The Vittoriano Monument has some of the most incredible views of Rome. I highly recommend booking tickets here for sunset, you can see the light during sunset as it hits the Colosseum, surrounding city, and mountains in the background makes for an incredible photo opportunity!

Rome is one of the most iconic cities in Italy. Whether it’s your first time in Italy or you’re connecting to other cities or the Italian coast, it’s such a great city to visit. Even though I’ve visited Rome a few times, I always love learning about its history, wandering the picture-perfect alleys, and eating all the delicious Italian food. In this post, I’ll even share one of my favorite experiences in Rome, riding on the back of a Vespa and exploring a hidden gem I’ve never even seen on social media. Whether you’re spending 3 days in Rome, Italy or even longer like 5 days in Rome, here are the best things to see and do in Rome!

3 Days in Rome Italy: A Complete Guide

Best Time to Visit Rome

The best time to visit Rome, Italy, is in the spring and fall. Traveling during these shoulder seasons means fewer crowds and milder, tolerable temperatures. Keep in mind, September is viewed as an extension of summer and can also be very crowded. My husband and I traveled to Rome in mid-September and it was still fairly crowded. October might be less crowded.

Is Rome expensive for tourists?

During the shoulder seasons, you can find better deals on flights and accommodations. Rome is not cheap, but it only makes sense as it’s one of the most popular cities in Italy! It’s also important to note- never carry large amounts of cash on you. Pickpocketing in Rome is VERY common. After reading this itinerary, scroll to the end for more information on how to avoid pickpockets.

Are 3 days enough in Rome?

3 days is enough time to spend in Rome to see the Colosseum, the Vatican, St. Peter’s, and some of the picturesque neighborhoods. You will also have plenty of time to indulge in Rome’s delicious pasta dishes! Keep reading for the perfect itinerary!

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This is one of the quaint neighborhoods in Rome near the Colosseum that my husband and I stumbled upon when trying to get lost one afternoon. This neighborhood had plenty of narrow, cobblestone walkways with four story buildings on either side in the traditional Roman hues of yellow, orange, and brown. The shutters are a mix of brown and colorful greens and blues. There was also a small, ancient looking fountain right in the middle of the pedestrian walkway, you will actually find the water from the fountains is Rome is drinkable!

3 days in Rome Italy Itinerary Overview

Day 1

Leonardo Express train to Trastevere • Trattoria da Enzo 29 • Trastevere neighborhood • The Colosseum (including the Underground, Forum, and Palatine Hill)

Day 2

The Vatican (early morning tour includes entry to Sistine Chapel) • Vatican museum • Terrazza Les Étoiles Roma or Forno Monteforte • Spanish Steps

Day 3

Trevi Fountain by 6 am • Cab to St. Peter’s • Galleria Doria Pamphilj • Vespa tour • Giardini di Palazzo Venezia • Poldo e Gianna Osteria

This is the beautiful neighborhood of Trastevere with this narrow street lined with cobblestone and surrounded on either side by four story buildings with a Roman color red/orange hue, brown shutters, and foliage cascading down the side. It is one of the best areas to stay in Rome for 3 days.

Best Place to Stay in Rome

Best Neighborhood in Rome

After extensive research, I can say without a doubt the best place to stay in Rome is the Trastevere neighborhood. This area offers flexibility with budget and is easily accessible by transport, including buses and taxis. You’ll find incredible restaurants and bars in Trastevere, as well as a vibrant nightlife. It’s also not as crowded compared to other popular areas to stay in Rome. Here’s a complete guide to all the best places to stay in Trastevere and Rome.

Where to Stay in Rome for 3 Days

Rome is an expensive city to stay in, especially if you’re staying anywhere near the city center. The prices of hotels can fluctuate drastically between seasons and even on different days of the week. If you’re only staying 3 days in Rome, Italy, I would recommend staying in the city center if it’s within your budget. If it’s not, the Trastevere neighborhood is perfect for your Rome itinerary.

Hands down, one of the best places to stay in Rome is Hotel Campo de’ Fiori $$

Roma Central Guest House $$ • Colosseum Charme Apartments $$ • Hotel Hiberia $$$ • H10 Palazzo Galla $$$-$$$$ • FH55 Grand Hotel Palatino $$$

Where to Stay in Rome for 5 Days in Trastevere

San Cosimato 40 Guesthouse $$ • Trastevere Royal Suite Trilussa $$-$$$ • Donna Camilla Savelli $$$ • Relais Le Clarisse $-$$ • Residenza Delle Arti $-$$

On the Outskirts of Rome

The Hoxton $$ • Adventor Eco-Suites $$ • Babuino 181 $$

Does planning a trip to Rome feel overwhelming? Contact me since I am a travel advisor and work with some of the best and most luxurious properties and networks around the world!

This is one of the best views of the Roman Colosseum, you can find it at Giardinetto del Monte Oppio. This will give you an elevated view of the back of the Colosseum with foliage in the foreground making it a lovely photo spot. If you stay in the Centro Storico area of Rome you'll be only a twenty minute walk from here. Whether you're spending 3 days in Rome Italy or even longer like 5 days in Rome, you have to add this to your itinerary!

Day 1: Explore the Colosseum and Trastevere neighborhood

Have lunch at Trattoria da Enzo 29

After catching an early flight to Rome, you can take the Leonardo Express train to ‘Roma Trastevere’ and then a bus to Trastevere. Since we wanted to be at Trattoria da Enzo 29 when they opened, we headed straight there with our luggage. This was one of the most recommended restaurants in Rome, and one of my favorites that we ate at. My husband loved his arrabbiata, and nothing else in Rome compared.

We arrived at the restaurant twenty minutes before they opened, and there was already a short line. I’m glad we arrived when we did, otherwise, we would have been waiting much longer. Whether you are spending 3 days in Rome, Italy, or 5 days in Rome, put this restaurant on your list!

Wander around the Trastevere neighborhood

After lunch, wander around the neighborhood of Trastevere. Trastevere is one of the most beautiful and best places to stay in Rome. Get lost in the alleyways or enjoy one of the many other restaurants. Nannarella is a fan favorite and has over 30,000 reviews on Google! There are many wonderful restaurants in Trastevere, including VII Coprte, Antica Osteria Rugantino, and the Mexican-influenced Pico’s Taqueria. You can find the most delicious gelato at Gelateria Regusto.

Take a Guided tour of the Colosseum

After you’ve loaded yourself with pasta, walk it off at the Colosseum. My husband had been to the Colosseum many years ago, but they recently opened a new tour underneath the Colosseum. This was on my husband’s bucket list, and we pre-booked with Get Your Guide. There are multiple types of tours for all budgets. Unfortunately, compared to other European countries I’ve traveled to, Italy is the most ‘scammy’ so be careful to book with a reputable company like Get Your Guide.

More about our Rome Colosseum tour

Here’s the specific tour we booked for the Colosseum, Forum, and Palatine Hill. Our tour length was around three hours in total. It was a thorough tour, but if you only have 3 days in Rome, Itay, you can skip the Forum and Palatine Hill.

Be very careful when booking tours

Since we booked our tour with Get Your Guide, when we encountered an issue with the local tour company, I called their support team and got help immediately. When we arrived for our Colosseum tour, the local tour company changed the time without notifying us. They were extremely rude, blaming Get Your Guide for not informing us when Get Your Guide was never informed either. The local company refused to add us to their next tour closest to our scheduled time, and wouldn’t book us until later in the day, when it clashed with our schedule. They also refused to reimburse us so we could book a different tour ourselves. Get Your Guide refunded us without a problem and booked us with a different tour later that same day with another tour company.

Enjoy the sunset at the Vittoriano Monument

If you’re looking for one of the best views of Rome, Italy, head to the top of the Victor Emmanuel II National Monument. The panoramic terrace offers incredible views of Rome. I would highly recommend visiting during sunset; pre-book tickets here.

The Vatican Museum is absolutely massive and here's one of the beautiful rooms inside, all the floors are made with different mosaic marble, the walls have intricate decor, and of course the ceiling has intricate murals and detailing. This specific room is also lined with statues on either side, careful not to block the large windows that are allowing so much incredible morning light through.

Day 2: Spend the day at the Vatican and see the Spanish Steps

Book the early Vatican tour, you won’t regret it!

After extensive research, here’s the BEST way to see the Vatican: book your tickets here! This tour will be the first of the day, starting at 7:30 am before the museum opens to the general public! The specific tour is called the Prime Experience- Vatican Museums. This tour included a visit to the Sistine Chapel, was extremely educational, had the perfect group size, and even included breakfast around 10 am in the museum courtyard to end the tour.

This tour even includes the Sistine Chapel!

What we loved about this tour was that it allowed us inside the museum before it opened to the crowds for the day. The group was the perfect size, and it was an intimate and crowd-free way to see the Vatican-especially the Sistine Chapel! There isn’t just one available tour at this time, but multiple. The guides do a great job starting in different areas of the museum, so you will rarely overlap with other groups at the same time.

Where to start the Vatican tour

Start this tour at the general public entrance to the Vatican on the north side near the Vatican Museums in Viale Vaticano. Since it was an early morning, we took a taxi from our hotel in Trastevere. Make sure to bring your voucher and comfortable walking shoes. The instructions stated to arrive early, and we chose to arrive one hour early to get some breakfast and coffee in the surrounding neighborhood. Even though there were plenty of shops open in the area around 6 am, many were very touristy. I guess that makes sense right? It’s the Vatican!

Walk the Spanish Steps

Have an early dinner or drinks at Hotel de Russie. This hotel has the most beautiful garden terrace I’ve ever seen. They also have the most stunningly decorated greenhouse, where you can also book a table. The surrounding neighborhood is so charming, it was one of my favorite neighborhoods in Rome that we visited.

Everything you need to know before visiting the Vatican

You’ll need to pass through Security

Once you’re allowed through the general public entrance, you will pass through metal detectors and a bag check. After you pass through security, find the Guided Tours Desk. You’ll need to present your vouchers or tickets at this time and will be assigned to different groups with your guide. As I mentioned before, multiple tours happen simultaneously, but you rarely see the other groups during your tour. There were around eight to ten groups in total, each with around twenty people.

Dress appropriately

It’s important you are dressed appropriately before entering the Vatican. All visitors need their shoulders and legs covered past their knees. The guards and security will turn visitors away if they’re not appropriately dressed. These instructions, as well as other instructions, were given to us when we purchased our Vatican tour tickets, so don’t worry!

The Museum can be overwhelming

There is so much in the Vatican Museum to explore, it’s overwhelming! Your tour tickets will include entry to the museum after you’ve completed your guided tour. Our guide was able to mention a few things to see in the museum, but I would research what you want to see before visiting.

Take the shortcut to the Basilica

There is a shortcut to the Basilica if you want to tour it then. Even though we wanted to use this shortcut, any time the Pope is on site for public prayer or other events, the shortcut isn’t open to the public. Usually, public prayer is every Wednesday morning. The Vatican Gardens were another area of the massive complex and country I would have loved to see! The Gardens, however, require separate tickets with a guided tour and are only offered on certain days of the week.

Want to VIP yourself for your next booking at this luxurious hotel? Contact me since I am a travel advisor and work with some of the best and most luxurious properties and networks around the world!

This hidden gem of a museum called Galleria Doria Pampilj and this hall reminded me a bit of the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles. Instead of mirrors lining both sides of the long corridor, there are floor to ceiling windows. There are candelabras in between each window to give the effect of mirrors. The ornate frescos or paintings along the ceiling include the archways around the windows. There are also sculptures lining the hall, and everything is covered in ornate gold decor that makes this such a beautiful museum to visit in Rome, and you'll avoid the crowds!

Day 3: Visit the Trevi Fountain and St. Peter’s Basilica

Arrive at the Trevi Fountain by 6 am

If you want to see the Trevi Fountain without the crowds you’ll need to be up early. I couldn’t believe when we arrived around 5:30 am, there were already quite a few people, and it was still dark! We didn’t even stay until the sun came up, as it was honestly getting more crowded as the minutes passed. If you’re spending only 3 days in Rome, Italy and can’t fit it into your itinerary, I wouldn’t worry, as I can’t seem to find why it’s so popular in the first place!

Visit St. Peter’s Basilica by 7 am

After seeing the Trevi Fountain, grab an Uber to St. Peter’s by 7 am. This is usually when they open for the day, and it’s best to be there a little before. We arrived around 6:30 am, and there was already a line. Sometimes opening times change based on events, so visit their website before visiting. It’s free to visit St. Peter’s, but you can also access the domes on certain days for a fee. You can buy these tickets on site if they’re open that day. We did this after we had strolled around the basilica for a bit, and the line wasn’t too long. You will find the line to purchase tickets just to the left of the main entrance.

Similar to the Vatican, you will need to dress appropriately and have your shoulders and knees covered. The guards will ask you to leave if you’re not decent! If you can’t arrive early when the Basilica opens and you need to stand in line, be aware of pickpockets; this is a prime target for them. Keep reading to the end for how to avoid being pickpocketed in Rome.

Marvel at the Galleria Doria Pampilj

This next spot was one of my favorites in Rome. Almost like an oasis from the crowds, this museum is stunning and one of the best things to do in Rome. This was a private home owned by powerful Italian families, but it feels like a palace. It had been passed on through the last 500 years and includes centuries of old artwork and splendor. The house itself is a piece of art! This museum dates back to the 16th century and reminded me of Versailles in a way, but on a much smaller scale. This palace was not at all crowded and simply stunning. Whether you’re spending 3 days in Rome, Italy, or 5 days in Rome, this has to be on your list!

You do not need to pre-book tickets for this museum. After you’ve visited, find the hidden garden Giardini di Palazzo Venezia. This is another oasis from the crowds and such a hidden gem!

Hop on a Vespa tour!

Rome Vespa tours can be expensive, but this one through Get Your Guide was worth it! Unless you have your motorcycle license, you won’t be able to operate a Vespa by yourself in Rome. This Vespa tour also allows you to see more of the city, especially if you only have 3 days in Rome, Italy!

Enjoy your last dinner at Poldo e Giana Osteria

Enjoy your last night in Italy at a Michelin-star restaurant with delicious food that’s extremely reasonably priced. Sit on the garden patio under fairy lights for the most romantic evening. The food here is delicious, and it serves some of the best tiramisu in Rome, Italy!

This was a hidden gem we wandered into in Rome, and it was free from crowds! This garden was surrounded by a Roman, two story arcade building in light stone. You'll find a large fountain with sculptures in the center.

5 Days in Rome Italy Itinerary

If you’re spending a little longer in Rome, here are some additional best things to do in Rome to add to your itinerary!

The Pantheon • The Colonna Garden on the Quirinal Hill • Castel Sant’Angelo • Piazza Navona Villa Borghese • Piazza del Popolo

How to Get Around Rome

Rome is a large city, and because of its historical ruins, its transport system is situated towards the outskirts of the city. The joke is that every time Rome attempts to expand the metro, it encounters unexpected historical ruins and is unable to continue construction. If you want to spend 3 days in Rome, Italy, or 5 days in Rome, the best way to get around, especially near the city center, is by walking. Bring your comfortable shoes since you will be walking a lot! We used public scooters a few times, instead of paying for a taxi or an Uber.

Be Aware of Pickpockets!

The bus system is great to use for airport transport, but not a good way to get around the city. We took the bus only once in Rome, returning from the Vatican, and this is when I was pickpocketed. Be forewarned, pickpocketing is HUGE in Rome and Italy in general. A common target for pickpockets is tourists on crowded buses coming from popular tourist sites like the Vatican or the Basilica. They will also target you if you’re standing in long lines to enter these same sites, so be very careful!.

How to avoid being Pickpocketed

To avoid being pickpocketed, wear a guarded bag across the front of your body or keep a lock on it at all times. Unfortunately, I had a small purse I was wearing right across my chest, and even on a busy bus, I was pickpocketed and had absolutely no idea. The only way to avoid pickpocketing is to carry a backpack or purse with a lock. I advise you never to carry large amounts of cash or your passport with you. It’s also best to keep your phone on a chain around your wrist or locked in your bag.

What to do if you’re pickpocketed in Rome

If you’re pickpocketed in Rome, go to the police station and file a report. We tried two different stations because no one was available to help us at the first station. The process to file a report can take a few hours; in my situation, it took three hours. The Italian officers spoke very little English, so a translation app on your phone would be helpful. Depending on what was stolen from you, call your credit card company immediately to cancel the cards. The pickpockets in Italy are usually only looking for cash, so it’s best to always travel without a large amount. It’s also best to only carry one credit card with you, but bring multiple when you travel. I would also never carry your passport, but only a paper copy or another form of identification.

Best Restaurants in Rome Italy

Breakfast at La Casa del Caffè Tazza d’Oro: This breakfast spot is close to the Pantheon. Their coffee and espresso were delicious, as well as maritozzi cream buns!

Trattoria da Enzo 29: This is one of the best Italian restaurants we ate at in Rome, but is small and very popular. If you plan to add this to your itinerary during 3 days in Rome, Italy, make arrive a bit before they open. If you don’t, you will be waiting!

Mimi e Coco: This restaurant is also right near the Pantheon. It was fun to sit outside and people-watch. It is highly recommended, known for its amatriciana, which we tried but didn’t blow us away.

Forno Monteforte: A bit off the beaten path, this restaurant had the most delicious pizza. It has more of a cafe vibe, but we enjoyed an early dinner here with pizza and beer!

Hotel de Russie: This five-star hotel has a lovely garden terrace and is a true oasis in the city. Even if you’re not staying at this hotel, you can book in to have dinner or drinks there!

Poldo e Giana Osteria: This Michelin-starred restaurant is extremely reasonably priced and worth a visit! You will need a booking. If you’re interested, ask to be seated outside, the terrace is lovely and romantic!

Lunch at Forno Campo di Fiori : This bakery serves the best sandwiches and arancini. It’s located right off a square, and if you’re lucky, you may visit on a market day!

Best Rooftop restaurants in Rome Italy

Terrazza Les Étoiles Roma • Ceilo Terrace • Ambrosia Rooftop Restaurant & Bar • AcquaRoof Terrazza Molinari • Bistrot Di Mare • The Vista Rooftop Club