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Your Trip to Rome: The Complete Guide

TripSavvy / Christopher Larson

Rome, Italy, commonly referred to as the Eternal City, is a top travel destination that draws millions of visitors each year. An exuberant and modern world capital, Rome offers travelers fascinating reminders of its imperial past at every turn. It's also an international hub for contemporary fashion, design, art, and culture.

Encounter glorious monuments and ancient ruins dating as far back as at least the 3rd century B.C. Marvel at the stunning Romanesque- and Gothic-style architecture, medieval churches, picturesque squares, Baroque fountains, and world-class museums . Besides having an almost unlimited number of sights and attractions to see, Rome is famous for its traditional Roman food and wine and its vibrant nightlife , as well as pretty urban parks and peaceful nature reserves.

Planning Your Trip

Things to know before you go:

• Best Time to Visit : Since Rome has a Mediterranean climate, there's really no bad time to visit . If you want to avoid the crowds and the heat of summer, we recommend coming to Rome in the late spring or early autumn when the weather is mild and lines tend to be shorter. For average daily temperatures and rainfall, month by month, see our article.
• Language: Italian is the official language   , but you'll find that many people speak some English, especially those who work in the tourist industry. That said, it's always a good idea to bring along a pocket-sized phrasebook or download one of the many free language translation apps on your smartphone, just in case.
• Currency: As a member of the European Union   , Italy uses the Euro (€). Prices include tax and credit cards are widely accepted in restaurants, hotels, and shops. But when purchasing small items like a cup of coffee, a slice of pizza, or a glass of wine, plan on paying cash.
• Getting Around: Although Rome is a big metropolis, the historic center, or centro storico , is fairly compact, making it a highly walkable city. Public transport in Rome is run by ATAC , which operates the buses and trams linking riders to most areas in the city. The Metro subway system is affordable and quick.
• Travel Tip: You might find shorter lines if you visit the most popular attractions in the early afternoon when most people are at lunch.

Getting Around

Rome has an extensive public transportation system that consists of the Metro (subway), buses, trams, and three suburban railway lines (FS). Convenient and relatively inexpensive, the network connects to Rome's most popular tourist attractions but can be sometimes unreliable and overcrowded, especially during the summer months.

Things To Do

With so much to do and see in Rome, we recommend you start by hitting the major tourist attractions first—especially if this is your first visit. Regardless, do make sure to leave time in your schedule for people watching on an intimate piazza or strolling down Rome's many charming streets and cobbled alleyways.

Here are just some of Rome's top attractions:

• The Colosseum or Colosseo is the largest monument from Imperial Rome   still in existence today. The enormous amphitheater once housed fierce gladiator contests and wild animal fights. It's best approached from Via dei Fori Imperiali to get the full effect of its grandeur. Entrance lines can be long, so check out our tips for buying Colosseum tickets and avoid waiting .
• The Pantheon , one of the world's best-preserved ancient buildings, this masterpiece of Roman architecture began as a pagan temple before becoming a church in the 7th century AD. Located on Piazza della Rotonda, the Pantheon has a cylinder-shaped, hemispherical dome featuring a round hole in the top, the oculus, that allows natural light to stream in, as well as raindrops. Admission is free.
• Vatican City, the home of Saint Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums, is the world's smallest city-state. Geographically located within Rome, but not actually part of it, St. Peter's is the largest church in the world and houses important works by Michelangelo and Bernini. The Vatican Museums ( Musei Vaticani ) is a massive complex that contains an impressive art collection spanning 3,000 years—from Classical to modern eras. It's here that you can see the Sistine Chapel featuring Michelangelo's renowned frescoed ceiling.

For more information and details about Rome's sights and attractions see our 3 Days in Rome: What to See and Do or The 25 Top Things to Do in Rome.

What to Eat and Drink

Traditional Roman cuisine is based on inexpensive cuts of meat like offal and simple pasta recipes such as cacio e pepe (pecorino cheese and black pepper) and spaghetti carbonara (egg, cheese, and pork cheek). Other Roman favorites include deep fried artichokes ( carciofi alla giudia ), supplì (stuffed balls of rice with tomato sauce), and thin, crisp-crusted pizza.

Frascati is a white wine blend made in an area just south of the city. Artisanal and craft beer has become quite popular recently with pubs cropping up all over the city. In speakeasies and chic hipster bars, cocktails are flowing after hours.

Where to Stay

With so many diverse and interesting neighborhoods in Rome, it's hard to choose where to stay. For easy access to the airport and public transportation, staying in a cozy B&B or friendly hostel near Termini Station makes a lot of sense. If you want to be where the action is, there are a myriad of lodging options in Trastevere , Monti, and the centralissimo (very central) area, though these quarters can be rather noisy at night. If romance is what you're after, consider staying at a historic luxury hotel along the famed Via Veneto or near the Spanish Steps, but expect to pay a premium for such stellar locations. If you're on a budget, self-catering Airbnbs and inexpensive hotels are available all over the city, offering a great solution.

Getting There

There are two airports serving the Rome metropolitan area: Fiumicino (also known as Leonardo da Vinci) is the main international airport and Ciampino is a smaller, regional one. The best way to get into the city from the Fiumicino is by train to the main railway station closest to the historic center, Stazione Termini . You can also take airport buses to either Termini or Tiburtina station. We recommend you avoid driving in Rome if at all possible.

The Port of Civitavecchia is where cruise ships dock in Rome. See Civitavecchia to Rome Transportation for information about getting to the city or airport from here.

Culture and Customs

If you want to "do as the Romans do," then follow the bit of advice below.

• You must have your ticket before boarding any public transportation—buy them at station kiosks, newsstands ( edicole ), and tabacchi (tobacco shops). At boarding, be sure to stamp your ticket to validate them or you could get hit with a steep fine.
• You can't hail a cab on the streets of Rome, but can pick up one at the many official taxi stands scattered throughout the city.
• In restaurants, remember that tipping isn't obligatory, but is much appreciated. The rule of thumb is to leave €1 for each diner in your group or round up the check a few euros. If you get exceptional service, feel free to leave up to, but no more than 10% of the total bill.
• When perusing Rome's many boutiques and fashionable shops know that handling items is frowned upon, therefore it's best to ask the shopkeeper for assistance.
• Rome is a relatively safe big city, yet it does have its share of petty crime. Be aware of pickpockets, especially at train stations, on the Metro, and in crowded tourist areas.

For more information regarding the art of tipping in Italy, check out our article,  When & How Much to Tip in Italy: The Complete Guide .

Money Saving Tips

For budget-conscious travelers, here are a few ways to save a little coin without skimping on the fun.

• Rock the Aperitivo (pre-dinner drink): When you order a glass of wine or cocktail, it usually comes with a plate of yummy food (cold cuts, squares of pizza, etc.) at no extra charge.
• Forgo summertime and opt to visit during the winter, early spring or late fall. Temperatures are mild and travel packages and discounts are available.
• If you're going to be in Rome for three or more days, the OMNIA or RomaPass pass is a great value. Along with offering free admission to several sights, you don't have to wait in line thanks to the "fast-track" entrance feature included in the price.

Find out more about the cheapest ways to have fun by exploring our guide on visiting Rome on a budget.

Central Intelligence Agency. "The World Fact Book."

European Union. "The 27 member countries of the EU."

Encyclopedia Britannica. "Colosseum."

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How to Plan an Unforgettable Trip to Rome, According to Local Experts

Whether your tastes swing towards art and architecture, high-end shopping and dining, or browsing markets and munching on street food, it’s an exciting time to visit Rome.

Elizabeth Heath is a writer and editor living on a hill in Umbria, from where she writes about travel in Italy, the rest of Europe, and farther afield.

Best Hotels and Resorts

Best things to do, best shopping, best nightlife, best restaurants, best time to visit, how to get there, how to get around.

Alexander Spatari/Getty Images

For me, the Eternal City is eternally fabulous. No matter how crowded it gets, how dysfunctional its current government is, or how many bad pizzas there are in ratio to good ones, Rome remains. It’s persisted and resisted for more than 2,775 years, and even at this ripe old age, Rome is still evolving. 

It’s an exciting time to visit Rome, and even for people who live there, the flurry of post-pandemic activity in the travel sector has been dizzying. “Archaeological sites that have been fenced-off for years are now accessible to visitors, there’s a host of innovative new tour options, and I can barely keep up with the number of absolutely stunning luxury hotels that have opened ,” says Travel + Leisure contributor and Rome resident Laura Itzkowitz, who also writes about Rome in her newsletter, The New Roman Times . “It’s a delight to see so much investment in the city and so many new ways to experience it.” 

No matter how you decide to see the city or whether your tastes swing towards art and architecture, high-end shopping and dining, or browsing markets and munching on street food, Rome gives you options. We asked Itzkowitz and some other Rome travel experts to weigh in on their favorite places and experiences to recommend in eternal Rome.

Top 5 Can’t Miss

• Swoon over the cityscape. Few things are as romantic as Rome at night from a vantage point like the Fontana dell'Acqua Paola or the Capitoline Hill.
• See marble turn to flesh. At the Galleria Borghese, Bernini’s lifelike sculptures are a gazillion times more impressive than what you remember from art history class. 
• Do the Full Monty of Italian dining. Bring your appetite and go big, with antipasto, pasta, main course, and dessert at a homey trat like Da Enzo da 29.  
• Get up early. At least once during your stay, request an early wake-up call to discover a deserted city. ArcheoRoma can lead the way. 
• Shop at a market. If you don’t buy produce, trinkets, or street food at a real Roman market like Testaccio or Campo de’ Fiore, have you been to Rome? 

Courtesy of Bettoja Hotels

Palazzo Vilòn

If there’s one thing our experts agree on, it’s that Palazzo Vilòn luxury apartment is the most sumptuous new address in Rome. Nicole Bono, luxury travel and events planner with Bono Events International says, “When they open the doors for you, your jaw will drop.” Gary Portuesi, a T+L Top Travel Advisor with Authentic Explorations , says that at Vilòn, “you get to live like a Roman aristocrat in an intimate palazzo in the best neighborhood.”

Singer Palace

“I'm in love with the Singer Palace these days,” says Bono of this 19th-century beauty in the former Singer sewing machine headquarters. “It's family-owned, and that is felt with every single detail in this property. You're truly cuddled from the moment you walk in the door till your last Spritz before you leave.”

Hotel de Russie, a Rocco Forte Hotel

T+L readers’ favorite hotel in Rome is also a hit with Portuesi, who raves about its “with its unique and secluded Mediterranean tiered secret garden walking distance from the Spanish Steps, Fontana di Trevi and Piazza del Popolo.” The hotel’s Stravinskij Bar remains one of Rome’s most elegant locales for a cocktail.  

Hotel Mediterraneo

Every time I exit Termini Station, I sigh with comfort at the sight of this trusty four-star in a fascist-era Art Deco building. Stepping through the doors feels like stepping back in time, in a good way, with old-school service, a delightful lobby bar, and humongous suites, some with skyline views of Rome.

Christopher Larson/Travel + Leisure

Basilica di San Clemente

For a real sense of how Rome’s history is layered like a lasagna, head to this church near the Colosseum — or rather, underneath it. An atmospheric archaeological area beneath the not-too-shabby 12th-century church holds an even earlier Christian church, which lies on top of a pagan altar and an ancient Roman apartment building.  

ArcheoRunning

If you’re a runner, join archaeologist, guide, and running enthusiast Isabella Calidonna on an early morning jogging tour through Rome's truly magical empty streets. (Trust me, it’s okay if you run slowly.) If you’re not a runner, don’t sweat it — she’ll be happy to do the same informative tour at a walking pace. 

Via del Governo Vecchio

Spend a late afternoon vintage shopping on my favorite street in Rome , then stick around for an aperitivo, followed by pizza and gelato. If that trifecta of Roman drinking and eating isn’t enough, this splendid street near Piazza Navona has a buzzy but manageable bar-hopping scene. 

Largo Argentina

Want to stand at the very site (or very near it, anyway) where Julius Caesar lost his life? Long visible only from street level and best known as a cat sanctuary among picturesque ruins, the archaeological area at Largo Argentina site is now open to the public, thanks to funding from Bulgari . The Curia of Pompeo, where Caesar got shivved, stands near the ruins of four ancient temples.

Galleria Borghese

Reserve your tickets in advance and prepare to be overwhelmed by the beauty here, both of the ornate salons of this noble palace turned art museum, and the amazing works inside, including Bernini’s spellbinding "Rape of Proserpine" and several Caravaggio paintings.

Testaccio Market

This sprawling covered market in the working-class Testaccio neighborhood offers an authentic slice of Roman daily life. Even if you’re not shopping for clothing, produce or fresh fish, stop for some of Rome’s best street food, especially a suppli at Food Box or a drippy panino at Modri e Vai. 

Itzkowitz is a fan of this artisan jeweler in Monti and even had owner Antonio design a pair of custom earrings for her wedding. If you don’t have time for a made-to-order bauble, the shop has many original designs, many of which feature colorful gemstones.

Essenzialmente Laura

For a real only-in-Rome gift or souvenir, Portuesi refers friends and clients to the perfumery of Laura Bosetti Tonatto, who’s made custom scents for celebrities, royals, and aristocrats, including Queen Elizabeth II. “You can create your own perfect perfume or find the scent you love,” he says. 

La Bottega del Marmoraro

It’s hard to imagine a store like this anywhere else — a tiny workshop on pretty Via Margutta where stone carver Sandro Fiorentino tinks away at marble plaques by hand. “I love to bring out-of-town visitors here,” says Itzkowitz. “Prices start at around 15 euros, which means you can find an affordable, handmade souvenir.”

Courtesy of Hassler Hotel

Fontana dell'Acqua Paola

Some of the best things in Rome are free, including the views from this monumental fountain high on the Janiculum hill. It’s one of T+L’s top underrated things to do in Rome . Fans of the Oscar-winning film “Rome, the Great Beauty” will recognize this majestic spot.

This classy bar offers great cocktails and light bites with a sublime view. “A table there in the stunning Piazza di Pietra,” says Bono, “with the incredible Roman columns all lit up is truly magical, and it feels like it's just there for you."

Hassler Hotel 7th Floor Terrace

The recipe for an unforgettable Roman evening: Start with panoramic city views from atop the Spanish Steps, stir in a specialty cocktail, garnish with some elevated aperitivo fare, and drink it all in at one of our favorite family-run hotels in Italy and one of the absolute best in Rome.

Da Enzo da 29

Despite its near-legendary status and the long lines for a table (Enzo doesn’t take reservations), Itzkowitz says a meal here is “worth the wait and lives up to the hype — every time.” She’s a fan of the handmade tonarelli cacio e pepe but says that the food here is consistently good across the menu. 

Trattoria Da Cesare Al Pellegrino

This new-in-2023 sister property of a neighborhood favorite in residential Monteverde brings hearty, traditional Roman pasta and meat dishes to the centro storico. “Run, don't walk,” says Bono, “because this city location is super charming, and tourists haven't found it yet.”

Pro Loco Pinciano

Portuesi says you’ll feel like a local at this super-casual pizza and pasta joint just outside the city walls, where the emphasis is on ingredients and wines sourced from the surrounding region on Lazio. Charcuterie platters are delicious and abundant here. 

L'Antica Pesa

Regularly named one of the best restaurants in Rome, this Trastevere culinary landmark is, per Portuesi, “a standard and consistent classic” and worth crossing the river for. Head here for a special dinner or when you’re ready to go big (before going home, maybe?) and order an appetizer, pasta (primo), meat, and dessert for the full Italian dining experience.

You’ve heard all the warnings about visiting in high summer, but if that’s the only time you have to visit, Itzkowitz says to do as the Romans do: rest in your cool hotel room in the afternoon and venture out again in the early evening. Bono agrees that summer can be...sticky but adds, “Those summer sunsets on a rooftop with an Aperol spritz certainly make for that 'Dolce Vita moment' we all crave.”

Portuesi recommends November, as it’s still relatively warm and the crowds have thinned out; January, when sale season starts; or April and October. “Tourists might still be there, but the colors of spring and autumn are amazing, and temperatures are on the warm side.” I love visiting in January or February when the crowds are much more manageable, and if you’re lucky, you can catch some lovely, crisp, sunny days.

Most visitors fly into Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci/Fiumicino Airport (FCO). From there, you can take a 30-minute non-stop train to Termini, the central station, and take a taxi, Metro, bus, or tram to your accommodation. A cab from FCO to anywhere inside the Aurelian Walls costs 50 euros. Ride-sharing services other than Uber Black are not available in Rome. 

Rome’s historic center is primarily flat and highly walkable. Many visitors take the Metro to reach the Vatican Museums, then walk back into the city from there (or take a cab from St. Peter’s Square). 

Buses and Metro, both run by ATAC , are also reliable ways to get around, though depending on the distance, walking may be faster. Note that taxis in Rome cannot be hailed on the street. Instead, they wait at taxi stands or ranks generally located near tourist areas. 

I strongly recommend against renting a car in Rome, as traffic and parking are a mess and the centro is a maze of one-way streets, many of which are pedestrian-only. If you pick up a car in Rome for a more extended tour in Italy, make sure you have your route mapped out in advance — and nerves of steel. 

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The Complete Guide To Planning Your Trip To Rome: Tips, Restaurants, and More

Sean Finelli Last Updated: August 29, 2023

Traveling to Rome for the first time? Nobody wants to pick a hotel in the wrong part of town or sit down at a bad restaurant. The good news is you’re reading this article, so you won’t have these problems! This guide will cover some of the Rome basics and links to a ton of great resources to make planning your trip to Rome easy and fun. 

Pro Tip: Bookmark this post and other helpful articles, like where to stay in Rome in a trip folder on your browser so you can quickly find them when you need them. Rome is an expansive city worthy of a tour or two, explore our top-rated Rome tours and experiences . Also, check out our other resources on planning your trip to Rome .

How To Plan Your Trip To Rome: A Complete Guide

In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know to plan a memorable vacation in the Eternal City, with plenty of additional resources to explore. From the logistics of where to stay and how to get around the city to the finer details of how to get your coffee, basic Italian phrases, and top things to do, we’ll help you prepare for your dream trip in Rome.

• Airports and Public Transport (Metro)
• Where To Stay
• Things To Do
• Food Culture
• Credit Cards, Tipping, and Communicating

When To Travel To Rome and What To Pack

Rome airports and public transport, rome airports.

There are two main airports in Rome, Ciampino and Fiumicino, and they are both roughly the same distance from the city center.

Fiumicino (FCO)

In short, to get from Fiumicino Airport (FCO) to Rome’s city center, the train is the most popular means of transport, taxi is the most convenient, and the bus is the least popular.

By far, the most popular way to get from Fiumicino airport to the city center is by train. For €15, you can get the Fiumicino Express from FCO to Termini station (main station).

A taxi is the most convenient way to get to the center. There are regulated rates from the airport to the city center that fall between €45 – €50, depending on a few difficult-to-explain criteria, such as what type of license the taxi has. If you’re staying outside the historic center of Rome, you may also have to pay more or less. You can normally pay with a credit card in taxis but always ask.

Ciampino (CIA)

The bus is the most popular way to get from Ciampino Airport (CIA) to the city center. Buses tend to cost around €6 – €7, depending on the airport and the coach company. They run based on arrivals. Terravision has been around for a long time and is pretty cheap. 

Taxi, again, is the most convenient. They cost between €35 – €45 depending on the same factors mentioned above, which are difficult to understand.

Rome Transportation Options

Rome has plenty of transportation options. How you decide to get around Rome on any given day on your trip will depend on your preferences, what you have planned to do, and where you’re going. We’ll go over all of them:

Walking in Rome

Rome is an extremely walkable city. If you’re in reasonably good shape and the weather isn’t overly hot, you can walk Rome’s historical center very well. However, the streets can sometimes be confusing. If you aren’t using a mobile map app, it could get tough.

The Colosseum is a 35-minute walk from the Piazza del Popolo and around a 60-minute walk from the Vatican Museums Entrance. However, it’s important to pick your battles. For example, you may not want to walk to the Vatican from the Colosseum, considering that you’ll be on your feet for at least three hours when visiting the Vatican Museums with a guided tour. Some of our top-rated Vatican tours last up to 5 hours to give visitors an enriched experience of the museums. In this case, it might be better to take the subway or even a taxi to conserve energy.

That said, be prepared to walk when you’re in Rome. If you aren’t already doing so, walk at least an hour each day to get your legs ready for your trip!

Rome Bus System

We have a great video on what you need to know to use the buses in Rome . It’s a little dated but fun to watch, and you’ll see exactly where to get bus tickets, how to ask for one, and how to conquer Rome’s bus system. There are three fundamentals that you need to know when using the buses:

• Buy a ticket before you get on and validate it when you’re on the bus.
• The bus signs are pretty confusing unless you know the city really well. So, download an app .
• The buses go literally everywhere. They’re a good option but get hot and crowded in the summer—just something to keep in mind.

Walking around Rome can get really tiring. Hopping on a bus for a kilometer or two can make all the difference. Save your energy for the highlights of your trip.

Rome Metro (Subway) System

The Roma metro system has two lines: the red A-line and the blue B-line. As a visitor, you’ll find yourself on the A-line the most. It goes from Termini past the Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Piazza del Popolo, and most importantly, the Vatican.

The B-line will get you from Termini Station to the Colosseum and Circus Maximus. These are the most popular stops for visitors using the metro to get to Rome’s top attractions .

You can’t get to Trastevere by metro, but you can get close to Testaccio by getting off at Piramide. Both Trastevere and Testaccio are known for their lively nightlife and great food. Your hotel and most Airbnbs will have a metro map that you can keep handy.

Getting a Taxi in Rome 

I use public transportation for short, direct rides to get from place to place. For example, going from the Vatican to the Spanish Steps or from Termini Station to the Colosseum. For anything complicated, I normally pony up and take a taxi. They’re relatively cheap if they don’t rip you off—which they will try to do.

A good workaround is to search for your destination in your phone’s map app, get directions from your current location, and hit go. Then, show that map to the taxi driver when they ask where you want to go. This way, they know you’re tracking. Otherwise, there’s really nothing you can do. Just don’t pre-negotiate the rate. There’s a meter in the vehicle that determines the cost.

Renting a Scooter in Rome

If I’m in Rome for more than a couple of days, I’ll rent a scooter. It’s a good option if you have scooter experience. If you don’t, I wouldn’t recommend it. It can be dangerous getting around an unknown city when you don’t even know how to drive the thing, let alone negotiate traffic and figure out where to go.

Where To Stay in Rome

Rome is a large metropolitan city, but the area most visitors are interested in is the historical center or  Centro Storico because it’s pretty condensed. You can walk from the Colosseum to the Vatican, almost on opposite sides of the historical center or “center” for short, in an hour.

The center is the place to be in Rome, and each neighborhood is really great. I prefer the northern sections like Piazza Navona and Spanish Steps.  To me, they are classical Roman/Italian and super nice. Here are the best areas to consider with links to in-depth neighborhood guides:

• Spanish Steps
• Pantheon/Piazza Navona
• Prati (Vatican)

Again, I really like anything near the Spanish Steps, as I like being in the thick of it. It will come with a price tag, but savvy travelers find deals. Check out our in-depth guide on where to stay in Rome, covering the city’s best neighborhoods.

Top Things To Do in Rome

From visiting the Sistine Chapel to an underground apothecary run by priests, there are unlimited things to do in Rome. One of the best ways to see a city with this kind of history is to join local guides on fun tours with exclusive access and endless stories to tell. There are so many things to see and ways to see them. Check out all our Rome tours that include the top monuments and museums, plus incredible day trips.

This is a list of the top things to do while you’re in the Eternal City. Be sure to follow the links for more in-depth information on visiting each one of these monuments and museums.

Top Museums

Rome has over 60 incredible museums containing some of the world’s most important works of art. It may be difficult to decide which of them you’ll see. Check out our guide on the seven best museums to visit in Rome for details. Here’s a quick list:

• The Vatican Museums
• The Borghese Gallery
• The Capitoline Museum
• Palazzo Barberini
• Palazzo Altemps
• Palazzo Massimo alle Terme
• MAXXI Museum

Top Monuments

Rome is filled with historical monuments and attractions. Some of them you have likely heard. Others may be new to you. Here is a list of what you should see on your Rome trip. Check out this guide for the stories behind these top monuments and attractions in Rome .

• The Colosseum
• The Basilica of St. Peter
• The Catacombs of Domitilla
• The Roman Forum
• The Pantheon
• The Palatine Hill
• The Trevi Fountain
• Piazza Navona
• The Spanish Steps
• Belevedere of Gianicolo Hill
• The Tiber Island
• The Mouth of Truth
• Trajan’s Column
• Il Pincio and Piazza del Popolo

Must-See Gardens and Parks

If you love beautiful manicured gardens and green spaces, this is for you. There are a number of must-see gardens and parks in Rome . The Villa Borghese and Vatican Gardens are the more well-known among them, but you may also want to visit some of these:

• Villa Doria Pamphili
• Villa Borghese
• Park of the Acquedotti
• Giardino degli Aranci
• Vatican Gardens
• Villa Ada Savoia
• Villa Sciarra

Absolutely Free Things To Do

You may be surprised by the cool free things you can do in Rome . Some of the city’s most well-known sites are completely free to explore. Check out this list:

Food Culture in Rome

Where to start with Italian food? It’s often one of the top reasons why tourists come to Italy, and for good reason. Every region serves amazing, fresh, handmade delicacies.

A traditional Italian meal will go like this: antipasto (starter), primo (pasta), secondo (meat and vegetables), dolci (dessert), followed by coffee and liquors. Do Italians eat like this every day?

Fortunately for those of us who live here, no! But these are typically the headings that you’ll see on a menu, so it’s best to have an idea of what they mean. There’s a lot to cover in this section, here’s a breakdown: 

• How to Find Local Restaurants

Types of Restaurants

Rome meal times.

• Coffee Culture
• Drinking Fountains

How To Find Local Restaurants in Rome

Rome is a very touristy city, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t good places to eat in the city center. Check out our Rome restaurant master list that we regularly update . From there, you can navigate and see our restaurant recommendations near every major Roman attraction. 

In general, avoid restaurants within sight of a tourist attraction, particularly if they have pictures of the food on the menu or people standing outside trying to hustle you in. Even in the most authentic restaurants, don’t expect particularly friendly service.

Some of the best food is often flung at you without so much as a “hello,” but it’s guaranteed to be worth it. Areas a little more off the beaten track are where you’re more likely to have an authentic experience. For example, the area of Testaccio is well-known for being a classic Roman foodie area, packed with local restaurants.

A really great way to experience a wide variety of Roman cuisine in good restaurants is to join a food tour. They’re a trendy and fun way to get to know the local food scene. Check out our top-rated  Trastevere food tour in Rome .

In Italy, there are stereotypical classifications for almost anything, including restaurants. When you’re in Rome, you’ll notice restaurants don’t just have a name, like “Tony’s,” but also a classification, such as “Trattoria.”  Each one means something specific, and it lets you know what kind of food and experience to expect. Unfortunately, very few visitors to Italy know the difference between an osteria and a trattoria . We’ll solve that for you right here.

Imagine waking up at 6:30  am, rolling over to your significant other, and saying, “Want to head to the bar?” This is what happens almost every morning to millions of Italians.

No, they are not alcoholics. You can get alcohol at an Italian Bar, but you normally don’t. It’s where you get breakfast. You’ll see the “Bar” sign all over Italy, and when you walk in, you’ll find espresso drinks, cornetto, and panini. You can also get freshly squeezed orange juice or vegetable juice. I highly recommend it!

Unlike the bar, you definitely shouldn’t wake up at 7 a.m. asking you’re significant other to go to the enoteca . This is where you go for an alcoholic drink like a glass of wine or a beer.

A good enoteca will serve tons of wine by the glass in many different price ranges. They’ll often also serve cured meat plates for a snack or even warm meals at times. I definitely recommend stopping by one of these on your travels in Italy and Rome.

Tavola Calda

One of my favorite types of places to eat lunch is a tavola calda . They are normally unassuming and serve many different types of dishes, from cooked vegetables to lasagna and pasta dishes. The dishes normally change from day to day based on what is in season and other factors.

For example, gnocchi in Rome is only served on Thursdays. If you see it on the menu seven days a week, you may be in a tourist trap. Authentic Roman restaurants only serve this dish on  giovedí.  You have been warned.

These are pretty cool little sandwich shops. Dotted all over Rome, they range in quality. Don’t refer to your sandwich as a “panini” unless you get more than one. The “i” makes it plural. Italian’s order a  panino. 

Check out 200 Gradi by the Vatican. It’s an awesome place. Campo dei Fiori also has an awesome drive-up stand open for lunch that serves porchetta.

Osterie are pretty cool if you can find one. They are basically super cheap and simple places to eat. A true osteria would have communal-style tables and serve very cheap meals. Back in the day, when Italy was extremely impoverished, they’d even allow you to bring your own food and just drink there.  Imagine that today?

You can find restaurants with the title “Osteria” in Italy, but you shouldn’t bring your own food or normally expect to eat with strangers. There is a place in Florence, Da Mario , which says it is a trattoria, but it feels more like what a traditional osteria would have been like.

Expect a warm and cheap meal if you happen to go inside an osteria in Rome, and even more so in the Italian countryside. The menu will either be non-existent or small. In the countryside or in small towns, they can be really cool. The waiter may rock up to your table and say, “Today, we are serving pasta with clams. Would you like fettucini or spaghetti with that?” Enjoy!

The trattoria of Rome sits somewhere between osteria and ristorante . Almost all Italian restaurants are family-run, bu t trattories are quintessentially family-run. They are normally inexpensive but have a larger menu than an osteria.

Expect traditional regional cuisine at a trattoria. If you go to two different ones, you may find the exact same things on the menu. This is because they offer their family’s version of that regional dish.

This is basically the Italian equivalent of a more formal restaurant. They’ll have a menu with all the Italian courses, and you’ll be expected to eat each course. You should definitely find a top-rated ristorante in Rome and budget 3 hours for your meal. Really indulge in the food, wine, and desserts.

Pasticceria

This is an Italian bakery serving all types of delightful local treats. They are probably the best places to go for breakfast as they’ll make their cornettos fresh and supply them to all the bars.

You should be able to get a coffee here, too, but that isn’t a given. If you’re staying in an Airbnb or apartment rental, find a pasticceria close by and pick up a bunch of  cornetti  for your group. You’ll be everyone’s favorite person!

Rosticceria

You won’t find this is in Rome, but it’s worth mentioning. A rosticceria is a place you can go to find pre-cooked meals like roasted meats and high-quality products. If you do find one and you’re renting an apartment, consider doing take-out one night from a rosticceria.

Taverna or Rifugio

You’ll find restaurants in Rome with  taverna in their names, but this is more a colorful play on words.  Taverne  are secluded restaurants in the Italian mountains where you could get a hearty meal, something to drink, and possibly a warm bed to sleep in.

Today, you can still find a few dotted in the landscape, but you’re more likely to find an agriturismo, which is more of a B&B. A taverna in Rome is most likely going to decorate its interior in a rustic countryside style and have hearty meals on its menu. It’s kind of like going to a seafood restaurant that’s decorated in a nautical theme but nowhere near an ocean.

One of the biggest cultural differences is that Romans tend to eat much later than basically everyone except the Spanish. In fact, many of the best restaurants won’t open until at least 7:30 p.m.

Lunch: 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm

Dinner: 7:30 pm – 11 pm

To avoid eating in an empty restaurant and to really make the most of your evenings in Rome, try and fit in with them and eat a bit later. Around 8 pm is a good time to sit down.

Coffee Culture in Rome

Italians take their coffee culture very seriously, and there are almost as many rules about coffee as there are for food. Here’s what you need to know to get your coffee fix in Rome:

Espresso “un Café”: A very small shot of coffee. Unless you’ve been to Italy, it’s never been this small.

Café Doppio: Double shot of espresso.

Café Macchiato:   Basically a mini cappuccino. Imagine an espresso and foamed milk all in a tiny espresso cup. Normally, men order these in the morning.

Cappuccino:  This is espresso and foamed milk in a small cup. It’s larger than a macchiato, but nowhere near that tall cappuccino you are used to. You won’t find a larger size.

Café Americano:  Espresso with hot water. The name is from WWII, when American troops would ask Italians to put hot water in the espresso.

Latte: A cup of milk—don’t order this if you want caffeine.

Café Latte: Warm, non-foamy milk with espresso.

The Coffee Rules (Yes, there are rules)

• No cappuccino or milk-based espresso after 11 a.m. You can do it, obviously, but it’s not really the culture.
• No cappuccino or milk-based espresso with meals. Don’t do this.
• It is cheap when you stand up at the bar (€1 – €2), expensive when you sit down. Same for everyone, not just tourists.

Rome Water Fountains

One of the best things to know about Rome is that there’s no need to buy plastic bottles of water when you get thirsty—there are tons of fountains dotted around the city, and Romans are very proud of them.

Bring a refillable water bottle, and fill it up whenever you see one. There’s also an app to help you find them called I Nasoni di Roma. If you’re going in the heat of summer, you’ll find this tip invaluable!

People are always surprised that you can drink from these fountains, which is crazy if you think about it. Their original purpose was to provide running water to each neighborhood since most houses didn’t have running water. Today, we forget that fact and are astonished by this basic concept due to our many creature comforts.

Credit Cards, Tipping, and Communicating in Rome

Cash or Credit?

The currency in Italy is the euro. An important thing to remember about Italy is that cash is still king. It’s necessary to carry a reasonable amount of cash around with you at all times to avoid getting stuck.

In general, most restaurants will allow you to pay on a card, as will large shops and tourist attractions. But for drinks, coffee, transport tickets, and small items, cards often aren’t accepted. There may even be a €10 minimum on card payments.

Rule of Thumb:  If it’s less than €10, pay cash. It’s more than €10, and you can probably pay credit as long as there isn’t a “Solo Cash” sign on the door.

The Good News:  The Italian word for credit card is carta di credito . Any Italian shop owner will understand when you ask, “Credit Card?” They’ll also know to respond, “Cash” if they don’t accept credit cards. So, there’s no need to stress.

Tipping isn’t really expected in Italy. I’ve tried to convince visitors that you just need to leave some extra change, a euro per person, regardless of check size, but it normally falls on deaf ears. To simplify things, I have created different levels of tipping to help people understand:

Don Corleone:  Leave 20%, and when you go back, the restaurant staff will celebrate your return as if you were the Godfather. You may get some sneers from other restaurant goers who can’t get your waiter’s attention.

Super Nice : Leave 10%. It’s less than you are used to but far more than anyone in Italy would expect.

Roman : Leave a euro or two extra per person. The wait staff will be very happy.

Nothing at All : Leave nothing and nobody will say anything. Your food will not be poisoned upon returning.

Communicating in English or Italian

One of my favorite things to watch is travelers trying to string together Italian words into sentences from a guidebook. I have been that traveler in many countries. The worst part, though, is when you actually make sense, and the person responds, much to your bewilderment.

Let’s not romanticize the key phrases part of a guidebook here and keep it simple. The phrases below will make you look like a pro because you’ll get simple responses such as si (yes) or a finger pointing to the bathrooms. Remember that c’s have a hard “ch” sound, unlike Spanish.

How much does this cost? Quanto costa?

Check, please. Il conto per favore.

Do you take credit cards? Posso pagare con la carte? 

Where is the bathroom? Dov’è il bagno? Or simply, “bagno?” 

Water?  Acqua?

Table for two, please. Tavolo per due, per favore.

Can you order for me? Fai te?

The last recommendation is by far my favorite. If your waiter is Roman, they will accept the challenge and bring some tasty food. A key phrase is certo (pronounced cherto), which means “of course”. Romans use this all the time, so you may hear it instead of si .

When To Travel

Part of the reason why people love Rome is the weather. It’s pretty much always nice, and bad weather is when it is too hot. That’s a good problem to have.

Temperature

The average monthly temperature in Rome ranges from a low of 37 degrees Fahrenheit (F) to a high of 89 F.  It snows once every 10 to 50 years, and people don’t know what to do when that happens—it’s the greatest.

To decide when you want to travel to Rome, you can use this equation to get a rough idea.

How much am I willing to spend / Am I ok with cooler weather = Daily budget

Cheapest Months:

• December (1st – 20th)
• Jan (7th – 31st)
• March (1st – 20th)

Mid-Range Months:

• March (21st – 31st)
• April (excluding 5 days on either side of Easter)
• October (although it can be higher in price early in the month)

Full-Price Months:

• Christmas to New Year
• Easter (5 days on either side)

What To Pack

Check out the infographic below on what to pack. While it’s very useful, the ideal amount to pack is one change of clothes and a mostly empty suitcase. Shopping in Italy is great, so the more space you can leave in your suitcase, the better.

You don’t need to pack an umbrella. As soon as it rains, hundreds of people will appear out of nowhere selling umbrellas. It’s magical. Also, you can’t wear heels in Rome. Let me clarify, you can wear flats and pack heels in your purse for when you are inside bars and restaurants. The cobblestones make wearing heels nearly impossible.

Rome has a rich cultural history and many iconic landmarks to explore. Plan where to stay in the magnificent Eternal City in the best neighborhoods.

Reader Interactions

Comments (12).

September 3, 2019

What a lovely description of Italy and Italians you have given to us! I love to read about the transport, food and most importantly the people. Awesome work done! Keep them coming!

September 4, 2019

Ciao Tanisha! What a lovely comment. We are so happy to provide you with helpful tips for your vacation!

October 24, 2019

A very informative article. Thank you so much for sharing these things.

October 28, 2019

Ciao! Thanks so much for reading our blog! It’s our mission to provide you with the most useful information possible for your trip.

November 19, 2019

Nice quality post. Thumbs Up from my side. Special thanks to theromanguy for sharing this valuable information. Once again appreciated!

January 6, 2020

Nice tips. I’d add the 48 euro fixed rate from the airport to the centre as the best option if there are at least 2 people. By the time you take the train then Metro or taxi from Termini it just about equals out.

January 21, 2020

Thanks for the tip, Gary!

May 15, 2020

Rome really such a beautiful city, wish more people will be able to experience it. Thanks for the insightful article.

June 9, 2020

It is nice you included few basic lines of Italian language everyone should know when visiting Italy or and other country. People are so friendlier to you if you can say “Hi” to them in their language.

July 21, 2020

Hey, thanks for sharing this, I enjoyed reading it looking forward to my next trip to Italy.

April 23, 2021

Admiring the time and energy you put into your blog and detailed information you provide.

September 27, 2022

thank you – very helpful and have taken notes for our trip 🙂

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Plan Your Trip to Rome

Whether it’s your first time or a prodigal return, there are countless reasons to come to the Eternal City. 

Maybe you’re a gourmand. If so, prepare to have your taste buds tantalised and your waistband put to the test. 

Art historians, eat your heart out. At every possible corner, you’ll encounter a remnant of Ancient Roman civilisation, jaw-dropping classical architecture, or baroque churches housing priceless sculptures and paintings. 

Or maybe you just like warm weather and photogenic locations. I hear ya, and Rome is objectively beautiful. You don’t have to care about what happened two thousand years ago in this city to appreciate it. Wear your sunglasses all day long, sit on a terrace, and watch the world go by as you sip on your Negroni.

Be Footsmart 

Alright, the thing about the Eternal City is that it’s old. Really old. In practical terms, this means cobblestone central. While they look great in photos, they can be pretty tough on the tootsies if you’re either a) unaccustomed to walking and/or b) in inappropriate footwear. So bring walking shoes. I don’t mean ugly hiking boots. Sneakers, tennis shoes, or just something sturdy will do the trick. 

If you’re not a walker, get walking before you get here. You’ll need stamina for this trip. Even if you’re resigned to taking cabs everywhere, the sightseeing portion of your trip will involve a LOT of bipedal action. So think twice about the flip-flops or those pretty brand-new sandals. Your feet will thank you later. 

Be Selective

Think about what you want to see beforehand. The idea of being, hey, let’s go with the flow is lovely, but with a city like Rome, where you could spend a lifetime and still not see everything, it pays to be a little specific (with a bit of wiggle room naturally). And less is more. Crowd up your itinerary, and you’ll end up with sensory overload. The abundance of beauty really does dull the senses after a while.

Do your Homework

You don’t have to get an art history degree, but if you plan on visiting the main attractions , you’ll get a lot more out of your trips by knowing a bit about them beforehand. Again, less is more. Read a little about Michelangelo or Bernini if you like art, even superficially. 

FYI: Most churches, especially St Peter’s , have a dress code. This just means no exposed shoulders or knees, so make sure you’re either dressed appropriately on the day or you’ve got a scarf in your bag. They’re more lenient about the knees. It’s more the shoulders they want to see covered up. 

Best Time to Visit

Rome is always beautiful, but avoid August (and even July) if you can. The heat becomes unbearable, with Romans staying indoors with the AC on and the blinds closed until sundown. The lucky ones escape to the sea or mountains. The plus side to the summer is that there are usually a lot of nocturnal events on, but if day-tripping and sightseeing are more on the agenda, then you will find it hard going. 

Any time between October to May would be your best bet.  

A few things to bear in mind: 

• The first Sunday of every month is free museum day, so the main attractions will be extremely busy.  
• Other busy days are national holidays, including Liberation Day on April 25th, Festa della Repubblica on June 2nd, and Ferragosto on August 15th. 

Getting There

International flights usually bring you to Leonardo da Vinci Airport in Fiumicino (FCO) . At approximately 40 km from the city centre, this is a well-connected airport with a host of trains and buses bringing you into the city.

Rome’s second airport is Ciampino (CIA) – minuscule compared to mega airport FCO, but this can actually work in your favour as the arrivals procedure is pretty painless and has the added advantage of being connected to Rome’s transport network .  The city centre is a mere bus and metro ride away. 

If you’re travelling in from other parts of Italy, there is an excellent high-speed train service called Freccia Rossa that can have you in from Milan in just over three hours. Naples is only 1 hour and 15 minutes away.

Accommodation 

Even in the low season, demand is high for holiday accommodation in Rome, so don’t leave it to chance if you can help it. The centre is saturated with hotels and hostels to suit most budgets. 

Here’s a little breakdown by area to help narrow your choices.

Alternative: Pigneto

Good for an alternative Roman experience with countless bars , restaurants , and murals. 

Pigneto is an LGBTQ-friendly neighbourhood east of the centre and is connected on the Metro by the C line, which will take you to San Giovanni. From there, you can visit the Basilica San Giovanni in Laterano, shop, and even walk down to the Colosseum .

There are many Airbnb options in this area (other rental platforms are available). Alternatively, small independently run guesthouses like L’Oasi del Pigneto are quite easy to find.

Traditional: Piazza Spagna (Spanish Steps) 

The location is traditional, but for an unconventional hotel stay, take a look at iRooms. They have rooms very close to Piazza Spagna fit with jacuzzis and home cinema walls. 

Accommodation in Piazza Spagna is good for visiting Villa Borghese , Via del Corso (shopping street), and  Altare della Patria . 

Upmarket: Prati 

Prati, on the other side of the river, is the swanky part of Rome. Its Metro station Ottaviano on the A-line, which you’ll need when visiting the Vatican City . It’s great for shopping , visiting the Vatican, and taking leisurely strolls along the river.

Try NH Collection Hotels. The closest station is Lepanto on the A-line.

Central and Connected (and on a budget): Termini 

Termini is the obvious choice for many travellers as this will often be your first port of call when you land at FCO Airport. The fast train, the Leonardo Express, will bring you straight here. It’s on the A and B lines and, as Rome’s main transport hub, is super well connected to the city as well as the rest of the country. 

For comfortable and trendy budget stays, take a look at Generator Hostel.

Central and Connected (and a bit of luxury): Termini

If you’d like to stay well connected but are seeking the comfort and all the trappings of a 4-star hotel, look at The Hive, which boasts a spa and rooftop bar and restaurant that is absolutely welcome news in the summer heat.

Getting Around

Rome’s transport network ATAC operates three metro lines ; A, B, and C. You’ll probably only need the A and B unless you choose to stay somewhere like Pigneto or Malatesta in Rome’s increasingly popular southeast neighbourhoods. 

There are a few tram lines, but many lines got taken out of commission during the pandemic for “essential work” and, to date, have yet to return. In their place are relatively regular bus services . 

Public transport is relatively inexpensive. Fares will give you 100 minutes of consecutive travel time, meaning you can use the metro and as many buses as you like within that time limit. Tickets are available to purchase from machines at Metro stations. Alternatively, you can pay by contactless card payments on the Metro and most buses. 

White taxi cabs are abundant, run on a meter and now accept card payments. Ask beforehand anyway to make sure. If they say no, I would advise smiling and sending them on their way while you find another cab. 

Uber is available but tends to be a bit more expensive than white cabs. However, it’s a good plan B if no other alternative exists. 

Finally, if you are courageous enough, try downloading one of the many apps available and rent an e-scooter readily available on the street. They are ubiquitous, often cluttering up the streets and sidewalks. Romans are extremely divided about them.

Extremely common with Roman teenagers and tourists alike, it’s a fun, if slightly risky, way to get around. (Full confession, I live in Rome, and I’m petrified of them, but I must admit, the idea of riding an e-scooter down the Roman Forum on a balmy summer evening, hair blowing in the wind, is rather tempting. One day…).

Things to See & Things to Do

If it’s the ancient stuff that speaks to you the most, then book ahead for:

• The Colosseum and the Roman Forum (spread across two separate days if possible)
• The Pantheon  
• Baths of Caracalla  

For beautiful views and classic Roman cityscapes, head to:

• The Janiculum (il Gianicolo) 
• Villa Borghese
• The top of the Spanish Steps
• Altare della Patria
• Castel Sant’Angelo

For Insta-perfect cobblestoned alleyways, trattorias, and bars all oozing with charm, look no further than:

• Campo de Fiori (the streets that surround it)
• Via del Governo Vecchio 

For art , art, and more art:

• The Vatican Museums
• St Peter’s Basilica
• Galleria Borghese

If you’d like to combine your love of art and wine, why not give Vineyarts a try? Their “Paint & Wine” parties in central Rome promise a fun evening for you and your friends with unlimited wine and the opportunity to paint anything from still life to life drawing. You naturally get to take your masterpiece home with you.  :

And finally, what Roman Holiday would be complete without a ride on a Vespa? Try a guided tour of Rome by Vespa. You can choose between riding the Vespa yourself or riding in the back with your guide. (I know which I would choose).

Cuisine and Dining

I’ve always been pretty healthy, but not even that long after living in this country, I went for a routine blood test and, to my horror, found that I had slightly high cholesterol. What had changed? With all the walking and the fresh vegetables I was consuming, I wasn’t even in bad shape. Aperi-bloody-tivos is what happened. Too many complimentary bar snacks.

A smarter option than the aperitivo might be the apericena – it’s a portmanteau of aperitivo + cena i.e, dinner. 

It might be a bit out of your way, but for a true Italian buffet-style apericena , try going to either Doppio Zeroo in Ostiense or Momart on Via April XXI in Nomentano. Between 10 and 15 euros, you get a cocktail or a glass of wine and access to an all-you-can-eat buffet of everything from pasta to grilled veggies, salads, pizza, and even dessert. You’ll never want to go back to paying 9 euros for a weak Negroni and a bowl of nuts ever again. Keep your eye out for apericena written up on chalkboards outside bars.

Roman Trattoria Classics

Let’s face it. You’re going to be spoilt for choice when it comes to food. Even “average” pasta dishes in Rome are going to be above average compared to those back home. Most likely. 

 If you’re keen on sampling “authentic” food , the following dishes are specifically from the Rome area:

• Trippa al sugo – tripe (intestines) in tomato sauce. 
• Cacio e pepe – the classic cheese and black pepper sauce and pasta.
• Carbonara – egg yolks, pecorino cheese, and cured pork cheek. NO cream. Repeat: NO cream. When authentic carbonara is done right, it’s a delight- when it isn’t, your digestive tract will let you know sooner or later.
• Amatriciana – tomato-based sauce with cured pork cheek.

Need Something Green in the System?

Try cicoria. This is a classic side you will often see on the menus in this part of Italy,  and with so many carbs on the menu, I’d urge you to give it a try. It’s basically gently pan-fried greens, often seasoned with capers, olives, chilli, garlic, and olive oil. Tasty, if perhaps an acquired taste for some. Its Neapolitan cousin is called friarielli and has a slightly more bitter taste but packed with nutrients.

Tried and tested Alle Fratte di Trastevere is a family-run restaurant offering all the staples above at honest prices. It’s in Trastevere but on a quiet street away from all the hustle surrounding the basilica.

Carciofi Alla Romana / Alla Giudia – Artichokes Roman or Jewish Style

For this classic Roman starter dish, head to Via del Portico d’Ottavia. Take your pick from any of the restaurants on this street in the old Jewish quarter of Rome, still known as the “ghetto”. Artichokes alla giudia (Jewish style) are deep fried, whereas alla romana (Roman style) are broiled and infused with a light herb stuffing of mint and parsley. It comes down to what you’re in the mood for. Paired with a chilled white wine, it’s a charming alternative to the standard apertivo when you want to take a break from Aperol and bar snacks.

Pizze, Panini, Fritti – Pizza, Sandwiches and Fried Appetisers

Whoever said that the Mediterranean is home to the healthiest cuisine in the world clearly did not have Italy in mind. Fresh fruit, vegetables, and fish are all here and readily available, but there is a love affair with carbs and fried goodies like you would not believe. 

You Simply can’t Leave Rome without Trying:

• S upplì al telefono – deep fried rice balls with mozzarella. Kind of like Roman arancini. Supplì are ‘ al telefono’ because when you pull one apart with your fingers, the melted mozzarella string that joins the two pieces looks like an old phone wire (use your imagination here). “ Pronto ?”. (Pronounced soo- PLEE).
• Pizza bianca e mortadella – mortadella sandwich made with pizza bread. Salty, slightly oily, so filling. Just the ticket when you’ve been walking all day.
• Porchetta – roast pork belly and rosemary. Extremely tasty roast pork sandwiches.
• Baccalà – deep fried cod fillets. Fish and chips – without the chips. 
• Olive ascolane – queen olives coated in breadcrumbs and stuffed with meat and then, you guessed it, deep fried. 

Any good forno (bakery) worth its salt will have these things along with freshly baked pizza by the slice, but when you’re in the centro , it’s hard to see the wood for the trees (or the pizza in this case). 

A Couple of Pointers:

Tourists are a bit wise to this spot now, but with good reason. Between Via Vittorio Emanuele and Campo de Fiori, you’ll find Il Fornaio on Via Dei Baullari. Their pizza bianca and mortadella sandwiches are just what the doctor ordered, along with a range of tasty baked goods.

Alternatively, for supplì and pizza by the slice, the pizzeria chain Alice is surprisingly decent. You’ll see them dotted all over town, and they are inexpensive lifesavers. 

Roscioli on Via dei Chiavari 34 has become something of a mini-empire now, with a cafe and wine shop opening up in recent years. In addition to this, their original forno . Expect long lines outside. However, everything that comes out of those ovens is a cholesterol-inducing euphoric treat. I still think about their potato and porchetta pizza when I want to go to my happy place.

For alternatively presented fritti off the beaten track, head to Via del Pigneto to a place called Mozzichi. They win massive points for originality- deep-fried, Magnum ice cream-shaped carbonara pasta on a stick called Mangium is one to try. 

Finally, if you prefer a dine-in experience, head to Pizzeria Ai Marmi on Viale di Trastevere 53 for traditional pizza and Roman fried delights. Famed for their baccala and supplì in particular, you’ll also find a wide selection of thin-crust pizza. 

Something Sweet

If you’re in an especially gluttonous mood, get your chops around a maritozzo . It’s like an eclair on steroids. They are sweet brioche-style buns filled to capacity with whipped cream and finished off with powdered sugar.

Language Tips and Customer Service Tricks

Language. parla inglese.

The more touristy the area, the more likely they will have a pretty good handle on English – the basics to serve you, at least. 

That said, a friendly buongiorno or buonasera (from around 3 pm onwards) is always welcome. Come sta (formal) or a quick tutto bene? (how are you, everything ok?) will always go down well. 

Asking if they speak English, parla inglese? (formal) even if you’re 99 percent sure they do, is polite and shows them you are making an effort to speak their language. They will love you for it. 

And on that note…

Allora ….. Italian is not the same as Spanish. (Just sometimes, ok?)

Please don’t assume your well-intentioned highschool Spanish is going to work by just making it sound a little bit Italian. Servers will never say anything, but they secretly hate it when you speak Spanish, like you’re assuming it’s basically the same. They will smile at you and go along with it but then curse your family once your back is turned. 

So here are a few clangers I’ve overheard in my time:

• Beer is birra (not cerveza )
• Cheese is formaggio (not queso )
• The check is il conto (not la cuenta )
• Please is per favore (not por favor )

Customer Service

Customer service takes on a different meaning in Italy. It’s more, “Do I like the look of this guy?” kind of service. 

Just because you’re the customer and are willing to part with your cash won’t necessarily mean they will bend over backward to do what you want. If you make a good impression, they will often go above and beyond. 

If you come off rude ( antipatico ), the attitude transmitted will be very much ‘you can take your money elsewhere, I don’t care’ ( Che me ne frega ). 

Remember you’re dealing with a dichotomy between “ mi sta simpatico ” = I like you and “ mi sta antipatico ” = I don’t like you.

If you are simpatico to the person serving you, you will get great service. It stands to reason. Come off, antipatico …not so much. Professionalism doesn’t always come into it. Often, it’s very emotionally driven. 

When you come from the Anglosphere or a lot of Asian countries where the “customer is God”, this can come as a shock to the system.

Tips are welcomed, of course, but also not mandatory, so tip what you think is fair for the service received. 

Final Word about Refund Policies

Full refunds for unsatisfactory service or products are hard to come by in Italy. If you complain, then you’re being antipatico , and the whole concept of “customer rights” is kind of vague and not taken too seriously. 

The appropriate cultural response instead is to bring your hands into prayer mode, and while moving them towards you and away from you repeatedly, utter the words c he devi fare?  

“What are you gonna do?”

Shrug it off and get a gelato . Live and let live. You’re on vacation, after all.

Rome for beginners: complete Rome guide for first time visitors

Expert first timers’ guide to the Eternal City: what to do, what not to do and the all the Rome tips and tricks you need for a safe first time in Rome. Updated November 2021 .

Rome makes a strong impression on the first time visitor.

Its beauty, personality and chaos envelop you the moment you step out onto its busy streets and, for many, it is love at first sight.

For others, however, Rome’s overwhelming personality feels more like a slap in the face and no matter what tricks the city ends up pulling, many leave feeling Rome is just not for them.

This happens for many reasons. Rome can indeed be an infuriating overly chaotic place, however I believe it has much to do with expectations and planning.

In this first timers guide to Rome, I share my best advice for a first visit to Rome.

I believe these tips will help you know what to expect, plan your time at best and make you skip some of the traps that make some visitors leave disappointed.

Ready for my Rome’s tips and tricks? Let’s go!

First things first! Double check on official sources the travel rules and restrictions that may affect your trip. Find all info on our guide >>> Can I travel to Rome right now ?

Please note: this post contains affiliate links and, should you make a purchase through them, we might make a small commission.

Table of Contents

Rome tips and tricks for first time visitors

Visiting Rome for the first time? Bookmark or pin this guide for easy access!

Pick the right season

Rome can be visited all year round but there is no doubt that some seasons are better than others.

The best time of all to visit Rome for the first time are the spring (with the exception of the Easter weeks) and fall, especially May and October .

At these times, the weather is pleasant, dry and the city sparkles under bright skies, dressed up in blossoms (March to May) or autumnal foliage.

The worst time of all to visit Rome is the summer. July and August are hot and sticky, mosquitoes reign supreme and locals are scarce: at this time, Romans escape to their air-conditioned offices or the coast and the city is full of tourists.

This is a truly unpleasant time to visit the city and is responsible for so many bad reviews of the city from the unlucky ones who get caught in the city’s relentless sun.

Winter in Rome is hit and miss. The weather is usually dry but chilly and the biggest issue you will find are the short days: many attractions close early in winter so make sure you check beforehand if you are planning to cram a lot into each day.

Decide how many days to stay

Deciding how many days to spend in Rome depends on your interests and expectations.

If you are interested in seeing Rome’s main sights only, you will be able to cover a lot of grounds even just with two days in the city.

If you want to see museums and go for a bit of shopping in town, you need a minimum of four days.

To help you narrow down how many days you may need to see Rome, I wrote detailed itineraries for 1 to 5 days in Rome. You can find here >>> my guide to deciding how many days are enough to see Rome .

Decide where to stay:

Find accommodation in the city center

The most beautiful part of Rome is its historical center and there is no better place to stay in Rome to enjoy it that with a hotel or apartment right in the center of the action.

Staying here you may have to put up with slightly higher prices but you will be rewarded by easy access to all the major attractions in Rome , a plethora of restaurants and the chance of wandering around Romes’ dusty cobbled streets after the crowds of day trippers have left.

Best area to stay in Rome for first time visitors

You can find a full overview of Rome’s neighborhoods here but for your first visit, I recommend you choose.

Monti district

Old and hip, the Monti neighborhood is the best area to stay in Rome if you want to be walking distance form the main sites, have easy access to the train station and love alternative bars and vintage shopping.

Check our the Fifteen keys hotel for boutique accommodation in this area

At the very heart of Rome, this location is so central you will be able to walk everywhere. This is the part of Rome famous for cobbled streets and small restaurants and it is ideal for first time visitors both for charm and ease of access.

Check out Le Clarisse al Pantheon for a charming and reasonably priced option in the area or find our full guide to the best hotels near the Pantheon .

Piazza Navona

Rome’s most famous square is a wonderful backdrop for accommodation in Rome. This is a wonderful area to choose as your base for your first visit to Rome as it allows easy access to both the historical center and the Vatican as well as a vantage point to visit Trastevere.

Check out 5 star Raphael Hotel for something really special in this area or find our list of recommended hotels near Piazza Navona

The dress code is enforced in Rome basilicas too (San Giovanni, Santa Maria Maggiore) but is less strict in other churches however, always carry a large shawl with you should be in short sleeves and avoid shorts.

Please be advised: while a shawl around your shoulder will do, one around your waist to cover your legs won’t be deemed sufficient.

You can find my complete guide to dressing for the Vatican and Rome churches here.

Avoid public transport

Few experiences are more irritating in Rome than having to deal with the city’s public transport system.

While the network of buses, trams and metro is extensive (especially the first two), buses follow a schedule that is erratic at best and are often so crowded you will find hard to believe locals can put up with it at all.

Granted, this is not the experience on all buses and at all times but if you rely on bus journeys every day, this will impact on the quality of your stay significantly.

If you can, especially on your first visit, walk and only use the bus when absolutely necessary.

You can find our full guide to public transport in Rome here

Bring comfortable walking shoes

In Rome, you will find yourself walking a lot, part because of the lack of good transport and part for the pleasure of it.

This means that you absolutely must be equipped with a good pair of walking shoes, a pair that will protect your feet from the hard cobbles of the city and will give you enough support to clock in up to 25000 steps a day (this is what many people average sightseeing in Rome)

In case you have heard that in Rome you should not wear sneakers if you want to feel like a local, let me tell you: this is complete nonsense!

I see this piece of advice over and over again on internet and is simply nonsensical. Sneakers are the best type of shoes to wear in Rome and the only ones to avoid if you want to feel fashionable are actual runners (you know the ones: high soles, neon colors).

If you wear fashion sneakers like Adidas foam, Vans or New Balance style, you will fit in perfectly and save your feet from very sore days.

Of all the Rome tips and tricks I share on this page, this is the one I hope you will remember the most: put practicality above fashion! You can find my recommended walking shoes for Rome here.

Dress for churches

On the topic of look and gear, you may have heard that Rome enforces a dress code for churches in general and for the Vatican in particular.

This is correct and not abiding by this rule may cost you in terms of access to some of Rome’s most beautiful churches.

The Vatican is the place with stricter rules: here, you must avoid sleeveless tops, shorts (this is true for men and women) and skirts above the knee.

While flip flops are not officially banned, there are also frowned upon – in general, they are not considered proper footwear for the city, in Italy.

But do visit them

The idea of a dress code may put you off visiting churches, especially in the warmest months, but some really should not be missed.

San Luigi dei Francesi has a wonderful Caravaggio, Santa Prassede and Santa Maria in Trastevere have incredible mosaics and San Pietro in Vincoli has a Moses by Michelangelo, just to name a few – all worth a fashion compromise!

Have a crossbody bag

Rome is crowded and pick-pocketing misadventures are not unheard of. Opt for a cross-body bag for maximum security and never ever leave it unattended or hanging off the back of your chair at a restaurant.

Rome is not the jungle but unattended stuff gets snatched fast so a little extra caution goes a long way.

Without getting paranoid about pickpockets, this is probably the most important tip for first time visitors in terms of safety.

Always have ID on you

In Italy it is compulsory to have ID on you at all times so make sure you have some form of identification on you.

If you don’t want to carry your passport with you, make sure you have a driving license or some other form of photo ID handy in the (unlikely) event of an officer asking.

While you should avoid carrying large sums of cash, some cash on you is important to have, in Rome.

Credit and debit cards are usually accepted in restaurants and hotels but they are no good for small purchases: you cannot buy gelato with them nor pay for taxis so having some cash is paramount.

Opt for small notes as much as possible: paying a 5 euro purchase with a 50 Euro not will not make you any friends and shops may simply deny to serve you if they don’t have (or don’t want to use up) change

Don’t rely on wi-fi

Wi-fi is dreadful in Rome. When you open the ‘available networks’ screen you may be surprised to see many are free stay assured: the vast majority of them do not work!

Get a local sim card or make sure you have a good data plan on your won if you cont on using maps or any other wi-fi dependent app.

Learn a few words of Italian

You do not need to speak Italian to enjoy Rome but a few words go a long way.

‘Per favore’ (please) and ‘grazie’ (thank you) will be sufficient in most touristy places to be treated a little better – Romans are notoriously grumpy but making an effort with the language may even win you a smile.

You can find here >>> a great introduction to basic Italian phrases and expressions for travelers

Start with an itinerary

Rome has loads of attractions and having an itinerary to follow is invaluable to make sure you can hit all the sites you want to see in the time you have.

Depending on the time you have in Rome and your party, you can use these itiernaries as a base and costumise them to your own needs.

Rome in one day : a whistle stop DIY walking tour of Rome

Rome in 2 days : a slow-ish pace itinerary around Rome hitting some of the main museums and all the main sites

Rome in 3 days : a good itinerary to allow you to see Rome’s most important attractions, plus time to shop and relaz

Rome in 4 days : our recommended itinerary with main Rome attractions and hidden gems over 4 days

Rome in 5 days : a complete itinerary to cover Rome main sites and some hidden gems, for a longer stay in Rome

Rome in 5 days (for families) : a family friendly sample itinerary over 5 days to discover the city as a family appropriate pace and hitting main sites and child- centered attractions.

If you prefer to make your own instead, you can start from our planning guide here , explaining what attractions are close to one an other and can be visited on the same day

Then ditch it and get lost!

A little bit like rules, I believe the best approach to itineraries is: know it then break it.

Once you have your main outline of the day, I believe allowing yourself to get lost in Rome is one of the most rewarding things you can do in the city.

The best areas for a planned ‘getting lost’ experience are the streets around the Pantheon, the area of Piazza Navona and Trastevere.

Areas I recommend you do not get lost into are the streets around Termini station: while these are not dangerous as such, they are not the most pleasant area for a stroll and, in the evening, get on the uncomfortable side.

See the main sites

Many will tell you the best of Rome is found off the beaten track but seriously: only go off the beaten track after you have seen the main sites.

They are on the beaten track for a reason and it would be crazy not to see them just to be different from anyone else!

At the very minimum, I recommend you see the Colosseum , the Pantheon , the Campidoglio Hill and Piazza Navona , even just from the outside if you really cannot stand the crowds. See below my Rome first time must-see sites .

I feel that not seeing these sites would take away massively from your experience and will make you miss you an important part of Rome’s personality.

But book skip the line tickets

The best way to visit Romes’ main attraction (actually, the only way for a pleasant experience) is to book skip the line tickets and to do it well in advance.

This is crucial especially for two attractions that are otherwise almost inaccessible: the Colosseum and the Vatican Museums.

You can find my best tips on how to skip the line at the Colosseum here while for the Vatican, I recommend you book tickets online from the museums itself here or book a guide here .

Venture off the beaten path

After you have seen the main sites, do take the advice of those who tell you to get off the beaten path and venture to some of Romes’ residential neighborhoods to seek out Rome hidden gems.

Rome has a very different personality outside of the center and each area has a distinctive flavor.

Go to Ostiense or Tor Marancia if you love street art, head to the Coppede’ district for an art deco fix or venture out to Ostia Antica for a magical walk among Rome’s ancient port.

Seek birds eye views

Rome is built on 7 hills and this means that it has several viewpoints from where you can admire the city.

The best time for photos and romance is the early evening, when the sun sets setting the okra and red colors of Rome’s buildings catch on fire.

Some of the most scenic locations are the terrace of il Pincio ( Villa Borghese , above Piazza del Popolo), Campidoglio (amazing view over the forum) and Giardino degli Aranci (on the Aventino hill , view over the river and the city).

Get out early / stay out late

Rome gives its very best early in the morning and late in the evening, when the crowds disappear and the silence falls on the city.

You don’t have to be out stupidly early or late to enjoy (I am not advocating a 6 am wake up call on your vacation!) but if you can be in the city center before 9 am, you will see the city at its most beautiful.

You can find here some of my favorite things to do in Rome at night .

Make the most of your hotel breakfast

Rome has amazing food but one meal it doesn’t do particularly well is breakfast .

Sure, you can get your fix of coffee and cornetto (Italian croissant) pretty much anywhere in the city but this is a treat more than a proper meal: if you are hoping for yogurt, cereals or a cooked breakfast, don’t venture out but rather, have it at your hotel or your will easily find yourself going hungry.

Have coffee at the bar

While not great if you are after a full breakfast, Rome bars are excellent for a coffee fix and the way to go about it is to do what locals do: order it at the bar.

Cafes often have small tables to sit down but there is a good reason locals avoid them: a sit down coffee costs easily 3 times as much as one sipped at the bar (find more tips for visiting Rome on a budget here )!

When ordering, make sure you stop at the till first to pay and get your receipt, then head to the bar and had the receipt while placing your order (many add a 20c coin to make the service faster but it is not compulsory. I never do it).

Ask for ‘Un caffe’ per favore’ if you want espresso or ‘un cappuccino per favore’ for a traditional cappuccino.

Don’t believe in those who tell you you should not order it after 11, this is another nonsensical myth. The only no-no for cappuccino is ordering it as a drink during a meal, the rest is totally up to you!

If you love coffee, don’t miss my list of the best coffee experience in Rome.

Taste Roman food

In Rome, you find all the usual staples of Italian food but if you want a very special food experience you must try the foods that are specific to the Rome tradition.

Some of the most noticeable are:

Pasta to try in Rome

Make sure you taste real carbonara (we Romans are evangelical about it and you will quickly understand why once you taste it), pasta alla gricia and the famous cacio and pepe for a burst of taste

Rome meat dishes

Try earthy abbacchio scottadito (lamb), light straccetti (veal, served with rocket salad and fresh cherry tomatoes), saltimbocca (veal, prosciutto and sage).

If you feel adventurous, also try coda alla vaccinara (ox tail) and trippa!

Vegetarian dishes in Rome

Rome cuisine is not known for its vegetarian options but two side dishes are so famous and unique they make up for all the rest: carciofi all giudia ( jewish style fried artichokes ), carciofi alla Romana ( Roman style artichokes ), and puntarelle alla romana (chicory heads, spring only)

Rome desserts

Rome’s mos famous sweet treat is il maritozzo, a special type of bread/brioche filled with cream

Fried Rome treats

As a starter before your pizza or as a bite during the day, don’t leave without trying Rome’s suppli’ (fried rice balls with a melting core of mozzaella), baccala (fried cod, the roman version of fish and chips, without chips) and fiori di zucca ( fried battered zucchini flowers ).

One of the two capitals of pizza in Italy (the other being Naples) Roma has amazing, thin pizza.

Order the traditional full ones for dinner and, for lunch, have a piece of what Romans call ‘pizza al taglio’ instead.

It comes in many styles and it’s one of the most budget friendly meals you can find in the city. Click to find our guide to the best pizza in Rome

Order vino della casa

The best thing to wash down a true Roman meal is with a glass of wine. In traditional establishments, order ‘vino della casa’ (house wine) for a budget friendly yet tasty option.

Have a drink in an enoteca

If you love fancier wine or cozy interiors with good wines and earthy meals, don’t miss having dinner in one of Rome’s wine bars (enoteche).

These are small, cozy places that pack a punch in terms of charm and taste: my favorite is probably Cul de sac, near Piazza Navona but the city teems with them.

These are a very popular option among locals and among the best places to have a somewhat authentic Rome experience.

Eat only gelato artigianale

The only thing more commong in Rome than pizza places are gelato places but don’t just venture into any: make sure the gelato you order is the real thing, the one we call ‘gelato artigianale’.

Gelato artigianale is tasty, not too fatty and less sugary than industrial style ice cream and a real delight. if you don’t want to run any risks in terms of taste, you can do to one of my favorite gelato places in this list .

Know where to shop

Rome is a wonderful destination for shopping but you need to know where to go not to find yourself out of pocket.

If budget is not an issue, the place for you is Via Condotti: elegant and stunning, this is the road with all the designer boutiques and ateliers. If you are looking for your Gucci or Prada fix, this is the place to be.

More affordable options can be found on nearby Via del Corso or, even better, in Via Cola die Rienzo, in Prati, where you will find a mix of high street brands and independent shops

For vintage, head to Monti and in particular to its market (help every weekend) which is fun and often has great finds.

Take a break in the park

Rome has some amazing parks .

Many are private estates of aristocratic Rome families now turned public parks and this means they have beautiful landscaping and sometimes gorgeous architecture.

The most famous of all is probably Villa Borghese, right in the center, but others are worth seeking out too. Villa Doria Pamphili in particular is a treat as it offers stunning views over St Peter’s dome.

Top things to do in Rome on your first visit: Rome first time must do

As I mentioned above, going to Rome for the first time and not seeing the main sites would be madness, so here are my top 10 things to see in Rome in your first visit

Visit the Colosseum

A wonderful first stop in any Rome itinerary, the Colosseum is impressive, beautiful and unique. If you can, take a visit inside and opt for a tour that includes the arena, the underground area and the top tier.

There are several you can choose from but you don’t need to break the bank for a good one. You can find my selection of best Colosseum tours and tips to skip the line here .

Stroll around the Roman Forum and Palatine hill

Beside the Colosseum and usually included in the Colosseum ticket, the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill are the areas where ancient Rome developed, from its very foundation to the empire years.

This area is poorly served in terms of information panels but it wonderful and scenic. Even just for the view and visual impact head to the top of the Palatine and the Emperors’ palace: one of the most beautiful spots in the whole of Rome, ancient or modern!

Climb up Campidoglio

Ancient Rome meets the Italian Renaissance in this incredible corner of Rome: Piazza del Campidoglio.

Take the steps up to see Michelangelo’ masterpiece (the square itself) and then walk to the back of the main palazzo for unrivaled views over the forum.

Find our guide to the Capitoline hill here .

Rome first time must do for couples: the Spanish steps

They don’t need any introduction and are one of the easiest and more rewarding free things to see in Rome.

Catch the Spanish Steps in the evening if you can for beautiful views over the sparkling city. If you are looking for romance, it doesn’t get much better than this….

Throw a coin in the Trevi fountain

Can I be honest? I don’t think I am the only Roman who does not love Fontana di Trevi but I do understand is a must see and I recommend to go see if on your first visit to Rome.

Why I don’t love it? Because the area is so crowded you can hardly see the fountain itself and there is zero atmosphere not just on the square but on the surrounding streets.

With one exception: the evening. Head here after the crowds have left and you will quickly see why despite not loving it, I simply had to add it to this list. Find our guide to visiting the Trevi Fountain here.

Look at the sky from inside Pantheon

Two things stand out about the Pantheon : its stunning facade, gracing one of Rome’s most beautiful squares and the hole in its roof.

The Pantheon is one of the most beautiful attractions in the whole of Rome and its square a must see. You will find yourself passing by it often, pretty much no matter what itinerary you follow and, if you don’t find excessive lines, do go it and join the crowds who wonder: what happens when it rains)

Visit Piazza Navona and Campo de’ fiori

At the two sides of Corso Vittorio lie two of Rome’s most beautiful squares: grand Piazza Navona and dusty Campo de’ fiori. Visit both one after the other for a taste of how varied Rome can be even in small areas

Cross the border into St Peter’s Square

Technically a different country but in practice a square in Rome, Piazza San Pietro is stunning and should not be missed.

The square is part of the Vatican state but there is no border crossing or check as such and the only access difficulties you may find are the excessive crowds. You can read more about the Vatican here .

The square is free to visit and so is the main floor of the basilica both very worth a visit during your first time in Rome.

You can find here my tips for visiting St Peter Basilica , the Vatican Gardens and Vatican City and Museums or my complete guide to planning a visit to Vatican City here .

First time in Rome must do for foodies: take a stroll in Trastevere

I can think of several areas to recommend for an evening stroll but during your first time visiting in Rome I reckon the best one to start with is Trastevere .

Located on the opposite side of the river from the main historical sites, Trastevere is atmospheric and has a dynamic nightlife: head here fro a late afternoon stroll and pizza: it is known for having some of the best pizzerie in the whole of Rome.

See also >>> my guide to Rome for foodies, full of food finds!

First time in Rome must do for families:Villa Borghese

As a proud Rome mama of 2 I could not close this list without a mention of the best things do to in Rome with kids.

Rome is stunning for families and there is so much to see and do here I have a full list of over 50 things to do in Rome with kids – I recommend you have a look to pick those that attract your kids the most!

As well as many of the must see sites also on this list, make sure you seek out Villa Borghese .

This is one of the most beautiful parks in Rome and has lovely playgrounds as well as the zoo and a small pond with rowing boats and turtles. Not to be missed on your first family visit to Rome!

I hope you enjoyed this first timer’s guide to Rome and helped answer the question: what Rome tips and trick should I know to visit the Eternal City?

My name is Marta, I am a travel-loving mama born and bred in that messy, wonderful, infuriating, awe-inspiring unbelievably beautiful city that is Rome. A classics graduate and professional travel blogger, on this site I share my insider tips to help you plan your dream trip to Rome, Italy.

5 days in Rome with kids: Rome itinerary for families

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How To Plan A Trip To Rome, 23 Rome Planning Tips

So you’re planning a trip to Rome? Get ready to make the most of it with these practical and organizational tips!

Rome is a city teeming with amazing attractions and activities. Honestly, it can seem overwhelming. But, with some proper planning, you can conquer it all.

However, a word of caution. Trying to wing it in Rome may lead to frustration and missed opportunities.

To ensure a smooth and fulfilling trip, you’ll need to decide what to see, craft a well-structured itinerary, and pre-purchase tickets for popular attractions. With a solid roadmap in hand, you can make the most of your time and have an efficient visit to Rome.

How To Plan A Trip To Rome, 20+ Tips

Here are my top tips for planning a trip to Rome.

1. When To Start Planning Your Trip To Rome

If you’re visiting in high season or shoulder season, you’ll want to start planning your trip 3-6 months in advance, to ensure you score the requisite tickets, plane flights, hotels, etc.

If you’re aiming to visit during the peak tourist season, which is the summer months, it’s best to start planning and booking at least 6 months in advance. This is especially important for securing accommodations in popular areas and getting tickets to major attractions like the Vatican Museums and Colosseum.

It’s possible to plan something relatively last minute, but only if you’re going in the winter months.

2. How Long To Stay In Rome

The first step is to decide how much time you have for vacation and how much time you want to dedicate to Rome.

It’s my view that you should plan to spend at least 3 days in Rome. 5 days would be better. But you may want to reserve time for day trips or another area of Italy.

The less time you have in Rome, the more organized you have to be. For more tips on this subject, check out my blog post on how many days to spend in Rome , with sample itineraries.

3. Decide When To Visit Rome

Now, let’s consider the best time to visit Rome. I’ve experienced the city in all seasons. Each has its own advantages and drawbacks.

Avoid going in the summer. It can be scorching hot and incredibly crowded, especially with many American tourists. My last visit in summer made me not want to return.

For the most enjoyable experience, I recommend visiting during the shoulder seasons, either in the spring or fall. During these times, Rome is simply stunning. The weather is generally pleasant, and the tourist crowds tend to lessen (although not in September!).

A winter visit is completely doable. In my recent visit to Rome in February, I found the weather to be relatively mild, despite occasional chills.

I was lucky to have several sunny days. And even if it rained, there were plenty of indoor attractions and museums to explore.

4. Do Some Research

After you’ve decided how many days you have in Rome, do some research. Listen to podcasts, collect information, and read guide books. This will help you plan your trip to Rome.

Virtual tours or videos are a great way to help you decide what to see. I’ve learned a lot from Smarthistory and from Darius Arya .

It’s also a good idea to learn a few phrases in Italian. Many Romans, especially in the touristic areas, know English.

Still, they are polite and will appreciate the formalities being observed. Learn how to say:

• Please  — Porta favore
• Thank you  — Grazie
• One espresso  — un (OON) espresso
• Hi/bye  (informal) — Ciao
• Good Morning  — Buongiorno
• Good evening  — Buon sera

You can always practice Italian and your pronunciation on Duolingo.

5. Decide What Attractions You Want To See

When you’ve finished your research, it’s time to make a list of the things you want to see and do in Rome. Consult with your travel partners and draw it up.

To help you decide, I’ve written guides to many of the top attractions in Rome that you can consult:

• Best museums in Rome
• Archaeological sites in Rome
• Guide to the Borghese Gallery
• Rome’s palace museums
• Guide to the Capitoline Museums
• Guide to Palatine Hill
• Guide to the Roman Forum
• Guide to the Colosseum
• Guide to the Pantheon
• Guide to Piazza Navona

If you’re a foodie, you may want to take it one step further and decide what restaurants to go to. For many places (and certainly any place popular), you’ll need to make advance reservations.

6. Beware Of Tourist Traps

For a city of its size, Rome doesn’t have many tourist traps. Everything is the real McCoy.

Still, there are a few attractions that have hordes of people, pickpockets, scams, and vendors pestering you to buy tacky trinkets. So, if you are visiting places like the Spanish Steps or the Trevi Fountain, be vigilant.

7. Decide Where To Stay In Rome

When you’ve finished making your list of attractions, the next step to planning a trip to Rome is to decide where to stay. This will depend partly on your budget. It may be driven by what you’ve decided to see.

If you only have a few days, you may want to base yourself somewhere central, perhaps near the Colosseum or Pantheon. If you want the intimacy of a neighborhood and don’t mind walking, consider staying in Trastevere or Monti.

There are so very many hotels in Rome to choose from. Here are a few of my personal favorites:

• H o t el  Maalat (near the Pantheon)
• De co  Roma (near the Trevi Fountain)
• Hotel H a s sler Roma (near the Spanish Steps)
• Pa lazzo Man fredi (near the Colosseum)

I would physically write down the name and address of your accommodation on paper and keep it with you just in case your phone dies.

8. Find Out What’s Open And When To Visit

A key part of planning a trip to Rome is knowing when X attraction is open. In Rome, most historic attractions are open on Monday. But the museums are not.

Check the opening hours. They may very greatly.

Some attractions and museums are open late one night a week. You could always use that opportunity to squeeze in another site if you’re determined to maximize your sightseeing time.

There may also be a best time to visit X attraction. If you’re an early bird, you can arrive before opening time and queue up, though I don’t advise this at the Vatican Museums. You can also buy timed entry tickets (more on that below).

Opening hours may also vary by season, with longer hours in the summer and shorter hours in the winter. Many places are closed on Sundays.

9. Decide On Transportation

How will you get around Rome?

Walking is hands down the easiest and most affordable way to get around Rome.

It also offers the best opportunity to truly immerse yourself in the city, discover charming cafes, and stumble upon some Rome hidden gems . If you’re a fan of walking, you could easily cover 10 miles a day.

Taxis are available in Rome, although sometimes they can be a bit tricky to catch. Most taxis accept credit cards, but some might prefer cash.

A taxi is available when the glowing green light on top is on. If the light is off, the taxi is taken.

For a convenient sightseeing experience, you can opt for the hop-on-hop-off bus . Just make sure to check its designated stops and routes.

Feeling adventurous? Consider renting a Vespa or an electric scooter to zip around Rome. You can also take a golf cart tour or bike tour .

Scooters and bikes are incredibly popular and allow you to navigate the city quickly. Keep in mind there are designated lanes, and the minimum age for riding a scooter is 14.

Another option is the metro, although it’s relatively limited with only three lines. Tickets can be easily purchased at the metro stations.

>>> Click here to book a guided vespa tour

10. Plan How To Get From The Airport To Your Accommodation

You’ll likely arrive in Leonardo da Vinci-Fuimicino Airport.

You can take a taxi stand to your accommodation. But I don’t really recommend it. They may drive to rip you off. And the lines for taxis can be epically long.

The cost of a taxi ride to the city center is generally about 50 euros and takes approximately 45 minutes. But this varies a lot, depending on whether you get snagged in traffic.

To avoid a wait for a taxi and if you have a lot of baggage, you may want to book a  private transfer  to take you door to door to your hotel or Air Bnb. It’s only slightly more expensive than a taxi and well worth it.

You can also take Uber, but it isn’t really any cheaper than a taxi.

11. Plan Daily Itineraries

Once you’ve got the basics sorted, it’s time to create your daily itineraries to make the most of your time in Rome.

This step is crucial when planning a trip to Rome. If you’re a bit of a type A like me, consider making a spreadsheet with opening hours and all the details.

Sure, it might seem like overkill to some, but Rome is a city that rewards good planning. Your itinerary doesn’t have to be super strict. It’s more of a rough guide, not an hour-by-hour masterpiece.

For a typical day, aim to have one activity in the morning and another in the afternoon (though you might squeeze in two if they’re smaller sites). Keep in mind that getting around Rome takes some time, especially if you’re heading to Vatican City.

To save time, organize each half-day by geography. Grab a map of the city to help you with this part.

Choose sites that are close to each other and explore adjacent neighborhoods on the same day. This will minimize walking or transportation time. Make sure to map out how long it takes to walk or use public transport between each spot.

For example, you could divide your days into: (1) imperial ruins; (2) central Rome; (3) Vatican City; (4) Monti and the Spanish Steps.

You won’t want to do the Vatican and the Colosseum on the same day, unless you’re pressed for time or very ambitious. They’re rather far apart and you may get attraction fatigue.

You should also figure out each evening, how long it takes to get to your destination from your accommodation and how you will get there the next day. You can also plan a self guided walking with your map and list of attractions.

To help you plan your own itinerary, you can check out my sample 1 day in Rome itineraries , 3 days in Rome itinerary , and 5 days in Rome itinerary .

12. Skip The Line Tickets For Top Attractions

My #1 tip for planning a trip to Rome is to book skip the line tickets well in advance. Many of them are timed entry, i.e. , you enter at a specific time at the top or bottom of the hour.

Nothing will improve the quality of your trip more than doing this simple thing. The further ahead you book them, the more choice of available time slots you’ll have.

The last thing you want to do with your precious time in Rome is wait in line. And you will.

I see people do it on every visit, much to my astonishment. At popular attractions, you will wait even in winter. In summer, oh la la …

Here are the tickets you must book in advance:

• Ticket for the Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill
• Tour of the underground Colosseum
• Borghese Gallery ticket
• Skip the line Vatican ticket
• 3 hour Vatican tour
• Pantheon ticket

At these attractions and museums, there are usually two lines, one for people with tickets and one for people without tickets.

Be sure you get in the right line. The lines for people with tickets may also be broken down by the specific time on your ticket.

If you are going to the Vatican Museums, you should also plan your visit there. The Vatican is the one of the world’s largest and most popular museum. There are miles of art and you can’t see it all in one visit.

You may want to book a Vatican highlights tour . Or select certain wings of the museum to visit, depending on your taste in art.

For example, I love the Vatican Pinacoteca and the Raphael Rooms . But they aren’t on most guided tours.

Another tip I often see is to go to the Vatican first thing in the morning. I think that’s wrong.

That’s when it’s most crowded. Mid afternoon is a better bet. Another way to beat the crowds is to book an early bird tour or a night tour . (These will sell out too.)

For more tips and to help you choose what to see, check out my complete guide to the Vatican Museums .

St. Peter’s Basilica is free to visit, but there are long security lines. If you want to visit, I would line up well before opening or plan to visit shortly before it closes at 7:00 pm.

You can pick up an audio guide at the entrance. You can also book a guided skip the line tour that includes a dome climb .

As of July 2023, the Pantheon is no longer free to visit. There are now long queues. So you should book a fast track ticket on Get Your Guide or Tiqets .

13. Rome City Cards

To save time and money, you can check out the various Rome city cards. The  Rome Tourist Card gives you entry to the main attractions and a 10% discount on others.

The  Roma Pass gives you full access to public transportation, admission to two museums, and discounts on performance and exhibition tickets.

Alternatively, try the more comprehensive  Omnia Rome and Vatican Card . It consists of the Roma Pass and an Omnia Card for the Vatican.

14. Special Art Exhibitions

Rome is an incredible art city. If you’ve been to the museums or want to do something special, check into the special exhibitions on offer for when you plan to visit.

There is always something special at the Palazzo Bonaparte, a museum that only hosts exhibitions. There are also often exhibitions at the Baths of Caracalla, Domus Aurea, and the underground Colosseum.

And Rome isn’t just about its ancient art collections . Rome has an avid modern contemporary art scene. The city’s modern art museum is MAXXI, and you’ll want to check what’s on there.

15. Build In Breaks

Visiting Rome can be quite overwhelming, especially if you’re trying to see everything in a short amount of time. To make the most of your trip and avoid exhaustion, be sure to include some breaks and downtime in your itinerary.

Take a leisurely stroll through the picturesque Villa Borghese gardens or treat yourself to a refreshing aperitivo .

For a rejuvenating break, plan a leisurely lunch between your morning and afternoon sightseeing. It’s a chance to catch your breath and savor some delicious Italian cuisine. Additionally, taking a break in the late afternoon before heading out for dinner or a nighttime tour can help you recharge.

Keep in mind that in Italy, dining is a social experience, so don’t rush through your meal. Embrace the leisurely pace, and don’t be surprised by limited menu changes or the absence of doggie bags.

16. Plan An Easy First Day

It’s highly likely that you’ll arrive in Rome in the morning and possibly be dealing with jet lag (especially if you’re coming from a different time zone). So, it’s best not to overplan or book timed entry tickets for your first day.

Plus, unexpected situations can arise, like flight delays or lost luggage, which could disrupt your initial plans.

On day 1, it’s also wise to avoid major attractions like the Vatican Museums. The exhaustion from travel might make it hard to fully appreciate such iconic sites.

Instead, take it easy and use this day to stroll around your neighborhood, familiarize yourself with the surroundings, or visit a nearby point of interest. Give yourself time to adjust and save the major sightseeing for when you’re more refreshed.

17. Have Backup Plans

It’s also good to have back up plans. There could be an unexpected closing. Or, without a spread sheet, you may forget what day a given attraction or museum is open.

Recently, I had a food tour abruptly cancelled an hour before due to an emergency. I picked a different neighborhood to explore instead.

18. What To Pack For Rome

Rome has a chic vibe, but it’s become less formal over the years. When dressing for your visit, avoid baggy pants, sweatpants, or yoga pants.

Aim for a stylish blouse or top paired with nice slacks and comfortable walking shoes. Nowadays, good looking tennis shoes and jeans are commonplace. And you don’t need to worry about fancy attire.

Comfortable shoes are an absolute must. Leave your heels or fancy Italian boots at home. You’ll be walking on cobblestones frequently.

Remember, your clothing choices will vary depending on the season. In the summer, pack light and breezy clothes like flowy dresses. Don’t worry about Romans not wearing shorts – you can go ahead and wear them if you like.

In winter, layer up and bring warm essentials like a coat, scarf, gloves, hat, and umbrella. I learned the hard way on my last trip when I forgot a scarf and ended up feeling chilly. So, come prepared to stay cozy and stylish regardless of the season.

Be aware of the correct attire for churches. You can wear shorts into churches. But you’ll need to have your shoulders and knees covered to visit St. Peter’s Basilica. For women, it may be easier just to wear a short sleeved dress.

19. Items To Bring To Rome

When you’re packing for Rome, make a checklist. Here are the must have items you’ll need:

• flight and accommodation information
• copies of your passport and driver’s license
• travel adaptors with correct voltage
• multiple charging cords
• portable charger (I like the iwalk for iphones)
• copies of passes or tickets you’ve purchased (or download apps)
• copy of travel insurance
• Streetwise map of Rome
• small anti-theft PacSafe backpack
• credit and debit cards (call your bank to validate to use in Rome beforehand)
• name & address tag inside your luggage
• extra set of clothes in your carry on

20. Shopping In Rome

Rome offers a diverse array of shopping options, from world renowned fashion houses and luxury boutiques to charming local shops and artisanal markets.

Here are some of the streets you will want to check out:

Via del Corso : One of the main shopping streets in Rome, Via del Corso stretches from Piazza Venezia to Piazza del Popolo. It offers a mix of high-end boutiques, popular fashion brands, and department stores.

Via Condotti : Located near the Spanish Steps, Via Condotti is Rome’s most exclusive shopping street. Here, you’ll find luxurious fashion houses like Gucci, Prada, Fendi, and Bulgari.

Via Borgognona : Parallel to Via Condotti, Via Borgognona is another elegant street with high end boutiques and chic designer stores.

Via del Babuino : Connecting Piazza di Spagna to Piazza del Popolo, Via del Babuino is home to antique shops, art galleries, and luxury boutiques.

Via Cola di Rienzo : This bustling shopping street in the Prati district offers a mix of fashion boutiques, local shops, and department stores.

Via Veneto : Famous for its association with the film “La Dolce Vita,” Via Veneto has upscale shops, hotels, and restaurants.

>>> Click here to book a custom shopping tour

21. Plan What To Do With Your Bags

What if you arrive in Rome and can’t check in? This is actually quite common. If you’re staying at a hotel, don’t worry too much as they usually allow you to store your bags until the official check-in time, usually at 2:00 pm.

However, if you’ve booked an Airbnb, it can be a bit trickier as many have a later check-in time, often at 4:00 pm. In some cases, if the place is vacant from the previous night, the host may be kind enough to let you drop off your bags or even offer an early check-in.

But what if someone else is staying the night before and you have no access until the official check-in time?

The solution? Nanny Bags . This an excellent baggage storage resource. Another good options is Bounce .

You go to their website online and plug in your accommodation address. Typically, there are places very close by. You drop off your bags and pick them up at a designated time.

But like everything else, you need to pre-book luggage storage in advance of your visit. They don’t take walk up requests for storage.

22. Planning Meals In Rome

If you’re a foodie, you will also need to do some foodie planning for your trip to Rome. I mentioned above that you will need to make reservations. If it’s a Michelin restaurant you have your sights on, you may need to do this months in advance.

Do you like food tours? I know I do and they are one of the best ways to get some fantastic food and immerse yourself in Italian culture.

These tours also need to be booked well in advance and inserted into your daily itinerary. Here are some that I’ve taken and recommend:

• street food tour
• Trastevere food tour
• Monti food tour
• Prati food tour
• Tesaccio food tour

If you are winging it on your own, follow the locals to a good spot or ask your hotel for a recommendation. Avoid restaurants that have plastic menus with pictures.

Some Rome food specialties include pasta carbonara, Cacio e Pepe, artichokes, Saltimbocca alla Romana, and Supplì (fried rice balls with ragu).

Planning to do some cooking at your Air Bnb? Here are some grocery tips for planning your trip to Paris.

In Rome, grocery stores are commonly known as “supermercati” or “supermercati alimentari.” You can find them scattered throughout the city, particularly in residential neighborhoods and near popular tourist areas. Some well-known supermarket chains in Rome include Coop, Carrefour, Conad, and Simply.

You may want to bring a foldable recyclable bag. Otherwise, the grocery will charge you (not much) for a plastic bag to put your groceries in. You’ll also have to bag your own groceries at the store.

You can also pick up goodies at patisseries. They offer a delightful array of sweet treats and baked goods. You can find traditional Italian delicacies like cannoli, sfogliatelle, and tiramisu, as well as a variety of fresh bread and sandwiches.

Or shop for goodies at Campo dei Fiori.

23. Book Travel Insurance

Last but not least, it’s a good idea to get travel insurance from an outfit like Travel Guard Plus or Safetywing.

You never know what will happen. You could get sick, get Covid, or break a foot. If any of these disasters come to pass, you can cancel your trip and may get most or all of your money back.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my tips on how to plan a trip to Rome. You may enjoy these other Italy guides and travel resources:

• Historic Landmarks in Italy
• Most Beautiful Towns in Italy
• 101+ Epic Experiences To Have in Italy
• 10 Day Itinerary for Italy
• 10 Day Itinerary for Tuscany
• 12 ways to spend 1 week in Italy
• 5 ways to spend 1 week in Sicily
• One Week Amalfi Coast Itinerary
• One Week in Puglia Itinerary
• 3 Day Itinerary for Florence
• 2 Day Itinerary for Venice
• 24 Hours in Milan
• 24 Hours in Siena

If you are need tips for planning a trip to Rome, pin it for later.

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Last Updated on September 27, 2023 by Leslie Livingston

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4 Days in Rome: How to Plan an Amazing Rome Itinerary

Wondering exactly how to spend 4 days in Rome? Or maybe you have more or less time and you’re trying to figure out how to plan an unforgettable Rome itinerary. Either way, you’re in the right place. We have each been to Rome multiple times – including a full ten days in 2021 – and have put all of our tips, tricks, and discoveries into this guide to help you plan an amazing trip, especially if it’s your first time. 

We recently spent three months in Europe – the longest trip we can take on a tourist visa as Americans – and were astounded how often we heard about the Romans as we traveled around Spain and Portugal (not to mention Italy).

Everywhere we went, we found remnants of Ancient Rome, from temples to excavated ruins and city walls. In fact, many Spanish cities like Barcelona were founded by the Romans, though they obviously look very, very different today.

One of the things I find most interesting about Rome is the contrast between the elements of Ancient Roman history, which is perhaps the most well-known empire in human history (at least the most “well-known” in modern times), and the fact that Italy as a nation is relatively young.

One of the youngest in Europe, in fact. Italy didn’t become a sovereign nation until the mid 19th Century despite regions within its current borders being immensely important for two millennia, give or take.  

Both Alysha and I have been to Rome multiple times before. In fact, I loved Rome so much after my first trip with family post-college-graduation that I did the exact same trip two years later, this time with friends. Alysha lived in Rome for six months in college, calling the more residential part of Prati, the neighborhood near the Vatican, home.  

In 2021, we spent 10 days in Rome, split into two five day visits , and we fell in love with the city all over again. After that trip, we have almost completely re-written this guide to reflect our discoveries on that latest visit in hopes that you, like us, will fall in love with the city that has had such a profound impact on human history. 

In this guide to planning your trip to Rome, you’ll find a detailed 4 day Rome itinerary, complete with things to do, see, eat, and drink, along with the important details you need to know like how to see the Colosseum and when to walk around the historic center to get that photo of Trevi Fountain without all the people.

You’ll also find logistics – like how to get around and the best time to visit – that are important for planning your trip. 

We hope you enjoy this guide, that you find it helpful for planning your trip, and we help you discover something new and exciting, whether it’s your first time, or tenth. 

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post, like hotel links, are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, we make a little bit of money if you click through and book. That being said, we would never recommend something to you that we don’t stand behind 100%.

How Many Days in Rome?

Given the amount to do and see in the city, we think that 4 days in Rome is the absolute minimum you should plan for to avoid spending your entire trip running around from sight to sight without time to savor the atmosphere of the city and enjoy the dolce vita that makes Italy so special. 

With four days, you’ll comfortably be able to fit in the Vatican, Colosseum, and Borghese Gallery alongside eating pizza and pasta, drinking plenty of wine, and exploring a few of our favorite neighborhoods (and getting some pretty magnificent views of Rome along the way). 

Our biggest tip for planning a trip to Rome is to not do more than one major sight (e.g. the Colosseum, Vatican, or Borghese Gallery) on the same day .

Each of those places is going to take a lot of energy, and by the time you’re getting ready to go to the second one, you’re going to be exhausted and the experience isn’t going to be nearly as enjoyable. 

If you have two or three days in Rome, it’s still doable. Below the main itinerary, we have our thoughts on how to spend one, two, and three days in Rome to help you plan a trip with less time. 

Where to Stay in Rome

There are a wide variety of options in terms of accommodations in Rome, and which you choose is largely going to depend on your style and budget.

Which is why we’ve put together a detailed guide to help you decide where to stay in Rome , which has our favorite neighborhoods along with pros/cons and highlights for each. For more detail, head over and read that. 

Here’s the short version.

• Our overall recommendation is to find a charming hotel or guesthouse in Trastevere , which is far and away our favorite part of Rome. Cobblestone streets, energetic piazzas, and some of the best bars and restaurants in Rome? Sign me up! We stayed at Horti 14 Borgo on our last trip, a gorgeous boutique hotel just outside of the center of Trastevere, and really enjoyed it. Especially the breakfast buffet.
• If it’s your first time in Rome , you can’t go wrong with the Centro Storico . Stay at Casa Pietra or Coronari Palace if you’re looking for a hotel or guesthouse. We stayed at these apartments on our latest trip, and they were almost perfect.
• If you’re looking for a slightly different experience , look at Monti , a hip part of Rome that’s near the Colosseum and Forum, and is packed full of bars, restaurants, cafes, and more. It’s a good central location, and generally feels much younger than, say, the Centro Storico.

You can find the long version over in our more detailed guide to where to stay in Rome . 

4 Days in Rome: A Complete Guide to Planning Your 4 Day Rome Itinerary

Over the course of 4 days in Rome, you’ll marvel at the achievements of Ancient Rome, see some of the best art collections in the entire world, and delight in what modern Rome has to offer, like great wine bars, restaurants, and more. 

Here’s an overview of the itinerary you’ll find below: 

• Day 1 : The Colosseum & Roman Forum + Your First Aperitivo
• Day 2 : The Vatican, St. Peter’s Basilica, and Castel Sant’Angelo
• Day 3 : Self-Guided Centro Storico Walk + The Borghese Gallery
• Day 4 : Explore Two of Rome’s Best Neighborhoods

Day 1: The Colosseum & Roman Forum + Your First Aperitivo

Start your day where it all began – in the heart of Ancient Rome. Take the majority of the day to wrap your head around the centuries of history where this little quarter of the city played an outsized role, then spend the afternoon and evening experiencing aperitivo. 

The Colosseum and Roman Forum

For all intents and purposes, these two sights should be grouped together. They represent similar periods in Roman history, they’re adjacent to each other, and they’re visited on the same ticket or tour. 

Before or after your tour, there’s an excellent view of the Roman Forum from OUTSIDE the boundaries located here . 

It’s well worth heading up and over the hill to Piazza del Campidoglio (with a replica of a famous Michelangelo statue in the middle) and Piazza Venezia , which houses the Altar of the Fatherland dedicated to Italy’s first king after unification, Vittorio Emanuele II. 

The Colosseum (or the Flavian Amphitheater)

The Colosseum is the massive Roman amphitheater, the most well-known (and biggest) in the world. The structure was commissioned by Emperor Vespasian in 72 C.E. after the area was used as a private palace for infamous (and unpopular) Emperor Nero. It was kind of a gesture to the people that the ruling class hadn’t forgotten them. 

Unfortunately, Vespasian didn’t live to see it completed. Instead, it was completed under his son Titus in 80 C.E., taking just eight years to build (which is insane when you consider that some churches take several centuries). 

It’s most likely that the building, after some expansions and renovations over the years, could fit somewhere between 40,000 and 50,000 spectators, though you’ll still hear numbers as high as 80,000 thrown around which most historians agree is a little aggressive. 

Another misconception about the Colosseum that is mostly perpetuated by media like movies and TV shows is that the gladiatorial games were brutal, bloody, and murderous.

That’s true to an extent, but our guide reminded us that, at the end of the day, the gladiators were highly skilled professionals AND they were the property of rich people who most definitely didn’t want their assets killed. 

It’s more likely that the gladiatorial battles were similar to modern-day boxing matches than the bloodbaths you’ve seen Russell Crowe participate in. 

They’ve reconstructed part of the wooden floor of the arena, and below that you can see the intricate series of cages, tunnels, and staging areas where gladiators and exotic animals were kept before being brought up onto the stage using an innovative elevator system. 

It’s massive, and it’s an incredible feat of human ingenuity. I, Matt, have done the Colosseum four different times now, and each time my jaw hits the floor as you emerge onto the platform around the edge of the arena. 

The Roman Forum

The Roman Forum – known in Italian as the Foro Romano – is a little different than the Colosseum. Unlike the Colosseum, which stands tall and intact (having been rebuilt and renovated over the years), the Roman Forum is mostly ruins. 

Which makes it hard to understand what you’re looking at without a guide to help you decipher the difference between the Senate building and the Temple of the Vestal Virgins. Palatine Hill, one of the seven hills of Rome, is just to the southwest and is accessible from within the complex (you’ll find one of the best views in Rome from the viewpoint at the top). 

The majority of the important buildings in Ancient Rome were within walking distance of this historic meeting place. 

Contrary to popular belief, while there is a temple dedicated to Julius Caesar here, he was actually not killed in the Forum, but over near Largo di Torre Argentina.

How to Visit the Colosseum and Roman Forum

Like I mentioned above, I have done the Colosseum and Forum four different times now – twice with a guided tour, twice on my own – and I can say without a doubt that the Colosseum and Roman Forum are best experienced with a guided tour . 

Specifically, a guided tour with someone who knows what they’re talking about, which is exactly what you’re going to get with Walks of Italy.

We did this Walks of Italy tour on this most recent trip to Rome, and we were blown away by the knowledge, richness, and detail that our guide – Dario – brought to the experience for us. 

He busted all sorts of myths that we had fully believed to be true, and was able to weave together a cohesive story throughout the three hour tour that had us engaged the entire time. 

And keep in mind, we had both experienced it already more than once before!

We highly, highly recommend booking a guided tour for the Colosseum and Forum. If you only have time for one guided tour in Rome, this should be the one. 

Especially because the Forum is really just a bunch of crumbled buildings on the surface, and you need the history and context from a guide to really kick your imagination into overdrive and envision how this area might have looked when it was the beating heart of the Roman Empire. 

If you’re not quite sure about a tour, read about our experience with the Walks of Italy Colosseum tour . 

Visiting the Colosseum and Forum Independently

You, of course, can visit independently. We would suggest purchasing the audio guide, or downloading the Rick Steves audio guide ahead of your visit. It’s not going to be as interactive or interesting as a tour, but it will give you some of the context around what you’re looking at. 

Buy your tickets in advance, and as far in advance as possible if you’re coming to Rome in the summer.

For more information and to buy tickets, go to the official website (we’re not giving you exact hours and ticket prices because they do change, and it’s better to just go to the official site to check them in real time). 

You’re going to need at least three to four hours to do them both justice. Even in late September, exploring the Roman Forum was HOT. In the summertime, it will be borderline unbearable with very limited opportunities for shade and a brief respite from the sun. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen, you will need both. 

Afterwards, take a well-earned break and grab lunch, head back to the hotel and relax, and get ready for a late afternoon walk up to one of the best viewpoints in Rome. 

The Orange Garden and Keyhole

Post-nap, it’s time to get back out there and explore a bit more. This time, head to the Orange Garden ( here on Google Maps) , which is perched on a hill with great views of Rome and the Vatican. 

Another worthwhile stop just a few hundred feet away is the keyhole ( here on Google Maps), which is a now-Insta-famous spot where you can look through, well, a keyhole, that has the dome of the Vatican perfectly framed. I say it’s Insta-famous, because if you’re here in peak season in the afternoon, you’re likely going to have to wait in line for the privilege of looking through said keyhole. 

An alternative would be to do this part of the itinerary in the morning before the Colosseum, which is a vastly different experience. Instead of kids and tourists coming up to watch the sunset, the area is packed full of locals walking their dogs. And there was not a single person waiting to look through the keyhole, just us!

Your First Aperitivo

Aperitivo is a period during the late afternoon, between getting off work and dinner time (which is later than you’d expect in Rome) where people go out for drinks. And those drinks are served with a selection of small bites, like bruschetta, olives, and things like that. 

If you’re American or Canadian, it’s a little like happy hour, except the food is complimentary with your drinks. While the days of full-on aperitivo buffets are behind us, at least in most of Rome, the idea behind aperitivo is still one of our favorite parts about spending time in Rome. 

During aperitivo, our drink of choice (and what you’ll see many people drinking) is the Aperol Spritz. It’s a light cocktail – perfect for a summer day – that is made with sparkling water, sparkling wine (all of the bubbles, please!) and Aperol, an orange-colored bitter aperitif. 

The spritz is usually 4-5 Euros (definitely don’t pay more than 6 Euros!), and is the quintessential aperitivo beverage to us. I made the mistake of ordering a Campari Spritz instead, just to try it, and won’t be doing it again. It was fine, totally drinkable if you’re into bitter liqueurs like Campari, but it wasn’t nearly as refreshing. 

Anyway, after the orange garden, you’re in the perfect position to head to our favorite aperitivo spot in Rome – Zerosettantacinque – which is near where the Circus Maximus (a huge chariot racing track) used to be, which fits perfectly with the Ancient Rome theme of today.

The location is great, the drinks are good, and they bring you a little selection of bites to go with your drinks (and have a bigger menu of food, if you’re still hungry). 

Dinner and Drinks in Monti

After a spritz or two, head into nearby Monti, the hip neighborhood on the northern side of the Colosseum, for dinner.

I say hip because there are multiple record shops and vintage clothing stores on one of the streets, which is a clear sign that the kids hang out there (by “the kids” I’m referring to 20-somethings wearing bell bottom light wash jeans and those glasses with thin wire frames and big lenses that look like Harry Potter’s glasses). 

We walked through here a couple of times at various times of day. After dark is, by far, the most lively time to be here. 

Grab dinner at either Cimarra Pizza and Cocktails or Al Vino Al Vino , and indulge in your first gelato of the trip at Fatamorgana , one of our favorite gelato shops in Rome with rotating seasonal flavors and fresh ingredients. 

P.S.: We loved this piece on how to spot “good” gelato. Spoiler: the gelato with super bright colors that is spilling out of the tubs outside the shop near Trevi Fountain is, unsurprisingly, not the best you can find. 

More Rome Travel Guides to Help You Plan Your Trip

• ITINERARY : How to Plan an Amazing Rome Itinerary
• WHERE TO STAY : The Best Places to Stay in Rome
• COLOSSEUM TOUR : Our Favorite Colosseum Tour in Rome (Review)
• GLUTEN FREE : Gluten Free Restaurants in Rome

Day 2: The Vatican, St. Peter’s Basilica, and Castel Sant’Angelo

On your second day, tackle the second world-famous attraction in Rome, the Vatican. Home to the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican is fascinating even if you’re not really religious. It’s an impressive collection of art, with the crown jewel being the Sistine Chapel. 

A word on fashion for this day, not because we want to make sure you’re as stylish as possible, but because the Vatican is a religious site. That means your shoulders and knees should be covered up , even if it’s blistering hot in the summer.

Otherwise you may not be able to enter certain parts of the complex, namely St. Peter’s Basilica. 

But First, Coffee

Before your trip to the Vatican, head to Pergamino Caffè for some of the best coffee in Rome. I’m a coffee lover, particularly if I get to choose which coffee is used to make my coffee, and this is the perfect place for that.

They have coffee roasters from all over Europe, heavily focused on Italian roasters, and will prepare you a cup of great coffee, whether you’re into lattes or filter coffee. 

It’s on the south side of the Vatican, just around the corner from the main entrance to the Museums, which makes it a perfect spot pre-Vatican. 

The Vatican and St. Peter’s Basilica

Arguably the most famous museum in the world makes its home in the collections of the Vatican. They show a whopping 20,000 pieces of art and culminate with the legendary Sistine Chapel, where the ceiling frescos bear the work of Michelangelo.

One contradiction that always pops up in the back of my mind when visiting huge, ornate churches has to do with the role of the church. 

Why, you might ask, does an organization that preaches the Bible, which unequivocally condemns rich people who do not give away their wealth, have such an ornate and over-the-top display of wealth? Great question to ask the Pope, if you run into him (or her, in case you’re reading this at a time when we’ve gotten a female pope).

As a religious site, I have questions about the Vatican and St. Peter’s Basilica. If you put those questions aside for a second and just consider it as a collection of art, it’s a pretty incredible display featuring a who’s who of Italian art history. 

There are essentially two pieces – the Vatican Museums (which include the Sistine Chapel) and St. Peter’s Basilica . You should visit both, and you should try to be either on the first or last tour of the day (obviously, the way we have it written would have you here for the first tour of the day). 

Buy tickets here – toggle the site to English with the language selector in the top right. 

For the best experience, we’d recommend either picking the tickets that include an audioguide , or, even better, book a guided tour that includes a live guide . 

We’d go with the “Pristine Sistine” tour with Walks of Italy (have we mentioned that we really like them?), which gets you into the Museums an hour before they open to the public, when you at least have a shot at experiencing the magic of the Sistine Chapel before it’s packed wall-to-wall with smelly, loud tourists, which can really ruin the vibes. 

Lunch in Prati

After the Vatican and St Peter’s Basilica, head into Prati, the neighborhood immediately adjacent to the Vatican, for lunch. 

This is the part of Rome that Alysha called home for six months in college (albeit a more residential part of the neighborhood a ways away from the Vatican), and it’s a little bit more upscale and family oriented than other parts of the city center. 

However, despite being so close to a tourist attraction – which is usually a bad sign in terms of food quality and value – there are some truly outstanding places to eat here. 

If you’re looking for the best pizza-by-the-slice in Rome, go to Bonci Pizzarium , a tiny hole-in-the-wall where you’ll find a daily selection of rectangular pizzas served in rectangular slices, which is different from what you might get in the US. Pizza toppings rotate all the time.

I went here with friends years ago, and unfortunately the whole “gluten free” thing is a major problem in this case, so we didn’t go back this last time. 

If you’re sick of Italian food (really? On day two?), we LOVED El Maiz , a Venezuelan restaurant serving arepas, cachapas, and tostones. 

We love Venezuelan arepas, and were pleasantly surprised to find them in Rome. The tostones – fried green plantains with toppings – here are spectacular, and were among the best things we ate in Rome. Although the queso cachapa (kind of like a sweet corn crepe stuffed with about a pound of cheese) is delicious too. 

Castel Sant’Angelo

After lunch, make your way towards the river to Castel Sant’Angelo , which is a place that we ordinarily would have skipped, but found ourselves doing on day 8 or 9 because we had plenty of time to fit it in. 

It was built by the Roman Emperor Hadrian as a mausoleum, and then the Catholic Church grabbed it and turned it into a fortress. Today, it’s part art museum, part abandoned castle with some cool art installations inside.  

It’s a bit expensive to get in – 14 Euros at the time of writing – but we enjoyed it. The best part, by far, is the terrace on top, which has a lovely view of the Vatican.

Buy your tickets in advance – especially in 2021 and beyond when attendance is limited. We didn’t and ended up waiting a bit because the timeslot at the beginning of the day was sold out.  

The view from the other side of the bridge directly in front of Castel Sant’Angelo is also spectacular. If you decide not to go inside, definitely make sure to head to the other end of that bridge (and give a firm “no, grazie” to all of the people trying to sell you various things as you cross the bridge). 

That photo spot is roughly here on Google Maps, and that picture was taken at 8:00 am, before the bulk of the tourists showed up. 

Our Favorite Wine Bar in Rome

When in Rome, drink good wine. And our favorite wine in Rome came from Enoteca Il Piccolo , a charming little wine bar in the Centro Storico known for a rotating selection of natural wines from local producers. 

Not only was the wine – specifically a pet-nat, lightly bubbly white wine – great, but the experience was unique too! For context, we speak minimal Italian – enough to get by, order food, and pay, but that’s about it. 

I attempted to describe, in Italian, what kind of wine I wanted (Alysha went straight for the bubbles – CLASSIC!), and it was a little bit of a disaster. An older gentleman, who I believe was the owner, was helping me, and he took my attempt, turned around, left, and brought me back a great glass of wine that perfectly matched what I was hoping for. All with about ten words spoken between us. 

They have a nice little terrace outside that is a great place for a glass of wine on a warm afternoon, and sell wine by the bottle if you want to get one to enjoy later. 

Dinner in the Centro Storico

After you’ve enjoyed some Italian wine, it’s time to dive into the best part about Rome – the food! In the Centro Storico, you’ve got a lot of options, but they generally get worse the closer you get to popular places like Trevi Fountain and Campo de’ Fiori, so we’d recommend picking a place around a few blocks from those main spots if you can. 

For what it’s worth, we really enjoyed Pantha Rei , a restaurant tucked away on an alley near the Pantheon with gluten free (and gluten-full) options. You can see the Pantheon from their outdoor terrace. 

Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina is one of the most highly rated restaurants in Rome – make a reservation if you want to eat here! This is our top pick based on recommendations from locals (though, for gluten reasons, we didn’t eat there ourselves) if you are able to get a table.

Post-dinner, get gelato at either Grom (our favorite gelato in Rome) or Frigidarium , probably the most famous gelato shop in the world. 

Here’s a guide to eating in Rome that we really enjoyed, despite not being able to eat at 95% of the places she recommends (plus, if you’re truly a foodie, you should probably do one of her food / walking tours ).

Day 3: Self-Guided Centro Storico Walk + The Borghese Gallery

Today, pick yourself up out of bed as early as you can to make it to the Centro Storico before it’s flooded with tourists, then spend a leisurely afternoon exploring the Villa Borghese and taking in the most popular art museum in Rome – the Borghese Gallery. 

Cap it off with a foodie experience – either a cooking class or a food walking tour – to dive deep into the food culture of Rome and try some amazing bites from local spots you probably wouldn’t discover on your own. 

An Early Morning Self-Guided Walk of the Centro Storico

As we mentioned above, you’ll want to get out to start this walk before 9:00 am. At the very latest. Otherwise, this entire route is just packed wall-to-wall with people at basically any other time of day. 

Follow a route roughly northeast from Campo de’ Fiori to the Spanish Steps, ending at Piazza del Popolo. 

Here’s a handy map of this route , along with the stops mentioned.

• Piazza Navona – This vast square is built atop an ancient stadium (hence the shape). It’s a pandemonium affair, with trattorias and wine bars spilling onto the uneven cobblestones. The Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, no less) looks especially wonderful at night, as does the Fontana di Nettuno at the north end of the square. 
• Campo de’ Fiori – A flower / produce market by day that also has some of the most tasteless souvenirs imaginable (don’t buy souvenirs here), this is a perfect spot to start your exploration of Rome’s city center. 
• The Pantheon – Once a Roman temple, now a Catholic church, the Pantheon has a mighty imperial façade that was rebuilt in the 2 nd century AD. The great rotunda inside has a hole in the roof that lets in a solitary beam of sunlight, sometimes illuminating the tomb of the revered artist Raphael. There can be huge lines to get in later in the day, another reason to get up early!
• Trevi Fountain – They say you’ll return to Rome if you throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain. Good luck getting close enough to do that. The spot is always packed with crowds, even early in the morning, but it’s still an iconic sight that’s famed for appearing in films like La Dolce Vita . Whatever you do, don’t eat nearby, where you’ll pay 50% more for 100% worse food. 
• Spanish Steps – 135 steps of pure elegance await here. They’re an icon of Rome and link the Borghese Gardens to the Piazza di Spagna, where a gorgeous Baroque fountain by Pietro Bernini decorates the flagstones.
• Piazza del Popolo – Your final stop, this is where you’ll find the city’s oldest obelisk – the narrow tower in the middle of the square, inspired by the Egyptians – and the former northern gate of the city of Rome. However, the square isn’t nearly that old – it was actually designed in the 19th Century. Head up to the Terrazza del Pincio ( here on Google Maps) for an incredible view of the square and St. Peter’s Basilica.

The Borghese Gallery and Gardens

Spend the afternoon exploring the best green space in the city – the Villa Borghese – and experiencing the only art museum (unless you count the Vatican Museums, I suppose) on this Rome itinerary, the Borghese Gallery. 

Tickets for the Borghese Gallery are notoriously hard to get because of the extreme limits on people allowed inside at a given time, so book your visit as early as possible. Only 360 people are permitted into this exclusive art gallery every day. 

We recommend you pre-book tickets as soon as humanly possible so that you have a chance to experience what we think is the most interesting museum in Rome (sorry, Vatican). You can do so here . 

Alternatively, if you’re interested in taking a deeper dive, grab a spot on the excellent Borghese Gallery Tour with Take Walks . It might seem expensive, but you’ll get to experience masterpieces, most notably by the swashbuckling painter Caravaggio (his spine-tingling David with the Head of Goliath is housed within), with all the context and details you’ll want to have to truly appreciate what you’re looking at. 

We always do tours of art museums after some great experiences at the Prado Museum in Madrid and the Uffizi Gallery in Florence , and highly recommend it if you’re, like us, not really an art gallery kind of person. 

The stories behind the artists and paintings that an expert brings to the table really give you a deeper, richer experience, and help you focus on the important things in a huge museum full of amazing art. 

The Villa Borghese is the epicenter of one of Rome’s most lovely parks. If you’re feeling lazy, grab a seat here under the trees and just watch the world go by. Don’t miss the Temple of Asclepius and the lake , which was our favorite part. 

Choose Your Own Foodie Adventure

Diving into the food culture in places we’re visiting is one of our favorite aspects of traveling, and we try to include a food tour, cooking class, or market tour in most places we visit. 

Unfortunately, the reality is that because Matt has Celiac Disease and can’t have even a speck of gluten without being sick for days, a food tour or cooking class wasn’t in the cards for us. 

HOWEVER. That does NOT mean it shouldn’t be for you! We’d highly recommend it because it gives you a local’s perspective on the city’s food scene – what and where to eat and drink – and you get to connect with fellow travelers and try some amazing food.

Here are some options for you, split between food tours and cooking classes. Our bias is to do a cooking class, because we LOVE to cook, but we also enjoy a good food tour. 

Option 1: Learn to Cook Italian Food with a Cooking Class 

We’ve done all sorts of cooking classes around the world (read about our cooking class in Mexico City here), and while the gluten-filled nature of Italian food made it nearly impossible to do one in Rome, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. 

Here are four cooking classes that would definitely be on our list if, you know, Matt could eat gluten. 

• Handmade Pasta Class at the Pantheon : You’ll get a brief overview of Roman cuisine before diving in, where you’ll learn how to make two traditional kinds of pasta, along with multiple sauces. And, of course, you get to eat it. Vegetarians welcome. 
• Handmade Pasta & Roman Sauces with Riccardo : We love experiences that take us to real people’s homes, in neighborhoods where most tourists don’t make it to. This is that. Join Riccardo – who was born and raised in Rome – in his family home where you’ll make handmade pasta, classic sauces like carbonara and cacio e pepe (our two favorites), and get to connect with the food culture in Rome in a really special way. Plus, wine, obviously, because this is Italy. Vegetarians welcome. 
• Handmade Pasta with Grandma : Every culture has the phenomenon of “grandma cooks best,” with classic family recipes passed down from nonna to nonna, and unsurprisingly Italy is no different. You’ll make ravioli, fettuccine and farfalle – all from scratch – in their family home. Note that this tour is a ways outside of Rome (you meet here ) so you’ll need to find your way there and back on the train. Vegetarians welcome. 
• Pasta-Making Class – Cook, Dine & Drink Wine With A Local Chef : Hosted by Walks of Italy, which we’ve already mentioned is one of our favorite tour companies in Italy, you’ll get a full rundown of handmade pasta, along with aperitivi and prosecco beforehand, and gelato for dessert. The class takes place in Trastevere. Vegetarians welcome.

Option 2: Dive into Rome’s Food Culture with a Food Tour

Here are some food tours that caught our eye though, sadly, we also skipped these because of the whole gluten and cross-contact issue. 

• Hidden Rome Food Tour in Trastevere with Dinner and Wine : Explore Trastevere – our favorite neighborhood in Rome – through the eyes of a local foodie. You’ll simultaneously taste amazing food from places that you wouldn’t have discovered on your own, and also get the background and context for how that food came to be a staple in Rome. Plus, wine and limoncello along the way! This tour combines the history and cultural aspects with great food, which is what we usually look for in a tour. 
• Twilight Local Food and Hidden Places : A local born and raised, Selene and her team will take you on a tour-de-Rome’s best food. Along the way, you’ll learn about the history and culture of Rome. Followed by pizza al taglio and carbonara, among other delectable tastings. This tour covers the Centro Storico, mostly. 
• The Roman Food Tour in Trastevere : This tour, which covers Prati, the neighborhood to the north of the Vatican, includes a tasting of meats and cheeses and the best pizza al taglio in Rome (which we already featured above in the Vatican section…). 
• Taste the Best of Rome (Evening Tour) : 25 tastings over four hours – so you’ll want to  show up hungry! You’ll meander through Prati, stopping at five locally owned spots to try a variety of delicacies from truffles, to meats and cheeses, and more. 

Day 4: Exploring Two of Rome’s Best Neighborhoods

On your last day in Rome, spend the day exploring two of Rome’s most interesting neighborhoods – the ever-popular Trastevere, full of bohemian charm with cobblestone streets and ivy-adorned buildings, and grittier Testaccio, which we like because it feels like real people actually live there (and the food scene is great, too). 

A Morning Walk Above Trastevere

We think that Trastevere is best in the afternoon and evening, when the activity spills out into the cobblestone streets and charming piazzas. 

However, there is a great market at Piazza di S. Cosimato ( here on Google Maps) where you can find fresh produce, meats, cheeses, and other products perfect for people who have a place with a kitchen and are looking to do some cooking. 

The real reason to head to Trastevere in the morning is to tackle one of our favorite walks in Rome, which we sort of accidentally discovered on one of our last days in Rome on our latest trip.

The walk takes you up the hill behind Trastevere to Belvedere del Gianicolo – where you’ll find a great view over the city – and then back down the other side. 

Along the way, there are some really good explanatory panels that describe the historical importance of this area during Italy’s struggle for independence in the mid-19th Century. 

Giuseppe Garibaldi, an Italian general during the period immediately before the unification of Italy, is considered to be one of the most important figures in modern Italian history, and there was a battle on this hill above Trastevere that was key in establishing Italy’s independence. 

Though, it should be said that the Italian Republic he fought to establish was short-lived, and came back under a new name and brand a decade or so later, which is what has remained to this day. 

There’s a statue of him in the middle of the plaza at the Belvedere del Gianicolo. 

Here’s a map of the route , and the stops we’d recommend, which ends at Roma San Pietro , where you can catch the train out to Testaccio , the other neighborhood you’ll be exploring today. 

A contrast from Trastevere and the rest of Rome’s historical center, the first thing we noticed about Testaccio is that it feels like real people live there.

A neighborhood that, 20 years ago (even less, really) was full of warehouses is today one of the best neighborhoods for foodies in Rome. 

To get to Testaccio, grab the regional train from Roma San Pietro to Roma Ostiense , which should only take about 20 minutes and leaves you with a few minutes walking into the heart of the neighborhood.

It costs a couple of Euros per person – buy tickets from the machines at the station, and be sure to validate them before boarding the train . 

The first thing to know about Testaccio is that it’s a great food neighborhood.

The food scene is centered around Mercato Testaccio , a big food market that’s roughly half stands selling produce, meat, and cheese, and half stands selling ready-to-eat food (plus some other stands selling random knick knacks and/or shoes). This is where you should have lunch.  

It’s not overrun by tourists. It’s not wildly overpriced for what it is. It’s a place where locals go to shop and eat. If you’re interested in going deeper, look at this Testaccio Food Tour . 

Here are some other places to check out in Testaccio: 

• Tram Depot : A lovely outdoor spot to grab coffee and a pastry or two in the Italian sun. It’s a former tram, now refurbished and serving up good coffee to mostly locals (we were the only tourists there as far as we could tell).  
• Non-Catholic Cemetery : When Rome was still a devout Catholic city, the remains of protestant foreigners weren’t permitted to be buried in the regular cemeteries alongside the Catholic citizens. Instead a few non-Catholic cemeteries sprung up to accommodate them and the one in Testaccio is one of the most famous. Remains of Percy Shelley and John Keates can be found buried here. There are also some great views of the Piramide di Caio Cestio, an Egyptian-style pyramid in the middle of Rome, commissioned by a rich Roman guy in the 1st Century B.C.E. that still stands today. 
• Volpetti Salumeria : A popular market selling all manner of meats, cheeses, preserves, baked goods, and wine. It is open everyday and perfect for grabbing picnic food to enjoy while exploring Rome. Mingle with the locals as they go about their daily shopping to purchase the ingredients used in real Italian cooking.

An Evening in Trastevere

For your last evening in Rome, return to where you started the day – Trastevere – and explore the neighborhood at its best, which is undoubtedly when the sun starts to set over the Tiber. 

We don’t have much of an agenda for you here – we think the best thing to do is to wander the streets and soak in the atmosphere. Did we mention that we LOVE Trastevere and we think it’s the coolest place to stay in Rome ? We did? Oh, okay, cool. 

While we don’t have an agenda, we DO have some recommendations for you to start your exploration. 

Don’t miss the Basilica Santa Maria , a beautiful church in the center of the neighborhood filled with gold mosaics by Cavallini. This is one of the prettiest and most underrated churches in Rome – though you wouldn’t really know it from the façade – so it’s a must see in this area. 

The square in front of it is a meeting place of sorts so is an amazing place to sit and people watch by the fountain.

The other thing you should know about Trastevere is that it has amazing nightlife . Trastevere is one of the liveliest neighborhoods in Rome packed with little bars and trattorias that stay open to the early hours.

There are no clubs here but plenty of small wine bars and craft beer to sip on until the first light of dawn. In summer, bars and restaurants spill out into the streets with tables and chairs outside to enjoy the long sunlight hours.

We like Mama Eat for dinner because they have great gluten free options, and Freni e Frizoni was recommended to us by both a friend and the host at our hotel, though we found it to be expensive and full of tourists (though the spritz was good and the location is great).

Les Vignerons is an amazing little wine and beer store run by a very passionate man (we had a small disagreement, exacerbated by my terrible Italian, about gluten free beer) that is perfect for picking up a bottle of wine, beer, or – and this was a surprise to us – cider! Highly recommend it if you’re looking for a place to buy wine or beer. 

What to Do with Less Time in Rome: Planning a Shorter Rome Itinerary

If you have less time in Rome, you could either try and fit the same amount of things to do in a shorter time period, or you could be more selective about what to do and see, and save the others for a later trip. 

We’d recommend the latter approach, which is generally how we approach travel. Pick a few sights, go deep on those, and save the rest for another visit. 

For each of these itineraries, you can use the relevant sections in the detailed itinerary above to help you figure out the logistics around each of the sites mentioned. 

What to Do with One Day in Rome

If you only have one day in Rome, I hope you’re ready for a whirlwind. If you come to Rome and it’s your first time, you’re going to want to see the Colosseum, the Vatican, and the Centro Storico.

Fitting all three of those sights in a single day is going to be exhausting, and it’s exactly the kind of travel that we don’t usually recommend because it’s just running from place to place without the time to truly experience the place you’re exploring.

But, if you only have one day in Rome, here’s how we would spend it. 

First, do a morning tour of the Colosseum and Roman Forum . 

Afterwards, have lunch in the Centro Storico (we’d recommend Antico Forno Roscioli ) and get gelato at either Fatamorgana or Grom . You can also try to fit in an authentic Italian espresso-at-the-counter experience at Tazza d’Oro too. 

After lunch, do the walk from Campo de’ Fiori to the Spanish Steps, passing by Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon along the way. 

In the late afternoon / early evening, do a tour of the Vatican at closing time , when it’s much more peaceful. End with dinner in Prati or Trastevere. 

Another option would be to do a full day tour of Rome with Walks of Italy , which includes skip-the-line tours of both the Vatican and Colosseum. 

What to Do with 2 Days in Rome

If you have two days in Rome, spend it on four main things: the Colosseum and Forum, the Vatican, a walk through the Centro Storico, and an evening in Trastevere. 

Spend your first morning taking a guided tour of the Colosseum and Roman Forum , which will give you a richer experience and help you understand the context behind what you’re looking at. Have lunch in Monti before heading to the Centro Storico and walking from Campo de’ Fiori to the Spanish Steps, ending at Piazza del Popolo. Head back the way you came and get some

On your second day, do an early morning tour of the Vatican , head up to admire the view from the top of Castel Sant’Angelo, then head to Trastevere for aperitivo, dinner, and drinks. 

What to Do with 3 Days in Rome

With 3 Days in Rome, follow the full itinerary above as written with one change. Cut day four, and spend the evening of day one in Trastevere instead. 

More Time? Here are Some Additional Things to Add 

If you have more than four days in Rome, there’s still plenty to do and see in the Eternal City. We spent 10 full days in Rome on our latest trip, and we were still finding new things to do and see on the last day (and we didn’t even do the Vatican or Borghese Gallery since we’d already done them before). 

One thing we would NOT recommend is a day trip to Pompeii. It is just way too far to go in a day – you’ll need to travel about six hours when it’s all said and done. You need at least 1-2 days. 

The Catacombs : Take a tour of the Capuchin Crypts to get into the dark history that lies under Rome’s streets. 

A Day Trip to Tivoli : Every major European city seems to have a palace somewhere nearby, built by someone rich at some time in history. For Rome, that’s Tivoli, built by Emperor Hadrian. It’s probably the best day trip from Rome. Here’s a guided tour to get there and back in about half a day. 

Pasta / Wine in Frascati : Get out of the city for an evening and head out to nearby Frascati, a well-known wine region in Lazio, for a cooking class / wine tasting extravaganza . 

Wine tasting near Rome : One thing we loved about our trip to Italy is trying alllll the different Italian grape varietals! At home, we really get only a handful of grapes. In Italy, each region has their own unique grapes, and it’s fun to try them all. For Rome, Frascati is the place to go for wine tasting, and makes a fantastic day trip. The best way to do it without a car is a guided tour – here’s a tour that gets stellar reviews.  

The Best Time to Visit Rome

There’s no hard and fast rule about the best time to visit Rome. The Italian capital is blessed with four distinct seasons.

Our overall pick would be the fall, but each quarter of the year offers its own unique delights.

• Summer – High season in Italy. Rome is super busy and very hot. Hotel prices skyrocket and there are long lines for many of the main attractions. The bonus is that you get to see the city buzzing with life and the weather is usually sun, sun, and just a little extra sun for good measure.
• Fall – Our favorite time in Rome. Seriously, we don’t think you can beat this city in September and October. There’s just something so lovely about the changing color of the cork oaks along the Tiber River and the balmy evenings. The only downside to autumn is that there’s the chance of some rainfall.
• Winter – Rome takes on a brooding, mysterious air in the winter. There can sometimes be freak snow storms, and we’ve seen frozen fountains on Piazza Navona in the past. Hotel rates tend to be cheaper in winter and there’s way fewer people crowding the main attractions. You’ll need the thermals and a coat though!
• Spring – Like fall, spring is downright stunning in Rome. There can be quite a bit of rainfall, but that’s balanced out by the flower blooms in parks like Villa Borghese and Doria Pamphili. May is another sweet spot for crowds because the summer rush hasn’t started quite yet.

Getting to Rome

Rome is one of Europe’s major capitals, which means it’s really well connected to other spots around the world by both air, road, and rail. Getting in shouldn’t be hard, no matter if you’re starting in New York City or London.

Flying to Rome

Rome has two airports: the Leonardo da Vinci International Airport (FCO) in Fiumicino and the Rome Ciampino Giovan Battista Pastine Airport (CIA) in Ciampino.

The first is the capital’s main international hub. That’s where you’ll touchdown from long-haul flights from the US, but also on cross-Europe flights with premium carriers like British Airways or Lufthansa.

Ciampino is primarily an arrival point for low-cost airlines like Ryanair and EasyJet, which are worth knowing about if your trip to Rome is part of a continent-wide adventure.

Getting into the city from both airports is a cinch:

• From Fiumicino Airport (the Leonardo da Vinci International Airport) : Take the train. It’s pricier than the bus at around $18 each way, but far faster (30 minutes from A to B) and won’t slow down when traffic gets bad – and it can get really bad in Rome! The train is called the Leonardo Express . It leaves from the station within the airport (follow the train signs) and arrives at Termini Station.
• From Ciampino (Rome Ciampino Giovan Battista Pastine Airport) : Sadly, there’s no direct train route from the airport in Ciampino to the center of Rome. The buses are pretty reliable, though. Take the service with either Terravision or SITBus. They cost up to $9.50 per person, each way, and take 50 minutes to arrive at Termini Station in the center.

Don’t be tempted to use Uber to get to your hotel from the airport. Rome is a taxi culture. Only the deluxe Uber Black cabs are offered on the app. A taxi from either airport to the center should cost around $50.

Arriving by Train

Rome is the hub of a highly efficient Italian railway network that can take you south all the way to Sicily via the pizza mecca of Naples, and north to Vienna and Munich on high-speed and overnight trains that go through the Alps.

There are also many shorter, slower trains – known in Italy as Regionale trains – that connect the capital with surrounding towns in regions like Lazio, Tuscany, and Umbria (all of which are worth exploring if you have more time in Rome).

These days, virtually ALL trains to Rome come into the huge Termini Station . We’ve always loved arriving there. It’s a feast for the senses. Everywhere you look there’s something going on, from business travelers clinking espressos to huge locomotives purring to a stop.

Termini Station is also a convenient arrival spot. It’s got a direct link to the Rome Metro network, and there’s a major bus interchange right out front.

It might be worth adding a warning : The area immediately around Termini isn’t the most welcoming in the city. It can feel a tad rough and gritty. Keep your wits about you if you’re arriving late there and don’t let it put you off the town right away!

Getting Around Rome

Rome was founded way back in 750 BC. In the 2,700+ years since then it’s been expanded and altered and built on more than most cities around the world. So, it should hardly come as a surprise that it’s not the easiest town to navigate.

The streets can be narrow and winding, particularly in the Centro Storico (the medieval core of Rome). There are even roadways that have to work around ancient monuments – we remember waiting 30 minutes once to pass under an arch in an ancient aqueduct!

The upside? Walking might just be your best bet.

Rome isn’t small but it’s not massive a la London or Paris. Many of the main areas you’ll want to see as a first-time visitor on a 4 day trip to Rome are all linked by paths along the Tiber River. What’s more, doing Rome by foot is a joy in its own right.

You just never know when you’ll stumble upon an imperial arch built by one of Rome’s famous emperors, or an inviting little vinoteca beneath the stone pines.

The Rome Metro

The ever-expanding Rome Metro currently has three lines. They all intersect at Termini Station. Really, the Metro is for commuters who want to reach the suburbs of Rome, because the main lines extend very far to the east and the north of the town.

That said, there are a few stops near the major attractions – Circo Massimo, Repubblica, Spanga, Colosseo – that you might make use of.

The bus network in Rome is very extensive. It covers everywhere the Rome Metro doesn’t and even doubles up to offer alternative routes to popular spots like the Colosseum and Vatican City.

At last count, there were 338 individual bus lines running throughout the Italian capital. The main interchange is just out the front of Termini Station, but you can catch buses from anywhere along the routes they run. Look for the map of where you can go at the individual stops.

Always remember to validate your ticket at the crunching machines on the buses – this is a common mistake among first-time travelers to Rome and often ends in a fine!

Rome’s above-ground trams connect the major suburbs to the east and west. For that reason, they might not be of such great use to visitors looking to explore the heritage-rich heart of the capital (where the main sights are).

However, there are some tram services in Rome that can be handy, like the one from Trastevere to Argentina (just south of the Pantheon) or the Colosseum, for example.

Tickets for Public Transportation

All the tickets for all the different types of public transportation in the Eternal City are linked. Buy one and you can travel on trams, buses, and metros to your heart’s content. There are a variety of fare options:

• 100-minute tickets (€1.50/$1.80) – Valid for any public transportation in Rome for 100 minutes with unlimited transfers.
• 24-hour ticket (€7.00/$8.35) – Valid for any public transportation in Rome for 24 hours after the moment you validate.
• 48-hour ticket (€12.50/$15) – Two days of unlimited travel on any public transportation from the moment of validation.
• 72-hour ticket (€18/$21.50) – Three days of unlimited travel on any public transportation in Rome from the moment of validation.

All tickets can be bought at the kiosks by the stations (there are lots around Termini Station) or from machines on the Metro platforms. Make sure you validate tickets at the punch stations before use!

Matt is the founder and main writer behind Wheatless Wanderlust, which he started back in 2018 as a way to share his gluten free travel guides with his fellow Celiac travelers.

Since then, Matt and his wife Alysha have visited 18 national parks, spent three months in Europe and six weeks in Colombia, and have explored every corner of the Pacific Northwest, which is where Matt grew up.

He writes super detailed guides to the places they visit, bringing together personal experience and historical context to help YOU plan an amazing trip.

I just spent the last hour reading this blog and OMG, it is wonderfully written and EXACTLY what I was looking for. I am thinking of planning a trip to Rome next March and I am SOLD after reading this. You wrote in great detail, to the point where I could see myself there. I’m looking forward to planning this trip and I soooo appreciate this blog. Keep it up!!

What a great blog, my very first research for our (traveling with my husband) upcoming trip to Rome in about 20 days. We just returned from Milan after a 2 month trip to northern Europe in late summer. Now heading to Rome via Milan and this was the perfect information I was looking for. Though we are traveling in November, am sure Rome might not be as cold as Philly. Enjoyed reading this and will definitely keep this as our guide to our 4 day adventure. Looking forward to reading about your other destinations. I read about you both and it seems like I was reading about me n my husband (yes we do lot of research and of course the excel spread sheet, google mapping, travel folders etc). We are big travel enthusiasts and travel extensively, yes 3 months at times too, just too lazy to write up a beautiful blog like yours. Have done many countries and yet always feel there is till so much more to explore. So keep on traveling and sharing your experiences. Thank you once again.

Thanks for the kind words! We put a lot of time and effort into it, and we’re glad you found it both useful and entertaining (the balance we’re always trying to strike). We do love a good excel spreadsheet when we’re planning. Cheers!

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Finding the Universe

Travel tales, photography and a dash of humor

3 Days in Rome: The Perfect Rome Itinerary

Last updated: April 15, 2024 . Written by Laurence Norah - 234 Comments

Planning on spending three days in Rome? We think this post will help you make the most of your trip!

Rome is easily one of our favorite cities in Europe. It is absolutely stuffed full of sights, with thousands of years of history layered upon itself – you’ll find everything here from Roman ruins to Renaissance art.

It’s also home to fantastic food, the Vatican City and sights like the Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum and the Spanish Steps.

We have visited Rome many times over the years and always find more to see and do. Certainly, three days in Rome is not enough to see absolutely everything that the city has to offer, but it’s definitely enough to see all the highlights if you manage your time effectively.

With a focus on the highlights in Rome, we wanted to share what we think is an excellent itinerary for your time in Rome, which covers the attractions that visitors to Rome are most likely going to want to visit. This covers all the major highlights for your three day visit.

Following the itinerary, this post is then full of tips and advice for visiting Rome that will help you get the most out of your stay, as well as save money on attraction entry, transport and accommodation.

To get the most out of your trip and to be sure you see all the major attractions, you will need to do a bit of forward planning and even reserve your entry time to the key attractions – otherwise you’ll waste your time standing in lines unnecessarily and even miss out on being able to visit.

Don’t worry though, we explain everything in this post to help you save time and make the most of your budget, whatever that may be.

If you are visiting Europe on a longer trip, this guide to 3 days in Rome fits in perfectly with our 2 week Europe itinerary , which you might also want to check out for some ideas and advice on travelling in Europe. We also have a 10 day Italy itinerary to help you plan further adventures in Italy.

Now, let’s get started with our guide to the best things to do in Rome in 3 days.

3 Days in Rome

This guide to Rome is quite full, so do feel free to adjust it to meet your own interests.

It is certainly possible to do everything in this guide with three days, and you can see the comments at the end of the post for feedback from many visitors who have used this guide to do just that!

However, if you would prefer a more relaxed itinerary, you can definitely adjust it to suit.

Day 1 in Rome

Vatican city.

The Vatican City is the first thing on our list for your visit to Rome. It’s a country of its own, inside Rome, and is home to world-famous sites including the Vatican Museums , the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica.

We recommend you come here early and head straight for the Vatican Museum with your pre-booked ticket. We cover ways to skip the lines in Rome further on in this post, but if you purchase a Rome Tourist Card or Omnia Rome and Vatican pass , you will have the option to pre-book a timeslot for your skip the line entry.

If you don’t get a pass, another option is to book your tickets online which will give you skip the line access to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. You can buy tickets online with GetYourGuide here and Tiqets here (for Tiqets we have a 5% discount on their normal price with our link).

You can also book tickets directly from the Vatican here. Prices and availability fluctuate, usually the Vatican site is the best value but it can vary so do check them all.

Doors to the Vatican Museum open at 9am, so we recommend you arrange your entry for as close to then as you can manage. The Vatican Museum gets really crowded as the day progresses, so getting here early will let you enjoy it for a while before it gets too busy.

You can also book to take a tour which gets you early entry to the Vatican before the doors open for general admission. This tour for example starts at 7.30am and includes breakfast in the Vatican, as does this tour with Take Walks.

We’ve done the Take Walks early entry Pristine Sistine tour and can very much recommend it, the tour guides are excellent and can really bring what you are seeing to life.

For an even more exclusive experience, you might consider the VIP Vatican Key Master’s Tour . This is a premium tour that has you in the Vatican at 6am to accompany the Key Masters as they open the museums up. It’s an amazing experience, and one we thoroughly enjoyed; however it has limited availability and is more of an experience than a tour. Check that out here .

There is loads to see in the Vatican Museums, which span 7km of exhibits, so you could spend a whole lot of time here.

Our favorites include the Map Room, the Sistine Chapel, and the fabulous double helix exit stairwell, but we’re sure you’ll discover treasures of your own.

See our guide to visiting the Vatican for everything you need to know, including all the highlights.

Next, it’s back outside and on to St. Peter’s Basilica .

St Peter’s Basilica doesn’t have an entry fee, but as of March 2023 it also doesn’t have skip the line tickets (skip the line tickets used to be a paid alternative and we hope they come back soon!).

So the best option if you want to skip the line at St. Peter’s Basilica is to invest either in a tour like one of these or a pass which includes a tour like the Rome Tourist Card . Some tours of the Vatican,  like this one , also include skip the line access to St. Peter’s Basilica which can be a good all in one option.

At busier times of year some form of quick access like a tour is absolutely worth it, but if you are visiting in the off season it’s not really necessary.

Once inside, you’ll be able to enjoy visiting the world’s largest church, and what is regarded as one of the holiest Catholic shrines.

With designers including Bramante, Raphael and Michelangelo, it’s a truly Renaissance building, and is a work of art in itself – before you even start to consider all the artworks within! If you’re up to it, we highly recommend the climb to the top of the dome. This offers superb views across the city, as well as the chance to see the Basilica from above.

Once you’re done with the Vatican City attractions, you can head on to our next stop. Don’t feel you need to rush though – the Vatican City is definitely going to be a highlight of the day, and you are welcome to spend a few hours exploring at your leisure. The rest of Rome will wait. When you’re ready, a short walk will take you to the next stop on our list.

Note, the Vatican is closed on Sundays and some other days – you can see all opening times and days on the official website here .

In terms of timing, you’re probably looking at spending around half a day in Vatican City at least, finishing up around midday or 1pm. Just in time for some food.

TIP: If you are an early bird, come to St. Peter’s Basilica at opening time. It normally opens around 7am, and if you come here at this time there’ll be barely anyone else about, and no lines to worry about. You can explore in peace, and then head over to the Vatican Museums when they open.

Castel Sant’Angelo

Originally built as a mausoleum for the Emperor Hadrian, Castel Sant’Angelo has been sitting on the banks of the river Tiber for nearly two thousand years.

In that time, it has evolved from its initial role as a tomb, becoming a fortress, a castle, and finally, a museum.

Today it is open to the public, and you can climb right to the top, for gorgeous views of the city. You’ll also be able to marvel at the building techniques that have allowed it to survive for two millennia.

The Castel is open every day from 9am – 7.30pm with some holiday exceptions – see more here . You can buy tickets in person or from the official ticket site here .

You can also buy tickets from GetYourGuide here or from Tiqets here . It’s always worth comparing as prices vary, in most cases the official site will be the best value but not always.

We’d suggest spending around an hour here.

Piazza del Popolo

From the Castel Sant’Angelo it’s a pleasant twenty-minute walk along the banks of the river Tiber to the Piazza del Popolo.

This was the location of the northern gate of Rome, and is where, for countless years before trains, planes and cars, travelers would actually arrive into Rome.

From here, three roads span southwards in a trident formation, with the central road, the Via del Corso, running dead straight through the centre of Rome to the Piazza Venezia.

Originally this would have been the route from the northern gate of Rome to the Roman Forum.

In the centre of the Piazza is an Egyptian obelisk, dating from the rule of Ramses II, which was brought to Rome in 10BC, and put in this plaza in the 16th century.

On the south side of the Piazza are the twin churches of Santa Maria in Montesanto, and Santa Maria del Miracoli, sitting either side of Via Corso.

Spanish Steps

We’re going to continue our first day by taking in a few of Rome’s highlights that you can take as long or as little time to visit as you wish. First on the list are the Spanish Steps .

You can access these by walking in a south easterly direction through the Villa Borghese Gardens and down Viale della Trinita dei Monti.

This 135 step staircase was opened in 1735 to link the Spanish Embassy near the bottom of the steps to the Trinita dei Monti staircase at the top, and are today a popular spot to stop, eat Gelato, and watch the world go by. They were made particularly popular in the 1953 movie Roman Holiday , starring Audrey Hepburn.

Note that as of August 2019 , it’s no longer permitted to sit on the Spanish Steps as they have been classified as a monument, and there is the potential of being fined if you do so. So stick to standing on them instead!

Trevi Fountain

Continuing our must-visit Rome highlights, our next stop in our wanders through Rome is the Trevi Fountain.

This is the world’s largest Baroque fountain, and is always a popular location – whatever time of day (or night!) you visit. Built in the early 18th century, it is said that if you throw a coin into the fountain, you are guaranteed to return to Rome.

This seems to be a popular past time, as over three thousand euro’s worth of coins are throw into the fountain each day.

These go to a good cause – each night the coins are removed from the fountain and used by a charity that helps those in need purchase food.

In our experience this is nearly always a crowded location. If you want to visit it without the crowds then come here early in the morning when central Rome tends to be a bit quieter.

The Pantheon

A little walk from the Trevi Fountain is the incredible Pantheon. This building, which has been standing for almost 2,000 years, is the best preserved Ancient Roman monument in Rome.

I dare you not to be impressed by its incredible dome, which even today, two thousand years since it was built, still holds the record as the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome.

Originally built as a temple to the Roman gods, the Pantheon was converted for use as a Christian church in 609 AD, which is the main reason it survives in such excellent condition today.

It’s also notable for being home to the graves of a number of important folk, including the painter Raphael and two Italian Kings.

For a long time the Pantheon was free to visit but as of July 2023 there’s a small fee. You can pay this on-site, or you can buy it online in advance from the official site here (you’ll need to create an account).

Tickets with an audioguide are also available from GetYourGuide online here , although they are a bit more expensive.

You also can book an audioguide in advance here to help explain what you are seeing.

We think it’s very much worth the small fee as we have never failed to be impressed by this incredible building when we have visited it!

Piazza Navona

Wow, this has been a busy first day in Rome! We recommend finishing your adventure off with a visit to the Piazza Navona.

This has been a designated public space since the 15th century, and is full of gorgeous Baroque architecture.

Its most famous feature is undoubtedly Bernini’s fountain, which stands at the center – the Fountain of the Four Rivers, which dates from 1651.

The Piazza is a fun place to be, and often features street performers and markets, depending on the time of day and week that you visit. We always enjoy sitting and watching the fun in the evenings here.

There are a lot of options here for dining and drinking as well, although bear in mind that you always pay more in Rome at the more popular locations, especially if they have a terrace or view.

We ate at Caffe Domiziano, which has two seating areas. It’s cheaper to sit in the section on Corsia Agonale rather than on the main square. The food is the same, just the price is different.

Our current favourite cafe in Piazza Navona though is Ai Tre Tartufi, which has friendly staff and a good selection of drinks and food.

Another option to consider, rather than ending your day here, is to take a food walking tour.

We’ve taken many food walking tours in Rome, with this evening food and wine tour of the Trastevere neighborhood being one of our favorites. A food tour is a great way to try a lot of local food (and often drink), and also to get some recommendations for other locations to eat in Rome.

See our complete guide to food tours in Rome for more suggestions. Now, time to rest before day two of our three day Rome itinerary!

Day 2: Rome Itinerary

Our second day in Rome starts with another Rome highlight – the Colosseum , also referred to as the Coliseum.

Built in Roman times as a space for holding public spectacles, the Colosseum is most famous for being the home of gladiators, who would battle it out in front of audiences that could number as many as 80,000 people.

The Colosseum is the largest amphitheater in the world, and despite suffering some damage in its two thousand years of existence, is still hugely impressive to visit.

It’s one of the most popular destinations in Rome for visitors, so again, our advice is to come as early as you can and take advantage of a pass or advance ticket purchase options so you can skip the ticket queue and go straight to the security line.

You can book entry to the Colosseum directly from the official website here , which tends to offer the best value for standard entry tickets.

If you do decide to just get a standard entry ticket rather than taking a guided tour, then I highly recommend picking up a guide book which includes details on the Colosseum like this pocket guide , or downloading a free audio guide which covers the Colosseum like this one from Rick Steves .

This will really help you navigate the site, as there is so much to see and it can be quite overwhelming otherwise.

There are also a range of Colosseum entry options on GetYourGuide here and on Tiqets here . These include tours and tickets with addons like multimedia guides or bundles which include other attractions and activities in Rome.

These are going to be a little more expensive but can definitely be worth it if you want to take a tour or will take advantage of the other bundled products.

If you are interested in purchasing an attraction pass for your visit to Rome, skip the line access for the Colosseum is included on the Rome and Vatican Pass , the Roma Pass and the Rome Tourist Card .

Colosseum entry is also included if you take a guided tour like this one with Take Walks , or one of these options on GetYourGuide .

We highly recommend taking a tour of the Colosseum like this one or this one if your budget allows for it, as it is a complex site with a lot of history. But it’s up to you of course!

Note that as of October 2023 all Colosseum tickets are issued in the name of the person visiting, and you need to bring ID with you to use your ticket.

If you are using a city pass that includes access to the Colosseum, you will still need to make a reservation to visit.

You need to do this as far in advance as possible to secure the time you want. You can make the reservation either by calling the reservation line, or (more easily) by booking online.

If there are no timeslots available, your best option for visiting the Colosseum is to take a guided tour like this , or like this , as guided tours have a separate ticket allocation system. If you book a guided tour, you don’t need to book a separate ticket or timeslot for visiting the Colosseum.

We highly recommend reading our detailed guide to visiting the Colosseum , which will help you make the most of your visit and not waste time in lines, as well as to understand the rules around passes, time slots and so on!

The Colosseum is open every day, with times varying depending on the time of year. You can see more information here . We’d suggest you’re going to want to spend between 90 minutes and 2 hours on site.

Roman Forum & Palatine Hill

Your Colosseum ticket is also good for entry to the Roman Forum & Palatine Hill (as long as you visit on the same day), which is conveniently located right next door.

If you don’t buy a ticket in advance for the Colosseum, then we suggest you visit the Roman Forum first, as the queues for tickets are much shorter.

However, they can only sell same day timeslots for entry to the Colosseum, and in the busy months these are not available.

Again, we highly recommend advance booking your tickets and timeslots for the Colosseum to avoid disappointment, or booking a tour which includes both like this one from Take Walks .

So what’s special about the Forum? A lot! This was the seat of power during the reign of the Roman Empire, as well as the central marketplace and business district. Basically, Roman life for centuries revolved around this area of Rome, and no visit to the city is complete without walking these ancient ruins.

The Forum is open every day, you can see full opening hours here .

Most people visit the Forum using their Colosseum ticket, which will give you access into the main parts of the Forum.

However, there is also a “S.U.P.E.R.” ticket, which can be purchased separately on the official site here . This gives access to a number of additional sites inside the Forum, which you may be interested in visiting depending on how deep into Roman history you want to go.

These additional sites vary depending on archeological works, but usually include the Palatine Museum, House of Augustus, Aula Isiaca, Santa Maria Antiqua, Curia Iulia, Domus Tiberiana, Domus Transitoria and Livia’s House. So that’s something else to consider.

We’d suggest allocating around 90 minutes to 2 hours to exploring the Roman Forum.

Mouth of Truth

Time for a bit of fun! If you’ve seen the movie Roman Holiday with Audrey Hepburn, you’ll remember that Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn pop their hands into the mouth of this massive stone figure, which is said to bite off the hands of liars.

It’s not exactly known when or how this belief originated, but the good news is that you too can visit the Mouth of Truth, or Bocca del Verita, and pop your own hand in for a photo opportunity.

You’ll find it outside the entrance to the Santa Maria in Cosmedin church, which is also worth visiting. In can get busy here in the summer months, but the line is kept moving fairly quickly, so you won’t have to wait too long.

Pyramid of Caius Cestius

Did you know that Rome has a two-thousand-year-old Egyptian style Pyramid? Well, it does. The Pyramid of Cestius was built around 12BC, at a time when Rome was obsessed with all things Egypt, to serve as the tomb for a wealthy Roman.

The tomb has since been looted, and little is known about its original occupant, but the marble covered 36 meter high pyramid is the only one of its kind in Europe, and we think is definitely worth your time to visit.

Whenever we visit Rome with friends or family, we love taking them to see this as it’s such an unexpected sight in the city.

It’s now incorporated into the Aurelian Walls of the city (which helped to ensure it’s preservation), and one of the best places to see if from is the non-Catholic cemetery of Rome.

Whilst you’re at the cemetery, which is a beautifully peaceful spot, do take the time to visit the grave of the English poet Keats, one whose “name is writ in water”, who died in Rome at the young age of 25, far before his recognition as one of the greatest English poets of all time.

Baths of Caracalla

Those Romans really liked to build stuff on a big scale. The Baths of Caracalla are no different. This vast bathing complex could accommodate up to 1600 bathers at one time, in a complex that covered over 62 acres.

Whilst time has taken its toll on the Baths, they are still open to visitors.

You can wander between the mighty walls and  appreciate the vast scale of the operation and the millions of bricks that were used to construct them, as well as some of the surviving details like the mosaic floors.

It’s not at the top of visitors lists to Rome, but is definitely one of our favorite spots to visit in the city, so we urge you to include it in your itinerary, especially as you’re already in the area.

The Baths of Caracalla are open every day except Christmas Day. Opening hours vary by time of year, you can see more here .

St. John in the Lateran

The Papal Archbasilica of St. John in the Lateran is the cathedral church of Rome and the seat of the Pope in the city, and as such, is one of the most important churches in the city.

Whilst nearly everyone makes it to St. Peter’s Basilica, less people make it out here, to what is in fact the oldest Basilica in the city, making this a quieter and more relaxing place to visit.

Highlights include the Lateran Obelisk, the largest standing Egyptian obelisk in the world, the Borromini designed Knave, the Cloister and the Scala Sancta.

These last are a stairway of 28 steps, found in a building just across the road from the Basilica itself, which are said to be the same steps that Jesus walked up on his way to trial in Jerusalem.

Today, pilgrims to Rome can be seen climbing the stairs on their knees, which is the only way you’re allowed to ascend.

Finally, find yourself some delicious food or perhaps a gelato , and congratulate yourself on another excellent day in Rome!

Note that St. John in the Lateran is closed on Sundays.

Day 3: Rome Itinerary

Appian way and the catacombs.

For the third day on our three day Rome itinerary, we suggest you take a break from the city centre sight-seeing and head out along the Appian Way.

Built in 312BC, this is believed to be one of the oldest surviving roads in the world, and was of enormous importance to the Roman Empire, linking the capital to southern settlements including Naples and Brindisi, and allowing for the quick movement of troops and goods.

At the time, it was the widest and longest road in the world, and in testament to the quality of its construction, much of what you can see today is still original stonework. Those Romans built things to last!

There are a variety of attractions to see along the Appian Way, beyond the road itself, and the key sights are to be found along the first ten miles of the road, in the Parco dell’Appia Antica.

You can visit the road yourself, or you can take a tour which includes parts of the Appian Way. We have done and enjoyed this one from Take Walks but other are available including this one on GetYourGuide . Most tours focus on the Appian Way and Catacombs.

Another popular option is to take a bike or e-bike tour with catacomb visits along the route.

If you decide to visit yourself, you’ll want to head to the start point of the road, the Porta San Sebastiano. You can reach this via public transport from the city.

From here, it’s a ten-minute walk to the first major sight on the Appian Way, the Church of Domine Quo Vadis, which dates from the 9th century.

Alternatively, as the walk along the first part can be a bit tricky, you can take the bus a little bit further than the start point if you prefer.

After the Church, there are two Catacombs you can visit, the Catacombs of St. Callixtus and the Catacombs of St. Sebastian . The former are slightly larger and were the burial place of 16 popes, numerous Christians and a number of martyrs.

Following on from the Catacombs, you can continue your journey along the Appian Way should you so wish, to the tomb of Cecilia Metella and the Circus Maxentius, which are about another 10 – 15 minute walk along the Appian Way.

All in all, from the Porta San Sebastiano to the tomb of Cecilia Metella, you’re looking at about a thirty-minute walk, with plenty of attractions on the way. Whilst you can continue on at this point should you wish, we’d suggest returning to the city now, and heading to the:

Borghese Gallery

The Borghese Gallery is in the Villa Borghese gardens, and houses the Borghese collection, a collection of art that is easily one of the finest in Rome. This is by far our favorite art gallery in Rome.

With incredible pieces from the likes of Raphael, Bernini and Caravaggio, to name but a few, this museum is truly a must visit.

It’s not huge, spread across two floors and twenty rooms, but the high quality of work on display means that everything you see is basically a masterpiece.

It’s also guaranteed not to be too crowded, as they only allow 360 people in at a time. Compare this to the 30,000 visitors a day that the Vatican Museum hosts, and you will enjoy being able to breathe whilst you appreciate the art on display.

It’ll take forty-five minutes to an hour to get to the Borghese Gallery from the Circus Maxentius part of the Appian Way, so you need to factor this in when planning your routes. Also, be aware that if you visit on a Sunday that public transport can be reduced.

The reason I mention this is because the Borghese Gallery has timed entry and reservation is mandatory.  To reserve, just call the reservation line: +39-06-32-810. Once you enter, you have two hours to see the Gallery.

Alternatively, if you wanted to do a guided tour like this , your tour company will arrange the time for you, although again, these need to be booked in advance. Read about our experience touring the Borghese Gallery with Take Walks here .

The Borghese Gallery is closed on Mondays, but is otherwise open every day from 9am – 7pm. See more here .

Note – usually the Borghese Gallery is included on the Roma Pass and the Omnia Rome and Vatican Card, but it has had availability issues on these cards of late. Always check with the official website for any card you purchase to be sure everything you want to see is included.

Villa Borghese Gardens

Once you’re done with the Borghese Gallery, we recommend heading over to the west side of the Gardens, towards the Piazza del Popolo.

The view from the terrace overlooking the Piazza del Popolo is one of our favourite views in Rome, especially at sunset.

If you can, try to time your visit here to enjoy that and reflect on three wonderful days spent exploring Rome!

Rome 3 Day Itinerary Map

Here’s a map of the above itinerary showing all the attractions across the three days you’ll be in Rome. You can click here to see this map on Google.

3 Day Rome Itinerary Overview

• Day 1 : Vatican City, Castel Sant’Angelo, Piazza del Popolo, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, optional food and wine tour
• Day 2: Colosseum, Roman Forum, Bocca Della Verita, Pyramid of Caius Cestius, Baths of Caracalla, Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano
• Day 3: Appian Way, Borghese Gallery, Terrazza del Pincio

How to Save Money and Skip the Lines in Rome

As with many cities around the world, Rome has a number of passes that help you get free and discounted admission, as well as skip the line privileges at key attractions – including many of the above.

There are three main attraction passes for Rome that we usually recommend – the Rome Tourist Card , the Omnia Rome and Vatican Card  and the  Roma Pass.

Which you choose will depend on your sightseeing goals, so we’re going to go through these in a bit of detail now to help you choose.

It’s worth saying that none of these passes are quite as obvious a purchase as something like the London Pass , which nearly always saves visitors money when visiting London. The passes for Rome are a bit more complex and require a bit of work to maximise available savings. They do offer convenience though. Let’s look at the available options.

For our three-day Rome itinerary we suggest checking out either the Rome Tourist Card  or the Omnia Rome and Vatican Card .

Both of these passes offer skip the line entry to the Colosseum and Vatican Museums, which are the most popular and busiest attractions in Rome. However how they work is a bit different.

Rome Tourist Card Overview

The first option we suggest is the Rome Tourist Card . This includes pre-booked skip the line entry to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, as well as the Colosseum.

When you buy the pass, you select your entry time for the attractions, making this a seamless process for your visit.

It also has some useful audio tours for the city. It then includes a 10% discount on other Rome attractions.

This is a great option as it includes the pre-booked timeslots for the major attractions in Rome like the Vatican and Colosseum, making this a very convenient pass to use. It’s also cost-effective, and you can then add on other attractions you are interested in. You can buy yours in advance here .

Omnia Rome and Vatican Card Overview

If you plan on doing absolutely everything in our itinerary, then you might instead consider the Omnia Rome and Vatican Card . The main downside is that it requires a bit of planning to make the most of it, and it doesn’t currently (as of March 2023) include skip the line access to St. Peter’s Basilica.

This pass is brought to you by the same folks who also run some of our other favourite city passes including the London Pass and the Barcelona Pass , and consists of two physical passes – an OMNIA card and the aforementioned  Roma Pass .

Here’s what the Omnia Rome and Vatican Card covers:

• Free entry with Skip the Line access to the Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel, and the Basilica of St. John in the Lateran and the Cloister. Note it does not include skip the line access to St. Peter’s Basilica, which is a definite issue at busier times of year
• Free audio guide at St. Peter’s Basilica and the Basilica of St. John in the Lateran and the Cloister
• Free entry to two out of six listed attractions, which includes the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and Castel Sant’Angelo
• Skip the line entry at the Colosseum and Roman Forum (these count as one attraction when visiting using the card in the same day). Note you still need to book a timeslot for the Colosseum  with these cards.
• Discounted entry at attractions once you have used up your two free visits – this will be the concession rate
• Discounted entry at over thirty other sights in Rome, including the Baths of Caracalla and Appia Way attractions
• A 72 hour travelcard for Rome which covers all the major public transport, including buses, trams and metro
• A 3 Day Hop-on Hop-off Bus ticket
• A detailed guidebook to Rome and map of the city

As you can see, this pass includes a lot. To get the most out of the Omnia Vatican and Rome Card though, you have to be a little bit clever, and plan ahead. Or, you can just follow my itinerary, as I’ve ordered the attractions in a way that will save you the most money when using the Omnia Vatican and Rome Card.

As you can see, there’s a list of six attractions , of which you can choose two that you get free entry to with the card. As these are not all the same price, to maximise your savings you want to try and use your free entry on the most expensive attractions.

Once you’ve used those two entries up, you will get a discounted admission when you use your card. Based on the three day itinerary above, we recommend you use the pass for free entry to the National Museum of Castel Sant’Angelo, and then for the combined entry ticket to the Colosseum and Roman Forum. This will save you around €35.

The other thing to be aware of is that for some attractions you need to book your entry in advance. These include the Vatican Museum and the Colosseum.

My advice, as you can see in the itinerary, is to book the earliest entry you can. The Vatican Museum gets very busy, and the first hour or so in the morning is the quietest time to visit.

For the Colosseum, you need to book your timed entry slot separately. This is a major downside of this pass, because you can buy the pass and not actually get Colosseum entry if it’s sold out.

If entry to the Colosseum is important for you , please check availability on the official website here before purchasing the Omnia Vatican and Rome Card .

Be sure to check for availability for the €2 Roma Pass reservation option rather than general availability as they come out of a different pool, and Roma Pass reservations are often available even if general tickets are showing as sold out.

If there is no availability, then you will not get access to the Colosseum even with the pass.

Instead, read our guide to visiting the Colosseum for other options you have.

Alternatives to Passes in Rome

You don’t have to book a pass for Rome of course, and for many visitors a pass won’t make sense. Instead, you can either book tickets or tours individually for many of these attractions. This will be more economical if you only plan on visiting some of these attractions.

If you don’t plan on buying a pass, then we strongly recommend booking your timeslots or tours well in advance of your visit as most of the attractions in Rome are hugely popular and do sell out.

For example, you can book Vatican tickets here and Colosseum tickets directly here .

If you go down this route, make sure you choose the option that lets you print the ticket yourself so you can proceed directly to the security line. Note that the Colosseum now operates a timed entry system as well, which as of 1st March 2019, includes pass holders.

Also be aware that there are many sites that sell tickets at a mark-up, so if you want the best prices it’s best to compare against the official site for the attraction, although we would add that these tend not always to be super user-friendly!

The exception to this is St. Peters Basilica, which doesn’t currently have fast-track tickets and so if you want to skip the line the best option is to book a tour.

The other pass that you might consider is the Roma Pass . Whilst this comes with the Omnia Vatican and Rome card, it can also be purchased separately, in a 2 day (48 hour) or 3 day (72 hour) version.

The Roma Pass includes free / discounted admission to many of Rome’s attractions as well as a transport card for the public transport network in Rome.

However, it doesn’t include entry or skip the line access to any of the Vatican attractions, including the Vatican Museum or St. Peters Basilica, nor does it include the Rome Hop on Hop off bus.

We think that for 3 days in Rome, either the Rome Tourist Card or the Omnia Vatican and Rome Card is a better option.

Summary of Best Pass Options for Rome

Here’s a quick summary of the main pass options for Rome.

First, the Rome Tourist Card . This includes skip the line entry to the Vatican, the Colosseum, St. Peter’s Basilica, and an audioguide tour of Rome, amongst other things. There’s also a 10% discount on a number of other attractions. You can book your timeslots for the attractions when you book the pass, which makes everything a lot easier.

Second, the Omnia Vatican and Rome Card . This includes the Vatican Museums, as well as a choice of a number of major attractions like the Colosseum and Castel Sant Angelo. It also includes transport in Rome and a Hop on Hop off bus. It’s more expensive than some other passes and you do have to book other attractions like the Colosseum separately, but it does include pretty much everything you might need for your time in Rome.

Third, the Roma Pass . The previous pass actually includes this pass, which includes free / discounted admission to many of Rome’s attractions as well as a transport card for the public transport network in Rome. Notably it does not include the Vatican attractions.

Fourth, consider the Best of Rome All Access pass . This 3-day pass includes fast track reserved entry to the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, Colosseum, and Roman Forum. There’s no transport included on this pass, or discounts on other attractions.

Hopefully that gives you plenty of ideas as to which Rome discount card might be best for your trip!

Getting Around Rome

Rome is really easy to get around, with much of it very walkable. The itinerary we’re laid out is designed to be logical and easy to follow, so you won’t waste time getting from place to place. Getting from each location to the next should be either a short walk, or a single bus or metro ride away.

If you decide to buy the Omnia Vatican and Rome Card it includes free public transport for your three days in Rome, as well as the Hop on Hop Off bus.

Alternatively, you can either buy a travelcard yourself, or just buy tickets as you go. A one way ticket, known as a “B.I.T” costs €1.50 and is valid for 100 minutes from when you activate it.

With the B.I.T. you can change transport types as you go, with the exception being you cannot re-enter the metro system if you leave it.

These single tickets can be bought from metro stations as well as convenience stores and newsagents, and need to be activated with a timestamp when you board the first transport.

For buses this will require putting the card into a machine located on the bus. Metro entry barriers will automatically timestamp your ticket as you insert them at the barrier.

Not stamping your ticket is the same as travelling without a ticket, and you can be penalised for doing this.

As of 2023, many Rome buses now have contactless payment options as well, so you can just pay as you board by touching your contactless card to the terminal.

How to get into Rome from the Airport

Rome has two major international airports that you might fly into – Rome Fiumicino (FCO) and Rome Ciampino (FCO). Flights from the North America usually arrive at Fiumicino, whilst flights from Europe may arrive at either.

It’s easy to get into central Rome from either airport.

From Rome Fiumicino, you can take the train, bus, or taxi. There’s a train station on site which will get you into the city centre in around 30 minutes to an hour. Prices range from €8 – €14, depending on if you take the fast  Leonardo Express  or the local train services (FL1).

Note that the local train service (FL1) does not go directly to Termini – it goes to Rome Trastevere, and then you would need to change onto the FL5, which you can take to Termini.

There are also a number of bus options which cost from €5, and which take around 50 minutes to an hour, and take you to Termini train station. There’s also a taxi stand. You can also arrange either a  shared shuttle  or a  private transfer service , which needs to be booked in advance.

From Rome Ciampino, there’s no on-site train station, but there is a local train station just five minutes away by bus. This train costs around €1.50. There are also buses from Ciampino, which also cost €5. Ciampino also has taxis, although as this is a smaller airport there are generally fewer available. You can also  book a shared shuttle  or  private transfer service in advance .

Both airports also have private and shuttle transfer options that you can book in advance.

Where to Stay in Rome for 3 Days

Rome certainly has no shortage of places to stay. For this three day itinerary, we’d suggest you stay somewhere central, to make accessing all the attractions as easy as possible. Our suggestion would be to stay somewhere in the area between the Piazza Navona, Piazza Venezia and Piazza del Popolo.

For some options close to the historical city centre and all the sights in our itinerary, consider the following. These are ordered approximately by price, from low to high, but do always check prices for your dates as they can vary.

• The RomeHello – found just a few moments from Rome’s Termini Station, this hostel features a range of room types, from dormitories to private en-suite rooms. There’s free WiFi, fantastic reviews, and it’s a great value option.
• Orsa Maggiore Hostel – just across the river in Rome’s trendy Trastevere district, this female only hostel features a range of room types including dormitories and private rooms.
• Di Rienzo Pantheon Palace – a very well reviewed guesthouse option in the heart of the city, just moments from the Pantheon and other attractions. The building is a 16th century property, and rooms feature en-suite facilities, free wi-fi and breakfast
• The  Mimosa Pantheon Hotel – right next to the Pantheon, and therefore well placed for the city’s attractions, this is a well reviewed good value 1* hotel. Rooms feature private bathrooms, air conditioning and free WiFi. A solid budget choice.
• The  Navona Theatre Hotel – just five minutes walk from Piazza Navona, this is a very well rated 3* hotel within easy walking distance of most of Rome’s main attractions
• The  Hotel Navona – another well reviewed 3* hotel in central Rome near Piazza Navona. This hotel is in a restored 15th century building which features restored original frescoes. Rooms have en-suite facilities, air conditioning and free WiFi
• Hotel Valentino Palace  – a fantastic mid-range 3* property, just 150 yards from the train station
• Gioberti Art Hotel  – 50 yards from Termini Station, a well rated excellent value 4* hotel
• NH Collection Palazzo Cinquecento – Good value 5* hotel just a few steps from the train station

Of course, there are many more options. We tend to use Booking.com for most of our accommodation when we travel, they have a wide selection of options, with everything from hostels to apartments to hotels . The review system makes it easy to pick a good option, and they have an excellent cancellation policy.

As an example of what is available, beyond the above mentioned hotels, here’s a well rated hostel , and a fantastically located apartment . As you can see – loads of options!

If you prefer an apartment, then we recommend either  Plum Guide or Vrbo .

Plum Guide carefully curate their listings so their options tend to be of a very high quality whilst still being available at a range of price points. We’ve stayed at a number of their properties around the world, and you can see our review of the Plum Guide here . See their listings for Rome here .

If you can’t find what you want from the above choices, or you want some new options to try out, we wrote a whole post on the  best alternatives to AirBnB  which you should check out!

We also have a page full of travel resources, which includes our tips for getting the best deals on accommodation, which you can find  here .

When to Visit Rome

With a Mediterranean climate, Rome is a city that can be visited throughout the year. However, it gets very busy and very hot in the summer months, especially in August, so we’d advise avoiding August if you can. If you must visit in August, we highly recommend you pick up the Omnia Vatican and Rome Card so you don’t have to queue for attractions in the unshaded heat.

We’ve visited Rome at all times of year, and our favorite time to visit is April / May, which we think offers a good balance between nice weather and less crowded attractions.

Another thing to be aware of is that many museums and attractions are closed on Mondays. In addition, there is free entry to lots of the key attractions in Rome on the first Sunday of every month – we’d suggest avoiding this day if you possibly can as the crowds are unbelievable!

Practicalities for Visiting Rome for 3 Days

Safety in rome.

In our many visits to Rome we’ve never had any safety problems although pickpocketing is not uncommon in crowded tourist areas.

As always, practice basic safety precautions. Keep valuables concealed, don’t carry large quantities of cash, only use official taxis and so on.

Power in Rome

Electricity is of the 220v standard, with the 2 pin European style plug. Travellers from countries like the UK and the US will need a travel adapter like this , and US travelers need to check their equipment supports the 220v standard – it will be written clearly on the power adapter.

See more on travel adapters and how to choose one for your trip in our guide to the best travel adapters .

Currency in Rome

Rome is a part of the Eurozone, meaning the currency is the Euro. You can get these from ATM’s, banks and currency exchanges, although credit cards are of course widely accepted.

We suggest using a credit card where you can – just ensure it has no foreign currency transaction fee.

Internet Access in Rome

Internet access is widely available in the form of WiFi all around the city and in hotels and coffee shops, so you shouldn’t have any trouble getting online.

You can also pick up local SIM cards if you have an unlocked phone. If you are travelling from the USA, consider a Google Fi package which lets you use your data overseas.

For more options on getting online when travelling, check out our guide to getting online when travelling to help you figure out the best options.

Drinking Water in Rome

The water in the taps is safe to drink, although many locals prefer the taste of bottled water. You can also drink the water that comes out of the taps in the fountains, so just carry a drinking water bottle with you and hydrate as you go.

Of course, if you don’t like the taste, bottled water is widely available.

Dress Code in Rome

Many of the attractions in Rome are holy places, and you need to be dressed appropriately.

There will be big signs explaining what you should wear, but generally, you need to have clothing that covers your knees and shoulders.

This can be an issue with warm weather clothing choices, particularly in summer, so we advise that if you choose to wear tank tops or shorts to keep items to cover your shoulders and knees with you like shawls, scarfs, long skirts, or pants that convert into shorts.

Luggage Storage in Rome

It may be that on your day of arrival or departure in Rome, you’ll find yourself needing to leave your luggage somewhere.

Usually your hotel or apartment will have left luggage facilities, however, if this isn’t the case (often the case with apartment rentals for example), you will definitely want somewhere to leave your luggage for the day while you sightsee.

Many of the attractions in Rome won’t let you take bags in with you, and even those that do will require you to do additional screening.

As such, we’d recommend you leave your luggage behind so you can explore without being weighed down. We’d suggest this luggage service , which has locations at Termini station as well as the Pantheon and other parts of the city.

We also suggest checking out Nannybag , a service which has storage points across Rome (and other cities around the world).

Tours We Recommend in Rome

We’ve taken a number of tours in Rome, and can definitely recommend these if you’re looking for a guided experience. For walking tours specifically, the companies we recommend are as follows:

• Take Walks – our favorite walking tour company, we’ve taken walks with them in cities around the world
• Context Travel – very small group highly focused tours (10% off tours with this link ),
• Devour Tours – focuses on delicious food tours. We’ve done a lot of their food tours including many in Rome and they have all been excellent

With Take Walks, the first tour we recommend is their introduction to Rome tour . This is a good tour to start with as it covers some of the highlights of the old city centre, helps orient you, and includes a gelato. It runs in the evenings, so is a good option if you are looking for something to do on your arrival day.

Another excellent Rome tour they offer is their Rome in a Day tour , which covers many of the highlights of the city in one day, which is a great way to see the sights in Rome and not worry too much about skip the line tickets and queues.

They also offer more specific tours of popular attractions. We can recommend the “ Pristine Sistine ” tour, which gets you early access to the Vatican Museums before they open to the public, which is even better than skip the line access.

We’ve also taken their “ Colosseum & Roman Forum ” tour, which covered the Roman Forum and the Colosseum. Finally, we’ve taken a tour of the Borghese Gallery on the “ Borghese Gallery Tour with Tickets ”.

If you prefer your tours to include food and wine, then we can highly recommend Devour Tours , who are the sister tour company to Take Walks. We’ve taken their food tours in a number of cities.

In Rome, one of our favorite Devour tours is the Trastevere Gourmet Food and Wine tour , which we thought was excellent. As this tour runs in the evening, you can likely include it on most of the days on our itinerary.

You can see our complete guide to Rome food tours here for some more ideas and options for your visit.

We’ve also taken tours with Context Travel in Rome, who offer very small group tours for the intellectually curious. These are fairly specialized tours, one focusing on Rome, the Grand Tour and the Romantic Poets , and the other on the history of the Popes and Rome political power.

Context Travel also run a series of tours of Rome you can take before you leave for Rome, which can be a good way to familiarize yourself with the city or a particular landmark before you visit. You can see their online program here .

We’ve written fairly extensively about our tours with these two companies in Rome, and I link to these reviews in the further reading section below to help you decide if these are going to be good options for you.

There are of course other options for tours in Rome, including all the tours on this page , which offers a variety of things to do from different providers. So definitely check out the options to figure out what is best for you!

Next Steps for Visiting Rome

Having read all the above, I hope everything is clear. I admit, Rome is a wonderful city to visit, but planning in all the attractions and avoiding those dreaded queues might feel a little overwhelming. With that in mind, here’s a quick checklist to help make sure you get the most out of your stay.

• Plan when you are going and book your flights and accommodation
• Decide which attractions you really want to visit based on the above itinerary, and any other research you have done
• Check timeslot availability for the Colosseum on the official website if you want to visit
• Decide if something like the Rome Tourist Card or Omnia Vatican and Rome Card is going to be for you, and purchase it in advance. If you aren’t interested in the Vatican attractions, or are going to visit them on a walking tour, you should definitely consider the Roma Pass instead. This includes transport and a number of other attractions in Rome.
• Make any walking tour reservations with either Context Travel or Take Walks . This is also an option for visiting the Colosseum if timed slots are not available. You can also look at tour options on GetYourGuide as there are lots of options to choose from.
• If you’re not getting an attraction pass, make your reservations in advance for all the attractions you know you want to visit which aren’t part of any walking tours you book. In particular, you will want to book in advance for the Vatican Museum , the Colosseum and the Borghese Gallery if you plan on visiting these attractions.
• When comparing tickets on different sites, be sure to check the cancellation / refund policies. In our experience, the official site for each attraction does not offer any refunds if you need to cancel. GetYourGuide sometimes offers a refund on their tickets if cancelled within 24 hours of your visit, which can offer peace of mind, although do check the policy on each ticket as it varies by attraction. See all their Rome tours and activities here .
• If you are getting an  Omnia Vatican and Rome Card or  Roma Pass , make sure to book your timeslot for the Colosseum as far in advance as possible
• Enjoy your trip to Rome knowing you’re not going to waste time in line for anything but gelato !

Where to Go After Rome?

I’m often asked in the comments on this post, and our other Rome content, where to go after Rome, and the best way to get there.

My advice if you want to explore Italy a little bit further is to visit cities like Florence and Venice .

The easiest way to get to these is to take the fast train service. These run frequently and are very quick. Tickets are cheapest when booked well in advance, plus booking in advance will usually guarantee a seat reservation.

You can book train travel in Italy (and Europe in general), on our recommend train ticketing site: Trainline.com .

Another option if you would rather base yourself in Rome and don’t want to worry about booking train tickets, is to take a day tour from Rome. Some options from Rome include:

• This day tour to Tivoli where you can visit Hadrian’s Villa and Villa D’Este
• This day tour of the Tuscan countryside
• This day tour to Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast
• A day tour to Venice
• This day tour of Tuscany
• This boat-hopping day tour of The Amalfi Coast from Rome

As you can see, you have plenty of options from Rome! See our detailed Italy itinerary for some ideas.

Further Reading for your 3 Days in Rome

Well, that was a lot of content to help you plan your trip to Rome! As well as the above, we have a number of other resources we’d like to recommend to help you out, both content we’ve written ourselves, and resources we’ve found online. Between this post and these resources, you should be able to put together the perfect trip to Rome!

• If you’re in Rome for a shorter amount of time, check out our guide to spending 2 days in Rome , or a day in Rome , which will give you some other options for your visit. We also have a guide to things to do in Rome for general sightseeing advice.
• We’ve taken a number of tours in Rome. You can read about our experience visiting the Vatican, Coliseum and Roman Forum with Take Walks in Rome here, our experience at the Borghese Gallery here and our VIP Key Master’s Tour of the Vatican here . With Context Travel, you can read about the Grand Tour and the Romantic Poets tour here , and Popes, Power and Parties here .
• If you’re planning on visiting Rome in summer, read our tips for visiting a European city in summer to stay sane
• We have a detailed guide to visiting the Colosseum to help you plan your visit to this ancient structure, which has everything from how to get here, to the best ways to buy tickets, to tour suggestions.
• We also have a guide to visiting the Vatican to help you plan your visit to all the attractions in the Vatican City
• Obviously you’ll want to eat Gelato in Rome! Check out our guide to the best gelato in Rome to be sure you get the best. For more food ideas, see our guide to the best food tours in Rome
• Looking to visit more of Italy? Check out our content on Venice , Milan and Florence for inspiration!
• We also have a detailed 10 day Italy itinerary to help you plan a trip in this wonderful country
• If you’re looking for a physical (or Kindle!) guidebook, we recommend the Rick Steves Rome guide , which has lots of practical information to help you make the most of your stay

And that sums up our idea of how to spend the perfect three days exploring Rome! We hope you found this itinerary useful, and now have plenty of ideas for things to do in Rome for three days.

Are you planning a trip to Rome? What do you want to see when you do? Let us know in the comments below!

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25th January 2023 at 1:35 am

Laurence and Jessica, We just recently came back from Rome. I can’t thank you enough for all of your information. Your recommendations has made our trip truly amazing. The Vatican Key Master Tour recommendation was great! It was the our most memorable tour. To have the Vatican experience with only 15 tourist in the complex was truly an amazing experience. Keep up the great work and recommations!

Laurence Norah says

28th January 2023 at 8:55 am

It’s my pleasure, we’re delighted you had a great time in Rome! We loved the Vatican Key Master tour as well and I’m so pleased you enjoyed it too 🙂

Safe travels!

8th November 2022 at 11:45 am

thank you for taking your time and provide us with this helpful post

we are traveling to Rome soon

8th November 2022 at 11:49 am

My pleasure Racio, have a great time in Rome!

Charles Slane says

27th August 2022 at 11:52 pm

Thanks for such an interesting and comprehensive itinerary.

I’ll be in Rome for 4 days, so I’m hoping to use your suggestions, however I’d also like to see a classical concert or two in the evenings. What time would you think would be reasonable to expect to complete the itinerary each day? Would it be in time to see a concert at 7 or 8pm?

28th August 2022 at 10:42 am

Hi Charles,

My pleasure. So yes, you should definitely finish each day in plenty of time to take in an evening concert. Obviously the exact finishing time will vary depending on how long you spend at each location, but I’d say you would have plenty of time to see a concert at 7 or 8 on all three days.

Have a great time in Rome!

5th August 2022 at 10:02 pm

Hi there, I’ve literally been eating up everything in your blog to plan our trip to Rome this September. I was trying to look for Take Walks ‘Tours from home’ tours but couldn’t find them on their website. It looks like they no longer offer those? Unless I’m looking in the wrong spot.

7th August 2022 at 8:17 am

Lovely to hear from you and I’m delighted you have found the blog useful! We’re actually in Italy right now and have been doing various tours with Take Walks as well. You are correct, I reached out to my Walks contact when I got your comment (hence the slightly slower response). They confirmed that they have recently removed the Tours from Home. It was something they started when travel wasn’t possible, but they are now refocusing on their in person tours. So I have updated the content. Context Travel are still running their online program though, so that is an option. You can see what they offer here .

Have a great time in Rome and let me know if you have any more questions, we’re happy to help!

Imelda Morgan says

18th April 2022 at 5:48 pm

Hi, we just found out we are going to be invited to a wedding in Rome Sept 6th!! We think we would like to explore Rome for 2/3 days before wedding! I have been going mad googling what to do etc and came across your site and it’s brilliant!! We, my husband and I, while we are definitely not in our dotage years!! , We do like things like booking tours etc to be straight forward and simple! I know you have loads of info and options of tours etc on your site , I was just wondering which ones you would recommend for us, we would love to visit Vatican, Trevi fountain and colleseum. We think we would be touring 3rd 4th and 5 th September , wedding is on the 6th,!! Thank you Imelda Morgan

18th April 2022 at 5:58 pm

Wow, that sounds like a fantastic place to go for a wedding!

To answer your question, my favourite tours are with Take Walks, who were formerly known as Walks of Italy. They have some really amazing experiences in Rome, especially some of their early and exclusive access tours where you can get access to locations with far fewer people, which is a truly memorable experience. For example:

VIP Key Master’s Tour: Open The Sistine Chapel VIP Pristine Sistine Vatican Tour with Museum Breakfast VIP Colosseum At Night Tour With Underground & Arena Floor

Of course they have lots more options, (you can see all their Rome Tours here ) and some of those are limited availability, but that would definitely be my first pick if looking for a tour in Rome.

I hope you have an awesome time, feel free to let me know if you have any more questions!

25th March 2022 at 9:00 am

HI, l really found it helpful. Thanks. Question. DO you need to wear masks in all places? Are they specific kinds of masks of just any? I know a weird question but better to be prepared. I just bought the OMNIA PASS and so excited but I am not sure how to separate slot for the vatican.

25th March 2022 at 9:42 am

Thanks! So the mask rules have been changing over time, so it’s best to check with an official source. You can see the current regulations here . Currently you need to wear masks indoors. For the type of mask, certain places require FFP2 masks (similar to the US N95 standard), such as public transport and other venues.

For the Omnia Card you should have recieved information on how to book the Vatican. If for some reason you didn’t get that information with your purchase, I’d suggest reaching out to them on their website here: https://www.omniavaticanrome.org/en/contacts/new

Have a great trip!

Sophie says

15th March 2022 at 8:15 pm

Hello! You have helped me with my itinerary for my visit in April and you have so much info on which passes to buy.

As we are hoping to do the majority of landmarks which pass would you recommend? We are there for 4 days and the majority of passes are only for 72 hours.

Thank you 😊

16th March 2022 at 1:10 pm

I’m glad you found our guide useful! So I would probably recommend the Omnia Rome and Vatican Card , because it has the most inclusions of all the passes. Just remember you still need to book a timeslot for the Colosseum with this pass.

I’d also add that there’s a bit of a workaround with this pass given you are coming for four days. The pass actually comes as two separate passes, the Omnia Card and the Roma Pass. You should be able to use these separately. So if you used the Omnia Card on your first day in Rome without using any elements of the Roma Pass, you could use your Roma pass for the next three days.

Altneratively, you could focus on using the passes for the first three days of your visit, and then either doing a day trip from the city or visiting the Appian Way on this day, as that area doesn’t have anything on the pass anyway.

I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any more questions, and have an awesome time in Rome!

20th October 2021 at 2:58 pm

What a great blog! It’s making me very excited for my visit in April next year.

I am arriving mid morning on Friday 29th April and leaving on Tuesday 3rd May. With opening times etc which way round would you do your itinerary based on Saturday, Sunday and Monday being the main full days for exploring?

20th October 2021 at 6:49 pm

Thanks very much 🙂 So at the moment (although you’ll want to check when you go because next year it might change!), attractions are closed as follows:

Vatican – Sundays Castel Sant Angelo – Mondays St. John in the Lateran – Sundays Borghese Gallery – Mondays

The Appian Way is also nice on Sundays as it’s closed to traffic, and many attractions including the Catacombs of St. Callixtus, the Catacombs of St. Sebastian and the Tomb of Cecilia Metella should be open on Sundays. You can see opening hours of various attractions along the way on this site (you’ll need to translate it to English).

If you want to visit all the attractions I’ve mentioned, I’d probably suggest doing Day 1 almost as it is on the Saturday, but with the addition of the Borghese Gallery as it’s closed on Mondays. If you miss any of the other attractions as a result they are all open the other days.

You could then switch day 2 and 3 around, so you do the Appian Way on the Sunday, and everything from Day 2 on the Monday.

Hopefully that makes sense! Let me know if you have any more questions!

Quynh Cao says

9th September 2021 at 9:50 pm

Hi Guys, Thank you so much for sharing this guide with the internet. I am planning a solo trip for my 23rd birthday and am feeling quite overwhelmed as this with being my first solo trip and my first time being in the EU. This itinerary is very detailed and is a huge help in the planning of my trip! I look forward to reading more of your blogs!

10th September 2021 at 2:43 pm

Thanks very much for your kind comment Quynh! If you have any questions at all as you plan your trip, don’t hesitate to reach out and we’ll do our best to help 🙂

6th July 2021 at 9:19 pm

Hi.., i just want to ask im bit confused if i Buy the 72-hour Rome and Vatican City pass package whick cost 113€ i will get both Omnia card and Rome Pass or i will choose which one i want to activate?? Thank you

6th July 2021 at 9:34 pm

You get both cards! One primarily covers the Vatican attractions and the other is for other attractions 🙂

Let me know if you have any more questions!

6th July 2021 at 9:40 pm

Thank you…, ❤️❤️❤️

13th July 2021 at 8:51 pm

Hi.., i was confused again for the omnia card the St. Peter’s Basilica is included.., is it also included the entrance to the dome??? Thanks

13th July 2021 at 9:44 pm

So yes, the Ommia Card includes St. Peter’s Basilica entry. It is worth noting that it is free to visit St. Peters Basilica, however the card gets you faster access without the usual line. I’m not sure at the moment how long the lines are though.

The card does not include dome access. Usually to get dome access, you would buy a ticket inside St. Peters itself. As you enter through the main doors, the ticket booth is to the right hand side before you enter the church itself. The price varies depending on if you want to take the stairs or the elevator. I can’t find any up to date information on whether it is currently open for visitors, but looking at recent instagram photos from the location it does appear to be 🙂

Branko says

24th July 2020 at 12:27 pm

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! Just spent 3 days in Rome with e-bike. Schedule was perfect!

24th July 2020 at 1:29 pm

My pleasure Branko, delighted to have been able to help and I am so happy you had a great time in Rome!

Kimberly Tate says

12th June 2020 at 12:28 am

Hello! I’ve just found your blog and love the information. Do you know when they will allow visitors again? Thank you Kim Tate

12th June 2020 at 10:20 am

Thanks very much, delighted to be able to help. So this is a great question. Italy actually opened up on the 3rd June to EU visitors, however it has not been announced when there will be wider openings. It is thought further announcements will be made on the 15th June. The majority of the attractions are already open, including the Colosseum, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museum, Borghese Gallery, and the Castel Sant Angelo. So really it’s going to come down to where you are visiting from, and when they open more widely to the world!

8th February 2020 at 9:16 pm

I absolutely love your blog / website. I’m thrilled I stumbled onto it. My question is about the Omnia Rome & Vacation Card and the Vatican Museum – Sistine Chapel. I’m a bit confused. The Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel are included in the Passes with the advantage of Skip-the-Line. What I’m confused by is when I went to the official Vatican website to look for the various tour options, I was going to have to pay 112 euros. When looking to purchasing tickets, I did not see an option to show the savings from the Omnia Rome Pass. How is this Pass cost effective for use at the Vatican? What am I missing or not understanding?

9th February 2020 at 3:55 pm

Thanks very much! You are correct, entry to the Vatican Museum is included on the Omnia Rome and Vatican Card. You don’t need to book a separate tour or purchase separate tickets for the Vatican, it’s all included as part of the pass. When you buy your card, you will be given the opportunity to book your time for the Vatican.

The only attraction you need to pre-book entry at is the Colosseum, which you do at the official Colosseum site. Instructions for doing this with the pass are in this post.

Let me know if I can help any further,

4th February 2020 at 9:54 pm

Thank you for creating this wonderful guide, you’ve made planning this trip so much more exciting! We are heading to Rome in May and have just tried to make the online reservation time slot for the Colosseum but it shows no availability beyond March…have these slots all gone already? Or are they not released yet?

Thank you in advance 🙂

6th February 2020 at 9:27 am

You are correct, the dates are released in phases rather than for the whole year. So you will want to check back regularly to see when your dates become available 🙂

19th February 2020 at 7:54 pm

Just to let you know if you haven’t done yet, reservation for Colosseum with Roma Pass is now open up to June 2020. Here’s the link: https://ecm.coopculture.it/index.php?option=com_snapp&view=event&id=7D8772B8-1D4C-5766-0483-016CAFC55142&catalogid=BA91B33D-F6C8-9440-1EE6-016CE8AE143F&lang=en

Hope this helps. Looking forward to our trip in June.

12th January 2020 at 6:41 am

I already got my omnia card & roma pass 72 hrs. which I ordered using your site’s link. Looking at the pamphlet that came with it, it shows that the Omnia 72 includes the Vatican Museum,Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, Basilica of St. John Lateran, St Paul Outside the Walls, Carcer Tulllianum & Open Bus 72h hop on hop off. Then the Roma Pass says free use of public transport for 72h, free entry to first 2 museums and concessionary tickets to all other museums. My question is can I start using each card independently from each other? Say I use the Roma Pass Fri, Sat, Sun and the Omnia Sun, Mon & Tues. or does the 72 hrs. for both cards start & end at the same time? I am trying to follow your itineraries although I have to make some adjustments as we cannot spend three successive days in Rome; there is a day where we will be doing a day trip from Rome and it has to be in between, but we still have 3 days to explore Rome. Our trip will still be in June, but I already booked the earliest time (9am) for the Vatican Museum/Sistine Chapel. I guess one advantage with having the Omnia card is that at this time (January) you can already book your time for the Vatican for June. I tried going to the Vatican site and they still have not open booking for June, for now they have bookings available only til March. Next thing I’ll do is reserve our entry time for the Colosseum. Looking forward to our trip and thanks again for all the useful information you shared.

12th January 2020 at 10:23 am

Thanks for stopping by and also ordering through our links, it all makes a difference. To answer your question, the answer is yes, you can use each card entirely independently and you don’t need to activate them together. They are technically separate products which you can buy individually, so there’s no need to use them together as they cover different things.

Sounds like you are well organised – booking entrance times is super important. I’ve heard from folks in Rome at the moment that it’s busy even now, so you definitely want to be all booked well in advance.

Let me know if you have any more questions, otherwise have a wonderful time in Rome!

Jay Joseph Avery says

13th January 2020 at 6:30 pm

Hi Laurence, Hope you don’t mind my asking more questions. When I booked for the Vatican Museums/Sistine Chapel using my Omnia card, I picked the 0900 slot. When I chose the time for St. Peter’s Basilica my option was 1300 or 1500. I had a conversation with my wife as I wasn’t sure if 1300 was a little early. We want to take our time, not be in a hurry and have lunch before we do St. Peter’s, so we decided and got the 1500 time. Our 2 children (22 & 12) will be coming with us. I already mapped out our itinerary (using your 2 & 3 days in Rome as a guide, and adding a few churches) for our almost 4 full days in Rome (4 days for 3 of us and 3 days for our son). Took into account our booking times; that we are in the Vatican almost the whole day. So for the day we do the Vatican, after our visit to St. Peter’s, we only have Castel Sant’ Angelo, Piazza Navona, Pantheon which is kind of on the way to our AirBNB which is only 180 m (2 min. walk) from the Fontana di Trevi.

1) Do you think the 0900 Vatican Museum/Sistine Chapel & 1500 St. Peter’s Basilica would work out? Can we go in St. Peter’s earlier than our scheduled 1500 (w/ Audioguide) just in case we are already done at the Museum/Sistine Chapel/lunch/pictures outside?

2) I have read in some blogs that going to St. Peter’s first, then the Museum/Sistine Chapel is one way of avoiding the huge crowd/tourists on buses. Does this strategy really work?

Thanks for your help.

14th January 2020 at 10:26 am

It’s my pleasure. So I’ve actually spoken with the pass people directly about this question as it’s quite a common one. What they have told me is that the time on the St. Peter’s Basilica isn’t that important. The important thing is to turn up on the right day. This isn’t the case for the other attractions where the timeslot is important, but St. Peter’s seems to be different. So I think once you are done with the Vatican you can just head to St. Peters and not worry about being exactly on time.

In my experience the Vatican starts off quieter and then gets busier and busier. It might be less busy in the later afternoon, but I’m not sure it’s worth waiting until then based on your schedule. Basically, it’s always pretty busy. The only way to see it without crowds is to take one of the special early access or late evening tours, but those are separately bookable.

Happy to help with any more questions 🙂

Jill Marie Casey says

14th December 2019 at 7:29 pm

I am in the trenches of planning our trip to Italy for July. I have been feeling overwhelmed. Your blog has made me feel so much more comfortable! I am about to purchase my Omnia Vatican and Roma Card so I can book my Colosseum time slot. If I have questions, I hope you will not mind if I reach out in the future.

15th December 2019 at 12:23 pm

Thanks very much Jill, and of course, you are more than welcome to reach out with any questions 🙂

16th October 2019 at 10:31 pm

This is such a helpful post, thank you for taking time to write it! I have a couple of questions if you have time to answer: with the Omnia pass do we have to pick it up – if so I prefer online the tourist card might be better as it’s all online. The thought of trying to track down where to pick up a card seems like a lot of time to waste when you don’t have much time!!! Also, I wondered if you could suggest some eating places and eating ideas – for example I have heard its cheaper to eat your biggest meal during the day rather than in the evening. We are travelling with two kids. Thanks so much!

17th October 2019 at 1:11 pm

With the Omnia Pass yes, you do have to pick it up. I think there will be an option to mail it to you, but that can work out quite expensive and so negate the benefits of the pass. The online version might be an better option for you in this regard, as long as it covers everywhere.

For food, to be honest we don’t usually recommend a lot of restaurants. This is because the quality can change quickly! We generally suggest checking review websites like Google Maps and Tripadvisor and trying to find places with good recent reviews. We do however have some suggestions for gelato in Rome which we can highly recommend reading so you get the good stuff.

For meals in general, yes, in Europe generally lunch is a better time for a main meal as the prices for the lunch menus are usually much better value than the evening meals. So eating a main meal at lunch time can definitely save you some money.

Have an amazing time in Rome and do let me know if you have any more questions, I will do my best to help!

Nicola says

11th October 2019 at 4:02 pm

Such a helpful post which I used for my recent trip! Thank you 🙂

11th October 2019 at 4:26 pm

Thanks very much Nicola! If you have any photos or tips to share, we’d love to see them in our facebook group 😀

https://www.facebook.com/groups/travelloversandphotography/

Laura P. says

5th October 2019 at 4:06 pm

Hello again — We will be in Rome from November 6-9 and have decided to do Walks of Italy for the Vatican and Collosseum/Forum. I noticed that several of their tours aren’t even available in November which makes me wonder how crowded the city and sights are at that time of year. Is the Pristine Sistine still recommended for November or do you think crowds during regular hours at that time of year are not an issue? Thank you

5th October 2019 at 6:26 pm

November is definitely a quieter time of year, so you shouldn’t have too many crowds to worry about. Really the busiest times are the summer months. We’d still recommend a tour if you want to learn more about what you are seeing, but certainly it shouldn’t be necessary. We would however always recommend buying skip the line tickets anyway – you can get them from Vatican website directly for the best price 🙂 You will also definitely need to book your tickets in advance for the Coliseum as well, as that runs a timed entry system.

Shirley says

21st January 2020 at 3:10 am

Hello I have been reading. Your blog and will be travelling in June 2020 . I love the 3day tour but will have to split the shortest day into 2 half day ( cruising in between) will be arriving to Rome early afternoon then on return my flight leaves late late that night any ideas ( I am staying near the Colessium so I was considering splitting that day up – would that work? Shirley

21st January 2020 at 9:23 am

Hi Shirley,

Yes that would work. Once you have seen the Colosseum and Roman Forum you can see the highlights of central Rome on your first day. Just be sure to book your Coliseum entry time well in advance for whichever day you choose to visit, as June can be a busy month and the Coliseum can book up.

Catherine says

29th September 2019 at 3:38 am

Hi Laurence

I am really appreciating all the information you are providing in your blog. I have decided not to get the Roma or Omnia Pass as I don’t think we will get the value from it. I am trying to book Colosseum ticket through one of the sites you recommended but am a bit confused with the tours and costings. We want to do a tour as we would like to see all the levels but can’t work out if I can do it or work out if we pay for that in addition to entry. We will be a group of 7 with three adults and 4 children 16 years and younger.

29th September 2019 at 9:47 am

Hi Catherine,

The tours I link to should all include your entry to the Colosseum 🙂 If you let me know which tour specifically you are looking at I can double check, but as far as I know entry is included with all the tours!

D Plummer says

25th September 2019 at 3:47 pm

Thank you for such an informative guide – making the museum and event reservations in advance were key to using our time wisely and having a perfect experience.

25th September 2019 at 9:20 pm

My pleasure, I’m delighted you had a great time and thanks so much for coming by to let us know, it’s always wonderful to hear nice comments 😀

13th September 2019 at 7:28 pm

Would you recommend hop-on hop-off bus in Rome? Or is the traffic far too bad for the bus transit?

13th September 2019 at 8:37 pm

We have taken the hop on hop off bus a number of times in Rome and it was ok actually, although this will vary depending on the time of day. It isn’t necessarily the fastest and most direct way to get around, but it is a good option for visiting some of the sights for sure 🙂

Paul Chasin says

5th September 2019 at 1:53 am

one more question from paul chasin if we use the omnia vatican card how do we get a reservation time for the vatican museums and sistine chapel without paying an additional 17.00E the web site for timed admissions on Nov 2, saturday has type of tickets all with prices but nothing that says if we have omnia card we can get a time without additional money thanks Paul C

5th September 2019 at 8:25 am

When you get the Omnia Vatican and Rome Card (assuming you buy it from the official site rather than Viator), you will be sent instructions on how to book the Vatican 🙂

Let me know if you have any problems!

3rd October 2019 at 11:22 pm

I’ve been wondering about this — can you reserve your entry times to Vatican and Colliseum without activating your card? I want to do it now, but won’t start using the card until November. Thanks!

4th October 2019 at 7:37 pm

You absolutely can and I encourage you to do so as soon as you can so as to get the slots you want 🙂 The card won’t activate until you use it at the first attraction.

paul Chasin says

5th September 2019 at 1:39 am

regarding Omnia vatican and Rome card 1. do you need a specific time slot reservation for anything other than the colosseum ? as to the the vatican do we need a timed reservation even with the Omnia card 2. currently on your link to the on line reservation web site for colosseum it does not give us option for reservation with the roma pass. Is there another way to make a timed reservation 3. do all sites on omnia vatican and Rome include audioguides or is that extra?

5th September 2019 at 8:24 am

1 – Yes, for the Vatican, but you should get a link to book this when you buy the card 2 – It seems the official Colosseum website has changed in the last week or so! The new link is here Altneratively, if you go to the Colosseum ticket office home page here then on the right hand side under “Roma Pass” there is a small link there. So you should be able to make your timed reservation from that page. Alternatively, there is a phone number you can ring. 3 – This is usually extra

I will update my Rome content regarding the new process for booking Colosseum slots now, thanks for bringing that to my attention!

paul chasin says

1st September 2019 at 12:16 am

is the Rome museum galleria borghese open sunday november 3? several web sites have it Xd out in red as they do on all mondays when museum is always closed but one site had non refundable tickets for Nov 3 which i am worried is a scam Thanks Paul Chasin

1st September 2019 at 11:44 am

As far as we can tell the Borghese is open on the 3rd November. You definitely want to book via a reputable site – we list some recommit in our dedicated Borghese Gallery guide which you can see here:

https://independenttravelcats.com/exploring-art-borghese-gallery-in-rome/#How-to-Make-Reservations-and-Book-Tickets

Jenny Swingle says

25th August 2019 at 5:40 am

I’m looking at the Omnia Pass and Roma Pass and feel like I’m missing something here. We are going to the following venues and it seems like buying tickets direct is cheaper than a pass? –Colosseum $13.50 USD, includes Roman Forum –Skip the Line Vatican and Sistine Chapel $31.50 –St Peters $16.86 –Castel Sant’Angelo $12

Your blog recommended to use the Omnia pass for free entry to the National Museum of Castel Sant’Angelo and the Colosseum / Roman Forum (value $25.50). Pass is $127. Or the Roma Pass gives free admission to the Colosseum OR Castel Sant’Angelo (value around $12-13). Pass is $45. I understand the passes include transit and other discounts, but it again appears to be cheaper to just buy direct or get a travel pass. Am I missing something, or if we’re only going to these sites should we just buy tickets direct because the passes aren’t worth it unless you’re going more places? Thanks in advance! Your blog was REALLY helpful!!

25th August 2019 at 2:15 pm

Thanks very much!

So you are definitely correct, the Omnia Pass and the Roma Pass are definitely only worth it if you plan on using most of the features. If you only want to visit some specific attractions, then booking individual skip the line entry is definitely the way forward.

In terms of pricing, I would add that the price for the Vatican should be less than what you have quoted. If you buy it directly from the official Vatican website:

http://www.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani/en/visita-i-musei/tariffe-e-biglietti.html

The price is €17 + a €4 booking fee. Some websites will try to make it seem more expensive by calling it a skip the line ticket, or that it includes the Sistine Chapel. But if you buy the Vatican Museum ticket from the official website, the €4 fee gives you skip the line access, and all Vatican Museum tickets include the Sistine Chapel

http://www.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani/en/visita-i-musei/scegli-la-visita/musei-e-collezioni/musei-vaticani-e-cappella-sistina/visita-libera-musei-vaticani-e-cappella-sistina.html

If you really want to save money, St. Peters is actually free. However, skip the line access (which is what you pay for) can save you a lot of time if you are visiting at a busy time of year.

For what you are doing, I would definitely suggest that the pass would not be worth it, and you should just book direct with the official websites, which are http://www.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani/en/visita-i-musei/scegli-la-visita.html

https://www.coopculture.it/en/colosseo-e-shop.cfm

I hope this helps and that you have a wonderful time in Rome. Do let me know if I can be of any more help too 😀

26th August 2019 at 4:18 am

Perfect, thank you so much!

21st August 2019 at 11:52 am

Hi, I will be in Rome in September for the third time, but it’ll be my son’s first time. 🙂 Thank you for all your wonderful tips. This is a truly fabulous article! Gabi

21st August 2019 at 12:07 pm

Our pleasure Gabi – have an amazing time!

Syaharom Abdullah says

17th August 2019 at 3:25 am

Hi, Laurence !

My wife and I plan to visit Rome and Venice in mid December. If I were to follow your three day Rome itinerary, where would be the best location for me to stay? I have a budget of about 100 Euro a day for accommodation.

17th August 2019 at 9:46 am

Hi Syaharom

In Rome in December the prices are pretty reasonable, so you should have no trouble finding a location. I’d recommend staying near Piazza Navona as that is close to most of the sights in the city. Some options to consider:

https://www.booking.com/hotel/it/argentina-view.en-gb.html?aid=385205;label=FTU3DayRome https://www.booking.com/hotel/it/navona-gallery-and-garden-suites.en-gb.html?aid=385205;label=FTU3DayRome https://www.booking.com/hotel/it/b-amp-b-palazzo-lupardi.en-gb.html?aid=385205;label=FTU3DayRome

My suggestion would be to load up the booking.com site, and filter by your date, and then by price and rating. For example, this search already filters by your requirements, you just need to change the dates to your specific dates. Then you can hit the “map view” to see where they are. Have a great trip!

17th August 2019 at 3:06 pm

Dear Laurence

Thanks. I appreciate it.

17th August 2019 at 12:37 am

Question i read that “main museums and public monuments ” are free to seniors over 65 Which museums are these? are any of them the main tourist attractions like vatican city St Peter’s Basilica, or museo e galleria Borghese? thanks paul chasin

17th August 2019 at 9:56 am

It really varies depending on the attraction, but it is not common for entry to be free to seniors. In addition, the free access might only be for EU citizens. From the list you have provided, the Vatican doesn’t as far as I am able to tell. St. Peter’s Basilica is free, you only pay if you want to skip the line. The Borghese also has no senior discount.

Have a great time in Rome 🙂

youssef sherif says

6th August 2019 at 4:23 am

Hi laurence, I wanted to ask you a question , I don’t understand the difference between pre booking a regular admission ticket and pre booking a skip the line ticket , I mean in both cases I don’t have to stand in the ticket line and I go straight to the security check right? or did you mean that the line of visitors with skip the line tickets is usually much shorter than that with regular admission tickets? I also wanted to ask you about one more thing , If I bought a skip the line ticket from any website like tripadvisor I dont have to reserve a time slot on the official website right ?

7th August 2019 at 2:36 pm

Hi Youssef,

This is correct for the most part, however it depends on the attraction. In general though:

– for the majority of attractions, there will always be some sort of security line – some attractions have a separate fast track line for specific tickets, and a normal line for standard ticket holders. Depending on the ticket, you will join one of these lines for ticket validation and security checks – there will also be a general line for those not in possession of a ticket. You want to try and avoid this line!

For the skip the line tickets on third party websites, if it includes a timed entrance then you should not have to book a time slot, however you definitely need to check the instructions of the ticket to be sure.

Kim Wood says

9th June 2019 at 5:54 am

Hi, I have Omina Vatican & Rome card and I make a big mistake to reservation the time slot on the wrong date on Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel – Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel, how can I change it?

9th June 2019 at 8:59 pm

So for this you would need to contact the Omnia Vatican & Rome Card folds. I would suggest calling them – they have a UK call center and also a Skype contact number – you can see these here:

https://www.romeandvaticanpass.com/contact-rome-pass/

Best of luck,

4th June 2019 at 3:19 pm

Hi, back again, sorry.

Been trying since April to book that Colosseum entry time slot, with the Roma pass. Whenever I have tried to select my date to visit, in early July, there has not been a single date able to be selected after June.

Not full, just not yet able to be chosen. I wondered if I had to wait until June to be able to select dates in July, as there has simply been no possibility to choose dates within that month, until now.

Now that June has begun, I tried again, only to find that every single time slot on every single day until the end of August is fully booked.

I was unable to book before now because tickets were not available for purchase from July on, and now I cannot purchase because they are all seemingly sold out.

Can you tell me what this means for me, and possibly why this was the case? And am I unable to receive free entry on my Roma pass to the Colosseum because of this?

Thanks very much (once again) Alex.

4th June 2019 at 3:37 pm

Hi Alex – no problem at all!

So I have recently spoken to the Colosseum folks because I am getting a lot of questions about the Colosseum. So many in fact that I’ve written a whole guide to it, which is new since you last commented:

https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/colosseum-rome-guide/

In essence, the timeslot system has definitely resulted in a lot less availability for the Colosseum. When I spoke to the Colosseum ticket office, I was told that do release slots on a weekly basis, but I wasn’t given details as to when that happens exactly, how many they release at a time, and how far in advance they are for. You could try calling the ticket line, giving your specific dates, and asking if new timeslots are going to open up. The number is +39 06 399 67 700, and it’s option 2 for English. I recommend using something like Skype for cheaper calls.

Let’s get back to the other part of your question, in terms of what this actually means for you if the timeslots are not available.

First, yes, you won’t be able to use your Roma Pass for the Colosseum. This isn’t the end of the world, as you can use the free entry to another attraction.

I assume you do still want to visit the Colosseum, and the good news is that this will be possible, you will just have to go about it a different way. Generally, this will involve taking a slightly higher priced ticket, or booking a guided tour. I have outlined the main options in this section of my Colosseum guide:

https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/colosseum-rome-guide/#What-if-there-are-no-times-available-for-the-Colosseum

I hope this helps, the timed entry system is new for 2019 and I really don’t think anyone anticipated how much demand there was going to be, especially over the busier months!

Darlene says

27th May 2019 at 3:41 am

HI…thanks for a great site!! I am thinking of taking my 20 yr old daughter on a Med. cruise that leaves Oct 1st…we could have 3 or 4 days in Rome before the cruise…what are the crowds like during this time and is the weather still nice? Thank for your help. Cheers, Darlene

27th May 2019 at 11:06 am

Hi Darlene,

The crowds should be very manageable by October. i would still recommend booking your Colosseum ticket in advance just to avoid disappointment, but other than that I don’t think it will be too busy. Weather wise, it depends on how lucky you are! It could be mild and sunny, or it could be wet and cool. It’s unlikely to be extremely hot or extremely cold, so just some sensible clothing layers and some sort of waterproof or umbrella should suffice,

Have a great time!

David T says

23rd May 2019 at 11:12 am

Love your page! I bought the OMNIA Rome pass as you suggest. I want to do the VIP tour you suggested for the Colosseum, but am wondering whether I need to still purchase the Entrance pass (2 euros) with the Rome pass or does the VIP tour include the entrance as well?

23rd May 2019 at 11:15 am

Thanks David! The VIP Colosseum / Caesars Palace tour includes your entry ticket and time slot to the Colosseum and Roman Forum, so no need to worry about reserving those if you book on the tour 🙂

8th May 2019 at 12:59 pm

Hello, thank you for a great blog it really inn lauded all the information we needed and more. I just a question – I was going to buy tickets through the ticketbar website (you gave a link to it under basilica) but read a couple of entries at other sites saying not to use 3rd party vendors etc. is the website trustworthy for Vatican skip the line tickets. Omniscient would not work for us. Many thanks in advance Best Eva

8th May 2019 at 4:52 pm

For the Vatican we recommend (and directly link to in this post) that you book your skip the line tickets on the Vatican website directly. The only reason for this is cost, on the official website it’s €17 + €4 booking fee for a skip the line ticket, whilst most third party sellers are more expensive, and you generally end up getting the same thing, so there is no real value. The reason they are more expensive is just the way that the Vatican structures it’s prices to third parties. This is the same for the Coliseum – if you don’t use a pass, then it’s usually always cheaper to just book direct. The only thing to bear in mind is that some third parties do include addons like audioguides in the package price, which can make it more valuable.

We recommend ticketbar for many other products in cities around the world and have had no problems using them. For St. Peters Basilica for example they have a ticket, which as you mention we do suggest. This is because there is no actual entry fee to St. Peter’s Basilica, so you can’t buy a ticket from the official site. However, you can pay more to get a faster access and thus skip the long lines, which is what sites like ticketbar are able to provide.

Let me know if you have any more questions, I’m happy to help!

Vishal says

7th May 2019 at 4:07 am

Hi Laurence,

Thanks … this is very useful information and we will be relying on this to plan our trip.

Just wanted to check – if I buy the OMania card but need a guided tour of Vatican and Colosseum, is it possible to get a local guide to accompany us when we visit these 2 attractions? Where can I get a local guide . We are a group of 6.

Not planning a guided tour as I am already paying for the entry for both attractions when I purchase the card.

Regards, VK

7th May 2019 at 5:28 pm

So I am sure that this is possible, but I am not sure where you would find this type of guide, as all the tours I can find already include entry. However, you can get an audioguide, which might be just as good, and also a lot cheaper!

8th May 2019 at 4:54 am

Hi Laurance,

Thanks for your very prompt response. A couple of additional questions ( sorry about this but we are largely following your itinerary).

1. I have booked a guided tour for Vatican and Colosseum so will not opt for the Rome and Omania pass. Do you think it’s still worth to get a Roma pass (72 hr or 48 hr) for the rest of the attractions on your itinerary + the local transport flexibility it offers? We have 4 days and are a group of 6 (children, adults and seniors).

2. Borghese gallery is fully booked during the time I am in Rome and we will skip the Pyramid of Caius. What other attractions would you recommend we visit ?

8th May 2019 at 9:48 am

My pleasure, and no problem.

1 – it’s always hard to advise if something is worth it as folks have different ideas of value 🙂 I’d say for me it would be worth it and we usually advise it, but it will depend on the other attractions you visit and how much you plan to use the public transport to decide if it’s worth it for you. Without the Coliseum entry, it is less of a financially obvious case, but it depends what else you go and see.

2 – I’d suggest the Capucin Museum, which is quite interesting if a little creepy. You should also consider the Circo Maximums and the Capitoline Museums.

Christopher Darling says

27th April 2019 at 10:54 am

Good morning

Thank you very much for such a really great and detailed travel guide.

I ordered the Omnia card, I was wondering if it was possible to change the time of the Vatican museum booking. When I booked my museum timing I wasn’t aware Saint Peter’s Basilica next timing was 4 hrs later.

Thank you for all of your help and your great guide.

27th April 2019 at 6:55 pm

My pleasure. So for the Omnia Card, when I have queried about the timings in the past, I was told that the only important time is the Vatican time. Beyond that, as long as you show up on the right day for the St. Peter’s Basilica, you shouldn’t have any problem.

That said, I would also check with the Omnia card folks to confirm this, and also to see if you can change the time if you would still prefer to do that,

Alex Purvis says

12th April 2019 at 11:48 am

Hi Lawrence and Jessica,

Thank you very much for this wonderful blog. I have a question about the Omnia card, which I have just purchased, if you can help me.

I haven’t yet been quite able to figure out how the discounts to attractions work. I assume, at least for the two free attractions, you just pick which two appeal, then join the security line to enter and declare while brandishing your Omnia card that this is one of your two chosen free entries. Is that correct?

However, for the other discounted attractions, is it the case that you must still join the ticket purchasing line, and show your Omnia card when you buy in order to receive the discount? In which case, you would be unable to skip the ticket lines for any other than the two free attractions (plus the Vatican). Is that how the discounts work?

One other small issue – when I follow the link in the email confirmation Omnia sent me to reserve time slots at the Vatican, it appears that I have to reserve separate time slots for all three of: Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, and St. Peter’s Prison. Is that the case, and if I did not reserve times for all three, or was slightly late for a particular time slot, would I then be denied entry, or miss out on skip-the-queue?

I apologise for the length of this message, but I would be very grateful for any clarity you could provide!

Thanks Again!

12th April 2019 at 12:00 pm

Our pleasure, we’re delighted you found it useful 🙂

So, assuming you bought the Omnia Card that we recommend in this post, it is actually two cards.

The Omnia part of it is what gives you access to the Vatican attractions, which include the Vatican Museum, St. Peters Basilica and so on. Those are all included, you don’t have to choose.

The other part of it is the Roma Pass, which is the one where you get free access to the 2/6 attractions, and then discounted admission. You are correct – the skip the line access only works for the free admission.

The main queues in Rome however are for St. Peters Basilica, the Vatican Museum (both of these you get skip the line access with the Omnia part of the card) and the Coliseum. The Coliseum however now operates a timed entry system, as explained in this post. I definitely recommend using the Coliseum for one of your free entries, and reserving your timeslot online using the process I outline in this post.

I have been told in the past by the Omnia Pass folks that the only timeslot that really matters is the Vatican Museum. For St. Peters Basilica, the important thing is that you choose the correct day, the actual timeslot is not an issue. I had not previously heard of a separate timeslot for the Sistine Chapel. I don’t see that this could be a thing as it’s actually inside the Vatican Museum, so you just visit it as part of that visit, I don’t believe there’s a separate entry process as far as I know, unless this has changed recently.

For St. Peters Prison, I have a feeling this will be the same as St. Peters Basilica, as long as pick the right day, the timing shouldn’t be a big issue. It’s not a massive attraction so there shouldn’t be any problem. Personally I would reserve all the times, but only worry about being on time for the Vatican Museum, which is one where you are escorted in by the Omnia Pass people in a special line.

Let me know if this all makes sense!

Melissa says

4th April 2019 at 9:01 pm

My husband and I are planning a full 2 week trip to Italy in September 2019. Mainly because our son is stationed at the military base in Naples. We will be arriving early morning on a WED and will have most of the day WED and all day THU to spend in Rome, then we will take a train FRI morning to visit our son in Naples for a 4 day weekend. He will be showing us around Naples, Pompeii and Amalfi coast/Capri. We were then planning to either catch a train/plane from Naples to Florence then to Venice and then back to Rome early on a MON for another day before heading to airport for very early am flight on TUE. Or maybe taking a flight directly to Venice first then taking the train to florence and back towards Rome.

I’ve been researching a lot on how to go about doing this. It seems that the Omnicard would not be the most economical option since our “3-days in Rome” will not be consecutive. Any advise you can give me would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

5th April 2019 at 11:18 am

Hi Melissa,

You are correct, the 3 day pass wouldn’t work out so well for you. However, I have a solution. The 3 day Ommnia Rome and Vatican Card actually consists of two cards, an Omnia Card, and a Roma Pass. You can buy these separately, and thus activate them separately. The Omnia card will cover the Vatican attractions, and the Rome Pass will cover things like the Coliseum, Roman Forum and so on.

So my suggestion is to buy them individually, and to use the Roma Pass for the WED/THU, then the OMNIA pass for the Monday. I would suggest picking up the Omnia Pass when you arrive though, as you can then book your timeslots for the Vatican Museums.

You can buy the 24 hour Omnia Card here , and the 48 hour Roma Pass here .

Just be aware that for the Coliseum, even with a Roma Pass, you still need to reserve a timeslot. The process for doing so is explained in the post above (this is new as of March 2019, so many websites are still giving incorrect information that you don’t need to do this).

The only thing I would advise is just to make sure the various attractions you plan to visit are open on the days you are visiting. Based on the information you’ve given me it should be fine, but Rome has public holidays and so on, and I wouldn’t want you to buy a pass for a specific day that you then can’t use!

Let me know if I can be of any further help, and have a fantastic trip!

5th April 2019 at 11:19 am

Just to add to this – if you don’t want the hop on hop off bus, you can also buy skip the line tickets for both St. Peters and the Vatican from that website, which might be a little cheaper than the Omnia Card.

4th April 2019 at 1:15 am

Hello, Thank you so much for the extremely helpful information. I’m in Rome now mostly following your itinerary. My question is about food. I’m not sure If you already mentioned this anywhere n I missed it but what are the best places you would recommend to eat Italian food (restaurants or grap n go pies n stuff)? We are doing Vatican tomorrow (through Omnia with a guide). Any specific place to eat you recommend around there ? Thanks

4th April 2019 at 11:55 am

To be honest, we haven’t put together a restaurant guide for Rome as yet. We rarely do food guides to be honest, because we like to be thorough, and it takes a lot of time to visit sufficient restaurants to come up with a good enough guide – especially in a city like Rome! We also find that restaurants are not like attractions, they tend to open and close more often, and it can be hard to keep a guide up to date.

When we travel, we usually look at resources like Google Maps or Yelp, as well a general blog posts on where to eat in a city from more focused food blogs. We try to make sure the reviews are recent and seem to also be from locals. Usually this works pretty well. Rome is pretty good for restaurants though, we’ve never had a particularly bad meal! But a little research will keep you away from the more touristy traps.

Sorry not to be of more specific help!

29th March 2019 at 2:01 pm

We will be traveling to Rome in May, and will be spending three days. I tried locating your google map itinerary but am having issue finding it. When I click the link to the map, it only opens my Google Map App without opening your itinerary map. Is there a way you could provide me the name or another link to the map?

Thank you! This was by far the most helpful in regards to planning a short visit in Rome – so many other blogs did not give precise direction on how/when to organize the trip!

29th March 2019 at 2:09 pm

Thanks very much 🙂 So I have updated the link to the following:

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1x5V1a95ajBmgBgXTOFCxNCgCEU4_84nF&ll=41.891275518815284%2C12.479531000000065&z=14

Can you let me know if that works for you? Google is a bit tricky when it comes to these things sometimes. If that doesn’t work, I would suggest trying on a desktop browser or in an incognito tab perhaps.

Let me know how it goes!

29th March 2019 at 2:29 pm

Thank you so much! That link worked for me! I appreciate it!

29th March 2019 at 2:46 pm

Awesome 😀 I will update some of our other posts as well to the new link structure 🙂

gabriela honegger says

21st March 2019 at 8:02 pm

Hi Laurence and Jessica,

We will be arriving in Rome on June 20, 2019 and departing on June 24 out of Venice to France . Could you advise us on how to get around and see Rome, Florence, and Venice in 4 days? Is this even possible? love your website!!!!

21st March 2019 at 8:29 pm

Hi Gabriela,

So this is of course theoretically possible, but it will be quite rushed. I would probably try and focus on seeing two cities more fully, but I understand if you want to fit it all in.

I’m not sure what time you are arriving or leaving and if you have much time on the 24th or 20th. So this sort of assumes you don’t have much time on those days.

My advice be to spend a day in Rome, following our itinerary for a day in Rome . Then, take the train to Florence (book train tickets in advance on trenitalia to save money). Either go in the evening after exploring Rome, or early in the morning. Then explore Florence for a day, overnight in Florence, and then head to Venice on the train.

If you want to take a tour in any of these places, I can recommend this Rome in a Day tour and this Florence in a Day Tour 🙂

17th March 2019 at 7:24 pm

Thank you. This is immensely helpful. I can tell it took a lot of thought and time and I truly appreciate it!

18th March 2019 at 11:57 am

My pleasure Luis – have a great trip!

6th March 2019 at 3:13 pm

I love your website and how you are so helpful to those of us who have no idea what to expect when we arrive in Rome. Your 3 day itinerary is awesome. We plan to see at least the first two days of attractions. This is the best sight I’ve seen and the fact that you answer directly to us is amazing. Thank you in advance for your help.

I’m worried I may have done something wrong. We arrive in Rome on March 31st…we arrive early that morning so I thought we might want to see a few of the lesser sites or do the hop on hop off tour just to get familiar with the city that afternoon when we arrive. We plan to start our Vatican and Colosseum sightseeing early Monday morning April 1st.

I purchased the Omnia Vatican and Rome Card a couple of days ago. I picked the date of March 31, My thinking is that it will give us 3 days…March 31 – April 2. We leave early on April 3rd. Am I correct in my thinking that this pass will give us those 3 days of sightseeing and general transportation?

My second concern is I can’t find anywhere that allows me to pick time slots. We want to start at the Vatican as early as possible on Monday April 1. Can you help me figure out how to choose my time slots?

The Omnia Vatican and Rome Card is expensive and I can’t find a way to pick a time slot?

7th March 2019 at 11:35 am

Many thanks for your message. So the pass will activate on first use, the date you specified isn’t too important. If you start using it on the 31st it will work on the 31st,1st and 2nd.

For your second point I have been in contact with the folks who issue the pass about your issue. I have been told that you should have received an email with a link to book your times. However, you are the second person to contact me about this recently so I am wondering if something has changed. If you could forward me the email they sent you on purchase and any other confirmation to my email, [email protected] , I’ll investigate further!

7th March 2019 at 3:57 pm

Thank you Laurence,

I have forwarded the email to you. I really appreciate your help.

8th March 2019 at 1:32 pm

Great Alana – happy to be of help 🙂 Have a great trip!

1st March 2019 at 7:04 am

Thank you so much for this easy to follow and very detailed guide. I have one question though…. About the ticketbar purchase ~where can we redeem the cards and stuff for example from the airport in Rome?

1st March 2019 at 4:05 pm

For the Rome Pass, the pickup locations are as follows:

PIT Castel S. Angelo, Piazza Pia (next to the gardens of Castel Sant’Angelo), 8.30am – 18.00pm till 24/03, 9.30am – 7.00pm till 27/10. PIT Ciampino, Aeroporto G.B.Pastine – External area International Arrivals. 8.30am – 6.00pm. PIT Cinque Lune, Piazza delle Cinque Lune (Piazza Navona). 9.30am – 7.00pm. PIT Fiumicino, Aeroporto Leonardo Da Vinci – International Arrivals – Terminal T3. 8.00am – 8.45pm. PIT Fori Imperiali, Visitor Center Via dei Fori Imperiali. 01 January-30 June and 01 September-31 December: 9.30am – 7.00pm – 01 July-31 August: 9.30am – 8.00 pm. PIT Minghetti, Via Marco Minghetti (corner to Via del Corso). 9.30am – 7.00pm. PIT Sonnino, Piazza Sidney Sonnino (Trastevere). 10.30am – 8.00pm. PIT Termini, Stazione Termini – Via Giovanni Giolitti, 34, platform 24. 8.00am – 6.45pm.

So as you can see, lots of options 😀

4th March 2019 at 10:25 am

Thank you so much!

Sandy s says

28th February 2019 at 7:47 pm

Hi Laurence. Hope you can answer a couple of queries for me. 1. Our flight lands at about 9pm and we were planning on getting the train/bus from the airport to termini. Just a bit concerned of what is the best option to get from termini to our hotel. Can we get a taxi outside the station and roughly how much would it cost? Our hotel is close to the Coliseum. the hotel does a shuttle from the airport but it is very expensive. 2. we have booked the Vatican museum etc with our omnia card. Did I see somewhere that we now have to book the coliseum as well in advance?

Ps loving the blog – planning on using the itinerary when we visit in 3 weeks!

1st March 2019 at 4:18 pm

So, from Termini to the Coliseum is only about half a mile, which is even walkable! However, there are also public buses you could take. I couldn’t tell you how much a taxi would cost, but it would not be very much for such a short distance.

For the Coliseum, yes, they have now (as of 1st March 2019, or today!), made it so that everyone, even holders of the Roma Pass / Omnia Card, have to book their Coliseum time. This costs €2 and is best done online. To do so, you will go here:

https://ecm.coopculture.it/index.php?option=com_snapp&view=event&id=6C207193-B1F0-4F69-70C4-016523BDE15E&catalogid=1B972393-F85A-9A73-1906-0167A81DA806&lang=en

And pick a date and time slot at the bottom. It is easier if you do this with “solo disponsibli” checked, as it will show you only available times. Once you pick a time, you should be able to choose a ticket type, and one of them will be “COL-FOR-PAL PREN.INGRESSO CON ROMA PASS individuals entrance” at a price of €2. That is the one you want to buy.

I hope this helps! I’ll update our Rome content to reflect this as it’s all new for 2019.

Have a great trip

Sandy S says

1st March 2019 at 5:41 pm

Hi Laurence Thanks for the quick response. I was initially happy to walk from Termini but as it is going to be about 10pm I was just concerned about safety for two mature ladies visiting. I think a taxi might be best.

2nd March 2019 at 8:01 am

No worries. Rome is pretty safe, but it never hurts to take precautions, especially with all your baggage,

Have a wonderful time 🙂

25th February 2019 at 5:48 pm

Hello; I have found your site to be very helpful when planning my visit to Rome. I will be traveling with a small dog and traveling in November so I hope the crowds will be less. I realize that dogs will not be allowed in the interior of most places, but I assume I will be able to walk on the outside of many of the sites you mentioned. Also, do you find Rome to be dog friendly?

I would also like to take a cooking class while in Rome….do you recommend any?

27th February 2019 at 5:00 pm

So we haven’t travelled with a dog in Rome, so our advice is not from personal experience. However, you shouldn’t have any trouble on the outside of the attractions certainly. I’m not sure which attractions would allow dogs, if any, but I think overall Rome is dog friendly. However, again I must stress this is not based on first hand experience.

In terms of cooking classes, the only one we’ve done is this one . It was a great evening and lots of fun, but it was more of a pasta making evening and social event rather than a full-on cooking class, so it depends what you want 🙂

Have a wonderful trip!

Deepak says

21st February 2019 at 2:55 am

Thanks for the detailed itinerary. Really loved the way you have organised the content and shared your experience. We are planning for a 2.5 day trip to Rome in July. I had few questions

1. Since we land in Rome at 9am, we plan to start our sight seeing at 1PM after we check-in and take some rest. Given just half day, which of day of your 3 day itinerary do you suggest to do on our first day given we have only 0.5 day.

2. I plan to take guided tours to both Vatican Museums and Colloseum. Will you suggest I still take Roma Pass ?

3. Any suggestions on good authentic Italian food in Rome ?

4. We plan to take train to Naples on Day 4 for a trip to Pompeii. Any suggestions on Naples and Pompeii ?

21st February 2019 at 8:56 am

So if you lose half a day you will possibly have to skip something, depending on how you arrange your time. However, you mention that you want to take a tour of the Vatican and Coliseum. So my suggestions is as follows:

1 – take the Rome in a Day tour from Take Walks, which includes both the Vatican and Coliseum, as well as the majority of sights in the city centre. For your half day, you could see what’s left on Day 2, then on your other full day you could do day 3.

2 – no, I don’t think you will get too many benefits of the Roma Pass, unless you want the transport.

3 – to be honest, we rarely recommend restaurants as they change so often, and the quality can vary. We recommend using Google maps or something similar, and looking for recent good reviews.

4 – this isn’t an area we’ve explored recently, so we don’t have any tips currently – sorry!

Jeff Tokryman says

15th February 2019 at 2:58 pm

Hello Thank you for the detailed info We (2 of us) are looking for a guided group tour of Rome over a three day time frame to see the sites you mention. Vatican and related with skip the line access. We also want to go inside the Colosseum, Pantheon, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain. Context Travel has these split up. I am looking for a complete combo tour. We plan to visit Rome The 1st or 2nd week of MAY.

17th February 2019 at 3:59 pm

Have you taken a look at the tours available on the Take Walks site? They have a number of options. Or did you want a private tour?

14th February 2019 at 8:05 pm

I love your post about 3 days in Rome. I just purchased the Omnia Rome travel pass. I ordered the passes to be sent to me because I thought it would be one less thing I had to deal with when I arrived. They sent an email saying I can’t prebook my entry times until I have my tickets. I know you stated in your post that once you order the pss you can book your reservations. Do you know if something changed or did I book it wrong? Thank you.

14th February 2019 at 9:02 pm

So my understanding was that as soon as you bought your pass you would be able to book your entry times at the following website: https://booking.omniakit.org/en/categories/choose

However, it sounds like this might have changed. I have sent an e-mail to my contacts at the Omnia Rome pass to see what the current process is in case it has changed. In addition, for the Coliseum you also now need to book an entry time if you are visiting after the start of March 2019. However the process for how you actually do this with the pass is a bit unclear, so I have asked for clarity about that as well,

I’ll be in touch when I hear back!

19th February 2019 at 2:01 am

Thank you so much! I appreciate your help with my questions!

19th February 2019 at 4:06 pm

My pleasure!

Suan Teo says

12th February 2019 at 1:16 am

We are a group of 6 seniors travelling to Rome arriving Oct 14 and our cruise sets sail on Oct 20. Your 3-day Rome itinerary and 2-day in Florence is very helpful. Need recommendation on accommodation for 6….will you suggest VRBO and/or AirBnB. Thank you.

12th February 2019 at 5:36 pm

I would certainly suggest for a larger party that an apartment is great option. We have a list of a range of apartment booking websites we suggest you look at, which you can see here .

Let me know if you have any more questions and I’ll try to help out!

27th January 2019 at 1:00 am

Hi Laurence & Jessica Norah, thank you for this wonderful insight of Rome. i am arriving in Rome Feb of this year Sunday noon and leaving Thursday morning to explore the City. i honestly love the itinerary that you wrote but my “bad left knee” can’t endure the walks as stated. my top priorities to visit are as follows. The Vatican, The Museum, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica (and maybe hear Mass and see a glimpse of our beloved Pope). Piazza del Popolo, Spanish steps, Trevi fountain (wishing to visit again), Mouth of Truth (for the child/curiosity/fun @heart) and of course, The Colosseum & Roman Forum. please help me out on how to achieve this in 3 1/2 days. thank you in advance and more power to you two 🙂 Sirod

27th January 2019 at 10:06 am

So based on your priorities I think you will be able to achieve what you want. As you say you want to see a Papal mass, we can arrange your visit around that. I’m not sure which part of February you are visiting, but you can see the papal mass timetable here: http://www.vatican.va/various/prefettura/en/udienze_en.html

For the Wednesday mass, please be advised you have to get tickets in advance from the website I link to. Tickets are free, but are required for entry. You will also need to be there in person at least a couple of hours early in order to see mass. So this will take up most of the morning and some of the afternoon.

My advice for the rest of that day would be to visit the outside attractions, like Piazza del Popolo, the Spanish Steps and the Trevi fountain. From the vatican you can take a bus to the centre of the city. Alternatively, you could visit St. Peter’s on this afternoon as you are already there. I don’t think you’ll have time to see the Vatican as well.

So this would give you the Monday to see The Colosseum & Roman Forum. This would also be a good day to see the mouth of truth.

You could then dedicate the Tuesday to the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel.

Does that sound feasible?

27th January 2019 at 9:19 pm

Thank you very much for your reply. This will definitely be a short but wonderful stay in Rome. More power to your “blog”

27th January 2019 at 11:02 pm

My pleasure Sirod, do let me know if you have any more questions!

caroline says

26th January 2019 at 8:40 pm

love your blog. Excited to go to Rome in a few days, however, there is one thing that we dont understand with the Omnia Card. Are you supposed to prebooked online all the attractions with the Omnia card or just show up ? Thanks in advance, Caroline

26th January 2019 at 8:51 pm

Hi Caroline!

Thanks very much, and it’s my pleasure to be able to help 🙂

So when you have your card you can prebook your timeslots at the following website: https://booking.omniakit.org/en/categories/choose

If you are picking the card up in person, you’ll make the bookings at the time you pick it up I think.

The only things you need to book the timeslots for are the Vatican Museum and St. Peter’s Basilica. However, for St. Peter’s, it’s an open ticket for the whole day – as long as you have a booking confirmation for the right day, the time doesn’t matter.

I hope this helps – let me know if you have any further questions or anything doesn’t make sense 🙂

26th January 2019 at 9:34 pm

Thanks Laurence, for taking the time to answer my question. This is very heelpful.

24th January 2019 at 5:59 pm

I’m relieved to find the perfect Rome travel guide for me! It tends to be overwhelming during this planning phase as there’s a wide range of attractions to visit. But glad to havr come across your page.

My husband and I are booked for June 3-11, 2019. We have not booked any accommodation yet but we’re looking more into a bed & breakfast kind of place.

We’re inclined to tour around Italy for our 8 nights. We’re thinking of Rome, Milan, Venice and Florence. Do you think doing this would be too tight given our travel period? We’re slow paced travelers and would want to have ample time to appreciate the surroundings. We also love when we don’t need to rush from one point to the next.

Also, can you comment about taking taxis, uber, or private hired cars as mode of transportation? What’s our best option if we want to travel (day trip) to Milan or Venice or Florence or all?

Thank you in advance!

25th January 2019 at 3:06 pm

Thanks very much 😀 So I would say that 8 days is definitely enough to see three cities. Four would be possible, but if you don’t want to feel rushed then you might want to drop one. My suggestion would be to go Rome -> Florence – Venice, and to take the fast train between them which will be the most cost effective and fastest way to travel. Tickets can be booked online in advance from the TrenItalia website, which has an English language version.

For transportation in the cities, much of the three cities I mention are entirely walkable, but Uber is available and likely going to be your best option. I’d also recommend the bus or other public transport options. Venice doesn’t have any vehicles, only water taxis.

I would personally advise that if you really want to appreciate Venice and Florence that you stay overnight in them. So with your eight nights, I’d suggest 3 in Rome, 3 in Florence with one of those days as a trip to Tuscany, and 2 nights in Venice. For your time in Florence, I’d suggest reading our guide to 2 days in Florence, which has some suggested tours to Tuscany: https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/highlights-of-florence-and-tuscany-two-days/

I don’t think you’ll need a hire car 🙂

Have a great trip – and do let me know if you have any more questions!

17th January 2019 at 8:37 pm

Laurence, what a great blog you guys have produced, well done! Great insight and hints!! My wife and I are going to Rome either over Easter (yea) or in July (UGGGH HOT) If we buy the individual tickets from the sites themselves do we get to skip the lines too? And if we buy them online before we fly over can we print the tickets at home and bring them with us or do they have to be mailed/shipped to us ? Thanks so much!!

17th January 2019 at 10:26 pm

Personally I’d go for Easter if I was you – July will not only be hot, but also very busy.

For the tickets, sorry to say this, but it very much depends on the site and the ticket. However, I will quickly run down for the main sites:

For the Vatican, yes, if you book it on the official Vatican Museum website this comes with skip the line access. Note whatever ticket you buy there is still a security line.

For St. Peter’s Basilica, there isn’t an entry ticket, so there is no official website to buy a ticket from. However, there is usually a long line for security here, and if you buy from one of the “skip the line” third party services, you get access to a shorter security line which can save you a lot of time on a busy day. Obviously the value of this is up to you! We recommend this one , but there are a few.

For the Coliseum, you can also buy skip the line tickets from the official website here . Personally I find this website a bit confusing 😉 There are a variety of ticket options, but as of 2018 they operate a timed entry system, so you have to pick a time slot. Until the end of 2018 they had something called an “open” ticket, which let you go in any time after 2pm, but that appears to have been discontinued, so you need to select a time.

For the tickets, I believe they are all of the print at home variety, however we nearly always use one of the various passes we mention as we just find them easier, so I do not have first hand knowledge to confirm that.

Finally, we can also recommend one of the walking tours as well if you want to avoid all the hassle as they sort all this stuff out for you. Obviously more expensive, but we find they can really help bring a location to life. We recommend Walks of Italy generally for Rome 🙂

Have a fantastic trip, and if you do decide to go for the online tickets, do let us know how it goes and if they can be printed at home so I know for future!

21st January 2019 at 2:14 pm

Hi Laurence! Thanks for the reply, and again great information!! Hope we can make it around Easter for sure. If we buy the tickets on line I’ll be sure to let you know if we’re able to print them at home. Thanks again. Ken

Lisa Herrmann says

28th December 2018 at 3:08 pm

LOVE this site and your plans. I will be there in March and can’t wait! I made my reservations for the Vatican Museums and the Basillica as suggested with my Omnia card. Do I need to print out the reservation or is it now linked to my Omnia card?

I am also planning on taking a train ride to Venice for a day. Any suggestions on a half day trip there?

THANKS SO MUCH!

28th December 2018 at 4:30 pm

Thanks very much Lisa! I’m not 100% certain if you need to print out the confirmation. It should be linked with your card, but you might want to print it out just in case (we usually print things out just in case!).

For Venice, we have a guide to things to do in Venice for a day – I’d say that half a day would be enough to see the main sights like the Rialto Bridge, St Marks Square and so on 🙂

Have an awesome trip, and do pop back to let us know how it all went!

27th October 2018 at 9:33 am

A very good guide and help.

27th October 2018 at 11:25 pm

26th October 2018 at 8:57 pm

I just bought my Omnia Vatican and Rome pass for my trip at the end of November. It is being mailed to me. Do you know if I need to wait until the pass arrives so book my Sistine Chapel tickets? Or is there a portal I can go through to book them before actually having the pass? I wasn’t prompted to book the tickets during my Pass Purchasing process.

26th October 2018 at 9:06 pm

So the last time I asked the Rome and Vatican Pass people about this, I was told that you should be sent a link by e-mail when you place your order. You might want to check your spam folder to be sure. If you haven’t received a link, please let me know, and I will check in with them in case the process has changed, and get back to you.

I do know that when you have the pass in hand you can book your timeslot using this website:

https://booking.omniakit.org/en/categories/choose

And the code that is printed on the card, however I appreciate you might want to get things arranged already, so just let me know if you’ve got any links sent by e-mail or not.

Also, just to be aware, for the Sistine Chapel it’s the Vatican Museum entry you need to book. You also need to book a timeslot for St. Peter’s, but it’s an open ticket for the whole day – as long as you have a booking confirmation for the right day, the time doesn’t matter.

I hope this helps!

15th October 2018 at 8:18 pm

Firstly, I would like to appreciate you for the way you have written this blog. It’s beautiful and very useful. I am planning my trip based on your itinerary and have a few questions: 1. I will be visiting Rome from October 25th to 28th, 2018 and plan to visit the Vatican City on Friday, October 26th. My question, would they still be huge queues to visit the Vatican Muesuem and the Sistine Chapel. Do you recommend to buy any of the above passes or just buy a ticket from the official website of the Vatican museum.

2. In general, will the lines be too huge during my time of visit at other attractions like the Coliseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill? Just buying the ticket on the same day be recommended or should we buy any of the above mentioned passes?

Thanks in advance S

17th October 2018 at 7:53 pm

Thank you very much 🙂

So, it’s hard to predict exactly what the queues will be like for any given day, but October should certainly be less busy than say August. So you should be ok for the Vatican and the other sites. However, if you are planning on attending a few of the sites you mention, then the Roma Pass will definitely be helpful, as it will let you skip the lines, save a bit of money and also get free transport in the city.

Aggie Serrame says

8th October 2018 at 12:27 pm

I came across this post while looking at itineraries for Rome. We will be in Rome for 4 days from February 18-22, 2019!

First question is, what would the weather be like/what clothes to wear/pack because it’s a struggle every time we pack too much winter or pack too little winter stuff haha.

Second, we are going to be getting the Omnia and Roma Pass to utilize the service of skipping lines, when we get the 72 hour pass, does that start from the moment we get it? Because we’re trying to use 1 of the 4 days to do a Pompeii/Amalfi Coast tour so I don’t want the other day of the 72 hour to go to waste. Any suggestions for me?

Third, I already mentioned we are doing a day tour to Pompeii and Amalfi Coast, have you guys been there in the winter? Do you have any recommendations on what our 4 day intinerary can be with that day tour to Pompeii and Amalfi coast???

Last, we also want to take a cooking class specifically pasta making, do you have any recommendations on which company/class to take?? We will be staying at a hotel 5 mins walk from the Trevi Fountain so if there’s anything in that area that you recommend for us to go to eat and shop, I would love to know! Or any restaurants really!

10th October 2018 at 5:43 pm

First, sounds like we need to write a four day itinerary! For February, it will be a bit cooler so you should definitely plan on packing some layers. It won’t be freezing, but it won’t be much above 10 – 15C I would say, and if you get rain or wind it might feel cooler. For the passes, they activate from the first use, so you are fine on that front. We have not visited Pompeii or the Amalfi Coast in winter, we’d say Pompeii would probably be better.

In terms of a cooking class, we have done one through Take Walks which was a lot of fun. You can see that here: Pasta-Making Class: Cook, Dine & Drink Wine With A Local Chef

I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any more questions and we’ll try to help!

Roslyn says

5th October 2018 at 11:59 pm

Hi Laurence and Jessica, We are visiting Rome in December and we’re keen to use your 3 day itininery. Just wondering if daylight hours will be less in December and if that will impact on our ability to see the sights. We were also wondering about a day trip outside of Rome as we have been told there are many sites outside of Rime much older than the ones in Rome. Thanks

10th October 2018 at 4:55 pm

Certainly there will be less daylight in December compared to the summer, but it shouldn’t impact your ability to do sight-seeing as most of the outdoor attractions are well lit at night. For visiting outside of Rome, I’d say with three days you are better staying in the city – there are lots of sights to see, and many of them are 2000+ years old, so there’s no shortage of old things to see!

Kushal says

5th October 2018 at 2:47 am

Thanks so much for the detailed itinerary. My wife and I are looking to be in Rome around Christmas. As it stands we Re planning to be in Rome on 23rd Dec and leave for Florence 27th Dec. We have 3 full days and I am sure your itinerary gives us the best chance to see Rome the best way but what implications will Christmas period have on the itinerary? Can you please suggest.

10th October 2018 at 4:54 pm

Certainly the Christmas period is likely to affect opening times, especially on Christmas Day (25th). My suggestion would be to check the official websites for each attraction you want to visit to see when they are open or not, and adjust the itinerary to suit 🙂 Have a great trip!

1st October 2018 at 2:12 pm

Hi, Have really enjoyed reading this blog and intend on using the itinerary for when my sister and I visit from 21st March 2019. How soon should we be buying the OMNIA pass and booking the Vatican/colosseum entries? Is it best to have them shipped

1st October 2018 at 2:43 pm

Thanks for stopping by! It is easier to get the pass shipped as otherwise you do have to pick it up in person. That said, I’ve arranged the itinerary so you are near the collection points on the first day, however if you get it shipped you will save a bit of time if there is a line 🙂 It’s not too expensive to have it shipped

I hope this helps! Have a great trip 🙂

30th September 2018 at 9:40 pm

I really like your itinerary and all the inside info. Thank you for that. I have a few questions.

1. can I just book the Omnia card in Rome, when we get there? I’ll have a couple of hours at the Airport waiting for my family to arrive, so I thought it might be a good time to pop to Tourist information and buy them for us.

2. I have seen another itinerary recommending Vatican gardens. Are they worth visiting?

Thank you Jana

1st October 2018 at 2:22 pm

Thanks for your comment 🙂 To answer your questions

1 – Yes you can, but only from specific points in the city, which are not at the airport unfortunately. There are three places you can buy them, which are listed as the collection points on this page: https://www.romeandvaticanpass.com/collection-points-rome-pass/index.html

2 – It’s hard to know – some people will love the Vatican gardens, others may not find them as interesting 😉 You can only visit them as a guided tour, which takes around 1.5 – 2 hours. The ticket for the tour includes the Vatican Museum entry as well. So it will take a bit of time, so if you decide to do this, then you might need to adjust your day accordingly 🙂 They aren’t included on any of the passes, so you would have to book this separately!

I hope this helps – have a great trip!

23rd September 2018 at 5:27 pm

Hey! My sisters and i are going on our first trip together to Rome, and basically planning everything off of your amazing itinerary!

I did have one question, the first day there are a TON of attractions to see. Do you think its possible to do all of it in one day? We were planning on starting the day at 7AM, but i was still worried about not being able to see everything. I noticed that the Pantheon closes by 730 pm, and is more towards the end of the day as well. is it possible to make it on time

another question i had is about Pyramid of Caius Cestius. is this only open on saturday and sunday?

thank so much!!

26th September 2018 at 4:38 am

It is definitely possible (and you can see other commenters agree :)) to do it in one day, but I agree, it is a full day. However, if you start at 7am, you should be fine! Many of the attractions have no closing time, and you can just move the Pantheon forward a little bit in the itinerary if you are worried about it, as it’s right next to the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain. For the Pyramid, we think it’s enough just to see it from the outside rather than go in, but it’s up to you 🙂 It does appear only to open on weekend mornings.

23rd September 2018 at 3:11 am

I am planning a 3 day trip to Rome in December, and really like the 3-day itinerary that you have outlined. How does the Hop on Hop Off Bus ticket fit into the itinerary?

26th September 2018 at 4:40 am

The HOHO bus will take you around the major sights if you want to use it, it might be a good option on the first day to get from the Vatican area close to the major sights in Rome, or on the second day from the Coliseum. Or you could just use it on the third day to tour Rome, and then do the Appian Way. It’s up to you!

Hope this helps!

Kathy McDermott says

22nd September 2018 at 10:02 pm

I am happy that I came across your site. I’m struggling to put our itinerary together and yours seems to be a good fit. (and I’ve researched a lot!) My husband and I will be in Rome Sunday,May 12, 2019 with our flight landing at 8:15 am and leaving Wednesday,May 15th in the morning. We want to do the Colosseum on Sunday with the underground tour (the latest is 2:00 pm) but also purchase the Roma Pass. What I’ve read online is that I have to call the Colosseum to add the underground tour to use the Roma Pass. I don’t think we can squeeze your Day 2 itinerary into our Day 1 (with flight time and Hotel check-in) and the Vatican is closed on Sundays. Any suggestions as to how to mix it up? Thank You!

26th September 2018 at 4:54 am

I have to admit I’m not sure about adding the underground tour to the Roma Pass, but if that’s what you’ve read then I’m sure that is likely correct.

Based on your timings, I would suggest something like:

Coliseum, Roman Forum, St. John in the Lateran, Mouth of Truth

As Day 1 in the itinerary

As Day 3, but with the addition of the Baths of Caracalla

Hopefully that works!

Have a great trip, and let me know if I can help any more!

Chrisite says

5th September 2018 at 9:56 pm

Thanks for this amazing itinerary, I can’t wait to visit in less than a week! Just a quick question what do the ladies normally wear out there? Im more of a short person however, a lot of websites so not to wear them. I know knees/shoulders have to be covered in holy places, but would it be acceptable to wear shorts when visiting the colloseum and will i be the woman wearing them if i do?

6th September 2018 at 10:49 am

Hey Chrisite

Our pleasure! So for the religious buildings like St. Peter’s, as you say you do need to cover from just below your knees up to your shoulders. So this is why most people don’t wear shorts, as you have to change to something longer. But it’s perfectly acceptable to wear shorts to other places like the Coliseum or the rest of the city, and I’m fairly sure you won’t be alone if you do so!

Have a great trip 🙂

2nd September 2018 at 5:50 am

This was a great read and I’m sure I will check out all of these places when we go to Rome in March. My sisters and I went to Paris this spring and we bought a pass as that was the least expensive way to do it. My question though, is we will be in Rome for 19 days and I don’t want to cram all of the sight seeing into just a few days. Would it still be cost effective to purchase a pass? Also, because we will be staying outside of the central city because we do have some meetings to attend, we will be renting a car. I think we will use it mostly use it outside of the city and then when we go sight seeing, we will park somewhere and use public transit. Would it still be worth us buying a pass for public transit? Thanks again for the wonderful tips.

2nd September 2018 at 10:27 am

Thanks. I think for 19 days a pass isn’t going to deliver much cost benefit, as most of the passes we are aware of are time limited, and if you don’t see a certain number of attractions, then the pass cost won’t be worth it. So if you want to spread your attraction viewing out, then it’s unlikely to be cost effective to buy a pass. Instead, you should just be sure to book your individual tickets in advance to skip the ticket lines. I’d also say that a transport pass will be unlikely to save you money. Individual tickets, good for 100 minutes of transport, are only €1.50, so unless you plan on taking a lot of transport, it will probably be cheaper to just pay as you go.

29th August 2018 at 5:31 pm

Hello Laurence!

This ‘3 day’ plan is AMAZING! My husband and I are going to Rome in February half term (Im a teacher so can only go then) so this has given us loads of great ideas.

Id like to ask a few questions though, if I may.

1. Should I get the ’skip in lines’ even for first thing in the morning in late Feb? 2. Do I need an audioguide/ a real guide tour of the Vatican museums (especially if we aren’t really interested in art info – just cool to look at?) 3. Does the entry to the Vatican museums (€17+€4 for skip the queues) include Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Basilica?? It says Basilica is free to enter but some sites charging €14,50 as fast track into the Basilica….is this worth it? Does the ‘fast track’ into the Vatican museums also get you fast track into the Basilica/Sistine chapel? 4. Is the Sistine Chapel extra if you have paid the entrance fee to the Vatican museums? 5. Castel Saint Angelo – worth a visit? Some people say just lots of fancy rooms…maybe just a visit from the front?

Sorry, I know thats a lot of questions. When I have a holiday project I go a bit all out. Want to get in as much as possible (we normally do a lot of visits whenever we are on holiday – most people think what we do is excessive but we love the fast paced hols)

29th August 2018 at 6:00 pm

Pleased you like it! And you are welcome to ask questions of course. I’ll answer then in the order you asked, I appreciate a well ordered list 😀

1 – it’s less likely you’ll need skip the line tickets at this time of year, especially if you go early in the morning. February should be a fairly quiet month. That said, you might want to add up the individual prices for each attraction you want to visit and figure out if something like the Omnia Vatican and Rome card will either save you money, or even if it’s a little more expensive, it might save you a bit of time.

2 – It’s up to you of course! We’ve visited the Vatican both on our own and on a guided tour. We definitely learnt a lot more with the tour than we did on our own, obviously, plus they know the fastest ways to the main highlights.

3 – Skip the line entry to the Vatican does include the Sistine Chapel (the Vatican Museum is the only way to get to the Sistine Chapel), but not St. Peters Basilica. St. Peters Basilica is free to enter, but as the lines (especially in summer) can get very very long, you can pay a premium for fast track entry. You do have to book this in advance. Alternatively, you can book a tour like the Pristine Sistine tour I mention in the post. Group tours have a special route they are allowed to use, which takes them directly from The Vatican Museums into St Peters Basilica. So if you were planning to take a tour, definitely take one that includes both the Vatican and St. Peters as this will save you time. Alternatively, if you’re an early riser, St. Peters Basilica opens pretty early, so you could go there first and you would definitely not need a skip the line ticket 🙂

4 – Nope, it’s included

5 – It’s very hard to answer this as what one person finds interesting another person doesn’t 🙂 We enjoyed visiting, and it’s certainly an ancient building with a great view from the top, but it’s also pretty from the outside. So if you wanted to save money you could skip this.

Overall I’d definitely suggest making a list of all the attractions you want to visit, looking at the entry costs for them and then deciding if the pass if going to be worth it for you – not forgetting that they often include transport 🙂

I hope this helps – happy to answer any follow up questions too!

Natasha Poulton says

16th September 2018 at 3:03 pm

Thanks so much for this; you certainly know your stuff! Completely forgot to check this site for the answers so sorry its taken some time for me to reply.

Just wondering about a switch round then of the Vatican and St Peters. Was going to do it that way round but if St Peters is open at 7am then may do that first and then the Vatican. If we did it that way, would we need a skip the queue for the Vatican for 9am when it opens do you think?

Also, can you recommend a roman bath experience. In late Feb I think some heat and relaxation would be quite nice.

Thanks for all the help.

16th September 2018 at 3:18 pm

No worries! We love Rome, so do our best to have all the info to hand to help others 🙂

That would certainly make sense to switch them round. I don’t do it like that in the itinerary as most people aren’t going to get excited about a 7am entry time, but if you are fine with that, you can go for it! I would say that in February the queues for the Vatican aren’t likely to be that long, especially at 9am. Although just bear in mind that many of the tour groups do go 8.30am – 9am, so you might have to wait a bit. It shouldn’t be round the walls queues though, as it is in summer as the day progresses!

I have never taken a Roman bath experience in Rome, so unfortunately I don’t have any recommendations there.

Have a great trip, and let me know if you have any more questions!

Vickie says

27th August 2018 at 1:06 pm

Hi we would like ti spend 4 days un room whatbis the weather like on med October?

27th August 2018 at 1:09 pm

October is a good time to visit Rome, it’s not as busy as the summer, and the weather is usually mild, usually between 12C and 22C. However, the chance of rain is increased, so you’ll want to be prepared. It can also be a bit cooler, especially at night and in the morning, so bringing some warm layers is advised.

Nitin Mistry says

27th August 2018 at 11:39 am

Hi Laurence & Jessica Thank you so much for the itinerary, We managed to follow most of the things listed but because of the thunderstorms we experienced over the three days we were not able to do all of it and sadly missed a whole days worth of sightseeing. As a result we picked the most of the important aspect from your plans which were a big help. We decided not to use the discount cards due to the weather which worked out cheaper but if the weather was better then I feel that it would have been more worthwhile for us. We decided to spend a little more on the Colosseum and do a moonlight tour to avoid the crowds and this was the hightlight for our holiday.

Once again I just want to say a huge thank you for this detailed trip

27th August 2018 at 12:22 pm

Our pleasure Nitin! Sorry to hear about the weather, but it sounds like you made the best of it, and we’re so pleased you had a good time 🙂

Trinetra Bhushan says

27th August 2018 at 4:03 am

Hi Laurence and Jessica, What a good blog about Rome travel. I will be following your trip for my Mid September visit to Rome. I am reaching Rome from New York around 12:30 PM on 18th September and leaving early morning 21st Sept, do you thing I can do the 3 days itinerary in 2.5 days? Also do you suggest to buy Omnia and Vatican card or Roma card?

Thanks, Trinetra

27th August 2018 at 1:07 pm

Hi Trinetra!

I actually had a similar question by e-mail recently. I think this is possible, but you may have to juggle the itinerary a little bit. My suggestion would be to do the Vatican on the day you arrive. You might also be able to fit in St. Peters Basilica, but it’s unlikely, and you also probably won’t be able to into Castel Sant’Angelo on this day either. However, if you don’t mind getting up early, St Peter’s opens very early in the morning, so you could do that and Castel Sant’Angelo on the morning of either the second or third days.

You may also have to adjust when you visit the Pantheon as that has opening times. Everything else on the first day will be do-able as it’s attractions that are outdoors.

For the trip, we would recommend the Omnia and Vatican card if you plan on seeing everything on the itinerary, as it will let you pre-book your Vatican entry and get skip the line access to the Vatican and St. Peters.

I hope this helps – have a great trip, and do let us know how it goes!

27th August 2018 at 3:50 pm

Thnaks for the detailed explanation Laurence. I would like to do Vetican part of Rome without rush so planning to go there on Thursday. I was thinking to do Day 3 of your itinerary on the day I arrive in Rome as it have less places and not the ones which are must see in my list. Is that sounds good?

Thanks in advance. Trinetra

27th August 2018 at 4:17 pm

Absolutely Trinetra, that makes sense. You should just check the opening hours of any of the attractions you definitely want to visit along the Appian Way so as not to miss them 🙂 Then you will have two full days to do everything you want to do.

27th August 2018 at 4:23 pm

You are angel thanks!!

27th August 2018 at 11:33 pm

I bought card and proceeded to book Vatican Museum @10:00 AM and the found only available slot for St. Peter’s Basilica and the Tomb of the Popes was for 13:00 PM I have booked that as well but then I started thinking is 3 hours is enough for getting into Vatican and then to St. Peter’s? Are they very strict about timings? is there any way I can modify my reservation if the time is not enough? Thanks, Trinetra

28th August 2018 at 12:08 am

Hi Trinetra,

I have queried the Omnia Rome & Vatican Pass people about this, and they said:

“St Peters is an open ticket so as long as they have a booking confirmation they will not need to go at the time of the confirmation.”

I hope this helps – it should mean that as long as your ticket is for that day, you should be fine!

Loretta Blackborough says

22nd August 2018 at 7:54 am

Thank you so much for a very well planned and written itinerary! We are staying in Rome for 4 nights in September, so your 3 day itinerary is perfect. We will be arriving in Rome at around 11am on Thursday 27/9, after a 4 hour bus trip from Sorrento. We plan to follow your 3 day itinerary exactly from day 2 of our stay. This being the case, what would you recommend we do for the first half day on the day of our arrival? Kind regards, Loretta

22nd August 2018 at 9:13 am

Hey Loretta,

Our pleasure 🙂 Of your first day, personally I’d take the time to just walk around the center of the city and eat gelato and take in some sights, but if you want some additional attractions that aren’t on this list, you could visit the Museum and Crypt of the Capuchin Friars, which is quite interesting. The Trastevere district is also nice to wander around, and isn’t in this itinerary, so that is a good option. You could also head up to the Buco della serratura di Roma, there a good view over the city from a garden up here, and a famous keyhole you can look through 🙂

22nd August 2018 at 9:58 am

Thanks Laurence, Wandering around the Trastevere district will be perfect!

One other question – does the hop-on bus go to most of the locations listed in the 1st two days of this itinerary?

Many thanks Loretta

22nd August 2018 at 10:07 am

It does! I found this map which I think is the up to date route, to give you an idea of where it goes 🙂

https://www.operaromanapellegrinaggi.org/customassets/repository/OMNIA%20kit-72-Mappa.pdf

Vangie says

18th August 2018 at 10:03 pm

We are also planning to visit Rome Italy only for 3 – 4 days it will be our first time and I like your suggestions of places to visit Can you reach these sites through their local transportation , Taxis or rental car? Do you have a recommendation of hotel accommodation as well

18th August 2018 at 10:07 pm

Hi Vangie! Sure, there’s a section in the post on where to stay in Rome here: https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/3-day-rome-itinerary/#Where-to-Stay-in-Rome-for-3-Days

And you can reach all the attractions by public transport, or you can take a taxi if you want. That’s covered in the post here: https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/3-day-rome-itinerary/#Getting-Around-Rome

iuliana constantinescu says

11th August 2018 at 11:02 am

Thank you for this wonderful guide! We’re planing to spend 3 days in Rome at the beginning of Nov. One of the days would be a Monday though, so how is this going to affect our itinerary? Also we have a 3 years old boy so I’m not sure how much walking we can do. Are these locations accessible with a stroller? Also do you have an idea on how is the weather in Nov? Your advice would be much appreciated.

Cheers, Iuliana

13th August 2018 at 9:07 pm

Hi Juliana,

Our pleasure! I would say that the majority of locations are accessible with a stroller, but it might be worth checking the official website for each as it’s not something we have personal experience with. For the itinerary, my suggestion is to check the opening times for the various attractions, seeing what is open, and then adjusting the itinerary to suit. It’s also hard to comment exactly on the stamina of your son as everyone varies, but this is a fairly packed itinerary, so you might want to scale it back a bit and focus on the highlights, or perhaps spread the first two days out over three days so you can see everything and not get stressed 🙂

Hope this helps a bit – have a great trip!

Graham says

2nd August 2018 at 7:02 pm

Hi My wife & I have just been on your 3 day tour of Rome and it was Fabulous. We are on our 25th Wedding Anniversary and couldn’t have wished for a better trip and this was all down to you. You gave us a purpose & we visited sites that was beyond our dreams. Thank you so much Angie & Graham PS Looking to undertake Berlin & Krakow next can you HELP please

2nd August 2018 at 7:05 pm

Hi Graham! First, congratulations on your anniversary. What a wonderful way to spend it 🙂 We are so pleased that you stopped by to let us know our guide worked for you, it’s the sort of feedback that really makes us smile! We’re thrilled you had a good time and that we were able to help.

For Berlin & Krakow – we have been to Berlin but haven’t as yet put together a detailed guide to visiting. Krakow is on the shortlist for next year – I know that doesn’t help right now, but stay tuned!

Graham Pickett says

2nd August 2018 at 10:35 pm

We our truly thankful for your brilliant advice, we have had such a Fab time. The feedback is throughly well deserved & hats off to you two.

Thank You Angie & Graham PS Knackered but exceptional journey & your correct Gardens was great at the end, sorry to say we shared the rowing boat time between us. Thank You both

Monica Doss says

29th July 2018 at 6:43 am

Hi Laurence, Great guide. I saved it and I keep checking it every now and then while planning my trip:) I bought the OMINA Card online and then went to book the Vatican and St. Peter’s Basilica. Booked Vatican museum successfully at 10am but for the basilica, Wednesdays are always unavailable even 5 months from now and other days timings are only 9am and 4pm. Do you have any information about that? Ideally I should book around 1pm to give Vatican museum and Sistine chapel 3 hours.

Thanks a million:)

29th July 2018 at 12:34 pm

Thanks very much 🙂

So for the basilica, I’m not sure why you can’t book a Wednesday, that seems a bit weird. For the other timings, it actually doesn’t matter. Here’s what the folks at the Pass told me about the bookings:

“customers now do have to book their visits to St Peters Basilica in advance of their trip. St Peters is an open ticket so as long as they have a booking confirmation they will not need to go at the time of the confirmation. ”

So hopefully that helps!

Tisaygwapa says

8th July 2018 at 3:34 pm

Hi, this blog is very informative and great read. Me and my husband will be visiting Rome next year and it will be our first time there. May i know what is the nearest airport to the Day 1 Itinerary? what are the transportation to take from airport to the attraction? Cost? Are there a lot of English speaking people?

Hoping to hear from you. Thank you in advance.

9th July 2018 at 10:11 am

Hi Tisaygwapa!

Thanks very much. I’m sure you will love Rome (and Paris :D). Rome has two major airports, Ciampino and Fiumicino. The first is smaller, and primarily serves budget airlines, the latter is bigger and handles more of the international traffic.

Fiumicino is easier to get to and from, it has a train station and it takes about 30 minutes to get into the city center. There are also regular buses and taxis.

Ciampino has a nearby train station, and also regular buses. So also quite easy.

Hope this helps – have a great trip!

Shrikant says

4th July 2018 at 3:03 pm

Is it doable to go from Florence everyday(for three days) by fast train to Rome for sight seeing? Or is it going to be very hectic? Leave Florence around 8:00 am to go to Rome and leave Rome around 7-8:00 pm to go back to Florence. BTW you have compiled very useful info on “Rome in three Days”, This is what exactly I was looking for. Thanks!!

4th July 2018 at 3:24 pm

Hi Shrikant,

Well, it is possible, but I have to be honest, I’m not sure why you would not just stay in Rome – this would add expense and lost time into the equation. But, yes, it could be done. Have a great trip!

Denise Shaw says

14th June 2018 at 5:06 pm

Hi I am chaperoning a class trip to Italy on June 29th. I was looking for a suggestion for a day in Rome. We have one free day in Rome . The other day in Rome we are doing a walking tour through the Vatican Museums to reach the Sistine Chapel at the end of a visit to St. Peter’s Badillica. Free time is given for lunch and to explore Vatican City. During our free time I am going to take them to Castel San’Angelo. Afternoon: Transfer by bus from the Vatican to the Colosseum for a guided visit (45) followed by a guided walk through the Roman Forum. Ending by the Spanish Steps I was wondering if you can give me a suggestion for one day in Rome what to see and where to go on foot. We will be dropped off in the morning and picked up late afternoon. Thanks so much Dee

16th June 2018 at 10:21 pm

Hey Denise! Sounds like you have many of the major highlights covered on that one day. I think your tour is also likely to take in the Pantheon, but if not, do make sure to add that in. So my suggestion would be to head out to the Baths of Caracalla, visit those and St. John in the Lateran Church, and then perhaps to explore the Appian Way. This is a different side of Rome to what you will have already seen, a bit more green, so should be a nice contrast. Hope this helps – have a great trip!

6th June 2018 at 10:24 am

This itinerary looks awesome and I think it covers the main spots. However, i am going to travel with my parents (in their 70s) and although they are healthy, I am not sure if its too much walking in a day. What do you think is your average daily steps taken?

8th June 2018 at 10:34 am

Thanks very much – and this is a good question, which I have to admit, is a bit hard to answer. This is because it really depends on what you aim on seeing – the Vatican alone for example has 7 miles of corridors! I actually did a tour like this a while back with my grandmother, and she did pretty well. From the map I’ve provided you should be able get an idea of the walking distances involved. I would also add that Rome has a really good public transport network, so you can definitely cut back on walking by taking advantage of the bus / metro system between the main points (or using the hop on hop off bus).

I would also say that when we walk these routes out, they often come in at around 20,000 steps for us, but again, that’s just an approximation. Certainly 10,000 – 15,000 would be a good number to think of, and you can probably cut back on that like I said with public transport.

Have a great trip, and do let me know how it goes!

24th May 2018 at 6:16 pm

hi ! this is a great blog and i really appreciate the time and energy put into this.

could you please provide a link to the site where we can book the required tickets in advance?

24th May 2018 at 8:57 pm

Hi Oorja – thanks very much!

For the Rome and Vatican Pass, if you buy that then when you have bought it you will be sent a link to book your times in advance.

If you want to book individually, the links are in the post for the tickets to the Coliseum, the Vatican and the other major attractions that need advanced booking 🙂 Each entry should have a link, let me know if you can’t find something specific 🙂

Tinamarie Mathis-Standley says

18th July 2018 at 8:40 am

I bought the pass but it does not give you the option of scheduling the coliseum or forum. Also, St. Peter’s Prison is included but not on your itinerary, where would you squeeze it in?

18th July 2018 at 6:49 pm

Hi Tinamarie,

For the Coliseum and Forum with the pass you don’t need to schedule the entry, you just go straight to the security line. You don’t need to queue for tickets if this is the first or second use of the pass, which it would be if you follow the itinerary.

For the prison, I’d suggest squeezing it in to the same day as the Forum, perhaps just after you finish the Forum, as it’s right there. Just bear in mind that the itineraries are quite full so you will have to hustle a bit 🙂

Gurjeet Kaur says

28th April 2018 at 9:44 pm

Hi. I was wondering if I need to make reservations for 2 out of the 6 free attractions before hand or do I just show up to the places and show my card and get in?

29th April 2018 at 8:20 am

Hi Gurjeet,

No, for the 2 out of 6 attractions you do not need to make reservations 🙂

Jai Sanghvi says

23rd April 2018 at 10:51 pm

Great Blog and amazing suggestions. You took away hours of research time I would have spent trying to finalize my itinerary. Appreciate it.

We are vegetarians (eat dairy, but no eggs, no meat, no seafood, etc). Could you possibly suggest some restaurants in the Rome Center area where we can get Vegetarian, Indian, Mediterranean food? We don’t mind exploring other cusines as well, except, we have our 12 year old daughter and would like to keep your suggestions in our back pocket for “emergency” situations..! 🙂

Again appreciate your help in advance

24th April 2018 at 10:31 pm

Thanks for your comment! We don’t really have the necessary knowledge unfortunately to answer your restaurant request – usually we shy away from recommending restaurants as the quality can change quickly – we usually find it’s best to check recent reviews on focused restaurant review sites. My best advice would be to try something like Google Maps or Yelp to see what suggestions they have,

Josefa Mapa says

20th April 2018 at 4:38 pm

My teenage son and I just got back from our trip to Rome. We were able to maximized our trip to Rome thanks to your blog and itinerary. Had it not been for them, we would be clueless what to see and much less how to batch up the places.

We didn’t buy any of the passes. We did a LOT of walking. We got lost often but that lead us to see something else interesting that were not in the itinerary. Tickets to the important sites were bought online in advance from the websites of the places itself so they were a bit cheaper. Maybe because it was just after lent so the queues were not that long if any and it still being spring, the weather was wonderful.

Again, thank you. You also gave me confidence in going to my very first adventure in a new country.

Good luck, and God bless.

22nd April 2018 at 10:19 am

That is wonderful to hear, I am delighted you had a good trip! Certainly, at quieter times of year you can be lucky with the queues and the weather, and it sounds like you were 😀 – plus making those reservations in advance will have helped a lot too 🙂 Thanks for stopping back to let me know how it went!

Lisa Smith says

7th April 2018 at 7:39 pm

Thank you 🙂

7th April 2018 at 7:56 pm

Our pleasure 🙂

2nd April 2018 at 3:03 pm

Hi thanks for this great guide. Have a couple of questions about the Omnia pass. You say the 72 hours starts from first use. So does using the hop on hop off part then activate the public transport and museum count down as it also mentions somewhere they are separate tickets. We have an afternoon and three full days so were planning to start with the bus tour on first afternoon but now worried we’d effectively lose a whole day of tha pass. Thanks

2nd April 2018 at 3:10 pm

So, according to the official website:

“Don’t forget the OMNIA Vatican & Rome Card works on a consecutive day basis, so if you first use your pass in an attraction or even on the public transport at 5pm on your first day, this will count as the first out of your three day pass duration.”

In practice, I think it is a little different. The Omnia Pass actually comes as two passes – an Omnia card, and Rome card. The Omnia card covers the hop on hop off bus and the vatican attractions, and the Rome card covers the public transport and the other Rome attractions like the Coliseum.

So, I *think*, the Hop on Hop off part of the card will only activate the Omnia Pass. So as long as you see the Vatican attractions on your first three days, you should be fine. Of course, I can’t guarantee this, but as I recall when I got on the hop on hop off bus, they only used the Omnia Pass rather than the Rome card, so it wouldn’t have activated.

cheryl says

28th March 2018 at 5:18 pm

Great advice, I am trying to decide on the Rome passes or just buy the hop on-off pass as it includes Vatican museum and coliseum. What do you think?

Also, Can I use the Rome pass to get from the airport to termini station? TIA

28th March 2018 at 5:41 pm

Thanks very much 🙂 So just for clarity, do you mean this pass? https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=813809&u=969916&m=63134&urllink=www%2Eisango%2Ecom%2Frome%2Frome%2Dopen%2Dtour%2Dand%2Dcolosseum%2Dtour%2Dand%2Dvatican%2Dmuseums%5F24323&afftrack=RomeItineraryFTU

I would say that it’s really up to you and what you want to see in Rome – the Rome Pass is slightly more expensive (although on sale right now) but also includes a few more attractions (plus skip the line access to St. Peter’s Basilica), as well as a three day travelcard and three days of Hop on Hop off transport. Personally I think the Omnia Rome and Vatican Pass is slightly better value considering what you get, but of course it does depend on what attractions you want to see.

In terms of the travelcard, whilst Fiumicino is connect to Termini by public tranport, the travelcard doesn’t include transport from the airport unfortunately, you can see that on the travelcard page here: https://prf.hn/click/camref:1101lbZD/pubref:3DayRomeComment/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.romeandvaticanpass.com%2Frome-transport%2F

It says “Please note: The Travelcard does not include travel to and from the city airports.”

I hope this helps – have a wonderful trip to Rome!

28th March 2018 at 6:20 pm

Thank you so much for your quick reply. One more question…. I clicked on your link to the coliseum….am I correct that I have to buy two separate tickets, One for the coliseum and another for the form and palatine Hill?

28th March 2018 at 6:28 pm

My pleasure 🙂 The Coliseum ticket includes the Forum / Palatine Hill, so you only need to buy one ticket to get access to those attractions. Tickets are also valid for two days, although can only be used once for each attraction.

21st March 2018 at 4:33 am

Looks like a great itinerary, looking forward to checking it out. How about Rome after dark???

21st March 2018 at 11:25 am

Thanks Jim! In our experience we fill our days so much that our evening plans usually just involve a nice evening meal and a fairly early night 🙂 But of course there is lots to do in Rome at night, depending on your interests. If you’re interested in something a bit different, if you’re visiting on the right day, you can actually take an after hours tour of the Vatican, which is a really unique experience. You can find out more about that here: https://www.takewalks.com/rome-tours/vatican-at-night-tour?tap_a=29777-fde554&tap_s=72514-790f10&tm_site=FTU3DayRome

Otherwise, just have fun, Rome is a great place to walk around at night 🙂

Will Smith says

17th March 2018 at 6:29 pm

Love your blog wii be following it to the T when we visit in June is our 30th wedding annervesary can you recommend any special resteraunts please

Many thanks

19th March 2018 at 1:56 pm

Thanks very much, and congratulations on your anniversary! Jess and I tend to just fall into the nearest restaurants we spot when traveling, or eat on the hoof! We also find recommending restaurants can be tricky as they can change so quickly. That said, this guide should help you pick somewhere wonderful for your trip:

https://theculturetrip.com/europe/italy/articles/the-10-most-romantic-restaurants-in-rome/

Chantelle Sims says

14th March 2018 at 10:57 pm

Hello and thank you for this! I am planning a trip from London with my daughter, and would appreciate your advise on arriving and departing. Is it necessary to spend 4 nights to accomplish your 3-day itinerary, or could we do it if we spent only 3 nights? If so, how would you recommend arranging the days around air travel to and from? (With luggage to consider…) Thank you for your opinion.

16th March 2018 at 8:49 am

Hi Chantelle,

You could do this with three nights assuming you arrive early – you should do Day 3 first in that case as it’s less time sensitive, and then the other two days. If you can stretch to four nights though you will be less rushed in terms of having to arrive really early into Rome and possibly feeling tired, but up to you!

Michael Tang says

3rd March 2018 at 8:35 pm

We really enjoyed your travel blog.We will be visiting Rome from 4/11-15/2018.Our hotel ( Hotel Contilia) is less than 8 minutes from Rome Central Station.What would you recommend us to do in 4 1/2 days in Rome.We have been to Rome numerous times.Haven seen most of the main attractions.This time we would like to explore the local areas where local people meet for meals,shopping.My friends suggested Campo de Fiori,Jewish Ghetto or Trastevere. How about a day trip to Tuscany? Can we take metro ,train of bus to visit these places. Please advise.Thank you

4th March 2018 at 7:03 pm

Hi Michael,

Thanks for your comment 🙂 Sounds like you’re old hands with Rome! It’s hard to give specific advice without knowing what you’ve seen already / are interested in. A day trip to Tuscany is certainly do-able from Rome, and you can take the train from Rome central station to Florence for example, that’s about a 1hr 30minute train ride. if you’ve not been to Florence before it’s stunning. You could also do day trips to other parts of Italy from Rome, including Pompeii or Cinque Terre. If you’d rather not do it yourself, you could take a tour, for example:

Cinque Terre: https://www.walksofitaly.com/rome-tours/cinque-terre-tours-from-rome?tap_a=16934-e57823&tap_s=72513-efc32e&tm_site=FTU&tm_post=3DayRome

Amalfi Coast: https://www.walksofitaly.com/rome-tours/amalfi-coast-tours-from-rome?tap_a=16937-4dc4e8&tap_s=72513-efc32e&tm_site=FTU&tm_post=3DayRome

Tuscany from Rome day tour: https://www.walksofitaly.com/rome-tours/amalfi-coast-tours-from-rome?tap_a=16937-4dc4e8&tap_s=72513-efc32e&tm_site=FTU&tm_post=3DayRome

24th February 2018 at 7:00 pm

Hi Thank you for all the information. I will be taking my son for his graduation gift this June. I plan to follow almost all of your suggestions in regards to places to see. Having said that, what area do you suggest we stay at? I prefer to stay at a hotel. Any additional info would be appreciated.

24th February 2018 at 7:14 pm

My pleasure – and what a great gift for your son! My advice would be to stay somewhere around the Piazza Navona area, it’s really central and really pretty in that area, and we’ve stayed around there a number of times. Basically anywhere between the Piazza Navona, Piazza Venezia and Piazza del Popolo would be great – that central area is perfect. I’m not sure of your budget, but somewhere like the following options might be a good starting point for your search:

http://www.booking.com/hotel/it/navona-theatre.html?aid=385205&no_rooms=1&group_adults=1&label=FTU3DayRome http://www.booking.com/hotel/it/mimosa-pantheon.html?aid=385205&no_rooms=1&group_adults=1&label=FTU3DayRome http://www.booking.com/hotel/it/navona-roma.html?aid=385205&no_rooms=1&group_adults=1&label=FTU3DayRome http://www.booking.com/hotel/it/di-rienzo-pantheon-palace.html?aid=385205&no_rooms=1&group_adults=1&label=FTU3DayRome

You can see more options here, just narrow it down depending on your budget, location and other requirements 🙂

http://www.booking.com/searchresults.html?city=-126693&nflt=ht_id%253D204%253Breview_score%253D90%253Breview_score%253D80&aid=385205&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2&room1=A%2CA&label=FTU3DayRome

Have an amazing trip, and congratulations to your son!

allan Blanco says

10th February 2018 at 4:10 pm

Hi! Thanks for this blog & itinerary. It seems this will help us so much on what to do in Rome exactly for our 4-5 days side trip from France. We are fed so much with the info. & some ideas or places to go. Is there also a local travel tour & guide to book for this 3 days tour in Rome? or better on our own & follow your guide. our concern, is how to go there to the places you have listed, i mean a ride , total cost or amount to spend or our estd budget amount, do we need a tour guide & is it easy to get a guide & not expensive?…We are our concern if we get lost , and how to proceed every places than having a tour guide…… if so,,, is it not too expensive …. what can you recommend if we will get a total package for the 3 days tour…. what agency …. or what is best can you advise/recommend. thanks so much.

Allan Blanco Mindanao, Iligan City – Philippines

10th February 2018 at 8:59 pm

Thanks for your comment. I don’t know of any company that specifically offers this tour, but you could certainly put together a similar trip by putting various tours together. We like Walks of Italy ( https://www.walksofitaly.com?tap_a=364-72eab1&tap_s=72513-efc32e ) for their tours if you wanted a walking tour with a guide, but these aren’t private tours.

That said, the itinerary is designed to be self-guided and you shouldn’t need a tour guide for any of it unless you would like local insight and guidance. The itinerary is also designed to be easy to follow and not require much other than a good pair of feet for walking. In some cases you can take a local bus, these are easy to use. Rome is not a very large city, or at least, not the parts covered in this itinerary, so I don’t think you will get lost or have any problem. The best idea is to get a map when you get to the city, and to download an offline version of the city into your Google Maps (or whatever mapping tool you use on your phone). Then you’ll always be able to figure out where you are and where to go.

20th January 2018 at 6:20 pm

Just recently my brother and I visited Rome for three days and based our trip around the itinerary you guys did. I have to say this was the most convenient and awesome itinerary we found, in which showed all the attractions and sites clearly! All of the places you guys suggested in the blog we visited and also took the time to do some night roaming and visiting the attractions again to see it in a different light! Because of your blog, my brother and I were able to experience Rome as a whole and we give our massive thanks for it! SO once again, thank you soo much for this, you guys are amazing!

21st January 2018 at 11:05 am

We are so pleased that you found this itinerary useful, and even happier that you let us know! Getting comments like this really makes us happy – thank you so much! We’re delighted that you had a great trip, and that we were able to help with that! Happy travels!

Laurence & Jessica

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The Ultimate 4 Days in Rome Itinerary (+ Map & Tips!)

Dreaming of staring in awe at the Sistine Chapel, stepping inside the Colosseum, tossing a coin into the Trevi Fountain, and eating some of the best pasta of your life? If so–this 4 day Rome itinerary is for you!

The capital of Italy is an endlessly enchanting place, and one of our favorite cities in the world–and after spending 4 days in Rome, we think you’ll agree.

Home to incredible art, one of the most beloved cuisines on the planet, an endless number of neighborhoods to explore, and impressive history that has been folded into the very fabric of modern Rome–not to mention the fact that there’s literally another country nestled inside the city–it’s impossible to avoid finding something to love about Rome.

… That is, as long as you know where to look.

After many repeated trips to Rome (including 2 trips where we rented an apartment in Rome for an entire month), we have lots of advice to share–and luckily, a 4 day trip to Rome gives you quite a bit of time to work with!

Some links in this post may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more detail.

You’ll have the opportunity to see Rome’s iconic highlights and also weave in some more offbeat experiences, including some interesting under-the-radar spots that hide in plain sight.

This 4 day Rome itinerary winds its way through several neighborhoods and historical time periods, focusing on 1-2 geographic areas each day.

We’ve designed this itinerary for Rome in 4 days with a traveler taking their first trip to Rome in mind, but we hope even return visitors will find something new to love here!

(Also, thanks in part to the fact that I can’t always resist the temptation to point out nearby hidden gems and unique details, this is a very long Rome blog post! Feel free to use the table of contents below to navigate to the section you’re looking for.)

Table of Contents

How We Structured This Rome Itinerary

The perfect 4 day rome itinerary, where to stay for 4 days in rome, more than 4 days in rome.

• Getting Around During 4 Days in Rome, Italy

Safety Tips for Your Rome Itinerary

The best time to visit rome, what to pack for visiting rome, italy, map of your itinerary for rome, italy.

We’ve spent months playing tourist in Rome over the course of many, many trips–including twice where we stayed in town for a month straight!

We initially crafted this Rome itinerary after our first month-long stay in the city, and since then it has (like most of the other itineraries on Our Escape Clause ) been a living document, updated with each return visit to our favorite city.

From the best things to do in Rome to what attractions to skip, we’ve packed this travel guide with everything that we know about planning the perfect trip to Rome.

This itinerary is designed for first-time visitors to The Eternal City who are hoping to hit all the top attractions but also hope to see some of Rome’s many hidden gems too.

We’ve also included a downloadable map of each day’s route at the bottom of this blog post to help you navigate the city as you explore.

While 4 days in Rome is long enough that you could very reasonably take one day to enjoy one of the best day trips from Rome , there is simply no limit to the number of captivating things you can find within the city itself, and we’ve planned this itinerary with that in mind.

Once you finish this post, you may also want to check out our posts on what to eat in Rome , where to find the best views of Rome , and our top Rome travel tips !

If you’re interested in shorter Rome itineraries, we have 2-day and 1-day versions here on Our Escape Clause as well.

Day 1 in Rome: The Colosseum, Roman Forum, The Jewish Ghetto + Beyond

Start your trip to rome at the colosseum..

What better place to start your 4 days in Rome itinerary than at one of the most iconic sights in the world?

Step inside the Colosseum and marvel at the ancient history beating inside–but before you do, be sure to climb the steps on the north side of the Colosseum (turn left after exiting the Colosseo metro stop) and get those classic photos in front of the Colosseum’s exterior.

Before starting your day at the Colosseum, you’ll want to book tickets ahead of time to skip the (legendary) line.

With 4 days in Rome to work with, you may be willing to wait in what are often very long lines, but if you hate lines as much as we do, you’ll consider the small extra cost well worth it.

Trying to decide whether or not to take a guided tour?

Guided tours are typically sold as a package that includes the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill.

Our personal take is that the tour of the Colosseum isn’t  as  necessary… but it’s absolutely worth it to have a guide for the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, and therefore recommend signing up.

This is the tour we took and greatly enjoyed (though fair warning, our guide’s passion meant that the tour did run past its predicted time).

And, while we didn’t structure this itinerary for Rome this way, I do want to mention that we have also toured the Colosseum at night and loved it–if that’s something that appeals to you, you can easily adjust this itinerary to accommodate it ( this is the tour we loved ).

Book your tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill today! Prefer to explore independently? Grab your skip-the-line ticket now!

Head to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.

Less than a 5-minute walk from the Colosseum, depending on the entrance and exit used.

While the Colosseum is one impressive monument of Ancient Rome, the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill boast several!

From senate houses to public squares to palaces, these areas are archaeological and historical treasure troves.

They are absolutely best appreciated with a guide–I can’t even describe how much more we got out of our guided visit than our unguided ones, especially on the lower level of the Forum!

If all goes well, you should walk away in awe of both the depth and breadth of history in the Eternal City.

After touring the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill both with a guide and without, we strongly believe that the context given by a guide is well worth the price. We used and loved  this tour –and while the Colosseum guide was less necessary, having the Colosseum skip-the-line portion and tour included definitely helped justify the cost! Book your guided tour of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill today!

Check out the additional forums.

About a 10-minute walk from the Roman Forum, depending on the entrance and exit used.

Though the Roman Forum is the most popular to visit, it’s far from the only remaining forum of Ancient Rome visible in the city today.

The Imperial Forum, Forum of Augustus, Forum of Caesar, and more are all just a short walk away from the famous Roman Forum.

And, unlike the Roman Forum, all of the other ancient forums are free to enter.

Though visiting all the forums is probably a little much for all but a passionate Ancient Roman historian, be sure to at least slow down look enough to take a peek at one or two during your 4 days in Rome!

Stop by Piazza Venezia and Piazza del Campidoglio.

10-minute walk from the Forum of Augustus.

The Piazza del Campidoglio is one of my personal favorite piazzas in Rome .

Shaped into a perfect oval and surrounded by beautiful buildings, it is a peaceful place to relax for a moment and take in the fact that you’re in Rome.

If you stop by on a Saturday as we did during one of our trips to Rome, you’ll likely also have the chance to admire lots and lots of wedding parties!

The piazza’s beauty isn’t particularly surprising when you know who designed it: Michelangelo himself.

While we haven’t specifically included them on this 4 day Rome itinerary (sadly there’s not time for everything!), it’s worth pointing out that this is also where you’ll find the main section of the Capitoline Museums , which have an incredibly impressive collection of Ancient Roman statues, among other things.

If you tend to prefer quieter museums, you can consider adding a visit here!

(In any other city, they’d be packed–but the Capitoline Museums have some legendary competition when it comes to museums in Rome to visit).

On your way to the Piazza del Campidoglio, you’ll also pass right by the Piazza Venezia, with the impressive Altar of the Fatherland (the enormous white building topped with chariots that is visible from just about every viewpoint in Rome) dwarfing everything around it.

Since you were just on Palatine Hill, climbing it isn’t necessary–but it is home to one of the best views of Rome if you’d like to see it for yourself!

The monument was built in honor of Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of unified Italy.

Pay a visit to the Campo de’Fiori.

14-minute walk from the Piazza del Campidoglio.

This market square may be touristy, but it’s also beautiful, bustling, and worth stopping by during your 4 days in Rome.

Markets are some of our favorite aspects of any city trip, and Rome is among the best of the best.

Of course, if you choose to purchase any Rome souvenirs or a meal at the market, you will pay a slight upcharge.

I f you’re particularly hungry, we did have tasty, if somewhat overpriced, pasta carbonara at (where else?) La Carbonara on the edge of the Campo de’Fiori.

If you’re looking for something more local, Da Sergio is just around the corner and a great option, but get there when they open, because it fills up ( Address: Vicolo delle Grotte, 27, 00186 Roma RM, Italy ).

Visit the Largo di Torre Argentina.

7-minute walk from the Campo de’Fiori.

This set of ruins is home to two points of interest that are wildly different from each other: the place where Julius Caesar was assasinated, and a cat sanctuary.

The ruins are open-air, laid out in the center of the square, and are made up of the remains of several temples as well as part of Pompey’s Curia–the Roman Senate–where Julius Caesar perished just under 2,000 years ago.

As if that wasn’t enough of a reason to stop by during your 4 days in Rome, the archaeological site doubles as a cat sanctuary!

There’s an organization onsite that works to feed and care for them, and I can only imagine that they have a delightful life living in what is essentially the world’s most elaborate set of cat trees!

I’m sure it will come as no surprise to cat lovers that we’ve seen more than one cat perched on top of the remains of surprisingly tall columns.

Explore the Jewish Ghetto.

About a 25-minute walk through the neighborhood, depending on how directly you travel.

Rome’s historic Jewish neighborhood is an incredibly peaceful place to get lost down the back streets.

Nestled against the Tiber, some of the smaller streets of the Jewish Quarter are quiet enough to almost forget that you’re within walking distance of the crowded madness of the Colosseum.

While you’re here, be sure to marvel at the exterior of the Great Synagogue, check out the Teatro Marcello (it looks a bit like a smaller Colosseum!), stop by the lovely Porticus of Octavia, and visit the charming Piazza Mattei with its adorable Turtle Fountain.

If you’re a fan of classic movies, channel your inner Audrey Hepburn with a visit to the Mouth of Truth (but fair warning, whether or not it’s worth visiting is a bit of a debate–all the better reason to find out for yourself, if you ask us!

And, of course, be sure to sample the fried artichokes that are synonymous with food in the Jewish Ghetto of Rome–even if you’re not a big vegetable fan, these are worth trying!

Hop over the Tiber River for a Trastevere food tour.

Trastevere is one of Rome’s most picturesque and beloved neighborhoods–and while this won’t be your last visit during your quest to see Rome in 4 days, it’s a good opportunity for a first (literal) taste.

We’re big fans of opening trips with food tours–off the top of my head, we’ve taken at least 6 in Italy alone–as they are not only a wonderful way to get to know a city, they also help you gain a lot of confidence with ordering local food!

We loved this food tour in Trastevere and can confirm that after taking it, you will walk away with a solid base knowledge for ordering food throughout the rest of your trip to Rome… and be extremely full.

From wine to cheese to Rome’s classic pastas to contorni (sides) to obligatory (incredible) gelato, every bite is a delight.

Book your Trastevere food tour today!

Day 2 in Rome: Centro Storico + Classic Rome Attractions

Start at the piazza del popolo..

The Piazza del Popolo is another one of my personal favorite piazzas in Rome, and is a great way to kick off the second day of your Rome itinerary!

You’ve probably heard the phrase that “all roads lead to Rome”–and specifically, they all led to Piazza del Popolo, which was once a traditional entrance point to the city.

Today, you’ll find the piazza filled with visitors, street performers, and of course, an obelisk.

The “twin churches” of Santa Maria in Montesanto and Santa Maria dei Miracoli that stand at one end of the piazza are beautiful, of course–but it’s the comparatively plain exterior of the Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo on the other side of the piazza that art lovers should keep an eye out for, because it’s home to 2 Caravaggio paintings.

After exploring the Piazza del Popolo, be sure to climb up to Pincio Terrace for some beautiful views over the piazza and Rome itself !

Tour the Galleria Borghese.

20-minute walk from Pincio Terrace.

A beautiful stroll from Pincio Terrace through the Borghese Gardens will lead you right to the Galleria Borghese and arguably one of the most impressive–though not one of the largest–art collections in Italy!

(The good news about it being a smaller museum, of course, is that it’s easier to squeeze into your vacation in Rome).

Housed in a former palace, the Galleria Borghese is absolutely stunning and worth a visit during your 4 days in Rome, especially for art lovers.

It is required to purchase tickets in advance to visit the collection, though, and tickets do book up.

I f you have your heart set on visiting the Galleria Borghese, be sure to get tickets ahead of time!

Reserve your tickets for the Galleria Borghese  today! Prefer the context of a tour? This one gets rave reviews!

Optional: pay a visit to the Capuchin Crypt.

9-minute walk from the Spanish Steps.

I’ll be honest: this stop on our suggested 4 day Rome itinerary isn’t for everyone, but it is absolutely fascinating and I can’t resist pointing it out.

In the 17th century, the Capuchin Crypt was slowly built with the skeletons of the friars that died at this monastery.

Skeletons are arranged as works of art in several small chapels here, and including everything from full skeletons in the robes of a monk resting on a bed of bones, to chandeliers made of small human bones.

The chapels bear unsettling messages like: “As you are, we once were. As we are, soon you will be.”

Clearly, not a place for small children or those not comfortable around the dead–but the level of detail of the… art (for lack of a better word) is a sight to behold.

This is one of the least toured crypts in Rome (and of course, it’s technically an ossuary), but it is conveniently located to work in a stop during your 4 days in Rome, and if it sounds like something that might interest you, it’s definitely worth the short walk!

(And if you also find this fascinating, it’s worth noting that it’s not the only place of its kind in Italy– Milan , Palermo , Monterosso al Mare in Cinque Terre , and more are home to religious places decorated with bones).

Stroll to the Spanish Steps.

21-minute walk from Galleria Borghese.

After a stop off at the Galleria Borghese and possibly the Capuchin Crypt, most of the second day of this 4 day Rome itinerary focuses on iconic Roman sights and popular tourist highlights, starting with the famed Spanish Steps.

The Spanish Steps, like many popular highlights in Rome, are almost always crowded, but there are options if you want to have them to yourself: we got up at dawn in February for the below photo!

Sadly, the tradition of sitting on the Spanish Steps was banned in 2019 (and as of December 2022, we can confirm it’s definitely still being enforced), but they’re still absolutely worth visiting during your 4 day Rome itinerary!

Depending on time, if you’re a fan of the Romantic poets, you may also want to tour the small Keats-Shelley Memorial House that overlooks the steps and functions as a museum of the Romantic poets (and also features great views of the steps and piazza).

Throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain.

8-minute walk from the Spanish Steps.

What’s a Rome itinerary without a stop at the Trevi Fountain?

I’ll confess: on my first visit to Rome, I was more excited to see the Trevi Fountain than almost anything else, and it did not disappoint!

The fountain is truly magnificent, and after more than a dozen visits, I’m still in awe of how gorgeous it is (and also of just how many people can squeeze themselves around it, but hey, that’s just the reality of traveling to popular places in Rome).

Be sure to throw a coin in the fountain to ensure that you’ll always come back to Rome!

If you want to enjoy the view at bit but avoid (some of) the crowds, you can often grab a seat on the steps of the Church of Santi Vincenzo e Anastasio a Fontana di Trevi to relax for a minute.

Stop by the Galleria Sciarra.

Located less than a 5-minute walk from the Trevi Fountain and yet almost never crowded, the Galleria Sciarra is an excellent way to escape the crowds of Rome’s popular tourist attractions and take a breather before continuing on to the Pantheon.

The Art Nouveau frescoes painted by Giuseppe Cellini in the late 19th century that adorn the walls are an excellent example of how beauty and exceptional artwork is truly around every corner in Rome.

The frescoes have a specific theme: women, or even more specifically, female virtues.

Feel free to take a moment to admire them for yourself–the courtyard will probably feel incredibly quiet and peaceful after the hectic crowds at the Trevi Fountain!

The building itself is used for offices today, so you can find the small courtyard open to visitors during standard business hours.

Step inside the Pantheon.

7-minute walk from the Trevi Fountain.

The Pantheon is nothing if not mysterious: its age, how it survived the Barbarian raids, and even what exactly it is made out of are all questions that remain unanswered.

Built originally as a temple to all gods and later turned into a church, the Pantheon is worthy of its status as one of the best-known sites of Ancient Rome left in the city.

No 4 day Rome itinerary would be complete without a chance to marvel at the Pantheon, so be sure to step inside and stare in awe!

While the Pantheon has traditionally been free to visit, the city of Rome introduced an entrance fee starting in 2023.

Today, base tickets for the Pantheon cost 5 Euro, purchased onsite or through this website .

Alternatively, you can purchase tickets to the Pantheon that include a downloadable audio guide .

Be sure to read the signs carefully when arriving at the Pantheon: there are separate lines for those who already have downloaded tickets and those planning to purchase one in-person.

Get your Pantheon tickets + audio guide now!

Check out the Piazza Navona.

5-minute walk from the Pantheon.

The beautiful, wide-open space known as the Piazza Navona has always been busy throughout Roman history.

It has served as a stadium, as a food market, and even as a spot for public water parties!

Today, it is known as one of the prettiest and most popular piazzas in Rome, boasting three ornate Baroque fountains that are perfect for perching on the edge of and watching the world go by.

It’s one of the most popular piazzas in Rome to visit, so expect crowds, especially near the baroque fountains–but it’s popular for a reason.

( Rome travel tip : want to escape the crowds for a second? Head around the corner to Piazza di Pasquino, see the talking statue, and grab a glass of wine from the expansive list at Enoteca Cul de Sac ).

Head over to Castel Sant’Angelo.

11-minute walk from the Piazza Navona.

A walk from Piazza Navona to Castel Sant’Angelo will lead you through not only more of Centro Storico, but across the Bridge of Angels, one of the prettiest bridges in Rome, which dead-ends into the Castel Sant’Angelo.

Castel Sant’Angelo, despite its name, was never built to be a castle at all, but a mausoleum.

As the tomb of Emperor Hadrian and some of his family, Castel Sant’Angelo (in its original form, anyway), is an impressive nearly 2,000 years old–and it, whether or not you choose to go inside as part of your 4 days in Rome itinerary, is worth stopping by while in Rome.

(It also usually has genuinely impressive buskers out front–we usually stop to sit along the Tiber, enjoy the music, and admire the view at least a couple of times on every trip to Rome).

While you’re there, be sure to head to the nearby Ponte Umberto for a gorgeous view when you look back toward the Bridge of Angels and St. Peter’s Basilica.

If you time it right, this is a fantastic place to watch the sunset in Rome!

Day 3 in Rome: Explore Vatican City + Trastevere

Start your day bright and early at the vatican museums..

The Vatican Museums, with their magnificent art treasures, incredible map room, spectacular Sistine Chapel, and more, are an absolutely unmissable experience when planning to experience Rome in 4 days.

Plus, as a bonus, visiting means that you’ll actually be able to say you visited a whole other country!

Due to the severe crowds and ridiculously long lines, it is nearly essential to pre-book your visit to the Vatican Museums.

If you’d like to brave the odds on a rainy day in February, may the force be with you, but we once walked by the line to the museums nearly daily for a month as October bled into November, and the lines stayed at “Wow, okay, I’ll give that scalper whatever he wants to end this wait” levels.

Definitely book ahead to help your 4 day Rome itinerary go more smoothly!

If you’re particularly interested in seeing the Sistine Chapel without a few hundred of your new closest friends, we’ve had friends of ours absolutely rave about the experience of the early access tour , where you can gain access to the museums and Sistine Chapel before they officially open for the day.

While it is a pricier option, word on the street is that if it’s in your budget, it’s 100% worth both the money and the effort spent getting out of bed early in the morning.

After personally touring the Vatican Museums both independently and with a guide, we’re personally of the opinion that a tour (especially one that takes place outside of peak hours) is enormously beneficial, and can highly recommend this one  for an early-morning experience.

Also, bear in mind when planning your 4 days in Rome itinerary that the Vatican Museums are closed on Sundays, with the exception of the last Sunday of the month, when the museums are open and free to visitors who are able to enter before 12:30 PM (they then close at 2:00 PM).

From April to October each year, the Vatican Museums are also open on Friday nights, and we personally loved our Friday night tour .

Book your early morning or evening tour of the Vatican Museums today! Prefer to explore independently? Book skip-the-line tickets to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel!

Step inside St. Peter’s Basilica.

11-minute walk from the Vatican Museums (depending on where you exit).

St. Peter’s Basilica is, hands down, the most impressive church we have seen in all of Italy (even if it technically isn’t in Italy at all).

Once you arrive out front, take a few minutes to admire the iconic oval Piazza del Pietro, and then hop in line to enter the basilica–and don’t worry, the line moves a lot faster than it looks.

The basilica itself is free to enter, but if your legs are up for it, we strongly recommend paying a bit extra to climb the dome (as long as you’re not particularly claustrophobic, that is).

The views from the top, especially of the Piazza del Pietro, are fantastic (the first photo in this Rome blog post is of the view).

Once you get back down, head into the basilica itself.

Keep in mind that St. Peter’s Basilica does have a dress code that is enforced: cover your shoulders and knees, and avoid cleavage.

Push comes to shove, if you’re not dressed for the occasion, there are always plenty of salesmen hanging around the line to get into St. Peter’s that are more than willing to sell you a scarf to throw over your outfit.

Stroll to the Villa Farnesina.

17-minute walk from St. Peter’s Basilica.

This fresco-covered Renaissance palace is a quiet, fresco-covered beauty, making it a distinct departure from the congested Vatican Museums from earlier in the morning.

Stop by to admire the artwork (Raphael’s frescoes are particularly celebrated), the loggia, and the ornate rooms of the palace.

If you’re “museumed-out” after a morning at the Vatican, you can easily skip the Villa Farnesina as well–but we love it for its much quieter atmosphere and a chance to escape the crowds.

Explore Trastevere indepedently.

23-minute walk to Piazza di Santa Maria in Trastevere from Villa Farnesina.

You already had a taste during your food tour–with 4 days in Rome, once is not enough when it comes to enjoying Trastevere.

Trastevere is one of Rome’s most beautiful and–for lack of a better word–Roman-feeling neighborhoods.

This is where you’ll find some of the best examples of the iconic shuttered windows, colorful buildings, and narrow cobblestone streets that we all imagine when dreaming of visiting Rome, Italy.

Once considered an offbeat destination in Rome, the secret is out about Trastevere, and it’s a popular spot for visitors to grab a meal and wander.

Though you’ll be far from the only visitors around, Trastevere is definitely still worth the stroll along the Tiber required to reach the neighborhood.

While you’re there, but sure to head to the Piazza di Santa Maria, which is an adorable piazza, and to duck inside the Basilica of Our Lady in Trastevere, which boasts some magnificent mosaics.

Trastevere is also a very popular place for aperitivo, so if you’re looking for that iconic spritz-on-an-outdoor-table-along-a-cobblestoned-street vibe, Trastevere is the place to be.

Ascend to the Janiculum Terrace.

15-minute walk from Piazza di Santa Maria in Trastevere.

It’s entirely possible that at this time in your Rome itinerary, your feet will be aching and the idea of climbing up to a viewpoint will sound completely terrible!

And, if that’s the case, no problem: find yourself a cute restaurant in Trastevere and start your evening aperitivo.

If you’re up for a bit more walking, however, head up to Janiculum Terrace (bear in mind that this does involve climbing a bit of a hill) for some incredible panoramic views of Rome, and perhaps even a beautiful sunset!

Day 4 in Rome: Testaccio , Aventine Hill + Some Hidden Gems

Start your day with a 2,000-year-old pyramid..

Pyramids aren’t exactly the first image that comes to mind when we think of Rome, but the impressive Pyramid of Caius Cestius has been standing proudly in Rome for 2,000 years!

Start the final day of your Rome itinerary by setting off to Testaccio to see both the Pyramid and several other unexpected attractions.

You’ll be able to catch your first glimpses of the pyramid after exiting the Piramide metro stop, but the best views are actually from inside the Non-Catholic Cemetery, so save most of your picture-taking for those spots!

Visit the Non-Catholic Cemetery of Rome.

4-minute walk from the Pyramid of Cestius.

This beautiful cemetery is unique in the historically extremely Catholic city of Rome and houses some notable non-Catholics, including the poets Percy Shelley and John Keats.

It’s a lovely and peaceful place, and the views of the Pyramid of Cestius make an interesting contrast to the more recent headstones.

In addition to being the final resting place of plenty, the Non-Catholic Cemetery is also the home of some very lively cats!

Rome’s Non-Catholic Cemetery doubles as a cat sanctuary, and you’ll likely spot several beautiful felines resting amongst the headstones and prowling through the landscape.

Head to the Testaccio Market.

11-minute walk from the Non-Catholic Cemetery.

As compared to the Campo de’Fiori market noted earlier on this 4 day Rome itinerary, the Testaccio Market (and Testaccio in general) has a distinctly local feel.

True, this neighborhood isn’t unknown to tourists–but it’s also far from overrun by them, and you’ll find plenty of Romans shopping among you at the indoor Testaccio Market.

Check out clothes, shoes, and housewares, or head right to the food–both prepared food and groceries are available in the market.

Stop by Piazza Testaccio.

5-minute walk from Testaccio Market.

You won’t necessarily need long in this quiet and small piazza–but that’s exactly why you should take a moment to stop by.

So many of Rome’s piazzas that you’ll see during your 4 days in Rome tend to be completely packed (did you know that the area around the Trevi Fountain is actually called the Piazza di Trevi? It’s definitely not peaceful these days…).

Strolling through Piazza Testaccio, on the other hand, is a great opportunity to enjoy a more laid-back version of this classic feature of Roman life.

If you want to relax and enjoy the piazza for longer than a quick look, we can recommend grabbing an aperitivo at Oasi della Birra!

Snap a photo at the Keyhole on Aventine Hill.

12-minute walk from Piazza Testaccio.

If you peer through the keyhole on Aventine Hill, you’ll be greeted with a beautiful view: the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, framed by garden hedges.

It’s a lovely spot… that we totally missed the first time we tried to visit on account of (apparently) skimping on research.

When I had seen the many photos of this spot in the past, I mistakenly assumed that the “keyhole” in the name was merely referring to the small break in the hedges that framed St. Peter’s–but no, you do indeed peer through a literal keyhole to see it.

Don’t make our mistake and end up walking right by without checking it out!

Stroll through the Orange Garden.

4-minute walk from the Keyhole on Aventine Hill.

The Orange Garden is a gorgeous place, and a perfect spot to pause and relax during your 4 days in Rome.

Home to–what else–a grove of orange trees, the garden is meticulously manicured and a very peaceful place to take in the stunning views of Rome that are available from the terrace at the back of the garden.

The Orange Garden is an incredibly relaxing place and a great spot for resting your feet and people-watching for a bit.

If you’re a history buff, stop by Circus Maximus.

8-minute walk from the Orange Garden.

I wouldn’t necessarily consider seeing Circus Maximus to be an essential stop on this itinerary for Rome in 4 days, but as it’s so close by, it’s worth mentioning for any Roman history buffs that are visiting!

Circus Maximus was the first stadium in Rome and was known for its chariot races.

Located between Aventine and Palatine Hills, you can still see remnants of ancient palaces staring down over Circus Maximus.

Today, the site is a public park and is essentially a field with very few ruins remaining, hence why I don’t think it’s an unmissable stop on your Rome itinerary.

But, that being said, it is very cool to see modern Romans exercising in the exact spot where chariots once raced!

See a less-visited side of Ancient Rome.

By this time in your trip to Rome, you’ve had a chance to sample a wide variety of the Eternal City’s history, from the works of a Republic followed by Emperors in Ancient Rome, to the realm of popes and kings and beyond.

As you get close to the end of your trip, consider going back to the beginning and visiting one of Ancient Rome’s less crowded sites!

The Baths of Caracalla and Domus Aurea (Emperor Nero’s Golden House) are both incredible options.

Domus Aurea requires a bit of planning ahead, but you won’t forget the experience anytime soon!

If you’re curious about Ancient Rome but more interested in museum settings than archaeological ones, this is a good chance to loop back to the Capitoline Museums , as well.

Close our your 4 days in Rome itinerary by stepping inside Rome’s catacombs.

Lurking underneath the surface of Rome are 60 catacombs, dug by early Christians in the days before the city as a whole converted–and of those 60, 5 are open to the public.

For a side of Rome that you definitely haven’t seen so far, descend underground for a visit!

Depending on how fast of a sightseer you are, you may want to choose between this and one of the attractions in the above section–or you may want to squeeze it all in!

When it comes to Rome’s catacombs, The Catacombs of St. Callixtus are the largest and most visited, though all are worth seeing.

While the various catacombs tend to be open until 5:00 PM, for maximum flexibility, consider signing up for this after-hours catacombs tour through Take Walks!

(Note that the tour also visits the Capuchin Crypt, so if you plan to take it, don’t visit the crypt as mentioned on day 2 of this itinerary for Rome).

Book your visit to Rome’s catacombs today!

Where to stay for 4 days in Rome depends a lot on your priorities.

Do you want to be surrounded by a beautiful neighborhood? Trastevere is the place for you.

In the center of the action? Head to Centro Storico.

Save money? The furthest reaches of the metro lines.

With 4 days in Rome, though, we consider access to the rest of the city to be the most important deciding factor when deciding where to stay–in other words, choose somewhere within no more than a 10-minute walk to a metro stop.

However, if it’s within your budget, we find Centro Storico or fairly close to it (the closer edges of Trastevere, Monti, or Prati/Vaticano, for example), to be the most convenient place to stay for this Rome itinerary.

When choosing a hotel or apartment, looking at its distance from Piazza Navona and the Pantheon is a good rule of thumb–in a perfect world, you’ll be within walking distance of those.

That being said, we’ve stayed all over Rome and loved each corner for different reasons!

Here are a few well-reviewed properties to keep in mind when deciding where to stay in Rome.

La Cornice Guesthouse  — We loved this little guesthouse back in our budget backpacking days! It was extremely clean and comfortable, and very affordable for Rome.

La Cornice is set slightly outside the main tourist areas, but an easy 5-minute walk to the metro and a 20-minute ride got us to the Colosseum and other major sights.

Our favorite part of La Cornice?

Eating a nearby Joseph Ristorante for lunch, a restaurant we have returned to for years–and it all started with a recommendation from the clerk at La Cornice.

Just a 5 minute walk away, their lunch special offered a choice of about 10 main courses plus bread, wine, and one of several desserts for 8 Euros/person–it’s hard to beat that!

Check rates & book your stay at La Cornice Guesthouse!

The Wesley  — We adore this hotel! You can’t ask for a better location for exploring Rome, as it literally overlooks the Castel Sant’Angelo and is a short walk away from all the major Centro Storico sights.

It is a bit of a hike to a metro stop–you’ll probably need to take a taxi when you arrive/leave with luggage–but the location made it worth it for us.

For a mid-range property, The Wesley is a fairly simple one–expect small and extremely simple rooms, and shared bathrooms for some rooms.

Essentially, The Wesley as a guesthouse floats somewhere between budget and mid-range, with a luxury-status-worthy location.

Because of the fantastic combination of more affordable rates and a fabulous location, The Wesley sells out fast–if you want to stay there and see it’s available on your dates, we recommend booking immediately!

Check rates & book your stay at The Wesley!

Hotel Condotti — Located just a couple of blocks from the Spanish Steps (and consequently the Piazza di Spagna metro station), you couldn’t ask for a better location in Rome!

Well-reviewed and boasting exceptionally clean rooms, Hotel Condotti is the perfect choice for a traveler with a midrange budget (or luxury traveler–this hotel also holds some impressive-looking suites!) who would like to be within walking distance to the best that Centro Storico has to offer.

Enduringly popular and perfectly positioned, you can’t go wrong with checking into Hotel Condotti.

Check rates & book your stay at Hotel Condotti!

Pantheon Inn — If you’re looking for a building with classic Italian charm in the heart of Rome, this is it.

Located right behind the Pantheon and within reach, the Pantheon Inn offers a quiet, peaceful escape in the middle of bustling Rome.

You will need to walk a bit to the metro stop–but since the walk will take you through the heart of the beautiful Centro Storico, we doubt you’ll mind.

Check rates & book your stay at the Pantheon Inn!

If you’re lucky enough to have more than 4 days in Rome, it’s time to start thinking about day trips!

Consider heading to the nearby Tivoli Gardens, to hilltop towns like Orvieto or Siena , or out on a wine-and-food-centered Tuscany day trip .

If you plan ahead and use the fast train, you can even take a day trip to Florence !

Pompeii is a popular–and worthy–side trip from Rome, but to accomplish it as a day trip, you really need a tour, and this one is among the best of the best!

Pompeii is about 6 hours of driving round-trip from Rome, longer (and more confusing) via train, and trying to also squeeze in Vesuvius on an independent day trip from Rome would be nearly impossible.

If you’d like to visit Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast from Rome, this extremely popular tour has been reviewed more than 2,500 times with Take Walks and is a safe bet to get you there!

We highly recommend going, it’s an incredible place–just be sure not to overstretch yourself!

Within Rome itself, there’s also plenty to do with extra time!

Consider checking out the Baths of Diocletian, heading out to the Appian Way, visiting the over-the-top neighborhood of Quartiere Coppede , taking a cooking class, or touring more Ancient Roman sites like Santo Stefano Rotondo.

Lesser-known museums like the Galleria Spada and Palazzo Doria Pamphilj are among our favorites and also well worth a visit!

Getting Around During 4 Days in Rome , Italy

We designed this 4 days in Rome itinerary to be as walkable as possible, grouping destinations by geography where we could.

Even still, Rome is large enough that you will need to use other methods of getting around.

The easiest option is simply to use the metro–though Rome’s metro has a mere 3 lines (only 2 of which will likely be of interest to you as a visitor), it connects directly to many of the city’s highlights, including the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, and more.

If you can swing it, your 4 days in Rome will be highly enhanced by staying within a short walk of a metro stop.

Rome’s bus system is also an option, though it can be slightly confusing and you cannot purchase tickets onboard.

Pick them up at a nearby tabacchi or metro stop before hopping on, or aim for simplicity and purchase a multi-day pass to the transport network.

Uber and taxis are both also present in Rome, but Rome’s heavy traffic and their high prices make these options best avoided if possible.

For the same reason, we don’t generally recommend Hop On/Hop Off bus tours in Rome, but they do exist if you prefer them.

Despite Rome’s international reputation as a pickpocket hotspot, it is, on the whole, a very safe city.

Yes, you do need to keep an eye on your pockets and bags in crowded areas (pay especially close attention in crowded metro stops like Termini and at tourist hotspots like the Trevi Fountain and Colosseum), but we’ve never had so much as a close call during our visits to Rome.

You will see scammers present in Rome’s crowded areas, including men presenting women with roses to try to elicit payment from her companion, “friendship bracelet” offers for bracelets that are free (until they’re tied on your wrist), etc.

It’s best to ignore these scammers entirely, and brush them off with a polite but firm “no” if necessary.

Also, keep in mind that buying and selling fake designer goods is illegal in Italy as both a consumer and a seller.

Be sure to keep your hands off the bags being touted by salesmen in tourist areas, no matter how convincing the imposter might look from a distance.

Each season brings a reason to spend 4 days in Rome, and we’ve seen them all in the city!

If you have your pick of dates, though, consider a trip in April or October–both offer high chances of beautiful weather while avoiding the worst of the crowds and prices of the summer high season.

Exploring Rome in winter also has its charms–winters are generally mild in Rome, so if you’re willing to bring along a coat, consider using a winter trip to explore Rome at its emptiest.

Our last choices of times to visit Rome would be July and August, when not only are the prices highest and crowds heaviest, but the weather is also boiling hot.

During summer in Rome, we tend to sightsee in the morning, retreat to air-conditioning in the afternoon, and then come out again starting in the early evening–but it’s not as relaxing as visiting during more mild weather!

(If you are planning a June, July, or August trip, here are our best tips for summer in Italy ).

Don’t forget to include these important items when you pack for Rome!

Travel Insurance  — We don’t ever suggest traveling without travel insurance–anything can happen, and this is definitely a case of better safe than sorry.

Bring a small pack of tissues, toss them in your day bag, and you won’t have to worry about it.

You’ll be so glad you brought along a Swiss Army Knife!

Option C: Hope you get lucky with the weather (but fair warning, we’ve never been to Italy and avoided rain entirely!).

Take This Map With You! Click each highlight to pull up the name of the destination. To save this map to “Your Places” on Google Maps, click the star to the right of the title. You’ll then be able to find it under the Maps tab of your Google Maps account! To open the map in a new window, click the button on the top right of the map.

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About Kate Storm

In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, I’m working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA.

31 thoughts on “The Ultimate 4 Days in Rome Itinerary (+ Map & Tips!)”

What an awesome guide! I love how complete it is – no stone unturned! I visited Rome back in 2014 and absolutely loved it. So much to see! Can’t wait to go back one day. Your blog is inspiring me to plan my dream trip: a full month travelling around Italy!

That sounds like an amazing trip! A month in Italy is a fabulous use of time. <3

Hello, Thank you for this! My wife and I spent 4.5 days in Rome in September 2017 and have not stopped taking about it since. The first trip was mostly a “pilgrimage” for us where we did visit many of the churches (though not nearly the 900). We are seriously considering heading back this September and look to do something a bit different. As much as I do love museums, my wife is not much of a fan so I will defer to her 🙂 . However, your itinerary can easily be adjusted to suit our needs (Wed audience in St. Peter Square vs Vatican museums, etc.) and is a super useful guide to areas I never would have considered before (Testaccio) and relatively structured days. Again, thank you!

Thanks so much, Michael! September 2017 was actually when we took our first trip to Rome too, and we can’t stop going back. 🙂 I’m sure you guys have already visited these on your pilgrimage trip, but just in case you haven’t and are looking for more church ideas, some of the coolest churches in Rome IMO that aren’t the completely obvious choices are Basilica di San Clemente and the Santo Stefano Rotondo. Hope you guys have an amazing trip back to Rome!

Thank you for this well-thought out, detailed, and diverse itinerary. Highly appreciated. Looking forward to following many if its stops next month in September.

Thank you so much, Wendy! Have a fabulous trip to Rome! 🙂

This was very insightful

Thanks, Yogita!

I just wanted to thank you because this guide really helped us to have a really awesome trip and saved us tons of time on planing, we did our 5 days trip to Rome on this guide, and the google maps itenerary was a life saver.

Rome was great and this made our trip easier

Best regards, from Lisboa, Portugal!

Thanks so much, Ruben! That is so wonderful to hear. So glad you had an amazing trip!

I travelled to Rome a couple of years ago and this is so close to my itinerary, its not funny. I am so glad to see itineraries like this on the internet that encourage people to go see the historical sights, vs. others that encourage people to ‘skip the important sites’ so as to not waste time.

Thank you for helping people experience the true beauty of Rome

Thank you, Pallavi! That is definitely our goal. 🙂

I just wanted to thank you because this guide will really help us on our 15th anniversary trip later this year. We have never traveled abroad and are so excited. This will save us so much time on planning.

So happy to hear that, Rachel! Hope that you guys have a fantastic trip, and Happy Anniversary!

Hi! My husband and I spent 4 days in Rome in late January 2020 and based our trip around this review. It was perfect for our first time. Thank you so much!

Thank you for sharing, Shareen, that makes my day to hear!

This guide is phenomenal. i was overwhelmed with the incredible options in Rome until I found this guide. We really want to do the food tour in Trastevere you recommend, especially since we are staying in Trastevere. , but there is not very much information about what is included. Is there a better description somewhere or could you give a a quick thumbnail? Thanks!

Thanks so much, John, that’s wonderful to hear!

Unfortunately, the exact Trastevere tour we took isn’t online anymore, but we do link a popular, comparable option in this post: https://www.ourescapeclause.com/trastevere-food-tour/

Trastevere is a popular neighborhood and while each tour will follow its own exact route, you can generally expect to a try a pasta, a cheese shop, gelato, etc–all the classics!

Kate & Jeremy thank you for being so kind and thoughtful to share thitineraries of Rome and additional travel information with the rest of us. I will be in Sorrento the last week of Feb. 2023. Do you know if the port has daily ferry tours to the Amalfi coast? Also travel by vehicle should I be concerned about luggage being stolen during stops as I am traveling. Also, would you have a recommendation on a name of a facility or location I could rent a vehicle. Thank you for your help.

Of course, glad it was helpful!

I’m not sure if the boats run daily during the winter, but I would think so.

For rental cars, we use and recommend Discover Cars–it’s a search engine that will pull up both local and international carriers.

As far as safety, it’s not recommended to leave anything at all visible in your car while parking it. Some people are comfortable with storing luggage out of sight in a vehicle, and others prefer not to take the risk. It’s a matter of personal risk tolerance, essentially.

Loved reading your 4 day guide to Rome, my wife and I are visiting mid August 2023, and aside from visiting the places you mentioned. It would be lovely to know some little restaurants off the typical tourist route that serve really nice Italian food. Hopefully you can send us in the right direction.

We have several, and are always adding new ones to our list!

I try to update them and include options near the attractions where we’re located, but a couple that we like that I don’t think are mentioned here include Osteria La Quercia (near Campo de’ Fiori), Cul de Sac (an enoteca with a huge wine list), Arancio d’Oro, and Antica Osteria Brunetti.

Hope you guys have a great time!

thanks for this information

You’re welcome, have a great time in Rome!

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading through this 4 day itinerary and planning for my stay in Rome. However, after a second look at my reservation I sadly realized I only have 3 days in Rome. Do you have a similar plan for a 3 day stay?

Not yet, though I hope to write one specifically for 3-day visits eventually!

The simplest way to rework this itinerary, though, would be to simply trim off the 4th day, as it covers the most off the beaten path spots of any given day on the route.

However, it depends on your interests! You can also opt to trim off whatever stops don’t sound interesting, and compress your days a bit to squeeze more in to a shorter time frame. For example, if you’re not much for art museums, you could skip the Galleria Borghese and/or the Villa Farnesina, and instead let the Vatican Museums shine as your big museum visit of the trip.

Yes, after looking at day 4, I thought trimming it off might work. Thanks very much for your response and for all the tips you’ve included here.

We were in Rome 10 years ago and are taking my daughter and her Fiance this Oct. This list is exactly what I was looking for! My husband and I would like a day trip to Florence while they do the Vatican (only need to see that once) and I have kept your guide for that as well. Is there a way to learn the bus routes etc? We walked EVERYWHERE on our last trip because we couldnt figure it out. We also used Rick Steves tours for a lot of it too and that was great!

Hi Melissa,

That’s wonderful to hear, thank you!

We don’t use buses a lot in Rome (we generally walk and occasionally take the metro), but you can plan your routes via the bus website! Here it is: https://www.atac.roma.it/

It’s still a bit confusing, but much easier than without any directions. As far as I know, the buses still require that you purchase tickets from a tabaccheria in advance, too–something to keep in mind!

Hi Kate, Love your post and has given me a great advice while we are planning our 21 day trip to Italy. I’m very curious to know what you do as a career/ or money to fund your lifestyle of travel. Would love to be able to see the world. I currently live and work in the US.

Thank you so much!

We’re professional travel bloggers, so our income comes from the ads you see when you scroll through the site and sometimes from a commission if you book something (like a tour or hotel) through one of our links. We don’t accept any sponsored travel and always pay for our own trips.

It did take us years to work up to blogging being a living wage, though! When we started, we were living off of savings from our 9-5 jobs back in Texas. We were one of those couples that quit to travel the world. 🙂

This blog post from years ago (that I’ve since updated) covers a bit of our early days: https://www.ourescapeclause.com/6-month-round-the-world-trip/

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4 Days in Rome: Detailed Itinerary (+Map & 2024 Planning Tips)

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: March 5, 2024

Visiting Rome for 4 days and wondering what to see and how to best plan your time? In this article, we share a perfect itinerary for 4 days in Rome , with maps, essential info, and tips to make the most of your stay in the Eternal City. Find out!

Rome is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Italy and an absolute must-see! Whether you are planning a city break in Rome or it’s part of a longer trip through Italy, it’s well worth taking a bit more time to explore this beautiful city and not just rush through the main attractions.

This Rome 4 days itinerary brings you to ALL the must-see places in the city . In addition, it also includes quite a few of Rome’s hidden gems , some of the best views in the city , and some amazing underground sites that will make your visit so much more memorable.

We also share hotel and restaurant recommendations and other useful tips that will help you plan a perfect trip and explore the city just a bit deeper than most standard itineraries.

Good to know: We recently spent 4 days in Rome and this itinerary is based on the trip that we did and is very detailed (including suggestions on where to eat or where to find the best gelato, etc.). In this guide, we share our experience-based tips and advice , the tickets we booked and tours we did, what we’d do differently, and why.

It should save you hours and hours of research and help you plan an amazing visit and make the absolute most of your four days in Rome. None of the activities, restaurants, or accommodations are sponsored, so if we recommend something it’s only because we actually liked it.

Top 4 Tickets & Experiences to Book in Advance:

• Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel .
• Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill .
• Local Food Tour .
• Appian Way, Aqueducts & Catacombs .

TIP: Use this itinerary just as an example of what can be done each day and switch the days around if you have to. Before deciding where to go on which day, be sure to check if all the places you want to visit are open!

For example, we had to adapt our 4-day Rome sightseeing plan because the Vatican Museums weren’t open on the day we wanted to visit.

PRO TIP: For the Vatican and the Colosseum, it’s essential to book your tickets or tours in advance , so be sure to check that first, before planning anything else! If you are planning on visiting top sites on your own, check out this digital Rome Tourist Card . It’s a combined ticket that includes entry to the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica & its Dome.

This card allows you to choose time slots for all the top attractions in one go (so you can immediately see what’s available on which day). It saves you time and money, and it’s simple to use because all tickets are digital.

Below, you will find more information about tickets and tours for these and other sights in Rome.

READ ALSO: Tips for Visiting Rome

How to see the best of Rome in 4 days? With so many landmarks, must-see attractions, and countless interesting sights scattered in and around the city, there’s not one perfect itinerary.

But if you want to see the very best of Rome, this 4-day plan will not disappoint. I spent a lot of time creating this itinerary for our own trip and I’m quite confident that you’ll love it as well! At the bottom of the article, you’ll also find a MAP indicating all the places to see, restaurant suggestions, and even the meeting points of some tours we recommend.

Of course, you can just pick the places that interest you the most, see fewer places, and explore deeper. But this gives you an idea of what to see, how to plan your time, and what can actually be done in four days in Rome.

Good to know: Prepare to walk a lot (wear comfortable shoes!!!) and if you can, make an effort to get up early so that you can see some of the most beautiful places without the crowds. Also, stay in the heart of the city center! We stayed at 9HotelCesari , just a few minutes’ walk from the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain. We always stay in this area when visiting Rome – it just makes everything so much easier and more enjoyable.

TIP: If you need airport transfers to/from the city center, you can find all the best options here (by train, bus, or pre-booked taxi).

• DAY 1: Historic Center, Colosseum, several hidden gems, Trastevere
• DAY 2: The Vatican, Food Tour & Jewish Quarter
• DAY 3: Markets, the Pantheon, Galleries, Crypts, Shopping, City Views
• DAY 4: Appian Way, Aqueducts & Catacombs Tour, most interesting churches, Colosseum at sunset
• Map & getting around
• Additional suggestions if you have more time
• Where to stay

Here’s what your four days in Rome could look like:

Day 1: Historic Center, Colosseum, Baths of Caracalla, Aventine Hill, Mouth of Truth, Trastevere

PLANNING TIP: Be sure to book the tickets or the tour of the Colosseum in advance! We did and recommend this all-in tour . If you rather go on your own, you have the choice between regular tickets or tickets that include Arena Floor as well . We recommend the latter as standing on the Gladiator Arena is really special.

Here’s what your first of the 4 days in Rome could look like:

7 – 8 AM: Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Breakfast

Start your first day in Rome with an early walk through the city center. I recommend going to see the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain first thing in the morning. These are the most visited landmarks in the center and they are always crowded. But if you come here early, you have a chance of seeing these places without too many people around.

If you stay in the heart of the city center, it’s really easy to see these places without the crowds. Our hotel was so centrally located that we woke up at around 6.30 AM, took a quick shower, dressed, and were at the Trevi Fountain just before 7 AM. It was magical to see it empty and actually be able to enjoy it and take the time to admire this masterpiece!

It’s also nice to see the Pantheon and Piazza della Rotonda without people. You won’t be able to visit inside the Pantheon this early, but you can come back for that later. If you have a bit more time, you can walk to Piazza Navona and see it without the crowds as well (it’s just a 3-4 minutes walk from the Pantheon, so really not a big detour).

Go back to your hotel for breakfast . Alternatively, you can have breakfast at one of the many cafés in the city center.

READ ALSO: The Best Area to Stay in Rome

8.30 – 10 AM: Piazza Venezia, Capitoline Hill, Via dei Fori Imperiali

Next big stop – the Colosseum . It’s just a 20-30 minutes walk from the city center. You could take a taxi, rent an electrical scooter, or simply walk. We recommend walking because you can see so many other landmarks along the way, especially around Via dei Fori Imperiali .

On your way to the Colosseum, you’ll pass Piazza Venezia . This is a huge and very busy city square with a colossal monument (Altar of the Fatherland) and the equestrian statue of Vittorio Emanuele II. This is one of the must-see places in Rome!

TIP: If you have some extra time, you could visit the monument and take the elevator to the top . The panoramic views are stunning, but it’s not cheap and can take quite some time if it’s busy. Yet, it’s definitely possible to squeeze it in your itinerary if you plan well.

Then, take the wide staircase on the right side of the monument and visit Capitoline Hill (Campidoglio). This staircase and the square were designed by Michelangelo. On top of the stairs, you’ll see impressive palaces that house Capitoline Museums .

With just four days in Rome, you’ll have to be very selective about where to go and what to see. If you want to visit these museums and the Colosseum + Forum Romanum on the same day, it’s definitely possible, but you’ll have to skip most of the other suggestions for this day.

We recommend just passing by here. On top of the hill, check out one of the best viewpoints in Rome , Belvedere di Via Monte Tarpeo which overlooks the Roman Forum. On the other side of the Senatorial Palace, you’ll see a small statue of the Capitoline Wolf . This statue depicts an old legend, according to which a wolf saved and cared for Romulus and Remus, the twins that later founded the city of Rome.

After leaving Capitoline Hill, turn left and walk to the main street – Via dei Fori Imperiali and in the direction of the Colosseum. This road is like a museum in itself – with the Roman Forum on your right, the Forum of Augustus and other historic places on your left, and impressive statues of Roman emperors around you.

10.30 AM – 1.30 PM: Colosseum Tour + Roman Forum & Palatine Hill

If you booked your tickets or a tour of the Colosseum , you can now visit the Colosseum inside. All tickets also include an entrance to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill . So plan on spending the next 2-4 hours here. In fact, the tickets include a few other places, but those are not a must. Just as with so many other places in the city, you could spend the whole day here, but with just 4 days in Rome, we recommend only focusing on the musts.

There are several options for the Colosseum. Most people just get a regular ticket and visit on their own, but you should also know that there is a slightly more expensive ticket that includes Arena Floor . In addition, I recommend visiting the underground level as well. And for that, you need a guided tour.

I’ll spare you all the details about all the ticket and tour options and to keep things short, just say that after lots of research, we booked a tour like this that includes Colosseum (all levels), Palatine Hill, and Forum Romanum . It was absolutely worth it and I highly recommend it.

Good to know: We booked a tour at 10.30 AM. You could also rush and come here first thing in the morning, but it’s ALWAYS busy at the Colosseum anyway, so it won’t really enhance your experience. And if you prebook your tickets in advance, there’s no need to hurry or worry about anything.

Going with a tour, we didn’t have to stress about where exactly to go, which line to stand in (we actually skipped most of the lines except the security check), or where exactly to go once we were inside the Colosseum.

We saw all the levels of the Colosseum – the Underground, the Arena Floor, and all the regular areas accessible to everyone. It was an amazing experience and our guide made it a smooth, informative, and very enjoyable visit.

Afterwards, we walked to the nearby Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum . Once again, it was great to have a guide here. I’ve been to these places before, without a guide, and it’s only now that I realized how much I missed.

These areas are so vast and there’s so much to see that it’s easy to get overwhelmed and miss some of the highlights. Also, the guide tells you stories and anecdotes and helps put things into perspective and better understand what you are seeing. Our tour ended at the Roman Forum, giving us more time to explore it further on our own.

READ ALSO: Guide to Colosseum Levels & Tickets

1.30 – 2.30 PM: Lunch near Colosseum

After all the walking and sightseeing, you’ll want to sit down for lunch! So find a nice restaurant near the Colosseum and enjoy a quiet lunch. We thought that we’d just get something quick for lunch and go on, but it was actually nice to take a break and I highly recommend you do the same!

We headed to the small neighborhood east of the Colosseum – this is where you’ll find lots of restaurants and cafes. And yes, many of them are really touristy, but there are some good places to eat here as well. The biggest problem is finding a table here in the afternoon…

For a quick bite, you could try L’Antico Forno . If you have some time to sit down, check out Trattoria Luzzi . This is one of the most popular and good-value restaurants near the Colosseum, but if you want to find a table here at lunch, try to reserve in advance.

We had lunch at La Pace del Cervello , which didn’t have the best reviews, but had a free table outside and we didn’t want to waste more time looking around. The service was super fast and friendly, the pizza was one of the best we had in Rome, and the prices were very correct as well.

TIP: The best way to find where to eat in Rome is to simply take a look at the reviews on Google Maps of the nearby restaurants and pick a place that looks more local (to start with, no pictures on the menu). But – once again – it’s usually so busy near the Colosseum at lunch that you will be happy to find a free table. And if you just get a pizza and some drinks, as we did, you can’t really go wrong anyway.

3 – 3.30 PM: Baths of Caracalla

If you want to get a bit off the beaten path in Rome, I highly recommend visiting the Baths of Caracalla . Located about 20 minutes walk from the Colosseum, this is one of the most remarkable Ancient Rome sites that most tourists never see. Yet, it’s absolutely worth a visit!

Caracalla Baths were built at the beginning of the 3rd century and were one the largest Roman public baths. It’s a huge complex that used to house several baths, saunas, an Olympic-size swimming pool, sports facilities, and even a library. The baths were heated via a series of underground ovens and it’s absolutely impressive to see how advanced and luxurious this place was.

Nowadays, it’s an archeological site/ outdoor museum. Some parts are still very well preserved and restored, with some stunning mosaics that give you a glimpse of how grand and decorative these baths were.

To us, the Baths of Caracalla is one of the most special places in Rome. And yes, it’s not an absolute must, but I highly recommend including it in your Rome itinerary. This is one of those places that will make your visit more special. And it’s also a nice place to escape the crowds.

Good to know: The Baths of Caracalla are open daily except on Mondays and some public holidays. Here you can find more info and also get tickets online, but it’s not an absolute must – normally, you can just buy a ticket at the entrance. You can also visit here with a tour ; obviously, it’s quite expensive compared to just the ticket price, but going with a guide always gives you a very different perspective.

After visiting the Baths of Caracalla, you could see some of the lesser-known places in Rome . None of these is a must, but nice to do if you don’t mind a lot of walking and have some time to spare. You can visit all of them or just pick the ones that interest you the most.

TIP: You could also rent one of the electric scooters that you’ll find all over Rome for getting to these places. It would make it much quicker and easier.

4 – 5 PM: Pyramid of Caius Cestius and/or Aventine Hill

The Pyramid of Caius Cestus is about 20 minutes walking distance from the Baths of Caracalla, and you pass some very local areas of the city. The Pyramid looks like the ones you see in Egypt and was actually built as a tomb in 18-12 BC. It is possible to visit the Pyramid inside, but it’s only open a few weekends per month and requires an advance booking, but you can just see it from the outside, as we did.

Next to it, there’s also an old 3rd-century city gate, Porta San Paolo , part of the old city walls. There’s a small museum here and you can walk up to the top of the tower for nice views.

Next, head to Aventine Hill . Best known for the Knights of Malta Keyhole , there are also several churches here and the Orange Garden ( Giardino degli Aranci ) offering nice views of Rome.

The keyhole is the main attraction here and it is exactly as it sounds – a keyhole in an old door. But what makes it special is that through it, you can see the view of the green garden pathway with St. Peter’s Basilica perfectly framed in the middle.

This is one of the more popular hidden gems of Rome and often, there’s a long queue of people waiting to look through this keyhole. I’ll let you decide if it’s worth your time waiting in line for it, but a visit to Aventine Hill is worth it either way. The three churches are really interesting to see, especially Basilica di Santa Sabina all’Aventino , and also the city panorama from the nearby gardens is really nice.

5 – 5.30 PM: Mouth of Truth

Finally, head back towards the river and the city center and stop at Santa Maria in Cosmedin church . Here you’ll find the Mouth of Truth ( Bocca della Verita ), a marble face with an open mouth. The legend has it that the mouth will bite off the hand of any liar.

In the past, you could just stop by here, put your hand in the mouth, take a picture, and move on. However, it’s become a very popular tourist attraction, and so also here, you’ll have to stand in a long queue in order to take a picture with your hand in it. There’s now even a small gate, a donation box, and staff keeping an eye on the crowds and regulating ‘traffic’.

We chose not to waste our time in line and took a picture of the mouth through the gate (you can see it from the street). The church itself is also nice to see, and there’s also an underground crypt of Pope Adrian I (8th century) that’s quite interesting as well. If you don’t have to stand in line for the Mouth of Truth, a visit here will only take 5-10 minutes.

6 PM: Trastevere & Dinner

Trastevere is one of the nicest (local) neighborhoods in the center of Rome. The name Trastevere comes from ‘ trans Tiberim ‘, which means ‘beyond the Tiber’. And indeed, it’s located on the other side of the river, just over the bridge from the Mouth of Truth.

This is a really nice area with narrow cobbled streets, colorful houses, countless restaurants, cafes, and bars. If you are looking for a nice place to have dinner, Trastevere is the best foodie area in Rome!

Before heading to dinner, you could also visit a few churches here. The most famous is Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere , located on the most picturesque little square. Don’t miss it!

Also check out Basilica Santa Cecilia in Trastevere – a real hidden gem, best known for the sculpture of St. Cecilia that was originally found in the Catacombs of St. Callixtus (and that we recommend visiting – see day 4 of this itinerary).

TIP: If you like exploring with the locals, you could book a food tour of Trastevere . It covers some of the landmarks of the neighborhood, plus you get to taste some delicious food as well. There are normally tours starting at around 5-7 PM, so it’s possible to fit it into this itinerary.

Or simply find a nice restaurant and enjoy a quiet dinner – you definitely deserve it after all the walking! Some of the best places to eat in Trastevere are Trattoria Da Enzo al 29 (close to Basilica St Cecilia) or Osteria Nannarella (close to Basilica St Maria). Be sure to try fried artichoke ( carciofi alla giudea ), one of the local specialties.

Day 2: The Vatican, Food Tour & Jewish Quarter, Historic Center

PLANNING TIP: Be sure to check if the Vatican is open on the day you want to visit and reserve your tickets / tour for the Vatican Museums (Sistine Chapel) online! See below for the best tour suggestions. The tickets are timed and they always sell out at least a few days in advance. Also, be sure that you wear clothing that covers your knees and shoulders! Also be sure to book the food tour in advance!

Here’s how you could plan your day:

Early morning: St. Angelo Bridge & Castel Sant’Angelo

If you walk to the Vatican from the city center, you’ll pass the Sant’Angelo Bridge and Castel Sant’Angelo . This area gets crowded during the day, but if you come here early, you’ll be able to enjoy it without the crowds.

TIP: Some of the best views of the St. Angelo bridge with St. Peter’s Basilica in the background are seen from the Umberto I Bridge and the southern side of the river between the two bridges.

Morning: Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel

Together with the Colosseum, the Vatican Museums (where you’ll find the famous Sistine Chapel ) is the most popular tourist attraction in Rome. It’s essential to book your tickets (or a tour) in advance!

Sometimes, if you didn’t think to book in advance and all the regular entrance tickets are sold out, you can still visit with a tour (they have separate access to tickets).

We have been to the Vatican Museums with a tour in the past, and so on this 4-day Rome trip, we just got the regular tickets instead of taking a guided tour. Big mistake! Next time, I’d definitely go with a tour. Here’s why.

Our experience: Once you enter the museums, you find yourself in a beehive with a labyrinth of halls and corridors and staircases… And yes, you get a plan and there are signs pointing to some parts of the museum, but it’s absolutely not clear where to go. All the routes point to Sistine Chapel and so eventually, you do get there (and see a lot along the way), but you have no idea what exactly you are seeing, whether you have missed something or not, and what’s worth it the most…

TIP: So if you want to save yourself all the stress and be sure that you see the best that the Vatican Museums have to offer, consider going with a guided tour . I’m a bit hesitant to recommend a guided tour with the official guide of the museum because we saw lots of frustrated people inside who were sent from one place to the other, looking for the official group tours. Instead, you can book a tour with one of the local companies (see below). That way, you meet your guide outside, enter the museums together, and can actually relax and enjoy your visit.

Here are 3 of the best tours of the Vatican:

• Early Entry to the Vatican & the Sistine Chapel . If you want to see the Sistine Chapel at its quietest , this is the best tour. It starts very early but gives you an extraordinary experience, incomparable to any regular daytime tours. In addition, this tour visits St. Peter’s Basilica and enters it directly through the museum saving you lots of time.
• Skip-the-Ticket-Line Vatican Tour and Sistine Chapel . This is the most popular (and great value) tour of the Vatican Museums & St Peter’s Basilica. A good alternative to visiting on your own.
• Early morning tour that includes everything + the dome . This tour includes ALL the musts of the Vatican : St. Peter’s Basilica with a visit to the underground crypts and the dome climb + the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel.

UNIQUE EXPERIENCE: VIP Key Master’s Tour – on select days, it’s possible to visit the Sistine Chapel with a Key Master as he opens the galleries of the Vatican Museums. You spend two hours inside with just a handful of people in your group – it’s a very unique experience (but also with a very high price tag and limited availability). A similar tour is also available through this company but it’s only bookable once or twice a month.

Good to know: The Vatican Museums are closed on Sundays, except on the last Sunday of the month when they are also free to visit (expect even bigger crowds if you visit on a free day). The museums are also closed on most religious holidays and on some other occasions.

When you pre-book your tour or tickets, you’ll immediately see if the date of your choice is not available, and can adjust your itinerary at that time.

Noon: Lunch near the Vatican

After your visit to the Vatican Museums, you’ll definitely want to sit down and rest your legs. All that slow walking is really tiring…

There are several restaurants and a café inside the Vatican museums, so you could have lunch there. But there are also quite a few nice restaurants in the nearby neighborhood. We chose to dine at one of the local restaurants.

We had lunch at La Locanda di Pietro , just a few minutes walk from the museum. It’s a very nice local restaurant with very friendly staff and truly good food. There are quite a few good restaurants in this area. For low-key simple Italian dishes, check out Ristorante dei Musei , or – if you prefer something different- head to La Cucaracha which serves Mexican food.

TIP: Try to go for lunch at around noon. When we visited, most restaurants were still quiet at 12, but half an hour – an hour later, there were hardly any free tables left (and only inside).

1.30 – 4 PM: St. Peter’s Square & Basilica

Unless you book a tour of the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica together, I recommend visiting St. Peter’s in the afternoon. In fact, the later in the afternoon you go, the quieter it usually is.

We booked this tour of the Basilica that included a Dome Climb and the Underground , and it started at 2 PM. So after lunch, we headed to St. Peter’s Square , explored it a bit on our own, went to see the Swiss Guards , and sent some postcards from the Post of the Vatican .

At 2 PM, we met our guide and waited for about 15-20 minutes (security line) to enter the Basilica. The lines weren’t nearly as bad in the afternoon as they were in the morning. While you don’t really need a guide to visit the church (and the entrance is free of charge), we actually enjoyed having a guided tour here. Our guide told us so many stories and explained so many things that we would have totally missed otherwise (and actually did miss on the previous visits here).

TIP: If you go without a tour, consider getting an audioguide – that way, you can better appreciate what you are seeing.

We then visited the crypts where some of the Popes are buried. You can also see St. Peter’s Tomb here, but only the tomb that’s officially accessible to the public (the actual St. Peter’s tomb is located yet deeper under the Basilica and can only be visited with official Vatican tours if/when they run and are very limited in numbers).

After exploring the church, you can opt to go to the top of the Dome . Our tour included this, but if you go on your own, you can do this as well. The entrance is located on the far right side of the church and you can buy a ticket here. You can opt for the stairs or the elevator. We suggest taking the elevator to the rooftop because you’ll still have to do over 330 steps to the actual top of the Dome.

A visit to St. Peter’s Dome is one of the most special things you can do at the Vatican. So if you are fit enough for the 330 stairs (up and then down again), don’t miss it! Not only can you see the rooftop of the Basilica and stunning views of the Vatican and the city from the Dome, but you also get to walk inside the actual dome with the whole church right under your feet. People look like little ants from this height and you realize once more how colossal the building is.

A very unique experience!

4.30 PM: Campo de’ Fiori

After the Vatican, head back to the city center and walk to Campo de’ Fiori . It’s about 25-30 minutes walk.

Campo de’ Fiori is one of the nicest town squares in Rome and a bustling market. Visiting here in the afternoon, you can actually see the square and not just umbrellas and the food stalls.

In the center of the square, you can see a statue of Giordano Bruno . He was a 16th-century philosopher who was burned here for his progressive thinking.

However, it’s also a special experience to see the Campo de’ Fiori market when it’s open. So if there’s no market anymore when you visit here in the afternoon, I recommend coming back here the next morning as well. See more info on day 3 of this itinerary.

5 – 8 PM: Street food tour & Jewish Quarter

The street food tour was one of the best experiences of our 4-day visit to Rome. If you want to discover a more local side of Rome, I highly recommend taking a food tour! It’s such a great way to get a bit off the beaten path and taste some local specialties.

We’ve been to Rome many times before, but we still learned new things, tasted some of the most delicious food, and saw some places we would have never seen on our own.

We took this highly-rated food tour and I can highly recommend it! The tour starts at 5.15 PM at Piazza del Biscione, which is a tiny town square right at the northeastern corner of Campo de’ Fiori. Be sure to check the starting times and location at the time of your visit, in case something would have changed!

On this tour, you visit a traditional food store from the 19th century and still run by the same family, have Roman pizza, and try other regional specialties at several excellent local restaurants. Our tour also included a tasting of Italian wine, local beer, and delicious gelato. They can also cater to people who have special dietary requirements and, of course, alcoholic drinks can be replaced by water or soft drinks.

We also passed some really nice local areas and also visited the Jewish Quarter (Ghetto) . Together with Trastevere and Testaccio (a bit further away from the center), this is one of the best neighborhoods for food in Rome. If you are still hungry after the tour (can’t imagine you would be, but you never know), this is a nice place to come back for dinner. Or come here at another time, as we did.

The tour also visits Largo di Torre Argentina and ends close to the Pantheon. It takes about 2.5 hours.

LEARN MORE: Rome Street Food Tour: Review & Tips

Evening: Explore the historic city center in the dark

If you still have some energy afterwards, walk around the city center and see Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, and Trevi Fountain nicely lit in the dark .

How dark it actually is will, of course, depend on the season when you visit. In November, it gets dark at 5 PM, whereas in June, it stays light until after 9 PM.

TIP: If you still have some space left for another gelato, check out Giolitti or Gelateria Della Palma – these are the two best places for ice cream in Rome. We stopped for ice cream here every time we were around…

We ended our day with some drinks on the beautiful rooftop terrace of our hotel . I think you can also come here for drinks even if you are not a guest at the hotel, but I’m not 100% sure. The drinks are quite expensive compared to the prices at the nearby restaurants though. But if you aren’t having dinner (not likely you’ll still be hungry after the food tour), it’s actually not easy to find a restaurant that will want to seat you just for the drinks. So for that, this bar is perfect.

Day 3: Campo de’Fiori, Pantheon, Doria Pamphilj, Capuchin Crypt, Villa Borghese, Terrazza del Pincio, Piazza del Popolo, Shopping, Spanish Steps

PLANNING TIP: Reserve your tickets or a tour of the Borghese Gallery in advance! You may also want to prebook a timed-entry slot for the Pantheon .

Early morning: Campo de’Fiori

In the past, a field of flowers (thus the name), nowadays Campo de’ Fiori is a bustling food market. The market is open Monday to Saturday, usually from around 7 AM to 2 PM.

The market is really touristy, but locals shop here as well. You’ll find stalls selling fruits, vegetables, cheese, meat, pasta, Italian limoncello (and other colorful drinks), and also flowers.

It’s always a nice place to visit when in Rome. The market is lively and colorful, you can buy all kinds of food, fruit, and also stock up on some (edible) gifts to take home.

9 AM: Pantheon

You will have passed the Pantheon several times by now, but it’s one of those places that you really should visit inside. Seeing the famous dome with a hole (oculus to the sky) in the middle is a must when visiting Rome!

Originally built in 27 BC and rebuilt in the 2nd century, the Pantheon is probably the best-kept monument from the old Roman times. The name ‘Pantheon’ means ‘temple of all the gods’ and – originally – it was a pagan temple indeed. In 609, Roman emperor Phocas gifted the Pantheon to the Pope, and it was turned into a church. This is one of the reasons why it’s still so well preserved.

A visit to the Pantheon doesn’t require much time. However, it’s always busy here, so if you don’t want to waste too much time, be sure to come here well before it opens.

Good to know: Nowadays, there is an entrance fee to visit the Pantheon. It’s also possible to book a timed-entry ticket in advance, however, getting the earliest time slots is not easy. You may want to check the official website and also Tiqets and GetYourGuide to see what’s available for your travel dates. In any case, keep in mind that you have to pick up the actual ticket at an external location (they do like to complicate things more than necessary…).

Alternatively, you can just stand in line and hope to get in without too much of a wait (in that case, arrive at least half an hour before it opens). Or make it easy for yourself and book a guided tour (likely later than 9 AM though, so you’ll have to adjust this itinerary accordingly).

10-11 AM: Doria Pamphilj Gallery

One of the hidden gems right in the historic city center, Doria Pamphilj Gallery is a private art collection that belongs to the princely Doria Pamphilj family. This is one of the largest and most impressive private art collections in Rome and it’s open to the public.

This vast art collection was started in the 16th century and contains a large number of paintings, furniture, and sculptures. You can see various works by Caravaggio, Raffaello, Velázquez, and many other famous Italian artists. But what makes it truly special is the sheer number of pieces of art covering the walls from the floor all the way to the ceiling.

TIP: Be sure to pick up an audio guide at the entrance (included with your ticket). It’s a great way to learn more about the palace, the art collection, and the family behind it. The English narrative is spoken by Jonathan Doria Pamphilj, and he shares some fun stories and anecdotes about the family as well.

Good to know: Doria Pamphilj Gallery is located in a 17th-century Palazzo Doria Pamphilj, about halfway between the Pantheon and the Trevi fountain, about 7 minutes walk from either of the two. It’s open daily from 10 AM. Their website says that you need to prebook the tickets in advance (and they are non-refundable). In the low(ish) season, we were able to visit without an advance booking. During busy times, you may have to wait for a while if you don’t have a reservation.

TIP: If you want to be sure to visit when you want to, but also have the flexibility to cancel, you can book cancelable tickets here .

11 AM: Galleria Sciarra

As you walk from Doria Pamphilj Gallery to the Capuchin Crypt (about 15 min walk), you’ll pass another nice secret gem of Rome, Galleria Sciarra . Located just steps from the famous Trevi Fountain, this beautiful place is completely overlooked by most tourists.

Galleria Sciarra is a small glass-covered gallery/patio with beautiful frescos pained on all the buildings surrounding the courtyard. It dates from the late 19th century and is a fine example of the Art Nouveau style.

Good to know: The courtyard is always open, accessible, and free. A visit here only takes a minute or two, so definitely take a look inside!

11.20 – 11.50 AM: Capuchin Crypt

If you like quirky places, you may want to check out another interesting hidden gem of Rome, the Capuchin Crypt (Museo e Cripta dei Frati Cappuccini).

The 500-year-old monastery houses a small museum telling more about the Capuchin monks and the history of the friary. But the main highlight are the underground crypts that contain really special and artistic creations made of human skeletons.

We’ve been to several bone chapels in various places in Europe in the past, but this one really stands out from the rest. There are several different crypts, each with its own unique ‘composition’, and it’s fascinating to see how someone created real art from human bones… It doesn’t even feel creepy or spooky, but more artsy…

Good to know: Capuchin Crypt is open daily from 10 AM to 7 PM, except on some public holidays, and you can just get a ticket at the entrance. More information on their website . They have an audio guide available and also run guided tours.

Lots of organized city tours include a visit here together with some other crypts and catacombs visits in Rome. But if you just want to see the crypts and the museum on your own, 20-30 minutes is more than enough time here.

12 – 1.30 PM: Lunch

After visiting the Capuchin Crypt, continue in the direction of Villa Borghese Gardens (about 10 minutes walk to the entrance of the park or 15-20 minutes walk to the gallery).

On the way, you’ll pass several restaurants. If you are feeling nostalgic for some American food, you can stop at the Hard Rock Café.

Alternatively, there are plenty of local restaurants as well. If you don’t mind splurging a bit and are looking for something special, check out the historic Harry’s Bar . And there are lots of other cheaper and simpler places to eat in this area.

2 – 5 PM: Borghese Gallery & Gardens

Villa Borghese is a large landscaped garden, one of the biggest and most beautiful public parks in Rome. There is a lot to see and do in the park and you could easily spend half a day here, but the most famous place is the Borghese Gallery .

If you are interested in art, this is one of the best museums to visit in Rome ! Here, you can see a big collection of masterpieces by Caravaggio, Raphael, Canova, and many others. Also, the interior of the palace is absolutely impressive!

Good to know: The Borghese Gallery is very popular, the tickets are timed, and usually sell out long in advance (especially if you are visiting in high season). So if you want to be sure to visit here, it’s essential to reserve your tickets in advance!

You can opt for a regular entrance ticket , and there are also guided tours available that cover the museum as well as the beautiful gardens. A tour might actually be a good idea here since the gardens are really large and there’s a lot to see.

Alternative suggestion: If you are not interested in the museum or the gardens, or want to see as much as possible and don’t mind walking quite a bit more, you could also visit the Quartiere Coppedè nearby.

It’s a small neighborhood with some of the most special architecture you can find in Rome. You can read more about it in our guide to Rome’s hidden gems .

This beautiful but rather compact neighborhood is located about 20 minutes walk from Villa Borghese (so you need about 1 hour in total to walk there and back and see the highlights). However, if you could rent an electric scooter, you could probably visit in about 30 minutes.

It’s also easy to combine it with a visit to the Coppede district and that of the Borghese Gallery. It really depends on your interests and how much you are willing to walk.

5.30 PM: Terrazza del Pincio

Terrazza del Pincio is a popular viewpoint offering nice views of Piazza del Popolo, the city center of Rome, and St. Peter’s Basilica in the distance. This is a popular place to come at sunset too.

There are, in fact, two viewpoints here and the views are nice from both (the other one doesn’t have an official name and is located right under Terrazza Viale del Belvedere, but is often confused with Pincio Terrace). Anyway, I indicated them both on our map.

These viewpoints are located about 15-20 minutes walk from the Borgese Gallery, and the walk through the park is really nice in itself.

From Terrazza del Pincio viewpoint right above Piazza del Popolo, take the stairs on the right side and walk down to this town square.

READ ALSO: Best Views & Viewpoints in Rome

6 – 7 PM: Piazza del Popolo & Shopping Streets

Piazza del Popolo (the People’s Square) is one of the largest and best-known town squares in Rome. Located at the Aurelian city walls, there’s still an impressive city gate here.

If you are coming from the hill at Terrazza del Pincio, the city gate will be on your right. If you want to experience the ‘wow’ effect of the square as first-time visitors to Rome did in the past, you can walk through it and come back to the square that way, but it’s really impressive either way.

Piazza del Popolo is a place where three big streets come together. In the center of the square, you can see an Egyptian Obelisk and the Fountain of the Lions . There are two other fountains with impressive statues at the sides of the square. And it’s also flanked by two impressive churches Santa Maria dei Miracoli and Santa Maria di Montesanto .

The area to the south of Piazza del Popolo is one of the most popular shopping neighborhoods in Rome . You’ll find all kinds of fashion stores here – from the cheaper main street brands to the most expensive designer stores like Gucci, Prada, Dolce & Gabanna, Tiffany & Co, and pretty much any other big name in the fashion industry.

The most famous shopping streets are Via del Corso (popular brands) and Via dei Condotti (high-end designer shops), but the whole area is really a shoppers’ paradise. If you are more interested in sightseeing than shopping, check out Via Margutta . It’s a very picturesque and much quieter street that became famous thanks to the film Roman Holiday .

Good to know: Most stores here are open until 7.30-8 PM, but if you are planning to do some shopping here, you’ll probably want to come earlier. You could easily spend an entire day here too, but with just 4 days in Rome, I’d only come here to do some window shopping.

7.30 PM: Piazza di Spagna, Spanish Steps & Dinner

Piazza di Spagna and the famous Spanish Steps is one more of the ‘must-see’ landmarks in the historic city center that you really shouldn’t miss in Rome.

Surrounded by all the shopping streets, this is a very popular area that’s always crowded. In the summer, it’s often difficult to even see the staircase through the crowds. It is now, therefore, forbidden to sit or eat on the stairs.

If you take the staircase up, you’ll be walking in the direction of the Villa Borghese Gardens that you visited earlier today. At the top, there’s also a church – Trinità dei Monti – and you could visit inside if it’s still open.

But, frankly, the stairs are the most impressive when seen from the bottom and the interior of the church is not that special. There are some nice viewpoints at the top, but if you already visited Terrazza del Pincio viewpoint before that, going up the stairs is not really a must. Unless you are here at around sunset and want to see some nice twilight views from above – in that case, definitely go up.

TIP: For dinner with a view, check out Caffè Ciampini di Marco Ciampini , a short walk to the left at the top of the stairs. Otherwise, you will find lots of nice restaurants in the historic city center. I indicated a few nice restaurants on the map.

Day 4: Appian Way, Aqueducts & Catacombs tour, San Giovanni in Laterano, St. Clement Basilica, Basilica di San Pietro in Vincoli, Colosseum at sunset

PLANNING TIP: Book this e-bike tour in advance (possible for all ages). If biking isn’t your thing, this bus/ walking tour has a very similar itinerary and takes less time, but – at least at the moment, it only runs a few times a week and only in high season. Also, keep in mind that St. Callixtus Catacombs are closed on Wednesdays. You can still do the e-bike tour, but you’ll likely visit the Catacombs of Saint Sebastian instead.

9 AM – 3 PM: E-bike Tour of the Appian Way, Aqueducts & Catacombs

On the fourth day in Rome, we recommend that you get a bit outside the city and visit some of the ancient Roman sites nearby. The main highlights that are worth it the most are the Appian Way , the Park of the Aqueducts , and the Catacombs of St. Callixtus (or the nearby Catacombs of Saint Sebastian).

Hands down, this was one of our favorite days of the 4-day visit to Rome! So if you are comfortable on an e-bike, I highly recommend considering this tour .

There are other similar bike tours as well, but we chose this one because it has the most complete itinerary, includes (delicious warm) lunch, uses good quality electric mountain bikes, and has the best reviews. Also (take my word for this), you really don’t want to do the Appian Way with a regular bike!

I’m not going to list the complete itinerary of this tour, but below are some pictures that will give you a short overview of what you can expect to see. Since you go with a local guide, you have nothing to plan or worry about. Just enjoy the day and soak in the incredible 2000-year-old sights.

We loved every minute of this tour and I’d do it again in a heartbeat. Also, my teenage son said that it was the absolute best thing we did on the entire trip (and he really enjoyed the rest of Rome as well, with the food tour on day 2 of this itinerary being his second favorite).

3.30 – 4 PM: Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano

Just 10 minutes walk from where your bike tour ends, you can visit the main church of the city, the Cathedral of Rome, Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano . It is this church (and not the St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican) that is considered as the ‘Cathedral of Rome and of the World’. The Pope is the reigning bishop of the city of Rome.

The reasoning behind this is quite simple – while the Pope stands above the cardinals and the bishops, St. Peter stands above the Pope. So St. Peter’s Basilica is a whole other league compared to any other church, and Rome – just as any other city – deserves its own cathedral, of course.

Anyway, the Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano is absolutely impressive. The cathedral is massive, very richly decorated, and the statues of the Apostles inside are just as majestic as the ones at St. Peter’s. In the middle, you can also see the tomb of Pope Martino V , and on the far left corner of the church, there’s an entrance to a 13th-century cloister . You have to pay a few euros to visit here, but consider it as a donation to the church and be sure to check it out.

It took me quite a few visits to Rome before I finally made the time to visit this church, and I can tell you that it’s absolutely worth a detour. And since the bike tour ends just nearby, it’s really easy to add it to your 4-day Rome itinerary. A visit is free of charge, and it’s incomparably quieter here than at the Vatican.

TIP: While you can visit the Cathedral itself for free, you need a ticket to visit the cloisters. You can get this all-in ticket which includes everything there is to see at the Basilica and at the Scala Sancta across the street (more info below).

4 – 4.15 PM: Scala Santa

Just across the street from the Basilica, there’s one more little-known gem of Rome, Scala Santa (the Holy Stairs ). This is a small catholic sanctuary with a papal chapel and three impressive staircases leading to it. The middle of the three staircases is the Holy Stairs.

According to a Christian tradition, Jesus Christ climbed these stairs before his crucifixion . It’s believed that these stairs have been brought from Jerusalem to Rome in the 4th century. This staircase is considered sacred and is reserved for pilgrims who come here to pray and climb to the top on their knees hoping for a plenary indulgence. Millions of people have climbed these stairs on their knees, including many popes.

On top of the right staircase, there is a nice chapel, with an adjacent smaller papal chapel in the middle.

The papal chapel Sancta Sanctorum (the Holy of the Holies) itself is normally closed to the public and can only be seen through a small opening at the end of the middle stairs. It was exceptionally open when we visited, but I’m not sure if it will remain open to the public in the future. It contains lots of relics, some of which have been moved to the Vatican.

Even if you can’t visit the Holy of the Holies, a visit here is more than worth a few minutes of your time. The staircases are really impressive and so is the bigger chapel. And you can see the other one through a small opening too.

Good to know: Scala Santa is open daily in the morning and in the afternoon. There’s no fee to enter and no reservations are needed and you only need a couple of minutes. If you want to visit the papal chapel of Sancta Sanctorum (and it’s open), there’s a small fee (or you can get this ticket for the Cathedral and the Holy Stairs, as mentioned before). You can find more info about this sacred place and the opening times on their website .

4.30 – 5 PM: St. Clement Basilica

After a visit to Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano and the Holy Stairs, walk back in the direction of the Colosseum, and be sure to stop at St. Clement Basilica . From the outside, it might look just like any other of 900+ churches in Rome, but it houses a lot of secrets inside. This is one of the most unique places you can visit in Rome ! Yet, despite its proximity to the Colosseum, only very few tourists know about it or ever come here.

St. Clement Basilica was constructed in the 12th century. With its cozy interior and beautiful mosaics, it looks really nice, but – not that special, you’d think. There are tens of other very similar churches all over the city…

What makes it extraordinary is that underneath there’s an archeological site containing two underground levels. Right under the church, there’s the original Basilica, built in the 4th century. AND – yet another level deeper – there are 1st and 2nd- century buildings used by the members of the cult of Mithras. This seemingly ordinary church actually has three layers that literally take you back in time through centuries of Roman history.

There are several places in Rome where you can literally touch the 2000-year-old walls, but this is probably one of the most authentic sites (it probably feels like that because there are very few tourists) AND it’s so easy to visit! You don’t need any advance reservations, there are no queues, and it’s just a stone’s throw from the Colosseum! So even if you are not doing the bike tour and plan your Rome itinerary differently, you could easily come here when you are visiting the Colosseum.

Good to know: The Basilica’s Archeological Excavations are open daily except on Christmas Day. You can check up-to-date info for the opening times and buy a ticket on their website . Or pay a few euros more and simply get a ticket at the entrance. Kids under 16 are free of charge.

5.15 – 6 PM Domus Aurea

Domus Aurea , aka the Golden House of Emperor Nero, is located just next to the Colosseum and is well worth a visit as well. It’s an ancient archeological underground site where you can see the remains of the extravagant villa built by Nero after the Great Fire in 64 AD had destroyed a large part of the city.

The Golden House was huge, with over 200 rooms, pavilions, gardens, and even an artificial lake in the center, and was built to impress and entertain.

The most remarkable feature was the Octagonal Room with five rooms around it and waterfalls cascading down the walls. The main dining hall – the Octagonal Hall itself – has a big concrete dome with an oculus which is believed to have inspired the architecture of the Pantheon. This room also had a revolving floor – an impressive engineering achievement at that time.

Nero wasn’t loved and his impressive palace was looted and destroyed soon after his death. It was covered in earth and several other structures were built on top of it, including the Baths of Trajan and Titus. The Colosseum was built at a place where Nero’s lake used to be and it also got its name from the Colossus statue that used to stand at the entrance of Domus Aurea.

Good to know: Domus Aurea is normally open daily until 6.30 PM. However, at the moment of writing, it’s only open on the weekends and just a few hours a day. All visits are guided and normally also include a VR experience that gives you a good insight into how grand this palace was. Since it’s an underground site, it’s quite cold inside so you may want to take a sweater.

If you absolutely want to visit here, check the current opening times and reserve your tickets in advance. Normally, you can find info and reserve the tickets on this website , but it’s not always updated and can be somewhat unclear too. In the low season, you could probably just walk to the entrance and see if there are tickets available too. And otherwise, check out this organized tour – they’ll only show the dates and the times when a visit is actually possible.

6.15 – 6.30 PM: Basilica di San Pietro in Vincoli

Basilica di San Pietro in Vincoli is a 5th-century church best known for its relic – the chains of St. Peter and Michelangelo’s statue of Moses that is part of the tomb of Pope Julius II.

Normally, a visit is free of charge and the church is open daily until 7 PM. It’s located just 5 minutes walk from the Colosseum in the direction of the city center. Well worth a few minutes of your time.

TIP: After leaving the church, go to the right and you’ll find a small passage with a staircase on via San Francesco di Paola. It’s a nice hidden gem. If you walk to the center, you can continue via this staircase. Alternatively, head back to the Colosseum for sunset.

Sunset at the Colosseum

Depending on the time of the year (and the time of the sunset), you might find yourself close to the Colosseum at around twilight .

Seeing this landmark in a different light (and usually without the crowds of daytime visitors) might be a nice way to end your Rome city trip.

This itinerary is based on our most recent visit to Rome in November . At that time, the sunset was around 5 PM. So we came to the Colosseum after a visit to St. Clement Basilica, and could indeed enjoy the beautiful light. It wasn’t busy either.

There are many restaurants in the Colosseum area too, so you could have dinner here. We walked in the direction of the Jewish Quarter – there are some really good restaurants serving traditional Italian food here, but you have to reserve most of them in advance, definitely in the high season.

Here are some restaurant suggestions for this area that we got from our food tour guide: Giggetto , Sora Margherita , or Al Pompiere Roma (for local Roman dishes), Emma (for pizza and Roman appetizers).

Since the other restaurants opened for dinner even later, we went to Emma’s and were glad to get one of the last available tables (had no idea it would be fully booked on a weekday in November).

Map & Getting Around

Below, you can see a map of this 4-day Rome itinerary .

It contains all the places mentioned in this article, including restaurant suggestions. You can save this map to your phone and use it during the trip. To make it easier, we used four different colors – one per day.

Getting around: For this itinerary, we simply walked everywhere (except for the airport transfers and the e-bike tour, of course). This is definitely doable if you stay in the city center, plan well, and wear very comfortable shoes. However, prepare to walk A LOT .

You could also cover some of the bigger distances by public transport (buses, metro), take a taxi , or – probably the easiest and quickest – rent an electric scooter . They are scattered all over Rome and it looked like it shouldn’t be a problem to find one where and when you need it. Just drive carefully because the traffic is crazy.

LEARN MORE: Rome Airport Transfers

How to use this map:  Use your computer mouse (or fingers) to zoom in or out. Click on the icons to get more information about each place. Click the arrow on the top left corner for the index. Click the star next to the map’s title to add it to your Google Maps account. To view the saved map on your smartphone or PC, open Google Maps, click the menu and go to ‘Your Places’/’Maps’. If you want to print the map or see it in a bigger window, click on ‘View larger map’ in the top right corner.

If you have more time

If you have more than 4 days in Rome, you could, of course, take it easier and visit some of the places we indicated in our itinerary on different days. There are also many more museums, churches, etc.

However, if you want to make the most of your visit , I recommend booking a few day tours that take you outside the city.

Here are some of the most popular options for the best day trips from Rome :

• Villa D’Este & Hadrian’s Villa in Tivoli
• Pompeii & Mt. Vesuvius OR Pompeii & Amalfi Coast
• Tuscany Taster Tour: Day Trip with Lunch & Wine
• Florence & Pisa in a Day

Where to stay for 4 days in Rome

For this 4-day Rome itinerary, we recommend staying in the heart of the historic city center. Our favorite area to stay in Rome is around Pantheon, but pretty much anywhere between Piazza Navona and the Trevi Fountain is great.

Staying here, you can easily walk to the main landmarks, and pretty much all the main areas of interest are within 15-30 minutes walking distance.

Here are some of the best-rated hotels close to the Pantheon for all budgets (although low-budget options are scarce in this area):

• €€€€€+ The Pantheon Iconic Rome Hotel, Autograph Collection (a very luxurious 5* boutique hotel).
• €€€€ 9Hotel Cesari (a very centrally located 4* hotel; this is where we stayed).
• €€€ Hotel Navona (a popular 3* hotel).
• €€ Hotel Primavera (highly-rated 2* hotel; one of the best lower-budget choices in the historic center).

READ ALSO: Where to Stay in Rome

So, this is our 4 days Rome itinerary. I hope that all the time indications and the details will help you plan an unforgettable trip to the Eternal City and explore a bit deeper, beyond the main attractions.

Have a great trip!

TIP: If you are looking for more information and tips for your trip to Rome , be sure to check out this article with Rome travel tips for your first trip . It contains all the useful info and info that will help you plan a more enjoyable visit. Take a look!

READ ALSO: Best Things to Do in Rome

More travel inspiration for Rome:

• Hidden gems of Rome
• Where to eat in Rome
• 1 day in Rome
• 2 days in Rome
• Best views in Rome
• Best underground sites in Rome

TIP: If you are visiting Italy for the first time and are wondering where to go and how to plan your time, check out this Italy trip itinerary that includes all the must-sees.

If you found this post useful, don’t forget to bookmark it and share it with your friends. Are you on Pinterest? Pin these images!

More travel inspiration for Italy:

• Best places to see in Italy
• Best towns to visit in Italy
• Best Sights & Attractions in Venice
• Best Things to Do in Florence
• Best Things to Do in Milan
• Best Things to Do in Siena
• Best Things to Do in Bologna
• Best Things to Do in Verona
• Best Things to Do in Naples
• Best Things to Do in Ravenna
• Best Things to Do in Montepulciano
• Best Things to Do in Como
• Best Things to Do in Rimini
• One Day in Venice
• Three Days in Venice
• One Day in Milan
• One Day in Florence
• One Day in Cinque Terre
• One Day in Naples
• Florence to Bologna: Travel Info & Itinerary
• Bellagio (Italy)
• Tuscany itinerary
• Amalfi Coast itinerary
• Emilia Romagna itinerary
• Dolomites itinerary
• …. For many more destinations, be sure to check our Italy travel guide . It contains an overview of all our articles for a wide variety of popular places all over Italy.

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John Signorelli

Sunday 15th of October 2023

I used the information here to plan my recent trip to Italy. This article was great (as was every article you have on Italy). If anyone is wondering to plan your trip yourself and use this article or to use a tour company, I have zero complaints about what I learned from Jurga for our trip.

Our next trip will be to Athens, but I didn't see an article on that - can't imaging planning my visit without your advice.

Monday 16th of October 2023

Thank you for your feedback on this and all those other articles where you left comments, John. It's always great to hear from our readers who use the information on our blog on their trips! As for Athens, unfortunately, I still haven't been there. And other trips to Greece are from so long ago that it wouldn't make sense to write about it anymore... So I'm afraid I can't help you much with that. But we have many other destinations covered on our blog if you are looking for some trip inspiration for the future. I can highly recommend you look into visiting Portugal one day. We now go there several times a year and absolutely love it every time. If you were to return to Italy, southern Italy and especially the area around Naples - Amalfi Coast is also incredibly beautiful with lots of very interesting sights. Happy travels!

Monday 17th of July 2023

Hi there, I've been trying to book tickets for collesium, forum and palatine Hill priority entrance + arena floor on tiqets website but it says hi there early bird, tickets are unavailable. I am planning trip next month and am trying to book before too late for non tour tickets due to health reasons I can't do tour because of frequent restroom breaks... is there another site to buy same ticket without tour including arena floor? I can't get a hold of anyone on their website. Thanks.

Tuesday 18th of July 2023

Hi Sam, the Colosseum tickets are normally released 30 days in advance and it's indeed, the best time to buy them - as soon as they are available for your travel date. This summer, things have been crazy. A few weeks ago, there was no availability at all; from mid-August things look a bit better. The official site is coopculture, but it's not really user-friendly, so we personally never use it. We recommend using either Tiqets or GetYourGuide for all your tickets in Rome. When the tickets are released, they are normally available on all these websites at the same time. But you can always check the official site in case they release them a bit earlier. As said, this summer has just been crazy for the Colosseum tickets. That said, I still highly recommend going with a tour if you can manage it. So many people tell me they regret not doing a tour because it wasn't always clear where to go, they missed certain parts but were not allowed to backtrack, etc. etc. Hope this helps.

Saturday 17th of June 2023

I love your blog. This itinerary will be so helpful as we are going to Rome for four days this August. Can you advise me on the following: I arrive at 8 a.m. and can't check into my air bnb until the afternoon. Do you know of a place to store our luggage so we don't waste our first day waiting to check in?

Hi Jill, upon arrival at the airport, take a train or a bus to the central station (see all the options explained in our Rome airport transfers article). Once at the station, you could use this highly-rated luggage storage for your bags. PS One more thing for this summer. The Colosseum tickets are practically impossible to get these days. So be sure to book a guided tour asap if you want to be sure to go inside (see our guide to Colosseum tickets for more info). Rome is very busy at the moment. Have a great trip!

Monday 22nd of August 2022

Hi Jurga, I like your itinerary very much. Thank you for all the info. For Colosseum ticket, it includes Roman Forum and Palatine Hill also. Are there separate entries for the Forum and Palatine Hill? Can I go to the Forum first, get out to have lunch, then go Palatine Hill, and then see Colosseum at the last? Is this doable? The morning tickets are sold out, and no re-entry allowed, but I have to get out to have lunch, then enter to another, I wonder how they handle one ticket for three places. Thank you! -Chen

Hi Jurga, Thank you so much! Booked 12:30 tickets. I got another question. For Appian way, if I walk/hike it, can I see all the places in your pictures? I can't bike, but I can hike 7 miles. Or is there a tour bus? Thank you! -Chen

Hi Chen, you can enter Colosseum separately, but the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill can only be visited together. So it’s three places but actually two tickets. You can do one of the two in the morning and the other after lunch, but you could also do everything after lunch if you prefer. Hope this clarifies. Enjoy your trip!

Visit Rome: Top 27 Things To Do and Must-See Attractions

Things to do in rome: the 27 best places to visit and highlights.

So, you’re planning to visit Rome during your next trip to Italy ?

With your lover or family, Rome is the perfect place to spend a 2-3 days weekend, especially since the city can be easily visited on foot!

In order to help you plan your stay, I have written this guide of the best things to do in Rome , with all the must-see attractions and points of interest.

At the end of the article, you will also find itineraries to visit Rome in 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 days (or more!) as well as my suggestions of the best accommodations depending on your budget.

So, what are the best places to visit in Rome? Let’s find out!

1. The Colosseum and its murderous games

2. the roman forum, 3. the palatine hill, 4. piazza venezia, 5. piazza del campidoglio (capitol square), 6. the pantheon, 7. piazza navona, 8. trevi fountain, 9. enjoy a gelato (italian ice cream), 10. the vatican, 11. st. peter’s square, 12. st. peter’s basilica, 13. the vatican museums and the sistine chapel, 14. the bridge and castel sant’angelo, 1) go shopping in via del corso, 2) go shopping in via condotti, 16. piazza di spagna, 17. visit rome’s churches, 18. villa borghese gardens, 19. the borghese gallery, 20. other museums to visit in rome, 21. piazza del popolo, 22. trastevere district, 23. where to eat in rome: have lunch in a trattoria, 24. campo di fiori, 25. san lorenzo district, 26. aventine hill, 27. visit the catacombs of rome, 28. the 6 best things to do around rome, getting around rome on foot, how many days to visit rome, 1 day in rome, 2 days in rome, visit rome in 3 days, 4 days in rome, 5 days in rome, 6 days in rome, one week in rome, where to stay in rome,  the 7 best things to do in rome with family, things to do in rome when it rains, things to do in rome at night, rome off the beaten path: the best lesser-known places to visit, best time to visit rome, tourist map of rome, how to go to rome, how to reach the city centre from rome airport, best things to do in rome: i answer all your questions, you’re traveling in italy these articles will help you, visit rome: 27 must-see attractions.

In order to help you plan your stay in Rome, I have prepared detailed itineraries depending on your trip duration . You should read them after reading this guide.

You can find them here, simply click on the orange links to read the articles:

• 2 Days in Rome – How to visit Rome in 48h
• 3 Days in Rome – The best itinerary to visit Rome in 72h
• 4 Days in Rome – The best places to visit in 4 days
• 5 Days in Rome – How to spend 5 days in Rome
• One week in Rome – The perfect 7-day itinerary

They will allow you to plan your trip very easily!

And if you have any question, don’t hesitate to ask me in the comments section located at the end of each guide. I would be glad to help you plan your stay.

Lets start this list of the must-see attractions with the Colosseum, located in the Historic Center (“Centro Storico” in Italian). It’s the most emblematic monument to visit in Rome!

With a capacity of more than 50,000 spectators, it’s the largest amphitheater in the Roman world. Quite much blood was shed in these arenas, where the famous gladiatorial combats, animals fights and Roman games were held, always followed by horrific deaths.

The visit isn’t free and you will probably have to wait for a few hours before getting there if you are going in high season.

Here is my tip: to avoid waiting in line for hours, you can:

• Buy skip the line tickets for the Colosseum, with or without guided visit.  You need to buy them here .
• Purchase the Rome Tourist Card (click here) , an all access pass with no time limit and free skip the line entrances to the most famous touristic sites of Rome and Vatican. (Colosseum is of course included). You also get rebates of 20% or more on other activities.

And you know the best about this pass? It also include a free audio guide.

It’s new and it offers an amazing value for money!

• Buy the Vatican & Rome City Pass (Omnia Card) – click here : it’s the most complete pass to visit Rome. You will get rebates on more than 40 attractions + free public transport.

The ticket purchased at the Colosseum also includes access to the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill (I will talk about it just below), so it would be a shame to miss them, as the 3 touristic sites are linked together.

The forum was the centre of the city and you can see ruins of ancient markets, administrative and religious buildings . However, you will not find any explanation on the site, so if you’re interested in history, you should really opt for a guided tour.

I recommend you to choose the small group tour of the Colosseum + Roman Forum + Palatine Hill . It’s the most complete and it’s available in English, Italian, Spanish or French, which is really convenient!

Book by clicking on the button below:

This is the third point of interest included in the Colosseum ticket.

Palatine Hill , one of the 7 hills of Rome , is according to mythology the place where the city was founded by Romulus and Remus. As you might know, they are the two twins who would have been found and suckled by a wolf in a cave.

At the top of Palatine Hill , you will have access to this cave and ruins of the residences of historical figures such as Augustus, the first Roman emperor.

Not far from the Roman Forum, at the other end of Via dei fori impierali, you can find piazza Venezia , one of Rome’s main squares. From there, all the streets leads to Rome’s main tourist attractions!

This is where you can admire the Monument to Victor Emmanuel II, also called “Altare della Patria” or “Vittoriano”, a huge white marble building dedicated to the first king of Italy, Victor Emmanuel II.

Next to the square, there is also the famous Trajan’s column , with bas-reliefs retracing the military conquests of the Emperor Trajan.

From the roof of the building you can also enjoy a superb panoramic view of the whole city . Access is via a glass lift at the back of the building.

Tickets for this lift can be booked in advance by clicking here!

They also include a 25-minute film on Ancient Rome , a ticket for the Risorgimento Museum and the National Museum of the Palace of Venice .

You’re going to Rome?

You probably know it: the hardest part of planning your trip is to find an hotel offering a good value for money!

And that’s even worse in the large European capitals 😅.

The closer you get to your travel dates, the harder it will be to get a good deal. Tens of thousands of people will be visiting Rome on the same dates as you , so you can be sure that the best deals are booked extremely quickly!

Hopefully, there is a pretty simple solution to this problem: do like me and book your hotel as early as possible!

So, my best advice is to take 5 minutes (now) to have a look at the list of travelers’ favorite hotels in Rome.

And if you see a good offer, book it!

Most hotels offer free cancellation, so it’s quick, easy, and you will avoid the the inconvenience of finding nothing but mediocre rooms at exorbitant prices.

To check the current best deals for your hotel in Rome, simply click on the green button below 😎:

Once you’ve booked your hotel, it will be time to continue reading this guide and find out more about the best things to do in Rome!

Climb the broad staircase leading to the Monument to Victor Emmanuel II and you will arrive on Capitol Square. Designed by Michelangelo himself, it was formerly the political and religious heart of Rome. On Capitol Square , you can see:

• The Palazzo Senatorio or Senatorial Palace
• The Palazzo dei Conservatori or Palace of the Conservators
• Palazzo Nuovo or New Palace , which now houses the Capitoline Museums and the Museum of Art and Archaeology. One of the most famous art piece you can find there is the Capitoline Wolf statue : The one with the mythical she-wolf suckling Romulus and Remus. You may have already seen it, it’s in almost all history books! Don’t forget to buy your tickets in advance here.

The Capitoline museums is for sure one of the best museums in Rome !

The Pantheon is the best preserved ancient building in Rome and another must-see touristic attraction to add to this list!

Originally dedicated to all mythology divinities, it became a Christian church in the 7th century.

Inside, admire the immense dome and the oculus (the opening in the dome), giving the place a unique lighting.

In the Pantheon, you can also see the tombs of Raphael (the famous artist) and Victor Emmanuel II (1st king of Italy, as mentioned above when I talked about the beautiful building dedicated to him on Piazza Venezia).

Since July 2023, access to the Pantheon has been subject to a charge and requires an admission ticket (cost: €5) . To visit, you should book your ticket on the official website .

And if you want to get more historical information , it’s better to get the fast track ticket + audioguide by clicking here:

And for more detailed explanations, you can also choose a guided tour of the Pantheon by clicking here!

The Piazza Navona is located in the heart of the historic center, not far from the Pantheon. it’s one of the most beautiful and famous square of Rome! There, you can admire the 3 following fountains:

• The Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi
• The Fontana del Nettuno
• The Fontana del Moro

It’s a great place to have a drink or eat ice cream on one of the many terraces, but beware, since this place is very touristic, the prices are too!

Looking for romantic things to do in Rome?

Well, you should go see the famous Trevi Fountain , also located close to the Pantheon!

 There, you’ll find the most famous fountain of Europe: The Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi in Italian). A must see for anyone visiting Rome.

Because of the legend surrounding it, this fountain is also renowned for hosting a large number of wedding proposals! Legend has it that in order to save her virginity, a young girl had to reveal the location of the source to the Romans.

In the basin, there are numerous statues representing an allegory of the sea, with Neptune on his chariot in the center. The tradition says you should throw 2 coins: one to make a wish and the other one to be sure to return to Rome. 

Behind the fountain, a large baroque palace contributes much to the charm of the place. Just one thing: the place is always crowded, so you will have a lot of trouble to make a perfect photo of the fountain with no unwanted heads!

Nevertheless, the Trevi Fountain is a major point of interest in Rome.

After Trevi fountain, to recover from your emotions (if you were proposed or if you knelt down on your knees while sweating with stress!) or simply to take a short break during the day, it’s time to enjoy an ice cream.

The great new is that you’re in the ideal place, very close to one of the 2 best ice cream shops of Rome: San Crispino located on the Via della Panatteria . The queue is often impressive, but the best things in life are the hardest to obtain!

And since opinions often differ on THE best ice cream in Rome, I also give you the name of San Crispino’s direct competitor, the gelateria “Giolliti” located in Via Uffici del Vicario.

Whichever you choose, you will face the same problem of long waiting line and multiple choice of perfume dilemma.

And yes, as you know from my articles on Nice or Annecy , I am a big ice cream fan! So I have a pro advice to give you: test both! It’s the best way to make up your own mind, isn’t it?

Even if you’re not a believer, a visit to the Vatican is a must during a stay in Rome.

It’s the smallest country in the world, yet is one of the most visited places during a tour in Italy. Only priests and nuns, some dignitaries, guards, and of course the pope are allowed to live there.

During your visit to the Vatican , you shouldn’t miss:

• Saint Peter’s Square
• Saint Peter’s Basilica
• The Vatican Museums
• The Sistine Chapel.

I will give you all the info you need to visit these places a bit below in this article.

To visit the Vatican and all its monuments without queuing, you should opt for the Vatican Pass. It’s very convenient, as it gives you priority access to the museums and a guided tour of Saint Peter’s Basilica .

To book your Vatican Pass, simply click on the green button below:

A little fact about the guards: they are only Swiss and must of course be Catholic. They swear an oath of fidelity to the Pope himself.

This tradition goes back to the sack of Rome in 1527, when the Swiss guards protected the pope during his escape to the Sant’Angelo castle .

You will enter the Vatican through the famous St. Peter’s Square (Piazza San Pietro in Italian). Every year, millions of pilgrims and tourists comes to see this square!

St. Peter’s Square was designed with the following principle in mind: they wanted to allow the greatest number of people to see the Pope give his blessing from the balcony of  St. Peter’s Basilica .

Two colonnades surround the square, consisting of nearly 280 columns and 145 saints statues . In the center of St. Peter’s Square stands an Egyptian obelisk surrounded by 2 large fountains.

The long waiting lines to visit the basilica start from this square.

To visit St. Peter’s Basilica , you will have to be patient (or be smarter than others and buy the skip the lines tickets here! ).

However, once inside, the impressive basilica will make forget the long waiting hours. There, you can admire many altars and monuments and be impressed by the rich baroque decoration. To see:

• The many funerary monuments of the popes
• The famous Saint Peter’s statue
• The gigantic dome designed by Michelangelo.

On the right side of the basilica, you can access the dome. You need to take an elevator first, and then, the hardest thing, to climb 323 extra steps.

It’s not recommended for claustrophobes, the ceiling is low and the corridors narrow, but your effort will be greatly rewarded by the magnificent view of the city of Rome.

As the entrance to Saint Peter’s Basilica is free of charge, there is always a very long waiting line (and by this I mean several hours!) at any time of the day.

To avoid wasting too much time, especially if you are planning to spend a weekend in Rome and want to see as much as possible, you should book a skip the line ticket or a guided tour.

Both will grant you priority access.

You can also access the dome for a fee. It needs to be booked in advance.

Book your ticket or guided tour of St. Peter’s Basilica by clicking directly on the green button below:

If you have bought the Rome Tourist Card or the Vatican Pass , the guided tour of the Basilica is already included.

While visiting the Vatican, you should really go to the Vatican museums .

There are more than 13 museums grouped together in a huge architectural complex of nearly 7 kilometers long!

Tapestries, paintings, sculptures, the museums house an impressive collection of works of art by prestigious artists such as Michelangelo, Caravaggio or Raphael

Here are my favorite parts of the museums:

• The Vatican Pinacoteca , where Italian paintings are exhibited in chronological order
• Raphael’s rooms, with sumptuous frescoes tracing the history of the papacy
• The gallery of geographical maps and its ceiling decorated with paintings of the 16th century
• Bramante’s Staircase, a particularly photogenic double helix staircase that is located at the exit of the Vatican Museums.

To discover them, there are several possible itineraries ranging from 1h30 to 5 hours of visit. So I advise you to allow 3 hours on average to visit the Vatican museums.

But don’t worry, all the tours end at the very famous Sistine Chapel! Its ceiling painted by Michelangelo is one of the most famous works of art in Vatican City.

Important: the Vatican museums are closed on Sundays.

Just like for the Colosseum, it’s imperative to buy a skip the line ticket for the Vatican Museums if you don’t want to wait at least 2 hours before entering!

Simply click on the button below to book your priority access tickets:

Guided tours are also available by clicking here!

Let’s now head to another main tourist attraction of Rome: Castel Sant’Angelo.

Just walk along the Tiber River up to St. Angelo Bridge, and you will find the castle of the same name on the opposite bank. You can also reach the castle in just 5 minutes on foot from St. Peter’s Square.

The bridge is decorated with 10 statues representing angels, all designed by Bernini. From the bridge, you will have a magnificent view of the city and the river.

The Castel Sant’Angelo , on the other hand, was built by Emperor Hadrian to serve as a mausoleum. Later on, it started to play an important military role: it even served as a place of refuge for the popes during invasions! They have even created a direct access to the Vatican.

You can visit the castle, see the tombs and the ancient popes apartments. You shouldn’t miss the great view from the rampart walk.

As always, you need to buy skip the line tickets in advance here:

15. Go shopping in Rome

Still wondering what to do in Rome?

You can for example go for a little shopping session in one of the 2 main commercial streets of the Italian capital:

Go to Via del Corso to do some shopping at reasonable prices with big brands such as Zara or H&M.

If you have a higher budget or just want to admire the shop windows, continue your way on Via Condotti. It’s the most prestigious street of Rome with brands like Gucci, Armani or Prada. A bit like the Champs Elysée in Paris!

The Via Condotti will take you straight to the charming Piazza di Spagna , certainly one of the most popular squares, thanks to the beautiful perspective it offers.

The  Piazza di Spagna is located at the foot of the monumental staircase leading it to the Trinità dei Monti church. The flowery staircase is the perfect place to take a short break for tourists and Italians alike. A popular gathering place!

On the square, you can also see the Barcaccia fountain ,which adds to the charm of the place.

Let’s continue this guide of Rome with a few very beautiful churches.

As I was saying, at the top of the Piazza di Spagna stairs, there is the Trinità dei Monti church which offers a breathtaking view of the city. Its location makes it one of the most famous churches in Rome. Did you knew that the city has no less than 900?

Here is a list of the most beautiful churches in Rome, some of them are true architecture masterpieces!

Let’s start with the 4 largest basilicas in the world , which fortunately are all in Rome:

• The St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican city , which I am talking about in detail below
• The Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano , second largest after the Basilica di San Pietro, it’s also the cathedral of Rome,
• The Basilica di San Paolo Fuori le Mura ,  which marks the location of St. Paul’s tomb.
• The Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, the largest shrine in the city erected for the virgin Mary

Some other interesting churches to see in Rome:

• Chiesa del Gesù
• Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere
• Basilica di San Pietro in Vincoli
• Basilica di San Clemente al Laterano
• Chiesa di Santa Maria della Concezione
• Chiesa di Sant’Ignazio di Loyola  (my favorite in rome)

North of Piazza di Spagna , there is the largest and certainly the most beautiful public park in Rome.

The Villa Borghese gardens offers a bit of very welcomed calm, after the crowded streets and tourist attractions! You will be able to walk in the wide shady alleys and at the edge of a lake surrounded by temples, statues and many fountains. The park also has a beautiful botanical garden.

To get there, go to Porta Pinciana or Piazzale Flaminio , the 2 park entrances.

In Villa Borghese Gardens, you will also find one of the most visited museums in Rome: the Borghese Gallery .

During your visit, you will be able to admire numerous paintings and sculptures in the twenty or so sumptuous rooms of the Borghese villa . It was owned by a rich family that was very influential in the Roman aristocracy.

To be able to admire what is considered one of the richest collections of Italian art , it is absolutely necessary to book your tickets as early as possible (most of the time, they don’t even offer them at the ticket office because everything is already sold out online):

The Villa Borghese Gardens also houses 2 other museums:

• The Etruscan National Museum (click here) and its collection of pre-Roman objects and jewelry
• The National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art (tickets available there), featuring paintings by Van Gogh and Cézanne.

In addition to the museums located in the park and the Vatican museums , there are of course many other museums to see in Rome , such as:

• The Capitoline Museums, located on Piazza del Campidoglio. I already mentioned them a bit earlier in this guide of Rome
• Palazzo Barberini, known for housing works of famous Italian painters. If you couldn’t get tickets for the Borghese Gallery, this is a good alternative.
• The Palazzo della Cancelleria and its exhibition dedicated to Leonardo da Vinci
• The Doria-Pamphilj Gallery houses paintings by Caravaggio
• The Colonna Gallery , dedicated to the Baroque period.
• Museo Palatino, with everything archaeologists discovered on Palatine Hill
• Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Antica or National Gallery of Ancient Art, with a collection of Italian and European paintings. You should go there to admire the works of Raphael or Caravaggio.

The Piazza del Popolo or People’s Square is located near Villa Borghese .

It’s one of the largest squares of Rome. It’s a major point of interest, with its fountains, 3 churches and obelisk. From the square, climb the stairs to the top of the hill, you will have a beautiful view up to the Vatican.

During your city trip to Rome, you should definitely visit the Trastevere district.

It’s located on the right bank of the Tiber, on the same side as the Vatican City .

This neighbourhood is becoming more and more trendy and a little “Hipster”, but for now it has retained all its original charm.

You will be (relatively) away from the crowd to discover its typical narrow and flowery streets. There is no big historical monument here like in the rest of Rome, but a real “Italian” neighborhood with its inhabitants and local shops.

I personally visited Trastevere in October, but it seems many tourists visit the area in high season and it becomes less quiet!

On your way to the north of the district, go up the Gianicolo hill to admire a beautiful panorama of the city.

The Trastevere district is also the ideal place to enjoy pizza or good pasta in a traditional trattoria. There are a lot of authentic local restaurants with nice small terraces and without too many tourists, it’s the perfect match!

Some nice places in the district:

• Roma Sparita : Big terrace, traditional Roman cuisine. Don’t miss the speciality of the restaurant: the “cacio e pepe” spaghetti with pecorino cheese and pepper served in a cheese shell. This is my favorite for its great value for money. Requires reservation.
• Antico Arco : Excellent dishes (especially the risotto) and a very good wine list. Bonus: they bring you a sample of your partner’s dish in a small plate so you can taste it.
• Tonnarello : Typical, excellent cuisine on a very pleasant setting. Generous dishes at affordable prices.

Of course, if you’re not in the neighborhood for lunchtime, you won’t starve to death with the many choices of trattorias, restaurants and sandwich shops right in the heart of Rome’s historic centre:

• Birra e sale : Located next to Piazza Navona. Sandwiches are delicious and made with fresh products. You should definitely try the cold cuts and cheeses!
• Pizzeria Loffredo : Very good pizzas and fresh pasta. Great selection of dishes. Friendly atmosphere and very welcoming staff. Booking strongly recommended. Perfect price / quality!
• Il Tamburello di Pulcinella : little family restaurant with food made by the mama. Pizzas, pastas, desserts, all home made for a reasonable price. Booking recommended.

Since I’ve made your mouth water with Italian cuisine, let’s keep going! To enjoy the smell of fresh produce and admire their bright colors, I advise you to take a little walk through the campo di Fiori.

Every morning (except Sunday) there is a fruit, vegetable, meat and fish market. Although appreciated by tourists because it’s located in Rome historical centre, this small market has managed to preserve all its authenticity.

It’s the perfect place if you want to bring home high quality products from Italy , and it’s much cheaper than in Rome touristic areas!

If you want to discover Rome’s gastronomy and typical products , you should book a street food guided tour with a local guide.

It’s clearly the best way to discover off the beaten track places and enjoy great italian food!

This tour is so amazing that they offer you a full refund if you don’t enjoy your time.

To book it, you simply have to click on the button below:

Like Trastevere district, the San Lorenzo district is less known to tourist and clearly worth a look.

Originally a working-class district, it’s nowadays the student district, with Roman universities. In addition to students, it’s also the street artists favorite place.

And for amateurs, the nightlife is great and beer isn’t expensive at all!

A peaceful neighborhood, beautiful gardens and an incomparable view of the city, this is what the Aventine Hill (“Aventino” in Italian) has to offer!

You can also add:

• Basilica di Santa Sabina all’Aventino
• The famous Aventine Keyhole, located Piazza dei Cavalieri di Malta . You will see people standing in line to look through the keyhole (I won’t say anything more!).

The Aventine hill will also offer you one of the most beautiful views of Rome. Did I say that already? 😄

I will finish this list of the best things to do in Rome with an unusual activity: visiting the catacombs. I recommand you the Catacombs of Callixtus, the best to visit in my opinion!

Once used as cemeteries for Jews and Christians, they are the largest in the city and cover almost 15 hectares. On the walls, you can see representations of Christian life such as baptism and scenes from the Old and New Testaments.

The visit of Rome catacombs takes about 30 minutes and must be done with a guide.

Book the tickets for the tour here!

If you want to visit Rome’s catacombs during your stay, the easiest is probably to go to the Capuchin Crypt, as it’s located downtown, next to the Trevi Fountain. You should book the tickets for the tour here (the guide is included).

Other catacombs such as San Sebastian , Domitilla or  Catacomb of Priscilla can also be visited.

You’re wondering what are the best things to do around Rome? Which city you can visit near Rome?

To help you out, I have selected the 6 best day trips from Rome.

All these excursions are super convenient: you don’t have to prepare anything, as everything is already included: the transportation from Rome (and back), the guide, the visits and sometimes even the lunch!

Here are the best places to visit near Rome (simply click on the orange links for more info and to book):

1) Visit to Pompeii and Vesuvius: for a whole day, go discover the crater of Vesuvius and visit Pompeii, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Maximum 25 people per group.

2) From Rome – shuttle bus to Pompeii and back : this shuttle bus service takes you to Pompeii and back to Rome in the evening. Departure at 7:15 am – Return at 7 pm. You will have about 4.5 hours to visit Pompeii.

3) Rome: Day trip to Villa d’Este and Hadrian’s Villa: Day trip from Rome to Tivoli to see two of the most beautiful Renaissance villas in Italy. Round trip + visit to the villas and gardens with guide + meals included.

4) Visit to Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast from Rome: the tour includes a guided visit to Pompeii and the beautiful village of Positano, one of the most famous on the Amalfi Coast.

5) Day trip to Florence and Pisa , to discover the 2 most beautiful cities in Tuscany: 3 hours free time in Florence and 1.5 hours in Pisa.

6) Day trip to Venice from Rome: you will take the high speed train to Venice and have a day to enjoy a gondola ride, discover St. Mark’s Square and the Bridge of Sighs.

Here is a one day itinerary to visit Rome on foot . It will allow you to discover most of the city’s main tourist attractions . If you choose to do it in 1 day, you will have to content yourself with seeing the monuments from the outside only.

If you spend more time in Rome , you can split this walk on a few days : I will show you to the best way to do it a bit further down in this guide, in my itineraries to visit Rome in 2, 3, 4, or 5 days.

let’s start this walking tour at the Colosseum , to admire its impressive architecture. Then, head to Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum , the 2 other touristic sites in the Ancient Rome area.

To continue this walk, let’s go to the  piazza del Campidoglio and then piazza Venezia, where you can enjoy the beautiful  Monument to Victor Emmanuel II.

Now, it’s time to head to Piazza Navona and enter Rome Historical Center (“Centro Storico” district in Italian). After Piazza Navona, you can go to the Pantheon and the famous Trevi Fountain.

After this, let’s go north, taking Via Condotti (Rome’s shopping street), it will take you directly to the Piazza di Spagna. From there, go West to reach the Tiber river and walk on the quays until Sant’Angelo bridge. Cross it to arrive at Castel Sant’Angelo.

For the last part of this walk, you will go to the Vatican City . Simply take the Via delle Conciliazione, it will take you directly to St Peter’s square , just in front of the superb St Peter’s Basilica.

Not bad for a day in Rome, right?

The time you will want to spend in Rome will depend on 2 things:

• The type of traveler you are : you’re fast and don’t like idle times? Or do you prefer to take your time?
• The season of your trip: In high season, the waiting lines are much longer!

If you are a ”fast” traveler

It’s possible to visit Rome in 2/3 days.  It’s really the ideal time to discover the italian capital main points of interest without any downtime.

If you are a slower traveler (or with children)

In this case, it’s better to plan about 4-5 days in Rome, which will allow you to explore the tourist attractions of the city at your own pace.

In order to help you out, I have prepared for you itineraries to visit Rome in 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 days (or even for a week !). You will find them just below.

For these itineraries, I’m assuming you will have purchased a City Pass ( Rome Tourist Card / Omnia Card ) or Skip-the-Line tickets .

Without that, it’s not possible to do everything I mention, as you would waste hours everyday just waiting in line to buy your entrance tickets!

Here are the details of the 2 City passes I recommend for a visit to Rome:

• The Rome Tourist Card , which includes a visit to the Colosseum and the Vatican + a guided tour of St. Peter’s Basilica.

As there is no public transport included with the Rome Tourist Card, you can also book the Rome Transport Card by clicking here . It includes:

• Unlimited public transportation in Rome for 3 days
• Airport transfer by taxi: upon arrival, a professional taxi driver will be waiting for you at the airport to take you to your hotel (available from the 2 airports of Rome: Ciampino and Fiumicino)
• The Omnia Card

The Omnia Card will allow you to enjoy free entrance to the main places of interest in Rome and the Vatican, free skip the line tickets , free public transportation and a city tour with the hop-on hop-off bus.

To buy your Omnia Card now , simply click on the green button below:

For those who only have a day to visit Rome , I advise you to focus on the Ancient Rome area . Here is an itinerary that can be done in one day:

• Start with the Colosseum (don’t forget your skip the line ticket)
• Then head to the 2 other Ancient Rome touristic sites: the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill  for a great view of the city.
• It’s then time to go to the  piazza del Campidoglio to visit the Capitoline museums.
• End your day of visit at piazza Venezia , with the  Monument to Victor-Emmanuel II

If you want to get a very good overview of the city in just 1 day (without visiting the inside of the monuments), you can also do the Itinerary I have suggested you in the “Rome on Foot” part of this travel guide.

Another solution for a quick visit to Rome is to only visit everything from the outside (and don’t have to wait in line!). In this case, it’s possible to see the vast majority of places described in this guide in a day.

It’s nevertheless quite a run and you will have to walk relatively quickly! It’s the Itinerary I told you about in the “Getting around Rome on foot” section of this travel guide.

Or if you don’t want to walk, you should opt for the hop-on hop-off bus tour (click here) .

Visiting Rome by bus is the best way to see everything in a short amount of time. It’s very convenient if you don’t want to walk too much!

If you have 2 days in Rome , in addition to the first day presented above, you should go for a walk on the Vatican side for your 2nd day in the Eternal City:

• Start with the visit of the  Vatican, its museums and Sistine Chapel
• Then head to St. Peter’s Basilica
• Visit the Sant’Angelo castle and admire the Sant’Angelo bridge 

You should read my detailed 2-day in Rome itinerary here: 2 Days in Rome – The best itinerary

With 3 days in Rome , in addition of the 2 days above, you should now visit Rome Historic Center.

• Start at the  piazza Navona
• then visit the Pantheon
• Head to the Trevi fountain
• Go shopping on  Via Condotti
• head to the Piazza di Spagna.
• To relax at the end of the day, you should visit the Villa Borghese gardens .
• If you have the time (and the motivation!) You can visit one of the museums located in the gardens.

You can find the detailed itinerary for your 3-day stay in Rome in my dedicated article: How to spend 3 days in Rome?

4 days in Rome is perfect to discover all the points of interest of the city:

• Start with a visit of the Campo di Fiori market
• Take time to stroll around Trastevere’s neighborhood
• Relax on the Aventine hill , enjoy the gardens and view of Rome.
• Visit the  catacombs of Rome.

All the necessary information to plan your 4 days in Rome is in my article: The best 4-day itinerary to visit Rome.

If you’re lucky enough to spend 5 days in Rome , I suggest you to take a day trip from Rome for the last day.

Here are the best ones:

• Visit of Pompeii and Vesuvius with a guide
• Shuttle bus to Pompeii and back
• Villa d’Este and Hadrian’s Villa
• Visit to Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast (Positano or Amalfi)
• Day trip to Florence and Pisa
• Day trip to Venice

If you’re planning to spend 5 days in Rome, you should read my detailed article: How to spend 5 days in Rome?

You’ve planned 6 Days in Rome?

In that case, you should do the 4-day itinerary and add day trips for the 2 last days!

You can read my detailed itinerary here: 6 days in Rome: The Perfect itinerary .

You wan to spend one week in Rome?

Then you should read my detailed itinerary: The perfect one week itinerary in Rome .

You’re wondering where to stay in Rome ?

In Rome, finding accommodation at a good price isn’t that easy. In oder to help you out, I have selected for you the best hotels depending on your budget.

One last advice: Book now if you can , there is a lot of demand in Rome, so the best hotels rooms are sold out very quickly!

• Biancaluna: B&B located near Termini Station, 1.5 km from the Colosseum. Modern, comfortable and very clean room from 70€. Strong points: the warm welcome and the advice to visit Rome, the location. An excellent choice for a cheap stay in Rome!
• Hotel Balilla: Located 1.6 km from the Colosseum and close to a metro station. Well-equipped and quiet double room, impeccably clean, from 99€, breakfast at 5€. Strong points: the friendly staff, the comfort of the beds, the location at 10 min walk from the Colosseum. This is our favorite for its excellent value for money!
• Alice Vatican House : Located 450 meters from St. Peter’s Square. Contemporary room with neat decoration from 95 € per night, breakfast included. Strong points: ideal location, terrace overlooking the Vatican, warm welcome. This is the best choice for your stay in Rome under 120 euros!
• MZ Hotel: Located near the Campo di Fiori and not far from the Pantheon. Modern double room from 150€, breakfast at 12€. Strong points: the location near the historical center, the warm welcome, good bedding, new hotel.
• Roma Luxus Hôtel : High end hotel located at only 400 meters from Piazza Venezia. Beautiful double room starting at 200€ per night, breakfast at 20€. Strong points: The room design, the 5 stars service, the superb breakfast, the spa, the amazing staff. It’s the best hotel for a high end stay in Rome!
• NH Collection Roma Fori Imperiali: This 5* hotel located right next to the Roman Forum offers sublime rooms from 580€, breakfast included. Strong points: the exceptional location, the attentive staff, the view, the comfort. This is our recommendation for a luxury stay in Rome!

if you want to save a bit of money, you can find an accommodation around Rome. I recommend you he bungalows of Camping Village Rome , located at only 15 minutes by car from the Vatican city.

The price starts at only 30€ per night! It’s the best “budget” solution if you don’t mind not being in the city center. It’s also a great choice for families, with the swimming pool!

If you’re planning a family trip to Rome, I have prepared for you a list of the best things to do with your kids:

• Visit the Colosseum of course! The monument might not be what will captivate them the most, but the stories about gladiators and wild beasts will for sure catch their interest.
• Go to Trevi fountain and let them throw a few “luck coins”
• Go to Villa Borghese park for a family picnic and enjoy the greenery. There are several children playgrounds, you can rent a bike and you can even rent rowing boats. There is also a very nice zoo (you need to buy your tickets here ).
• Take your kids to the Gladiator school! This activity is a very fun way to learn more about gladiators, the whole family will love it! It must be booked in advance here.
• Discover Explora , a museum designed especially for kids, with many interactive activities.
• Enjoy an Italian ice cream: no need to search a lot to find an ice cream shop in Rome! And to be honest, your kids would never forgive you if you don’t buy them at least 1 during your stay in Rome 😄

If it starts to rain during your stay in Rome and you don’t really know what to do, no need to worry!

I have prepared for you a list of the best things to do in Rome on a rainy day:

• Visit Rome’s museums: considering the number of museums in town, it can for sure keep you busy for a few days, especially if you go to the Vatican museums and Sistine Chapel.
• Going to the Pantheon: you may not know it, but when it’s raining in Rome, it’s actually raining inside the Pantheon! The central oculus is just a hole, so the rains falls through it. Inside, the ground has a slight slope and a few holes, allowing the water to drain away.
• Discover (and probably purchase!) amazing local products at Eataly , an indoor market entirely dedicated to Italian gastronomy. The hardest thing will be not to overload your luggage!
• Discover the catacombs , an unusual visit to do in Rome when it rains.
• Take an Italian cooking class , to learn how to make pasta or pizza like a pro!
• Go to one of the indoor karting race tracks: Beyond Roma , Karting Roma, Holykartroma .
• Go play bowling: the Bowling Roma is the closest from the city center – Address: 181 viale Regina Margherita.

Here is my selection of the best things to do in Rome at night , or in the evening.

• Visit the Colosseum at night , VIP style. Yes! You can visit the Colosseum + its underground with a guide after it closes for the general public. The ambiance is totally different, it’s the most exclusive way to discover this marvel of Ancient Roman civilization. You need to purchase your tickets in advance here.
• Discover Rome Catacombs at night : An even better way to discover the catacombs is at night, with this VIP tour. You have to book it here .
• Visit Rome by night in Segway . This 3 hours guided tour in Segway is a lot of fun! It needs to be booked there.
• Go have a drink in the Trastevere district , for sure the best place to enjoy Rome’s nightlife.
• Simply walk around and discover the illuminated squares and monuments : Rome is extremely beautiful at night.

In addition to this guide of the best things to do in Rome, I have written another guide focused on Rome’s hidden gems and secret spots.

You will discover places unknown to tourists such as:

• Palazzo Doria Pamphilj
• Galleria Sciarra
• Quartiere Coppedè
• The Appian Way (Via Appia Antica)
• The Mouth of Truth (Bocca della Verità)

To discover the best secrets spots of Rome, click here:  Rome’s Hidden Gems – The Definitive Guide

In my personal experience, the best time for visiting Rome is in spring and fall, specifically from April to June and September to November.

These months offer pleasant weather and fewer tourists compared to the peak summer months.

However, Rome can be visited all year round!

If you don’t mind the crowds of summer holidays, summer is also a good time to explore the city. Just be prepared for busier attractions and potentially higher accommodation prices .

In both cases, it’s really important to book your skip the line tickets (or even better, a Rome Tourist Card or an Omnia Card ) and your accommodation in advance ( click here to see the best deals and book your hotel).

Winter months in Rome , from December to February, are generally cooler and wetter, but they also have their own charm.

During this time, you can expect fewer tourists , which means shorter lines and more availability at popular attractions.

Additionally, Rome’s mild winters make it still quite comfortable to explore the city on foot . You may even get the chance to enjoy the festive atmosphere during the holiday season, with Christmas lights, decorated shop windows, and beautiful Christmas markets.

So, if you don’t mind cooler temperatures and some occasional rain, a Rome winter visit can also be a wonderful and unique experience.

Regardless of when you decide to visit, you’ll surely be captivated by Rome’s enchanting beauty and remarkable history.

This tourist map of Rome, handy to download on your phone, will certainly be useful during your trip:

As all roads lead to Rome, this shouldn’t be too difficult 😆.

Getting to Rome by plane remains the easiest solution, especially since there are really cheap flights from the other European big cities with lowcost airlines like Easyjet. Moreover, the great advantage of the city is, as I said in the introduction, it’s very easy to visit on foot!

If you are arriving at Fiumicino Airport , you can book your transfer in advance by clicking on one of the links below:

• Bus transfer from Fiumicino Airport to Rome
• Ticket for the Leonardo Express – Transfer by TGV from Fiumicino to Termini station . This is really the most convenient as there are more frequent buses and it is also the fastest, no risk of getting stuck in traffic!

For an arrival at Ciampino airport:

• Ciampino airport shuttle tickets to/from Rome-Termini

So, how long would you like to stay in Rome? What do you plan to do?

The best areas to stay in Rome for sightseeing are the Centro Storico (Historic Center), where you can find most of the famous monuments and museums, and near the Vatican City , where you can visit St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums.

The best way to skip the lines at the Colosseum and other popular attractions in Rome is to buy your priority tickets online in advance .

You can also buy a Omnia Card or the Rome Tourist Card , which give you free or discounted access to many attractions and public transport.

Some of the best day trips from Rome that you can do by train, bus or with an organized day trip are:

• Ostia Antica: an ancient Roman port city with well-preserved ruins and mosaics
• Tivoli: a town famous for its beautiful villas and gardens, such as Villa d’Este and Villa Adriana
• Orvieto: a medieval hilltop town with a stunning cathedral and an underground labyrinth
• Pompeii: an ancient Roman city buried by a volcanic eruption in 79 AD

The best time of year to visit Rome depends on your preferences and budget.

Generally speaking, spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) are the most pleasant seasons in terms of weather and crowds.

Summer (June-August) i s very hot, crowded and expensive, while winter (December-February) is cold, rainy and less crowded.

However, winter can also offer some advantages such as lower prices, fewer tourists and festive atmosphere around Christmas and New Year.

Rome is famous for its cuisine , which is based on simple ingredients, fresh produce and local specialties.

Some of the must-try foods in Rome include:

• Pizza al taglio (sliced pizza)
• Pasta alla carbonara (pasta with eggs, cheese and bacon)
• Supplì (fried rice balls with cheese)
• Cacio e pepe (pasta with cheese and pepper)
• Artichokes alla romana (braised artichokes)
• Saltimbocca alla romana (veal with ham and sage)
• and of course gelato! (Italian ice cream).

And if you’re looking to try italian drinks in Rome, you can get:

• Espresso (strong coffee)
• Cappuccino (coffee with milk foam)
• For alcohols: Italian red and white wine, spritz (a cocktail with prosecco, Aperol or Campari).

Here are some examples:

• Galleria Sciarra: a beautiful courtyard with stunning Art Nouveau frescoes depicting female virtues. It’s located near the Trevi Fountain, but it’s often overlooked by tourists.

You can enter for free during business hours.

• Vicus Caprarius: This underground archaeological site reveals the ancient origins of Rome. You can see ruins of Roman houses, temples and aqueducts, as well as a pool where the water from the Trevi Fountain flows.

You need to book a guided tour for this visit.

• Basilica di San Clemente: a fascinating church that has three layers of history: a 12th-century basilica, a 4th-century church and a 1st-century pagan temple. You can descend into the lower levels and admire the ancient mosaics, frescoes and sculptures.
• Palazzo Doria Pamphilj: one of Rome’s most impressive private art collections, housed in a magnificent palace that dates back to the 16th century. You can admire paintings by Caravaggio, Titian, Velázquez and more, as well as elegant rooms and galleries.

For more off the beaten path places to visit in Rome, you should read my dedicated article: Rome’s best secret spots.

Italy travel Guides

• Buy the Lonely Planet Italy guide on Amazon.com or on Amazon.co.uk
• Buy the Rick Steves Italy guide on Amazon.com or on Amazon.co.uk

Discover all my articles about Italy : All my articles to help you plan your trip to Italy are listed there.

• The 20 Best Things to do in Italy – All the must-see places!
• Cinque Terre: The definitive guide to plan your visit
• Florence: The 27 best things to do and must-see attractions
• Milan: The Top 15 things to do in the city and around
• Pisa: Top 21 must-see attractions + Tips
• Rome: The 25 best things to do and see
• Siena: Top 20 best places to visit
• Turin: The 20 must-see attractions
• Venice: The 31 best things to do (+ Tips)
• 2 days in Florence
• 3 days in Florence
• 4 days in Florence
• 5 days in Florence
• 2 days in Milan
• 3 days in Milan
• 4 days in Milan
• 6 Days in Rome – The ultimate Itinerary + Where to stay
• 2 Days in Venice – An Epic 48h itinerary
• 3 Days in Venice – The perfect 72h itinerary
• 4 Days in Venice – Itinerary + Best Things to do + Tips
• Where to stay in Milan? My guide to the best areas and hotels for a perfect stay
• Where to stay in Rome? – The definitive guide of the best areas!
• Where to stay in Venice? My selection of the best hotels and districts for an epic stay
• Omnia Card: The definitive guide
• Colosseum: The 7 best skip the line tickets
• Trevi Fountain: History, Secrets and Facts
• Rome’s Hidden Gems : The Definitive Guide with 17 secret spots!
• The 20 Best museums in Rome – With all my best tips!
• Rome in May: The definitive guide to plan your visit: weather, things to do, itineraries and more!
• Rome in June: Guide + All my best tips

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Creator of the Voyage Tips blog, travel and photography lover. I give you all my best tips to plan your next trip.

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Discussion 4 comments.

If you get cancellations for borghese gallery Aug 8, please contact me by email. Thank you so much.

Hello Melody,

I’ve looked at all the websites that sell tickets to visit the Borghese Gallery and unfortunately it’s sold out everywhere.

Even if there are cancellations (I will not know about it) and I think it will be booked up in a minute.

I hope you will have a great time in Rome anyway!

Thank you so much! I travel a bunch and this has been very helpful. I love that you put destinations in order of location, rather than a tier list. Keep up the great work, this is an amazing article.

Hello Joshua,

Thank you very much for your kind comment! I am delighted if my blog helped you to visit Rome.

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4 Days in Rome: Locals Reveal the Best Way to Spend a Long Weekend in the Eternal City

Zip around on the back of a vespa, feast on reimagined cacio e pepe , and visit an ancient archaeological site that most tourists skip..

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The Temple of Aesculapius, in the gardens of the Villa Borghese, dates back to the late 18th century.

Photo by Laura Itzkowitz

Baroque churches containing artistic masterpieces, gurgling fountains, cocktails clinking on rooftop terraces, freshly baked pizza bianca —these are some of the sights, sounds, and scents that await you in Rome. You could explore ancient ruins in the morning, eat spaghetti carbonara at a trattoria for lunch, and sip creative cocktails at one of the city’s coolest bars at night. Now, thanks to an influx of hip new hotels and restaurants, plus reopened archaeological sites, Rome is definitely having a moment . After nearly five years of living here and more than a decade of visiting prior to that, I’ve gotten to know the best of the old and the new. This itinerary, designed for a Thursday to Sunday, reveals my insider intel as well as that of a few local experts.

Thursday: Get your bearings with a Vespa tour and dive deep into Trastevere

Trastevere, home to the Piazza di Santa Maria, is still one of Rome’s buzziest neighborhoods.

Whenever my family and friends come to Rome, I tell them to do a Vespa tour with Scooteroma and everyone raves about it. Hop on the back for a three-hour tour and feel the wind in your hair as one of their professional drivers-guides shows you the sights. Its classic tour is perfect for first-time visitors, but it also has several themed tours, including a street art tour, cinema tour, and foodie tour.

The tour will end just in time for lunch, so ask your guide to drop you off in Trastevere, one of the most quintessential Roman neighborhoods . Once a working-class area, it has gentrified over the years, but is still characterized by narrow cobblestone lanes draped with ivy and laundry hanging from the windows of apartments. Maria Pasquale, an award-winning Italian Australian journalist and author of several books, including Eternal City: Recipes & Stories from Rome , has called the neighborhood home for more than a decade. For a quick lunch she recommends the take-out spot Supplì , saying it offers “a taste of true Roman street fare.” In addition to the supplì (fried rice balls with a breadcrumb crust), she recommends the marinara pizza, which she calls “thin, crispy, and super saucy, with just the right balance of garlic, herbs, and tomato.” Bring your food a couple of blocks to the Piazza di Santa Maria in Trastevere and take a seat on the steps of the fountain, which is like the neighborhood’s living room, where locals and tourists hang out, enjoy the sunshine, and perhaps smoke a cigarette surrounded by bustling sidewalk cafés.

Afterwards, if you need a pick-me-up, pop into Bar San Calisto , an authentic no-frills spot where you’re as likely to spot a group of old men playing cards as a young musician drinking a beer in the sunshine. Join the Romans having a quick espresso at the bar or take a seat at the tables out front for some prime people-watching. From there, you’re only a 10-minute walk to Villa Farnesina , one of Rome’s best and most underrated sites. Commissioned by the wealthy banker Agostino Chigi on the occasion of his marriage, the villa contains incredible ceiling frescoes painted by Raphael in 1518, which depict the marriage of Cupid and Psyche.

For dinner, Giorgia Tozzi, the general manager of Soho House Rome , and Maria Pasquale both recommend Pianostrada , which recently moved from its location near the Jewish Ghetto to Via della Luce in Trastevere. “Experience a Roman culinary revolution at Pianostrada, a local hot spot owned by a visionary team of women,” says Pasquale. For the four partners—autodidact chef Paola Colucci, her daughters Flaminia and Alice Spognetta, and their friend Chiara Magliocchetti—the move is actually a homecoming, as Pianostrada originally opened as a gourmet street food spot in Trastevere in 2014. “From tempura-fried zucchini flowers to artisanal focaccia topped with prosciutto and figs, each dish is a masterpiece of innovation and tradition,” Pasquale says.

Friday: Delve into Rome’s baroque glory in the historic center

Entry to the Pantheon is free on the first Sunday of the month.

Today you’ll set out on foot to see Rome’s most famous monuments and piazzas. Start early in the morning at the Trevi Fountain, since that tends to attract the most crowds during the day. From there, it’s a 10-minute walk to the Pantheon , which is Rome’s best-preserved ancient monument because it was converted into a Catholic church in 609 C.E. If you’re ready for breakfast, head around the corner to the Caffè Tazza d’Oro for a cappuccino.

Continue walking west and you’ll come to Piazza Navona, the city’s most beautiful baroque piazza, where you can admire Bernini’s majestic Fountain of the Four Rivers. The streets surrounding it are lined with shops, restaurants, and cafés as well as under-the-radar museums like Palazzo Altemps , which is one of the seats of the Museo Nazionale Romano housed inside a noble palace containing magnificent 16th-century grotesque (i.e., inspired by decorations found in ancient Roman grottoes) frescoes. (Definitely pop in if you have time!)

Head north on Via della Scrofa, which becomes Via di Ripetta, and you’ll find yourself in the posh area around the Spanish Steps, where designer stores vie for shoppers’ attention. Turn onto Via Tomacelli, then Via dei Condotti and in a few minutes’ you’ll arrive at Piazza di Spagna. Bernini’s boat-shaped fountain at the bottom of the steps is another eye-catching masterpiece worth noting before turning your attention to the steps themselves.

Take Via del Babuino and walk north toward Piazza del Popolo, the large round piazza with an Egyptian obelisk flanked by sphinxes spouting water. This was once the northern gateway to Rome, and it’s another fine spot for people-watching, as fashionable locals cross the square on their way to bustling Via del Corso. Get a table at Canova , which was famed filmmaker Federico Fellini’s haunt, and have a salad or panino there or duck into the swanky Hotel de Russie for a plate of ravioli cacio e pepe at Le Jardin de Russie, a favorite of modern-day movie stars and VIPs.

In the afternoon, head up into Villa Borghese—the green heart-shaped park just up the hill from Piazza del Popolo. Inside the park, you’ll find a small lake with rowboats, a replica of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, and a handful of museums, including the spectacular Galleria Borghese (make sure you book in advance, as timed tickets are required). Afterwards, head over to the Pincio Terrace to catch the sunset with spectacular views of the city.

Ready for dinner? Hop on the metro at the Flaminio stop and take it to Re di Roma to try slightly elevated takes on Roman classics at Santo Palato run by young chef Sarah Cicolini. “I head to this trattoria with a twist for my favorite carbonara in Rome,” says Zoe Shapiro, founder of Stellavision Travel , a boutique feminist travel company that organizes size-inclusive tours in Italy . “The menu changes each day depending on fresh and seasonal ingredients, but stand-outs [including carbonara and oxtail meatball with peanut sauce and cacao] remain consistent and are paired with a wine list that highlights the next generation of Italian winemakers,” says Shapiro.

Saturday: See the treasures of the Vatican

There are a range of tours on offer at the Vatican Museums, including special itineraries for deaf and blind visitors.

The best way to see the Vatican Museums without the crowds is on an exclusive 6 a.m. tour with the key keeper, but barring that the next best thing is to go when the museum opens at 8 a.m. Home to some of the greatest works of art ever created by human hands, the Vatican Museums actually comprise 24 museums, plus various galleries and chapels. It would take all day to see the whole thing, but stick to the highlights (the Sistine Chapel, Raphael Rooms, the Statues Courtyard, and the Gallery of Maps) and you can get out in time for lunch.

Most people make a beeline to Bonci Pizzarium , which has a reputation as the best place for pizza al taglio (by the slice) in Rome, but pizzaiolo/baker Gabriele Bonci also has an eponymous bakery in the neighborhood that’s a bit of a local secret. There aren’t as many different toppings on the pizza, but it’s the same recipe.

Spend the afternoon exploring Prati, the neighborhood adjacent to the Vatican. Developed in the early 20th century, it may lack the cobblestone charm of the historic center, but it’s a busy business and shopping area where Romans hang out. Bustling Via Cola di Rienzo is the neighborhood’s main thoroughfare, where you’ll find midtier stores like Benetton for apparel, Geox for shoes, Castroni for gourmet foods, and the department store Coin. In Prati, Tozzi recommends visiting Casa Balla , the home of futurist artist Giacomo Balla (tours must be booked in advance).

Sunday: Follow the footsteps of Rome’s ancient emperors

The Court bar offers enviable views of the Colosseum.

By now you’ve learned that Romans start their day with breakfast at a bar, but aside from the ubiquitous cornetti , the most Roman pastry is a maritozzo . Try one at the historic Pasticceria Regoli near Piazza Vittorio, one of the city’s most diverse ethnic enclaves, where many Asian immigrants have opened shops and restaurants. You can find goods imported from the Middle East, Africa, Asia, South America, and beyond at the Nuovo Mercato Esquilino . From there it’s a quick walk to the Colosseum . New for 2024 is the ability to visit the attic level, featuring panoramic views and the Colosseum’s water management system (but make sure you book a ticket that includes it in advance). The same ticket grants you access to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. You’ll need about half a day to visit them all.

Give your feet a rest at La Taverna dei Fori Imperiali , a family-run restaurant located on the edge of Monti, the charming neighborhood just uphill from the Forum. Try one of the quartet of Roman pastas ( carbonara , cacio e pepe , amatriciana , and gricia ) or a twist on them, like its version of la gricia with seasonal fruit.

Then for an alternative take on Roman history, join Stellavision’s Women and Secrets of Ancient Rome tour. “This walking tour showcases Rome’s Jewish Ghetto, Capitoline Hill, and Forum while centering the stories omitted by most tour companies and pulling important historical figures from the margins of history books,” says Shapiro. Or head over to Largo di Torre Argentina (the archaeological site where Julius Caesar was assassinated), which is now accessible thanks to new walkways.

If you’re ready to splurge on a fabulous aperitivo , book a table at the Court , one of the city’s most creative cocktail bars, which happens to boast head-on views of the Colosseum. Afterwards, take a taxi to up-and-coming San Lorenzo to check out a restaurant suggested by Tozzi and Shapiro. “ Mazzo shuttered five years ago and recently reopened in a new location with a menu that modernizes classic Roman ingredients and honors the city’s ‘ cucina povera ’ history,” Shapiro notes.

Where to stay

Soho House Rome is a hub for creatives in the artsy, up-and-coming neighborhood of San Lorenzo with a rooftop pool, an outpost of Cecconi’s, a screening room, and a gym with yoga and Pilates classes. Guests who book a room can access the private club’s amenities.

For a tried-and-true stalwart, check into the Hotel de Russie , a Rocco Forte Hotel, which is home to the aforementioned Le Jardin de Russie restaurant in the “secret garden” as well as the chic Stravinskij Bar, which is set to reveal a refresh this spring.

Or check into one of these 15 hotels we love in Rome , such as Hotel de la Ville (sister to Hotel de Russie) or newcomers like the Rome Edition or Six Senses Rome.

11 Fun Things to Do in Rome with Kids (2024)

T here are so many fun things to do in Rome with kids, but can be overwhelming to plan a trip. It is a wonderful city to enjoy with children, who will love the ruins, the people, and the gelato! The Eternal City is beautiful any time of year, but the crowds will vary depending on the weather and school holidays. Our best advice is to have a plan and make reservations for the more popular tourist sites, but leave time for wandering the squares and enjoying la dolce vita.

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How to Get Around Rome

From the rome airport to rome’s city center.

Do not plan on arriving at the airport, taking a shuttle to the train station (Termini), and then a taxi to your destination. You will be jet lagged and you will have dead tired children and luggage in tow. 

Arrange for a driver through your hotel ahead of time. The cost is comparable to the shuttle/train/taxi formula.

From Termini train station to your hotel

Termini is not a place you want to hang out for a long time, nor is it a place where you want to stick out like a sore thumb. With kids and luggage, it’s hard to hide the fact you are tourists so be sure you know how the taxi system works.

Licensed, official taxis are white, with a TAXI sign on top, a Rome crest on the door, with the letters SPQR. They will also have the taxi license number on the door. 

If your group is larger than 3 people, look for a van that can fit everyone in your party. Vans are not as common, but they save you the option of taking two separate taxis and paying double the fare.

Public Transportation in Rome vs. Walking

We did not use the Metro system while we were in Rome, but have on previous visits. It is very efficient and easy to use but we walked everywhere. 

Were there complaints about all the walking? Yep? Did we care? Not really. We always tell them it’s exercise and it’s good for them. After we bribe them with gelato they stop complaining, LOL.

What to do in Rome with kids

Our best tip is to avoid Rome during major holidays. The crowds are crazy and things close for no rhyme or reason. We have plenty of ideas on  how to skip the lines in Rome . 

1. Visit the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel

At least once during your time in Rome, you must head to Vatican City. Vatican City is the smallest country in the world and home to the Pope, Swiss Guards, and others who support the Holy See. While younger children might not be able to fully appreciate the chapel and museums, it’s a must-see for parents and older kids visiting Rome.

The best way to see the Sistine Chapel is by purchasing entrance tickets in advance through their  ticket office . Once booked you will receive a voucher that confirms your tour time. 

Upon arrival, skip the queue and begin your self-guided tour. If you want a guided tour, we would recommend this guided tour or this private tour with Context Travel.

Before or after your visit to the chapel, head to St. Peter’s Basilica. Here you will find the tombs of former popes, monarchs, and other important figureheads of Ancient Rome.

You can climb to the top of the Basilica’s dome, but you will need to pay a separate entrance fee. Climbing the stairs has one fee, but you will incur an extra cost if you wish to use the elevator. If you want a guided tour of St. Peter’s and the dome, this is the tour for you .

*Note: You will still have to wait in line for security at both the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican. Sometimes lines can be very long, so we recommend going first thing in the morning or the early afternoon.

2. Colosseum – Roman Forum – Palatine Hill

Let me save you some heartache (and money). Do not wait in the long line at the Colosseum. Go to the Forum (or Palatine Hill) and buy your ticket there. It will cover the entrance to each of the sites and is valid for two days. Better yet,  buy your tickets online . 

The Roman Colosseum is one of the best-known attractions in Rome and a place the whole family can enjoy. Consider taking a tour that allows you to explore the arena floor and the Colosseum underground . This is THE place to go to learn about Rome’s ancient history.

If your kids want to know more about Ancient Rome and learn about life as a gladiator, we highly recommend taking them to Gladiator School.

Classes take place at the Gladiator School of Rome on Via Appia Antica, and ages 6 and up are welcome. Guests will learn fun facts about the ancient city, and basic gladiator skills, and channel their inner warriors.

The Forum used to be the center of Roman society – political, social, and religious events all took place here. Today it has the ruins of public buildings, markets, temples, and other important structures. Palatine Hill is one of the original seven hills the Roman Empire was built on and provides stunning views of the Forum and Circus Maximus. It’s a peaceful place with stunning views of the city.

We toured the Forum and Palatine Hill the day after we toured the Colosseum and were equally impressed by the ancient ruins. There are so many nooks and crannies to explore. The kids loved every minute and never complained about the five hours we spent between the three sights.

3. Throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain

What’s not to like about an enormous fountain with a giant statue of the Roman god Neptune standing atop a shell-shaped chariot pulled by sea stallions? 

Children and adults of all ages flock to the Trevi Fountain for people-watching, coin-flipping, and of course, gelato-eating.  

I think there are no fewer than five gelato shops surrounding the fountain, so take your pick and find a flavor that suits you. Before leaving, turn your back to the fountain and throw a coin over your left shoulder. Legend has it this will guarantee a return trip to Rome.

4. Piazza Navona

Piazza Navona is one of my favorite places to take the kids in Rome. The piazza is pedestrian friendly so children can run around and parents don’t worry about them getting hit by cars or the ever-present Vespa scooters. 

The place is lively, filled with tourists and locals alike admiring the beautiful fountains or lounging at the multiple cafés ringing the piazza. 

There are plenty of little shops along the perimeter where adults can grab a cappuccino while the kids burn off some energy. Walking around the square is one of my favorite  things to do in Rome at night . 

If you are looking for other car-free areas where the kids can run free, head to Piazza del Popolo, Piazza di Spagna, and Campo de’ Fiori (home to Rome’s most popular daily market which is open every day but Sunday).

5. Pantheon

On our first visit to the Pantheon, our boys were unimpressed by the 2,000-year-old sacred temple. All they saw was an old building, columns, and an enormous hole in the roof. They took one look and then headed back outside. 

A few days later we returned when we were caught in a torrential downpour. The water came rushing through the ceiling like a raging river, drenching those of us standing nearby. 

Our kids will never forget the sonic boom of thunder as it resonated through the dome and the screams of terror shouted by hundreds of people at the same time. Let’s just say they still talk about it to this day.

6. Spanish Steps

This used to be a famous spot for people watching and simply relaxing, but it is officially illegal to sit on the steps these days. So take a quick look and head to the gelato shop for an afternoon treat.

If you have time, check out the McDonald’s next to the Spanish Steps, one of the largest in Europe. The lines inside will be long, but it’s one of those things you should do since you’re there. Trust me on this one, especially if your kids can’t take one more meal of pizza and pasta.

Where to Eat Gelato in Rome

No Rome family vacation would be complete without gelato. We tried four different gelato (ice cream) shops and some we tried more than once (it is vacation after all).

Here were our two favorites in Rome, and if you are traveling around, here is the  best gelato in Italy .

Giolitti, Via Uffici del Vicario, 40 – Giolitti has been dishing gelato since 1890 and everyone loves it. Go in the front door, pay for your gelato at the register up front, get a ticket, then get in line to order your gelato. Enjoy the creamy goodness outside like everyone else because there’s an extra charge to eat inside.

La Gelateria Frigidarium , Via del Governo Vecchio, 112-One of our favorite gelato places. Good selection of flavors, including the option of dipping your gelato in chocolate. Yum!

7. Catacombs

If you want a unique archaeological site that is sure to impress kids of all ages, head to the catacombs. There are more than 60 of these underground burial chambers in the city, but only 5 are open to the public.

The Catacombe di San Calissto (Catacombs of Saint Callixtus) is the most visited and it covers over 35 acres across 4 different levels. Saint Domitilla Catacombs is one of the largest.

Several companies offer guided tours of the Catacombs or you can use public transport.

Note: All of the catacombs are found outside of the city and if young children are afraid of the dark, I would not recommend a visit.

8. Castel Sant’Angelo

Castel Sant’Angelo is an experience that will make a big impression on all ages. The site was originally a mausoleum built for Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD, and since then it has been a castle, a prison, and now a museum. Kids will marvel at the stunning statues that line the entrance to the building.

The interior is equally stunning with its beautiful frescoes, lavish rooms, and breathtaking city views from its rooftop terrace. This is a great way to learn about the city’s rich history and it’s a great place to visit on a rainy day.

9. Try a cooking class

If you want to impress the kids, consider booking a pizza or gelato-making class, or maybe one that does both! This hands-on cooking class is perfect for all ages and teaches them how to make two Italian favorites, pizza and gelato, from scratch.

10.Villa Borghese Gardens

The Borghese Gardens are a huge green space in the city center. Think of it like New York City’s Central Park, as it has playgrounds, Bioparco di Roma (Rome’s zoo), bicycle rentals, and even a puppet theater!

For those with older children, there are several museums on the grounds including the popular Borghese Gallery and the National Gallery of Modern Art.

Consider grabbing sandwiches and drinks before heading into the park. There are plenty of places that are perfect for a picnic. If you prefer not to bring your food, there are cafés and restaurants in the park.

In our opinion, there is no better place in Rome to let the kids run free and burn off some energy!

11. Nighttime Vespa tour

This activity might be better if you’re visiting Rome with teens , but it is possible to take a nighttime tour in a vintage Vespa .

With an experienced guide as your driver, you’ll explore the Colosseum, the Mouth of the Truth, Circus Maximus, Palatine Hill, Saint Peter’s Square, and the Trevi Fountain. A nighttime gelato and coffee are included. Children must be 5 years of age to join in the fun.

Where to Eat in Rome with Kids

We ate pizza and pasta at many restaurants that were not worth mentioning, so here are the ones we would recommend. There are plenty of cheap eats in Rome too!

Cantina e Cucina , Via del Governo Vecchio, 87- On a cute, mostly pedestrian street off of Piazza Navona is this charming little restaurant. The focaccia bread is delicious and we enjoyed the pasta, risotto, and pizza. 

The waiter was very friendly, my son even gave him a hug when we left. It began to rain as we were leaving so they let us borrow their umbrellas and told us to bring them back the next day! Now that is what I call customer service.

Mastro Ciccia , Via del Governo Vecchio, 76- Right across the street from the above restaurant, is Mastro Ciccia. The place seemed to be equal parts locals and tourists, and plenty of families. 

Our kids thought they had the BEST pizza and my husband and I enjoyed the pasta. 

Trattoria Antonio al Pantheon , Via dei Pastini, 12- Found this place after we made a mad dash in the rain from the Pantheon to the nearest restaurant recommended on Trip Advisor. 

Our waiter was outgoing, the food was delicious (pizza and pasta as always), and the atmosphere was warm and cozy. A convenient location and friendly service always make a winner in my book.

Best Family Tours in Rome

There are a couple of different tour companies we would recommend in Rome. For a cultural tour or even a cooking class, try  LivTours.   Rome Tours with Kids  makes cultural tours of Rome fun for kids. 

If you’re looking for a personalized, guided family tour of Rome, we highly recommend  The Roman Guy  who has some of the best Rome excursions in the city. If your kids are adventurous, check out this  Rome food tour .

Planning a weekend in Rome? Don’t miss this  3 days in Rome itinerary . If you’re looking for other Italy posts, don’t miss our things to do in Venice ,  Florence ,  Tuscany , and  the Amalfi Coast with kids .

Where to Stay in Rome with Kids

We have an article that covers our favorite family-friendly hotels in Rome , but here are some others.

• Gli Scipioni Bed and Breakfast – Excellent bed and breakfast around the corner from the Sistine Chapel and walking distance to Vatican City. The owner is extremely helpful and they have rooms that sleep 5. Easy access to shops and restaurants.
• Navona Gallery & Garden Suites – A quiet oasis in the heart of Rome just steps from Piazza Navona. We recommend the Michaelangelo Suite which is perfect for families. The apartment comes with a fully equipped kitchen, a stocked refrigerator with everything you need for a continental breakfast, and a private terrace, for enjoying afternoon coffee (or vino).
• Sofitel Roma Villa Borghese – Centrally located hotel near the entrance to the Borghese Gardens and the Spanish Steps. The hotel’s rooftop lounge and restaurant has stunning overlooking the gardens and St. Peter’s Basilica in the distance. Sofitel offers a curated  Roman Culture Experience which is everything from a tea party with a real princess and watercolor painting to a gelato workshop and a day trip via e-bike. There is a junior suite option for families that sleeps 3.
•   Villa Agrippina Gran Meliá – Five minutes from the Vatican and St. Peter Basilica, this property sits between Trastevere and the River Tiber. For families looking for a Rome hotel with a swimming pool, this is the one to choose! Several rooms have private terraces and there’s even a villa with a private pool.

Europe Travel Tips

Book Your Flights – You can find discounted fares using sites like Momondo or Skyscanner . If you want to keep an eye on discount fares, we suggest signing up for Scott’s Cheap Flights , a daily newsletter with flight sales around the world.

If you travel frequently, consider investing in a Priority Pass for airport lounge access. It’s nice to have a space where you can relax before your flight.

Book Your Accommodation

We regularly use Expedia.com and Hotels.com to find lodging when we travel. It’s a great way to compare vacation rentals, hotels, and resorts.

If your family knows they want to stay in a vacation rental, we recommend looking at VRBO and Plum Guide .

Book Your Transportation

For rental car agencies, try Rentalcars.com . We tend to use Hertz simply for the quality of service. If you need airport transfers, we recommend Welcome Pickups .

When traveling in Europe, we use AutoEurope to make our bookings. They find the best rates and allow you to compare different car rental agencies. Europcar is another option. If you plan to take the train, we recommend using Rail Europe .

Book Your Tours and Travel Photos

We regularly used companies like Viator and GetYourGuide to book tours when we travel. Both have great communication and a large variety of activities that work for all ages. Other companies to look at include Tours by Locals and Withlocals .

If you’re visiting a city with multiple attractions, be sure to check out a discount pass, such as CityPASS or Go City . Both are worthwhile investments.

Context Travel is another option and they offer more educational-based activities. The former teacher in me loves their tours. For unique, curated activities, check out Headout .

One of our favorite things to do annually is taking photos with Flytographer . They have photographers around the world and we’ve used them on four separate occasions. This is our favorite travel souvenir.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance

With the state of travel these days, it’s important to have some type of travel insurance to cover any unforeseen accidents, illnesses, threats, or cancellations. We always travel with insurance and would recommend SquareMouth , Travelex , or Medjet as good options. And if you want to compare different insurance options, use Travel Insurance Master or World Nomads to find the best policy for your group.

The post 11 Fun Things to Do in Rome with Kids (2024) appeared first on Kids Are A Trip™ .

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Which country has the highest pickpocketing rate in Europe?

Saturday, 18 May 2024

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The Trevi fountain in Rome is one of the most popular spots in Italy for pickpocketing incidents. — Photos: AFP

Italy may not be the most visited country in Europe, but it comes first in another infamous ranking – for its incidences of pickpocketing.

While the Paris transport system has put into place announcements warning of pickpockets in a variety of languages, there seem to be many areas popular with tourists throughout Europe that are rife with these criminals. And it seems that many tourists have fallen victim to this practice in Italy, with several mentions of pickpocketing in the vicinity of one of Rome’s main monuments, Trevi Fountain.

A Britain-based insurance company, Quote Zone, has analysed the proportion of mentions of pickpocketing for the top tourist attractions in European destinations frequented by the British population.

While some 3.8 million Britain-based tourists visited Italy between the first and third quarters of 2023, there were at least 478 reports of pickpocketing in the vicinity of the Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum in Rome and the Pantheon.

Outside the Italian capital, pickpockets are also on the prowl, notably near Milan’s Duomo cathedral and Florence’s Uffizi museum.

France, meanwhile, is a distant second, despite 250 reports of pickpocketing, while 7.2 million Britons took a holiday across the English Channel between the first and third quarters of 2023.

According to Quote Zone, the highest-risk locations are near the Eiffel Tower. And with the Paris 2024 Olympic Games just around the corner, visitors from all walks of life will no doubt need to be extra vigilant when it comes to their personal belongings, and not just around the emblematic monument.

The research identified the Musee d’Orsay, the Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame de Paris and the Louvre as other hot spots for pickpocketing in and around the City of Light.

Spain comes in third place as the European destination where a stay can turn out to be very expensive due to your belongings being stolen. In particular, Barcelona and its emblematic avenue La Rambla, has been designated as a favourite spot for pickpockets. While the Sagrada Familia Basilica, as well as Madrid’s Plaza Mayor and the area around the Prado Museum are identified as other hot spots for tourists in Spain, the number of mentions of pickpocketing is well below those in Italy and France.

In Germany, the Brandenburg Gate was cited as a location to keep an eye on one’s belongings. – AFP Relaxnews

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Tags / Keywords: Pickpocket , Rome , Italy , Spain , France , Trevi Fountain , Arc de Triomphe , Pantheon , Colosseum , Sagrada Familia Basilica , Prado Museum , pickpocketing , tourism , attenzione pickpockets

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