colosseum-in-rome-3-day-itinerary-

The Best 3 Days in Rome Itinerary

Some of our first family holidays were to Italy and I still remember our early trips to Rome before I was a teenager. We’d get up early in the morning to get there, visit the sights such as the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain, eat some delicious food, grab an ice cream and head home!

While some things have changed (it’s no longer free to enter the Colosseum), I had such a great time exploring the city on my most recent trip to Rome; my first as an adult.

3 days in Rome is the perfect amount of time for exploring the city. It allows you plenty of time to explore the top attractions in Rome while enjoying it at a more leisurely pace. If you’re looking for the best 3 days in Rome itinerary I’d say you’re in a pretty good place!

Colosseum + Palatine Hill

The Colosseum is synonymous with Rome. If you've never visited Rome before then the Colosseum is a must.  This ticket includes the Pantheon too. 

Vatican City + Sistine Chapel

You can't miss this beautiful thing to do in Rome! Book skip the line tickets to avoid the long queues.

Travastere Food Tour

Italy is known for its delicious food! Take a food tour to visit some of the best spots in the cool Trastevere neighbourhood.

How to get to Rome

colosseum 3 days in rome

Being the capital city of Italy, it’s pretty easy to get to Rome. You can fly domestically within Italy, internationally, get the train or even drive if your 3 days in Rome are part of a longer Europe trip.

Flights to Rome

There are many cheap flights to Rome from the UK and other major cities in Europe. We found that flights to Rome from London were much cheaper than from other Italian cities such as Milan or Florence.

Skyscanner is what I use to find cheap flights.

You can read more about how I find cheap flights here.

There are two airports near Rome. There’s Leonardo da Vinci Airport (at Fiumicino) which is served by major airlines and Ciampino Airport which is more typically where budget airlines like RyanAir fly into.

There are bus links between the two into central Rome and you can buy tickets online to save the faff of doing it once you’ve landed. Plus, as we found, the ticket offices were closed by the time we had landed anyway!

Top tip: The traffic in Rome is really bad. Expect your transfers from Rome to the airport to be delayed and allow yourselves plenty of extra time to get there!

Trains to Rome (and trains from Rome!)

If you’re doing some train travel around Europe then good news – the trains in Rome are great! We caught a train from Rome to Siena and the trains were comfortable, and on time and you get to enjoy some great views along the way.

You can book trains online in advance by using TheTrainline.com which makes it super easy to plan your journey ahead of time!

I was familiar with Trainline for train tickets in the UK but had no idea I could use it in Europe until this trip! We bought the tickets on our phones and then printed them out at the station – easy!

There are five big train stations in Rome. There’s Roma Termini which is the largest and where we got to from the airport, Tiburtina, Trastevere, Ostiense, and Porta San Paolo.

Tiburtina is where we departed from when going to Siena.

Need to know: You must validate your train ticket before getting on the train. This is usually done by stamping it in a little machine at the platforms.

Getting around Rome

I highly recommend walking when exploring Rome. You’ll find historical buildings on almost every corner and discover the best hidden gems in terms of restaurants and ice cream. However, below are some more details on how to get around Rome during your 3 days in Rome.

Travel hack: Get the 72-hour Rome Pass City Card and your transport is included alongside discounted museum tickets and more.

Driving in Rome

Driving in Rome is best avoided as much as you can. It’s super busy, there are additional charges for going through the centre and drivers seem to ignore road markings in favour of just shooting forward and getting in front of you. On top of that, you’ve got cyclists whipping in and out between cars and shooting out of side roads.

It’s far less stressful to ditch your car, get a train, or use public transport.

Where to park in Rome

If you’re visiting Rome for a day, there are a few good parking places you can park at which are within walking distance of the top attractions in Rome.

We parked at Parcheggio Piazza Cavour. It was close to both the Vatican and about 30 minutes walk from the Colesseum. It cost us less than €20 for the day and felt safe.

Renting a car in Rome

You can rent cars from both airports in Rome and from within the city itself. If you hold a Canadian or American license you will need an International Drivers Permit (IDP) as well as your full license in order to rent a car.

If you do not have an IDP, you will not be able to rent a car. Sure, you may find somewhere that’ll do it anyway, but any insurance you have will be void by not having an IDP.

For now, British driving license holders can rent a car with their British license only. However, make sure to check this in advance as things do change!

I use comparison sites like DiscoverCars and RentalCars to book my car rentals as it’s easy to check prices and compare the best deals!

Public Transport in Rome

Rome’s Metro system stops at most of the top things to see in Rome. While I’d still recommend walking as much as you can (the city is so pretty!), the metro in Rome is super useful on those days your feet can’t take anymore!

Rome’s metro system runs from 5:30 am to 11:30 pm. On Fridays and Saturdays, it runs until 1:30 am. Tickets can be purchased at the metro stations, at newsstands and in many corner shops.

Or, get the 48 or 72-hour Rome City Pass and transit is included.

Best Things to do in Rome in 3 Days

3 days in rome itinerary 2

If you’re wondering what to do in Rome during your 3 day trip to Rome, this Rome travel guide has you covered.

3 Day Itinerary Rome Overview

Here’s a summary of what to do in Rome in 3 days, with all the activities mentioned in this itinerary. This is the perfect trip plan for someone looking for what to visit in Rome in 3 days, or Rome for the weekend.

  • Day 1: See the sights! Tick off the Pantheon, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain and more.
  • Day 2: Explore the Vatican Museums + Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, Castello Sant’Angelo and grab a dinner at Campo de’ Fiori
  • Day 3: Today’s about Ancient Rome. Visit the Colosseum, Roman Forum + Palatine Hill and take a food tour in Trastevere

Get skip-the-line tickets, guided tours and access to over 35 of Rome’s top attractions with a GoCity® Pass. You’ll save up to 50% compared to buying individual attraction tickets & can get the pass straight to your phone.

Day 1: See the sights of Rome

1. Piazza Navona

Piazza Navona is one of the most beautiful squares in the historic centre of Rome (Roma Centro Storico) and, as you can imagine, there’s some pretty tough competition for that title!

From the middle of the square, you’ll be able to admire, fountains, art and stunning buildings. And, after all, beauty like this is probably why you’re visiting Rome in the first place!

One of the best times to visit Piazza Navona is first thing in the morning; ideally before 8 am. At this time you’ll get the piazza mostly to yourself and it just makes it feel extra special. However, even if you visit a bit later and it’s busy, sometimes people-watching can be one of the best things to do in a new city.

Years ago Piazza Navona used to be the place for people to go and watch sports and festivals. These days there are still performances to be seen but on a less grand scale. You’ll find artists, musicians and other street performers making the square a lively place to be.

In the middle of Piazza Navona is Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi which was designed in 1651 by Bernini. There are some beautiful sculptures making up the fountain which you can admire too.

Top Rome travel tip: Avoid eating near the top Rome attractions mentioned in this Rome 3 day itinerary. Restaurants around tourist hot spots jack the prices up and usually aren’t as good. Walk a good few streets away for cheaper prices and better food!

2. Pantheon

The Best 3 Days in Rome Itinerary best things to do in rome in 3 days pantheon

A 5-minute walk away from Piazza Navona is the Pantheon in Piazza della Rotonda. This is one of the most well-preserved relics and is a must see in Rome in 3 days.

The Pantheon dates back to 126-128 AD. It was a Roman temple that since became Catholic. Today, the Pantheon is the burial place of people including the first King of Italy (Vittorio Emanuele II) and famous artists. Catholic Mass is regularly held inside the Pantheon too.

You can few the architecture from the outside or head inside to experience it completely. Going inside is worth doing so you can witness the original marble floor from Ancient Rome, the Renaissance frescoes, paintings and statues.

You can also book a Pantheon guided tour to get more information about what you’re seeing. If you’re sticking to a budget, you can go inside for free and have a look around or purchase this audio tour of the Pantheon to download. That way you can learn more about what’s going on at your own pace.

  • Opening Hours: 9 am – 7 pm daily (last entry 6:30 pm)
  • Entrance Fees: Free
  • Guided Tour Options: Pantheon Guided Tour | Pantheon Audio Tour
  • Good to know: Must book your visit on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays

3. Piazza del Campidoglio (Capitoline Hill)

3 days in rome itinerary 3
View from the hill

From the Pantheon, it’s time to head to Piazza del Campidoglio at the top of Capitoline Hill. Piazza del Campidoglio was designed by Michelangelo and was the first modern square in the Eternal City!

At this piazza, you’ll find incredible sculptures and a great view of the Roman Forum near the Colleseum. It was one of my favourite views from wandering around Rome!

You can also go inside the Capitoline Museums to admire art, sculptures and paintings. This museum takes a few hours to fully appreciate, so if you plan on doing this you may need 4 days in Rome, or do this instead of Villa Borghese.

4. Altare della Patria (Piazza Venezia)

Nextdoor to Piazza del Campidoglio is the Altare della Patria in Piazza Venezia. This is one of the most eye-catching monuments in Rome.

The building was constructed as a tribute to Vittorio Emanuele II who was the first King of Italy. The building itself was inaugurated in 1911. There are rows of Corinthian columns, marble staircases and beautiful architecture abound.

It’s worth spending a little while here walking around Piazza Venezia to view the monument from different angles. You can also take a lift up to the panoramic terrace where you can enjoy views of Rome’s historic centre. It’s one of the best views of the city!

  • Entrance Fees: €12 for the terrace

5. Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore

There are plenty of beautiful basilicas in Rome, but Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore is somewhat of a hidden gem. It’s one of the quieter options and so after exploring some of Rome’s top attractions, a visit to this area can give you a bit of calm.

Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore is the largest church in Rome and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It was built in the 4th Century and renovated later on in the 18th Century. As a result, there’s an impressive mix of architectural styles!

Rome travel hack: Visiting in early August? A light show takes place in Piazza Santa Maria Maggiore annually on August 5th!

  • Opening hours: 7 am-6.45 pm, loggia guided tours 9.30 am-5.45 pm
  • Entrance Fees: Basilica free, museum €3

6. Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi)

trevi fountain rome itinerary 3 days

I’d hazard a guess that you’ve heard of the Trevi Fountain. Aside from the Colosseum, it’s probably the top attraction in Rome! The Trevi Fountain, or Fontana di Trevi, is the largest Baroque Fountain in Rome and is such an impressive sight!

It’s recently undergone some refurbishment so it’s looking even more impressive than ever.

Completed in 1762, the Trevi Fountain is 26m tall and 49 wide. It’s got beautiful sculptures all around it too. Make sure you’ve bought a few coins as it’s traditional to throw a coin into the water. You’re supposed to throw with your right hand over your left shoulder.

The coins are collected annually and donated to local charities, so whether you believe this will bring you good luck or not, it’s all for a good cause!

Because this is such an iconic Rome attraction, it’ll be heaving with tourists pretty much at all times of the day. However, early morning or at night will give you a little bit of respite.

7. Rome Spanish Steps (Piazza di Spagna)

The Best 3 Days in Rome Itinerary spanish steps things to do in 3 days in rome

Another iconic thing to do in Rome is to visit the Spanish Steps. They’re about a 10-minute walk away from the Trevi Fountain along the Via del Corso.

At the Spanish Steps, it’s not just the staircase you can admire. There’s also the Fontana della Barcaccia (“Fountain of the Leaky Boat”). This fountain commemorates the flooding of the River Tiber in 1598.

There are 174 steps making up the Spanish Steps. Part way up, at the first terrace you reach, there’s a great view of Rome’s fashion shopping district; Via dei Condotti.

As you summit the staircase you’ll also get incredible views of the city in general. Spend some time taking in the view and browsing some of the artworks and portraits in progress from the street artists.

Need to know: As of 2019, it’s forbidden to sit on the Spanish Steps. This is in order to preserve them as they’re a UNESCO Heritage Site. If you dirty or damage the steps you could be fined up to €400!

8. Villa Borghese

Villa Borghese sits in one of the best parks in Rome and is a solid addition to your 3 days itinerary in Rome.

Enjoy wandering around the park, sitting on the benches for a moment (perhaps with some cannoli), or enjoying the sculptures and fountains. The Villa Borghese gardens are so beautiful!

There’s also Laghetto di Villa Borghese, a lake where you can rent a boat for an hour or so. Alternatively, rent a bike from either of the locations inside the park and cycle about. They’re both fun things to do in Rome if you’re looking for something a bit different!

9. Galleria Borghese

If you didn’t visit the Capitoline Museums earlier in the day, now’s the time to get your museum fix.

Galeria Borghese is arguably one of the best museums in Rome and it sits to the east of Villa Borghese.

Inside there is a huge art collection with masterpieces from well-known artists. The building itself is also impressive, as you might have expected.

10. Terrazza del Pincio and Piazza del Popolo

The Best 3 Days in Rome Itinerary piazza del popolo rome

There is one more top thing to do in Rome in this area and that’s visiting the Terrazza del Pincio. From up here, there are beautiful views of Rome and those only get better if you’ve timed your visit for sunset!

You can watch as the city’s top attractions light up and can see all the way out to Vatican City too! Just below the Terrazza is the Piazza del Popolo which used to be the northern gate of Rome. It’s where people would arrive when they visited the city. There’s also an Egyptian obelisk in the centre of the piazza as well as some churches.

There are usually some musicians here which just makes this spot even more special.

Day 2: Vatican City and Trastevere food tour

Explore Vatican City and enjoy a food tour in the beautiful Trastevere neighbourhood.

1. Vatican City + the famous Sistine Chapel

inside sistine chapel rome

The Vatican City, its museums and the Sistine Chapel are many people’s highlights of Rome. It takes the best part of a day to explore and so this day of your 3-day Rome itinerary is spent at the Vatican.

Vatican City is actually its own country; the smallest country in the world! At the centre is The Vatican which is where the Pope lives.

The main things to visit in Vatican City are the museums and St. Peter’s Basilica. You can do it either way round but expect long queues. The best times to visit the Vatican museums are either first thing in the morning (at least 30 minutes before opening in summer), or in mid-afternoon when most people are done with their visit. Mid-morning visits mean looooong queues!

Honestly, it’s probably worth spending the extra € and getting a skip-the-line ticket for the Vatican Museums. And, since other museums in Rome are closed on Monday, avoid visiting the Vatican Museums on a Monday as it’s most popular then.

The main sight of the Vatican Museums is the Sistine Chapel. It took Michelangelo 4 years to paint and the chapel is covered in outstanding frescoes. You can see why it’s so popular!

Booking a guided tour means you get to skip the lines and find out more about what you’re seeing. However, if that’s not your thing, or you want to save a little bit of money, you can download a Rick Steeve audio guide and wander at your own pace while also learning more.

2. St. Peter’s Basilica & Cupola

3 days in rome itinerary vatican

St. Peter’s Basilica took over 100 years to complete and it’s the biggest church in the world. The cupola, the dome, is also the world’s tallest and it’s possible to climb the stairs to the top to get an incredible view of the city below.

Climbing to the top is one of the best things to do when visiting St. Peter’s Basilica. You should aim to do this earlier, or later, in the day to avoid the heat and the long queues.

These days, you can avoid some of the stairs by taking a lift to the terrace and then climbing 320 stairs to the top. Alternatively, you can climb all 551 steps yourself.

Inside St. Peter’s Basilica, you’ll see The Pietà, a statue of St Peter on this throne by Michelangelo, and a large bronze piece by Bernini. On Michelangelo’s statue, you may notice the foot has worn down as people touch it. Everything inside is beautiful and well deserving of a spot on your 3 days in Rome itinerary!

  • Opening hours: 7 am – 7 pm, daily in summer | 7 am – 6:30 pm, daily (Oct-March)
  • Entrance fees: Free to enter the Basilica, €8 to take the lift + stairs, €6 to climb all stairs
  • Guided tours: This Vatican tour includes the lift + steps climb and priority access to Vatican museums. Plus, you’ll get access to the restricted entrance to St Peter’s.

3. Castel Sant’Angelo

castel santangelo rome itinerary

From St. Peter’s Basilica, it’s time to visit Castel Sant’Angelo; an old fortress. The fortress is said to be from 139 AD and was built by Emperor Hadrian. It was intended to be a tomb for the Emperor and has also been used as a place for the Pope to stay.

These days you can go inside to see the various rooms, enjoy views of Rome and learn more about the city. There are five floors and on the upper level, there’s a terrace which has the best views.

Rome Travel Hack: If you’re trip to Rome coincides with June 29th, visit Castel Sant’Angelo for an incredible fireworks display!

Afterwards, be sure to take a walk along the Ponte Sant’Angelo right in front of the castle for even more lovely views.

Tickets for Castel Sant’Angelo are done in 1.5-hour time slots and you must enter at the exact time on your ticket. Book in advance, or join a guided tour in order to visit.

  • Opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 9 am – 5:30 pm
  • Entrance fees: Adults, €12 | EU citizens under 25, €2 | Skip the line ticket

6. Trastevere Food Tour

trastevere 3 days in rome itinerary

The beautiful Trastevere neighbourhood of Rome was new to me on my most recent visit. It’s got narrow cobblestone alleys, medieval houses and cute bars and restaurants. It reminded me a little of Le Marais in Paris.

Trastevere is especially good for foodies who are looking to taste authentic Italian cuisine while visiting Rome. Some of the best restaurants in the area are Meridionale, Tonnarello and La Tavernetta 29. All three are open for both lunch and dinner but it’s at night time that Trastevere comes alive; making it one of the best free things to do in Rome at night.

Walk up an appetite for all that food awaiting you on your evening food tour by exploring the cobblestone streets, the small museums, churches (such as Basilica di Santa Maria; one of Rome’s oldest churches) and leather shops.

This street food and sightseeing tour of Rome comes with 5 food tastings and a beer and wine tasting. In between tastings, you’ll learn more about the area from your guide.

If you want to plan your own sort of street food tour, getting a slice of pizza from La Renella Forno Antico Trastevere is a good place to start. You choose how much you want, and pay by weight. Follow this up with some ice cream from Gelateria del Viale.

Day 3 in Rome: Ancient Rome

Today is all about Ancient Rome and is your last day.

1. Colosseum

The Best 3 Days in Rome Itinerary colosseum in rome 3 day itinerary

The Colosseum is synonymous with Rome. If you’ve never visited Rome before then the Colosseum is a must-do!

Your second day in Rome starts with a visit to the Colosseum to explore this iconic building that’s around 2,000 years old.

Dating back to 80AD the Colosseum became the best amphitheatre of the time and was the main entertainment hub of the Roman Empire.

With space to hold over 50,000 people, crowds watched as gladiators fought each others and animals in bloody fights. These games were prime entertainment for centuries and it’s believed over half a million people lost their lives.

Today, only part of the Colosseum is still standing. This is a result of both natural and human disasters. However, it’s designated one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World and is one of the most popular things to do in Rome.

To visit the Colosseum you should plan in advance and book your ticket to avoid massive queues. You have the option of either a guided tour or just an entrance ticket. There are pros and cons to each.

Guided Tour

✔︎ Fastest way to get in
✔︎ Get history from an expert guide
✔︎ Access to restricted areas
✔︎ Includes Forum and Palatine Hill tour
✗ More expensive

Entrance Only

✔︎ Explore at your own pace
✔︎ Cheaper
✗ Long queues (skip-the-line available)
✗ Can’t access all areas

2. Roman Forum + Palatine Hill

3 days in rome itinerary roman forum 2

Next to the Colosseum are the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill. You’ll have seen bits of this from when you were wandering around Capitoline Hill.

If you’ve bought a ticket to the Colosseum, you’ll also get access to these two top things to see in Rome.

As you wander around the Roman Forum it doesn’t take too much imagination to imagine what it was like here in Ancient Rome.

The Forum was once at the centre of social, political and religious life during the Roman Empire. These days you can see the ruins of these important buildings which were excavated in 1898.

Palatine Hill is nearby and is considered to be the birthplace of the city. There is some beautiful ancient architecture but perhaps the highlight is the incredible view you get of the Colosseum.

4. Mouth of Truth (Bocca della Verità)

The Mouth of Truth is an interesting sculpture on a wall made out of marble and in the shape of a face. The legend is that you should stick your hand inside and if it bites you then you must have lied.

There’s usually a rather big line of people at the Mouth of Truth waiting to get their photo. You can decide whether or not to join the line and put this ancient lie detector to the test!

  • Opening hours: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm daily
  • Entrance fees: €2

5. Campo de’Fiori

Head along the river, or the side streets to Campo de’Fiori. If you’ve switched up the itinerary and are stopping by Campo de’Fiori you may be in time to see the farmer’s markets. At night, however, it’s a buzzing place for grabbing a few drinks.

Enjoy an Aperol spritz, or similar aperitivo while you reflect on your second day in Rome.

Rome 3 day itinerary map

Here’s a map of how to spend 3 days in Rome including all the stops mentioned in this 3 days in Rome itinerary. You can click here to see it in full on Google Maps.

3 days in rome itinerary
Click to view map

When is the best time to visit Rome?

As a super popular tourism destination, Rome never really has an off-season. While there are some times of the year when it’s a bit quieter than others, this usually coincides with worse weather.

High season: Peak tourist season is mid-May to early September, especially July and August with school and university summer holidays. Weather is at its best though with warmer and longer days.

Shoulder seasons: Mid-March to mid-May and mid-September to early November. Crowds drop off a bit during these months and temperatures can be warm but not too hot or too cold. It’s still a popular time though so booking tickets to Rome’s top sights are recommended.

Low season: Mid-November to early March. Temperatures are much colder during the winter months but there are a lot fewer crowds. While hotel prices are higher and attractions busier during Christmas and New Year, crowds will generally be lower than in the summer high season.

Best restaurants in Rome for your 3 days in Rome itinerary

There is an abundance of top-quality restaurants in Rome and chances are you won’t go too far wrong wherever you end up.

Do try and avoid eating right next to one of the top places to visit in Rome in 3 days though as you’ll pay more for lower-quality dishes.

  • Marzapane: one for a special occasion with a renowned chef and 3 or 5-course tasting menus.
  • Pizzarium: Pizza by the slice with great topping combinations
  • Testaccio: Old school Italian restaurant that’s perfect for a mid-week lunch
  • Trattoria Pennestri: Relaxed vibes, good food. Make sure to order their sweet and salty chocolate dessert!

Tips for Safety in Rome

Unlike many of the cities in the US we visited on our USA road trip, or places in Canada we’ve been to, travelling in Europe comes with a few more safety risks. There are typically more pickpockets about and more scam artists looking to get what they can from unsuspecting tourists.

While I’ve fortunately never had a problem, you need to use your common sense and keep your wits about you.

Don’t accept anything someone tries to give you and keep valuables in a bag you can zip up rather than in open pockets. This way you’ll hopefully come back with everything you started with as you tick off these Rome things to do in 3 days.

FAQs about how to plan a Rome itinerary 3 days long

Is 3 days in Rome enough?

3 days in Rome is enough to see some of the top sights in Rome including the Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum and the Pantheon. However, you can always spend longer in this beautiful city,

How do I plan 3 days in Rome?

I’ve put together this Rome itinerary based on my multiple trips to the city. It covers everything you need to know for seeing Rome in 3 days.

Final thoughts on what to see in Rome in 3 days

When it comes to what. todo in Rome for 3 days you might first find it hard to narrow things down. There is so much to see in Rome from historical sights to museums, beautiful architecture, restaurants, viewpoints and more that you could spend 3 years in Rome and not see it all.

However, this 3 day Rome itinerary should help you plan your trip. It includes some of the top sights in Rome including the Colosseum and the Pantheon, but also a few things that some travellers miss during their visit to Rome in 3 days like Trastevere.

If you have longer than three days in Rome, you could visit more of the museums or take things at a more chilled-out pace.

Colosseum + Palatine Hill

The Colosseum is synonymous with Rome. If you've never visited Rome before then the Colosseum is a must.  This ticket includes the Pantheon too. 

Vatican City + Sistine Chapel

You can't miss this beautiful thing to do in Rome! Book skip the line tickets to avoid the long queues.

Travastere Food Tour

Italy is known for its delicious food! Take a food tour to visit some of the best spots in the cool Trastevere neighbourhood.

Last Updated on June 9, 2023 by Hannah

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply