3 days in Rome: The Best 3 Days Rome Itinerary

Planning to spend 3 days in Rome and don’t know where to begin? This 3 days Rome itinerary shall help you make the most of your time without feeling rushed!

Rome is the quintessential destination for any trip to Italy. The capital has a whole host of historical landmarks and museums that house some of the best pieces of Italian art.

We visited Rome during our 2 weeks in Italy. Hence, we have created this Rome Itinerary with the cumulative experience of ours and our friends’ who have visited Rome a number of times.

This itinerary is the best way to explore Rome in 3 days. You will not only be able to see all the major attractions in Rome but also experience its culture through food and secret spots that only locals know of.

Rome is a vast city with a lot to offer. If you wish to see Rome in 3 days only, you need to plan ahead to make sure you don’t waste your time in lines or fall into any tourist traps.

Also, if you refer the following Italy travel blog posts, you can upgrade a good Italy trip to a GREAT Italian Adventure!

• Our Complete 14 Days Italy Itinerary for an amazing first trip to Italy
• 1To Make the most of your time in Rome: A fully Packed 3 Days in Rome Itinerary
• Save Time and Money by following our Cinque Terre Itinerary that allows you to cover all the 5 villages in One Day!
• Absorb culture and beauty of Florence and the surrounding Region of Tuscany by copying our 3 Days Florence Itinerary
• A detailed guide to Venice and its surroundings by following our highly detailed 3 Days in Venice itinerary
• Explore the best of Milan in a single day with this perfectly planned One Day Milan itinerary
• Bring back a piece of Italy with you by shopping from this extensive list of Unique Italy Souvenirs

Also, if you refer the following Italy travel blog posts, you can upgrade a good Italy trip to a GREAT Italian Adventure!

Day 1 of 3 Days in Rome

We recommend starting every day of our 3 Days Rome itinerary early in the morning as that is when the popular tourist sites shall not be crowded. This enables you to enjoy the place better and get some amazing, people-free shots for Instagram.

On day 1 of your 3 days in Rome itinerary, we’re going to cover the following:

1. Piazza Navona
2. Pantheon
3. Vatican Museums
4. Sistine Chapel
5. St. Peter’s Basilica
6. Castel St. Angelo

Continue reading to explore what they have to offer

Piazza Navona

Start your 3 days in Rome itinerary by visiting the most popular piazza in Rome. In our opinion, Piazza Navona is the most majestic square in all of Rome.

And since our opinion is similar to a plethora of tourists that flock to this square, it’s best to visit it early in the morning before it gets crowded. We recommend visiting some time around 7 AM to get the entire square to yourself.

The square is adorned with breath-taking works of art and architecture all around.

However, the main attraction is the Fountain of the Four Rivers (Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi) designed by the famous Italian sculptor, Bernini in the 17^th Century. The 4 fountains represent the 4 rivers in the 4 corners of the world – Nile, Ganges, Rio De La Plata and Danube. There are also a couple of other fountains in the square that add to its splendor.

After getting your crowd free pictures with the famous fountain and the Piazza Navona, see the city come to life. You shall see numerous vendors and street artists setting up shop. You will also, smell the aroma from street side cafes as they open for business.

💡Insider Tip: Have your breakfast in one of the lanes connecting the Piazza to the Pantheon, as most of the cafes in the square are tourist traps. Don’t be lured in by the restaurant staff asking you to have a seat.

Palazzo Pamphilj

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A gem hiding in plain sight! The Palazzo Pamphili is one of the hidden gems in our 3 days in Rome itinerary.

It is an ornate 17^th century, baroque style mansion with a private art gallery containing works of Raphael, Carvaggio and Titian. Collection amounts to a total of 400 works of art from these esteemed artistes.

The highlight of the building is the frescoed ceilings over the passage decorated with sculptures and lamps. It has just started to become a rage on Instagram because of the lack of tourists and the amazing pictures you can take in the artistic passage.

It is located in the southern corner of the Piazza Navona from where you shall be walking to the Pantheon. By visiting early in the morning after your Piazza Navona visit, you will not face any crowds.

Also, you can get an amazing view and snap of the Piazza Navona from one of the balconies of Palazzo Pamphilj.

The palace is currently the seat of the Brazilian Embassy but certain artistic rooms of the palace are open for visiting.

Pantheon

Distance: 7-minute walk from Piazza Navona

After breakfast, head to the oldest preserved monument in Rome, the Pantheon. The Pantheon was built in 27 BC by Marcus Agrippa and his name is visible at the top of the building.

The architecture of the Pantheon is marvelous and is famously acknowledged by the renowned sculptor, Michelangelo too.

This ancient monument was dedicated as a temple to the 12 Roman Gods when it was built; but it was converted to a church in 609 AD. Today, it continues to operate as a church.

However, it also houses the graves of prominent Italian personalities like the first King of Italy Vittorio Emanuele II and Renaissance artist Rafael.

Entrance to the Pantheon is free, but you might have to wait in a long line.

We recommend opting for this highly rated Pantheon Guided Tour. You will not only learn the history and folklore about the Pantheon but it will also give you priority entry so that you don’t waste time in queues.

Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel

Distance: 20 minutes by bus from Pantheon

Catch Bus number 492 from the Senato bus stop located near the Pantheon and de-board at Bastioni Di Michelangelo to reach the famous Vatican Museums in the Vatican City.

The Vatican city is the smallest country in the world and is located within Rome.

Vatican Museums are considered to house some of the greatest collections of art including Raphael’s School Athens and Michelangelo’s “Creation of Adam”.

The main attractions are the Raphael rooms, The Tapestries Hall and the Map Room. The exit staircase is also a work of art and an Instagram sensation with its double helical design.

However, the biggest highlight is the Sistine Chapel. The frescoes on the ceiling were painted by Michelangelo and includes the world-famous painting “The Creation of Adam”.

It is truly beautiful especially considering that Michelangelo was a sculptor and not a painter.

As there is a plethora of art and history seeping through the Vatican museums, it’s best that you experience it through a highly rated guided tour like this one.

It will not only help you understand the history and the art but also guarantee that you don’t waste any time in lines. Lines in popular spots are a strict no-no in your fully packed Rome itinerary.

Insider Tips to Visiting the Vatican Museums

• An absolute must is to book a skip the line entry ticket like this one to ensure zero wastage of time in lines.
• The best time to visit the Vatican Museums is post lunch at 1 PM. Tourists start queueing at 8:30 AM in the morning for a 9 AM entrance. Majority of these tourists have exited the building by lunch time and the subsequent crowds are pretty thin.
• Dress Appropriately. Everyone is required to cover their shoulders, knees and necklines.
• Avoid visiting on weekends and Mondays because the museums are most crowded.
• By booking this Vatican Museum guided tour you can not only skip the lines but also enter the museum an hour before opening time!

St. Peter’s Basilica

Distance: 2 min. walk from Sistine Chapel through a secret exit

After visiting the Vatican Museums, head to St. Peter’s Basilica. It is the Holiest pilgrimage site of the Catholic Church and took a whopping 120 years to construct.

It is also the largest church on earth! The Basilica is free to enter but the lines can get really long. One of our friends had to wait for almost 3 hours to visit!

💡Pro Tip: There is a restricted passage way from the Sistine Chapel to St. Peter’s Basilica but it is accessible only to tours that include the basilica as well. This saves you 20 minutes of walking back to the St, Peter’s Square and the time that will get wasted in the lines. We recommend this official guided tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica.

If you are visiting during the late afternoon like us, you can also climb the Dome (Cupola) of the Basilica. It offers incredible views of the setting sun over the historic Roman skyline.

You will need to climb 551 steps by foot to reach the Dome. You can also take the elevator to the terrace and climb the remaining 320 steps by foot. Don’t be scared by the number of steps, the views are totally worth it.

Castel St. Angelo

Distance: 10 minute walk from St. Peter’s Basilica

While we are on the topic of breath-taking views of Rome, head over to Castel St. Angelo. It is a military fortress that was used to protect the Pope and it dates back to 139 AD.

You can visit this historical monument and see the room where the Pope used to reside during a siege. Also interesting, is a secret passage that he used to escape and best of all, are the views from the terrace.

We scheduled our visit in the evening to witness the Eternal city of Rome clad in the orange hues of the sunset.

Entry is allowed only in batches every 1.5 hours starting from 9 AM. Hence, book your skip the line ticket in advance.

After your visit, stroll the Ponte Sant Angelo, the beautiful bridge right in front of the Castle. The bridge is lined with beautiful statues and provides great vantage points for that revered Instagram shot.

💡Insider Tip: You can head down to the Lungotevere for a relaxing walk beside the river. The path offers some great shots of the Basilica and the castle. Pack some pasta from a nearby taverna with a bottle of wine and you can have nice picnic on the banks.

For dinner, we highly recommend this evening food tour (⭐4.9/5) that shows you the best places to enjoy a meal in Rome. Food helps you truly absorb the culture of a place and it needs to be authentic.

An evening food tour with a local will help you do both. Moreover, you can repeat those tried and tested restaurants on day 2 and day 3 of your 3 day Rome trip.

That brings us to the end of Day 1 of our Rome itinerary.

Day 2 of 3 days in Rome

On day 2 of our Rome itinerary for 3 days, we shall be exploring the historical part of Rome.

Start early in the morning to cover the first two spots listed below and then head over to the Colosseum to get some great pictures before it gets crowded.

We shall be covering the following on day 2 in Rome:

1. Piazza Venezia
2. Piazza del Campidoglio
3. Colosseum
4. Roman Forum and Palantine hill
5. Mouth of Truth
6. Giardino Degli Aranci (Orange Gardens)
7. Chic Neighborhood of Trastevere

Let’s delve into the details.

Piazza Venezia

Set off early in the morning to visit one of the most majestic squares in Rome – Piazza Venezia. This Piazza houses the grand Altare della Patria, a monument constructed as a tribute to the first king of Italy.

The monument is made entirely from marble and is a stunning piece of architecture with its Corinthian columns. People often compare its architecture to that of a regal wedding cake because of its semi-circular structure.

The Piazza will certainly be empty this early in the morning giving you an unprecedented opportunity to click some crowd free pictures.

Piazza Venezia is also the central square of city as every road in Rome ends up in this square. All roads lead to Rome, but all the roads in Rome lead to Piazza Venezia. 😅

💡Insider Tip: It’s best to cover both the Piazzas early in the morning as later in the day they get super crowded not just because of tourists but also locals. We recommend starting the day at around 6:30 just like we did. You’ll thank us for the pictures!

Piazza del Campidoglio

Distance: 3 Min walk from Alter Dela Patria

Right next to the Piazza Venezia is the stunning Capitoline Hill that houses the Piazza del Campidoglio. This modern square is designed by the world-renowned sculptor Michelangelo.

The square is sort of like a hidden gem and you might not see a lot of tourists here even later in the day.

However, it is a stunning piece of modern design and houses sculptures of Marcus Aurelius and the she-wolf in the Capitoline museums. You can visit the museum later on in the day if you have time.

💡Insider Tip: You can have a stunning view of the Roman Forum from the back of the square. Not a lot of people know this but the Capitoline hill is thus a secret Instagram spot of Rome.

Colosseum

Distance: 15 min scenic walk from Campidoglio

After getting people-free pictures of the two piazzas, head to the biggest attraction of Rome – the Colosseum.

If you follow this guide to the word, you shall reach there before 8 AM and will be able to click some stunning pictures with the monument.

The Colosseum is gigantic and is rightly listed as one of the Seven wonders of the Modern World! No wonder the word colossal is derived from this humungous piece of history and architecture!

The Colosseum is the largest amphitheater in the world with a seating capacity of more than 50,000 people when it was operational!

If you visit during the peak season, it’ll feel like that’s the number of tourists in the monument. Hence, it’s imperative to book a skip the line ticket.

Buy a skip the line ticket to the Colosseum to avoid wasting your time in lines. It is barely €3 costlier than a standard ticket but saves you a ton of time.

The ticket also includes entry to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. After COVID, there’s a cap on the number of visitors per day, so make sure you book in advance.

For the best experience, book a guided tour like this one. It not only gives you priority entry to skip the lines but also enhances your experience 10-fold.

Through a guided tour, you shall maximize your time, won’t miss any key places and will be able to take amazing pictures of the place!

Moreover, there’s hardly any major difference between the guided tour ticket and skip the line ticket!

Roman Forum and Palatine Hill

Included in your Colosseum ticket is entry to the Roman forum and Palatine hill.

The Roman forum was the center point of political, social, economic and religious life of the Romans. It is home to temples, shrines, the senate and the iconic Septimius Severus arch.

A guided tour like this one shall help understand the history behind the ruins perfectly.

Next to the Roman Forum lies the Palatine Hill that is considered by many as the birthplace of Rome. There are several other ruins or temples and arches to explore on Palatine hill.

However, the highlight of the hill is the panoramic view of the Colosseum it offers.

Mouth of Truth

Distance: 20 min walk from Palantine Hill via Circo Massimo

Take a historical walk from the exit of the Palatine hill through the Circo Massimo and reach Bocca Dela Verita (Mouth of Truth).

Circo Massimo is an attraction in itself as this is where ancient Romans used to have their famous chariot races. Today it is a green space with ruins of a stone and marble arena that could seat 250,000 people!

The Mouth of truth is basically just a marble mask on the wall. However, what makes it a must-visit attraction is an ancient legend.

The legend states that if you put your hand inside the mouth, it’ll bite your hand if you lie. It’s a good place for short visit and an Instagram shot as it’s on the way to our next attraction.

Giardino di Aranci (Orange Gardens)

Distance: 10 min walk from Mouth of Truth

A short walk away from the Mouth of Truth are the Orange Gardens. A haven of peace and tranquility in contrast to the bustling tourists outside.

The garden is full of orange trees that adorn its avenues providing a welcome change of scenery from the stone ruins across Rome.

It is a serene place to relax after the busy morning you’ve had in the historical center. Its belvedere (vantage point) provides unprecedented views for Rome.

Locals and also some tourists come here to rest between the day; some tourists even indulge in a quick siesta on the park benches.

Don’t skip this place if you wish to continue with the rest of day 2 of this 3 day Rome itinerary. It’s a great place to rest and recuperate before heading out for a fun evening in Trastevere.

Trastevere

End your Day 2 in Rome in the trendy and hip neighborhood of Trastevere.

It is the most picturesque neighborhood of Rome with narrow cobblestone streets and medieval houses that are a signature of Rome.

However, the main attraction in this part of town are the restaurants! Locals and tourists believe that this neighborhood has the best restaurants in all of Rome.

So, make sure that you settle down for aperitif at one of the many gorgeous street side cafes. Because of the amazing food options, taking a food tour in Trastevere is also a splendid idea.

Once you’re done tasting the best of Roman cuisine, you can also visit one of the oldest churches in Rome – Basilica di Santa Maria. It is located in the beautiful Piazza di Santa Maria which is a sight in itself!

Day 3 of 3 Days in Rome: Central Rome

The day 3 of your Rome Itinerary for 3 days will include a couple of free but iconic sites of Rome, a hidden Instagram gem and the richest private museum in Rome. We shall end the day with a night tour of the historical center.

We shall be covering the following on Day 3 in Rome:

1. Trevi Fountain
2. Spanish Steps
3. Doria Panphili Gallery
4. Villa Borghese and Borghese Gallery
5. Night Tour of the Historic Centre

By starting the day as early as possible, you will get some extremely beautiful pictures of the sites. So, keep your camera batteries and phones charged.

Trevi Fountain

There’s no way you’re planning a trip of 3 days in Rome and you haven’t heard of the Trevi fountain!

Built in the year 1762, it is the Largest and grandest Baroque fountain in Rome. It was built above an ancient water source and you can take a guided tour of the underground aqueduct later in the day.

There’s a popular tradition where you toss a coin with your right hand over your left shoulder into the fountain.

Legend says that if you do so, you’ll be returning to Rome pretty soon. The coins collected from the fountain go towards a charity cause. Roughly €3000 are collected per day from the fountain!

💡Pro Tip: The Trevi fountain is always swarming with tourists and that is why you need to visit it first thing in the morning. Visiting just before or around sunrise ensures that you get the place to yourself. Take in the majestic beauty of the masterpiece and get some rare, people-free pictures with the Trevi fountain.

💡Insider Trip: Most of the restaurants in front of the Trevi fountain are tourist traps except for the hidden gem – L’antico Forno Di Piazza Trevi. This café offers amazing views of the Trevi fountain and has delicious chocolate croissants, reasonably priced coffee and budget friendly paninis! If you visit in the morning, you’ll be served the first batch of croissants. Definitely the best place for breakfast on the third day of your 3 days in Rome.

Spanish Steps

Distance: 8 min walk from the Trevi fountain

Even after you’ve clicked those amazing crowd free pictures at the Trevi Fountain and had your breakfast at the above-mentioned café, it’ll still be pretty early.

Make the most of this time by heading to another free and popular attraction of Rome – the Spanish Steps.

The Spanish steps are pretty crowded during the rest of the day, so its imperative that you capitalize on your early morning escapade and visit the iconic location for some amazing people-free pictures.

The Spanish steps connect the Piazza Sagna with the Holy Trinity Church. The climb is an arduous 174 steps but the view at the top makes it worth the effort.

Please note that it is illegal to sit on the Spanish Steps since Italy Tourism released a new set of rules in 2019. A lot of unsuspecting tourists have been fined around €400 for the same.

🧠Trivia: Ever wondered why they’re called the Spanish Steps? The Spanish Steps are named after the Spanish Embassy that is established in the square. So, Spanish Embassy ➡ Spanish Square ➡ Spanish Steps.

Villa Borghese and Borghese Gallery and Museum

Distance: 15 min walk from Spanish Steps

This shall be one of the most peaceful experiences among the best things to do in Rome in 3 days.

Villa Borghese is the most charming park in Rome with gardens, forests, lakes and fountains. It is a very welcome escape from the bustling tourist centers.

I know, a lot of people disdain at the mention of a park as a tourist attraction. But trust us, you’ll thank us for this recommendation.

Pack a picnic basket or some go-to food from a nearby pizzeria and head to Villa Borghese. Explore the superbly green park adorned with beautiful sculptures and fountains.

You’ll be surrounded by beautiful trees, chirping birds, kids and dogs playing around and locals on a family picnic. You can also rent a boat at the lake inside the park or explore the park on a bike or peddle cart.

We packed some go-to lunch, rented bikes and explored the green expanse at our leisurely pace.

Located inside Villa Borghese is the Borghese Gallery, one of the most impressive private museums in Rome. The museum houses stunning masterpieces of Raphael, Botticelli, Tiziano and Carvaggio.

It is a definite must-visit for anyone who enjoys art and a guided tour not only enhances your experience but also makes your entry to the gallery smoother.

There are certain rules for entry to Borghese Gallery:

• Advance booking is a must (book your entry tickets here).
• Each visitor is given 2 hours to admire the art in the gallery to avoid unnecessary crowding.
• You can only enter on the whole hour. (i.e. you can enter at 2 PM or 3 PM but not at 2:30 PM or 3:45 PM)
• A guided tour is the best way to make the most of your 2 hours. We’ve recommended our tour below.

Doria Pamphilj Gallery

Distance: 20 min walk from Villa Borghese

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After spending a wonderful morning in Villa Borghese, it’s time to explore another Hidden Gem on your Rome in 3 days itinerary.

Doria Pamphilj Gallery is located in the Palazzo Doria Pamphilj (Not to be confused with Palazzo Pamphilj above) on the way to the historic center from Villa Borghese.

This opulent palace was our favorite private gallery in all of Rome. Not only does it house some of the best paintings, but it also has one of the most beautifully decorated interiors.

Inside, the walls are covered in floor to ceiling paintings by renowned Italian painters like Raphael, Caravaggio, Bernini, Titian and Tintoretto.

They are set in ornate halls of this beautiful palace still owned by the Doria Pamphilj family. It is an amazing place to spend the afternoon after lunch as the crowds thin out and you might even get the place to yourself.

Take your time admiring the paintings, the ceiling frescoes, the chandelier-lit halls and the splendid architecture of the gallery.

As always, you can opt for the recommended guided tour below to enhance your experience further!

Night Tour of the Historic Center

What better way to end your final day in Rome than by revisiting all the Roman masterpieces again after dark? Take a walk after sundown in the historic city center or Rome and see everything come back to life.

All the epic monuments like the Colosseum, Roman Forum, the buildings of Piazza Venezia and Piazza Navona are lit up, creating a splendid, almost romantic set up.

Additionally, there are considerably fewer tourists and hence, locals at night. Thus, you are guaranteed an epic last few hours in Rome.

You can simply wander around the streets with a gelato in hand or you can do what we did.

We booked this E-bike Night Tour with Food and Wine Tasting. In this tour, you are guided by a local historian around the city on e-bikes.

You’ll be taken to the Aventino hill to view your last beautiful sunset in Rome followed by biking on an amazing route that covers all of the above visited places.

This tour really summarized our entire 3 days in Rome and left us with the best memories to bring home with us. The tour was followed by tasting some of Italy’s best wines and delicious food.

There is literally no better way to end any vacation in Rome.

Now that you have a day-wise itinerary for all the things to do in Rome in 3 days, let’s answer a couple of practical questions you might have regarding a trip to Rome.

How Many days in Rome is Enough?

Spending 3 days in Rome is enough if you wish to cover all the major sites, a couple of hidden gems and some great experiences Rome has to offer. However, it involves a lot of planning and advance booking.

Hence, we have taken the liberty to provide links to the most recommended and cost-effective tours and skip-the-line tickets to all the popular locations in Rome.

Booking tickets in advance and wearing masks at all sites has become mandatory after the COVID outbreak.

By 3 days in Rome we mean 3 full days. If you’re coming to Rome in the middle of the day, we recommend you start this itinerary from the next day.

You can spend the day you arrive to acclimatize yourself, to get rid of the jet lag and to prepare yourself for the proceeding days.

How to get around Rome?

For a majority of part of this itinerary for 3 days in Rome, Rome is a very walkable city. It is best discovered on foot while admiring the nooks and corners of this ancient city.

However, in case you need to traverse long distances or if you don’t wish to walk, you can use the extensive network of public transport. Rome is very well connected by metros, buses and trams.

If you’re comfortable riding a scooter, there’s nothing better than discovering the Eternal city of a chic Vespa. You can rent a Vespa in Rome here for 24, 48 or 72 hours and make your commute exhilarating!

How To Reach Rome from the airport?

You might’ve heard that Rome’s airports are pretty far away from the city center. As a result you will have to make special arrangements for reaching your hotel from the airport.

You can definitely take the metro and change trains with your luggage if you’re on a budget.

However, an efficient, value for money and a lot more convenient way is to book a ticket on a shuttle bus. The following are the highest rated and cost-effective buses:

• From Fiumicino Airport: Shuttle bus transfer
• From Ciampino Airport: Shuttle bus transfer
• If you wish to visit the Vatican City directly from the airport: Shuttle bus Fiumicino Airport to Vatican City

Use one of the above methods to reach your hotel instead of grabbing a taxi and save a bunch load of money to splurge on some more pasta or gelato!

Now that we have some basic questions answered, let’s start our journey of spending an amazing 3 days in Rome.

In a Nutshell!

As you can see from the above itinerary, there’s no dearth of things to do in Rome. You can easily spend a week in here and not get bored.

But, with the help of our exhaustive list of the best things to do in Rome in 3 days and practical tips, we have set a pretty good example of how to see Rome in 3 days.

Here’s a quick snapshot of this Rome itinerary for 3 days:

Day 1 in Rome

1. Piazza Navona
2. Pantheon
3. Vatican Museums
4. Sistine Chapel
5. St. Peter’s Basilica
6. Castel St. Angelo

Day 2 in Rome

1. Piazza Venezia
2. Piazza del Campidoglio
3. Colosseum
4. Roman Forum and Palantine hill
5. Mouth of Truth
6. Giardino Degli Aranci (Orange Gardens)
7. Chic Neighborhood of Trastevere

Day 3 in Rome

1. Trevi Fountain
2. Spanish Steps
3. Doria Panphili Gallery
4. Villa Borghese and Borghese Gallery
5. Night Tour of the Historic Centre

If you try our itinerary for planning your trip to Rome, let us know in the comments below or reach out to us on our Instagram handle @worldwidewander_org. We would love to know that we’re making a positive impact through our blog. If you have any further questions, ask us in the comments below and we shall be happy to answer them all!