3 Days in Rome: The Ultimate Guide for First Timers

Oh, Rome, the Eternal City! For any traveler, a visit to Rome is a must, and that’s why I’m here, to help you plan your perfect 3 days in Rome.

Rome is one of the most visited cities in Europe and for a good reason, with an old past, Rome hides history in every corner and offers so much to see and to learn.

For that reason, in this guide on what to do in Rome in 3 days, we going to focus on the area inside the Aurelian Wall, which is considered the central area of the city and where most of the attractions and important places to visit in Rome are located.

In this guide, we will cover all the important points you shouldn’t miss, especially if it is your first time in Rome.

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3 Days in Rome Overview

We will start our visit to Rome by visiting the most important Roman ruins in the Italian capital and one of the most important museums in the city, the Capitoline Museum.

On our second day in Rome, we will visit the Vatican, the smallest country in the world!

And on our last day in Rome, we will start the day in Piazza del Popolo, making our way to the Fontana di Trevi, and finishing our Rome itinerary at Piazza Navona.

How to Get to Rome

Rome has two airports: Fiumicino International Airport, also known as Leonardo da Vinci, and a smaller airport, serving more domestic and few international flights, the Ciampino Airport.

Fiumicino Airport (Leonardo da Vinci)

Located in the city of Fiumicino, 28 km away from Rome, it is the main Italian airport and one of the most important airports in Europe.

Fiumicino is the biggest airport in Rome and serves most of the international flights to the city.

The easiest, and fastest way to get from the Fiumicino Airport to Rome, is by train.

But if you are traveling with more people and looking for some comfort, I suggest booking a transfer from the airport to Rome.

Ciampino Airport

Ciampino Airport is the smallest airport in Rome, located about 12 km southeast of the city center.

It primarily handles low-cost airlines like Ryanair and Wizz Air, making it a popular choice for budget travelers.

If you are coming to Rome via land, you will arrive at the central station known as Rome Termini, it is pretty easy to get around the city from Rome Termini, as you can easily take the metro (check the metro map here) or one of the buses outside the station to other points of the city.

Where to stay in Rome

Hotel Amalfi – Great cost-benefit hotel. For those traveling on a budget, Hotel Amalfi is a great option, it is close to the Rome Termini, giving you easy access to pretty much any landmark of Rome. The rooms are beautifully decorated with frescos on the walls and ceilings, helping to create that Italian atmosphere.

Otivm Hotel – Just a walking distance from the Palazzo Venezia, and other highlights such as the Capitoline Museum, and some of the most famous Roman ruins. The hotel offers continental and buffet breakfast options every morning and a terrace from where you can have a beautiful panoramic view of the Eternal City.

Rocco Forte Hotel De La Ville  – Located just above the Spanish Steps, this luxury hotel offers elegant 17th-century style rooms, a 3-star restaurant serving classic Italian cuisine, and a spa with hydromassage pool, a Kneipp path, a steam room, salt room, and a sauna. If you are looking for some pamper after a long day of sightseeing, this is the perfect hotel for you.

Day One: Roman Ruins and Museum

Colosseum

Time required: 3 hours with Roman Forum and Palatine Hill

Getting to the Colosseum is easy, if you didn’t have the Hop on Hop off bus pass, you need to get to the metro station that has the same name: ‘Colosseum’.

Leave the metro station and VOILA! You will be right in front of this icon that has probably been on your wishlist for so long!

The size of the building is really impressive when you realize it was built so many centuries ago by people who didn’t have access to the technology we have today.

The Colosseum is the most famous of the Roman ruins in Rome, being a symbol of the city It is also known as the Flavian Amphitheater and was built between 70 AD and 80AD, during the reign of Emperor Titus.

It has a capacity for over 50,000 and was used for entertainment in general, and sadly, by ‘entertainment’ I mean gladiator battles, exotic animal killing, and prisoner executions.

Inside you will be able to see the areas where the common people would sit to watch the shows, as well as the area where the high society of that time would sit.

You can even locate the place where the Emperor himself would be.

In the arena, part of it was left uncovered so you can see the underground of the building.

Animals and prisoners would have their cells here, while gladiators too would wait underground for their performance.

Some tours bring you to the center of the Arena, where you can admire the Colosseum from the perspective of the gladiators, as well as tours that bring you to the underground part to see the old cells.

Also Read: Did Gladiators Ever Fight Lions?

Best Guided Tour of the Colosseum

For those looking for a classic tour, go for this Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill priority ticket. This priority access saves you time and money, as you won’t need to get into any line to get to the ruins, you can opt to include a visit to Colosseum’s arena.

The entrance to the Colosseum is free with Roma Pass or OMNIA Pass.

Palatine Hill

Time required: 3 hours with Roman Forum and Colosseum

The Palatine Hill is one of the seven hills in Rome and is considered the oldest part of the city.

This is where the city Rome began in the 10th century BC, and according, to the tales, the Palatine Hill is the location of the Lupercal cave, where Romulus and Remus were found and taken care of by the Wolf.

Since then, Palatine Hill has always been one of the most important areas in the city of Rome and is considered a noble location, with many important figures building their houses in this area.

Today it is possible to visit their ruins in the Palatine Hill.

Best Guided Tour of the Palatine Hill

Your entrance to the Palatine Hill is already included in the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill priority ticket. ticket.

It’s important to note that some ruins within the Palatine Hill require a different ticket, to visit the House of Augustus and House of Livia you can book your private visit here. While for the Domus Tiberiana, you can guarantee your ticket visit here. Both ticket include a guided tour through the Palatine Hill and Roman Forum.

Roman Forum

Time required: 3 hours with Palatine Hill and Colosseum

The Roman Forum is a rectangular square surrounded by ruins of important government buildings.

This used to be the center of daily Roman life, it’s where the main market of the city used to be, as well as some important temples, whose columns we can still see today.

Besides, that’s the area where public speeches, criminal trials, and some gladiator matches used to take place.

Nowadays, the highlights of the Roman Forum include the Temple of Venus, the Temple of Saturn, which can be easily recognized by its columns, and the Curia, where the Senate used to meet.

Your entrance to the Roman Forum is already included in the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill priority ticket. ticket.

Also Read: How Did The Roman Forum Look Like Before Excavations?

Trajan’s Forum

Time required: 30 minutes

Trajan’s Forum is the last and grandest of the Imperial forums built in ancient Rome. It was built under Emperor Trajan in the early 2nd century A.D.

The centerpiece of the Trajan’s Forum was the massive Basilica Ulpia, which was the largest basilica in Rome at the time, and the remarkable Trajan’s Column, a 30-meter-tall monument that depicts Trajan’s military victories over the Dacians.

Another highlight is Trajan’s Market, considered one of the world’s oldest shopping malls.

Nowadays there is a museum inside the Trajan’s market that offers a a glimpse into the history of the forum and its significance to the Roman Empire.

Piazza Venezia

Leaving the ruins areas and following the Via de Fiori, will lead you to Piazza Venezia, which got its name from the Palazzo Venezia, located in the corner of the square.

The palace was built between 1455 and 1467 by the Venetian Cardinal Pietro Barbo, who later became Pope Paul II.

Nowadays the Renaissance building houses the National Museum of Palazzo Venezia, which displays mainly the collections of Pope Paul II.

Among other artworks of the museum’s collection, including pieces from the Sant’Angelo Castle, the Museum of the Collegio Romano, and the Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Antica.

I would skip this museum though, there are more interesting museums to visit in Rome.

But the cherry on the cake in this square is the Victor Emmanuel II National Monument, known by its Italian name Altare della Patria, or just Vittoriano.

Completed in 1925, this is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful monuments in Rome, the size of the monument is really impressive and so it is its statues.

It was built in honor of Italy’s first King, Victor Emmanuel II, whose role in unifying Italy granted him the title of Padre della Patria (Father of the Fatherland.

Inside the monument, you will find the Museum of Italian Reunification which tells the history of Italy from the late 18th century to WWI.

The monument also offers a terrace, from here you can have a beautiful view of the city of Rome.

Basilica of Santa Maria in Aracoeli

Time required: 30 minutes

On top of a hill behind the Victor Emmanuel II National Monument is one of the most beautiful churches in Rome.

The church looks very simple from the outside, and to get there, you have to climb what seems to be a long staircase.

Santa Maria in Aracoeli is definitely a hidden gem in Rome. What this medieval church has of simple from the outside, it compensates from the inside.

Santa Maria in Aracoeli is home to beautiful frescoes and a richly decorated ceiling, which celebrates the naval victory at Lepanto in 1571.

The entrance is free, so take this as an incentive, and don’t skip this beautiful church!

Capitoline Hill

Time required: 2 hours

Located just behind the Victor Emmanuel II National Monument, is one of the most important hills of Rome, the Capitoline Hill.

It can be accessed through the street next to the Victor Emmanuel II National Monument.

During the Republican age, many temples were erected on the Capitoline Hill, the name of the hill itself comes from the most important temple built here, the Temple of Jupiter Capitoline).

On the top of the Capitoline hill, stands the Piazza Del Campidoglio, the first modern square of Rome, and the famous Capitoline Museums, which offers a collection of Roman paintings and sculptures.

Among the highlights of the Capitoline Museums are the She-wolf statue, the Colossus of Constantine, and the original equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius.

Ticket of the Capitoline Museum

You can buy your ticket for the Capotilone Museum here. With this ticket, you will have access to a 25-minute multimedia video on Ancient Rome to help you picture what this amazing civilization was in its Golden Age, and to give you a backstory on what you will see in the museum.

In addition to the skip-the-entrance line and multimedia video, this ticket also gives you the option of choosing a guided tour, aperitifs and cocktails, and even a breakfast overlooking the city of Rome

Largo di Torre Argentina

Time required: 30 minutes

Largo di Torre Argentina is a fascinating yet less popular archaeological site in the heart of Rome, what makes this place a must-see, is the fact that it was here that Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 B.C!

In this square, you will see ruins of four ancient temples, one of them is Pompey’s Theatre, where Caesar met his tragic fate.

Day Two: Vatican City

Castel Sant’Angelo

Time required: 2 hours

The Castel Sant’Angelo was erected in AD 123 to serve as a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian.

In 590, Pope Gregory saw a vision of Archangel Saint Michael at the top of the castle announcing the end of the epidemic that was ravaging the city.

In honor, a statue of the Archangel was placed on top of the building.

Castel Sant’Angelo later became the official Papal residence, and some rooms used by the former Popes can still be visited.

To visit inside, you have to buy a ticket, I honestly do not think it is worth it, as there is not much inside, the rooms are almost all empty, and most of the furniture has been removed.

However, from the terrace, you have another beautiful view of Rome, the terrace visit is also included in this tour.

St. Peter’s Square

Following the Via della Conciliazione, you will find yourself in the heart of Vatican City, in the Piazza San Pietro, surrounded by famous columns.

In the middle of the square, there is an ancient Egyptian Obelisk, which has been standing there since the 16th century.

From here, the public can watch the Pope giving his speeches and delivering his blessings from the balcony.

And of course, the highlight of St. Peter’s Square is the magnificence of St. Peter’s Basilica.

Top Tip: Plan your visit and arrive early at the Vatican City, the lines to get to the Basilicas can get pretty crazy, so prepare yourself to wait for hours in line, under the sun, rain, or in cold weather. Early in the morning is the best time to visit as most of the tourists still didn’t arrive at the square. Alternatively, you can buy a fast-track combo ticket, to avoid the line, this ticket also includes entrance to the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel.

St. Peter’s Basilica

Time required: 3 hours including the Museums

St. Peter’s Basilica was built in the 4th century by orders of Emperor Constantine, who chose this location because it was where the apostle Peter had been buried.

The building we see today though was built between 1506 and 1615 commissioned by Pope Julius II, and designed by Michelangelo, Donato Bramante, and Carlo Maderno.

St. Peter’s Basilica is also the largest church in the world by interior measure and is still one of the largest buildings in the world.

The St. Peter’s Basilica is not only about religion though, inside the church, there are also beautiful works of art by famous artists, paintings, and sculptures that deserve attention.

Among the highlights is one of Michelangelo’s most famous sculptures La Pietá.

It is also possible to visit the tombs of the Popes, including the tomb of Saint Peter, and climb the dome. For this, you have to buy a special ticket. You can find the ticket to the Papal Tombs and Dome Climb here.

It is free to visit the Basilica, however, due to the number of visitors, the lines can get crazy, as I said before, and you will probably have to wait for hours in line to get inside.

I highly recommend getting the fast-track combo ticket here to save time.

Also Read: Christmas in Rome: Best Things to Do

Vatican Museums

Time required: 3 hours including the Basilica

Leaving St Peter’s Square, take the street to your left and follow to the Vatican Museum.

It is a huge museum and requires time to be visited completely, but most people choose to go straight to the Sistine Chapel.

If you are in a rush, don’t worry, it is easy to find the Sistine Chapel, you just have to follow the crowd.

There are signs along the way showing you where to go.

But brace yourself, this is a long walk, as the Sistine Chapel is the very last room in the Vatican Museums.

If you want to take your time and appreciate the other objects on the display, here is a guide to the Vatican Museums highlights.

The entrance to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel is already included in the fast-track combo ticket.

The Sistine Chapel

The Sistine Chapel honestly is bigger than I thought, judging by the photos online, and way more impressive.

The work inside the chapel is breathtaking, there is no space without painting, it is completely overwhelming, with so many details, colors, and different characters.

Right in the middle of the room, in the ceiling, you will find the famous “The Creation of Adam”! Another highlight is the painting on the Altar wall, The Last Judgement.

All the paintings in the Sistine Chapel were painted by Michelangelo and on the Altar’s wall.

It is possible to see one character that is supposed to represent the artist himself, melting.

To get out of the museum, you will have to walk all your way back to the entrance.

Trastevere

Hidden away on the west bank of the Tiber River, Trastevere is one of Rome’s most charming neighborhoods, known for its lively atmosphere and authentic Italian feel.

Famous for its narrow passageways, and ivy-covered buildings, It’s a great spot for those who want to experience a more laid-back and local side of Rome.

Trastevere is famous for its lively nightlife, thanks to the many trattorias, bars, and cafes that line its streets.

Another highlight of the Trastevere is the Santa Maria in Trastevere church, one of the oldest in Rome, and the hidden gem Villa Farnesina, a Renaissance villa filled with frescoes by Raphael.

Day Three: Rome Sightseeing

Piazza del Popolo

Leaving the Flaminio metro station, you just need to go straight to find yourself at the entrance of the Piazza del Popolo.

This Piazza was the location of the northern gate of Rome.

In the middle of the square is located the Egyptian obelisk of Ramesses II brought from Heliopolis in 10BC and put in the plaza in the 16th century.

The highlight of this square, is the twin churches next to each other, the Santa Maria di Montesanto (left) and Santa Maria dei Miracoli (right).

Next to the Porta del Popolo, there is the Basilica de Santa Maria del Popolo, it is believed that this church was built at the exact site where Nero was buried.

Borghese Gallery

Time required: 2 hours

The Borghese Gallery in Rome is a must-visit for art lovers.

Housed in the stunning Villa Borghese Gardens, the gallery is home to an impressive collection of works by legendary artists like Bernini, Caravaggio, Titian, and Raphael.

The museum is relatively small compared to others, but its intimate setting allows visitors to get up close to the art.

One of the most famous pieces is Bernini’s sculpture Apollo and Daphne, which captures the moment of transformation in marble with intricate detail.

Other highlights include Caravaggio’s David with the Head of Goliath and Raphael’s The Deposition.

To maintain the experience, visits are limited to two-hour time slots, which helps keep the crowds manageable and ensures everyone has time to take in the artwork. Book a guided tour of the Borghese Gallery here.

Spanish Steps

Back to the metro station to Spagna station, you will be a short walk away from what is, in my opinion, the most beautiful square in Rome, the Piazza di Spagna, famous for its flowered stairs in the Summer.

This is the perfect place to enjoy your lunch by looking at this beautiful view.

The steps are called Spanish Steps and link Piazza di Spagna at the bottom with the Piazza Trinita dei Monti at the top, there you will find the Trinita dei Monti Church.

Important Info: Although this was a common practice among tourists, sitting on the steps is now prohibited, since 2019, and fines have been introduced to enforce this. This comes as a measure to protect this UNESCO site.

At the base of the steps, there is a beautiful fountain called Fountain of the Old Boat.

The history behind this is that, before the city walls were built in 1598, Piazza di Spagna used to suffer from bad floodings.

Once, River Tiber flooded and one of the boats there ended up stranded in the Piazza di Spagna. This fountain comes as a way to remember this event.

Fontana di Trevi

Let’s make our way to another iconic monument in Rome, the Fontana di Trevi.

To do so, take the Via del Corso until the Via delle Muratte, from here, you just need to walk straight until you get to the fountain.

It is located in the Trevi district, hence the name. Rome has many fountains scattered throughout the city, but the Trevi Fountain is the biggest, and honestly, the most beautiful of them all.

The central figure in the monument is Neptune, the god of the Sea, he rides shell-shaped chariots, pulled by sea horses.

On Neptune’s left, there is a statue representing Abundance and on the right, another one represents Salubrity.

As it is one of Rome’s main attractions, do expect the place to be crowded.

The best times to visit it are early in the morning or right before sunset, when they turn on the lights, for a more dramatic experience.

The Trevi Fountain is the biggest in Rome and was built in the 19th century, at the end of an aqueduct as a way to bring water to the city.

Pantheon

Back to the Via del Corso, let’s head to our last point.

Take the Via del Caravitta straight to one of the most famous and one of oldest buildings in Rome, the Pantheon.

It was first built by Marcus Agrippa between 21 and 25 BC to be a temple for Roman gods.

However, the building we have today is believed to be the third Pantheon, built between 118 and 125 AD.

It was later turned into a Christian church, pagan statues were replaced by Christian statues, and the interior was redecorated.

But, generally, the Pantheon remains pretty much as how it was originally. Many important figures for the Church and Italy were buried here, including Vittorio Emanuele II.

To visit the temple inside, you have to buy a ticket, I recommend getting the skip-the-line ticket to the Pantheon as the queue can get pretty long, as always, in Rome!

Piazza Navona

Piazza Navona is a beautiful way to spend the end of the day or even the beginning of the day if you have a chance.

This is probably the most famous piazza in Rome and has been depicted in many paintings, for obvious reasons.

The huge buildings, beautiful colors, and charming fountain in the middle of the piazza, all give an artistic feeling to this beautiful place.

The square stands today in what used to the be Stadium of Domitian, in the 1st century AD.

Also known as Circus Agonalis, it used to be a famous place for ancient Romans to watch athletic contests and to celebrate the Agonalia or Agonia, an archaic religious event celebrated in ancient Rome.

The most famous and breathtaking building in the piazza is the magnificent Church of Sant’Agnese in Agone, in honor of Saint Agnes, who was martyred in the Stadium of Domitian.

Inside the Church, there is a shrine dedicated to Saint Agnes containing her skull.

City Pass Rome – Save Time & Money

The easiest way to save time and money in your 3 days in Rome itinerary is by buying the City Pass.

With this pass, you will be able to get access to the most important tourist attractions of Rome for FREE, and better than that: without taking any lines.

With OMNIA Rome & Vatican Card or the Best of Rome City Pass, you will be able to save time and money and visit more places in the city without having to worry about spending too much money or not having time enough to enjoy.

Both passes are valid for 72 hours.

Best of Rome City Pass

• Skip-the-line ticket to the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill.
• Skip-the-line entry to St. Peter’s Basilica with a Free audio guide.
• Skip-the-line ticket to Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel.
• Skip the line tickets for Pantheon
• Unlimited public transport pass (metro, tram, and bus)

OMNIA Rome & Vatican Card ( Best option)

• Free skip-the-line ticket to Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel.
• Free Skip-the-line to St. Peter’s Basilica + free audio guide
• Free skip-the-line admission to 2 out of 5 top attractions in Rome (you can choose between the Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill, Capitoline Museums, and Castel Sant’Angelo)
• Get discounted entry to 30+ museums in Rome
• Includes tickets to a 3-day Hop-on hop-off bus tour.
• Free unlimited public transport
• Free guidebook and map of Rome and Vatican City

Quick links to plan your 3 Days in Rome, Italy

More About Rome

• How to get to Rome Termini from Fiumicino Airport
• Christmas in Rome: Best Things to Do
• Guide to the Palatine Hill: 10 Monuments to See
• 20 Must-Visit Ancient Roman Ruins in Rome
• How did The Roman Forum Look Like Before Excavations?
• How Many Forums Did Rome Have?
• Did Gladiators ever fight Lions?

Italy Travel Essentials

• FLIGHT TICKET: Get the best flight deal with Skyscanner.
• ACCOMMODATION: Find the perfect accommodation on Booking.
• VISA: Apply for a Visa on iVisa.
• eSIM: Stay connected throughout your trip with Airalo eSim. It offers packages from 7 to 30 days for accessible prices.
• PRIVATE TRANSFER: Book your private airport transfer.
• RENT A CAR: Find the best rates on DiscoverCars.
• GUIDED TOUR: Find the best tours in Italy on GetYourGuide

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This text was originally written and posted in July 2018, and updated in oCTOBER 2024. New information has been added and links have been updated so that it could offer a better experience to the reader.