go and what to do 
Trips outside of Rome – What to see and where to go
The Colosseo (Colosseum) – What is it like?

Rome Marathon

VISIT ROME IN 3 DAYS. OUR RECOMMENDED ITINERARY

homepage, itinerary

Discovering the Eternal City in its entirety could take you months, or even years, but you can still visit Rome in 3 days and get a taste of its incredible beauty. Monuments, attractions and ancient buildings are found around every corner and pleasing surprises at every step.
There are endless itineraries available to help you discover the Capital of Italy. You can easily “tailor” these itineraries according to your preferences and your time available for visiting each attraction. The itinerary we offer will guide you through all the iconic locations that make Rome such a unique city worldwide.

Below is our 3 days itinerary to visit Rome 

FIRST DAY

WHAT WILL YOU SEE

  1. Città del Vaticano 
  2. Castel Sant’Angelo 
  3. Piazza Navona
  4. Campo dei fiori

Visiting Rome in 3 days: Basilica of San Pietro

Being fresh and rested, we suggest Città del Vaticano (Vatican City) as a starting point for visiting the capital (metro stop: Ottaviano – San Pietro).

1. CITTÀ DEL VATICANO

It’s always a good idea to get there early in the morning so you can avoid large crowds of visitors and tourists.
Begin with Basilica di San Pietro (St. Peter’s Basilica), the largest, richest and most spectacular church in Italy. No picture and no story can describe the emotional impact created by the immensity of this building and the magnificent decorations and works of art it contains. Please remember to wear proper clothing or access to the Basilica will be denied. Avoid miniskirts, shorts or bare shoulders.

After visiting the basilica, take a break at Piazza San Pietro (St. Peter’s Square), snap some pictures and enjoy the magnificence of one of the world’s largest public spaces. Then head over to the Vatican Museums for an unforgettable experience. We suggest buying your tickets online to avoid queueing and enjoy the visit!

The museum (equipped for the disabled) is incredibly large and it would take you years to see it all, therefore, for a general tour, we recommend visiting:

  1. The Pinacoteca (Art Gallery)
  2. The Pio-Clementino museum
  3. The Galleria delle Carte Geografiche (Gallery of Maps)
  4. The Stanze di Raffaello (Raphael Rooms) 
  5. The amazing Cappella Sistina (Sistine Chapel, here to ensure your priority) with its precious frescoes painted by Michelangelo. Keep in mind that you will spend at least 2 full and intense hours in the museum.

Visit Rome in 3 days: the amazing Castel Sant'Angelo

 

2. CASTEL SANT’ANGELO

Once you exit the museum, take a walk along Via della Conciliazione up to Castel Sant’Angelo. This is a Papal fortress built upon the mausoleum of Emperor Hadrian in the Middle Ages. (2nd century AD). Don’t leave the fortress without enjoying an amazing view of the city from the terrace. If you bought the Roma Pass you will be able to jump the queue and access the site directly through the appropriate turnstiles.

After your tour, take a well-deserved break, have a meal and recover your energy. Avoid the pizzerias and restaurants surrounding the Vaticano, where they won’t hesitate to serve you very cheap food at extremely expensive prices.

Tickets for Vatican Museums. BUY NOW!

 

3. PIAZZA NAVONA  

Our 3 days visit to Rome itinerary continues through Ponte Sant’Angelo. Enjoy a pleasant walk in a maze of alleys and squares that maintain an authentic Roman character to this day. Head towards Piazza Navona, the epitome of all Roman squares. Be enchanted by beautiful Baroque palaces and magnificent fountains (including Bernini‘s Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi). Here you will find crowds of tourists, portrait artists and street performers filling the square day and night.

Visit Rome in 3 days: the crowded Piazza Navona
Piazza Navona, one of the most famous places in Rome

For a break you can visit the nearby Piazza Sant’Eustachio and enter its namesake Cafe: this place may not look special but they have the best espresso in Rome.

4. CAMPO DEI FIORI

Return to piazza Navona and exit through the South. Cross Corso Vittorio Emanuele and follow Via dei Ballauri up to Campo dei Fiori, with its famous statue of Giordano Bruno, the heretic monk burned at the stake during the Reformation. This square is one of the centers of Roman life: a crowded marketplace during daytime and a place to hangout for a drink at night.
Finally sit down for dinner in the surrounding area to end the first evening of our itinerary for visiting Rome in 3 days.

TICKETS FOR THE FIRST DAY

To save on entry to these attractions, we recommend using one of the many combined packages. You can find some of them below. Alternatively you can buy the Omnia Card

 

SECOND DAY

WHAT WILL YOU SEE

  1. Colosseo
  2. Vittoriano
  3. Campidoglio
  4.  

The second day of our visiting Rome in 3 days itinerary will guide you as you discover ancient Rome. Start your tour early in the morning in order to avoid the peak of crowds flooding through the city. We recommend bringing along bottles of water and something to eat. This will help you avoid spending a lot of money at bars or at the food trucks parked in Via dei Fori Imperiali.

The Colosseo, one of the main attractions of Rome

1. COLOSSEO

If you are visiting Rome in 3 days with your kids, you don’t want to miss the Colosseo (Coliseum). Start from the Colosseo (metro stop: Colosseo), Rome’s quintessential symbol and most exciting monument.
If you plan to enter it, please buy the ticket online and you can skip the long queue at the entrance. Not far from the Colosseo is the Arco di Constantino (Arch of Constantine), the most famous Roman triumphal arch and one of the last monuments of ancient Rome. After taking a few souvenir photos, take a walk along Via dei Fori Imperiali, all the way to the Foro Romano (Roman Forum), on your left. This was once the heart of Rome.
The Fori Imperiali (Imperial Fora) is an archaeological complex extending along the road and contains ancient forums built by various emperors from 42 to 112 BC.

Tickets for the Colosseo. BUY NOW!

Admire the forums along Via Alessandrina right up to the majestic Colonna di Traiano. If you brought your lunch bag with you, we suggest stopping under the Colonna di Traiano, since you won’t find many restaurants or bars in this area. Otherwise, if your not too tired, you can reach Rione Monti (from the Fori imperiali take via Cavour and make a turn onto via dei Serpenti). It’s an area with lots of uphill walking but you will find many restaurants, trendy bars and bistros.

Rome attractions: Piazza Venezia

2. PIAZZA VENEZIA

After a refreshing meal and some rest, head to Piazza Venezia and visit the Vittoriano. Opinions on this attraction are divided into two groups: those who love it and those who hate it. Certainly you can’t ignore it. It was built in 1885 to honor the unification of Italy and today this monument is dedicated to the Unknown Soldier. Please note that there are strict controls here and sitting down is forbidden. The terrace at the top offers an amazing and unique view. You can reach the top of the Vittoriano with its panoramic glass (HERE FOR THE TICKETS!) elevator on the side of the building.

3. CAMPIDOGLIO

For our last step of the day we suggest visiting the Campidoglio (Capitoline Hill), the most famous and smallest hill in Rome. The most spectacular way to get there is by climbing the Cordonata, a stairway from Piazza d’Aracoeli to Piazza del Campidoglio, designed by Michelangelo. Here you will find a perfect replica of the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius. The original is displayed in the Capitolini Museums (equipped for the disabled) located on the right side of the square. The Capitolini Museums are the oldest public museum in the world and are well worth a visit. It’s included in the Omnia Card.

TICKETS FOR THE SECOND DAY

To save on entry to these attractions, we recommend using one of the many combined packages. You can find some of them below. Alternatively you can buy the Omnia Card

 

THIRD DAY

WHAT WILL YOU SEE

  1. Piazza di Spagna
  2. Fontana di Trevi
  3. Pantheon


1. PIAZZA DI SPAGNA

The itinerary of your last day in Rome begins from Piazza di Spagna (metro stop: Spagna) with the famous Trinità dei Monti (completely restored to its former glory), at the foot of which lays the famous Fontana della Barcaccia. The architectural elements and the surrounding ochre buildings convey an undeniable 18th-century elegance to the Piazza.

The spectacular Trevi Fountain, the largest and most famous fountain in Rome


2. FONTANA DI TREVI

Via dei Condotti, which starts in front of the stairway, is a popular fashion-shopping destination in Rome. Along the pedestrian street you will find the most elegant and expensive shops in Rome. Do not miss the opportunity to do some shopping here if you can afford it. Stroll all the way to Via del Corso (another shopping street) where you will reach the spectacular  Fontana di Trevi (Trevi Fountain), the largest and most famous fountain in Rome. The streets leading to the fountain are not directly aligned with it, so it will appear suddenly in front of you and truly leave you breathless at first sight. Such magnificence is preceded by the sound of flowing water, which will guide you to this wonderful place.

3. PANTHEON

After visiting the Trevi Fountain, snapping some pictures and having something to eat, cross Via del Corso and head to the Pantheon. Like the Colosseum, the Pantheon is one of the great symbols of Rome and the best-preserved historical monument in the city. Visit the building and be amazed by the marble interior and the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome.

When you are through visiting the Pantheon, you will arrive at the last step of our itinerary: Trastevere. If you have some energy to spare you can reach the area by walking through the Jewish district. Otherwise, reach Largo Argentina and catch tram number 8, which leads to Viale Trastevere.

Trastevere, traditionally a poor working class district, still maintains its authentic Roman character. Today it’s expensive, chic and one of the most exciting areas in Rome where tourists, intellectuals and wealthy people live. Take a walk down the ochre streets and visit Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere along with the splendid basilica, Piazza Trilussa and the Basilica of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere. Walk up the hill to the Gianicolo and enjoy a wonderful view of the Eternal City.

End the last day of your visit to Rome by dining at one of the many restaurants, bars and trattorias in this area.

This is a general itinerary for visit Rome in 3 days. If you think the steps above are too challenging you can remove some and you can decide what attractions you should spend more or less time at.

TICKETS FOR THE THIRD DAY

To save on entry to these attractions, we recommend using one of the many combined packages, here are some of the below. Alternatively you can buy the Omnia Card

 


PRACTICAL INFO

St. Peter’s Basilica
1st October – 31st March: every day 7.00 am- 6.30 p.m
1st April – 30th September every day 7.00 am – 7.00 pm

Vatican Museums
from Monday to Saturday: 9.00 am – 6.00 pm (last admission at 4.00 pm and exit from the rooms half an hour before closing).
Priority access tickets

Sant’Angelo castel
Every day 9.00 am -7.30 pm (the ticket office closes at 6.30 pm). Closed January 1st, May 1st and December 25th.
Included in the Omnia Card and the Roma Pass.

Colosseo
from 27 March to 31 August
9.00 am – 7.15 pm
from 1st September to 30th September
9.00 am – 19.00 pm
from 1st to 30th October
9.00 am – 18.30 pm
from October 31st to December 31st
9.00 am – 16.30 pm
Last admission one hour before closing.
Included  the Omnia Card and the Roma Pass

May also like

The Vatican Museums
Visit Rome in 3 days with children
Tourist Buses in Rome

Sistine Chapel in Roma. The universal judgment

The Vatican Museums

attractions, homepage
 

Whether you come for 3 days in Rome, whether your stay lasts a bit more or less, a tour of the Vatican Museums is a must. In fact, this visit alone justifies a travel.

Believe us, a visit to the Vatican Museums is such an exciting experience that will hardly be erased from your mind. Once you get out of there, you’ll be struggling to figure out how much beauty has passed under your eyes.
The museum complex is characterized by seven kilometers of exhibition space and contains more masterpieces than many small countries.
It is located in the Vatican Apostolic Palace and offers visitors one of the largest art collections in the world. They say that, to visit the Vatican Museums, it would take an average person about twelve years, do not think therefore that you will be able to see it all in a single visit!

The advice that we give you is to give precedence to:

  • the Raffaello Rooms
  • the Pio-Clementine Museum (to stay in ecstasy in front of Laocoonte and Apollo of Belvedere)
  • the Pinacoteca (do not miss the Raffaello Transfiguration)
  • the Geographic Gallery
  • the awesome Sistine Chapel (here to ensure your priority entry)

We remind you that museums are equipped for disabled people and, upon reservation, wheelchairs are available free of charge (for bookings: contact the reception at musei@scv.va or for direct requests contact the “special permits” desk).

It is also possible to enter with strollers.
Since queues at the Vatican’s ticket office are endless, we suggest you to buy the tickets online, you will save you a lot of time and avoid the stress of a queue.

 

1. RAFFAELLO’S ROOMS

These were the private apartments of Pope Julius II, who entrusted to Raffaello, who was then 25 and was not yet very famous, to realize the frescoes of the four rooms. This commission allowed the painter to raise his “quotations” considerably. However, only two rooms were painted directly by him: the Signature Room (the study) and the Room of Heliodorus (the waiting room used for private hearings). The other two rooms, the Room of the Village Fire (the dining room) and the Constantine Hall (reception hall) were designed by students who followed his designs.

Visit the Vatican museums: Raffaello's rooms

2. THE PIO-CLEMENTINO MUSEUM

It houses a fantastic set of classic statues. Among these, the most famous are the “Apollo del Belvedere” (Roman marble copy produced in the 2nd century BC of an original Greek statue in bronze dating to the fourth century BC), considered one of the great masterpieces of classical art, and the Laocoonte group (depicting a Troyan Priest of Apollo and his children fighting a deadly struggle with two sea snakes), which is also a Roman copy of a Greek original statue dating back to the I century. A.D. Both are located in the Ottagono Courtyard, the central courtyard of the palace.

3. ART GALLERY (PINACOTECA)

It was made by Pope Pius XI in 1932 and accommodates 460 paintings arranged in chronological order from the XI to the XIX century, with works by Giotto, Beato Angelico, Filippo Lippi, Guido Reni, Raffaello, Caravaggio and several other great artists.

4. GEOGRAPHIC MAPS GALLERY

One of the lesser-known venues of the Vatican Museums, this gallery, 120 m long, is covered by huge and beautiful topographic maps, all made between 1580 and 1583 for Pope Gregory XIII on the basis of the indications of one of the the greatest cartographers of the time, Ignazio Danti.

5. THE SISTINE CHAPEL (CAPPELLA SISTINA)

Visited by over 4 million people a year, it is the only place in the Vatican Museums that nobody would think of skipping. The Sistine Chapel is a spectacular place to visit and will be unforgettable.

It was originally built for Pope Sixtus IV and was inaugurated on the 15th August 1483.

It is a parallelepipedon with a barrel ceiling 40.2 m long, 13.4 m wide and 20.7 m high, the same size, as it was assumed, of the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem.

All the chapel, already frescoed by the best Renaissance artists, including Botticelli and Pinturicchio, just to name a few, and with a marble flooring in many colours was sacrificed to give space, all along, to two masterpieces by Michelangelo: the Genesis, realized between 1508 and 1512 and the amazing Universal Judgment, painted in 1541.

In the latter, unlike the vault, it is impressive the amount of overseas blue that has been used. At that time, blue was very expensive, because it was made with lapis lazuli. But since it was paid by the Pope Julius II, Michelangelo did not bother. On the contrary, he did not spend much in painting the vault since he had to pay personally for the materials.

Visit the Vatican Museums: the entrance to the Sistine Chapel

Timetables: Monday to Saturday 9.00-18.00 (last entry at 16.00 and exit from the halls half an hour before closing)

You may also be interested

Visiting Rome in 3 days – Our recommended itinerary 
Visiting Rome in 2 days with children – Where to go and what to do
The Vatican Museums
Visit the Vatican City – What to visit