How to Spend 3 Epic Days in Rome

Looking for the best things to do in Rome in 3 days? Hoping to see all the best sights and some hidden gems? Keep reading for a detailed guide on How To Spend 3 Epic Days in Rome!

Rome is unlike anywhere else in the world. With its layers upon layers of history, you’ll spot centuries-old ruins nestled between modern buildings, and the fact that you can get Wi-Fi next to 2,000-year-old ruins pretty much sums up this harmoniously unique city.

Considered the center of the world for centuries, Rome is by no means stuck in the past. It’s a modern metropolis with Italian culture at its roots. Vying for your attention are the ruins of the Colosseum, the treasures of the Vatican City, and, of course, the food!

If nothing else, go to Rome just to eat the woodfire pizza, homemade pasta, and as much freshly churned gelato as possible.

As they say, “Rome wasn’t built in a day”, and you won’t even be able to scratch the surface in a day (or three).  However, with proper planning and a detailed itinerary, you can easily hit the top sites and even some hidden gems with just a few days in the city.

But First.. A Bit of History

If you’re anything like me, the history of Rome is captivating. It’s hard for me to even comprehend that you can walk among 2,000-year-old ruins. I blame it on the fact that my American history goes back a measly 300 years, but I digress.

Rome is brimming with history, but I’ll do my best to sum it up briefly. Lasting a thousand years, Rome’s rule grew for 500 years, peaked for 200, and fell for 300. Its wealth and world dominance came from conquering foreign lands, which supplied Rome with booty and slave labor.

Here’s a quick timeline overview to understand more of Rome’s history:

• 625 BC: Rome was founded by Romulus and his twin brother, Remus
• 625-510 BC: Rome was ruled by Kings
• 510-31BC: Rome was a Republic, no longer ruled by Kings. Rome expanded during this time and become the dominant maritime power in the Mediterranean.
• 60BC: Julius Caesar rose to power
• 31BC-476AD: Imperial Rome- beginning with the rise of Rome’s first emperor, Augustus, who came into power after the assassination of Julius Caesar. 

By AD 117, the Roman Empire had reached its peak, spanning three continents including northern Africa, Asia Minor, and most of Europe.

After its peak, Rome continued to decline until AD 476, when the western Roman Empire came to an end.

When to Go

There’s really no bad time to visit Rome, but there are “best” times to visit depending on your preferences:

Best Time for Sightseeing: The shoulder season of Spring and Autumn are the best times to enjoy sightseeing in Rome. You’ll experience reduced crowds (though still crowded- this is one popular city!), the best weather, and cheaper accommodations. Personally, this is my favorite time to visit the Eternal City.

Best Time to avoid the crowds: Rome is the 3rd most visited city in the EU, with over 10 million tourists each year. If you want to avoid the brunt of the tourist season, December through early February is the best time to visit. During this time, you can visit major landmarks like the Vatican and Colosseum with much fewer crowds than in the summertime. I visited Rome in November and experienced great weather and fewer tourists. Plus, the cheaper flights and accommodations were a nice bonus.

Best time to eat gelato: Summertime in Rome is when its cobblestone streets are most crowded. It’s also the hottest time of year, with temperatures reaching as high as 32°C/90°F. Of course, this makes for the perfect excuse to eat as much gelato as you want!

Arriving in Rome

Most travelers either arrive in Rome via The Leonardo da Vinci – Fiumicino Airport (FCO). Here are the best options to reach the city center from the airport:

• Leonardo Express train – This is the quickest and easiest option to get to the city center. From the airport, you’ll arrive at the centrally located Termini Station in only 30 minutes. From the Termini station, you can easily access your hotel via the metro (more on that in a minute). The Leonard Express train runs every 15 minutes during peak times and every 30 minutes during non-peak times. Although slightly expensive at €15 each way, it’s convenience and non-stop service to the city center is hard to beat. TIP: Be sure to get your ticket validated from the small ticket machines located on the platform BEFORE boarding the train. Book your ticket in advance here.
• Taxi: Of course, you can always take a taxi from the airport straight to your hotel. This is a great option if you have more than 2 people, or simply have a lot of luggage. A taxi with 4 passengers from the airport to hotels in the city center has a fixed price of €48. The total time to the city center is about 30 minutes.

Getting Around

Rome has an extensive public transportation system that is cheap, efficient, and pretty simple to navigate.

How to get around: While I recommend walking as much as possible in order to see more of the city, the metro is the easiest way to cover long distances across the city. With three lines, named A, B, and C, the metro is easy to navigate.

Which metro ticket do you need?: For this itinerary, I recommend purchasing a 72-hour travel pass, good for unlimited metro, bus, and train travel within Rome for €18. The pass validity starts when you take your first ride, and ends 72 hours later (not 3 days later at midnight like some passes in other cities do).

Where to buy a metro ticket: You can purchase your pass at any metro station or train station from a metro ticket machine. Don’t worry – you can change the language to English! I purchased mine at the airport train station while waiting for the Leonardo Express Train.

Fun fact about the metro: Rome’s metro is quite small compared to other big cities (although don’t worry, it still covers all the main landmarks). Rome has tried to expand the metro, but each time they dig for a new line, they always find more archaeological remains buried beneath. Rome truly is a city built on layers and layers of history.

Staying Connected

Having a working phone to keep you connected is crucial – especially when in a foreign country! Between navigating the metro, google translating the dinner menu so you don’t accidentally order cow’s tongue, or even sending that epic photo of the Colosseum to family back home – I always make sure my phone will work when traveling.

The best way to do this is to have an unlocked smartphone and a local SIM card. For traveling in Rome, I recommend purchasing an Orange SIM Card. This is the equivalent of an AT&T or Verizon plan in the states but designed for tourists in mind. This SIM card also works in 30 countries in the EU, making it the perfect option if exploring more of Europe during your trip.

If you don’t have an unlocked phone, you can opt for a personal Wifi hotspot. This portable device gives you WiFi wherever you go, even if you don’t have cell service. With up to 5 devices at a time, this is a great option if you’re traveling with a group.

Top Tips for Rome

• Wear comfortable shoes! Rome is best explored by walking, and you’ll do a lot of it.
• Carry cash (euros) with you at all times. Rome is still largely a cash economy, so your card may not be taken at all places.
• When visiting churches and basilicas such as St Peter’s be sure to dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered.
• There are drinking fountains dotted across the city. Bring a reusable bottle and take advantage of the free drinking water – a life saver in Rome’s warmer months!
• Don’t expect to find American-style Italian food such as Spaghetti and meatballs or Fettucine Alfredo. At a classic Italian restaurant, the first course (Primo piatto) will consist of a meatless pasta or risotto and the second course (Secondo piatto) will be meat or fish.
• Tipping in Italy is not expected in any situation – restaurants, taxis, hotels, etc. A service charge is usually added to the restaurant bill instead.
• Now for the most important tip: how to find the best gelato!? First, look for a sign saying “gelato fatto en casa“, meaning homemade. Next, steer clear if the gelato is in a huge tub and piled high to impress you. If the gelato is truly homemade, it’s made in smaller batches. Finally, look at the pistachio flavor. If the color is a very bright, artificial green, it’s probably a no go. The colors should resemble the actual food that they came from, so this is an easy way to spot the fakes.

3 Days in Rome Itinerary

Rome wasn’t built in a day, and you shouldn’t try to see it all in just one day either. Rome deserves a minimum of 3 days, and this guide will help you see the best sights along with a few hidden gems in the city where old meets new!

How to use this Google Map: Click on each icon (color coded by day) to get more information about each place. Save this Google Map to use on your trip by clicking the star next to the title of the map. To view the saved map on your smartphone or PC, open Google Maps, click the menu button and go to “Your Places — Maps”.

Colosseum

It only makes sense to visit Rome’s most iconic landmark as the first stop on this 3-day itinerary. Prepare to be awe-struck by the sheer size of the Colosseum – its colossal size makes it easy to see how it got its well-deserved name.

Built in 80AD when Rome was at its peak, this amphitheater represents Rome at its grandest. While not quite big enough to play modern-day football or soccer, it still covers over 6 acres.

During the Roman Empire, up to 50,000 people gathered in this stadium – watching everything from exotic animals, prisoner executions, and, of course, gladiator fights. I found it neat that the ticket to enter the games was a piece of broken pottery with your seat, section, and row number. There’s so much history in this arena, and we’re just getting started discovering Rome!

Tickets: In order to skip the big line of eager tourists, get your tickets in advance online here. I recommend getting the combined ticket, which includes the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and Roman Forum (€16). Reserve the earliest time slot (8:35 AM) in order to avoid crowds (and the hot sun).

• Hours – 8:30AM to approximately 1 hour before dusk
• Location – Piazza del Colosseo, 00184 Roma
• Duration – 1.5 hours
• Tip – Entrance is free on the 1st Sunday of the month. Avoid this day at all costs! It is a total madhouse and not worth saving a few euros.

Palatine Hill

Located just across the street from the Colosseum, the Palatine Hill is where the city of Rome was founded. As the most famous of Rome’s seven hills, you’ll get a bird’s eye view of the ruins of its ancient palaces below. This panoramic view of the Colosseum and the Roman Forum is the perfect introduction to exploring more of ancient Rome.

Enter through the Palatine Hill entrance, located just south of the Colosseum on the Via di San Gregorio. There’s always a huge line at the Roman Forum entrance (next stop on this tour), so starting here will save you time. Once inside, you can walk freely between the two.

Fun fact: The Palatine Hill is where we get the word “palace” from. In Ancient Rome, this hill was one of the most desirable neighborhoods in the city and home to many aristocrats and emperors, all with their own palaces!

• Hours: 8:30AM to approximately 1 hour before dusk
• Location: Via di San Gregorio
• Suggested Duration: 1 hour

Roman Forum

Just below Palatine Hill lies the Roman Forum – this is where all the action took place in ancient Rome. From senate houses and palaces to public squares and main streets, this open-air museum shows how the Romans went about their daily lives 2,000 years ago. You’ll see where emperors built their impressive monuments to forever leave their marks on the city.

As you literally walk in the footsteps of Julius Ceasar, don’t miss these must-see sights:

• Temple of Antoninus and Faustina – the best-preserved temple in the Roman Forum
• The Curia – where the senate met to make their most important decisions about the Roman government.
• Arch of Titus – arch at the entrance that commemorates the conquest of Jerusalem
• Maxentius’ basilica – where public meetings were held and a big inspiration for Renaissance architects

Practical Information:

• Hours – 8:30AM to approximately 1 hour before dusk
• Location – Largo della Salara Vecchia / Via Sacra, 00186 Roma
• Suggested Duration – 1.5 hours
• Tips – Don’t miss the best view (and photo op spot) of the Colosseum without any crowds! Located in the grassy area behind the Roman Forum ticket booth. Just walk towards the Colosseum without exiting the forum and you’ll find it.

Lunch

La Prezzemolinason: Usually restaurants in close proximity to famous landmarks are tourist traps and have really bad food, but La Prezzemolina is neither. This pizza restaurant is only 4 minutes from the Roman Forum and serves some of the best pizza in the city!

Trastevere

Make your way to the other side of the Tiber river to wander around the bohemian neighborhood of Trastevere. This less touristy area is the perfect escape from a busy day of exploring Rome’s most historic sights.

Don’t miss one of the oldest churches in Rome, Basilica of Our Lady in Trastevere located in the inviting Piazza di Santa Maria.

This neighborhood is also known for its wonderful cuisine. I have personally tried Grazia & Graziella and Tonnarello and both were wonderful. Add in a romantic walk through these narrow cobblestone streets after dinner and you’ll see why this is Rome’s most charming neighborhood.

Trevi Fountain

Rome has more fountains than any other city in the world, but the Trevi fountain outshines them all. I must say, I was shocked when I first saw this fountain in person. It is HUGE. I later learned that it’s the largest fountain in Italy, standing 85 feet tall.

It’s also one of the oldest water sources in Rome, dating back to 19BC. My mind is blown by every site in Rome, and this masterpiece is no exception.

Tradition says that if you toss a coin into the fountain, you’ll return to Rome one day. Of course, every wanderlust tourist must do this – for the sake of tradition, of course! This results in around €3,000 of coins being retrieved out of the fountain every day. The wet coins are then donated to charity, so it’s all for a good cause.

Pantheon

As the only ancient building remaining in the world still in pristine condition, the Pantheon is one of the city’s most spectacular sights. Constructed in 27BC, this 2,000-year-old masterpiece is a feat of architectural design.

The Pantheon is most famous for its oculus, the round opening at the center of its rooftop dome. It’s such an architectural achievement that it was studied by Michelangelo before starting work on the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica.

Today, the Patheon is the burial site of famous Italians such as Raphael, while it also serves as an active church.

Be sure to take some time to marvel at the inside and outside of this beauty.

• Hours – Monday to Saturday: 8:30am – 7:30pm; Sunday: 9am – 6pm
• Location – Piazza della Rotonda, 00186 Roma
• Suggested Duration – 1 hour

Largo di Torre Argentina

Ruins of Rome’s oldest temples are located in a square of colorful Italian buildings in the city where old meets new. For all the history buffs out there, this site is where rebellious senators killed Julius Caesar in 44BC – beware the Ides of March!

Fun fact: While there aren’t many tourists here, you’ll instead be greeted by over 100 cats who have decided to make this historic site their new home. Try to see how many you can spot frolicking around these ancient ruins.

Campo de’ Fiori Market

Campo de’ Fiori – meaning field of flowers – is a market in central Rome that sells fruits, vegetables, and (you guessed it) flowers. This is one of the most beloved parts of Rome thanks to its bustling market, a wide variety of restaurants, and charming neo-classical architecture. From the smell of fresh flowers to the smiles of the local vendors, this market is exactly how I imagined Italy to be.

Lunch

Cantina e Cucina: For the quintessential Italian restaurant, walk 4 minutes to Cantina e Cucina. From the lovely ambiance to the top-notch food, this hidden gem is the perfect spot to grab some well-deserved lunch.

Welcome to Rome

Eager to learn more history about Rome? This detailed 30-minute film takes you on a journey through Roman history. From its earliest days to the reign of Cesar and to the Rome we see today.

You’ll find yourself referring back to this production as you keep exploring more of the city over the next couple of days. This is a great way to wrap your head around 2,700 years of history, plus it’s a welcome chance to sit down for a bit!

• Hours – Monday to Thursday: 9am – 7pm; Friday to Sunday: 10am – 9pm
• Location – Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, 203, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
• Suggested Duration – 1 hour

Piazza Navona

I think it’s time for some well-earned gelato! Head over to La Gelateria Frigidarium to grab some of the best creamy gelato in Rome, then make your way to the center of Roman life – Piazza Navona.

Rome is full of charming squares, but Piazza Navona outshines them all. With its stunning baroque architecture, ornate fountains, and jovial street artists, this piazza in central Rome is bustling all day and night. Serving as the piazza’s focal point is Bernini’s Fountain of Four Rivers, with a large Egyptian obelisk in the center. Take some time to roam around this bustling square and take in the lively atmosphere that is Rome.

Spanish Steps

While the Spanish Steps are actually designed by an Italian architect at the request of a French diplomat, these Baroque 18th-century steps get their name from the Spanish Embassy located just around the corner.

I must admit, I was confused as to why a set of stairs was on a ‘must-see-in-Rome’ list, but this is more than just a set of steps. Connecting the fancy shops below with the ritzy hotels above, this lively area is where you’ll spot locals and tourists alike congregating on some 300-year-old steps. Plus, the steps face west, so if you visit during sunset you’ll be treated to great photo ops as the sun sets behind the colorful Italian architecture.

Terrazza del Pincio

Just a 10-minute walk from the Spanish Steps, Terrazza del Pincio offers another mesmerizing sunset view. Climb to the top to overlook the bustling Piazza del Popolo below. In the distance, you’ll spot prime views of St. Peter’s Basilica – where you’ll be visiting first thing tomorrow morning!

Vatican City Tour

Though The Vatican is the smallest country in the world, it more than makes up for its size with some of the best sights in the world. Home to the Pope (and his popemobile!), The Vatican is the center of authority over the Roman Catholic Church.

The following are the “must-see” sights when visiting the smallest state in Europe:

St. Peter’s Basilica: Stand in awe of the largest (and possibly most beautiful) church in the world. Marvel at Michelangelo’s Pietà and admire the stunning dome he designed. Don’t miss Bernini’s massive bronze baldachin sitting over the Pope’s private alter. It’s really hard to describe the feeling of standing in this grandiose interior, which can seat up to 20,000 people. It’s something you have to see for yourself. Once you’re finished being impressed by its splendor, be sure to climb to the top of St. Peter’s dome for an iconic view of St Peter’s Square.

Sistine Chapel: Home to Michaelangelo’s most famous masterpiece, the Sistine Chapel is a jaw-dropping attraction – and not just because you have to look to the ceiling covered in frescos. Taking four back bending years to complete, the most famous section of Michaelango’s ceiling is the Creation of Adam, which depicts the story from Genesis where God gives life to Adam.

Vatican Museum: Home to over 50 galleries of stunning artwork by the likes of Raphael, Bellini, and Da Vinci, the Vatican Museum is one of the world’s best art collections.

Unfortunately, The Vatican is a victim of its own popularity, with over 30,000 visitors per day during high season. This makes for big crowds and a frustrating experience if you don’t plan accordingly.

For this reason, I highly recommend booking a guided tour. Not only will you learn more about the history of each piece of artwork, but you’ll also be guided through the maze of this grand complex by an expert.

I highly recommend booking this Vatican Early Access Tour. Yes, it’s early, but trust me on this one. You’ll beat all the crowds and have ample time to marvel at Michaelangelo’s famous ceiling without dodging the hordes of other groups. This tour also provides complimentary breakfast and coffee so you’re fueled up before an exciting day of sightseeing.

Other things not to miss at The Vatican:

• Mail a postcard from the Vatican post office. The Vatican has one of the quickest postal systems in the world, and it’ll have a fun Vatican stamp!
• Be blessed by the pope, (nearly) every Wednesday around 10AM. Tickets are required but at no cost

Lunch

For your last lunch in Rome, grab some of the best pizza at Pizza Zizza. Why can’t we get pizza like this back home?? Ranked #21 of over 9,000 restaurants in Rome, this pizza joint serves the freshest ingredients to weary travelers that have just conquered the Vatican.

National Museum of Castel Sant’Angelo

From the Vatican, the Castel Sant’ Angelo is only a 15-20-minute walk. Constructed as a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian in the year 135, it was instead taken over by the church and turned into a castle and fortress for former Popes. In fact, a corridor was built that connected this castle to Vatican City so that the Pope could escape if needed.

Today, the castle is home to a museum full of art, former Pope chambers, and even weapon collections. Once you reach the top, you’ll be treated to a large terrace with views overlooking Rome and the Vatican City.

• Hours – Tuesday to Sunday: 9 am – 7:30 pm
• Location – Lungotevere Castello, 50, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
• Suggested Duration – 2 to 3 hours

Helpful Phrases

While Rome is very touristy and everyone speaks a little English, I always think it’s best to know a few words in the local language. Here are some helpful words and phrases to impress the locals:

ENGLISH	ITALIAN	PRONOUNCE
Hello	Ciao	Chow
Thank you	Grazie	Graz-ee
Goodbye	Arrivederci	Aree-ved-erchee
Please	Per favore	Pair fav-aw-ray
Don’t mention it / you’re welcome	Prego	Pray-go
Good morning / good afternoon	Buongiorno	Bwon jaw-no

So there you go, that’s how to spend 3 EPIC days in Rome! Are you visiting soon? Do you have a favorite spot in this ancient city? Let me know in the comments!

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Want more info about Italy? Check out my other Italy blog posts:

• How To Spend Two Days In Venice
• 10 Photos to Inspire You to Visit Italy

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