Three Days in Rome, Italy: A Jam-Packed Rome Itinerary

Three days in Rome, Italy, is a good amount of time to see the highlights and fit in a trip to Vatican City.

I’ve been to Rome twice now and while it’s not my favorite Italian city, it’s an important piece of my travel history. The historical significance of the city is a big deal. 

It’s also chaotic, always crowded, and wasn’t in the best condition on any of my visits.

It can feel better if you go into your visits with the expectation that there are some incredible things here, but that seeing them can be challenging. Pre-planning is key.

I still hit it Rome hard as possible to bring you all kinds of suggestions on where to go, what to eat, and alternatives to consider for some of the big-name items in Rome.

Let’s get into my jam-packed 3-day itinerary in Rome. 

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How many days is best to spend in Rome? 

Three days is best to spend in Rome if you’re here for the first time. Three full days is enough time to hit the main sites if you keep things busy. You can certainly spend more time in the Italian city. There’s a lot to do!

We had a full week in Rome that included a few day trips on top of an aggressive approach to Rome itself.

I’ll get into all that we did but will focus on what you came here for, a three days in Rome itinerary. 

How do I plan a Rome itinerary?

You can plan a Rome itinerary like this:

Day 1:

• Guided tour of the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and the Roman Forum
• Lunch at Ai Tre Scalini
• Altar of the Fatherland
• Capitoline Hill
• Piazza Navona
• Pantheon
• Gelateria Della Palma
• Trevi Fountain
• Spanish Steps
• Dinner at Retrobottega

Day 2:

• Baths of Caracalla/Domus Aurea
• Giardino degli Arancini
• Testaccio Market
• Pyramid of Caius Cestius
• Borghese Gallery and Museum/Doria Pamphili Gallery
• Terrace Views/Apertivo
• Dinner/Rome Food Tour

Day 3:

• Castel Sant’Angelo
• Ponte Vittorio Emanuele II
• Lunch at Scialla The Original Street Food
• Piazza del Popolo/Vatican Museums
• St. Peter’s Basilica
• Dinner in Trastevere

Three Days in Rome: Day 1

This Rome three-day itinerary kicks things off with some of the most important historical sites in the city. I do this on purpose.

You’ll need to book almost everything you read about here in advance, and I strongly encourage you to tick off the big items first as you book, including any unique tours in Rome that you have your eye on.

Get an early start each day, too. Tourists who sleep in are tourists who miss out in the case of Rome.

If your hotel doesn’t have breakfast — ours had a limited but sufficient selection — grab a pastry and coffee from any of the cafes you’ll pass on your way to the best Rome sites.

Interested in seeing your potential trip more visually? Check out my Google map below:

GIMME MY 3-DAY ROME ITINERARY MAP!

Stop 1: Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and the Roman Forum

You can DIY all of Rome’s biggest sites if you’d like, as long as you book ahead before things sell out. I’m all about that budget-friendly DIY life unless I feel like I’m missing out on something doing it that way.

This is one of those times. Let me get into why tours are the best way to see these three Rome attractions in particular.

Ours was a very involved tour of a little over three hours. There was SO much history, but I wouldn’t have done it any other way. I highly recommend a tour so that you can get onto the arena floor of the Colosseum and join the gladiators of yore.

Yep. It’s as awesome as it sounds.

Will it also be crowded as heck? Yep. Without a guided tour, though, I would have been overwhelmed and unwilling to dedicate as much time as we did navigating the crowds, likely missing out on some important context. 

Palatine Hill and the vast Roman Forum, the historic center of Rome, would have been particularly challenging to do on our own.

I sense there would have been a lot of wandering once we hit that Arch of Constantine. A guide knows exactly where to take you for some of the best views in the city, too.

Just book a tour. If you’re traveling with others and wondering whether it’s worth convincing them to book the arena floor upgrade for the Colosseum portion, I’m telling you right now that it is.  

We did this tour and absolutely loved it.

Here are a few more if you’d like to comparison shop:

Stop 2: Lunch

If you picked a morning tour as we did, you’ll be right up against lunch once you’re done. The eateries should just be opening up, too, so it’s pretty perfect timing.

Our pick was Ai Tre Scalini.

They were a little late opening but I’m glad we waited. We shared some porchetta di Ariccia, spinach and cheese cannelloni, two glasses of house red, and some tiramisu. Prices were much friendlier here than at any of the eateries nearby.

If you’re already craving pizza, Naumachia Ristorante and La Prezzemolina were both on our list for pizza options in the area.

Stop 3: Altar of the Fatherland/Altare della Patria

You’ll pass Piazza Venezia on the way to this symbol of Rome, also known as the Monument to Victor Emmanuel II. This stop boasts one of the best views of the city.

Unless you want to take the tourist elevator to the very top, it’s all free, too.

Note: The elevator felt like a trap, so we skipped it. You can walk almost all the way up for free, but let me know if I missed out on something!

Before you climb all of those steps, pay your respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Much like other war memorials around the world, soldiers guard an eternal flame here 24/7.

Enjoy the view at the top for a while before moving on, or pop by the Central Museum of the Risorgimento up there if you want.

The heritage museum is an Italy history museum that didn’t sound all that intriguing to us considering everything else that was on our agenda.

You do you, though.

Stop 4: Capitoline Hill

More excellent views await at Capitoline Hill, one of Rome’s seven hills. While you’re here, take in the Piazza del Campidoglio, or Capitoline Square, designed by Michelangelo.

In the middle sits the Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius. The name is fairly self-explanatory there.

This is also where you can see a small replica of the Capitoline Wolf, or Lupa Capitola, a sculpture depicting a she-wolf suckling the twin founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus. 

It’s weird and quirky and typically how I like things.

If you have more time, you can linger at any of the Capitoline Museums or plan to make a return trip during your time in the Eternal City.

We didn’t go inside, but they’re highly regarded for Renaissance art that includes the original Capitoline Wolf.

Stop 5: Piazza Navona 

The Piazza Navona is known for the Fiumi Fountain, or Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi.

This 17th-century fountain is an homage to four major rivers across four different continents: the Nile, the Danube, the Ganges, and the Rio de la Plata. 

This is also a popular stop for tourists who need a happy hour break. I’d suggest skipping it.

The prices were high even for the ubiquitous aperols and the food at the eateries doesn’t get great reviews. You have better options in Rome!

Optional Stop 6: Sant’Agnese in Agone

Before you leave Piazza Navona, visit my patron saint’s church. Yes, Rome has a lot of churches, but only one holds the skull of St. Agnes in a little side chapel. 

Dark tourism is one of my favorite things, especially when there’s another Agnes involved.

Stop 7: Pantheon

Pass by the busy Piazza Della Rotunda on the way to another big-ticket item, the Pantheon.

Visits here are no longer free, so book a timed ticket online so you don’t have to waste time upon arrival. If you fail to take that advice, you’ll likely have to wait in a super long line for tickets, even in the off-season. Just do it.

You’ll need to search for “Pantheon” and create an account at the link above.

You do NOT need a guided tour of this site. If you’re asked to pay anything over five euros, you’re on the wrong website.

Your time here likely won’t exceed 30 minutes. Enjoy the view of the domed ceiling above and marvel at the main altar. Visit the tombs of Raphael and Victor Emmanuel, the first king of Italy.

That’s it. That’s all she wrote on this one.

Stop 8: Gelateria Della Palma

Dinner is coming soon enough, but they eat later in Italy. Maybe you’re used to that, but I definitely am not, despite time spent living in Europe.

I like to supplement between meals with local specialties, and in Italy that often means gelato. Gelateria Della Palma was at the top of my list for Rome. 

They have delicious gelato, frozen yogurt, and mousse, but the friendly gents behind the counter will likely dissuade you from anything that isn’t gelato. 

I’m OK with it.

We got three small scoops each to try a few different flavors. 

If you’d like to do some taste-testing while you’re here, I highly recommend it. Günther is another delicious option. We tried their location on the Piazza Sant’Eustachio. 

They also serve up a good maritozzi.

These cream poofs are whipped cream-filled brioche sandwiches. Brian wasn’t all that impressed because the cream wasn’t sweet enough for him. As someone who doesn’t love things too sweet, I enjoyed it. 

Stop 9: Trevi Fountain

This stop is slammed with tourists most times of the day, so fit it in wherever you can. If you want glamour shots in the flowy dress you purchased for the occasion, visit at sunrise.

Honestly, you’ll still likely encounter others doing the same. 

As it wasn’t my thing, I didn’t try very hard to make this happen with fewer people around, but that’s the beauty of Rome vacations. You can customize based on what your priorities are.

If you want to drop some coin, the hotel bar The View Trevi — RoofTop Lounge is a popular option. You’ll need to pay 25 euros a person to make it happen, but a drink and app comes with that in case that makes things better.

Note: House wines at many eateries are around five euro. The above isn’t a deal, but you are paying for the added ambiance and view.

Stop 10: Spanish Steps

This stop will also be slammed this late in the day, but I can’t deny the Spanish Steps as one of the best evening activities in Rome as the sky starts to change colors.

Photos are a bit better from the very bottom behind the Fontana della Barcaccia. 

The fountain itself boats some historical heft. It was built by Pietro Bernini, the father of one of Italy’s most prolific artists, Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

Again, photos without tourists aren’t my priority. I like to tell it like it is. If you want fewer tourists in yours, plan to stop here after your sunrise shoot at the Trevi Fountain.

Stop 11: Dinner

We had a fairly traditional Roman lunch on this day, so wanted something a little more fun and modern for dinner. Retrobottega was a delicious option.

You have a choice between their multi-course sabotage menu where they pick things to feed you or you can choose your meal à la carte. We chose our own dishes and were mostly pleased. 

The only weird thing was that they seemed to do what they wanted with what was listed on the menu. 

For example, we ordered tempura Brussels sprouts as a side and got tempura broccoli and green beans, instead. I would have put up a fuss if they weren’t delicious, which they were.

My favorite part was these little sandwiches stuffed with crunchy cabbage. You’ll want to make a reservation if you don’t mind being flexible with your food.

For a more classic trattoria experience nearby, try Ristorante la Campana. 

Three Days in Rome: Day 2

I told you I was going to hit it hard on this Rome 3-day itinerary. I bet you got lots of steps yesterday. Today isn’t any different. You only have three days in Rome! 

Grab a quick snack at your hotel as we did or pop by a cafe on the way to your first round of historical spots.

Stop 1: Baths of Caracalla

The Baths of Caracalla, or Terme di Caracalla, are ancient Roman public baths built by Emperor Caracalla in the 3rd century AD.

At one point, they could accommodate up to 1,600 bathers inside for not only soaking, but reading in the libraries and puttering around the gardens.

We had already been to Naples at this point. It was interesting to see some of the structures here that were once filled with statues and mosaics currently housed at the National Archaeological Museum of Naples.

That includes the Farnese Hercules, or “resting” Hercules. I’m not a huge fan of Naples, either, but that museum (and the pizza!) are worth the trip.

I have a Naples guide if you’re into it.

We didn’t grab audio guides at the baths but it is an option for an extra few euros. The signage was pretty good until the exterior ring, so if I could do it again I’d pick up a set. 

There’s no need to make reservations at this one. In fact, it was nice to enjoy a bit of solitude after the big attractions yesterday.

Alternative Stop 1: Domus Aurea

This archaeological site is closer to the historic center of Rome.

Visits here are by small guided tour only, so you do need to make a booking to get inside and ensure that you book with the right language for you. Tickets are available online.

Domus Aurea means “Golden House.” At one time, it was a vast and opulent palace built by Emperor Nero. It was a symbol of decadence, excess, and Nero’s fascination with Egypt. 

I found the tour very interesting. Our guide was super engaging as she told us about this love letter to the goddess Isis and a palace that we could tell was quite spectacular back in the day.

The best part was a virtual reality experience at the end where you get to see what the room you’re sitting in looked like in the time of Nero.

That very room was where the excavations on the site began when a group of artists happened upon the surrounding frescoes by accident. 

They thought they were in a grotto, but they were actually standing on top of filled-in dirt in the decades after Nero.

You’ll access Domus Aurea through the lovely Parco del Colle Oppio, which is a long way to describe this lovely green space in the city.

This is also a good one to fit in with the Colosseum if you want to move things around. The two are very close.

Alternative Stop 2: Basilica of San Clemente

This church near the Domus Aurea is another interesting archaeological adventure. 

Yes, it’s a church. It’s also a church built on top of another church that was built on top of a pagan temple.

I booked tickets ahead of time for this that were timed, but they seemed pretty breezy about walk-ins. We were let in well ahead of our ticket time.

The current church that sits here is free, but you’ll want to go down below.

Unfortunately, they don’t allow photos down there, so you’ll have to either Google around for those or go see it for yourself. I’m not that level of rule-breaker.

Stop 2: Giardino degli Arancini

The Orange Trees Garden is part of Parco Savello. It’s a lovely escape at the top of Aventine Hill to what I assume are orange trees when they’re in season.

We were there in the fall, but I’m told they’re a winter-ripening fruit in Italy.

It’s still worth a trip no matter when you’re here for one of the best views of the city. The garden itself is a design by Raffaele De Vico. 

It wasn’t a public park until 1932 thanks to some urban planning that brought it out from underneath the Dominican Order next door. That’s the Basilica of St. Sabina, or Basilica di Santa Sabina all’Aventino, you’re looking at, by the way.

Optional Stop 3: Mouth of Truth

Apparently, this Roman marble mask bites the hand of those who lie and are silly enough to wait an hour to see if that happens. 

Here’s the deal. You’re here for what to do in Rome for 3 days. That isn’t a ton of time to spend at sites that are much more significant than this.

That said, who am I to say what your priorities should be? I know I’m not waiting an hour to stick my hand in there. I don’t want the truth that badly.

You can also walk past the people and take a pic from the side like a boss and continue your life of lies.

Optional Stop 4: Knights of Malta Keyhole

This photo stop was an even worse line than the Mouth of Truth because once folks got up there, they had to figure out ideal photo conditions for that keyhole effect.

I didn’t wait. There was pasta to eat, and waiting in line to take a photo was not big on my priority list, especially in Rome.

Google the images and judge this one for yourself. Just note that each person in that line will be at the keyhole for several minutes trying to get that perfect shot.

It’s a longer wait than you think.

Stop 5: Testaccio Market

This community market is a popular shopping point for locals and a food stop for tourists. It’s also a good stop for an earlier lunch if nothing else is open. 

We arrived just after 11:30am and chowed down on some fresh ravioli and carbonara.

If you want to make yourself a picnic for later, you can pick up fresh produce, butcher items, and cheeses while you’re here. I love that for you. 

If you’re sad you haven’t had an Italian sandwich yet, our favorite in Rome was La Baguetteria Del Valle.

It’s a great spot for takeout sandwiches when it’s too early to eat but you’re not sure about your next meal. Get one with Parma ham for the full effect.

Stop 6: Pyramid of Caius Cestius

This is a quick photo stop to see an exercise in vanity. The ancient Roman pyramid is actually a tomb for Caius Cestius, a local rich guy who loved Egypt and himself. You can walk the grounds around the pyramid before you move on. 

Interior tours are limited to a few mornings per month and by appointment only.

Stop 7: Borghese Gallery and Museum

This is one of the most popular cultural sites in Rome. As such, you’ll need to book a visit to the gallery well in advance if you want your choice of tickets. 

It was sold out during our trip in the off-season about 10 days out. As the FOMO hit me for real, I made the mistake of purchasing overpriced “skip the line” tickets online to get in anyway.

There’s no guided tour with these tickets. They’re just tickets that were scooped up by online ticketing sites so that they’d show as “sold out” on the regular museum website.

Can you tell I’m bitter about this?

This is the last time I’m doing this sort of thing. If I could replay the whole scene again, I’d just skip it and call it a loss. It would have been a reason to come back to a city that has a lot to offer, despite what I’ve said about my preferences for other Italian cities.

We were also a few days early for a special Rubens exhibit, which meant that the main hall was inaccessible.

I’m talking about the main hall which is the highlight of many tourists’ visits to the gallery.

The majority of the art from Peter Paul Rubens was covered in paper in preparation for that event.

I’m talking about art that is part of the gallery’s permanent collection.

We actually walked through the gallery twice because we felt like we couldn’t have possibly paid so much for what was on display that day. I felt duped. 

I’m not telling you not to pay regular admission. Do that if you know there aren’t any exhibition closures and you’re able to book regularly-priced tickets. I would NOT pay any extra for this museum.  

It just perpetuates the scam and makes these places inaccessible for those who can’t afford the upcharge.

A highlight of the experience was hanging out in the lovely Villa Borghese gardens outside. We spent some time there waiting for our ticket time before we knew what nonsense was ahead of us.

Alternative Stop 7: Doria Pamphili Gallery

As so much of the Borghese Gallery and Museum was closed during our visit, we were more impressed by this art gallery.

Grab a headset at the entrance to hear about the opulent rooms you’ll be stepping into. You can spend quite a bit of time listening to the history of the art, but we focused on the highlighted in red bits for an overview. You can still spend over an hour in here.

We had no issue walking up for tickets in November, but it may be worth a look online if you’re here in the summer.

There is a one-euro surcharge on purchases made online, but I’d say that’s worth it if you’re here in the high season.

Stop 8: Terrace Views & Apertivo

Kill some time before dinner by relaxing a bit for a change. Here are a few popular spots for resting those legs or grabbing an apertivo:

• Janiculum Hill: Enjoy panoramic views on this hilltop terrace. While there, you’ll have easy access to Manfredi Lighthouse, or Faro di Roma.
• Oro Bistrot: This rooftop bar serves up some pricey grub, but you can also just come by for a cocktail.
• Terrazza del Pincio: This is a popular spot at sunrise and sunset, but more so at sunset for obvious reasons. (Sunrise is early.)

Stop 9: Dinner

Sometimes you feel like some hot and sour soup so you find the best-rated Chinese spot near your pad and make it happen. 

That was the Restaurant Chinese Huaweiju for us. The soup was the star at this busy place run by a pair of Chinese women. It was super budget-friendly with fast service until it was time for dessert. 

That’s only because we ordered some kind of caramel banana concoction that involved spun sugar and an artist’s touch.

If you’re all, “But I’m in Italy!” I totally get it.

Ristorante Feelsgood is a fun, cheap option for generous helpings of pasta and friendly service. If you’re near the train station, the Mercato Centrale is a busy hub of food from all over the alphabet. 

I’m being literal here. They have an A-Z theme going on. You’ll have plenty of options for Italian cuisine, but vegetarians will be pleased by the offerings, too.

This would also be a great evening to pop in on an evening food tour of some of Rome’s best eats. City food tours are generally one of my favorite ways to get to know a city.

Here are a few highly-rated options:

Three Days in Rome: Day 3

This day takes you to Vatican City. You’ll get to tick off another country and see some incredible art.

I’ve been twice now, and this place still holds some power over me, despite my status as a lapsed Catholic.

If you’re of a similar faith persuasion, I have two additional suggestions for you, Scala Santa and the Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano. I’d highly recommend both if you have more time in Rome, too, or if you’ve already been to Vatican City.

Scala Santa is a pilgrimage site for the faithful. The steps you’ll see inside are what Jesus Christ purportedly climbed on the way to his crucifixion.

To really experience this site, you’ll be invited to climb the steps on your hands and knees. 

Again, I was raised Catholic but have since become more agnostic. It was still a very moving experience. I set an intention with each one, moved slowly, and made it out feeling more than my sore knees.

The Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano is just across the street from Scala Santa. This is the pope’s official seat and the mother church of the diocese of Rome.

There was a mass going on when we arrived so didn’t spend too much time inside, but it was beautiful.

Fun fact: It’s open and impressive at night, too, in case you have a free evening on your 3 days in Rome itinerary.

Let’s get on with your tour of Vatican City, shall we?

Stop 1: Castel Sant’Angelo

This is a great way to start your last day in Rome because you get a bird’s eye view of the city from the top.

Before you get there, though, climb several levels to learn about the castle’s origins as a mausoleum, then as a castle, then as a prison. At the very top, the angel’s terrace, pause for those panoramic views I told you about. 

I booked tickets ahead of time but it may not have been necessary. It wasn’t busy at all during our morning booking. It seems like everyone was at the Vatican, instead.

Stop 2: Ponte Vittorio Emanuele II

This is the bridge that you’ll see from the top of the Castel Sant’Angelo. That view, featured in the image above, is better than anything you’ll get from below with all of the tourists. 

If the bridge itself isn’t as thick with people on your visit as it was for ours, a photo with the view of the Castel Sant’Angelo behind you could be pretty good.

The bridge itself was designed in 1886, but it wasn’t completed until 1911. I call that the Chicago way.

Stop 3: Lunch

Grab a quick meal at Scialla The Original Street Food before the pope stuff.

This was one of our favorite food stops on our Rome trip. We shared pizza, gnocchi, and their house rice balls with cheap house wine. Super friendly service rounded out the experience. 

This place is small, but it wasn’t busy at all during our visit. There are a few tables outside if you’re here on a nice day.

Stop 4: Piazza del Popolo

You’ll have to navigate a bunch of thirsty guides trying to get you to…actually, I don’t really know what they were trying to get people to do. They were rudely telling people which way to walk but like, I’m just walking here. 

It’s certainly not going to make me want to give you some of this cheddar for a tour.

Stop here for a photo of St. Peter’s Basilica from the outside and meet some pigeons, then stare at the line for the church for a while.

It’s likely not going to get better from this point until closer to closing time. 

If you have some time before your tickets as we did, get yourself a caffeine boost at Trecaffè. It’s a cute cafe with a few locations around the city for cappuccinos and sweet treats. 

Whatever you do, avoid the cafe across the street from the Vatican Museums. It has horrific reviews that people apparently don’t read because it’s also busy all the time. Don’t fall for the trap of overpriced coffee and bad service.

Stop 5: Vatican Museums

Get your tickets for the Vatican Museums ahead of time. Otherwise, you’re left to the mercy of the ticketless line or those aggressive pushers outside of St. Peter’s who want to take you to their version of “skip the line.”  

The middle of the day wasn’t the ideal time for us to make this happen, but those were the tickets available for our trip. That’s what we had to do, not necessarily what we should have done. 

That’s the risk of last-minute travel to Rome. You may not do things as you should.

If I could do it again, I’d start the morning here, but we didn’t have any problems physically getting into the museums at our designated time. 

As far as how you should approach the museums, you can join the slow march to the Sistine Chapel or enjoy yourself along the way. Some of the rooms at the very start that are off-shoots of the main drag were our favorites. 

See where your curiosity moves you. The chapel isn’t going anywhere.

Additional highlights include the Raphael Rooms, the Gallery of Maps, the Gallery of Tapestries, and the Pigna Courtyard.

Use your audio guide to get a rundown of the highlights and more. It was helpful to slow us down as we continued along our way.

The Sistine Chapel is probably why you’re here, though. You’ll see signs for it for what seems like miles. Keep on going. You may/may not be almost there.

It’s stunning, but you can’t take photos. That means it’s a mess of people staring up and around them with little devices in their ears as security barks at them to huddle inside the white lines and put phones away.

That’s what I mean about the other rooms. Take your time before you get to the chapel because once you’re done there, you’re just about done with the Vatican Museums.

Stop 6: St. Peter’s Basilica

It’s time to get into that long line at this point, except we only waited about half an hour. This was approaching 3:30pm or so on a Tuesday in November, so that’s the only time I can speak to.

Getting through security was easy, and even the guided groups had to wait in line. Everyone gets checked, so don’t get hoodwinked into some kind of promise of skipping the line with one of the guides outside.

We did the church itself and the grottoes below to pay my respects to my pope, Pope John Paul II.

I’m Polish. If you know, you know.

It seemed that we were too late to climb St. Peter’s Dome, which was definitely a bummer. There’s no way to book that in advance. If you want to climb the dome, get those tickets first before you head to the church so you don’t miss out.

Stop 7: Trastevere

That was a lot, right? From here, take a walk to Trastevere, my favorite neighborhood in Rome. 

It was just so cute and void of the harassing men outside beckoning you to come eat their carbonara that plagues some of the more touristy spots around Rome.

Start at the lovely Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere. Look up at another impressive ceiling and a statue of St. Anthony, the patron saint of lost things.

It’s one of my favorite spots in any Roman church because people leave all kinds of cards and letters of loved ones and items lost. There’s something moving about it all.

If you’re ready to eat, head to Osteria Nannarella. This highly-rated spot with decent prices offers hearty helpings of pizza and whatever chocolate salami is. We got a little digestif at the end on the house and I didn’t hate that, either.

More food options in the neighborhood that were on our list were Trapizzino | Trastevere for pizza cones and Enoteca Trastevere for a wine bar situation.

We took the bus back to our accommodations from here. Those things seem to run on an honor system, as it was about 70/30 for the people who didn’t validate their tickets vs. those who did. 

I do NOT recommend skipping out on tickets, though. The fines are hefty if you do get caught. I’m just giving you some observations.

via GIPHY

Taxis in this city are also a hot mess. Uber isn’t really a thing. There’s a section on the app where they call a cab for you from a local company, but you only get a payment range.

Otherwise, you’re at the mercy of their Uber Black service where you may pay $40 for a five-minute ride.

We used a cab stand one rainy night when we lacked other options. While we made it to our destination safely and in a relatively affordable way, we were literally elbowed out of the way by Italians who refused to queue up for a ride. It was awful.

If you can, use the city’s trains or buses or walk. It’ll be much less dramatic.

More Things to Do in Rome

You’ll inevitably run out of time in Rome when visiting Rome in three days. Despite my personal feelings about the city, I’d still come back. There’s just so much to see here when it comes to Roman art, history, and food.

Here are a few more Rome tourist attractions for you to peruse with more time in the city:

• Visit the city’s catacombs. The Catacombs of St. Callixtus are considered by most to be the most impressive.
• Go underneath the Trevi Fountain. Ditch the selfie sticks at Vicus Caprarius, an archaeological site beneath the famous fountain.
• Tour St. Ivo alla Sapienza, but only on Sundays. We were lucky enough to see this beautiful church. The courtyard was the best part.

• Cycle on the Appian Way. The weather was a bit blustery on our trip to Rome, but these bike tours look like a great way to experience ancient Rome.
• Learn something new at the National Roman Museum. The focus here is on the early history of Rome.
• Live history through virtual reality at the Circo Maximo Experience. This looks like a fun thing to do with families in Rome.
• See the gilded ceiling of the Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore. This large, imposing church sits near the main train station.
• Walk the art deco Galleria Sciarra. I was excited to stroll this walkway but it was closed when we passed by. The point is, Google lies. Maybe you’ll be luckier.

• Take a day trip. We went to Naples twice, Pompeii, and Herculaneum during our week in Rome. Rome is an excellent base for day trips if you’re here for longer.

For those with even more time on their Italy vacations, trips to Bologna and connections to Florence and other Tuscan towns are all possible from Rome.

Italy is quite well-connected for longer vacations.

Where to Stay in Rome

Which area is best for the first time in Rome? The historic center or close to Piazza Navona is best for the first time in Rome.

Accommodations are more expensive closer to the main tourist attractions, but you’ll save time and energy traveling to and from what is likely on your Rome itinerary.

We spent a full week at the Sixtythree Guesthouse and I’m only including it here so you don’t make the same mistake. It was a fraction of the cost of anything else for our last-minute Rome trip, so I was swayed by that.

The beds were some of the most uncomfortable I’ve ever experienced, a big deal when you’ve been touristing all day and need a good night’s sleep.

There was no one there to greet us and let us in, despite confirming online that there would be.

They make you do this if you arrive after 6pm. We were there at 7pm, but again, confirmed ahead of time. 

It’s a good thing we had data and WhatsApp to contact someone. Otherwise, we would have been screwed.

The walls were thin, amplifying any hacking coming from the old man next door. The toilet made an animalistic sound whenever flushed. The heated towel rack would have been a nice feature if it worked. 

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No one was ever around to replenish basic stuff like soap and shampoo. The spotty WiFi was exactly that. It wouldn’t even work to mirror on the available TV during the poor guy’s demo at check-in.

The only pro is that it’s close to the train station if you’re here for a quick trip on the way elsewhere. For longer stays, I’d rather be elsewhere and just walk further to the train.

The neighborhood around the train station isn’t the best. It’s become somewhat of a homeless encampment. That isn’t necessarily dangerous, but that does mean watching where you step to avoid human excrement. I’m being literal here.

The good news is, you have better options when it comes to lodging for your itinerary for Rome in 3 days. Use the map to find yourself a better fit:

3 Days in Rome, Italy: FAQs

Is three days in Rome enough?

Three days in Rome is enough to see the biggest attractions in Rome. More time will allow you to see the main sites but then dig into places around Rome with fewer tourists.

No matter when you visit, make sure you make reservations for any of the most popular spots like the Colosseum, Borghese Gallery, and the Vatican Museums.

These places do sell out, even in the off-season!

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