Planning to visit Rome in 3 days? This complete guide covers the best things to do, practical tips, and a detailed itinerary map — everything you need for a perfect trip.
Can You See Rome in 3 Days?
Yes — you can walk through the historic centre in just one day. It’s compact, but you won’t have time to go inside any major landmarks.
If you want to visit the Vatican, the Colosseum and other top sights, you’ll need at least three full days. You won’t see everything, but you’ll see a lot.
And honestly — after more than three days, I personally start losing a bit of energy for exploring even more monuments, so a 3-day trip to Rome feels like the perfect balance.
Rome is one of those cities you can return to again and again — and you’ll always discover something new.
How to Enjoy Rome
From sightseeing tips to budget-friendly advice, here’s how to make the most of your trip.
How to Save in Rome
Next to each attraction, you’ll see whether it’s included in the Roma Pass — one of the easiest ways to save money on sightseeing and transport.
The Roma Pass gives you unlimited travel on public transport, free entry to two attractions of your choice, and discounted admission to dozens of museums and archaeological sites. We’ve put together a detailed review explaining everything that’s included.
Booking Your Accommodation
Book your stay near a metro station or public transport — it makes getting to the airport easy and puts you just a short walk from the heart of Rome. Here are some of the best places to stay in the city:
- Hotel Impero – A simple, affordable hotel with excellent breakfasts and a rooftop terrace. The rooms are older but clean and cosy. A quiet location, ideal if you’re looking for comfortable, no-frills accommodation.
- Hotel Borromeo – A cosy 3-star hotel with air-conditioning and a rooftop terrace. We stayed here and were really happy with the choice — the location just a few minutes from the metro and within walking distance of the centre is excellent, the rooms are clean and the area is pleasantly quiet in the evening. A great balance of price and location.
- hu Roma Camping in Town – Air-conditioned bungalows and cabins, a pool, hot tub, bar and free parking. A good choice if you’re driving or want a cheaper option with full facilities.
- Cardinal Hotel St. Peter – Cosy rooms for 2–4 people, a pool, optional half board, a rooftop terrace, a peaceful location and very good prices.
Rome in 3 Days – Itinerary Map
HOW TO USE THIS MAP: Above, you’ll find a detailed map of the 3-day Rome itinerary. Click the menu icon in the top-left corner to open the individual layers. You can show or hide them as needed, or click on any icon to see the name of the place mentioned in this itinerary. If you want to save the map, simply star it — it will be added to your Google Maps, so you can easily access it anytime on your phone or computer. For a larger view, click the icon in the top-right corner of the map.
3 Days in Rome: Things to Do (Day-by-Day Guide)
If you’re planning 3 days in Rome, this day-by-day guide will help you see the city’s most iconic sights without feeling rushed. Below you’ll find a practical breakdown of what to do, how to plan your time and how to make the most of your 3 days in Rome.
Day 1: Ancient Rome
Your first day is all about ancient Rome — the oldest part of the city, where everything began. So it makes sense to start your trip right here.
Piazza Venezia
At the very heart of Rome lies Piazza Venezia. Traffic here can get busy — and by busy, I mean Italian-style busy. Look both ways. Then look again. In any other country, half of these drivers would probably lose their license. 😄
On the square, you’ll find Palazzo Venezia, now an art museum, but once the residence of Mussolini. It was from its balcony that he declared war in 1940.
The dominant landmark here is the striking Vittoriano Monument (Complesso Vittoriano), built at the end of the 19th century to honour Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of unified Italy.
Romans aren’t exactly fans of the building. They call it the “Wedding Cake” or “Typewriter.” And although it has nothing to do with ancient Rome, it’s absolutely worth seeing.
The monument is also home to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, guarded by two soldiers and marked by two eternal flames.
Piazza del Campidoglio
From Piazza Venezia, walk along the Vittoriano (keeping it on your left) until you see the gently rising staircase leading to Piazza del Campidoglio.
This perfectly oval square was redesigned by Michelangelo and is home to Rome’s city hall and the Capitoline Museums — one of the most important museum collections in the city. You can admire Roman statues, paintings and countless artefacts closely tied to Rome’s long history.
The ticket costs €15 and you’ll need about 1–2 hours. Together with the Vatican Museums and the Borghese Gallery, the Capitoline Museums are a must for anyone who loves art and history.
But if you’re planning to visit the Colosseum on the same day, save the museum for later — you’ll want to avoid long queues at the Colosseum.
The square sits on the Capitoline Hill, which is why you get some of the best views of ancient Rome from up here — especially toward the Roman Forum and the distant Colosseum. In ancient times, the Romans had a temple on this very spot — centuries later, Michelangelo redesigned the piazza into its current form.
At the centre of the square stands the equestrian statue of Emperor Marcus Aurelius — a copy. The original is housed inside the Capitoline Museums.
If you stop by on a Saturday, you might even catch a glimpse of newlyweds taking photos here.
And if you’d like to visit a beautiful basilica, look for the steep staircase on the left just before you turn toward Piazza del Campidoglio. At the top sits the understated Santa Maria in Aracoeli.
It’s one of Rome’s hidden gems. The exterior is modest, but don’t let that fool you — inside, the basilica is richly decorated and absolutely worth a visit.
Where to stay in Rome
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Via dei Fori Imperiali
From Piazza del Campidoglio, continue toward one of Rome’s most iconic streets — Via dei Fori Imperiali. If you walk through the small passage on the left side of the square, you’ll come out above the Roman Forum. From there, it’s just a few hundred metres until you reach the main avenue.
On the left side, you’ll see the Imperial Forums — monumental complexes built by emperors to conduct state affairs. Here you’ll pass Trajan’s Forum, Augustus’ Forum and Nerva’s Forum. On the right is Caesar’s Forum, followed by the Roman Forum itself, once the heart of religious and public life in ancient Rome.
And then you arrive at the Colosseum.
Colosseum
The Colosseum is the one sight everyone wants to see. On our first visit to Rome, we ran here straight from the train station — backpacks still on our shoulders — and it completely took our breath away.
To be honest, the amount of litter around it and the endless line of street vendors waving selfie sticks caught our attention too. You don’t see that in the polished postcard photos. The good news? They usually stay right around the Colosseum — other historic areas are much tidier.
The Colosseum — or the Flavian Amphitheatre — is nearly 2,000 years old and welcomes more than 6 million visitors each year. It once held up to 80,000 spectators and was the epicentre of ancient Roman entertainment: exotic animal shows, executions, gladiator fights.
You might be surprised by how much of the Colosseum is missing today. Part of it collapsed due to earthquakes and centuries of disuse, but much of the marble was also removed and repurposed — including for the construction of buildings in Vatican City.
- Ticket price: €16 full; €2 reduced (EU citizens aged 18–25); free entry for children under 18 and visitors with disabilities + companion. On the first Sunday of each month, entry is free for everyone — but advance reservations are not possible and tickets are limited, so arrive early.
- Opening hours: Vary by season — you’ll see the exact times when booking your tickets.
What to Do if Colosseum Tickets Are Sold Out?
Totally normal in Rome – tickets for the Colosseum and other places often sell out weeks in advance. Always check the current availability.
If no time slot is available, take a look here at all the options for visiting the Colosseum.
Roman Forum & Palatine Hill
Right across from the Colosseum you’ll find the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. Entrance is included in your Colosseum ticket, so it would be a shame not to make the most of it — both sites add a lot of context to everything you’ve just learned about ancient Rome.
Your ticket grants access to both areas once, so make sure you’ve seen everything you want before you exit — you won’t be able to re-enter.
Visiting the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
It’s best to book your Colosseum tickets in advance (see links above), especially if you’re visiting anytime from spring to autumn. Slots sell out weeks ahead during peak season.
Your ticket is a combined one and includes entry to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. Together, they form a single archaeological park. Palatine Hill requires a short uphill walk, but the reward is worth it — you’ll get beautiful views of the Forum, the Colosseum and large parts of central Rome.
Colosseum ticket reservation
Below you can check the current availability of tickets for the Colosseum:
The full visit to all three areas usually takes around 3–5 hours. If you haven’t stopped at the Capitoline Museums earlier, you’ll likely be finishing just around lunchtime.
As in most major cities, restaurants right next to big attractions tend to be the most touristy — higher prices, lower quality and not always the kind of food locals would eat. Walk a few streets away, and you’ll eat much better (and often for less).
Colosseum Tickets
You can choose from several ticket types depending on what you want to see:
- Colosseum, Forum, Palatine Hill + audio guide (with skip-the-line entry and free cancellation option)
- Basic ticket – Colosseum + Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
- Extended ticket – Colosseum with arena and underground
- Rome Tourist Card – Colosseum and Vatican Museums
What to See Near the Colosseum
After lunch, you’ll still have plenty of time to explore the area around the Colosseum. Most visitors head straight toward the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain — but by this time of day, those spots are usually packed.
That’s why we save the historic centre for the next days, when you’ll be able to enjoy it without squeezing through crowds or waiting in long queues just to see the fountain or step inside the Pantheon.
So where should you go instead? One of our top recommendations is the Baths of Caracalla, built by Emperor Caracalla between 212 and 216 AD. They were one of the largest and most impressive thermal complexes in ancient Rome.
To soak up a bit more of the atmosphere, stop by Circus Maximus, the ancient stadium where legendary chariot races once took place. In its glory days, it could hold up to 300,000 spectators. The area is free to enter and lies just behind Palatine Hill, only a short walk from the Colosseum.
Aventine Hill & Testaccio Market
From Circus Maximus, you can continue to one of our favourite places in Rome — Aventine Hill, one of the city’s original seven hills.
From up here, you’ll get lovely views of Rome, and the Giardino degli Aranci (Orange Garden) is the perfect spot to slow down for a moment. You’ll find more about Aventine Hill in our dedicated guide on the best places to visit in Rome.
South of the Colosseum stretches the Testaccio neighbourhood. You can reach it from the Aventine in about 15 minutes on foot, or you can hop on a bus if you prefer.
Testaccio isn’t the prettiest district in Rome (we’ll save that for day three), but it has an unbeatable local vibe — and the best market in the city.
At Mercato Testaccio, you’ll find all kinds of stalls offering local dishes and Roman street food. Or, stop at Trapizzino along the way and try a stuffed trapizzino pizza pocket. It may look a bit like a kebab at first glance, but the taste is pure Rome.
Day 2: The Vatican
Your second day is dedicated to the Vatican. There’s so much to see here that you could easily spend several days exploring every corner.
But if you’re visiting Rome for 3 days, you’ll still manage to cover the essentials — St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel.
Just avoid planning your Vatican visit for a Sunday. With one exception — the last Sunday of the month — everything is closed.
St. Peter’s Basilica
Entry to St. Peter’s Basilica is free, and it opens as early as 7:00 AM — which is also the very best time to go.
You’ll pass through a simple security check before entering, and just a couple of hours later the queue can already stretch a long way down the street. Coming early means you’ll enjoy the basilica without crowds — and with far less waiting. By lunchtime, the queue to the basilica often circles the entire square.
Note: On Wednesdays, the Pope usually holds a general audience, and the basilica opens later — typically between 12:30 and 13:00. If you want to see the Pope, reserve your spot here.
You can reach St. Peter’s Square from Ottaviano metro station (about a 15-minute walk). If you’re planning to visit the Vatican Museums first, get off at Ottaviano or Cipro — the museum entrance is completely separate and not accessible through St. Peter’s Square.
St. Peter’s Basilica is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the world and one of the holiest — and largest — churches of the Catholic faith. It was shaped by some of the greatest names in architecture: Bramante, Michelangelo, Maderno and Bernini. Throughout the year, the Pope presides over many liturgies here.
Interestingly, the basilica was built over an older church between 1506 and 1628. Until then, the Lateran Basilica held the title of the largest church in Rome.
Although entry to the basilica is free, there is a fee to climb the dome, where you’ll find one of the most unforgettable views of St. Peter’s Square and the entire city. The ticket booth is on the right side just after entering the basilica.
It’s absolutely worth climbing all 551 steps (the upper part is a bit narrow) for €10. Alternatively, you can take the elevator halfway up and climb the remaining stairs on foot (€15).
On your way up, you’ll get a close look at the stunning mosaics decorating the inside of the dome. The first level leads out onto the roof, where you’ll see the statues of the apostles up close. From there, a narrow staircase brings you to the very top of the dome.
From the basilica, continue along the Vatican walls toward the Vatican Museums, which open at 9:00 AM. It’s about a 15-minute walk.
Booking your tickets online is highly recommended — queues at the entrance can stretch for hours. You can also consider the Rome & Vatican Pass, which includes entry to the Vatican Museums.
Vatican Museums & the Sistine Chapel
The Vatican Museums are among the largest museum complexes in the world, with more than 20,000 pieces on display — and that’s only a fraction of the full collection, as most artworks are not visible to the public.
Want to know more? Here’s our detailed guide to visiting the Vatican Museums.
Walking through the museums is an awe-inspiring experience, and the Sistine Chapel is just one highlight. You can choose between the standard route and the shortened route, but I highly recommend the full route, which takes you through the second floor and the famous Raphael Rooms.
At the end of your visit, you’ll enter the Sistine Chapel, home to Michelangelo’s legendary ceiling frescoes and The Last Judgment. The museum route ends with the iconic spiral staircase, inspired by Bramante’s original design — one of the most photographed spots in the complex.
Tickets for the Vatican Museums
You can choose from several types of tickets:
- Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel ticket
- Omnia Card & Roma Pass – free or discounted entry to major sights + free public transport
- Rome Tourist Card – includes the Colosseum and the Vatican Museums
- Guided tour
By now, you’ve already spent half the day. The collection inside the Vatican Museums is so extensive that you can easily spend 2–3 hours here. Just keep in mind that from April to October it gets very busy, even on weekdays.
How to Skip the Lines at the Vatican Museums & the Sistine Chapel
The easiest way to skip the line is to book your Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel tickets online. When you arrive, use the middle entrance, reserved for visitors with advance reservations.
Inside, you’ll pass through security, walk up the stairs and see the ticket machines on your right. Simply scan the QR code from your reservation and your paper tickets will be printed on the spot.
The whole process took us about five minutes — and it saved us hours of standing in line.
Vatican Museums Tickets Reservation
See the current availability of Vatican Museums tickets below:
Castel Sant’Angelo
Just a short walk from the Vatican, on the right bank of the Tiber River, stands Castel Sant’Angelo — also known as Hadrian’s Mausoleum. Emperor Hadrian built this monumental fortress as a tomb for himself and his family.
Today, you can climb all the way to the rooftop terrace for a fantastic panoramic view.
- Ticket price: €16 full; €3 reduced (EU citizens 18–24); free on the first Sunday of the month — no reservations
- Reservation: We booked our tickets in advance — during the season from April to October, queues can stretch up to an hour.
- Opening hours: Tuesday–Sunday 9:00–19:30
From the castle, continue across the Bridge of Angels (Ponte Sant’Angelo) — originally built by the ancient Romans, though the angels you see today were added in the 1600s. Each statue represents a different moment of the Stations of the Cross, creating one of the most atmospheric walks in Rome.
Tip: Want to save money on entrance fees and public transport — or simply use one card for everything? Take a look at our comparison of Roma Pass and Rome & Vatican Pass, which offer free or discounted entry to more than 45 sights, unlimited public transport, a hop-on hop-off bus ride and more useful perks.
Piazza Navona
From the bridge, continue along Via dei Coronari, one of the most picturesque streets in Rome. It will lead you straight to Piazza Navona, home to three beautiful fountains:
- in the centre Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers (representing the Nile, Ganges, Danube and Río de la Plata),
- to the north the Neptune Fountain,
- and to the south the Fontana del Moro.
You can also step inside the Church of Sant’Agnese in Agone for free (open until 19:00, except Mondays).
On the southern side of the square you’ll find one of the branches of the Museo di Roma, covering the city’s history from the Middle Ages to the 19th century.
For the rest of the afternoon, you can wander the narrow streets of the historic centre or visit one of Rome’s papal basilicas. The most famous is of course St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, but the others are absolutely worth seeing as well.
Just a short walk from the square, you’ll find buses that take you to the Basilica of St. John Lateran or the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.
Or you can head to the nearby Pantheon to check how long the queues look — we’ll visit it properly on Day 3 of this Rome itinerary.
Rome in 3 Days: Trevi Fountain – Borghese Gallery – Pantheon
You might be wondering why the historic centre appears only on Day 3. Rome is extremely popular — and that’s exactly why this itinerary is designed to help you avoid unnecessary waiting.
We placed the busiest sights (the Colosseum, the Vatican) at times when the crowds are lighter, and moved the Trevi Fountain to early morning, because later in the day it’s almost impossible to move. Crowds and long queues can really take away from the experience — this way, you’ll enjoy Rome much more.
Of course, feel free to shuffle the days to suit your own plans. You can explore the centre on Day 2 and leave the Vatican for the final morning — whatever works best for you.
Trevi Fountain
The Trevi Fountain is one of the most visited places in Rome — which is why we’re starting here first thing in the morning. It’s the only “normal” time when the fountain isn’t completely packed. We visited in November, late in the evening, and it was extremely crowded.
In recent years, the crowds have grown so much that it’s hard to move at all. The city has even introduced a limit of 400 visitors at a time. It may sound like a lot, but in Rome, it still means waiting in line just to get close to the fountain.
That’s why it’s best to arrive early. Even at 7:00 AM there will already be people, but far fewer — and you’ll actually get to enjoy the atmosphere. Just remember to keep the noise down — locals still live in the surrounding buildings.
Notice: If you wish to access the inner area of the fountain, an entry fee of €2 applies from 1 February 2026. You can pay online or on site by card. The fee is charged only between 9:00 AM and 10:00 PM (outside these hours, access to the fountain is free). Free entry for children under 5 and visitors with disabilities, including one accompanying person.
And why is it usually so crowded here? The square around the fountain is tiny — most of the space is taken up by the fountain itself.
That’s exactly what makes it feel so monumental. You almost feel like you’re standing on a theatre stage, watching a spectacular performance unfold right in front of you.
The Trevi Fountain symbolises abundance and the life-giving power of water. Behind the sculptures rises Palazzo Poli, which today houses the National Institute for Graphic Design.
According to tradition, throwing a coin (with your right hand over your left shoulder) ensures that you’ll return to Rome one day. Toss two coins to find new love — and three coins for marriage.
Budget accommodation in Rome
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Every day, an estimated €3,000 is tossed into the Trevi Fountain — adding up to roughly €1.4 million a year. The coins are collected three times a week when the fountain is closed to the public: on Mondays and Fridays until 11:00, and every second Monday until 14:00 due to basin cleaning.
All of it goes to local charities that support vulnerable people in the city. So even if you never return to Rome, at least your coin will do a bit of good.
Spanish Steps
From the Trevi Fountain, continue to the Spanish Steps — about a 10-minute walk through Rome’s narrow side streets. It’s easy to get lost here (in the best way).
Early in the morning, you’ll catch glimpses of real Roman life: small squares coming to life, locals opening their shops, quiet churches tucked between apartment buildings.
The Spanish Steps are among the most famous staircases in the world — and the widest in Europe. The first time we visited, the atmosphere wasn’t the best (mostly because of persistent street vendors), but on our second visit we enjoyed it much more.
The staircase has a butterfly-like shape and dates back to the 18th century.
Looking for deeper symbolism, like with the Trevi Fountain? There isn’t any. The steps were built for a simple reason: to connect the church at the top with the square below. Their name comes from the Spanish Embassy, which has been located here since the 16th century.
At the foot of the staircase, you’ll find the Barcaccia Fountain — a lovely Baroque fountain shaped like a half-sunken boat.
The Spanish Steps used to be packed with people, almost like bunches of grapes. At times, it was difficult to even make your way through, similar to the crowds around Sacré-Cœur in Paris. To protect the monument, the city eventually banned sitting, eating and drinking on the steps.
Climb the staircase toward the church and enjoy the view over Rome from the top. From here, turn left. We’re heading toward Villa Borghese — the green lungs of Rome. After a few hundred meters, the path splits — take the right-hand turn up to the Pincio Hill (you’ll see a terrace with a viewpoint on your left).
Pincio Terrace & the Borghese Gallery
From the hill, Rome opens up beautifully in front of you — rooftops stretching into the distance with the dome of St. Peter’s rising above them all. The walk up isn’t difficult, and the view is absolutely worth it. You’ll reach the Pincio Terrace, which offers one of the best overlooks of Piazza del Popolo.
Behind you lies the vast Villa Borghese park — one of Rome’s most beloved green spaces. Locals come here to relax, stroll, ride bikes, visit the small fairground or just enjoy the shade. And tucked inside the park is the Borghese Gallery, home to one of the finest art collections in the world across sculpture, painting and architecture.
Only a limited number of visitors are allowed inside at once, so it never feels overcrowded — but it also means you often need to book well in advance.
- Ticket price: €17 full; €4 reduced (EU citizens 18–25); €2 reservation fee (also applies to free tickets for children under 18). Free entry on the first Sunday of every month — advance booking required.
- Opening hours: Monday closed; Tue, Fri & Sat 9:00–19:00; Wed 9:00–22:00; Thu 9:00–21:00 (you select a time slot when booking).
And what makes the Borghese Gallery so special? The floor mosaics depicting gladiators, ancient Roman sculptures, Egyptian artefacts, Renaissance masterpieces by Raphael and Titian, and some of Bernini’s most iconic sculptures. It’s a collection that genuinely leaves you speechless.
Tickets must be reserved in advance, but it’s absolutely worth it — the gallery often sells out weeks ahead. Even on the first Sunday of the month (when entry is free), advance booking is required.
If tickets are sold out, you can occasionally find extra availability on a partner website, so it’s worth checking.
Piazza del Popolo
From the gallery, you can walk back through the park to Piazza del Popolo — or hop on public transport if you prefer heading straight toward the Pantheon. If you decide to walk, here’s a quick look at what awaits you on the square.
Piazza del Popolo is a wide, open square — the complete opposite of the tight, crowded space around the Trevi Fountain.
At its centre stands an Egyptian obelisk covered in original hieroglyphs — one of the oldest and tallest in Rome. You may be wondering how it got here. Emperor Augustus had it transported from Egypt as a war trophy.
For centuries, the obelisk stood at the Circus Maximus in ancient Rome, and it wasn’t moved to Piazza del Popolo until the late 1500s.
From the square, you can continue along one of Rome’s busiest streets, Via del Corso. From here, turn right into the side streets, and in about 20 minutes you’ll reach the Pantheon.
Pantheon
We’re now arriving at a monument that leaves us speechless every single time. The Pantheon is both a church and a mausoleum, originally built as a temple dedicated to the planetary gods.
It’s best known for its dome — the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world. We remember just standing there, trying to wrap our heads around how they managed to build it.
The trick lies in the materials: as the layers of concrete rose higher, the builders used lighter and lighter aggregates. At the very top, the bricks are made from ultra-light pumice.
At the centre of the dome is a circular opening, the oculus, almost nine metres wide, which — together with the front doors — is the only source of natural light inside.
- Ticket price: €5 full; €2 reduced (ages 18–25); free for everyone on the first Sunday of the month
- Opening hours: 9:00–19:00 (last entry 18:30)
- Reservation: If you want to skip the line, advance booking is required (included with the audio guide).
Tip: The Pantheon is just a short walk from Piazza Navona, which you visited on Day 2. You can swing by to check how long the queues are — or come back later in the evening. The Pantheon sits right in the historic centre, so it’s easy to reach from almost anywhere.
Campo de’ Fiori
From the Pantheon, continue toward Largo Argentina — the spot where Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 BC. Today, besides the ruins, you’ll probably notice the many cats that live among the ancient remains. A local organisation looks after them.
Tip: If you’re in the area, stop by Antico Forno Roscioli. They have an incredible selection — fresh bread, pastries, pizza by the slice, stuffed sandwiches and much more.
Largo Argentina is just a short stop on the way to Campo de’ Fiori — a beautiful Renaissance and Baroque square that once served as both a marketplace and a site for public executions. The executions are long gone, but the famous market remains. It’s actually the only outdoor covered market in Rome.
You can buy fresh produce here, including local olive oil and cheeses. They also sell souvenirs, but expect tourist prices.
Tip: If you’d like to try a proper local sandwich, stop by Sto Bene, just a short walk from Campo de’ Fiori. It’s tucked away on a small square next to a church — the kind of place we love most. Fewer tourists, still right in the heart of the city.
Trastevere
And for the final stop of the day, head across Ponte Sisto to Trastevere — one of Rome’s most atmospheric neighbourhoods, known for its fantastic food. It’s also one of the prettiest areas to simply wander around, admiring the colourful houses and narrow cobbled streets.
This is the Rome many of us imagine. And you’ll quickly see that some districts (outside the historic centre) look nothing like this ideal.
Note: When visiting any church in Rome (not only the Vatican), dress appropriately: shoulders and knees covered, and hats off.
Where to Stay in Rome (3-Day Trip)
We stayed at Hotel Borromeo, mainly for its excellent location. It’s close to Termini Station, yet we could walk to almost all major sights in Rome.
The hotel has air-conditioning, a lovely rooftop terrace, clean rooms and very good value for the area. You can find more details about the hotel here.
Best Places to Stay in Rome
- Hotel Impero – an affordable hotel with great breakfasts and a rooftop terrace; the rooms are older but clean and cosy; quiet at night.
- Cardinal Hotel St. Peter – comfortable rooms for 2–4 people, optional half board, a rooftop terrace, a calm location and very good prices.
- hu Roma Camping in Town – stay in air-conditioned bungalows or cabins; there’s a restaurant, snack bar, free parking, hot tub, pool and a bar on site.
Hotels in Rome with a pool
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How to Save in Rome
You can save quite a bit in Rome with the Roma Pass, a city card that gives you free entry to top attractions, discounted tickets to many others, and unlimited public transport throughout the city.
Another handy perk: you can use the official info points, which offer public restrooms and phone-charging stations — small things that always come in useful when exploring a big city.
There are three types of Roma Pass:
- Roma Pass 48 Hours – Free entry to your first attraction (I recommend choosing the Colosseum to save the most) and reduced admission to all other sites you visit within 48 hours. Unlimited public transport included.
- Roma Pass 72 Hours – Free entry to your first two attractions (for example the Colosseum and the Borghese Gallery) and reduced admission to all additional sites within 72 hours. Unlimited public transport included.
- Roma Pass + Omnia Card – Includes all 72-hour Roma Pass benefits, plus free entry to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, and a 72-hour hop-on hop-off bus tour that takes you around Rome’s major landmarks.
If you’re wondering whether the card is worth it for your trip, you’ll find more in our detailed guide.
Is the Roma Pass Worth It?
For us, it definitely paid off — but it really depends on what you plan to see. Let’s look at a simple example using the 72-hour Roma Pass (€59). The card includes free entry to two attractions. One of them will almost certainly be the Colosseum + Roman Forum + Palatine Hill combo (€16). From there, it’s just a short walk to the Capitoline Museums (€15).
That already uses your two free entries. At this point, everything else is at a reduced price. So far, you’ve saved €31 on admissions and €22 on public transport for three days. Then you can enjoy the free sights — the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon — and simply wander the streets.
The next day, you head to the Spanish Steps, Piazza del Popolo, and finally the Borghese Gallery, where you get a discounted ticket and save another €6.50. From this moment on, the Roma Pass starts paying for itself — and you’ve only visited three paid attractions.
After visiting the Borghese Gallery, you can stroll through the surrounding gardens, enjoy the views over Rome and continue to Castel Sant’Angelo, where the Roma Pass saves you another €6. The rest of the day is perfect for wandering through the lanes of Trastevere and enjoying a good meal.
On the final day, head south of the Colosseum to the Baths of Caracalla and the ancient arena Circus Maximus, where you save another €7 in total.
Even at a relaxed pace, the Roma Pass 72h can save you money, so for us it’s absolutely worth recommending.
You can find more details about the Roma Pass in our previous guide.
Booking Tickets for Rome’s Attractions
During our own visits we quickly learned one thing: without reservations, you often won’t get in at all.
Tickets sell out weeks in advance, and queues can easily swallow half your morning. That’s why we share only the booking links we personally use and trust.
Tickets we highly recommend booking in advance:
- Ticket to the Vatican Museums + Sistine Chapel
- Colosseum, Forum, Palatine Hill + audio guide (skip-the-line)
- Ticket to Castel Sant’Angelo
- Pantheon skip-the-line ticket
- Ticket to the Borghese Gallery
Enjoy your trip — and if this guide helped you, feel free to share it or leave a comment below. We’re happy to answer any questions!
Have a wonderful trip!
More Information About Rome
If you’re planning a trip to Rome, here are some of our other guides that will make your visit easier — and help you enjoy the city to the fullest:
- Rome Travel Guide — transport tips, food, prices and practical insights from our own trips
- Best Places to Visit in Rome – an overview of the most beautiful sights with opening hours, ticket prices and a helpful map.
- Rome in 1 Day — what to see if you only have a few hours in the city
- Where to Stay in Rome — the best neighbourhoods and hotels for every budget + map
- Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel — what not to miss and how to avoid the lines
- Colosseum & Ancient Rome — tickets, opening hours and tips for your visit
- Best Museums in Rome — from the Capitoline Museums to the Borghese Gallery
- How to Save Money in Rome — tourist passes, cheap entrances and transport tips
- How to Get From Fiumicino Airport to Rome — all transport options explained clearly
