3 days in Rome itinerary

Looking for the perfect 3 day Rome itinerary? Covering Rome’s top ancient attractions like the Colosseum, Roman Forum and the Pantheon, along with Vatican City, the Trevi Fountain, Trastevere and the Spanish Steps, this might just be the most wonderful way to experience Rome in three days. So, read on to be inspired and informed by — arguably — the best 3 days in Rome itinerary. As a bonus, we also share suggestions for where to stay in Rome, along with how to get there, how to get around, and the best time to visit Italy.

How many days in Rome do you need?

If you’re considering spending 3 days in Rome, you might also be wondering how many days in Rome is needed, and whether 3 days in Rome is enough.

In all honesty, you’ll be hard pushed to touch more than the surface of the city with just 3 days in Rome, but with careful planning, it's possible to get a rich flavur of the city in a 3-day timeframe.

That said, all the better if you can stretch to following a 4 days in Rome itinerary, and better still if you can consider broader Italy itineraries that cover a few destinations.Take your pick from a rewarding 5 days in Italy itinerary or how about spending 7 days in Italy?

Looking for something longer? Browse the best 10 days in Italy itinerary, and a 14 days in Italy itinerary.

Alternatively, to curate your dream Italy trip for any duration — including this immersive 3 days in Rome itinerary — contact our local travel experts.

Best 3 days in Rome itinerary: overview 

Wondering what to see in Rome in 3 days? Before going into day-by-day detail, here's an overview of the top attractions covered in this rewarding way to spend 3 days in Rome.

Covering many of the best things to do in Rome, it delivers a gratifying introduction to the Eternal City. 

• Day 1: Uncover Ancient Rome at the Colosseum and Roman Forum
• Day 2: Discover St. Peter's Basilica and Vatican City
• Day 3: Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Trastevere & Spanish Steps

Want more ideas while planning your trip to Rome? Discover the best things to do off the tourist trail in Rome.

Day 1: Uncover Ancient Rome at the Colosseum and Roman Forum

The first leg of this 3 day Rome itinerary is devoted to uncovering the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, Capitoline Hill and Capitoline Museums. 

As such, day 1 delivers a pretty deep dive into the city’s ancient attractions during your 3 days in Rome, starting out at the Colosseum.

Not only is this an icon of the city — and a testament to the grandeur of the Roman Empire — but it’s also one of the most beautiful places in Italy.

After spending a few hours admiring its architecture — perhaps picturing the gory gladiatorial battles that once took place within its ancient walls — head to the nearby Roman Forum.

This vast archaeological site of temples, basilicas and arches that once played host to important political, social and religious activities really is a joy to wander.

Come the afternoon, climb Palatine Hill — one of Rome's seven hills, and the legendary birthplace of the city. Today it's a place of glorious gardens and ancient palaces that delivers wonderful views of the city.

Last on the agenda for the first day of this 3 day Rome itinerary is Capitoline Hill. Though this is the smallest of Rome’s seven hills, it has great historic significance, as revealed by the Capitoline Museums, which house a magnificent collection of ancient art and artefacts. 

Editor’s tip: read up on Roman ruins — what to see and what to skip in the Eternal City.

Day 2: Discover St. Peter's Basilica and Vatican City

The second day of this 3 days in Rome itinerary will see you explore St. Peter's Basilica and St. Peter's Square and the Vatican Museums in the morning — it’s best to arrive early to avoid the biggest crowds.

Alongside maveling at the grandeur of the building, be sure to climb the dome of the basilica for astounding views.

Next, it’s time to head inside the Vatican Museums. Home to an extraordinary collection of artworks amassed by popes through the centuries, you’ll want to allocate a few hours to seeing masterpieces by Renaissance giants such as Michelangelo and Raphael, and to soak up the breath-taking beauty of the Sistine Chapel's ceiling.

After enjoying lunch in the nearby Prati neighbourhood, visit Castel Sant'Angelo. Originally built as a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian, the views from this epic cylindrical fortress are also pretty epic.

Round off your day by heading to the Bridge of Angels (Ponte Sant'Angelo) to soak up a wonderful sunset ahead of dinner. 

Love food? Read up on where to find the best pizza in Rome, and discover the best gelato in Rome.

Day 3:  Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Trastevere & Spanish Steps

The final day of your 3 days in Rome starts out at Piazza Navona — a beautiful Baroque square bedecked with stunning fountains, with street performers and artists creating a lively vibe.

Next stop, the Trevi Fountain to toss a coin into this Roman icon — legend has it, this action will guarantee your return to Rome — before moving on to the Pantheon.

Another iconic architectural marvel of ancient Rome, the Pantheon is especially notable for the way sunlight streams through the oculus at the center of its huge dome.

For lunch, we suggest heading to the Trastevere neighbourhood — its charming cobbled streets play host to a bounty of authentic Roman trattorias. 

Come the early afternoon, head to the Spanish Steps to ascend the grand staircase after admiring the Barcaccia Fountain at its base.

From the top, you'll be rewarded with views of the rooftops of the city and the bustling streets below.

Finally, spend your last hours in Rome strolling the banks of the Tiber ahead of sunset and dinner.

Traveling as a family? Read up on fun things to do in Rome with kids.

Travel tips for the best 3 days in Rome itinerary

To help you make the most of your 3 days in Rome, read on for some trip-enhancing practical tips.

How to get to Rome

If you’re traveling from the US, many major airlines, among them Delta, American Airlines, United Airlines, and ITA Airways, offer direct flights from the likes of New York, Boston, Chicago, Atlanta and Los Angeles to Fiumicino airport.

Direct flights take 8–12 hours, depending on the departure city.

From Fiumicino, the Leonardo Express train will have you at Roma Termini Station in 30 minutes.

From the UK, direct flights (2.5-3 hours) to Rome are available from major UK cities, including London, Manchester, and Edinburgh. 

Depending on the airline, you’ll land in Fiumicino Airport or Ciampino Airport, Rome’s secondary airport. 

From Ciampino airport, take a 40-minute shuttle bus to Termini Station.

Where to stay in Rome 

Given the short timeframe of this 3 day Rome itinerary — and the fact that the city’s top attractions are spread around — you’ll want to choose where to stay in Rome wisely.

To stay in the heart of medieval Rome, check out accommodation near Campo de’Fiori.

Into art? Consider accommodation options near the Vatican Museums.

Or, if you’re on a budget, browse accommodation around Termini and Esquilino.

How to get around Rome

Ahead of your trip, it’s worth planning how to get around Rome, considering where you’re staying, and the places included in your 3 day Rome itinerary.

While Rome is eminently walkable, there are times when you’ll need to make use of public transport.

For example, the efficient three-line metro system (A, B, C) ts ideal for covering longer distances swiftly, with buses typically serving areas that aren’t directly accessible by metro.

Best time to visit Rome

Choosing the best time to visit Rome, and when to go to Italy, is a personal question. The answer depends on your weather preferences, budget, and how you feel about big crowds.

On balance, the best time to visit is either side of the peak summer season months. In fact, we suggest avoiding the peak months all together — July and August are both very hot, and very crowded. 

Better to visit in early or late spring, or else in September or October. At these times of the year, the weather remains pleasant and the vibe is lively, but top attractions won’t be nearly as congested as they are in the heights of summer. 

Inspired to visit Rome? Head of your trip, read our guide to how to plan a trip to Italy.

Not a fan of planning? No problem — our local experts can propose Italy itineraries to suit your tastes and ideal vacation duration.