Rome 3 Day Itinerary: The Top Things To Do

Q: Can you visit Rome in 3 days?

Yes. several of the sights in Rome are rarely more than a walk away from each other, making it possible to explore the city in 3 days.

Q: Are 3 days in Rome enough?

While we recommend that travelers allocated 4 to 5 days to visit the city, it's possible to spend three days in Rome and visit its top sights.

Q: What can you see in Rome in 3 days?

10 Things To See In Rome In 3 Days: Colosseum & Arch of Constantine; Palatine Hill; Roman Forum; Trevi Fountain; The Pantheon; Santa Maria Maggiore Cathedral; Capitoline Museums; Piazza Navona; Galleria Borghese & Villa Borghese Gardens; Piazza di Spagna & The Spanish Steps; St Peter's Basilica; The Vatican Museums.

The array of splendid sights in Rome is so generous, that one could spend a lifetime exploring the wonders of this attraction-filled destination. While making their way through the charming streets of the Eternal City, expect to come across a treasure trove of charming basilicas, picture-perfect squares, world-class museums, fascinating archaeological sites, and tantalizing restaurants, just to name a few.

Some of the best-known landmarks you can see in Rome include Spanish Steps, the Vatican Museums and the Colosseum, to name a few.

Considering the fact that the Italian capital has enough attractions to keep you busy for days, a week makes for a well-rounded itinerary in the city. But in case you only have 72 hours available, no need to worry! It’s completely possible to visit Rome in 3 days and take in its culturally rich atmosphere.

We’re sure you want to make the most of your trip, so we have created a Rome in 3 Days Itinerary that will have you visiting all the city’s most famous attractions — from the Roman Forum to the Colosseum — with no need to rush!

Find Places To Stay In Rome, Italy

Tips For Visiting Rome In 3 Days

If you want to visit the Colosseum and The Vatican, consider buying online tickets in advance. This will allow you to save time, and avoid the long lines, especially during the high season;
For optimizing your time even more, opt for skip-the-line tickets to beat queues & crowds anytime;
Buy a combined entry to the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, which are located adjacent to each other.
A combined guided tour of the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill is a great way to learn about Rome’s history and uncover some of these monuments’ restricted areas.
Deciding where to stay in Rome is crucial, especially if you have limited time. A great idea is to opt for staying in the city center, where most of the attractions and public transportation options are available;
If you only have 3 days in Rome, you don’t want to spend too much time trying to figure out how to get around the city. To make your life easier, we have created a thorough guide to transportation in Rome, which is guaranteed to help you get from one place to another seamlessly.

Day One: Ancient Rome

Rome harbors a dazzling collection of landmarks and archaeological sites dating back almost 2,000 years ago. Not by chance, the city is a veritable wonderland for history buffs seeking to travel back in time, and discover the fascinating wonders of the ancient world.

If this is your case, a great way of starting off your 3-day Rome itinerary is by taking a tour of the city’s impeccably preserved ancient monuments. Here’s a list of not-to-be-missed cultural treasures to visit on day 1.

Colosseum & Arch of Constantine

Marveling at the Colosseum up close is, unarguably, one of the most breathtaking experiences travelers can enjoy in Rome. This massive ancient amphitheater — the largest ever built in the world — was erected nearly 2,000 years ago under the rule of emperor Vespasian. Back then, this Majestic structure used to host a variety of public spectacles such as gruesome gladiator combats, animal fights, and theatrical performances.

A well-worth experience when visiting this well-preserved site is taking a Colosseum Underground tour, which gives you exclusive access to the tunnels Where animals and gladiators were held captive.

After the Colosseum visit, be sure to head over to the nearby Arch of Constantine. This imposing triumphal arch is the last monument built during Imperial Rome and commissioned by the Roman Senate to celebrate emperor Constantine the Great’s victory over Maxentius at the Battle of Milvian Bridge in AD 312.

Address: Piazza del Colosseo, 1

Palatine Hill

Often regarded as the birthplace of Rome, Palatine Hill is truly an open-air museum. The site, which overlooks the Roman Forum, has been inhabited since 1000 B.C. and it’s home to a collection of ruins of imperial palaces once created for the high society.

Highlights include the massive Palace of Domitian, emperor Domitian’s official residence, the House of Livia, known for its gorgeous frescoes dating from around 30 BCE, and Domus Augustana, the primary residence of Caesar Augustus during his reign.

Curious fact: it is believed that Palatine Hill is the location of the Lupercal (the cave where Romulus and Remus were found by the she-wolf).

Roman Forum

Just a stone’s throw away from both Palatine Hill and the Colosseum lies the Roman Forum. Once the heart of ancient Rome, the site was occupied by the city’s most striking buildings such as temples and monuments, and used to host a variety of events like public meetings, gladiatorial combats, criminal trials, and elections.

While many of the Roman Forum’s buildings were damaged by earthquakes after the 7th century, it’s still possible to see strikingly beautiful ruins when visiting the site. Important surviving structures include the remains of The Temple of Saturn, the Temple of Castor and Pollux, the Temple of the Deified Caesar, the Mamertine Prison, and the Curia (senate house).

Address: Via della Salara Vecchia, 5/6

Trevi Fountain

In need of a quick break from all of Rome’s history-filled monuments? Then head over to the Trevi Fountain for a restful respite and a well-deserved dose of beauty.

Located within a pleasant 10-minute walk from the Roman Forum, this Insta-worthy fountain leaves visitors in awe due to its show-stopping travertine sculptures representing mythological creatures and allegorical figures. Its crown jewel is Pietro Bacci’s statue of Oceanus, who stands atop a chariot pulled by sea horses and is accompanied by tritons. There are also gorgeous statues representing Abundance and Health.

Aside from its striking beauty, Fontana di Trevi also attracts thousands of visitors daily due to its “magical powers”. After all, it is believed toss a coin into the water will one day return to Rome!

Address: Piazza di Trevi

The Pantheon

If you feel ambitious enough, on the same day you can also spare some time to visit the Pantheon.

Originally built as a temple during the reign of Augustus (27 BC – 14 AD), the structure was rebuilt by emperor Hadrian in 126 AD., making it the best-preserved construction of ancient Rome.

Must-sees during the Pantheon visit include the building’s immense domed ceiling, which is almost half the length of a football field, and the tombs of major Italian historical figures like the artist Raphael and the former Queen Margherita.

The Pantheon is a bucket-list item for budget travelers, and the visit to the monument is considered one of the best free things to do in Rome.

Address: Piazza della Rotonda

Day 2: Central Rome

Now that you were given a taste of ancient Rome, it’s time to go for an idle stroll through the city center. Freely meandering along jaw-dropping streets is one of the best ways of experiencing the Eternal City, and getting up close and personal with its top attractions.

Have a look below to find out the best things to see on Rome day 2.

Santa Maria Maggiore Cathedral

Nestled in the summit of the Esquiline Hill, on the site where the Virgin appeared in a dream of pope Liberius, the Basilica of Saint Mary Major (Santa Maria Maggiore church) is one of the largest churches dedicated to the Virgin Mary in Rome.

The basilica dazzles visitors with its striking features, such as a 16th-century ceiling gilded with gold, frescoes by Giovanni Baglione, and a triumphal arch decorated with mosaics. Achingly beautiful!

Address: Piazza Santa Maria Maggiore, 42

Capitoline Museums

Whether you’re an art lover or a culture buff, be sure to visit the Capitoline Museums. Known as “Musei Capitolini”, this dazzling collection of art and archaeological museums located in Piazza del Campidoglio dates back to 1471 when Pope Sixtus IV donated a collection of bronze statues to the People of Rome.

While snooping around the Capitoline’s galleries, you’ll come across famed masterpieces by Caravaggio, Titian, Rubens, and Van Dyck, as well as works found during excavations around Rome.

Make sure you visit Palazzo dei Conservatori, which is home to the iconic statue of the she-wolf suckling the twins Romulus and Remus, an iconic symbol of the city of Rome.

Recommended Read: Museums in Rome, Italy

Address: Piazza del Campidoglio, 1

Piazza Navona

From the Capitoline Museums, make your move to Piazza Navona, one of the most stunning piazzas in Rome. Commissioned in 86 CE by emperor Titus Flavius Domitianus as a gift to the people of Rome, this baroque-style square is praised for its artfully designed fountains — Fontana del Moro, Fontana de ‘Calderari, and Fountain of the Four Rivers.

Piazza Navona is also home to the treasured Sant’Agnese in Agone, a 17th-century Baroque church, and the Palazzo Pamphili, where you’ll find one of the most incredible private art collections in Rome, Italy.

After exploring the square’s marvels, be sure to stop by one of the local restaurants to get some rest, and enjoy an authentic Italian lunch.

Recommended Read: Best Restaurants in Rome, Italy

Address: Piazza Navona

Galleria Borghese & Villa Borghese Gardens

There’s no better place to spend a lovely afternoon in Rome than visiting Villa Borghese. Nestled on the Pincian Hill, this dreamy site encompasses a lush park, which covers 80 hectares dotted with temples, piazzas, cinemas, and even a replica of Shakespeare’s Globe Theater.

Visitors can both relax in the Borghese gardens, known for their peaceful and restoring atmosphere, as well as check out the villa’s art museum, the famous Galleria Borghese.

There, you will stand in awe of a precious collection of paintings, sculptures, and antiquities by renowned Italian artists such as Bernini, Caravaggio, Canova, and Raphael.

Address: Piazzale Napoleone I

Piazza di Spagna & The Spanish Steps

The most perfect way to end a day of adventuring into the city? By heading over to Piazza de Spagna, which is located within a 20-minute walk from Villa Borghese. Running from the square, you’ll see Via Dei Condotti, home to an array of luxury boutiques and one of the best places to go shopping in Rome.

Aside from indulging in luxurious retail therapy, you can also climb to the top of the “Spanish Steps”, a Rococo-style staircase that rises up from the square, and provides visitors with the most amazing view of the city.

Day 3: Vatican City

A visit to the Vatican is the cherry on top of any finely-curated 3 days in Rome itinerary. Both the permanent seat of the Popes and the center of the Roman Catholic Church, the city-state is home to a plethora of relics — from otherworldly basilicas to outstanding museums that house over 70,000 artworks.

With so many wonderful sights packed into just one place, setting aside an entire day for your visit will give you the perfect amount of time to explore the Vatican with no rush.

St Peter’s Basilica

Start your visit by checking out the legendary St Peter’s Basilica. Located in the namesake square, the basilica is considered one of the most breathtaking masterpieces of Renaissance architecture. The building was erected in the 4th century over the tomb of St. Peter the Apostle, and it’s home to La Pietà, Michelangelo’s famous marble sculpture.

The Vatican Museums

Sistine Chapel Ceiling, at Vatican City, Rome, Itaky.

The Vatican is also home to 54 galleries, also known as the Vatican Museums. Must-visit ones include the Sistine Chapel, where you’ll be able to marvel at the lavish ceiling frescoes by Michelangelo, aside from paintings by Sandro Botticelli, Domenico Ghirlandaio, and Pietro Perugino.

Other bucket-list Vatican museums are the Gallery of Maps, which boats a 120-meter-long corridor filled with frescoes representing the map of Italy, and the Raphael Rooms, part of the apartment of Pope Julius II.

FAQs

Can you visit Rome in 3 days?

Yes. Several of the sights in Rome are rarely more than a walk away from each other, making it possible to explore the city in 3 days.

Are 3 days in Rome enough?

While we recommend that travelers allocate 4 to 5 days to visit the city, it’s possible to spend three days in Rome and visit its top sights like the Vatican and St Peter’s Basilica, the Colosseum, and the Roman Forum.

What can an art lover see in Rome in 3 days?

Rome is one of the most incredible destinations for art lovers. Must-visits include the Vatican Museums, the Borghese Gallery, and the Capitoline Museums.