A Perfect 3 Day Rome Itinerary

If you are planning a trip to Rome, Italy, three days is nearly perfect! It will give you time to explore the back streets, see the famous historic sites, and venture to the Vatican. Wondering how to fit so much into a short stay? We have the perfect 3 day Rome itinerary!

Before you head to Rome, make sure that you familiarize yourself with the locations of the sites in Rome and how to get there.

This Rome metro station map will help. Most of what you will want to experience is centrally located.

Day One in Rome: Central Rome

On your first day in Rome, you are going to want to get up early to explore.

Start with spending your day seeing some of the most historic sites in the city! Lucky for you, all of these sites are within walking distance.

Piazza Navona

Start your day at Piazza Navona.

It is set on the site of what was once the Stadium of Domitian in the 1st Century A.D.

It is hard to believe that this is where you would have once found Gladiators competing.

The center of the square features Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers) by Bernini.

This is one of the many famous fountains in Rome & dates back to 1651.

In the middle of the fountain is the Obelisk of Domitian that once stood in the Circus of Maxentius.

Each figure on the fountain is meant to represent one of the major rivers of Bernini’s time: the Nile, Ganges, Danube, and Rio de la Plata.

Piazza Navona has two other fountains.

At the southern end is the Fontana del Moro, which features four Tritons sculpted by Giacomo della Porta.

The statue of a Moor wrestling with a dolphin was later added by Bernini.

At the northern end is the Fountain of Neptune, which was also sculpted by Giacomo della Porta.

The center statue of Neptune by Antonio Della Bitta was later added to create a balance with the fountain at the opposite end.

Pantheon

Just steps away from Piazza Navona is the famous Pantheon, one of the best-preserved ancient Roman buildings.

Once a Roman Temple commissioned by Marcus Agrippa, the Pantheon was rebuilt by Hadrian around 125 AD and is now a Catholic church.

When Hadrian rebuilt the original temple, he wanted to pay homage to the original structure by Marcus Agrippa.

Outside the building, you will see the following inscribed on the stone: M. AGRIPPA L.F. COS TERTIUM FECIT

The translation reads:

Marcus Agrippa. , son of Lucius, three-time consul, made this.

What makes this church unlike any other in Rome is its concrete coffered dome with an oculus.

The light from the Oculus provides enough natural light that no interior lights are really needed (although they are there for safety).

Within the Pantheon are the tombs of members of the Italian monarchy and of the famous Italian Renaissance painter Raphael.

The line isn’t usually terrible for The Pantheon, but we do suggest you get tickets in advance.

Hadrian’s Temple

This ancient Roman structure dates back to 145 CE.

While only one cella wall and eleven columns are still intact, it is worth taking the time to see.

For a few Euros, you can walk inside & see the backside of the wall and watch a 20-minute film about it.

Trevi Fountain

You will find several famous fountains in Rome, but the largest Baroque fountain in Rome is Trevi Fountain.

This fountain was the endpoint of an ancient Roman aqueduct constructed by Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa.

While the endpoint existed since ancient times, a fountain wasn’t erected until 1762.

Made from locally sourced Travertine, the fountain features Oceanus (God of the Ocean) riding in a chariot as Abundance and Salubrity gaze on from behind. 

There is a legend that says if a visitor throws a coin into the fountain, they are ensured a return to Rome. It’s worth giving it a go!

The Trevi Fountain is FREE.

Spanish Steps

A few blocks from Trevi Fountain is the famous Spanish Steps.

This 153-stairway was built to link the Trinità dei Monti church with the Spanish Square below.

Built in 1723, the staircase is made of marble and is deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

While you used to be able to sit and enjoy a little rest on the stairs, in 2019, it became illegal to sit on them.

The Spanish Steps in Rome is FREE.

Capitoline Museums

These museums are adjacent to the Roman Forum and should be visited while you are in the area.

The Capitoline Museum was established in 1471 under Pope Sixtus IV, who donated a collection of important bronzes, including the Capitoline Wolf, the Boy with a Thorn, and a statue of Domitian.

In later centuries, Popes added pieces like the Hercules of the Forum Boarium.

The museum was opened to the public at the request of Pope Clement XII and is now considered the oldest public museum in the world.

Inside are works from the ancient world (Greek, Roman, Etruscan, and Egyptian), the Middle Ages, and the Renaissance.

Among the most famous sculptures kept in the Capitoline Museums is the Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius, which was originally in the Piazza del Campidoglio.

Also, not to be missed, is The Colossus of Constantine, which stands in the courtyard. The original dates back to the 4th century, and the reconstructed version was completed in 2024.

Fragments of the original are also on display.

When you finish visiting the museum, grab the bus to the Colosseum.

Colosseum

You can’t go to Rome and not visit the Colosseum.

Constructed in 80 AD, the Roman Colosseum could seat 50,000 people who came to see the gladiators and men reenact battles for more than 500 years!

While many feel it is essential to go inside, if you choose not to, don’t feel like you are missing out.

There is an audio tour that will explain different aspects of what you see inside, but honestly, it isn’t much more than a shell.

Arch of Constantine

The Arch of Constantine is the largest surviving Roman arch from imperial Rome and sits between the Colosseum and Palatine Hill.

Constructed in 315 CE, the Arch of Constantine commemorates Roman Emperor Constantine the Great’s victory over Maxentius at the Battle of Milvian Bridge in Rome.

The Arch of Constantine is FREE.

Palatine Hill

Sitting next to both the Roman Forum and above the Colosseum is Palatine Hill.

This is the most famous of Rome’s seven hills, and according to legend, this is the spot where Romulus founded Rome.

Palatine Hill was once home to Roman Emperors and ancient palaces.

You can tour this area and see what remains of the House of Augustus and the House of Livia.

To tour this area, you will need a ticket, and usually it comes in combination with the Colosseum and Forum.

Roman Forum

The Forum is my absolute favorite place to visit, and it should be at the top of your list of places to see when you have three days in Rome.

Dating back to the sixth century BC, this was the center of political and social activity in ancient Rome.

You will find fully intact ancient buildings, structures, and statues.

Walking among the ancient Roman ruins makes you feel so small.

The buildings are magnificent, and it is truly amazing to know that they are still standing today.

In order to fully understand the significance of what you will see there, I recommend you download Rick Steve’s audio guide for the Forum.

It walks you through the entire Forum and explains the significance of many things you will see.

Day Three: Vatican City

You really shouldn’t visit Rome and not see the Vatican!

The day trip to Vatican City from Rome is a must, and you will find it an easy bus ride.

The Vatican Museum first opened to the public under Pope Clement XIV.

He began the museum as a way to showcase his collections of sculptures of Julius II.

Over the years, the collection grew and now has more than 70,000 exhibits!

You won’t be able to see everything, so you might want to pace yourself and hit the areas that are most important to you.

St. Peter’s Basilica

This is one of the largest churches in the world and the most impressive example of Renaissance architecture.

You don’t have to be Catholic or even Christian to admire its beauty.

Emperor Constantine was the first Christian emperor of Rome and decided to build a church at the supposed location of St. Peter’s tomb.

After 1000 years, the church began to deteriorate and it was decided that it should be demolished, and the basilica was erected on its foundation.

There are two levels below St Peter’s Basilica.

The first is the Vatican Grottoes, where 91 Popes are buried and the level below that is the Vatican Necropolis and is the supposed place of St Peter’s Tomb.

The tomb is only opened every so often, but there is a grate that leads to the tomb that you can peer down.

The interior of St. Peter’s is filled with masterpieces of Renaissance art.

Michelangelo’s Pieta, which was carved from a single slab of marble, is located behind bulletproof glass.

The Sistine Chapel

Built at the end of the 15th century, this chapel is most known for its ceiling painted by Michelangelo.

When you get to the Chapel, it will be crowded, so prepare yourself in advance to not have much space to move around.

There is NO PHOTOGRAPHY in the Sistine Chapel.

In order to tour the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel, you will need a ticket. It will also give you easy entrance to St. Peter’s Basilica, which is free.

While St. Peter’s Basilica is free, the line can be up to two hours.

We suggest you get a skip-the-line ticket to the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, and Saint Peter’s Basilica.

Italy is an amazing country to visit, and if you are lucky enough to spend 3 days in Rome, you will have enough time to see many major tourist attractions. The key is to make sure that you plan out your days in advance! We hope our 3 day Rome itinerary will help you in planning your trip.

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