How to Spend Three Wonderful Days in Rome

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Planning a trip to Italy’s stunning capital city is a big challenge. There are so many incredible sights and things to do. Rome is big and brash and not afraid to show off it’s beauty. Stuffed to the brim with jaw-dropping buildings and art, Rome is basically one giant museum you can wander through eating gelato. So the biggest problem when planning a trip to Rome, especially for first timers, is simply knowing how to fit everything in. In the end there is the secret truth: you can’t do it all. This is how to spend three incredible days in Rome, without exhausting yourself!

You will find many blogs offering itineraries featuring all the major sights and more. The lists go on and on. It can be overwhelming trying to decide which to choose and which to leave off your list. My itinerary focuses on my personal highlights and my most enjoyable experiences in Rome. After all, travel is not about ticking sights off a list, it is about pleasure. Even so, the itinerary will still be quite full on so prepare yourself. (Mostly by packing loose jeans you’re gonna eat a lot of pasta!)

Note: My itinerary is aimed at first timers to Rome, as I was. It’s also ideal if you’re staying in the centre in the Piazza Navona/Pantheon area as the routes do start from there.

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Day 1 in Rome: City Centre Highlights/Villa Borghese

Top tip: Don’t rush up too early in the morning (unless you want those Instagram crowd-less shots). This may be season dependant. I travelled to Rome in October and the mornings were chilly and there was more atmosphere as the day wore on. If you’re travelling in high season it might be worth starting your day slightly earlier.

Today is mostly about taking it slow and getting a feel for the city. You can wander from sight to sight fairly quickly so there really is no rush. Linger over your lunch and stop for gelato whenever possible!

Piazza Navona

This elegant square is completely different morning to night. You might be able to get more photos of an empty square in the mornings but the lively buzz and the charming lights of the restaurants in the evenings is far more enticing. So I would recommend coming back in the evening to spend more time here.

The Pantheon

A short stroll from Piazza Navona is the awe-inspiring Pantheon. The ancient building looms over the more modern and colourful buildings of Piazza della Rotunda. There’s something quite foreboding and ominous about it. The stone is very dark compared with the fountains and statues you see all over the city. It really makes you feel like a tiny moment in history standing before its ancient walls.

Top tip: If you come on a weekend or public holiday you have to book to go inside.

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The Trevi Fountain

It really does have the wow factor when you turn the corner and see the most famous fountain in the world. It’s no surprise that it’s the centrepiece of films, books and our captive imaginations. It really is beautiful. As a bonus it wasn’t as busy as I expected. There were lots of people milling around but I expected a lot worse.

Piazza di Spagna

Make your way along streets lined with expensive shops and head on past the Spanish Steps. Since this square is so well known I expected a little more wow but it’s a nice square nonetheless. Take a small detour to pop up and down the famous steps as you make your way to Piazza del Popolo. Take Via dei Condotti and Via del Corso for your slice of fabulous shops.

Piazza del Popolo

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If you have taken things nice and slow it may be time for a lunch stop. Venture along one of the smaller streets on the way to Piazza del Popolo. Or rather, if you’re a little early still spend some time in the square before heading back to find a restaurant.

This square is the point where people would enter Rome many years ago. The three main streets strike off from the square in dramatic mirror image.

Piazza del Popolo is an expansive square so it’s nice if you need a breather from the crowds. It’s also a good place to soak up some sun out of the narrow streets. Relax in the square for a while, read a book and then head up to the terrace overlooking the square and pause to enjoy the wonderful views.

Afternoon in Villa Borghese

After a morning wandering through the city it’s time to really relax in the beautiful parkland and gardens of Villa Borghese and enjoy the tranquillity. Park yourself on one of the many grassy areas and read or just take in your surroundings. Listen to the birds (there seemed to be a battle taking place over my head between some parakeets). You will see many others doing the same, relaxing in small groups or walking dogs.

Make sure you visit the lake and maybe rent a paddle boat if you have time.

Villa Borghese Gallery

This is the only part of the day that must have structure! You have to book in advance to see the gallery at the bottom end of the park but it’s worth it. Book it for mid afternoon and you can either head straight there or explore the gardens more first depending on how the itinerary pans out for you.

I can go either way when it comes to galleries and museums but I really enjoyed the Borghese Gallery. It isn’t so big that your eyes start to glaze over. It contained classical pieces that juxtaposed nicely with a collection by Damien Hurst. I know nothing about art but I enjoyed it.

You can find out more information about the Gardens and book a visit to the gallery here.

Alternatively, book a ticket with Get Your Guide (options below).

I had such a relaxing afternoon in Villa Borghese and I strolled back with a chocolate gelato in hand feeling completely content! My gelato was from a small café inside the park so I had reservations (captive audience and all) but it was really delicious!

Finish off the day by heading back to Terrazza del Pincio to enjoy those amazing views one more time. Even better if you catch the sunset!

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Day Two: Ancient Rome and Giardino degli Aranci

I realised after writing this that this itinerary follows a pattern each day: sightseeing around the city in the morning, relaxing in parks or checking out amazing views in the afternoon. Why not? This is ideal for any season to avoid over-cooking in the hot afternoons.

The Colosseum

This part might be a bit controversial: I didn’t love the Colosseum. Now, hear me out.

My issue is I find guided tours really tiring. It’s a busy and crowded attraction, even in shoulder season. Although a guided tour can give you a lot of interesting information to flesh out the sights you see before you I always usually find myself not fully enjoying it in the end. This itinerary is all about enjoyment so I had to be honest.

What I really recommend doing is either booking a ticket for first thing if you can and exploring it by yourself, with the aid of an audio guide or book. Or alternatively, head up there at your leisure, absorb the incredible building from the outside and leave it at that for now.

Book as far ahead in advance as you can, the early slot tickets seem to book up even quicker than the Vatican!

The Colosseum is one of those places that when you’re planning a trip you think you have to see. You have to consider if you are visiting it because you want to or because you think you ought to. If you are someone who loves ruins and ancient sites then by all means, spend the whole day there. However, I think a lot of people are like me and find them underwhelming sometimes. Yes this section is full of controversy I know!

Ultimately I think you need to take your time and see it at your own pace, otherwise your imagination won’t be able to comprehend what was. Take a moment to stand and admire it, to let your mind wander freely.

Once you have taken your fill of the Colosseum in whichever way you choose head to nearby Contrario Vineria Con Cucina for a long restorative lunch.

Piazza Venezia / Campidoglio

You cannot have missed the incredible Altar of the Fatherland looming majestically over the city. The bonus of not wearing yourself out at the Colosseum is you might have more time and stamina to take a trip up onto the terrace for some spectacular views. This goes on my next time in Rome wishlist!

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Explore Campidoglio and its palaces. You can also get some sneaky views of the Roman Forum from the lanes surrounding the square.

The Mouth of Truth

Put this on the silly list. Everyone stands in line to take a photo with their hand in the mouth of a strange face statue. When in Rome… According to legend, the face will bite off the hand of liars. So just be careful! It’s located in the church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin.

Giardino degli Aranci

You will find some non-descript steps leading up the hill which will take you up to this garden. Although it is a well known spot it was very peaceful and chilled with many people sitting under the orange and umbrella trees or hanging out on the walls overlooking the city. There’s nothing worse than a crammed viewpoint where you squeeze in, take one photo then leave. This is a viewpoint you can really enjoy and take in.

If you wander along the street at the back of the gardens you’ll find the Knights of Malta keyhole. You may also find a small queue of people waiting to look through it. This is another one for the silly list but it’s definitely worth it. It feels like a secret garden moment when you peer through and see the dome of St Peter’s Basilica framed between the trees.

Top tip: Don’t bother taking photos! Use your queued up for time to soak up the magic.

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Evening Plans:

If you’re too tired for a full restaurant meal or you’ve simply crammed too much pasta in already, why not grab a takeaway pizza and sit in your nearest piazza and watch the world go by. Piazza Navona was close by for me and a wonderful place to spend the evening.

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Day Three: Vatican City and Trastevere

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If you can, take the route along Via dei Coronari and cross Pont Sant’Angelo towards Castel Sant’Angelo. This is a beautiful walk to take in the morning. Although the Castle looks intriguing we must leave it for another time! Rome’s bounties overflow and we cannot do it all. Rome is a city that leaves you full of longing, you walk past something and think- do I stop, do I take a look – oh but I have a ticket booked for the Colosseum or the Vatican and I must fly! It’s hard to be spontaneous in Rome. This is another reason why I suggest not booking a tour for the Colosseum, you want to keep your bookings to a minimum to allow for some degree of spontaneity.

When you get to the Vatican it’s really easy to get confused about where you need to be. I had booked a ticket to the museums online and although the ticket came with a little picture of the entrance it really didn’t tell me much. If in doubt ask one of the many policemen standing around at the periphery and they will point you in the right direction – the Museum entrance is a long way around the walls.

I really enjoyed the Museums (possibly because I wasn’t doing a guided tour). The Gallery of Maps and the Sistine Chapel are the biggest highlights. Once again take your time and don’t rush through it. Afterwards you can sit in the lovely gardens and relax with a drink for a few minutes. I was surprised by how peaceful it was!

There is a lot to see in the Vatican City so you would need to set aside a whole day to do everything. I was tempted to book to go up the Dome but I felt there were many beautiful viewpoints free of charge in Rome. It’s also one of those cases where the best views are the ones with the Basilica in anyway.

An Afternoon in Trastevere

From the Vatican it’s easy to wander up to Belvedere del Gianicolo. There is a short climb but compared to the views on offer it didn’t seem so huge. The main plus is that it’s a relaxing area with lots of trees and not many other people around. When you’re ready head back down through upper Trastevere. This is where you’ll find the really cute streets laden with vines, cute cats and enticing restaurants. It’s the perfect time to enjoy a late lunch.

Evening Plans

On your final day head back to your hotel early to get showered and changed. You’re going to finish your stay in Rome with a bang. Book a glamorous rooftop terrace and watch the sun set over Rome one last time. I highly recommend the terrace of hotel Eitch Borromini – the views are sensational. It’s worth the expensive cocktail for sure.

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These are some of my highlights in Rome…

Favourite Restaurants

Da Gino al Parlamento – Near Piazza Navona

I went here on my first evening and they were really friendly and squeezed me in even though I didn’t have a reservation. The carbonara was delicious!

Virginae – Near Piazza Navona

I had a great lasagne here but it was the Tirasmisu that really stood out. It was my favourite in Rome!

Osteria Cacio e Pepe – Trastevere

I sat down here after being enticed by all the tempting restaurants and I was not disappointed! The bucatini amatriciana was so good!

Favourite Views

It has to be Terazza del Pincio overlooking Piazza del Popolo. It’s a busy spot but it’s still relaxing. There’s no queue and it’s easy to get to. I really loved my whole afternoon in Villa Borghese so I would put the entire area on my highlights list.

Favourite Area

Trastevere really is the cute cobbled streets I adore. I would have loved to stay there so maybe next time. If you chose somewhere fairly close to the river you wouldn’t be so far off the main city centre sights either. Speaking of which I’m a water girl so I loved any glimpse of the Tiber.

My top tips and final thoughts on Rome:

• Pack your comfiest shoes! I love these Asics trainers – soo comfy!
• Eat as much pasta, tiramisu and gelato as possible. You won’t regret it.
• Take it slow whenever possible.
• Focus on activities/places you will enjoy e.g. I’m a nature lover so I put in all the parks!

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