Exploring Rome in 3 Days: The Ultimate Itinerary

History, archaeology, art, architecture, shopping, culture, atmosphere - there are countless reasons to be thrilled about visiting Rome!

The city is vast and there are so many activities to choose from that it’s normal to feel a bit overwhelmed when planning the itinerary. I had the pleasure of visiting the Eternal City many times, and here is my favorite 3-days itinerary.

Day 1 – History and Archaeology

Begin your journey in Rome by visiting one of the world's most famous historical landmarks: the Colosseum. I highly recommend purchasing your ticket in advance to secure your spot. The cost is €18, and it includes entry to the archaeological area of the Roman Forum-Palatine as well as the Colosseum. You can reserve your ticket here:

Parco Archeologico del Colosseo

Allocate around 3 hours to explore the Colosseum and the Roman Forum.

Afterward, take a leisurely walk along Via dei Fori Imperiali, one of Rome's most scenic and monumental streets which connects the Colosseum with Piazza Venezia. This street is flanked by two rows of iconic pine trees, symbolic of Rome since antiquity, and features four statues honoring Roman Emperors.

In Piazza Venezia, you'll encounter Altare della Patria, a monument inaugurated in 1911 to honor Victor Emmanuel II. One of the highlights of this monument is the breathtaking panoramic view from the terrace, situated at the same height as the chariots. To reach the terrace, you can take the panoramic lifts for a fee of €7.

By this time, it will likely be afternoon, and I recommend spending the rest of the day exploring Trastevere, one of Rome's most enchanting neighborhoods. Walk through the charming streets and be sure to visit Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere.

Trastevere is also renowned for its traditional restaurants! I personally dined at Tonnarello and I highly recommend it—the carbonara was excellent! The restaurant does not accept reservations, so I suggest going around 6 pm to avoid long queues. Other local favorites include Otello and Nannarella.

Day 2- Art and Shopping

Begin your second day by exploring the magnificent gardens of Villa Borghese. Given the park's vast size, I recommend renting a bike or segway to cover more ground comfortably. Entrance to the park is free. Galleria Borghese is located inside the park and a visit is strongly recommended! The gallery boasts an exceptional collection of paintings and sculptures by artists such as Caravaggio, Canova and Bernini. It is highly recommended to book tickets in advance, as the museum has limited daily visitor numbers. The entrance fee is €13. You can buy your ticket here:

Galleria Borghese

After visiting Galleria Borghese, spend the rest of your day exploring the historical centre with its magnificent squares and monuments: Piazza del Popolo, Piazza Navona, Pantheon, Fontana di trevi, Piazza di Spagna e Trinità dei Monti. You could also do some of the best shopping in Via del Corso!

Feeling hungry? You can't visit Italy without trying its pizza. L'antica Pizzeria da Michele and Sorbillo are among the most famous pizzerias in the country.

Day 3 – Spirituality and Culture

Begin your third and last day by visiting Castel Sant'Angelo, originally built as a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian. Spend some time to explore its museum which includes a collection of Renaissance art, artifacts, and historical displays. In addition, enjoy the panoramic views over Rome and visit the mausoleum. The standard Castel Sant'Angelo ticket prices start at €19. You can reserve your ticket here:

Castel Sant'Angelo Rome Tickets

After Castel Sant’Angelo, walk 15 minute to reach the most renowned churches in the world: Basilica di San Pietro. Entrance to the basilica is free. However, there is a fee of €10 for the elevator to the dome and €8 if you choose to take the stairs. Keep in mind that shoulders and knees must be covered, and hats must be removed upon entering.

Not far from the Basilica, you will find the Vatican Museums, home to one of the world's most significant and extensive art collections, including the renowned Sistine Chapel. With over 5 million visitors each year, I recommend considering a skip-the-line ticket or planning your visit during off-peak hours. Personally, I joined the line late in the afternoon, around 4 pm, and I only had to wait about half an hour to enter. The entrance fee, excluding the skip-the-line option, is €20 - here the link to buy the ticket:

Musei Vaticani

To thoroughly explore the Vatican Museums, you should allocate around 3 hours.