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Ahh Rome, the Everlasting Metropolis. I definitely really feel like I’ll love Rome for eternity, however sadly, we solely had three days to spend there final summer time with our daughters.
I’ve visited Rome earlier than, and was so excited to take Craig and our women there to expertise town for the primary time and permit them to see why it stole my coronary heart.
Because it’s new to Craig and my daughters, I deliberate the proper 3 day itinerary for Rome that ticks off all of the bucket record moments, the very best sights, the highlights, and unmissable landmarks.
Craig and the ladies got here away ever in awe of town, and me much more so! On my first go to, I used to be a backpacker who didn’t get a lot of an opportunity to dive deep into the tradition – particularly its scrumptious food- and cute neighborhoods. This was an expertise that took Rome from a beloved metropolis in Europe to my favourite!
It could be a disgrace to maintain our good itinerary to ourselves, so right here’s what we did in 3 days in Rome!
However first…
Are 3 Days Sufficient To See Rome?
I might say that three days is the minimal period of time you could discover Rome to see the primary sights.
It’s an enormous metropolis with a variety of historical past to uncover, and lots of the sights you’ll be able to spend a number of hours in. To see the Colosseum and The Discussion board, you want at the very least half a day for each for those who go for a guided tour, which can eat into your time. Visiting The Vatican can be one other half day, minimal.
In case you solely have three days, I’ve to warn you, will probably be a full-on three days with little probability to cease and relaxation.
When you’ve got extra time at your disposal, I like to recommend you spend 5 days in Rome.
There are additionally many cute neighborhoods to discover and you possibly can additionally spend a day procuring, as Rome is a large vogue hub.
5 days means that you can discover extra leisurely and have a day or two merely sitting again and having fun with the beat of Rome in a piazza or espresso store, slightly than attraction hopping.
The Greatest 3 Day Itinerary for Rome
The next itinerary might be accomplished in any order. We’ve organized it so that you simply hit the highest sights first, with the primary two days being fairly full on, and the third day being extra chilled.
You possibly can swap as of late round to raised fit your pursuits.
You must also ebook your sights prematurely and modify your itinerary in accordance with ticket availability. The Vatican Museums and The Colosseum are extremely standard, and it’s uncommon you’ll be able to ebook for the subsequent day or on the day, so for those who’ve left it to the final minute you could must reshuffle this itinerary round to accommodate the wait.
Day One: Historic Rome
Cease 1: The Colosseum, Roman Discussion board, and Palatine Hill
Okay, so that you’ve come to Rome, after all your first cease needs to be the Historic Marvel of the World, The Colosseum.
This historical amphitheater is the world’s most well-known Roman monument and dates again to the yr 70 AD.
This spectacular marble stadium was as soon as giant sufficient to accommodate 50,000 spectators, who got here to witness gladiator fights, chariot races, and different ugly battles.
When visiting The Colosseum, we extremely suggest you ebook a tour that provides you particular entry to the Enviornment ground. This isn’t accessible to all ticket holders and is barely accessible on particular excursions.
We didn’t know this, so we missed out on the chance to stroll the place gladiators stood. Sigh…don’t make the identical mistake we did, take a look at this guided tour that features the Enviornment Flooring + The Discussion board + Palatine Hill.
Only a quick stroll throughout the highway from the Colosseum is the Roman Discussion board, which was as soon as the traditional market of Rome.
You possibly can wander across the ruins of historical authorities buildings, temples, and market shops.
Inside The Discussion board advanced is Palatine Hill, certainly one of seven hills in Rome. This is a vital place in Rome because it’s mentioned to be the place the place Rome’s founders, Romulus and Remus, have been taken in by the she-wolf and the place Hercules defeated Cacus.
You’ll discover most excursions provide The Discussion board, Colosseum, and Palatine Hill mixed since they’re all subsequent to one another, so make sure you enable half a day to discover all of them.
You possibly can be taught extra about these three locations in our full information to visiting the Colosseum, Roman Discussion board and Palatine Hill (together with all of the errors we made!)
Cease 2: Lunch at Centro Storico or Monti
After a morning spent wandering across the historical Roman wonders, your legs are in all probability drained and your abdomen should be rumbling.
Head into Centro Storico, the beating coronary heart of Rome, to discover a restaurant with al fresco eating. There are such a lot of eating places, and also you’ll discover selecting between them overwhelming.
Our high tip is to decide on one down a facet road, slightly than in a piazza. These are less expensive and fewer touristy. You’ll discover many of the eating places within the piazzas have mediocre meals and excessive costs. That is simply one of many issues we want we knew earlier than we visited Rome.
You may additionally wish to eat within the again streets of the Monti neighborhood, proper close to the Colosseum. We discovered a cute restaurant right here that served scrumptious meals removed from the crowds at first rate costs. Simply go away your self sufficient time to get to your subsequent scheduled attraction.
Cease 3: The Pantheon
After lunch, head to The Pantheon to see one other marvel of Roman engineering. This lovely constructing was as soon as a Pagan Temple, in-built 125 AD.
It was then transformed right into a church by the Romans and is now a museum and resting place for Rome’s best artists and royals, equivalent to King Vittorio Emanuele II, King Umberto 1, and his spouse Queen Margherita of Savoy, and the Renaissance artist, Raphael.
It’s most well-known for the round opening within the ceiling, often called “The Eye” or “The Eye of God”, which was constructed as the one gentle supply for the constructing.
What about when it rains? I hear you ask. Properly, the Romans considered that. They constructed a sloping ground, with 22 hidden holes, which can transport the water into the underground cisterns.
Fairly cool, huh?
It doesn’t take lengthy to see The Pantheon, in any case, it’s just one room, however we suggest you get the audio information together with your ticket so you’ll be able to be taught extra about its building and history. You will get your audio information + entrance ticket right here.
Cease 4: The Spanish Steps
After visiting The Pantheon, wander over to a different iconic landmark, The Spanish Steps. The steps have been constructed between 1723 and 1726. They lead from the Piazza di Spagna sq. to the French monastery church, Trinita dei Monti, on the high.
The steps are a terrific place to sit down and watch individuals watching, however they don’t take too lengthy to see.
Seize a espresso within the piazza or dip into the designer shops close by (in case your pockets permits).
Sadly, you can’t eat, drink, or smoke on the steps, so that you’ll discover that is only a flying go to.
Cease 5: Trevi Fountain
A brief stroll from The Spanish Steps takes you to a different iconic landmark in Rome. The Trevi Fountain might be essentially the most well-known fountain on this planet.
It was in-built 1762, following the design by Nicola Salvi, who died earlier than it was accomplished, and so it was accomplished by Giuseppe Pannini. The design tells the story of Oceanus, the god of water. Your entire fountain is 26.3 meters x 49.15 meters, making it one of many largest Baroque fountains on this planet.
Some of the unmissable issues to do in Rome is throw a coin within the fountain to make sure your return to town. The best way to do it’s to face together with your again to the fountain and toss a coin over your left shoulder together with your proper hand.
You might want to attend for the crowds to disperse a bit earlier than you’ll be able to toss your coin. Additionally word that the fountain is drained on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8am to 9am, so for those who do deviate from this itinerary, ensure you go to the fountain within the evenings.
I additionally suppose the fountain seems lovely when painted within the solar’s mushy setting rays.
Day Two: The Vatican
Cease 1: The Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel
Rise up early on the second day and head over to a brand new nation – The Vatican. Though it’s the world’s smallest nation, there are not any border patrols or passport stamps, but it surely’s nonetheless cool to say you’ve walked into a brand new nation.
The primary cease needs to be The Vatican Museum, which incorporates over 20,000 artifacts and paintings (on show, there’s an extra 50,000 not on show) that has been curated by the Catholic Church through the years.
The museum was based within the sixteenth century by Pope Julias II, and it’s so large you possibly can be in there all day. The truth is, the museum itself is gorgeous, with gold-gilded designs and frescoes on the ceiling.
The most important attraction of the Vatican Museum is the Sistine Chapel, which is legendary for being the place the place Michaelangelo painted The Hand of God. You possibly can’t take photographs contained in the chapel, but it surely’s a beautiful place to sit down and ponder.
I extremely suggest you get a guided tour so that you might be proven a few of the highlights, in any other case, you’ll be overwhelmed taking a look at every little thing. That is the small-group tour of the Vatican that we did.
On the very least, get a skip-the-line entrance ticket, in any other case put together to queue for as much as 2 hours.
How you can Tour The Vatican: A Full Information To Visiting the Vatican
Cease 2: St Peter’s Basilica
Make your manner over to Saint Peter’s Basilica, simply throughout from the Vatican Museums.
The basilica is essentially the most holy place within the Catholic Church. It’s well-known for housing a number of works of Renaissance artwork, together with Michelangelo’s Pieta. It’s additionally the burial web site of St. Peter, who was the chief of the twelve Apostles of Jesus and the primary Pope.
Don’t neglect this can be a holy place and a pilgrimage web site for a lot of Catholics, so for those who’re visiting Rome with children, make certain they’re quiet and respectful.
Once more, make certain to ebook your skip-the-line tickets prematurely to keep away from queuing. It’s free to enter the precise church, however it’s a must to pay to enter the crypt of St Peter and climb the dome. There are additionally usually lengthy queues to enter the church, particularly in the summertime.
There are additionally excursions that take you to climb the dome and into the crypt. That is the tour that we did with Livtours.
Cease 3: Vatican Publish Workplace
Earlier than you permit, make a whistle cease on the submit workplace throughout the partitions of The Vatican to get your passport stamped. You don’t must get a stamp, but it surely makes for a singular memento.
Cease 4: Castel Sant’Angelo
Simply outdoors The Vatican is The Castel Sant’Angelo, which is a former fortress and jail that can be the resting place for Emperor Hadrian and his household in 135 AD.
Because the oldest fortress in Italy, it’s an vital historic landmark and is now a museum containing seven ranges of reveals devoted to the fortress’s historical past. You possibly can discover the Papal quarters and execution grounds, and head to the highest of the tower for unimaginable views.
Try skip-the-line tickets to Castel Sant Angelo right here.
Cease 5: Late Lunch at Piazza Navona
There are lots of piazzas in Rome, every with its personal distinctive structure and design. One in all our favorites is Piazza Navona, which is claimed to be essentially the most lovely of the squares in Rome.
It’s situated on the previous stadium grounds, which have been used for athletic competitions in 86 CE. The stadium might as soon as maintain 20,000 spectators, and it’s nonetheless simple to see how races and competitions would have seemed because the sq. nonetheless has the identical elongated form.
Immediately, the sq. options three lovely fountains from the sixteenth century; Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of 4 Rivers), Fontana del Moro, and Fontana di Nettuno.
Essentially the most well-known fountain is the La Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi which was designed by Bernini and constructed in 1651 for the pope.
Surrounding the sq. are many trattorias the place you’ll be able to cease for lunch – however keep in mind our earlier recommendation, you’ll discover cheaper choices down the facet streets!
We had a scrumptious anchovy pizza only a block away from Piazza Navona – it was in all probability nonetheless thought-about costly. However it was €8 and large enough to share!!
Cease 6: The Rome Catacombs
The Roman catacombs are considerably of a hidden gem attraction, and never many individuals go to see them. Presumably as a result of they’re situated outdoors the primary heart of Rome.
The Rome Catacombs date again to the third Century AD, and have been the burial place for half 1,000,000 Christians and Jews, in addition to 16 Popes.
They’re solely open to vacationers with a information, so make certain to ebook prematurely. There are a number of catacombs outdoors town, however the largest and most vital is the Catacombs of Saint Callixtus – take a look at this guided tour of the Catacombs of Saint Callixtus right here.
We missed them as a result of we ran out of time, however our teen mentioned she would have beloved to go, so for those who’re in search of issues to do in Rome with teenagers, add this to your record.
Day Three: Meals and Tradition
Cease 1: Villa Borghese Gardens and Galleria Borghese
I’m certain your legs are aching after all of the strolling and attraction hopping of the primary two days, so on the ultimate day of this 3 day Rome itinerary, we’re going to take it sluggish.
Beginning off with a breakfast picnic within the Villa Borghese Gardens. These are the third-largest landscaped gardens within the metropolis, and are the place you’ll discover the Rome Zoo, Pincio’s Water Clock, and Silvano Toti Globe Theatre.
It’s the proper place to sit down below a tree with a pastry and a takeaway espresso and reminisce about how nice Rome is.
Afterward, head into the villa itself to take a look at the Borghese Gallery. Right here you’ll be able to marvel at world-renowned paintings by a few of the most well-known Renaissance painters equivalent to Raphael, Titian, and Caravaggio.
Cease 2: Trastevere Meals Tour
Some of the enjoyable issues we did in Rome was a meals tour. Really, we’ve finished a number of, as a result of we love meals!
We realized that there was extra to Italian meals than pizza and pasta, and the road meals scene in Rome is definitely actually good.
Our favourite meals tour was within the Trastevere neighborhood, as a result of it’s extra native and residential, that means you get extra home-cooked meals and genuine dishes.
In case you don’t wish to keep in Trastevere, right here’s a information to another Rome meals excursions you may like.
We additionally did this Roman road meals tour which was implausible!
Cease 3: Wander round Trastevere Neighborhood
Trastevere is the previous working-class district of Rome and is the place one can find a vibrant, bohemian environment.
It’s well-known for its quaint, slim cobbled streets, Renaissance structure, and medieval homes. Situated South of the Colosseum, it has a extra native vibe, permitting you to really feel the beat of Italian life with out every little thing feeling like a vacationer lure.
Within the daytime, Trastevere is quiet, idyllic, and romantic. At night time, it’s a haven for backpackers in search of nightlife, with full of life bars and tons of vitality.
We beloved the Trastevere neighborhood, so don’t simply come right here for the meals tour, spend a while strolling round its quaint facet streets and dip into the boutique shops.
In case you haven’t finished some memento procuring but, this can be a good place to seek out some extra distinctive gadgets to take house.
Cease 4: Janiculum Hill
What higher technique to finish your time in Rome than by admiring sweeping metropolis views from the highest of Janiculum Hill, the second-tallest hill within the metropolis?
Gaze out over the domes and bell towers of Rome, earlier than heading to the church of San Pietro in Montorio which is believed to be the place St Peter was crucified. There’s a small shrine on the spot the place he was mentioned to have died.
Janiculum Hill is greatest visited at sundown when the skies are awash in pinks and purples. That is what makes Janiculum Hill one of the vital romantic locations in Rome.
Map of this 3 Day Rome Itinerary
Getting Round Rome
Rome is a really walkable metropolis. So long as you’ve gotten good strolling sneakers on, you’ll be able to stroll to just about all of the sights on this itinerary (apart from The Catacombs).
In addition to strolling, you can too take the metro (we don’t suggest it – it’s recognized to have pickpockets) or there’s an in depth bus community. There’s additionally a tram that connects The Vatican to the Villa Borghese space.
You too can use Uber for taxis. It’s costly, but it surely’s handy for those who don’t wish to work out the bus community.
It is a nice overview of Rome’s public transport.
The place to Keep in Rome
We love staying within the Trastevere neighborhood as a result of it’s much less touristy and quaint, however in your first journey to Rome, I really suppose you’d be higher off staying someplace extra central.
Palazzo Navona Resort
The Palazzo Navona Resort might be the best-located resort for a first-time customer to Rome. It’s situated close to Palazzo Navona, as you’ll be able to in all probability guess from the title, and is only a stone’s throw from the Pantheon.
It affords 4-star luxurious, with trendy décor and good-sized, comfy rooms. See charges and availability right here.
Terrazze Navona
For one thing slightly extra boutique, take into account Terrazze Navona, simply 984 toes from Piazza Navona. It has lovely rooms adorned in Renaissance flare however with trendy facilities. See charges and availability right here.
Grotta Pinta Flats
In case you desire trip leases, then you could find some well-equipped, spacious residence leases at Grotta Pinta residences. They’ve trendy 1-2 bed room residences that may sleep as much as 4 company. They’re only a quick stroll from Piazza Navona Sq. and have trendy furnishings and fittings. See charges and availability right here.
Greatest Time to Go to Rome
The most effective time to go to Rome is the Spring when the climate is heat and sunny, however not too sizzling. The summer time brings with it all of the crowds who’re off on their faculty holidays. It’s additionally extremely sizzling in the summertime, which might result in heat-related points.
Winter tends to be chilly in Rome, however not too busy. You will have a number of wet days, however you’ve gotten the great thing about seeing Rome with out crowds of individuals (effectively, smaller crowds).
Earlier than You Go
That is only a snapshot of what you are able to do in Rome, however for those who solely have three days at your disposal, we actually suppose this itinerary covers all the very best locations and sights.
Rome is an unimaginable metropolis and it’s not stunning that it’s so standard.
Earlier than you go, we simply wish to go away you with some phrases of recommendation about visiting Rome;
- Control your belongings. Rome is fairly secure, however pickpockets are rampant, particularly round touristy areas.
- Put on comfortable strolling sneakers. You possibly can stroll in every single place, however the roads are largely cobbled, and it will possibly take it out in your knees.
- Carry a water bottle and fill it up on the free water fountains within the piazzas.
- Attempt to keep away from the noon warmth. It will get sizzling in the midst of the day, particularly in the summertime.
- E book sights prematurely. You might miss out on seeing a few of the most iconic locations in Rome for those who don’t!