Once known as Caput Mundi, the center of the world, Rome has so much to offer that a lifetime might not be enough to discover all its secrets. There is a saying about Rome that “non basta una vita,” a single lifetime is not enough for experiencing the Eternal City. While it's impossible to see everything in your 3 days in Rome, that shouldn’t stop you from having the journey of a lifetime. Rome is also super walkable, full of great food, and buzzing with life.
If you're wondering how many days in Rome Italy are enough, this Rome 3 day itinerary is a fantastic start. While it's impossible to see everything in just three days in Rome, that shouldn’t stop you from making your journey unforgettable.
With our easy-to-follow Rome itinerary, you’ll hit the highlights, skip the stress, and even find time for a gelato or two along the way.
So, if you're looking for things to do in Rome in 3 days or planning the perfect one-day Rome trip, this guide has you covered.
Day 1
Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill
Start your 3 days in Rome adventure by exploring these three sites, once the epicenter of Roman political, social, and gladiatorial life. Located right next to each other, they make for a powerful and walkable day of time travel. For a well-rounded experience, consider a guided tour that includes the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. A standard option without arena or underground access still offers rich historical insight and is ideal if you’re planning a Rome 3 day itinerary.
Colosseum
The Colosseum is an architectural masterpiece dating back to Roman times and an essential stop in any Rome, Italy itinerary. For nearly 500 years, the Colosseum served as the stage for gladiator contests, animal hunts, and extravagant public spectacles, often held in honor of major events or military triumphs. The Colosseum was divided into three main zones: the arena, cavea, and podium.
To fully enjoy your visit, we recommend that you purchase your tickets in advance online. This will allow you to avoid long lines and maximize your time there.
Pro-tip: Grab your most comfortable shoes and an umbrella/hat for sun protection.
From the Colosseum, walk up Via Sacra toward the Arch of Titus to enter the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.
Palatine Hill
The Palatine Hill is the most renowned of Rome's legendary seven hills and is believed to be the birthplace of Rome. It’s an unmissable highlight on any 3 days in Rome plan. Discover the opulent palaces, ancient villas, temples, and immerse in the grandeur of the Roman Empire. Enjoy the stunning unmatched panoramic views of the Capitoline Hill, the Circus Maximus, the Colosseum, and the Roman Forum.
Pro-tip: The Farnese Gardens provide a green retreat perfect for a quiet moment, even during the city’s busiest tourist season.
Roman Forum
Walk through the Roman Forum, once the political, economic, and social epicenter of ancient Rome. Enjoy the intricacies of Roman urban planning through one of the most impressive archaeological sites with temples, basilicas, and opulent buildings. The Roman Forum is ideal for anyone planning things to do in Rome in 3 days.
Pro-tip: The archaeological museum offers one of the best views of the Colosseum.
The guided tour takes about three hours, just enough to work up an appetite. So how about grabbing a classical Italian lunch of fresh authentic pasta or crispy Roman artisanal pizza, followed by a creamy tiramisu or a scoop of gelato to top it all off?
Monti, Capitoline Hill & Piazza della Madonna dei Monti After exploring the ancient ruins, take a short walk to Monti, one of Rome’s oldest and most atmospheric neighborhoods and a perfect stop on our list of what to do in Rome, Italy, in 3 days. With its bohemian vibe, ivy-draped buildings, wine bars, cobblestone lanes, artisan studios, and vintage boutiques, Monti is a gem in any Rome itinerary and adds a stylish modern contrast to ancient Rome. Grab lunch at a traditional trattoria where you can savor a plate of cacio e pepe or saltimbocca alla Romana paired with a glass of local wine.
After lunch, browse the area’s independent boutiques and vintage shops, or linger over an espresso in the sun-dappled Piazza della Madonna dei Monti, where locals gather around the central fountain for espresso and conversation. Pick up a gelato from the nearby Gelateria dell’Angeletto and make your way down Via dei Serpenti, Via Urbana, and Via del Boschetto for stylish clothing.
From there, make your way uphill to Capitoline Hill, one of Rome’s original seven hills and home to Piazza del Campidoglio, a stunning Renaissance square designed by Michelangelo. Take in the sweeping views over the Roman Forum, visit the Capitoline Museums for a dose of art and archaeology, or simply soak in the peaceful grandeur of this historic setting. All worthy entries in any Rome 3 day itinerary. Fancy sipping a cocktail in an art gallery? The standout is Palazzo delle Esposizioni, a grand neoclassical building from 1882 that now hosts major international and local exhibitions under its soaring glass roof. It’s one of the unique things to do in Rome in 3 days.
For a more intimate Monti experience, Sacripante Art Gallery on Via Panisperna blends contemporary art with craft cocktails. Pop into Galleria Cabaret Voltaire, where you can browse works by local artists and enjoy live jazz. Settle in for an aperitivo and at the fabulous Blackmarket Hall, a bar and restaurant tucked inside a former monastery with dimly lit interiors. And, if you’re lucky, you’ll catch one of their intimate live jazz sessions. It’s a great way to wind down your first day in this 3 days in Rome itinerary.
Day 2
The Vatican Museums
No trip to Rome feels complete without visiting the Vatican, the heart of the Catholic Church and the world’s tiniest independent state. Inside, you’ll find an unmatched collection of treasures from ancient Greece and Rome, and of course, the unmissable Sistine Chapel, a must on any Rome itinerary or list of things to see in Rome in 3 days. Pro-tip: Reserve your tickets in advance to avoid long queues!
The Sistine Chapel Famous for Michelangelo’s ceiling and The Last Judgement, the Sistine Chapel is one of the world’s most visually and artistically rich spaces. While other artists like Botticelli and Perugino contributed to its beauty, it’s Michelangelo’s ceiling that steals the show. Oh, and don’t miss The Creation of Adam, one of the Renaissance’s most iconic paintings. and an essential stop in your three days in Rome.
Raphael Rooms The Vatican Museums house another Renaissance marvel, the four rooms frescoed by Raphael, one of many unforgettable highlights for three days in Rome. In the Stanza della Segnatura, you’ll find The School of Athens, where great thinkers of philosophy and theology are brought to life.
Don’t Miss in Vatican City - St. Peter’s Basilica: Monumental, awe-inspiring, and free to enter, though the dome climb is well worth the fee. You’ll discover artistic masterpieces of Renaissance and Baroque art by Bernini, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Bramante. - Vatican Gardens: Serene and lush, but accessible only via a guided tour. - Vatican Post Office: Mail a postcard from one of the world’s most unique mailing addresses!
After exploring the Vatican, you’re just steps away from some of Rome’s best lunch spots in the nearby Prati neighborhood. Enjoy a classical meal with Roman flair or visit cozy trattorias serving classic pasta dishes like carbonara and amatriciana. If you're after something quicker, grab a gourmet panino or a fresh salad from one of the stylish cafés nearby. And to top it all off? A scoop of gelato from one of the area’s beloved gelaterias is a must when planning what to do in Rome, Italy, in 3 days.
Pantheon & Castel Sant'Angelo Stroll down Via della Conciliazione toward Castel Sant’Angelo, also known as the Mausoleum of Hadrian, turning back now and then to enjoy the iconic view. Take a quick detour to Ponte Vittorio Emanuele II for a stunning shot of the castle and bridge. Inside the fortress, follow the path through its layered history and climb to the terrace for breathtaking views over Rome. Now, step back onto the cobbled streets and follow the gentle curve of the Tiber River. Stroll across the charming Ponte Sant’Angelo, flanked by angel statues, and head toward Piazza Navona, once an ancient Roman stadium. Piazza Navona buzzes with picturesque fountains, baroque palazzi, and the scent of espresso drifting from nearby cafés. Grab an espresso and admire Bernini’s Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi, a masterpiece to admire in your 3 days in Rome trip.
From there, it’s just a 5-minute walk to the Pantheon. Whether you admire the Pantheon’s majestic columns from the lively square outside or step inside to gaze up at its awe-inspiring oculus, this ancient temple is a breathtaking blend of Roman grandeur and engineering genius. Finish your day 2 of three days in Rome itinerary with a truly unforgettable rooftop experience at one of the nearby rooftop terrazas enjoying sweeping views and a stylish aperitivo in a Baroque setting.
Day 3
Galleria Borghese
When in Rome, do as the Romans do. So to go full Roman, get a Roman breakfast with freshly baked maritozzo loaded with whipped cream or cornetti for breakfast with a decorated cappuccino.
After breakfast, head to Galleria Borghese or the Borghese gallery, a villa-turned-museum located in the heart of the Villa Borghese gardens and houses. If you’re coming from Via del Corso or Piazza del Popolo, you can walk up this uphill to enter Villa Borghese. This exceptional art gallery houses masterpieces by Caravaggio, Bernini, Titian and Raphael in an intimate setting to add to your Rome, Italy itinerary.
After the gallery, take your time to relax in the beautifully landscaped Borghese gardens, which are free to visit. The gardens are one of the places to see in Rome Italy in 3 days that combine leisure and beauty.
Catch one of the rowing boats for rent at the pond or enjoy the scenic views of Piazza del Popolo from the Pincio Terrace. If you’re visiting with kids, don’t miss the lovely playgrounds organically blending with nature. Pick up a picnic of Italian classics, think fresh focaccia, prosciutto, and seasonal fruit, and enjoy it on the grass like a true Roman family.
Pro-tip: Be sure to book your time slot in advance; entry is strictly timed. Planning ahead is key when deciding how many days to spend in Rome.
Trastevere Spend your afternoon In Rome’s trendy Trastevere neighborhood. Wander through the cobblestone streets, peek into tiny artisan shops, and enjoy an espresso in one of the many bars at the Piazzi di Santa Maria in Trastevere. Stop by Santa Maria in Trastevere, one of the city’s oldest basilicas, known for its golden mosaics and serene interior. And as the afternoon stretches on, climb the Gianicolo Hill for panoramic vistas of Rome, especially magical in the golden hour. This laid-back quarter offers a different vibe worth including in your 3 days in Rome itinerary.
Spanish Steps & Trevi Fountain Resume your 3 days in Rome trip with an unforgettable evening at the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain, two of the most iconic and cinematic spots on your Rome itinerary. The famous 135 steps connecting the Piazza di Spagna and the Trinità dei Monti Church have starred in many movies, most notably, Roman Holiday (1953) featuring Audrey Hepburn nibbling gelato here. Though technically, eating on the steps is now forbidden. This part of the city perfectly captures the charm of what to see in Rome, Italy in three days, a blend of history, elegance, and daily life. It’s a fantastic spot for soaking in the city’s lively ambiance, browsing high-end boutiques, and catching the golden hour glow. Pause by the Fontana della Barcaccia and wind your way through narrow alleys Via del Corso and Via delle Muratte to the Trevi Fountain. The best time to visit Trevi is when dusk turns to night and the sculptures glow under soft floodlights. Trevi’s romantic appeal was depicted in Federico Fellini’s La Dolce Vita (1960), where Anita Ekberg wades into the fountain in her strapless black dress (do not attempt!). Toss a coin! Legend has it that tossing coins into the Trevi Fountain is a promise whispered to the Eternal City. One coin means you’ll return to Rome someday. Two, and love may find you on its sunlit cobblestones. Three, and you just might marry here. But for the magic to work, tradition says you must turn, close your eyes, and toss each coin over your left shoulder with your right hand, just like Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday.
Linger for a while as the fountain's white marble gleams against the night sky. It's the perfect finale to a 3 days in Rome trip, half movie set, half dream.
