Rome is a living palimpsest—layered with Etruscan foundations, imperial grandeur, Renaissance genius, and the neighborhood rhythms of today. Founded (legend says) in 753 BCE, the “Eternal City” still centers daily life around piazzas, fountains, and the meal shared with friends. In three days, you can trace a timeline from gladiators to Michelangelo to the modern Roman table.

Fun facts to prime your wanderings: Rome has more than 900 churches, a cat sanctuary among ancient ruins at Largo di Torre Argentina, and over 2,500 nasoni—free public water fountains with crisp, potable water. Major sights like the Colosseum and Vatican now rely on timed tickets; book ahead to save precious hours. Churches enforce modest dress (covered shoulders and knees), and some sites close on Sundays or religious holidays—plan accordingly.

Expect to walk a lot over cobblestones; pack supportive shoes and a light scarf for churches. For transit, the metro and buses are useful, but many historic sights are close together—your feet will be your best guide. Reserve popular trattorie, watch for pickpockets in crowds, and keep gelato standards high: natural colors, seasonal flavors, and metal tubs often signal the good stuff.

Rome

Rome’s topography is a stage: seven hills, theatrical ruins, and baroque vistas made for dramatic sunsets. The Colosseum and Roman Forum deliver the empire’s pulse; the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica distill centuries of faith and art; neighborhoods like Trastevere and Monti supply trattorie, craft shops, and espresso bars to linger in between.

• Don’t-miss sights: Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Capitoline Museums.
• Essential tastes: Cacio e pepe, carbonara, amatriciana, carciofi alla giudia (in season), supplì, pizza al taglio, maritozzi, and gelato made with real fruit and nuts.
• Great coffee stops: Sant’Eustachio Il Caffè (classic), Roscioli Caffè (pastries + espresso), Pergamino (specialty coffee near the Vatican).

Where to stay (Hotels.com/VRBO picks):

• Hotel de Russie, a Rocco Forte Hotel — Iconic garden oasis off Piazza del Popolo; elegant rooms, refined service, great for walkers.
• Hotel Eden, Dorchester Collection — Hilltop views and a rooftop bar-restaurant perfect for sunset over Rome’s domes.
• Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel — Art-filled resort vibe above the city with stellar pool and spa; shuttle into center.
• Hotel Santa Maria — Trastevere hideaway with citrus courtyard; intimate and atmospheric.
• Kolbe Hotel Rome — Near the Forum with garden breakfast and easy access to ancient Rome.
• Hotel Mascagni — Solid boutique option near Repubblica; walkable to Termini and the center.
• The Beehive — Stylish budget base near Termini with friendly vibe and simple rooms.
• Search Rome vacation rentals on VRBO — Apartments in Monti, Trastevere, or near Piazza Navona place you steps from sights.
• Browse Rome hotels on Hotels.com — Filter by neighborhood, breakfast, and walk score.

Getting to Rome and around: Fly into Fiumicino (FCO) or Ciampino (CIA). From FCO, the Leonardo Express train to Termini takes ~32 minutes (~€14), regional trains are ~45 minutes (~€8), SIT/TerranVision buses ~45–60 minutes (~€7), and official taxis are a fixed ~€50 to central Rome. Metro lines A/B, trams, and buses cover most areas; buy 100-minute BIT tickets (~€1.50) or day passes. For bookings: Omio (flights to/from Europe), Omio (trains in Europe), and Omio (buses in Europe). Flying long-haul from outside Europe? Compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Sample train times: Florence–Rome ~1h30 (High-speed, ~€20–€50), Naples–Rome ~1h10 (from ~€20), Milan–Rome ~3h (from ~€35).

Day 1: Arrival, Centro Storico Icons, and a Roman Welcome

Morning: Travel into Rome and drop bags at your hotel or VRBO. From FCO, the Leonardo Express is the fastest into Termini, while a taxi is easiest with luggage (fixed fare ~€50). If you arrive early, refuel with a maritozzo (whipped-cream brioche) and espresso at Roscioli Caffè near Campo de’ Fiori, or try Sant’Eustachio for a classic Roman caffè.

Afternoon: Start at the Pantheon—Rome’s best-preserved ancient temple (now a church). Its concrete dome and oculus still defy logic; tickets are timed and inexpensive. Wander to Piazza Navona to admire Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers, then savor gelato at Gelateria del Teatro or the historic Giolitti (pistachio and crema are standouts). Pop into the Church of San Luigi dei Francesi to see Caravaggio’s Contarelli Chapel paintings—free and breathtaking.

Evening: Aperitivo near Campo de’ Fiori at Il Goccetto (hundreds of bottles by the glass) or Salotto 42 by the Temple of Hadrian. Dinner picks: Armando al Pantheon (book ahead; textbook cacio e pepe and seasonal Roman dishes), Emma (thin-crust Roman pizza with top-notch toppings), or Da Enzo al 29 in Trastevere (queue moves quickly; try the amatriciana and burrata). Cap the night with a Trevi Fountain coin toss, then climb the Spanish Steps for a late skyline glow.

Day 2: Colosseum, Ancient Rome, and Trastevere by Night

Morning: Dive into antiquity with a guided Colosseum experience that also unlocks the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. We recommend:

Colosseum Underground & Ancient Rome Guided Tour — small-group access offers richer storytelling and, on select departures, a special arena perspective.

After your tour, linger on Via dei Fori Imperiali, then explore Monti—an artisans’ quarter with ivy-draped alleys. Coffee and pastry at La Casetta (postcard-perfect) or a maritozzo at Pasticceria Regoli (a short detour) hit the spot.

Afternoon: Lunch near Monti: La Taverna dei Fori Imperiali (family-run; tagliolini al limone, seasonal specials), Pasta Chef Monti (fast, fresh handmade pasta), or a slice at Trieste Pizza (Roman-style pizza al taglio). Continue to the Capitoline Museums for classical sculpture, the equestrian Marcus Aurelius, and a terrace view over the Forum that frames your morning’s walk through time. If you prefer open air, take the gentle climb to the Orange Garden (Giardino degli Aranci) for a sunset preview.

Evening: Eat your way through Trastevere with a top-rated guided tasting stroll:

Winner 2025 Rome Twilight Trastevere Food Tour by Eating Europe — an expertly curated circuit of salumi, supplì, Roman pastas, and sweets with neighborhood history in between. Expect ~4 hours.

DIY alternative: start with supplì at Supplizio, then carbonara at Flavio al Velavevodetto (Testaccio; short taxi or bus), craft beer at Ma Che Siete Venuti a Fà, and gelato at Otaleg or Gelateria del Viale. Stroll the Tiber Island and Ponte Sisto for river reflections.

Day 3: Vatican Masterpieces, Dome Views, and Departure

Morning: Book an early entry to beat crowds. This comprehensive guided experience uses a partner entrance to maximize your time:

Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter’s Basilica Guided Tour — see the Gallery of Maps, Raphael Rooms, and Michelangelo’s ceiling, then continue into St. Peter’s.

Dress code reminder: shoulders and knees covered. If time allows post-tour, climb the St. Peter’s Dome for an unforgettable city panorama (elevator + stairs option).

Afternoon: Quick-bite options near the Vatican: Bonci Pizzarium (inventive pizza al taglio by the slice), Pergamino Caffè (specialty coffee), or Pastasciutta (fresh pasta to go). Stroll across Ponte Sant’Angelo toward Piazza Navona if you have a spare hour. Retrieve your bags and head to the airport: train ~32 minutes from Termini to FCO, bus ~45–60 minutes, taxi ~€50 to FCO (~€31 to CIA within city limits).

Evening: Departure day—if you have a late flight, fit in a last whirl of the Trevi–Quirinale–Via del Corso triangle for shopping and one final espresso.

Optional swap-in (great with kids, limited mobility, or tight schedules):

Explore Rome on a Golf Cart: Private Tour — cover major highlights and hidden corners quickly with a local guide; ideal for your first morning or late afternoon.

More great eats to bookmark: For trattoria classics, try Cesare al Casaletto (worth the tram ride) or Trattoria Da Teo (Trastevere). For contemporary flair, Osteria Fernanda near Porta Portese riffs on Roman flavors. Pizza lovers shouldn’t miss Seu Pizza Illuminati (creative pies) or 180g Pizzeria Romana (crunchy Roman style). For sweets, find maritozzi at Il Maritozzo Rosso and tiramisu at Two Sizes.

Ticketing and timing tips: Reserve the Colosseum and Vatican as far ahead as possible (morning slots are calmest). Many museums close Monday afternoons; the Vatican Museums are typically closed on Sundays except last Sundays with special hours. Carry a refillable bottle for Rome’s nasoni fountains, and keep small coins for church donations.

Need alternative tours?

• Colosseum Arena Floor, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill Guided Tour

• Skip the Line Vatican, Sistine Chapel and Basilica Guided Tour

Getting onward: Trains from Roma Termini whisk you to Florence (~1h30), Naples (~1h10), and Milan (~3h). Compare routes and fares on Omio trains; for European flights try Omio flights. Intercity buses can be a bargain—see Omio buses.

Summary: In three days, you’ve walked the arena where crowds once roared, stood beneath Michelangelo’s ceiling, and tasted the soul of Rome in its trattorie and twilight lanes. This itinerary balances headline sights with local flavor so you leave with both masterpieces and memories in your camera—and a shortlist of reasons to return.