Last Updated on July 7, 2024 by Tori’s VA
Rome is known as the “Eternal City” and I could certainly spend eternity there. In fact I would love to live in this fabulous bustling city in the heart of Italy. But most of us only have 3 days in Rome, Italy during our European vacation.
And honestly 3 days is probably the perfect amount of time to get a taste of the city and see the most important sights. So book your flights, pick the perfect hotel and follow my 3 day Rome itinerary while you’re here in my favorite city.
Our first trip to Rome was supposed to be in 2020, so as you can imagine, that trip did not happen. The bright side to that meant I had two years to plan our Italy itinerary instead of just one. So I’ve considered all the options, researched all the sights, found the best tours and read menus for all of the best restaurants. I’ll save you lots of time and tell you exactly how you should spend your 3 days in Rome!
This post may contain affiliate links for activities, destinations and products that I love, and think you will too!
3 Days in Rome Map
Day 1 of 3 days in Rome, Italy
Start off your 3 days in Rome by exploring the historic city center. This area is filled with some of the most famous sights. You’ll learn tons of history, take stunning pictures and eat some incredible food along the way.
1. Stop at a Bar (Cafe)
Leave your hotel bright and early, I recommend getting out by 8am. Walk to the nearest bar and order “Un cappuccino por favore!” That was my favorite thing to say in Italian. They call cafes “bars” in Italy which can be slightly confusing. Typically they will be open for breakfast and then again serving drinks in the evening.
You’ll stand at the counter drinking a coffee and eating a freshly made pastry; chocolate croissants are my favorite! But don’t sit down or you will be charged a lot more. I have more tips like this in my guide on all the things you need to know about Rome.
2. Tour the Colosseum
Walk to the Colosseum to start off your exploration of the Eternal City. Be sure to buy tickets in advance, and get the earliest time slot available. Typically that is 9am. You can either buy tickets directly through the Colosseum’s website or buy a guided tour. We did not book the tour and I definitely regret that. We would have learned so much more with a guide. If you have the money in your budget to book a tour, do it!!
Plan to spend about an hour here before continuing on. Be sure to take plenty of pictures, it is a Wonder of the World after all!
3. Explore the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
The ticket to the Colosseum will also include access to the Roman Forum & Palatine Hill, and you cannot skip out on this part! Sure, the Colosseum is what everyone shows in the photos, but the Roman Forum is so much more fun to explore!
The Roman Forum is the old town where the Romans lived thousands of years ago. Some of these buildings still stand today and the rubble for the others are there too. There is so much to learn here and it shows a lot about what life was like back then. If you do book a tour, make sure to get one that includes the Roman Forum as well, because there is so much to learn here.
Be sure to walk up the steps to Palatine Hill for the epic views over the forum with the Colosseum in the background…hello Christmas card photo!!
Pro Tip: If you do not want to spend the money on the tour, you can at least listen to the free Rick Steves audio tour as you walk around both the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. It is not nearly as engaging as an in person tour guide, but is WAY better than no guide at all! So download it to your phone and bring along some headphones!
4. Have lunch at Pane e Salame
After all of this walking and learning you are going to be hungry, so walk about 15 minutes to an awesome lunch spot called Pane e Salame. It’s a little restaurant that serves fresh delicious meats and cheeses. Get a large charcuterie tray to share and try some of their freshly made sandwiches as well. And don’t forget to order an Aperol Spritz to wash it all down.
We adored this spot and cannot wait to return soon. The meats, cheeses, spreads and breads were all fresh and delicious. While you can get a charcuterie at home, the ones here in Italy are much more authentic and unique.
Venice and the northern cities in Italy might be known for their finger food called cicchetti, Rome has some awesome charcuterie style finger foods!
But note, this spot will get busy! So head here immediately after your tour of the Forum to make sure you get a table quickly. And the price? Lunch here for two was about 30 Euros, but we ordered a lot of food so we could try it all. And it ended up being one of our favorite restaurants during our 3 days in Rome.
5. Take a Walking Tour
Once you’ve recharged, head back out on the cobblestone streets and explore more of the historic center by taking the Rick Steves free Audio Tour of the historic center. It will last about an hour and you will get to see most of the sights in the city. Make sure you download the tour in advance onto your phone and bring headphones with you!
You’ll get to visit Campo de’ Fiori, Piazza Navona, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps and then my favorite, the Pantheon. When you get to the Pantheon, there’s another free Rick Steves Audio tour that you can listen to as well!
Pro Tip: These spots will be packed with tourists right now since it’s the afternoon. Wake up super early one morning before your other adventures to get pictures like the ones above without tourists in them! I was there around 7am to get these photos! It was 10000% worth the early wake up call!
As of 2023, the Pantheon now charges 5 euros to enter. The building doesn’t have a ton to see inside, but I still highly recommend you pay to enter. The Pantheon is by far my favorite place in Rome, it is so much larger and more breathtaking than it appears in pictures. It literally took my breath away, and will definitely be one of your favorite things you see during your 3 days in Rome.
6. Get a Granita di Caffe
While you’re at the Pantheon be sure to stop at the nearby cafe called La Casa del Caffe Tazza d Oro. It is literally steps from the Pantheon and serves drinks and pastries, but what you really want to stop for is their delicious Granita di Caffe. It’s a frozen coffee treat topped with whipped cream.
It’s the perfect treat if it’s hot out and gives you the little caffeine boost to keep exploring Rome.
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7. Take a Siesta
You might not often see this as a recommendation for an itinerary in Italy, but I like to keep it real and honest with you! One of the things that is SO important for us during our time in Italy is taking a break in the afternoon to rest and recover. There is so much to see and do during your 3 days in Rome, so you’ll likely be exhausted.
Siesta is the practice of taking a break in the afternoon to rest and is a huge practice in Italy. This can mean actually taking a nap, or it can mean to just sit down for a while to rest and recharge. You can head back to the room at this point to change for dinner as well. I promise, you will thank me for encouraging you to schedule this time into your itinerary!
In Rome and all of Italy, many businesses take a siesta, so you will find them closed for a few hours in the afternoon. My husband is more of a “spend the week chilling on the beach” kind of person so he loves the fact that Italians encourage siestas.
8. Aperitivo at The Court
While siestas are definitely a major part of Rome’s culture, equally as important is the afternoon ritual of Aperitivo. It’s basically the Italian version of happy hour. Romans will gather after work at a bar for drinks and light snacks. The idea is that you are preparing your stomach for dinner.
Oftentimes, if you buy a drink then the snacks come for free. Usually this just means little bowls of nuts and crackers they bring to your table, but at some places they have full buffets full of appetizers.
So you must partake in this important Italian practice as well…when in Rome, right?
My favorite place to recommend for Aperitivo is The Court. It’s located on the roof of a hotel just steps from the Colosseum and the views are epic. But be warned, you will pay extra for these views. The drinks are about 30 euros each but they do come with a nice spread of snacks to enjoy.
It’s stunning and for many a once in a lifetime opportunity, so I recommend you splurge!
9. Dinner at Rosciolis
And finally, the most important part of the day, dinner. And not only any dinner, an incredible, delicious, fresh, Italian dinner.
When in Rome, it’s important that you only eat good food. And while you might think that since you’re in Italy every restaurant will have good food, it’s unfortunately just not true. There’s tons of tourist spots that are horrible (more on that below).
So for your first dinner during your 3 days in Rome, plan to eat at the famous Roscioli Salumeria. They have a few different types of restaurants but this is their nice sit down spot. Not only is it recommended all over travel blogs, it’s also highly recommended by some big names. Rome local Katie Parla, cookbook author and podcaster (Gola) is a big fan. This restaurant was also featured on Stanley Tucci’s show Searching for Italy.
Quick Plug: The podcast is amazing and will 100% have you drooling all the way to Italy. So give it a listen and get so excited for your upcoming 3 days in Rome.
The menu is pretty classic Roman cuisine. It includes the four Roman pasta dishes: Carbonara, Cacio e Pepe, Amatriciana and alla Gricia, along with a variety of additional options. Everything was super fresh and homemade and the service was awesome. So while this spot has become popular to tourists (due its constant recommendations by bloggers like me) it has remained super authentic! But be sure to make a reservation as you’ll have basically no chance of eating here without one.
How to spot a tourist restaurant: first and foremost avoid any restaurants close to tourist spots. If it’s right next to the Trevi Fountain, it’s going to be bad. Second, if someone is standing outside of the restaurant encouraging you to come in, run away quickly, it’s going to be bad. And finally, if there’s photos on the menu it’s usually bad. This means it’s geared towards people who don’t speak Italian – aka tourists.
How to spot a great restaurant that you should visit during your 3 days in Rome? If the menu is only written in Italian that means mostly locals eat there. Also if they open late, like 8pm then that means it’s a local spot and bound to be great. And of course if it’s hidden down a back alley away from the tourist attractions then it’s likely a good spot!
Day 2 of 3 days in Rome, Italy
You’ll spend most of day two of your three days in Rome actually not in Rome, or Italy for that matter. Leave Italy for a few hours by walking over to Vatican City, the smallest country in the world.
1. Wake up Early to See the Trevi Fountain
Get out of your accommodation by 6:45am and head straight for the Trevi Fountain. If you’re there around 7am, you’re likely to score stunning pictures that look like you own the place! Look at the shots I got at 7am!!
Now, there will be some people there, but it will be NOTHING compared to shat you’ll see the rest of the day. Waking up early is so worth it so get some time to admire this beautiful spot and get some perfect photos.
And while you’re up, walk just a few blocks to the pantheon to get some photos there. It’s my favorite picture from my entire trip.
2. Vatican for Breakfast
Most of your time in Vatican City will be spent exploring the Vatican Museums. It’s a huge collection of buildings packed full of ancient artifacts and art. But it gets BUSY. Literally every day of the week, it doesn’t matter, it’s always packed.
There’s a few ways around the crazy crowds but they all involve buying a special ticket outside of normal operating hours. It’s easier than you may think! There’s early morning tours, evening tours, or my personal recommendation, buying the Breakfast at the Vatican ticket, all purchased directly through the museum.
For roughly 20 euros more per person than the regular ticket, they include a breakfast as well. You’ll eat right in the courtyard inside the museum and get earlier access to the property, you’ll be some of the first few people to enter! We literally had entire galleries to ourselves as we explored and that is not the normal experience. Buy tickets like this directly through the Vatican’s website, not a third party.
Now let me say, the breakfast was nothing special. We honestly didn’t like it that much. It’s on par with a hotel free breakfast…but it was still SO worth it for the early entrance! But if you don’t want to book the breakfast, at minimum book the absolute earliest time slot of the day that you can. An early wake up call will 100% be worth it!
You can also book guided tours of the Vatican Museums to help you learn more and actually absorb what you are looking at. There are many tour options, but again, book the earliest time slot for the best experience.
I highly recommend these tours because you get a lot more out of your trip. That being said, we saved some money here and chose not to book a tour. We are not the biggest museum people and weren’t sure we would have the attention span. Instead we used Rick Steves’ free audio tour again and this one was probably the best one of all! We listened to every word and learned so much. It is a great pace and you finish the museum in about 2 hours (with breaks in between rooms). It is an awesome alternative if you want to save money or aren’t the biggest history buffs.
3. St. Peter’s Basilica
After you finish up at the museums you’ll walk to the front of Vatican City to the massive St. Peter’s Square. It’s here that you’ll jump in line to go into St. Peter’s Basilica. There’s no cost to enter and no reservations available.
Whether you’re religious or not, this ginormous church is worth waiting in line to see. The line can get incredibly long, often looping around the square several times. We waited about 45 minutes but I have heard about waits as long as 2 or 3 hours. But don’t let that scare you, as long as you get there in the morning you should be okay.
And if you weren’t able to snag a reservation for the museums by 8 or 9am, then come here first instead to avoid some of the wait!
Once you make it through the line, past security and into the basilica, you get to explore at your own pace. There’s tons of art to admire, so spend as long as you’d like. Or until you’re starving for lunch!
Pro Tip: To enter this church (and all others in the country) you must have your shoulders and knees covered. This means long pants or dresses and a shawl around your shoulders. I highly recommend bringing a shawl like this in your bag throughout your trip. You never know when you’ll happen upon a gorgeous church that you want to pop into!
4. Market for Lunch
Now this may seem a bit inconvenient, but I highly recommend that you hop in a cab to cross the city to the neighborhood of Testaccio. It’s not that far, just across the bridge from Trastevere, but definitely not walkable from Vatican City. Here you’ll want to check out the Testaccio Market for some of the best lunch options in the city!
You’ll mostly find locals here doing their grocery shopping or picking up a quick meal for lunch. And wherever the locals are, you know it will be delicious! In this market I highly recommend you get pizza from Casa Manco. I still dream about their potato pizza, but all of the flavors are fabulous. Some of the best pizza I’ve had in Italy!
There’s plenty of other great stalls to choose from in the market, so pick a few and try a variety of things!
If you really don’t like the idea of crossing town, then there’s plenty of places to eat closer to the Vatican. The most popular is the famous Pizzarium, by Gabriele Bonci. It’s recommended left and right but honestly we didn’t really like it. Maybe we just ordered poorly though.
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5. Siesta Time!
And just like that the day has slipped away and you are probably exhausted by now from all of the walking and eating. So hop back to your hotel room and rest for a bit, then get ready to head out in the evening.
6. Food Tour
Since the food in Rome is nothing short of exceptional, and there are so many traditional dishes to try, you must spend the evening on a food tour trying the Roman classics!
There’s tons of different food tours to choose from around the city and honestly you can’t go wrong. But I would highly recommend picking one that takes you through Trastevere, arguably the best neighborhood in Rome. And while you’re here you MUST stop at Trapizzino…they are the best thing I ate in Rome. Ugh so so yummy.
We took a food tour with the incredible Katie Parla. She’s a Rome-based cookbook author, food tour guide, podcast host and guest on all the shows about Rome. She’s kind of a big deal. So I was ecstatic to find out she was available while we were in town! And I was also willing to dish out the big bucks. A tour with her is not cheap, but to me I was paying for the experience of touring with her on top of the food tour itself.
Listen to her podcast Gola as you get excited for your trip to Rome. You’ll learn so much about Italy’s food culture and be drooling all the way to Italy.
Alternatively, book one of these much cheaper food tours that explore Trastevere and take you around to several different restaurants to taste authentic Roman cuisine.
7. Explore Rome at Night
Since the food tour will end pretty early, and you’ll be way too stuffed for dinner, spend the evening exploring the city at night. Walk along the Tiber River, if you’re there during the summer you’ll be lucky enough you see the night market! The vendors set up along the river playing music and selling items and food.
Walk by the Colosseum, there’s something so special about that place lit up at night.
Head to a bar, get a drink somewhere where you find locals hanging out. And of course, end the exploring with gelato. One of the best places in Rome for gelato is called Gelateria La Romana. There’s a few locations, one near Piazza Navona and another north, in the Prati neighborhood.
Day 3 of 3 days in Rome, Italy
1. Coffee and a Croissant
Start off the day at a nearby bar again before you start your activities for the day. Try to look for one where the locals are hanging out!
2. Take a Cooking Class
Let’s be honest, you could return home from italy with a bunch of trinkets and stuff to sit around your home and collect dust (I mean I do buy some things while traveling too) or you could return home with a knowledge of how to cook some of these incredible Italian dishes you’ve been trying.
It’s like teaching someone to fish. Ya know what I mean?
Anyways, no matter where you spend your time in Italy, I HIGHLY recommend taking a cooking class while you are there. Not only is it tons of fun and a super relaxing thing to do in Rome, but you’ll also learn a lot and take these new skills home with you to your kitchen.
Now in all honesty, I think the best food in all of Italy is in Tuscany. Everything I have ever had in that region, in all of the towns near Florence, is hands-down phenomenal. So if you plan to visit Tuscany, plan to take a cooking class there instead…or in addition to!! We did one during our Sunday in Florence and the pasta we made was the best pasta from our whole trip!
But Rome’s food is amazing too so it is the next best option.
Now there’s two main options when it comes to cooking classes. Either you take one somewhere inside the city for a few hours like this cooking class. Or you take a day trip to the countryside and take a cooking class there. Either are good options but will definitely depend on what else you have planned for the trip.
Going to spend a few days in the countryside after your time in Rome? Then stay in the city for a cooking class like this. But if you don’t have any time planned in say Tuscany or Umbria, then I would definitely recommend you take your cooking class in the countryside instead. This class would be an awesome option for that.
You’ll get to eat all the food you make, so no need to plan a lunch for today.
3. Explore the Remaining Sights around Rome
If you chose to stay in the city for the cooking class, then you’ll have the second half of the day to explore the rest of Rome. If you chose the full day tour through the countryside then you’ll have to skip this part.
Pick a few of the following famous sights that you want to see this afternoon!
Villa Borghese: The most famous spot on the list of activities for this afternoon would be the Villa Borghese. The property is located on the northeastern side of the city just past the Spanish Steps. A large majority of the property is made up of beautiful gardens.
Any Lizzie McGuire fans out there? Me too, duh! You might remember her and Paulo exploring the gardens in the movie!
You might want to come here just to explore the gardens, which are totally free! While you’re there you can rent a rowboat at the pond, or drink a cappuccino at one of the cafes.
However, there’s also the Borghese Gallery here too. It’s the best art gallery in Rome and is home to pieces from famous artists like Raphael and Bernini.
Altare della Patria: You’ll see this building whether you want to or not, it’s very much in the center of the city and on your way to the Colosseum. We passed by several times by accident! It’s made fun of by locals and referred to as the “wedding cake” building because it’s bright white and doesn’t exactly fit in with the other architecture in the city.
But honestly I kind of liked it. It’s grand and beautiful! And you can pay a few euros to go to the roof for stunning views over the Roman Forum and the rest of the city.
The Knights of Malta Keyhole: It’s a keyhole in a door that points right towards St. Peter’s Basilica. Wait in line to get a glimpse through this famous keyhole.
The Mouth of Truth: This is a carving of a god on the side of a church. It’s said that if you stick your hand in the mouth you have to tell the truth or it will bite off the hand of any liars. It might be a little silly, but it was made popular after the scene from the movie Roman Holiday.
Castel Sant’Angelo: Originally built as a tomb for Roman Emperor Hadrian, it has since been used as a military fortress, the papal residence and a prison. But today this round and recognizable building is a museum. You can visit the museum or just admire it from the famous bridge that leads up to the front.
4. Enjoy An All You Can Eat Appetizer Buffet
As I mentioned on day one, aperitivo is a big deal in Rome. Almost every bar will serve light snacks with your drink, but a select few will provide a large display of appetizers at no additional cost! One of these places is Freni e Frizioni in Trastevere.
Head here as soon as they open to fill up on delicious apps with an Aperol Spritz, it is your last night in Rome after all, so you deserve it.
5. Dinner in Trastevere
Trastevere is where the locals eat, so plan to enjoy a delicious, authentic Italian meal in this neighborhood tonight. One of the most famous spots is Da Enzo al 29. Just be prepared to wait in line for a table, because this place is popular.
We got there before they opened and waited in line for about an hour. But we made friends with the sweet couple in line in front of us and ended up sharing a table with them. It was so fun and kind of made us feel like we knew people while 5,000 miles from home.
6. Wander the Streets with Gelato
If you still have room in your stomachs, then head to Otaleg for gelato. It’s some of the best in the city. Then wander the beautiful cobblestone streets as you wander back to your hotel for the last of your 3 nights in Rome.
Oh, and make sure to throw a coin over your shoulder into the Trevi Fountain to ensure that you’ll return again soon.
Things to Know About 3 Days in Rome, Italy
There are so many important tips to learn before you visit Rome for the first time. I have an entire guide sharing my favorite secrets and tips about Rome, so be sure to read that for all of the information you’ll need for your 3 days in Rome!
But here’s a quick overview of my top tips:
- You will do SO much walking during your 3 days in Rome, so wear comfortable shoes! However, the Italians do like to dress nice so if you want to fit in (which you definitely should want to) then dress cute but comfortable. I love cute flowy dresses and these travel pants from Kuhl.
- Bring a reusable water bottle with you. I recommend a collapsible one to save space and is easy to carry around! Rome has free public water fountains all around the city that are safe, cold and taste great. Plus the fountains are beautiful!
- The city is almost completely walkable so plan to walk as much as you can. However if you get tired, look for a taxi stand and hop in a taxi. You’ll get where you need to go for just a few euros.
- Say “no, grazie” to everyone on the street. There will be lots of people in the touristy areas trying to talk you into buying something. Do not linger, just say no quickly and walk away. The city is very safe, but these people can be pushy and annoying if you linger!
- Never settle for bad food. There is so much incredible food in Italy, but there’s bad tourist restaurants too. Plan out all of your meals in advance and always have backup options. That way if you’re tired and starving you don’t have to settle for the first place you happen upon.
- While I absolutely ADORE Rome, there’s so much more to see in Italy. So get out and explore the country after your 3 days in Rome. If possible, plan to stay for at least 2 weeks in Italy. I recommend visiting the Amalfi Coast, including the island of Capri, Tuscany, including a stop in Saturnia for the hot springs, and a stop in San Gimignano for the world’s best gelato and Venice, including a visit to Burano!
Where to stay for 3 days in Rome, Italy
There are a million options for places to stay in Rome that it gets overwhelming. We have stayed at a few different spots in Rome and there’s benefits for each place! Here’s some I recommend.
Budget:
Chiara’s place at Pantheon: If you’re interested in staying in a vacation rental, this is your place! A great price, amazing reviews and is right next to the Pantheon…which in my opinion is the absolute best location in Rome!
Domus 21 Luxury Suites: Another very central location, perfect for walking everywhere! The rooms are a beautiful mix of old and new.
A Trastevere da M.E.: If you want the most authentic, local experience while still being close to everything, you need to stay in Trastevere! Plus, it’s where most of the best food is located. Win-win! This hotel is simple and modern and has great reviews.
Mid-Level:
The Pantheon Iconic Rome Hotel: We stayed here for a night and wished we had stayed longer…it was amazing and in the most incredible location! It’s a Marriott property which is great for those racking up their points!
Cosmopolita Hotel Rome: This Hilton brand hotel is located in a very central location. It’s always nice to stay in big brand hotels because you pretty much know what you’re paying for and can rely on cleanliness and comfort!
Luxury:
The St. Regis Rome: We stayed here several nights and adored this hotel purely for the glitz and glamor. It is a stunning hotel, the rooms are incredible and the service was top-notch! The location is not super ideal though. It’s really close to the train station which is nice, but still in a nice area of town. But it’s quite a walk to get to all of the sights and best restaurants.
Packing list for 3 days in Rome, Italy
Packing for a trip to Italy is no easy feat. I have an entire guide dedicated to the most important things you need to pack for Italy. But here’s a quick list of the things you’ll need for 3 days in Rome.
- Comfortable shoes
- Lightweight travel clothes
- Water bottle
- Anti-theft purse
- Power bank
- Bluetooth headphones
- Euros
- Outlet converter
- International phone plan
- Shawl
- High quality luggage
And with that, you are totally ready for spending 3 days in Rome, the Eternal City. It’s easily my favorite city in Italy and I already cannot wait to return again.
