Rome didn’t earn the nickname “Eternal City” by accident. Once the seat of a vast empire, today it layers 2,000 years of history into a walkable open-air museum—where emperor-haunted ruins stand a few blocks from perfect espresso and piazzas that hum until midnight.

In three days you’ll step onto the Colosseum’s arena, decode the Vatican’s masterpieces, and taste your way through Trastevere. Between highlights, get lost in cobbled lanes, refill your bottle at the city’s nasoni fountains, and linger over pastas that locals actually eat: carbonara, cacio e pepe, amatriciana.

Practical notes: book skip-the-line entry for the Colosseum and Vatican; shoulders and knees must be covered inside St. Peter’s. Beware pickpockets around major sights and on public transport; use official white taxis or ride-hailing at marked stands. Comfortable shoes are non-negotiable—Rome rewards walkers.

Rome

Rome is a greatest-hits playlist with deep cuts. Beyond the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Pantheon, neighborhoods like Trastevere, Monti, Testaccio, and the Jewish Ghetto offer trattorie, wine bars, and artisan shops that feel wonderfully local.

Food is a storyline here. Try Roman Jewish artichokes in spring, pizza al taglio from hole‑in‑the‑wall counters, and gelato made without neon colors. Coffee culture is quick and precise: pay at the cassa, then sip your macchiato standing at the bar.

• Getting to Rome: Fly into FCO (Fiumicino) or CIA (Ciampino). Search flights within Europe via Omio. From FCO, the Leonardo Express to Termini takes ~32 minutes (~€14–15); official taxis have a fixed €50 fare to the city center. From CIA, buses to Termini take ~40 minutes (~€6); taxis are a fixed €31 to the center.
• Trains: If you’re arriving from Florence, Naples, or Milan, high-speed trains (Italo/Trenitalia) reach Termini or Tiburtina in 1–3 hours. Compare schedules and fares on Omio Trains or Trip.com Trains.
• Where to stay: Browse central stays on VRBO Rome or Hotels.com Rome.

Hotel picks (all well-located):

• Hotel de Russie, a Rocco Forte Hotel — Iconic garden oasis between Piazza del Popolo and the Spanish Steps; refined rooms, standout spa, and the Stravinskij Bar for pre-dinner cocktails.
• Hotel Eden — Classic Roman glamour near Via Veneto; rooftop views that sweep across the city.
• Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel — Resort-style escape above the city with a famed art collection and a three-Michelin-star dining pedigree on site.
• Kolbe Hotel Rome — Peaceful base set by the Palatine with a lovely internal garden; ideal for history lovers.
• Hotel Santa Maria — Trastevere favorite wrapped around citrus‑scented courtyards; cozy and romantic.
• The Beehive — Friendly, design‑forward budget stay near Termini with a café and community vibe.
• Hotel Mascagni — Solid midrange choice near Repubblica; easy access to Metro A.

Getting around: Walk whenever you can; most sights cluster within 20–30 minutes of each other. Metro lines A/B/C cover longer hops; a 72‑hour pass is ~€18, single tickets €1.50 (100 minutes). Buses fill the gaps; tram 8 is handy for Trastevere.

Day 1: Arrival, Centro Storico Stroll, and Roman Classics

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Shake off the flight with a caffeine jolt at Sant’Eustachio Il Caffè (signature wood‑roasted espresso) or Tazza d’Oro near the Pantheon. Wander to the Pantheon to admire its gravity‑defying oculus, then drift to Piazza Navona to watch artists and street performers amid Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers.

Evening: Dinner near Campo de’ Fiori at Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina: start with burrata and salumi, then order the rigatoni alla carbonara that locals swear by. If fully booked, try Flavio al Velavevodetto in Testaccio for cacio e pepe in a vaulted dining room built into Monte dei Cocci (ancient pottery mound).

Night: Gelato at Gelateria del Teatro (pistachio di Bronte or sage‑raspberry). For a cocktail, the Stravinskij Bar at Hotel de Russie crafts precise negroni variations in a leafy courtyard; or mingle at Bar del Fico near Piazza Navona.

Day 2: Vatican Masterpieces and Trastevere Foodie Night

Morning: Early start near Campo de’ Fiori at Roscioli Caffè (a perfect cornetto and cappuccino). Then join a skip‑the‑line guided visit that threads the Raphael Rooms to the Sistine Chapel before St. Peter’s Basilica.

Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter’s Basilica Guided Tour — Beat the queues and dive into millennia of art with a licensed guide. Expect ~3 hours; dress respectfully for basilica entry.

Afternoon: Refuel at Pizzarium Bonci (near Cipro Metro) for pizza al taglio with toppings like potato‑mozzarella‑rosemary or mortadella‑pistachio. If energy holds, climb St. Peter’s Dome for sweeping city views; otherwise, taxi to the Janiculum (Gianicolo) terrace for a gentler panorama.

Evening: Spend your night eating like a local in cobbled Trastevere with a small‑group tasting walk that blends history and flavor.

Winner 2025 Rome Twilight Trastevere Food Tour by Eating Europe — A delicious circuit of family‑run spots: think porchetta, Roman Jewish specialties, street‑style supplì, and artisanal gelato. Great storytelling and generous portions.

Day 3: Colosseum, Forum & Palatine, Then Pasta From Scratch

Morning: Breakfast at Pasticceria Regoli (since 1916) for maritozzi con la panna (sweet cream buns). Ride Metro B to Colosseo and step into the arena with an expert who brings the stones to life, then continue through the Forum and up the Palatine—the mythic birthplace of Rome.

Rome: Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill Guided Tour — Choose an option with special arena access if available. Budget ~3 hours; sun protection is essential.

Afternoon: Explore Monti’s indie boutiques and wine bars. For lunch, grab a stool at Ai Tre Scalini (Roman small plates, natural wines) or a quick bowl at Pasta Chef Monti. Espresso at Faro or an inventive scoop at Fatamorgana keeps you going.

Evening: Close your trip with a hands‑on cooking class near Piazza Navona—learn to roll fettuccine, form ravioli, and whisk tiramisù, then feast on your creations with wine.

3 in 1 Cooking Class near Navona: Fettuccine, Ravioli & Tiramisu — A convivial, beginner‑friendly class in the historic center; return home with recipes and muscle memory.

After-dinner options: Stroll to the Trevi Fountain for a late, less crowded look. For a final toast, try Drink Kong (futuristic cocktails, often on global best‑bar lists) or the reservation‑only Jerry Thomas Speakeasy if you’ve planned ahead.

Alternate eats to slot in during the trip: Da Enzo al 29 (Trastevere; Roman pastas and oxtail), Armando al Pantheon (old‑school excellence steps from the Pantheon), Enoteca Corsi (lunch‑only, honest Roman cooking), Supplizio (gold‑standard supplì), Trapizzino (filled pizza pockets), Forno Campo de’ Fiori (hot-from-the-oven pizza bianca).

Departure logistics (afternoon of Day 3): From Termini, connect to FCO via the Leonardo Express (~32 minutes). For intercity travel, compare trains, buses, and flights on Omio Trains, Omio Buses, and Omio Flights.

In three days, you’ll have walked in gladiators’ footsteps, stood beneath Michelangelo’s ceiling, and eaten like a Roman. Keep this Rome travel guide handy—you’ll be back for that second bowl of carbonara and the sunset you didn’t quite catch.