Explore Rome in 3 Days

The Perfect Itinerary to Explore the Best of Italy’s Capital, Rome 

If you’re traveling to Rome for only 3 days and want to explore as much as possible, this itinerary will help you feel much more like a local than a tourist. It will provide insight on the fastest transportation, most delicious restaurants, jaw-dropping museums, and best discounts and shortcuts. 

Rome, being the eternal city, is packed with tourists, crowding around world-famous landmarks and places. If your time in Rome is limited, the first thing to make sure of is transportation. Rome’s public transportation system is foreign-friendly, and to hop on and off there are multiple discounts and deals to do so. The closest you will get is a deal with the actual transportation service of Rome, ATAC. The Roma Pass partners with ATAC to give Rome’s visitors a free 3 days with public transportation. This includes buses, trains, and trams. Otherwise, buying tickets for each route will push you along with the tourist crowd.

Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Circus Maximus

Rome’s most famous landmark is a must-see for all tourists, and conveniently, it is next to other ancient Roman ruins, the Roman Forum and Circus Maximus. As both are free to sight-see, Circus Maximus also has an immersive exhibit through the Roma Pass where you can combine virtual reality with a history lesson.

Piazza Venezia

A 10-20 minute walk away is Piazza Venezia, which not only has a huge cardinal-built palace, but also contains the capitoline museums, which has many different exhibits and is acquirable with the Roma Pass.

Trevi Fountain

For the most famous fountain in the world, you can utilize your Roma Pass on the bus or walk from Piazza Venezia for around 10 minutes. You will be able to hear the fountain and its crowds from two streets away; that’s when you know you’re close.

The Pantheon

Another grand monument of Rome is just an 8 minute walk, and here the entrance is free.

Piazza Navona

Piazza Navona, where you can see the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (fountain of four rivers) and the fountain of Neptune. One of the museums of Rome is located here (Palazzo Braschi)- also available for a discount with the Roma Pass, it contains exhibits that change every couple months.

Sant Eustachio

Rome’s most famous coffee house is located right next to the Pantheon on via Corso del Rinascimento. Choose from a tiramisu coffee to a frappe.

Via del corso

Another 10 minutes on foot brings you to Rome’s biggest shopping street. Now whether you want to spend your money on clothes or food, that is up to you.

Spanish Steps

Take the street up to the Spanish steps, with every imaginable designer store surrounding the Piazza Spagna. The steps actually have their own metro station right next to it, convenient for those who hold the Roma Pass, as this is the #2 tourist stop next to the Trevi. If you follow the street to the left of the steps (Babuino), you get to a hidden cafe called Canova Tadolini, where you can sit in an ancient art studio.

St Peters, The Vatican

To explore Rome in 3 days, you cannot go without seeing St. Peter’s Basilica, known as “the greatest of all Churches of Christendom”. Also time for one of Michelangelo’s most famous works, the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican Museums. You will need a prior reservation, as it’s busy everyday of the year.

Crepes Michelangelo

An amazing crepe place right across the Vatican wall, you can stop here for lunch, a sweet crepe, or even gelato.

Piazza del Popolo

Up North from the Spanish Steps is the Piazza del Popolo. From this piazza, you can take the stairs up to the Terrazza del Pincio, which gives you an enormous view of Rome.

Borghese Gardens

The terrazza del Pincio stands to be part of the borghese gardens, where you can walk, drink, picnic, etc.

Villa Borghese

Villa Borghese, residing in the gardens, contains two magnificent Bernini sculptures. To get reservations, the Roma Pass company must be activated.

Trastevere

To really explore Rome in 3 days, Trastevere will be one of your hot spots to walk around and really get a taste of Italian culture. Both beautiful during the day and night, there are many hidden places within the streets of Trastevere.

Castel Sant’ Angelo

Before crossing the river, you can see the grand fortress of Castle Sant’Angelo, on one of the most famous bridges of Rome.

Da Enzo

For the night out in Trastevere, Da Enzo al 29 is the perfect place to start out. However, choose your time wisely as there is usually a line of at least an hour.

Freni e Frizioni

Freni e Frizioni is a cool cocktail bar if you’re looking for a place that houses everything rock and roll themed.

Museum of Rome in Trastevere

Another Rome museum is located here, in Piazza S. Egidio, also recommended with the Roma Pass. Here you will be able to see Rome and its social life portrayed in the 18-19th centuries.

Explore Rome in 3 Days: Discounts and Tips

For 3 days, it’s easy to have the urge to splurge your money in Rome; it’s the eternal city after all. But if you don’t want to waste time in lines or waiting, make sure all reservations or tickets are pre-booked, as almost every museum or site will have their own website. For transportation, there is the 48h or 72 h Roma Pass that will get you on and off every type of public transportation quickly and efficiently. If not, you can also buy tickets at info points or inside the metro at the “biglietti” stands. Explore Rome, as there are an unlimited amount of things to do in 3 days!

Article by: Claire Kennedy