Rome: The Perfect 3-Day Itinerary
When you think of Rome, your mind might conjure up images of stunning historical architecture and tomato-red pasta sauce. Maybe you see romantic, winding alleyways and mountains of fluffy gelato, lifelong restaurant patrons sitting outside their childhood spots, a cheeky grandmother in a window cooking an aromatic lunch. There's something so beautiful about the way that it is a confluence of the old world and the new, and the way that on each corner of the city you're discovering something - be it a historical site that dates back thousands of years, or a piece of formative Italian culture. I've been lucky enough to explore Rome multiple times, and after some (well loved) trial-and-error, I've curated what I believe is a great three-day itinerary, ideal for the first-timer and repeat-visiter alike to both see the historical sites and to live like a Roman for a weekend. Pick and choose parts of this list, or do it all - there's no right answer to what Rome is, and there's no parallel to discovering the “eternal city” on your own.
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Before I dive into the itinerary, here are some helpful things to note about how to get around and what to wear:
Rome is a large city, and you can choose to walk, taxi, or take public transportation to get around. For the savvy, public transit is Rome is fantastic - I'd suggest downloading the app Citymapper, which will allow you to see the transit schedules and will tell you exactly which ones you need to take. You can obtain bus passes from any store labeled "Tabbachi," which translates to "Tabacco Store" and operates like a convenience store. Be sure to "endorse" your bus ticket once you purchase it by signing the back if its a multi-use pass. If it's just for one trip, make sure to validate it at the machine. These will generally be placed at the boarding station, or onboard your bus. It's vital that you validate your ticket - Italy is vigilant about checking this officers will often board transit and manually check your tickets to ensure they have been endorsed. If they haven't, you'll be hit with a hefty fine (I speak from experience). If you opt for the taxi option, I suggest you download the app "IT Taxi," which is Italy's own taxi system app and allows you to call from your phone. You can also choose to call taxi companies directly, or find a taxi stand on the street. These are orange and say "Taxi" on them.
Another thing to note is that for the certain sightseeing spots, such as holy sites like the Vatican and the Pantheon, knees and shoulders must be covered. Be sure to bring layers if you’re traveling in the summer time - I’ve seen people make great use out of scarves!
Alright, now you're ready to make your way around!
Day 1: Tourism Day
On your first full day in Rome, I advise that you tackle some of Rome's expansive history. It'll shape your perception of the city, and instill that "wow factor" that Rome's antiquity deserves.
Start by heading out early to avoid the crowds and the sun (especially in the summer months! Most of these sites are outdoors, and air conditioned rooms are hard to come by). I suggest leaving no later than 9 am.
For breakfast, try and find a local cafe near your hotel - bonus points if there's an espresso bar inside. Make sure you have cash or coins as many of these spots are cash-only. Pro tip: Only order a cappuccino here before noon, and drink your coffee standing at the espresso bar. If you’re staying near San Lorenzo, try Bar Marani. If you’d like to venture towards your first stop, you can try somewhere like Bar Caffe' Maneschi near the Piazza del Popolo.
Your starting point for your sightseeing will be the Piazza Del Popolo, a piazza (plaza) designed in the early 19th century that houses an old Egyptian obelisk from Ramesses the II.
From the Piazza Del Popolo, you can walk down and hit these sites:
The Spanish Steps: Walk to the top for a beautiful view!
The Trevi Fountain: Throw a coin in and make a wish
Vicus Caprarius: Go around past the Trevi Fountain and discover the Imperial-era underground aqueduct that lies below street level
The Pantheon
After this first round of sightseeing, stop for lunch at Armando Al Pantheon. If it’s a busy day/weekend, I’d suggest taking a look at the line before you pop into the Pantheon just to gauge how long it will be. You’ll get a stunning view of the Pantheon while you dine, and what may be your first taste of authentic Italian pasta. Be sure to get the carbonara, one of the city’s most beloved dishes.
After lunch, continue on your sightseeing walk to the below spots:
Altare Della Patria (also known as the Victor Emmanuel II Monument)
The Roman Forum
The Colosseum
Palatine Hill (if you have time!)
Note: The Roman Forum and the Colosseum are great spots to do with a tour guide if you’d like. This isn’t necessary, but allows you to walk into the Colosseum and through the actual Roman Forum.
At this point in the day, you’ll have amassed quite a step count. Stop for an aperitivo at Sacripante Gallery, Al Vino Al Vino, or Divinostilia Food & Wine Bar. Aperitivo is like Italy’s version of a Happy Hour around 6 pm - 8:30 pm. Be sure to grab a spritz and follow this guide for the Italian aperitivo rundown.
After your aperitivo, back to your hotel/accommodation and freshen up for dinner. The day doesn’t stop here!
Once you’re ready for your night, head over to the artsy neighborhood of San Lorenzo, where La Sapienza University is located. San Lorenzo’s crowd is young, vibrant, and fun, with art and culture bursting just about everywhere you look.
If you arrive early enough, you may make it before some of the local boutiques close. Grab some coffee at Giufa Libreria Caffe, a coffee shop/bar/bookstore combo, before walking around the area.
Grab dinner at Pastificio San Lorenzo, a bit more trendy than your lunch spot earlier today, and odds are high that you’ll be surrounded by locals at this neighborhood spot. Post-dinner, grab drinks at Il Sori, a natural wine bar. You’ll start to see people pouring into the streets to chat, in both the summer and winter months, and before long you’ll be surrounded by people catching up with friends, or meeting new ones. The energy is infectious here.
For a nightcap, head over to Scalo Playground (also called Basket Playground). It’s part bar/beer garden, part sports complex, and part venue. Check out their insta for the latest happenings.
Day 2: Trastevere
Now that you’ve experienced some of Rome’s rich history, its time to enjoy some of its stunning streets. Trastevere, one of Rome’s most popular neighborhoods (for good reason), is home to dizzyingly beautiful alleyways covered with vines and flowers that run up the sides of the millenia-old buildings. If you’re thinking of the beautiful pictures of Italian streets that you’ve seen on Instagram or TikTok, they probably came from Trastevere.
To start off the day, you’re going to grab a pastry and a coffee at a cafe, just like the day before. Try a new drink, perhaps a classic espresso, and be sure to grab at least one cream-filled cornetto. I suggest Caffé Del Cinque in Trastevere to kickstart your day.
After breakfast, if you’re in Trastevere on Sunday, head to the Porta Portese flea market and explore the vintage clothing, books, and trinkets. The market is huge, and you could technically do this all day. Wander through as many stalls as you’d like before heading to the heart of Trastevere.
I often use Piazza Trilussa as my home base for Trastevere, which makes wandering around through the streets easy. You can go in any direction from here and find beautiful alleyways loaded with stores and things to do, and at night the area turns into a hangout spot. Here’s a great walking guide to the area (https://www.theintrepidguide.com/trastevere-walking-tour-rome/), and here’s a list of some beautiful spots to hit:
Via della Renella
Via della Scala
Via del Moro
Vicolo del Piede
Piazza in Piscinula/Via in Piscinula
Via Titta Scarpetta
Vicolo dell’Atleta
Basilica di Santa Cecilia
Piazza di Santa Maria
For lunch, head to Il Tarallo, a cozy and classic Italian spot recommended by locals. You’ll skip the long lines that Tonarello and Trattoria Da Enzo 29 get while still enjoying similarly delicious pasta. However, if you’re willing to stick it out in line for around an hour, you can give Trattoria Da Enzo 29 a shot. They’ll serve you drinks in line while you wait, but be sure to arrive at around 11 for when they open at noon to avoid the three-hour-long wait times that the establishment can garner.
After lunch, continue wandering around the streets. When it’s time for a gelato break, grab some gelato from the pastry shop of Checco er Carettiere or Fatamorgana. Grab an aperitivo at Caramella.
After your aperitivo, I suggest heading back to your accommodation and having another R+R moment before embarking back out for your night.
For dinner, head to the local favorites Flavio al Velavevodetto (get the Carciofo all Giudia!!) or Felice a Testaccio (be sure to book this reservation far in advance - it’s a popular spot!), both right around the corner from each other. Make sure to order the amatriciana pasta or the carbonara for the full experience. For a fancier night or a special occasion, try out INEO, a stunning restaurant that specializes in an elaborate tasting menu that’s sure to leave a lasting impression.
Enjoy drinks and a DJ at Voodoo Bar, a Tulum-inspired oasis that’s located in the northern part of Rome. If you’d like to venture further out into the nightlife scene of the city, head to Alcazar Live, Sharivari, Nice, or Toy Room.
Day 3: Vatican City & Pasta Class
On your final full day in Rome, head to Le Jardin de Russie for a restorative breakfast/brunch in the beautifully secluded garden enclave, where you’ll be surrounded by some of the most beautifully ornate foliage you’ve ever seen. For a more casual breakfast, head to Ginger, an instagrammable spot with lush fruit plates and acai bowls that’ll taste so good after your weekend of (equally fantastic) rich pastas. They have a few different locations, with the Corte Laica one being housed in a building dating back to 1730.
After getting some fuel in for the day, start your walk over to Vatican City. This will take around 30 minutes, and some of the best exploration in a city is when you’ve unintentionally wandered across it. Use this walk as an opportunity to wander. Apple and Google Maps will come in handy in this moment, use it to stay roughly on course, but don’t discourage yourself from straying a bit off path to venture down a street that calls to you.
Once you’ve reached Vatican City, use your tickets to enter and explore the grounds. Be sure to book your Vatican City tickets in advance, and double-check that the Sistine Chapel is open on the date that you plan to go, as it is sometimes closed for renovation (I’ve missed my chance to see it twice!).
While in Vatican City, write a letter to yourself or a loved one at the Vatican Post, and drop it in the iconic bright yellow “Vatican Post” mailboxes. From there, pop into some of the stores around the perimeter.
After you’ve spent some time discovering this city-within-a-city, head to a pasta-making class for a DIY lunch. There’s a number of fantastic tours around the city, and you can choose the one that suits your perfect taste profile - some classes even have a tour portion where you can venture into local farmers’ markets with your guide to shop for the produce you’re going to cook your meal with.
Once you’ve cheffed up a hearty lunch, head back out into town. If you have some time left in the afternoon, try and make it to Villa Borghese, a beautiful property and park with an art and sculpture gallery housed in its center.
To close out your final few hours of daylight, grab a bottle of wine and cheese from a store and go to the Giardino degli Aranci (the Orange Garden) to watch the sunset over the eternal city.
At night, you can either call it a day or, if you have enough energy, you can head to grab a drink. If you want similar Tulum-vibes to Voodoo Bar, head to Balagan for another little oasis in the city that transports you to a beach club. For a more dive-bar feel, head to Ristorante Bar del Fico or Jerry Thomas Speakeasy.
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If Rome wasn’t built in a day, there’s no way that you can see everything there is to see in only three. I hope this itinerary can give you a good place to start your adventure in the beautiful Roma, and maybe even encourage you to come back for a second, third, or fourth visit!
If you’re headed to Rome soon and would like to do any or all of this itinerary, or create your own custom one, reach out to us for our complimentary travel advising services!