What to see in Rome in 3 days
Everything is larger than life in Rome, and the lure of its impressive monuments makes it one of the most visited cities in the world. The sheer amount of its cultural heritage means you could spend months discovering new monuments. There are sublime works of art at every turn, and the enticing aroma of freshly baked pizza fills the streets. Although doing Rome in three days seems an impossible feat, with the help of our guide and a little bit of pre-planning to avoid long queues, you can most certainly enjoy all its main treasures.
Itinerary day 1
10.00-11.30
Piazza del Campidoglio and surrounding area
The starting point of your tour will be the Capitoline Hill, the smallest of Rome’s seven hills. The pretty Piazza del Campidoglio, designed by Michelangelo, is a tourist attraction in its own right. As well as fabulous views of the Roman Forum, you will also find the Capitoline Museums here. Next to the square you can’t miss the colossal National Monument to Victor Emmanuel II.
12.00-14.00
Roman Forum
Get ready to be transported back in time to Ancient Rome. There is nothing quite like walking among temples, arches and columns in the very streets that comprised the city centre in the times of the Roman empire. If you like, you can walk to the Circus Maximus, stopping off at the Bocca della Verità to put your hand into the mouth of the curious marble mask and discover whether there is any truth in the legend.
14.15-15.30
Restaurant Vinando
All that walking is bound to have given you an appetite. It’s now time to try some of the delicious cuisine Rome has to offer. Close to the Roman Forum, in Piazza Margana, you will find Vinando restaurant and wine shop, which offers meat, fish and pasta dishes.
16.00-18.00
The Colosseum
This is the moment you’ve been waiting for! A visit to the magnificent feat of Roman architecture that is the Colosseum. To the east of the Roman Forum, this unrivalled amphitheatre is one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, where the infamous, brutal gladiator fights took place. Avoid the queues by buying your tickets online in advance.
18.30-20.30
Trastevere district
It’s time to start winding down from your first day in the capital. Make your way to Rome’s most bohemian district to take a stroll through its streets. Relax and just absorb the essence of the place. We suggest you visit the Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere; take the weight off your feet in Piazza Trilussa while enjoying some live music; or walk up Gianicolo, considered to be Rome’s eighth hill, and from where you will be able to contemplate one of the most beautiful sunsets in the city.
21.00-23.00
Pizzeria Ai Marmi
This pizza restaurant serves delicious pizzas in the traditional style of Rome — baked in a wood-fired oven and with a thin, wonderfully crunchy crust. There is usually a queue for a table, but the wait is definitely worth it. Other interesting dining options in Trastevere are Carlomenta and Da Enzo al 29. Go for the full Italian experience by rounding off your evening with a visit to Fiordiluna for a gelato — the ultimate taste sensation!
Itinerary day 2
09.00-13.00
Vatican City
As you have several days in Rome, it is a good idea to dedicate one morning to the Vatican. If you want to avoid the queues, book your tickets online for the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica. Let Bernini’s Colonnade welcome you with open arms and lose yourself in Michelangelo’s bewitching frescoes. There is a whole universe of stellar art and architecture within your grasp.
13.15-14.15
Castel Sant’Angelo
Walk along the Via della Conciliazione to the most famous castle in Rome, next to the Tiber. It has borne witness to the almost the entire history of the city and is an iconic symbol for its citizens. The views from the top floor are a feast for the eyes.
14.30-15.30
Pizzeria Da Baffetto
Crossing the Sant’Angelo Bridge, you will once again be in the centre of Rome. Don’t miss this opportunity to try one of the best pizzas in the city. Da Baffetto is a small, friendly family-run restaurant that prepares incredible pizzas with a light, thin base. For dessert, pop into Frigidarium, an artisanal gelateria that blends ancient recipes with modern techniques.
16.00-17.00
The Pantheon
Your itinerary continues with the best-preserved example of Roman construction in existence. It is an outstanding example of the architectural capabilities of Ancient Rome. Its sublime dome was the source of inspiration for architects of such renown as Brunelleschi. The light that enters through the enormous oculus bathes the rotunda in a delicate glow.
17.30-18.30
Piazza Navona
Piazza Navona is one of the most beautiful squares in Rome. Its length and shape is reminiscent of the ancient Stadium of Domitian that once stood on the site. Stop and contemplate its three fountains, with the Fountain of the Four Rivers predominating, and marvel at the concave façade of the Church of Sant’Agnese designed by Borromini.
19.00-20.30
Campo dei Fiori
Make your way to one of the liveliest areas of Rome, with a bustling market selling flowers and other products by day, and boasting inviting restaurant terraces by night. Today it is a meeting point for locals, but it has a grizzly history as the place where public executions were performed, and where Giordano Bruno was burned at the stake in 1600. The statue at the centre of the square pays homage to this Dominican Friar who dared to question Catholic doctrines.
21.00-22.30
Il Pagliaccio
Why not push the boat out a bit this holiday? Budget permitting, we highly recommend you book a table at Il Pagliaccio. Headed by Chef Anthony Genovese, the restaurant boasts 2 Michelin stars. You will be blown away by its fusion cuisine.
Itinerary day 3
10.00-10.30
Fontana di Trevi
If you can, head out early to see this emblematic monument before the crowds arrive. It is one of the most incredible Baroque fountains in existence, and it was immortalised by Fellini in the famous scene of the film La dolce vita with Anita Ekberg. Toss a coin into the water to ensure you will return to Rome.
11.00-13.30
Rome’s basilicas and churches
You can’t leave the Eternal City without visiting its most iconic basilicas and churches. Don’t miss: Basilica di San Pietro in Vincoli, Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano, the Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria, and Basilica Santa Maria del Popolo.
14.00-15.30
Da Gino al Parlamento
After an intense day of sightseeing, you’ll need to recuperate some of that spent energy. Da Gino al Parlamento is a great restaurant nearby that is brimming with personality and is off the beaten track. This trattoria represents all that is wonderful about Rome’s cuisine.
16.00-19.00
Afternoon at Villa Borghese
Villa Borghese is a green oasis at the heart of Rome, with a fabulous art collection to boot. Here you can escape the hustle and bustle of the city and breathe in the tranquillity of its manicured gardens and shimmering lakes. It is also where you will find the Borghese Gallery, a museum housing masterpieces by Bernini such as The Rape of Proserpina.
19.30-20.30
Piazza di Spagna
Via Condotti, one of Rome’s best shopping streets, ends at one of the liveliest places in the city, Piazza di Spagna. Make the effort to climb the 135 Spanish steps to watch the sun go down over the rooftops — you won’t be disappointed. The Church of Trinità dei Monti will be behind you, and in front of you you’ll see the famous Fontana della Barcaccia.
21.00-23.00
La Torre
Looking for a special place to spend your last evening in the Eternal City? If you want an unforgettable romantic evening, look no further than the restaurant and wine shop Enoteca La Torre. With one Michelin star, the elegant restaurant is one of the most lauded in Rome.