3 days in Rome: itinerary for a first visit
Three days in Rome is enough for the big three: ancient Rome, the Vatican and the historic centre with its squares and fountains. Book the Colosseum and the Vatican Museums before you go and spend the evenings in Trastevere and around Piazza Navona.
Best timeApril–June and September–October
Getting aroundOn foot in the centre; metro lines A and B and buses for longer trips
AirportFiumicino, about 32 minutes to Termini on the Leonardo Express train
Plan this trip in the app – freeCopies all 3 days to your account. Change anything.
Day 1: Ancient Rome
- Colosseum, Rome – Start early at the amphitheatre; a timed ticket also covers the Forum and Palatine Hill.
- Roman Forum, Rome – Walk through the ruins of the centre of ancient Rome.
- Palatine Hill, Rome – Palaces of the emperors and a view over the Circus Maximus.
- Piazza del Campidoglio, Rome – Michelangelo's square on the Capitoline Hill, with a view back over the Forum.
- Trastevere, Rome – Cobbled streets and trattorias for dinner across the river.
Day 2: The Vatican
- Vatican Museums – Long galleries of art ending in the Sistine Chapel; book a time slot.
- St. Peter's Basilica – The largest church in the world, with Michelangelo's Pietà inside.
- St. Peter's Dome – Climb to the top for the view over St. Peter's Square and the city.
- Castel Sant'Angelo, Rome – Emperor Hadrian's tomb, later a papal fortress, with a terrace over the Tiber.
- Piazza Navona, Rome – Baroque square with Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers.
Day 3: Historic centre
- Pantheon, Rome – A Roman temple with the famous open dome, still standing after almost 2,000 years.
- Trevi Fountain, Rome – Go early in the morning to see it without the crowds.
- Spanish Steps, Rome – The steps up to Trinità dei Monti, with shopping streets below.
- Villa Borghese, Rome – Rome's central park; the Borghese Gallery inside needs a booking.
- Campo de' Fiori, Rome – Market square by day and a lively spot in the evening.
Tips
- Book the Colosseum and Vatican Museums online; tickets sell out in high season.
- Cover shoulders and knees to enter churches, including St. Peter's.
- Fill your bottle at the free public drinking fountains, the nasoni.
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