The Best 3-Day Detailed Itinerary for Rome

Is it possible to find a great 3-day day itinerary for Rome? – you betcha! There are tons of things to see and do in Rome but, you can see the top sites if you plan your time well. As the saying goes, “Rome wasn’t built in a day,” and this same patience is required to appreciate this city in all its glory fully.

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In 2019, we spent 90-days in Rome and although the weather was rainy for the most part, we made good use of our time there exploring the streets of Rome and we wrote about this amazing time in our first book, “Our Italian Journey.”

Our 3-Day Itinerary for Rome

Three days in Rome is just enough time to appreciate the best attractions. Use our itineraries as a guide and perhaps consider adding several additional suggestions we have mentioned at the end of the post if you find you have extra time available. Always double-check the opening time of each site before going. Consequently, what we have listed will vary depending on the season.

Also, depending on where you are staying, feel free to reverse any of the itineraries. Whether you start at the last stop and work your way to the first- it doesn’t matter except – pay attention to opening times. Furthermore, in each of these suggested itineraries, we’ve kept the attractions within a close approximation so you are not zigzagging all over the city.

Always check ahead to see if any special events are happening while visiting!

Rome City Pass

A good way to see Rome’s top attractions is to bundle them. While most major cities have a city pass, and Rome is no different. If you only want to visit a limited number of attractions, it can also be advantageous to purchase individual tickets rather than a Rome pass. 

There are several options so check these out. Almost all include some public transit on the metro, tram, and bus. If you’re visiting in the heat of the summer – you’ll probably want to make sure you have an option for some transportation. You will be happy you did.

• This Roma Pass site will give you a general overview, but it’s not always up-to-date.

• This site has a lot of options to choose from and is easy to use.

• This site is a great site for comparison about tickets for Rome attractions.

ESPECIALLY RELEVANT: Rome has many free attractions on the first Sunday of every month. Of course, with free entry comes long lines.

This market opens early and offers a variety of fresh produce, pasta, cheeses, and more. Having a coffee and a bite to eat would be a great starting point. It also offers beautiful flowers during the spring, summer, and fall. This area transforms into a busy evening spot with restaurants and cafes.

Walk 5 minutes (550m) to Piazza Navona

Piazza Navona is one of the most famous piazzas in Rome and is built on the former site of the Stadium of Domitian. So, close your eyes and visualize the oval stadium, once filled with dirt, not cobblestones, holding athletics competitions for spectators.

This is a great place to find a restaurant, grab a coffee or breakfast/lunch, depending on your arrival time… and people-watch.

Walk 5 minutes (400m) to Pantheon

Audio guides are available inside the Pantheon which let you enjoy visiting at your own pace.

The Pantheon was built between 25 and 27 B.C. Once a Roman temple, the Pantheon was formally changed into a Catholic church in 609 AD. The Pantheon is one of the best-preserved monuments from Ancient Rome.

Walk 6 minutes (400m) to the Marcus Aurelius Column

The Marcus Aurelius column is much thicker than many similar monuments you’ll see around the city. It’s hollow with a spiral stairway inside that once allowed you to climb to the top. The detailed relief up and down the length of the column shows battles led by Marcus Aurelius against the barbarians.

Walk 5 minutes (350m) to the Trevi Fountain

The Trevi Fountain is set in the Piazza di Trevi and is easily the most famous fountain in Rome. While built in the 18th century, the Baroque feature is built on an aqueduct initially developed in 19 BC by Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa. The fountain also depicts ancient Roman gods, with the god of water, Oceanus, and Abundance and Salubrity.

The Trevi Fountain is a must-visit for your Rome itinerary. Consider visiting in the morning as the crowds will build as the day progresses. Like the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain owes some of its fame to a film – La Dolce Vita by Federico Fellini. Only in the movie was dancing in the fountain allowed. Today, many face fines as it is illegal to climb into the fountain… but people still do it every once in a while. Don’t forget to revisit this site in the evening because you’ll have a completely different experience – well, I think so. Are you curious about what happens to coins in fountains? Visit our post for more…

It’s tradition to throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain for good luck and the promise of a return to Rome.

Suggested Tour:  We’ve never done it ourselves, but we’ve heard this tour – Fountain and Underground Tour is pretty cool where you visit the Trevi Fountain and go 9 meters (30 feet) underground to see the ruins of an ancient aqueduct.

Walk 8 minutes (550m) to the Column of the Immaculate Conception

** (it’s not numbered on our walking map but it is on the way to the Spanish Steps)

The Column of the Immaculate Conception is the centerpiece of the small Piazza Mignanelli that opens from the corner of the Piazza di Spagna. The statue on top of the column is a bronze Virgin Mary. Mary, the mother of Jesus, occupies a central place in Catholic belief, and this statue of her was built in 1857.

If visiting on December 8th (The Feast of the Immaculate Conception), the Pope will visit this spot along with the head of the fire department, which originally erected the column, and a wreath will be added.

Walk 2 minutes (140m) to the Spanish Steps

In the middle of the square, at the bottom of the steps, you’ll see the Barcaccia Fountain, which was built by Bernini and his son in 1627. It represents a boat and the symbol of the Bernini family- the sun and the bees.

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These five sites are located together and can easily be visited in one day. If you start off at the Capital Building (also known as “The Wedding Cake”) and walk along Via dei Fori Imperiali towards the Colosseum – you will be walking right past the ruins of the Roman Forum. Incredibly, it can be viewed right from the street! If you don’t have time to visit this site, it’s a good way to glimpse it.

Check if any of these sites have updated free podcasts or walking tours. We listened as we walked to a free Rick Steves tour of the Roman Forum which we downloaded ahead of time from iTunes. It was useful in understanding the ruins.

The museum is worth the visit if you have the time. Also, there is a panoramic terrace located on top of the monument to Victor Emmanuel II where you take a glass elevator and can walk on the roof!

Walk 19 minutes (1.4km) to the Roman Forum (depending on which entrance you use)

Take your time to wander through the remains of ancient structures. The forum was one of the most important places in Rome, where criminal trials were carried out.

You can book advance tickets online to avoid standing in lines. The Colosseum and Forum tickets are usually sold together. You can view most of the Roman Forum from the street, but it’s truly spectacular to walk through the ruins.

Walk 12 minutes (900m) to the Colosseum

The Colosseum is the world’s largest amphitheater once used as a venue for brutal gladiator fighting and blood sports.

Consider purchasing Colosseum tickets which allow you to skip the line. These tickets are easily found online and easy to redeem.

Suggested Tour: There is a great tour that will allow you to skip the lines and have a personal, expert guide you along the way.  Colosseum, Forum and Palatine Hill tour – 

Walk 2 minutes (140m) to the Arch of Constantine

Walk 2 minutes (130m) to Palatine Hill

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Many say, an itinerary for Rome that doesn’t include a visit to the Vatican – even if you aren’t Catholic – isn’t a complete visit. Were you aware that the Vatican is a separate country within Italy? The Vatican is the head of the Catholic Church and is home to the Pope.

If you have time, I highly suggest that you go up into the dome of St Peter’s Basilica and walk on the roof of the Vatican for a different perspective. St. Peter’s Basilica was built in Renaissance style and opened in 1626.

Get there early with skip-the-line access and avoid standing around as it will allow you to maximize your time enjoying the rest of Vatican City.

The Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel – Cost: Varies

The Vatican Museums are the highlights of a trip to Vatican City. Most noteworthy… if you have to pick and choose – I highly recommend at least seeing The Sistine Chapel with stunning frescoes by Michelangelo. The Vatican Museums are known for their Roman, Baroque, and Renaissance architecture. They contain one of Italy’s finest collections of art and archeology.

Walk 21 minutes (1.5km) to Castel Sant’ Angelo

Walk 20 minutes (1.5km) to Piazza del Popolo

This square was built during the XVI century and it underwent many changes and reconstructions throughout the centuries. Two unique buildings on the square are the almost identical baroque churches Santa Maria dei Miracoli and Santa Maria in Montesanto. 

One of the most remarkable sights on the square of Piazza del Popolo is the 36-metre high Egyptian obelisk.

At the opposite end of the piazza across from the churches, you can climb Pincio Hill using the steps. As a result and once at the top, the balcony of the Piazza Napoleone offers a magnificent view of the square and Rome.

Walk 27 minutes (1.8 km) to Borghese Gallery & Gardens

Museum tickets are not sold at the door so you must reserve tickets in advance.

The Borghese Gallery is situated in a villa that houses 15th to 18th-century artworks, including Bernini, Caravaggio, Tiziano, Raffaello, Rubens, and Botticelli. This is the private collection of Cardinal Scipione Borghese who started it at the beginning of the 17th-century.

Also, in addition to the villa and museum, the beautiful Borghese Gardens are open from dawn to dusk. Villa Borghese is the largest public park in Rome. It is beautiful and a great place to rent a bicycle and enjoy a picnic under the large trees.  

Itinerary for Rome FAQ

How many days is ideal in Rome?

I feel four days is an ideal amount of time itinerary for Rome. That extra day will give you extra time to see some of the sites we’ve listed below. I have heard of people staying a week, and I think that is more than you need.

When is Best to Visit Rome?

The best month to visit Rome is October. October still has warm temperatures and attracts fewer crowds than in July and August.

Tips for Choosing a restaurant

Choose your restaurant carefully. One sign that a restaurant is targeting tourists than authentic Italian cuisine is that the menu is laminated and shows pictures of the food on the menu.

Is Rome safe?

Rome is very safe overall. However, like most big cities, it is not immune from pickpocketing and street theft.

Other Sites to Add to Your Itinerary for Rome

So, if you find extra time, listed below are some additional worthy suggestions. We’ve given you a little synopsis to give you an idea so you can research more if needed.

In Conclusion

In conclusion, whatever the amount of time you have in this amazing city – let’s face it – it will be memorable. So, use your time wisely and decide what is a must-see, and what you will leave and return to see another day. More than likely, this will not be your only trip to Rome.