Three days in Rome? How are you supposed to see all it has to offer? Is it even worth it to go if you’ll barely spend any time there?
If you’re like most travelers, you’ve googled something like “best Rome itinerary” and found yourself buried in churches, museums, ruins, piazzas, and restaurants. It’s enough to fill a month. After all, in Rome, almost every street has some kind of jaw-dropping history, it’s no wonder there’s so much you want to see.
But in order to have an unforgettable time in Rome, you really don’t need to see everything. If you try and you only have three days, you’ll just rush from one landmark to the next and miss the entire experience. Let’s face it, some of the things you see on the internet that say ‘you have to see’ are probably not that important to you, so why bother?
Skip them and soak up the ones that do. With a little planning, a 3-day trip to Rome will leave you with no regrets.
Day One
Welcome to Rome! To kick your first day off, you’ll start with the icon – the Colosseum. As you can imagine, it gets very crowded here, so book an early access or join a dawn tour. It’s not fun waking up at the crack of dawn, but it will be worth it because standing inside the Colosseum while the city is still waking up feels surreal.
From there, take your time wandering through the Roman Forum and up Palatine Hill. In the morning light, with fewer people around, it’s easier to imagine what life must have been like thousands of years ago. When the sun gets higher and the city is busier, leave the ruins behind and head into Monti. It’s trendy, but low-key. Grab some lunch at Ai Tre Scalini or Aromaticus and slow down a little. Have a glass of wine with lunch and soak it all in.
In the afternoon, visit the Capitoline Museums. For now, we’re skipping the Vatican because the Capitoline Museums are quieter, just as fascinating, and perched on one of Rome’s seven hills. While you’re there, explore around Capitoline Hill. You’ll find staircases, quiet courtyards, and hidden corners full of surprises.
At the end of the day, head to the Jewish Ghetto, one of the oldest Jewish communities in the world, for an aperitivo. It’s beautiful, full of history, and not very tourist-y. If you’re up for it, finish your night with dinner by the Tiber River.
Day Two
Day two also starts with one of Rome’s most iconic sites – the Vatican. But don’t try to see both the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica in one go. Pick one, go early, and take it in slowly. Afterward, walk across the river to Trastevere. It’s one of the most colorful neighborhoods in Rome, and it’s perfect for a mid-morning coffee.
It’s midday now and you’re ready to cover more ground, but still be relaxed. Get a bike rental in Rome and explore diverse neighborhoods and hidden piazzas without having to use public transport. Testaccio and Prati are wonderful to explore by bike, and if you follow the quieter paths toward Aventine Hill or along the Tiber, you’ll find scenic spots like the Orange Garden or Lungotevere.
In the afternoon, go to Villa Borghese, which is Rome’s version of Central Park, but with more statues and fewer joggers. Bike through and visit the Galleria Borghese nearby. You’ll need to book this ahead, though, because they only let a limited number of visitors in at a time.
End the afternoon at the Pincian Terrace and in the evening, go to Terraza Borromini or Hotel Raphael. They both serve amazing food, plus the scenery is out of this world.
Day Three
The day starts with a simple espresso at a corner bar. No rush, no plan. Then, take a slow walk through Campo de Fiori and Piazza Navona. They’re popular, but if you take a pause and let yourself absorb the atmosphere, they’ll feel different. If you’re up for a climb, head to Janiculum Hill.
Then, grab lunch from a nearby market and find a quiet place to eat in Parco degli Aranci or by the Tiber River. In the afternoon, wander near Via dei Coronari for handmade goods, step into a church you’ve never heard of, or sit in silence under the ceilings of Santa Maria della Pace and admire the frescoes.
When the sky starts to get darker, make your way to the Pantheon. It’s absolutely stunning at night, especially from a seat in Piazza della Rotonda, with a glass of wine in hand. Your trip ends with dinner, like a plate of carbonara in Trastevere or a quiet osteria tucked into a courtyard.
Conclusion
By the end of the third day, your feet should be tired, your phone should be overloaded with photos, and your belly should be full of some of the best food you’ve tasted. If your heart feels a little heavy to be leaving, congratulations, you did Rome right. You didn’t race through landmarks or elbow your way through crowds, you experienced the city in the best way possible.
You’re not taking any regrets back home, only stories.
