Rome Itinerary: How to Spend 3 Days

Rome is a walkable open-air museum. Wear sturdy shoes for cobblestones, book major sites online to skip lines, and carry a refillable bottle for the city's free drinking fountains.

Day 1: Colosseum and the Forum

Begin early at the Colosseum, the mighty arena of gladiators; a combined ticket covers the next two stops. Walk through the Roman Forum, once the beating heart of the empire, and up Palatine Hill for views over the ruins. In the afternoon, see the Pantheon, with its perfect open dome, free to enter. For dinner in the Monti district, try cacio e pepe, a peppery cheese pasta, or saltimbocca, veal with sage and prosciutto.

Day 2: Vatican City

Dedicate the morning to the Vatican Museums, ending in the Sistine Chapel beneath Michelangelo's ceiling; book the earliest slot you can. Next door, stand inside the vast St. Peter's Basilica and, if you have energy, climb the dome for a panorama of the city. Eat a casual lunch of pizza al taglio, pizza sold by weight. Many trattorias print menus only in Italian, so photographing the page to translate helps you order beyond the tourist staples. Spend the evening strolling the lively Borgo lanes.

Day 3: Trastevere and Trevi

Spend the morning in Trastevere, a charming neighborhood of ivy-draped alleys, artisan shops, and the golden mosaics of Santa Maria church. Cross the river to toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain, then climb the Spanish Steps and window-shop the elegant streets nearby. In the afternoon, relax in the Villa Borghese gardens. For your final dinner, order carbonara and supplì rice croquettes, then close with a scoop of gelato on a piazza as the city glows.

Quick Tips

• Validate bus and tram tickets on board.
• Many churches require covered shoulders and knees.
• Restaurants open late; dinner rarely before 7:30 p.m.
• Tap water from the nasoni fountains is safe and free.

Three days let first-timers cover ancient Rome, Vatican treasures, and the romantic backstreets, with unforgettable pasta at every turn.