VISIT ROME IN 3 DAYS. OUR RECOMMENDED 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.

 

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.

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

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