Are you thinking about going to Rome? Home to the Colosseum, Vatican and more, Rome is an iconic symbol of history, culture and civilization. 3 days is the perfect amount of time for your first visit to Rome. All you need is an organized plan. To hit all the major spots, here is your ultimate guide to maximize your 3 days in Rome, so you too can see it all.
Table of Contents
When to Go
Peak tourist season in Rome is from May to September. If you’re looking to avoid crowds, April and October are also great options with the exception of Holy Week. Holy Week is the week before Easter in April and it attracts tourists from all over the world, making it quite possibly the most crowded time of the year.
How to Get There
If you’re flying into Rome there are two airports to choose from . The main airport is the Leonardo Da Vinci Fiumicino airport, which is located southwest of City Center. The second airport is the Ciampino airport, which is smaller and located southeast of City Center.
If you’re coming from another city in Italy, the easiest way to get to Rome is by train. The bullet trains in Italy are extremely efficient and will take you straight to Termini Central Station in the middle of Rome.
How to Get Around
Do not rent a car in Rome. Like many big cities, it’s much easier to get around using taxis, public transportation or by walking.
Where to Stay
If you’re on a budget, don’t even bother looking at hotels and stick with Airbnbs or VRBO’s. There are plenty of great affordable options around the city.
If you’re interested in staying at a hotel, here are a few luxury options that I recommend for your 3 days in Rome.
Prassade Palace
Prassade Palace is a beautiful 4 star hotel that overlooks the Santa Maria Maggiore Cathedral and is less than a five minute walk from the main train station. It has clean modern rooms and is connected to Molino bakery, which serves the best breakfast which is included in your stay.
NH Collection Hotels
NH is a chain of hotels that originally started in Spain and has expanded to many major cities in Europe and North America. Within NH Hotels, there are three tiers of sub brands, the highest of which is NH Collection. NH Collection Hotels are premium four or five star luxury hotels. They have beautiful modern style rooms and come highly recommended as reliable and consistently great places to stay.
Palazzo Manfredi
If you’re looking for ultimate luxury, Palazzo Manfredi is the obvious choice. From art dating back to the 16th century, to marble bathrooms, this boutique hotel is unlike any other. Its most impressive feat is its unparalleled views of the Colosseum – from both the dining areas as well as some of its private rooms.
Where to Eat
Before going to Rome I heard that compared to the rest of Italy the food in Rome got a bad rap. But since visiting, I’ve come to the conclusion that the food is fantastic -just like any other big city – you need to know where to go. If you are visiting the touristy sites and want a good meal nearby, definitely do your research ahead of time. There are so many tourist traps close by that claim to offer the best pasta and pizza but in reality are very overpriced and taste subpar. However, two blocks away there may be a favorite local gem. All of the restaurants I’ve listed below – I can personally vouch for and were all fantastic.
Il Chianti
Il Chianti is about a block away from the Trevi Fountain and is the perfect spot to recharge when sightseeing. It is a charming authentic Italian spot with a great ambiance and even better food. They have the cutest outdoor cobblestone patio complete with string lights and trees, and the inside is warm, cozy, and inviting. Everything we got was fantastic – I highly recommend the thin sliced raw zucchini appetizer and the cacio e pepe.
Trattoria Luzzi
Trattoria Luzzi is the best place to get lunch by the Colosseum. I did quite a bit of research trying to find an authentic spot to get lunch near the Colosseum and Trattoria Luzzi kept popping up. So, if you’re researching the same thing, let this be a sign that your search stops here. Trattoria Luzzi is a casual pizza spot with great food and great prices. The pizza and house wine are both delicious, but the unexpected showstopper was the dessert. If you go here, you must order the tiramisu. I love tiramisu and this was hands down the best tiramisu I’ve ever had or ever will have in my entire life. The ladyfingers are fresh and soft but somehow still have a crispy sugary crust. They are then freshly layered with the smoothest and most decetent mascarpone filling before being dusted with rich cacao.
Dar Poeta
Dar Poeta is a casual pizza restaurant hidden in a narrow side street of Trastevere. They serve classic roman style pizza made with the freshest ingredients. This is a very small spot with only a handful of tables, so it can get very busy at peak times, but it is definitely worth the wait.
Molino Bakery
Molino Bakery is located under the Prassade Palace Hotel and is a go to spot for locals. Everything is made fresh in house and each of their pastries is better than the next. If you only get one thing I recommend trying the pistachio croissant. After sampling many of these throughout Italy, Molino’s version was our favorite – a testament to their dare I say perfect pistachio filling.
Where to Go – Top 10 Spots for 3 Days in Rome
There are so many must see spots in Rome. It may seem intimidating to fit them in, but luckily many are located very close together so you really pack them in. Here are the top 10 spots you should visit on your first 3 days in Rome.
1. Colosseum
The Colosseum is arguably the most famous spot to see in Rome. You can view the stunning structure from the street, or you can book a tour and get to go inside the amphitheater to see where the gladiators of the Roman Empire would fight. It’s crazy how ahead of their time the Romans were as the Colosseum was essentially their version of our sports arenas.
2. Roman Forum/ Palatine Hill
The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill are two of the most historically significant sites in Rome. Palatine Hill is known as the birthplace of Rome. Once you make your way up the steps, you’re met with this iconic view of the Forum and the city beyond.
The Roman Forum was once the center for political, religious, and social life in Rome. Now mostly ruins, the Forum represents the heart and advanced nature of the Roman Empire.
3. Spanish Steps
The Spanish Steps are known as the widest Steps in all of Europe. Once you climb the Steps, you might think “this is a great place to sit down and take in Rome,” but think again. Unfortunately, Rome has put a ban on sitting on the Steps and doing so can cost you a hefty fine.
4. Pantheon
The Pantheon is the best preserved ancient monument in Rome. Its dome is the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world and its construction continues to influence famous buildings across the globe. It is open 9AM to 7PM every day with a last entry slot at 6:30 PM. It’s only free admission on weekdays, so if you plan on visiting Saturday or Sunday, make sure that you buy tickets in advance.
5. Trevi Fountain
The Trevi Fountain is one of the most photographed spots in Rome. Although the area is often crowded with tourists, the Fountain is unlike any other in the world and its hand carved marble intricacies are even more impressive in person. But what makes this fountain so special is the myth that comes with it. Legend has it that if you throw a coin into the fountain you will return to Rome someday. So, don’t forget to bring some change so you can throw a coin in and test the magic yourself!
6. Piazza Novona
Piazza Navona is a public square that is famous for its stunning fountains and impressive architecture. Uniquely, it is one of the few places whose use during the Roman Empire is still similar to its use today. Whether it served as a meeting place for Roman citizens or for visitors from across the world, Piazza Novona continues to be a gathering place for centuries to come.
7. Trastevere
Trastevere is a picturesque neighborhood right across the Tiber River from the main area of Rome. It’s full of narrow cobblestone alleys, colorful buildings and feels like you’ve stumbled upon the authentic Roman way of life. Highlights include fantastic restaurants, lively piazzas and the Basilica of Santa Maria, whose interior you do not want to miss.
8. Jewish Ghetto
The jewish ghetto is a lively neighborhood in Rome full of history, shopping and great restaurants. It’s a great place to spend a relaxing evening exploring the cobblestone streets and trying its famous fried artichokes.
9. Sant’ignazio Church
Sant’Ignazio Church is a baroque style church located only a few blocks away from the Trevi Fountain. It has the most incredible fresco painted by Andrea Pozzo across its entire ceiling.
10. The Vatican and Sistine Chapel
The Vatican was constructed from parts of many famous ancient monuments and is a lavish expression of wealth, history and religion. Although you can walk into the Vatican for free, in order to see the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums, you must either buy a ticket yourself or go via a tour.
Know Before You Go
- Entry to churches is free – Unlike many other parts of Italy, in Rome there is no fee to enter churches. Keep this in mind as you explore the city, as there are so many beautiful churches that are so worth popping into even if it’s only for five minutes.
- Bring cash for taxis – Some taxi’s take credit cards, but many prefer or only take cash so make sure you have some euros on hand.
- Make reservations – Like any other big city, popular places can fill up fast. I recommend making dinner reservations ahead of time for every night of your trip, especially if you’re traveling during peak season.
- Book tours – If you are interested in going inside the Colosseum or spending time at the Vatican I recommend booking tours a few months in advance. These two spots in particular can get very busy and are much easier and more enjoyable to visit with skip the line tickets and a private guide. Viator is my go to site for booking tours and they have a ton of options for Rome here.
Planning Your Itinerary – Rome for 3 Days
This guide is meant to be used to help you create a personalized itinerary, but if you need a jumpstart, I’ve outlined a sample below.
3 Day Itinerary in Rome
Rome is a vibrant city whose food, culture, and history draws millions of visitors each year. Planning a trip? I’d love to hear all about your 3 days in Rome in the comments below. I hope you have the best time stepping back in time and exploring all this wonderful city has to offer.
-Kira
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