The Ideal Rome Itinerary 3 Days

Full Itinerary for Rome in 3 Days

Day One

If there is anything that I am willing to harp on, any one travel tip that I just won’t let go of, it is this: get up early! Since this is your first day in Rome you may have a bit of jet lag anyway and possibly you woke up when it was still dark outside. Take advantage of this! Get out on the streets. There is something magical about the city without crowds. It’s as if you are on a private tour and have the streets to yourself and it is rare so do it when you can.

We could walk from our apartment, past the Castle Sant’ Angelo, to the Vatican before sunrise and still feel very safe. This was also an excellent opportunity to take pictures without waiting for another tourist’s head to get out of the shot! The street lamps lend an amazing play of shadow and light to the photos.

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We walked to the Wine Bar De’ Renitenzieri which opens at 5:30 AM as a coffee shop. They were serving working locals a quick breakfast of espresso and pastry when we arrived. It was less expensive as well since it wasn’t on the tourist strip. Don’t be shy about ordering and then find a table. They will bring your selections to you. You pay when you are done. They are closed on Sundays so plan for visiting on any other day.

St. Peter’s Basilica

Get in line for St Peter’s before 7 AM. As you listen to the bells ring your welcome to Vatican City, you could be walking through security. In our experience it took less than 15 minutes as the biggest bag we had with us was our camera bag. Take a moment to notice all the barriers that are set up for the long lines that will snake around the columns in the later hours. You get a strong sense of the chaos and crowds that the security staff is trained to handle. An early morning arrival in the less crowded winter months is barely a blip on their radar.

Visiting St. Peter’s basilica is worth the entire trip. The design of the building is meant to leave a visitor with both a feeling of awe as well as intimacy. The sheer size is hard to grasp unless you look down at the center of the nave. On the floor, you’ll see a series of markers that show you the size of other churches around the world. All are dwarfed by the size of St. Peter’s.

We listened to a free audio tour of the basilica available from Rick Steves but at a certain point, you may just want to experience it for yourself. You’ll be grateful for the explanation of the genius behind the construction and detail but it can become almost overwhelming. You may find that you have to pause any audio tour just to take an extra moment to soak it all in.

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Once done with your exploration, consider what you’d like to do next. It will take you at least 40 minutes to climb the dome and come back down so we suggest that you save that for another day and leave St. Peter’s for an early morning tour of the Vatican Museum.

Vatican Museums

We chose to walk from St. Peter’s to the Vatican Museums. You can do the same by following these easy steps. Cross the Piazza San Pietro and from the obelisk veer left. Walk Via di Porta Angelica toward the Piazza del Risorgimento. Then turn left onto Viale dei Bationi de Michelangelo. Turn left onto Viale Vaticano and the Vatican entrance will be on your left. The walk took us less than 15 minutes. You can also download Google maps onto your phone to get these same directions in real-time.

Regarding crowds visiting the museum in the morning – we did not see a line of people until Viale Vaticano and it moved quickly. There are now social distancing requirements so the line may appear longer. We had 9 AM tickets but you can schedule an earlier time for 8:30 AM. Don’t rush your time at St. Peter’s Basilica especially if it is your first time, so give yourself a bit of wiggle room. Note: when we returned to the area a couple of days later and at a later hour, the line to enter the museum ran all the way back the full length of Via di Porta Angelica. When I say get there early I’m not lying!

In order to buy your tickets for the Vatican Museums please be aware of their most up to day policies on entry by reviewing the following documents Green Pass Covid-19 Certificate and Coronavirus policies available here as pdfs. Check the official Vatican Museum website and plan to book these tickets as far in advance as possible.

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You could easily spend half a day here. The social distancing requirements in effect across the museum will also support a more open feeling but add to wait times. But the best way to enjoy the experience is to see what resonates most with you in spite of the time. After a lengthy side trip through the Egyptian collection and more incredibly carved marble sculptures than I can count, the crowds had caught up with us. By 10 AM we entered the Map Room with the masses.

The tapestries and Rafael rooms served as an appetizer for the Sistine Chapel. Rick Steves highly recommends that you try to avoid burnout by the time you get to the Chapel but I’m sad to say I’m not sure how to do that. Note: if you have two days for the Vatican, break it up. But if not, be prepared for saturation and don’t feel guilty about that. There is so much splendor and moments of pause as you wait for the sculpture, that is so real you swear you can see its chest rise with a breath, to come to life in front of you. You are hit with moments like this over and over.

There are guards posted throughout the Sistine Chapel area. They hush the crowd frequently to remind you that you are in a place of worship. These stern individuals are on constant watch reminding everyone in multiple languages that there are no photos. And as I watched the crowd I was reminded that adults really are no different than children. Many were trying to get away with what they could to commemorate the journey.

While the Vatican museums are not to be missed recognize that the bronze pine cone with peacocks and the golden sphere in the courtyard are the closest you may get to modern art. By the time you get to it in the Vatican museums, you’ve become so full from the beauty your eyes feasted on earlier that you can’t take any more in. We breezed past what were most likely amazing pieces without a thought. I felt a twinge of guilt but I think I might have been alone in my group to feel it.

Tip: As you prepare to leave make sure to pick up one or two postcards at the gift stations. Take them to the post office (which was cash only when we visited). Here you can mail yourself a one-of-a-kind souvenir – a postcard with a rare Vatican stamp. We had the boys write something they were grateful for from the trip and mail it home. It took a while to get to us but it was a treat to have it arrive once back at home.

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Climbing the Dome

We actually came back to do this on another day but you could certainly come back to it after a nice relaxing lunch if you are willing to brave the potential crowds. We bought our tickets by arriving early (they start letting visitors in at 7:30 AM) and purchasing them from the on-site ticket office. You can access this by entering the church and following signs to the right which say “Cupola”. This was what we did and there were only two people ahead of us at the ticket booth. You can also buy tickets from 3rd party vendors who may offer a tour.

To get to the top of St. Peter’s dome you can either climb the steps from the base or you can take an elevator part way up and save yourself about 200 or more steps. The cost of the ticket which includes the elevator is slightly more expensive. The last time I checked it was €8 for the ticket to climb and €10 for the ticket that includes access to the elevator. Note: there may be a line of people waiting for the elevator so make room for this additional wait time in your plan if you use this option.

However you choose to do it, this is a wonderful way to take in the magic of St. Peter’s from a whole new vantage point.

Taking the elevator, or climbing the stairs, to the first level brings you to the rooftop and after a small staircase to the inside of Michelangelo’s dome. This puts you up close with the mosaics that line the interior balcony walls. Step out onto the rooftop to see the statues of Jesus and the apostles which you saw from the Piazza when you entered St. Peter’s Basilica earlier.

This first-level rooftop is accessible to all and not a concern for those who are worried about the climb being strenuous or claustrophobic. As long as you are ok with elevators then reaching this first level should be fine. Be aware that there is a small staircase to get to the interior of the dome so if you are supported by a wheelchair that is something to consider.

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Should you choose to go onto the second phase of the climb then you will be climbing more than 300 stairs one way along a narrow slanted path. There is a short section of very steep steps. You climb up a spiral staircase where there is a rope for you to grip while you climb. When we reached the top, an elderly gentleman jokingly asked if there was a slide for the way down. My boys would have loved that! The return stairs are in another section so you won’t run into anyone coming down while you climb up.

The view from the top is one of the highest points in Rome and well worth the effort. The space faces east so if you are visiting early in the morning to avoid crowds (smart person that you are) you will have to deal with less than ideal lighting for this shot. Come later in the day and you will have better photos. From the top, you can see the square, the Vatican Gardens as well as a beautiful view of the cityscape.

Remember there is a conservative dress code for both St. Peter’s Basilica as well as the dome climb. Avoid wearing clothing that shows knees and shoulders.

Check for the most up-to-date health mandates closer to your time of travel.

Gelato Afficianado Experience

You will enjoy this treat no matter which part of Rome you are visiting for the day. The ubiquitous gelato shops of Rome will not leave you disappointed. We recommend Fatamorgana found at multiple locations across Rome. Think grapefruit, pear with gorgonzola, fig, or ginger cream with lemon alongside more conservative flavors such as strawberry and cherry.

Blue Ice was another one that we enjoyed. As well as Panna & Liquirizia.

Rich flavors that blend the best of local ingredients in a cup or on a cone is not a bad way to end each day. You’ll be surprised at how it becomes an expected part of your itinerary. Our boys noticed if we had not yet had a gelator by sunset and were quick to bring it up. With as much walking as you do across the city, you can afford the calories so indulge!

Day Two

San Pietro in Vincoli

On the second day of your trip, we recommend visiting San Pietro in Vincoli (St. Peter in Chains church). Here you can see Michelangelo’s statue of Moses and of course the chains that bound Saint Peter. Legend has it that Peter was jailed and chained for preaching about Jesus but was released by an angel. The chains that bound him were given to a Pope and when placed next to other chains from Peter’s first imprisonment, they miraculously fused together to form what is on display today.

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Colosseum

The church is only a six-minute walk from the Colosseum. Or if you’re skipping the church and taking the metro get off at the Colosseo stop which drops you right across the street. Check the official website for the most up-to-date policies on entry requirements, opening times, and ticket prices.

Here you can use your Roma Pass to skip the line (if you have children, don’t forget to pick up your kids’ tickets at the reserved tickets booth by the turnstiles). If using the Roma Pass your entry will be free. Check the official site linked above to see if this option is worth it for you. Regardless if you are not joining a tour group then you’ll want to make sure you have a reserved timed entry. Roma Pass holders will pay a small € 2 fee to reserve their entry time through the reservation website.

Once at the site when trying to decide which line to join, the official site information officers were very helpful in getting us to the right spot. Many of the lines are long but look like they are going where you want to go. Don’t be afraid to ask.

What stands before you today was once the famed stage for elaborate gladiator battles. This blood-soaked field faded from glory with the fall of the Roman empire and was used for a multitude of purposes over time. It was cannibalized as stones and marble were pulled from this structure to enhance other buildings throughout Rome.

It wasn’t until much later that its significance was recognized. In darker times Mussolini used the imagery of the Colosseum to glorify Rome’s history as a dominant force in shaping the world. And it is now honored by UNESCO as a key part of the historic center of Rome.

There are four main areas to the Colosseum. The outside, which is free to see and viewable from the street, is an amazing viewpoint just to give you a sense of the scope of the site. The outer ring is visible as you get closer. Its partial remains are all that’s left after an earthquake in the 1300s dropped the larger section. It once held 80 numbered archways that allowed the stadium guests to enter and exit efficiently.

We visited here on our own the first night in Rome because we couldn’t help ourselves. The Colosseum, along with the Arch of Constantine just next to it, are both beautiful at sunset.

Once inside you can view the main arena and the seating sections. The main arena floor was originally built of wood and covered the final underground section. Here you can gain a larger sense of how complex the Colosseum shows really were as you review how they raised caged animals or filled the complex with water for staged “sea battles.”

The ticket you choose to purchase will either increase or decrease your access to these four areas.

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You’ll notice a large, simple cross placed in the Colosseum in 2000 by Pope John Paul II to honor Christian martyrs. A local also shared with us that this cross was placed here to bless the space and allow the Italian people to feel good about the image of the Colosseum again after Mussolini had so brutally associated it with his reign.

The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill

While not a part of the Colosseum, your ticket includes access to the nearby Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. It is amazing to walk through these ruins! To walk where Julius Ceasar walked, through the heart of the Roman economic, government, and religious center is an amazing experience.

Note: you may remember I mentioned visiting the Colosseum at sunset. We also walked around the outskirts of the Forum. The gates were closed but I found it interesting that thousands had carved graffiti into the walls that surrounded the ruins. Not that I would encourage this type of marking in any way, but I found it interesting. When looking in the face of this ancient history the carving seemed more of a desperate attempt to say “I want to be immortalized too.” I empathized with the desire to be remembered and connected to the significant era of humanity that highlights all of western civilization’s beauty and ugliness.

Walking from Palatine Hill you will be able to access Capitoline Museum, also available on the Roma Pass.

Evening Experiences

The Imperial Fora and Trajan’s Column

We loved walking the city in the later hours of the day. Since dinner tends to be later than we were used to this was a great way to pass the time. This provides an opportunity to take photos with unique lighting and with fewer tourists. We recommend you take the time to enjoy the Colosseum area at sunset.

Leaving the Roman Forum after viewing the Colosseum at sunset, walk to the Via dei Fori Imperiali. Along this heavily trafficked road, you will travel past era after era of emperors building structures to commemorate their accomplishments. With just this one walk, you’ll see the following sites:

• Forum of Ceasar
• Forum of Augustus
• The Temple of Peace
• Forum of Nerva
• Forum of Trajan with the famous Trajan’s Column toward the end

Trevi Fountain

I guess technically this was a morning experience but since we were in the throws of jet lag I couldn’t tell the difference. We enjoyed seeing this fountain in the early hours of the morning with almost no one out in the streets. Sometimes jet lag can bring beautiful moments!

Day Three

Cooking Class

My husband is a total foodie. So we could not come to the pasta capital of the world without learning how to make pasta from scratch with a local cook!

This was a great experience that I would highly recommend. We recommend you use withlocals.com to book this experience. It can be personalized and truly unforgettable!

Museo dell’ Ara Pacis

This significant spot in Rome, along the bank of the Tiber River, is home to the ancient monument Ara Pacis of Augustus. This marble structure signifies the peace and prosperity brought to Rome by Ceasar Augustus.

The Pantheon

After just a ten-minute walk from the museum, you’ll find yourself at the glorious Pantheon. This architectural wonder even kept Michelangelo himself in awe. This is quite possibly one of the best-preserved buildings in all of Rome. It got that way by becoming what it needed to be for each era. Once a memorial to multiple gods, it became a tomb for kings, and ultimately a church where mass is still held today.

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The perfect open circle in the top allows in natural light, which affords amazing pictures at the right time of day. But it will also let in rain so be aware if you come in less than perfect weather. Entry is free.

Piazza Navona

After just a four-minute walk from the Pantheon, you can enjoy the Piazza Navona. The dining along the piazza tends to be more geared toward tourists and prices match. So if you desire more budget-friendly dining seek spots that are more locals-focused and just a side street away.

But before you step away, take a moment to appreciate the Baroque architecture and of course Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers. This gorgeous fountain shows four river gods which represent the four known continents of the world at the time.

Castel Sant’ Angelo

Just a ten-minute walk from the piazza you’ll come to Castel Sant’ Angelo. You may remember our early morning photos of the statues along the Ponte Sant’ Angelo. But this castle is worth a visit all on its own just due to the complexity of its history. This building has served as a mausoleum for Roman Emperor Hadrian, a military fortress for Popes surrounded by threats from Rome, a prison, and a religious symbol. You will note the statue of Archangel Michael at the top where it was said the angel appeared with a sword in hand to end a plague. You get a clear sense of the opulence and adventure that passed through this structure with a self-guided tour.

If you are considering visiting Rome for the first time or want to revisit this beautiful city, consider our three-day itinerary. We’ve included all of the top sites as well as a few other spots that may not be on your radar but should be!

Interested in exploring more of Europe?

• Check out our post on Barcelona complete with a fantastic day trip to Montserrat!
• Or learn how to spend more time throughout Europe with How to Use London as a Launching Pad.

Leave a comment below and tell us what you think — we would love to hear from you. Get inspired by some of Europe’s most iconic dishes with a cooking class, take an afternoon stroll through one of the many piazzas, spend hours exploring museums full of priceless works of art, or simply bask in awe at the grandeur of hidden neighborhoods before taking all the memories home with you. Enjoy!