Three Perfect Days in Rome

Rome, also known as the Eternal City, calls to travelers with all types of interests.

Do you love history? Rome is more than 2,000 years old. Architecture? It has some of the most spectacular (and studied) buildings and monuments in the world. Art? Maybe you’ve heard of this masterpiece called the Sistine Chapel.

Do you travel for the food? You definitely won’t be disappointed!

Rome is a combination of experiences that will thrill almost any visitor. No wonder it is one of the most visited cities on the planet. Here’s your itinerary for three perfect days in Rome.

Fancy taking a trip to Europe soon? Be sure to read 8 Secrets to Having a Fantastic Trip to Europe.

Getting Ready for Your Trip

This plan groups sights by location and theme. The city is relatively easy to navigate, and many destinations are clustered together. You will still do a good amount of walking, though, so be prepared.

Although Rome is full of historic and beautiful sights, it can be overwhelming for first-time visitors. It’s chaotic and crowded. You will need to be on your guard against pick-pocketers, street hustlers and tourist restaurants that try to pad the bill. Use a trusted guidebook to prepare for such encounters, and you will be fine.

You also need to do all you can to avoids crowds and standing in long lines. Buy admission tickets online, pay more for skip-the-line access and use your guidebook’s strategies to visit at the best time. That may mean rearranging this itinerary depending on what days you’re in Rome, or other factors such as holidays.

Overall, be flexible, do your homework but live in the moment while in Rome. Enjoy La Dolce Vita!

Here’s where to start if you want to go to Europe: How to Plan Your First Trip to Europe, Part 1.

Three Perfect Days in Rome

Here’s a quick overview:

Day One– Ancient Rome:  Colosseum, Roman Forum, Victor Emmanuelle Monument, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain

Day Two– Vatican City:  Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, St. Peter’s Square, Trastevere neighborhood

Day Three– Northern Rome:  Villa Borghese Gardens/Borghese Gallery, Spanish Steps, Capitoline Museums, Piazza Navona

And here’s the next step: How to Plan Your First Trip to Europe, Part 2.

Day One: Ancient Rome

1st Stop: The Colosseum

Fuel up on a fabulous cappuccino (from the people who invented them) and head for the famous Colosseum. As a top sight in Rome, it will be crowded. Always. Be sure to buy your ticket online ahead of time.

I recommend doing the guided tour that includes the underground part of the structure. Although your ticket allows you to skip admission lines, you will still have to go through security.

So many horrible things happened here, yet we can’t escape its incredible architectural and cultural value. The Colosseum was the centerpiece of the city when Rome ruled the world. And it’s still impressive after 2,000 years.

2nd Stop: The Roman Forum

Right next door to the Colosseum is the Roman Forum (FREE with Colosseum ticket). It was the heart of Rome: where the law was argued, worshippers visited temples, public meetings were held and markets thrived. It was also where the political and powerful lived during Rome’s heyday.

Today you’ll see ruins of palaces, monuments and city structures. I would use an audio guide to browse your way through. You’ll need a little explanation to appreciate the buildings, but it doesn’t take that long to visit.

Don’t miss an early pictorial of the Jewish menorah carved into the Arch of Titus, near the Colosseum entrance. It was built to celebrate Rome’s conquest of Israel in A.D. 70. It is the first known visual of a significant symbol in Judaism.

3rd Stop: Victor Emmanuel II Monument

After leaving the Forum, you (literally) can’t miss the Victor Emmanuel II Monument (FREE), standing like an enormous palace. (it is joking called the Wedding Cake or the Typewriter) Also known as the Altar of the Fatherland, it was built to commemorate the reign of the first king of a unified Italy, Victor Emmanuel.

Pop inside to see panoramic views of the Colosseum and Forum from its terraces. It costs 10 euros to go up in an elevator to the roof for even better views of Rome.

Look for a lunch stop in the Monti neighborhood, but be careful of the tourist traps close to the Colosseum. Walk a few streets away to substantially increase your meal’s quality while simultaneously decreasing the price. You can also head towards the northern end of the Piazza Venezia to enjoy lunch.

Afterward, take a break at the hotel, or sit for a while in the Piazza Venezia.

If you want to taste more of Europe’s great culinary delights, check out 20 Foods You Must Try in Paris!

4th Stop: The Pantheon

As the day wanes, visit the Pantheon (FREE). The Pantheon is an incredible example of Roman engineering. It was constructed 2,000 years ago, and yet it survives in fantastic condition today. It purposefully has a hole at the top (weird, I know!), and small drains on the floor so rain can wash away.

The Pantheon is a circular temple filled with statues and altars. It was originally built to worship many deities (hence the pan), but later was used for the Christian church, allowing it to survive during the Dark Ages.

It was an inspiration for engineering similar domes, notably for the Florence cathedral, St. Peter’s and even the U.S. Capitol building. Raphael is buried here, as well as two of modern Italy’s first kings.

5th Stop: Trevi Fountain

Cap your day off with a walk to the Trevi fountain (FREE). It is a minor artistic accomplishment, but travelers love to toss a coin to ensure their visit back to Rome. It’s beautiful at night and, although super touristy, still enjoyable.

Visitors to Dublin, Ireland won’t want to miss these incredible side-trips: Day Trips from Dublin, Ireland.

Day 2: Vatican City

1st Stop: The Vatican Museums

Start your day with a visit to the smallest country in the world…yet within Rome itself. Vatican City is technically its own nation, with a unique Euro and post office. And you’ll want to see its ample amount of fantastic art collected over the ages. A visit to Rome isn’t complete without touring the Vatican Museums!

Ok, so it is IMPERATIVE to buy admission online before you visit the Vatican Museums. I don’t understand the huge queues waiting to buy tickets. Buy online and save hours standing in line. You will still have to go through a security check line, of course.

Your ticket allows a timed entrance and (if you choose) a local guide to the miles of Vatican artwork housed inside. You can also use an audio guide, although you have to go all the way back to the main entrance to return it.

We used a tour guide through the museum for three hours of in-depth commentary. However, he had such a thick Italian accent we didn’t understand a lot of it! And it was an exhaustive recap. If you don’t love art (or sculpture or tapestries), use an audio guide and browse through to see what interests you most.

Plus, this is a palace where popes over the ages have lived. The building itself is gorgeous. (frescoed ceilings, yes please!)

2nd Stop: The Sistine Chapel

At the end of the winding museum corridors, you will (finally) enter the Sistine Chapel. One of the most famous works of art in the world, several (world-class) artisans were employed to decorate the walls of the Pope’s personal chapel with Biblical images.

The most incredible portion is Michelangelo’s frescoed ceiling with scenes from Genesis. I can’t imagine how hard it was for him to lie on his back for four years while completing his masterpiece! You will be overwhelmed by the beauty and detail in the chapel.

Although I will honestly say that, after three hours of viewing other historic, stunning works of art, I wasn’t as impressed as I thought I would be with the chapel. It was kinda art overload at the moment.

The other annoying thing is that the chapel is filled with visitors (maybe 200 at a time?). It’s distracting to hear a constant buzz of conversation, sometimes broken with an official announcement telling everyone to be quiet. There are expensive tours that take you straight to the Sistine Chapel before the museum opens, and I would love to do that on my next trip!

At this point, I would grab lunch in a nearby neighborhood. Remember the tip to walk a little further afar to get a better meal. If you are exhausted after all that art, pizza is usually a decent and inexpensive choice, wherever you decide to eat.

Wondering what to wear in Paris? Read 5 Surprisingly Easy Tips for What to Wear in Paris.

3rd Stop: St. Peter’s Basilica

St. Peter’s Basilica (FREE), at the back of St. Peter’s Square, is the most enormous church in the world, and the center of the Roman Catholic World. If you need proof, the church’s floor has markings showing how other large churches will fit inside it. It can squeeze in 60,000 worshippers standing side by side.

St. Peter’s is also known for its marvelous works of art. Michelangelo’s Pieta (a statue of Mary holding a crucified Jesus; it’s quite moving) is on the right near the entrance. The altarpiece was carved by Baroque genius Bernini (it’s only seven stories high). And Raphael created a mosaic of his painting The Transfiguration.

You can climb the dome to get fantastic viewing over St. Peter’s Square and much of Rome (for a small fee). Or take a tour Scavi tour under the basilica to see St. Peter’s original grave. Whether you’re a Catholic or not, the basilica is awe-inspiring.

Note the basilica and St. Peter’s Square can be unbelievably crowded some days. Be sure to research the best days and times to visit the Vatican.

4th Stop: St. Peter’s Square

After leaving the church, you will find yourself in St. Peter’s Square (FREE). The enormous church sits at one end, and 284 columns ring the main square. Statues of saints stand atop the columns, 140 in total. An Egyptian obelisk, brought to Rome in A.D. 31, is at the center of the square. Some fountains complete the area.

You will likely see many chairs lined up in front of the basilica. This is for the Pope’s regular address each Wednesday. If you want to attend a papal audience, be sure to reserve (free) tickets a month or two in advance. I’m not Catholic, but I would like to see the popemobile slowly making its way through the crowds!

Be sure to mail a postcard from this tiny country you’re visiting. We purchased postcards from a shop on the southern side of the square, and sent them from the same spot. And put another notch in your “countries visited” list; it totally counts.

Remember to dress modestly when visiting Vatican City. You must be covered from shoulders to knees. A large, thin scarf is helpful when touring religious sights in the summer: just cover your shoulders or wear it as a skirt if you have shorts on.

5th Stop: Trastevere

After seeing Vatican City, take a bus back to your hotel for a siesta or explore the quiet Trastevere neighborhood (FREE). This area is a beautiful place to have dinner as well. Just across the Tiber river, Trastevere is a little more “authentic, modern Rome” than what you find around the tourist areas.

It’s known for its excellent restaurants, and Romans and tourists alike enjoy delicious meals in this little corner of the city.

Parents will want to know these Top Tips for Taking Your Kids to Europe!

Day 3:

1st Stop: Villa Borghese Gardens/ Borghese Gallery

Heading towards the northern part of the city, the Villa Borghese Gardens (FREE) is a beautiful escape from hectic Rome. The gardens house a cardinal’s mansion (now the Borghese Gallery), fountains, a zoo, lakes, cafes and more. Children and those seeking a bit of quiet will enjoy a respite in the gardens.

But art lovers will swoon over works at the Borghese Gallery. Less crowded with travelers, but with plenty to see, many people find the gallery more enjoyable than the Vatican Museums.

The exhibits are a Who’s Who in famous artists: Caravaggio, Rubens, Raphael, Titan, Canova and Bernini. Book tickets online to get a reservation time. Be sure to arrive beforehand, and know that your reservation only gives you two hours max in the museum. Secure a time here, although there is a 4-euro fee, this site is super easy to use.

2nd Stop: Spanish Steps

I’m not quite sure why the Spanish Steps (FREE) are so adored, but they make for an idyllic setting you will enjoy on your Roman holiday. More Hollywood than history, the steps have been mentioned in numerous books and movies, so travelers love to see the real thing.

After your morning at the Borghese Gardens, snap some photos around the Spanish Steps, and enjoy an espresso overlooking the busy scene. I would grab lunch a little off the square, though.

Shoppers will want to head for the Via del Corso for affordable yet fabulous fashion. But the Via Condotti and Via Borgognona (intersecting the Via del Corso) will have the labels fashionistas really lust after. If you don’t want to shell out a small fortune, window shopping is also a delight shoppers will be sure to remember.

3rd Stop: Capitoline Museums

After lunch near the Spanish Steps, head back to Palazzo dei Conservatori for another 5-star institution in Rome, the Capitoline Museums. Founded in 1471, this may be the world’s oldest museum. Visit to see the famous statues Capitoline She-Wolf (with sons Romulus and Remus), as well as Commodus as Hercules.

The café has great city views, and the adjourning Palazzo Nuovo features the Dying Gaul and the Capitoline Venus. Both are examples of ancient art, insights into the highly sophisticated societies that preceded us. Buy tickets online here.

4^th Stop: Piazza Navona

For your last night in Rome, enjoy one of Italy’s grand piazzas, Piazza Navona (FREE). It is the second-largest piazza in the city because it was initially a stadium for ancient games. Today, you’ll find several serene fountains, an Egyptian obelisk and many people enjoying life.

Choose from one of its many cafes and relish the travelers, street performers and happy serenity in the square. Take a walk around the piazza after dinner. Try to remember Rome this way.

What do you love about Rome? Please share your thoughts in the comments below. I hope you have a chance to make it to this world-class city soon!