Rome is a city where empires whisper from ruins and everyday life plays out over a perfect espresso. Founded in 753 BCE, the “Eternal City” layers ancient forums beneath Renaissance palazzi and Baroque fountains—in other words, it’s a living museum you can bite into. Expect cobblestones, church domes, and the occasional Vespa humming past.

Across 3 days, you’ll see the essentials—Colosseum, Roman Forum, Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Basilica—without missing Rome’s daily pleasures: a cappuccino and cornetto at the bar, a slice of pizza al taglio, and that golden-hour passeggiata. We’ll time your days to dodge crowds where possible and weave in local eats worth crossing town for.

Practical tips: book key tickets in advance, especially the Vatican and Colosseum. Dress modestly for churches (shoulders/knees covered), and remember cappuccino is a breakfast drink—after 11 a.m., switch to espresso. Tap water in Rome is safe (look for nasone fountains), and small coins help with tipping and gelato breaks.

Rome

Rome rewards curious wanderers. The Centro Storico compresses centuries into a walk: the Pantheon’s perfect dome, Bernini’s fountains, and lanes perfumed with fresh bread. Monti feels village-like beside the Colosseum, while Trastevere glows each evening with trattorie and street musicians. In Prati, wide boulevards lead to the Vatican’s masterpieces.

• Top sights: Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill; Pantheon; Trevi Fountain; Spanish Steps; Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter’s; Capitoline Museums; Villa Borghese & Pincio Terrace views.
• Dining highlights: Carbonara, cacio e pepe, amatriciana; supplì (fried rice balls); artichokes Jewish-style; pizza al taglio; gelato made fresh daily.
• Fun facts: The Pantheon’s dome is still the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome. And Rome’s aqueduct-fed fountains have been pouring since antiquity—bring a reusable bottle.

Where to stay (handpicked options):

• Hotel de Russie (Piazza del Popolo/Spanish Steps, iconic garden hideaway): Check availability on Hotels.com
• Hotel Santa Maria (Trastevere, quiet cloister vibes, superb for evenings on foot): Check availability on Hotels.com
• The Beehive (budget-friendly boutique near Termini; clean, social, great for rail arrivals): Check availability on Hotels.com

Prefer an apartment? Browse vetted stays: VRBO Rome or compare hotels across neighborhoods: Hotels.com Rome.

Getting to Rome: Fly into FCO (Leonardo da Vinci) or CIA (Ciampino). From outside Europe, compare fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Within Europe, check Omio Flights (Europe) and Omio Trains (e.g., Florence–Rome ~1.5h, €25–40; Naples–Rome ~1.1h, €20–35). Buses can be excellent value: Omio Buses (3–4h from Florence, often €8–20).

Airport to city center: FCO’s Leonardo Express to Termini ~32 minutes (~€14–15). Regional trains to Trastevere/Ostiense/Tiburtina are cheaper. Fixed-rate taxis to central Rome are ~€50–55. From CIA, shuttle buses to Termini ~40–50 minutes (~€7–8), taxis ~€31 to central zones.

Day 1: Centro Storico Icons & A Roman Welcome

Morning: If you arrive early, ease in with an Italian breakfast: stand at the bar for a cappuccino and cornetto at Sant’Eustachio Il Caffè (old-school espresso) or Tazza d’Oro by the Pantheon. Stroll via Via dei Coronari’s antique shops to get your bearings.

Afternoon: Begin at the Pantheon—its oculus pours daylight onto 2,000 years of history (note: timed entry and a small fee now apply on busy days). Wander to Piazza Navona for Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers, then cut over to the Trevi Fountain (toss a coin over your left shoulder). Climb the Spanish Steps and reward yourself with views from the Pincio Terrace above Piazza del Popolo.

Food break: For lunch, try Forno Campo de’ Fiori for warm pizza bianca stuffed with mortadella, or Emma for thin-crust Roman pies and a deep wine list. Coffee refresh at La Casa del Caffè Tazza d’Oro.

Evening: Settle into Rome with a classic trattoria dinner. Book Armando al Pantheon for deep-cut Roman pastas (their gricia shines), or go for Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina for burrata, salumi, and carbonara that sparked countless copies; wine lovers should consider Rimessa Roscioli. Gelato at Gelateria del Teatro (sage and raspberry is a sleeper hit), then a slow amble along the Tiber.

Day 2: Colosseum, Ancient Rome & Trastevere by Night

Morning: Dive into the arena with a guide for context and special access. We recommend the Colosseum Underground & Ancient Rome Guided Tour (approx. 3 hours) for limited-access areas and a vivid walk through the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.

Pre-tour coffee/breakfast: Pasticceria Regoli (since 1916) for maritozzi (cream-filled buns), or Panella – L’Arte del Pane for artisanal breads and pastries.

Afternoon: Linger in Monti, a bohemian pocket with indie boutiques. Lunch at La Taverna dei Fori Imperiali (classic Roman fare), Trattoria Al42 (casual pasta), or grab pizza al taglio at Trieste Pizza Monti. If you have energy, pop into the Capitoline Museums for a curated sprint through classical sculpture and a terrace view over the Forum.

Evening: Taste Rome plate by plate on the award-winning Trastevere Twilight Food Tour by Eating Europe (approx. 4 hours). Expect stops for supplì, porchetta, cheeses, Roman pastas, and gelato—plus local stories that bring the neighborhood to life.

Not doing a tour? Book Da Enzo al 29 (small, beloved; try the tiramisù) or Pianostrada (creative, seasonal plates). Aperitivo at Freni e Frizioni by the river, craft cocktails at Drink Kong after.

Day 3: The Vatican, Prati Bites & Last Views

Morning: Beat the crowds with a timed, skip-the-line visit. This guided option balances highlights with insider context: Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter’s Basilica Guided Tour (about 3 hours). Michelangelo’s ceiling rewards slow, quiet looking—don’t forget your shoulders and knees covered.

Pre- or post-tour coffee at Pergamino Caffè near the Museums, where single-origin espresso shines. If lines at the basilica’s dome are short, climb up for citywide views that reward every step.

Afternoon: Lunch in Prati: try Pizzarium Bonci (inventive square slices by the maestro—order a few toppings to share), Pastasciutta for fast, honest pasta to-go, or a sit-down feast at Il Sorpasso (boards of cured meats, excellent cacio e pepe). Walk the Passetto toward Castel Sant’Angelo, then amble the Tiber for farewell photos before your afternoon departure.

Evening (if you have a late flight or extra night): Golden hour at the Janiculum Hill for sweeping skyline views. Dinner at Cesare al Casaletto (a local favorite for fried starters and textbook pastas) or a splurge tasting menu at La Pergola (book well ahead). Toast with an amaro and promise Rome you’ll return.

Optional add-ons or swaps:

• Prefer a deeper dive into ancient sites? Consider an alternate arena-focused tour such as Colosseum with Arena, Roman Forum and Palatine Guided Tour (similar duration, limited-access floor).
• Shopping time? Browse Via dei Giubbonari (artisan finds), Via del Governo Vecchio (vintage), or Via Cola di Rienzo (Prati’s boutiques).
• Market lovers: Mercato Testaccio daytime for fresh pasta, trapizzini, and regional bites.

Good to know: Book Vatican and Colosseum tours a few weeks ahead in peak seasons (spring/fall). The Pantheon now uses timed entry on busy days—reserve for weekends/holidays. Keep a lightweight scarf for church dress codes. Carry cash for small cafés; cards are accepted widely but not everywhere.

Transport recap for onward travel: Heading to Florence, Naples, or Venice next? High-speed trains depart Termini frequently (e.g., Rome–Florence ~1.5h, Rome–Naples ~1.1h, Rome–Venice ~3.5–4h). Compare departures and fares on Omio Trains. Budget flights within Europe: Omio Flights. Intercity buses: Omio Buses. For long-haul flights, check Trip.com and Kiwi.com.

In three days, you’ll have walked the ancient streets, stood beneath Michelangelo’s frescoes, and eaten like a local. Rome is inexhaustible, but this itinerary captures its essential rhythm—history by day, convivial tables by night. Arrivederci, and alla prossima!