Rome 3 Days: All The Best Attractions You Can’t Miss!

Last Updated on September 3, 2024 by Audrey

Got 3 days to spend in Rome? I’ll cover everything you need to see in this short amount of time!

Rome… The city filled with millennia of history, beautiful works of art, and gladiators! There is an abundance of things to see and do in Rome, and thousands of years of meaning that lie inside the ruins.

Although I can’t say Rome is my favorite city in Italy (Guess which city holds my heart?), it is a stop that you cannot miss the first time you visit Italy. The immense amount of landmarks and culture that lie in the city is unparalleled. If you’re not quite sure if you want to visit yet, check out my article to see if Rome is worth visiting for you!

Three days isn’t a lot of time, but you can see the highlights. In this three-day itinerary of Rome, you’ll get to see all the main attractions, while leaving some time to explore the city outside of the tourist spots!

Rome 3 Days Itinerary: Day 1

Walk around the city center

The very first thing you should do when you arrive in Rome is to walk around the city! There are a bunch of important landmarks very close together in Rome’s city center, so there are many attractions you can see simply by walking the streets.

I scheduled a city tour two hours after my flight landed, which wasn’t the best decision I could have made. Although it was a great way to learn about some of Rome’s great attractions, there were a couple of variables that made me regret scheduling a non-refundable tour (See the story of how all our luggage got lost here!)

The guide we had, although very kind, had a strong Italian accent. It was a little difficult to understand what he was trying to tell us at times, though I’m sure it was informative. In my opinion, you can stroll the city on your own and learn a lot in just 2-3 hours. Although, if you are interested, here is the guide that we used.

Vittoriano

Start your walk in the town square, Piazza Venezia. There are several attractions around this area alone.

You can start at the Vittoriano, the monument built to honor Vittorio Emanuele II, the first king of Unified Italy. It is unmissable, and absolutely splendid to look at. If you want, you can hike up the steps to the top of the monument, and take in a grand view of the city. Otherwise, it’s beautiful to look up at even from afar.

Pantheon

It is a short 13-minute walk to the Pantheon, another of Rome’s main attractions. The Pantheon is a temple dedicated to all the Gods, built back in 120 AD!

Take a tour inside, and notice how the ceiling forms a sphere with the only open light source being the top of the dome.

It is formally a church and hosts the bodies of important Italian figures, such as Vittorio Emanuele II, whose monument you just passed by.

We ordered several different kinds of pasta and veal to share. All the pasta was amazing, and the veal was particularly soft and flavorful! The customer service was great, and the waiters were very accommodating to our limited Italian-speaking skills.

The restaurant is conveniently located in a central location and is only a four-minute walk from the Pantheon. I was able to come by after my tour and get seated straight away, with no wait for a group of five. If you happen to be near the Pantheon, I highly recommend visiting here!

Trevi Fountain

From there, head on over to Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi) and immerse yourself in the beauty of this masterpiece.

It is typically crowded at all times of the day. You may get lucky if you arrive extremely early in the morning (7 am), or late at night (10 pm). Regardless, it is a must-see. I saw it every day I was in Rome, and I never got sick of looking at it.

There is a small drinking fountain to the right of the Trevi, called the Fountain of Love, or Fontanella degli Innamorati. According to an ancient legend, couples who drink from this fountain will be together forever!

Before you leave, don’t forget to toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain. Legend has it that if you do so, you will come back to Rome again one day. You could also wish to find love in Rome instead or to get married there.

Whatever your wish may be, it is tradition to toss the coin with your right hand over your left shoulder. When in Rome… 🙂

Spanish Steps

Once you’ve gotten your fill, if you still have energy, you can walk up north to visit the Spanish Steps. The bottom of the steps starts at Piazza di Spagna, a plaza filled with luxury stores. It contains the Fontana della Barcaccia, which literally means Fountain of the Ugly Boat.

I happened to stumble upon the steps by chance at nighttime after a full day of shopping. I didn’t even realize they were a popular attraction until I was almost at the top of the stairs and realized how scenic it was! If you go in late April-May, there are beautiful azalea flowers laid upon the steps to celebrate Rome’s anniversary.

Once you get to the top, there is an Egyptian obelisk. You’ll find quite a few Egyptian obelisks throughout Rome, 13 to be exact! The Romans were enamored by Egypt and looted the obelisks to boast about Rome’s power and greatness.

Have a Truffle-Filled Dinner

If you love truffle, then make sure to stop at Tartufi&Friends for dinner! Located in Via Borgognona, this upscale restaurant is the perfect way to end after some luxury shopping. The main ingredient featured on their menu is truffle, which they incorporate into several traditional Italian dishes.

I thought the food was wonderful, and the service was great. There was a slight hiccup where the servers missed one of our dishes, and we waited a very long time for it. However, there was a miscommunication where they did not know we were waiting for a dish and we felt like we were overstaying our welcome. Despite that, I still recommend this restaurant as the food is excellent and the staff was kind overall.

Piazza Navona

If you want to walk off some calories after dinner and still have some energy, stop by the Piazza Navona, another of Rome’s beautiful fountains that is a 14-minute walk from Tartufi&Friends.

I know it’s been quite a lot of walking for day 1, but there’s a lot to explore in this city without much time! Head to bed early and prepare for another fun day in the Eternal City.

Rome 3 Days Itinerary: Day 2

Breakfast Bites at a Local Cafe

The first stop for Day 2 of your Rome itinerary is Regoli Pasticceria, a local favorite that has AMAZING pastries, and delicious coffee. We stopped by here and got so many different types of pastries, and all of them were delicious.

The staff weren’t extremely fluent in English, but there were English translations on the menu and they were very polite to us despite there being a long line of locals. Make note that it is cash only, so have some cash available on hand.

It’s only a 14-minute walk from the Colosseum, so you can choose to either walk or hop in a cab for your next destination, which is one of the most famous sites on Earth!

bring your fighting spirit to the Colosseum

Today, we will start off by visiting the iconic Colosseum, the largest amphitheater ever built.

This theater was the center of gruesome gladiator battles all for the sake of entertainment. A trip to Rome would be amiss if you did not include this in your trip.

Two-thirds of the original Colosseum was destroyed over time by natural disasters, but there have been restorations going on since the 1990s to restore it to its former glory. When it was its original size, it could host 60,000 spectators!

⭐ Pro Tip: If you’re visiting in spring/summer, try to go early in the morning or late at night. We took the 10 am tour, by 10 am the heat was already building and by 11 am we were all sweating under the sun!

Most of the tour does not have any shade from the sun, so bring a hat and some sun protection.

Going with a Guided Tour?

A skip-the-line guided tour that includes all three locations (Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill) is recommended to get the full experience and to skip the general ticket lines. I used the Get-Your-Guide tour here. They provided audio headsets and it was relatively easy to understand and follow the tour guide.

If you’d like to know more about the different tours available, check out my guide all about Colosseum Tours here.

If you go with a guided tour, you can access the arena platform and/or underground for an additional fee. If you include the arena platform, you’ll get to walk on the reconstructed platform and look up at the vast arena. Imagine the indescribable emotions the gladiators must have felt commanding the eyes of every spectator!

In the underground, you’ll explore the trap doors that hosted the animals, as well as the elevators that connected fighters to the platform! I did not include the Underground portion when I went due to time constraints, but I wish I did. I feel like it would have brought the battle scene to life. If you are interested in seeing the weapons or tunnel networks that were used, it is a must-see.

👉 Looking for a tour that includes all the main attractions of the Colosseum? I thought this skip-the-line tour was super informative!

Roman Forum/Palatine Hill

If you choose to include them in your Colosseum tour, the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill will be accessible with the same ticket and will take less time than the Colosseum.

The Roman Forum was the center of activity of ancient Rome, where daily activities and public life took place.

Many of the temple structures will need a bit of your imagination to picture how it must have looked in its glory, but not the Arch of Titus. You will pass through it as you enter the entrance and security check (the same entrance for both sites), a large triumphal arch built to celebrate Rome’s victory over Jerusalem.

Palatine Hill was the center and birthplace of ancient Rome, and home to the ancient Roman upper class. It is a calm, serene place to enjoy a walk through, with many different fruit trees and birds. It is a short uphill walk that I think most who can traverse on foot will be able to access.

Overall, you will spend about 2.5 hours with the guide. Afterward, you can navigate the area at your leisure.

I only spent about 45 minutes at the last two sites because we booked a second tour the same day, so I recommend that you leave a couple hours free to enjoy the other two sites of the tour.

⭐ Here is the tour I recommend that includes all three landmarks! The Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill!

Have Classic Italian Pizza for Lunch

Before you head over to your next point of interest, I recommend having lunch at Ristorante Pizza Forum Roma-Forno a Legna. It’s a great place for a quick bite of pizza that’s located right next to the Colosseum.

There are a ton of tables, so you should have no problem getting seated. We ordered a couple of pizzas and pasta, and they did not disappoint. For pizza, I recommend the Santa Barbara, which comes with spicy sausage, or Tarantella if you’re looking for a vegetarian option.

The portions were generous and affordable (pasta and pizzas are around €14 each), and everything tasted delicious! The service was great, and the indoor decor feels relaxed and airy.

Baths of Caracalla

Before you leave the area, I recommend checking out the Baths of Caracalla, a huge ancient Roman bathing house that is a hidden gem often missed.

Open from Tuesday to Sunday, you can walk on the old mosaic floors and in between the ruins. In ancient Rome, citizens practiced hygiene and partook in social activity in this building, and it was just a short walk to the temples or gardens.

It’s quite a long walk (20 minutes) from the Colosseum to the Baths, but is a quick 6-minute taxi ride or 12-minute bus ride. If you have the time, don’t skip out on it!

Optional: Pyramid of Caius Cestius

If you have the time, the Pyramid of Caius Cestius is in between the Baths of Caracalla and Travestere, the last destination where you will end your day.

It’s a 15-minute walk from the Baths of Caracalla, and is a free monument to see. Inspired by the Egyptians, Politician and Priest Caius Cestius had the pyramid built as his tomb over 2000 years ago. It still stands today, one of two of the last remaining pyramids in Rome. Interestingly enough, it’s actually located right next to the street!

However, there is not much more than paintings inside, as everything was stolen a long time ago. If you don’t have much time to spare on your agenda, go ahead and skip this stop and head over to Trastevere.

Explore the Streets of Trastevere

Trastevere is a historically working-class neighborhood full of restaurants, cafes, and bars. It carries a lively atmosphere ideal for strolling around, which is what we’ll spend the rest of the day doing! It is best to reach this district via walking or bus, as it is not accessible by metro.

Start at Piazza di Santa Maria, the center of the district. Trastevere is the perfect place to get lost in. Feel free to wander the small alleyways and soak up the traditional aesthetics of the neighborhoods. It is a great way to embrace Italian culture!

If you like, consider visiting the Basilica di Santa Maria or the Basilica di Santa Cecelia, which are two prominent churches in this neighborhood.

Dinner in Trastevere

Take your time with dinner and enjoy aperitivo at a local restaurant! Aperitivo is the act of enjoying a late afternoon or evening drink, making it a focus to pause and relax. There are so many good restaurants here, you can close your eyes and pick any.

If I may recommend one, I absolutely loved Carlo Menta. This casual dining spot has amazing dishes with a huge variety, and really cheap prices with entrees around €10 and pizzas costing €8. It’s in the heart of Trastevere, right where the action is!

You’ll find that Trastevere is best known for its buzzing nightlife post-dinner. Storekeepers draw up the shutters when the sun sets to reveal the many bars and clubs. It is a great way to end your second day in Rome.

Rome 3 Days Itinerary: Day 3

Trevi Fountain

If you wake up early on your last day, try to make time to visit the Trevi Fountain at its emptiest. It is absolutely breathtaking, and it gives a different impression when you can appreciate it in solitude. It is usually still empty at 7 am, so definitely stop by if you wake up early or you’d like pictures.

Discover Vatican Museum

Today, we start off with an early tour of the Vatican! The Vatican is its own country, separate from Rome. It is the home of the Pope and houses an immense collection of art and artifacts from the Renaissance, Egypt, and more. Find works from famous artists such as Michelangelo, Leonardo Di Vinci, and Raphael, the list is endless.

Regardless of your faith, the Vatican Museum is an absolute must-see when you are in Rome. They have designed it to be a place of “beauty and welcome”, open to people of all cultures and religions. You will be able to stroll through over 20,000 pieces of their collection, including Laocoon and His Sons, the Vatican’s first acquisition purchased back in the 16th century.

Purchasing a ticket to the Vatican Museum

You can either choose to purchase an entry ticket from the Vatican Museum for about $30, or you can choose a guided tour which will vary depending on if you plan to include access to the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica.

I chose a tour that included all three for around $80 here. I do recommend doing a guided tour if you can help it, there was a tremendously long line at the general queue and we were able to skip the line seamlessly.

We started at 2:15 pm and it was still super packed inside, which minimally dampened the experience. If you aren’t a fan of crowds, either go early in the morning before the crowds arrive or choose an evening tour.

👉 Book this skip-the-line tour of the Vatican, which includes the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica all in one!

Tour or no tour?

Even if you take a guided tour, three hours is not enough time to visit everything in the Vatican. There is still the Raphael Rooms, a group of rooms painted by the famous Raphael, the Egyptian Gregorian Etruscan museum, and countless other artworks.

You can definitely spend the whole day here and not finish the entire museum. If you take a tour, you may feel a bit rushed as they have to point out the most famous works while leaving time for the chapel and basilica. If you want to explore at your leisure, opt for a regular ticket and audio guide instead.

Sistine Chapel

My personal favorite from Vatican City is the Sistine Chapel, featuring Michelangelo’s frescoes spanning the entire ceiling of the building. It is simply an absolute masterpiece–when I saw it, it took my breath away. If you plan on visiting, do not miss this exhibit!

St. Peter’s Basilica

After you’ve finished soaking up the view, you’ll head to St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest and most decorated church in Italy. It’s seriously massive; every inch of the church appears to be adorned with marble and gold. Even walking through it will take around 15 minutes to get from the entrance to the exit.

Optional: Climb St. Peter’s Dome

While you’re in the Basilica, you have the choice to climb the dome of St. Peter’s, which is the highest point in Rome and gives you panoramic views of Vatican City and beyond. 

You’ll get to see the beautiful artwork as you ascend the stairs, you should know that there are a lot of steps, so it may not be suitable for those who are mobility impaired. 

💡 Pro Tip: Get the ticket that includes an elevator ride part-way up to the dome for only €2 more (€10) than a regular ticket (€8). The best view is at the top, so you won’t be missing out.

When you’ve finished soaking up as much of Vatican City as you can, grab a bite to eat and freely enjoy the rest of your last day in Rome.

Lunch: Choose Your Option

For lunch, you have lots of options just outside the wall of Vatican City.

200 Gradi is a very popular sandwich joint that has tons of deli combinations, which are all entirely delicious! There’s also Hostaria Ago e Lillo or La Zanzara further down the street, both serving affordable traditional Italian dishes.

They are all located just a minute’s walk from each other, so you can browse through and choose whichever one you like.

Spend the Afternoon Exploring the City

I assume you’ll have to head back over to Rome at some point, as Vatican City doesn’t have accommodations for the general masses (like me… and probably you?).

Spend the rest of your afternoon exploring the city. I loved walking down Via del Tritone and exploring all the department stores and local shops. If you’re interested in luxury shopping, I recommend stopping by RINASCENTE Rome Via del Tritone. It has all the luxury brands you can think of, and everyone is extremely friendly (and like to practice their English!)

The rest of the street has tons of other local shops that you can stroll through. I got some affordable silk scarves as gifts for my friends in a small store for less than €10 each. If you’d like to bring some gifts back home, I’m sure you’ll find something along this street.

💡 Pro Tip: Don’t forget to check the alleyways! These streets are very safe, with tons of people walking around during the day. We stumbled upon Limon’è, a delicious lemon dessert store when we crossed an unsuspecting alleyway!

Eat Handmade Pasta Noodles for Your Last Dinner in Rome

Osteria da Fortuna has been a long-time staple for both Roman citizens and tourists alike, and is the perfect way to end your last day in Rome. Located in Campo de’ Fiori, Osteria da Fortuna features handmade pasta, and you can even watch one of the workers fold and roll the pasta by hand next to the restaurant window!

The pasta was absolutely delicious, and the customer service was excellent. The waiters were extremely welcoming and friendly and made us feel right at home. Our waiter took the time to recommend wines that would pair best with our meat dishes.

The environment was casual and down-to-earth. The dishware was handmade, with adorable sheep! The wonderful food, paired with a vibrant environment made for an outstanding dinner experience. When I come back to Rome, rest assured that I will be coming back to this restaurant as soon as I can!

Where to stay in Rome

If this is your first time visiting Rome, I would personally recommend staying in the Pantheon/Piazza Navona/Campo de Fiori area. This is the town square, and there are various attractions located very close to each other, making it easy for you to walk to them.

Rome is definitely a walking city, and being close to most of the attractions will make it easy for you to head home and rest once your day is over.

If you’d like to wake up every day to one of Rome’s greatest treasures, you could consider staying near the Trevi Fountain as well. Some hotels are directly across from the fountain, which would be a magical sight to see every morning before the crowds gather. However, take note that the Trevi Fountain is not exactly next to most of Rome’s other main attractions, such as the Colosseum or the Vatican.

I’ve included my recommendations below, all located in the central Pantheon/Piazza Navona/Campo de Fiori area for easy access to all the main attractions! Take a look and let me know what you think.

📍Best Budget Hotel: Hotel Labelle ⭐

Hotel Labelle is the best budget hotel that I found, located right in the city center and just a few minutes walk from Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum, and the Pantheon! The rooms are reasonably spacious, with air conditioning and an elevator to ease comfort.

👉🏻 Click here to book Hotel Labelle!

📍Best Mid-Ranged Hotel: Hiberia Hotel Rome ⭐⭐

Hiberia Hotel Rome provides stunning city views and free breakfast in addition to being in a superb location, just a 5-minute walk from the Colosseum.

👉🏻 Click here to book Hiberia Hotel Rome!

📍Best Luxury Hotel: Palazzo Galla ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Are you celebrating a special occasion and want something really luxurious? In that case, you need to stay at Palazzo Galla!

In addition to beautifully decorated rooms, this four-star hotel has a rooftop terrace with a view of the city that will take your breath away. With a bar and private parking right in the heart of Rome, this hotel will provide you with everything you could possibly need.

👉🏻 Click here to book Palazzo Galla!

Getting Around in Rome

Rome is definitely a walking city, and you will be hitting upwards of 10k steps a day while you are out and about. If you want to look into other transportation options to travel out of the city or to attractions that you can’t reach by walking, check out my article here! Using my personal experience, I compare the best transportation options to and around Rome.

tips to consider

👉 Book one main attraction a day

Although you can visit two big attractions (like the Colosseum and the Vatican) in one day if you are very ambitious, I do not recommend it.

I personally felt rushed visiting both attractions on the same day and became extremely tired. It also made it extremely difficult to make time to buy clothes because we lost our luggage coming into the country.

In the case that a problem arises, and for the sake of your own enjoyment, I would only do one timed tour a day unless you think you have the energy.

👉 Multiple transportation options are available

Because I was traveling in a large group of 5, we frequently used Uber as our main mode of transportation in the city. However, you also have the train, metro, bus, and taxis as possible options, so it’s good to know what will best suit you during your trip.

I cover all your available transportation options in my article Is Uber in Rome?

👉 It’s a touristy city

Rome attracts millions of visitors annually, so there will be some obvious tourist traps in the city. You should be aware that there will be long lines for the popular attractions.

Although there is an abundance of culture and activities to do in the city, it may not be for everyone. In another post, I break down the pros and cons of why Rome is worth visiting. I encourage you to check that out to see if Rome will suit your tastes.

👉 Shops usually close at 8 PM

If you aren’t aware, almost all shops in Rome close at 8 pm, when the entire city breaks out to enjoy dinner! For that reason, just in case you run into a problem or lose your luggage like I did, make sure to schedule your shopping around this fact.

Conclusion: Rome 3 Days Itinerary

I hope that my itinerary gives you some ideas for your next trip to the Eternal City! Rome features numerous iconic attractions, and there is so much history and culture wrapped around everything. I loved my time there and learned so much at the same time. I can’t wait to come back in a few years!

If you are wondering what else to check out while you are in Rome, why not head over to Venice? I have a 2 day Venice Itinerary for you here!

Here are some other Rome-related articles you might find helpful while planning your vacation as well!

I hope you found this itinerary helpful, and happy travels! Let me know if you need any assistance planning your next venture, I’m happy to help.