Explore Rome in 3 Days - Free Trip Template

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This 3-day itinerary is a simple plan for your trip to Rome. It covers the major sights like the Colosseum, Pantheon, and Vatican City, along with scenic spots and lively piazzas. Use this itinerary as a starting point to build a trip that suits your travel style. Each day also includes alternative options you can swap in.

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Quick Travel Tips for Rome

• Book major attractions like the Colosseum and Vatican Museums in advance to skip long lines.

• Wear comfortable shoes—Rome’s cobblestone streets and historic sites involve a lot of walking.

• Beware of pickpockets, especially in crowded areas.

• Dress modestly when visiting churches; shoulders and knees should be covered.

• Always double-check opening days before your visit—Many museums in Rome are closed on Mondays.

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Day 1

Morning: Colosseum + Roman Forum + Palatine Hill

🔑 Key Activities

• Explore the interior and exterior of the Colosseum

• Walk through the ancient ruins of the Roman Forum

• Climb Palatine Hill for panoramic views and imperial palace remains

Start your trip at the Colosseum—the most iconic symbol of ancient Rome. This amphitheater once hosted gladiator fights, and wild animal hunts for over 50,000 spectators. You can walk around the upper levels and explore the underground area where they transported gladiators and animals to the arena.

Right next to the Colosseum is the Roman Forum, the heart of daily life in ancient Rome. This archaeological site is packed with ancient temples, arches, and remnants of buildings. From there, head uphill to Palatine Hill; according to legend, this is where Romulus founded the city. Today, it offers breathtaking views of the Forum and Circus Maximus.

🗒️ Important Notes

• Hours: Daily from 9:00 AM to 7:15 PM (last admission at 6:15 PM)

• Ticket: One ticket includes access to the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. Consider booking online in advance

• Expect a lot of walking on uneven paths

• Expect large crowds, especially at the Colosseum

Afternoon: Capitoline Museums + Monument to Victor Emmanuel II

🔑 Key Activities

• Explore ancient Roman sculptures and Renaissance masterpieces at the Capitoline Museums

• Admire the architecture and climb the terraces of the Monument to Victor Emmanuel II

The Capitoline Museums are the world’s oldest public museums, founded in 1471. The collection is a treasure trove of Roman antiquities like the Capitoline Wolf, the Colossus of Constantine. The museum’s layout, partly designed by Michelangelo, is an attraction in itself.

Right nearby is the Monument to Victor Emmanuel II. Built to honor the first king of unified Italy. It stands out with its white marble facade, towering columns, and bronze statues. You can climb or take an elevator to the Quadrigas Terrace for one of the best panoramic views in Rome.

🗒️ Important Notes

• Capitoline Museums Hours: Open daily from 9:30 AM to 7:30 PM (last entry at 6:30 PM); closed on major holidays

• Capitoline Museums Ticket: Can be purchased online to avoid waiting

• No large bags allowed in either site; storage is available at the museum entrance

Evening: Trastevere

🔑 Key Activities

• Visit the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere

• Stroll through the charming cobblestone streets of Trastevere

• Enjoy dinner or an aperitivo at one of the district’s lively piazzas or trattorias

Make your way across the Tiber River to Trastevere, one of Rome’s most atmospheric neighborhoods. Start at the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere, one of the city’s oldest churches, with origins dating back to the 4th century. Known for its golden mosaics from the 12th-century.

After visiting the basilica, spend the evening around Trastevere’s narrow alleyways, lined with colorful buildings, and lively vibe. There are plenty of casual places to eat, drink, or just hang out in open squares like Piazza di Santa Maria.

🗒️ Important Notes

• Basilica of Santa Maria Hours: Generally open daily from around 7:30 AM to 9:00 PM

• Dress: Modest dress is required

• Evening is a popular time, so dinner reservations are recommended, especially on weekends

📍 Other Nearby Options:

• Janiculum Hill offers one of the best views of Rome. This area is home to beautiful gardens, fountains like the Gianicolo Fountain. It’s an excellent spot for quiet break.

• Isola Tiberina is a small island in the middle of the Tiber River. Known for its historic church and riverside cafes. It’s perfect for a leisurely walk and enjoy the river views.

• Circus Maximus, once the largest chariot racing stadium in ancient Rome, is now a public park. You can walk around, see remnants of the grand arena still visible.

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Day 2

Morning: St. Peter’s Basilica + Vatican Museums + Sistine Chapel

🔑 Key Activities

• Visit St. Peter’s Basilica and climb to the dome for a panoramic view

• Explore the vast Vatican Museums, home to centuries of art and artifacts

• Witness Michelangelo’s masterpiece on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel

Begin your second day in Vatican City, the world’s smallest country and center of the Catholic Church. First stop is St. Peter’s Basilica, one of the largest churches in the world. Inside, you’ll find Bernini’s bronze baldachin, Michelangelo’s Pietà, and intricate mosaics that cover nearly every surface.

Next, head to the Vatican Museums, a vast complex of galleries and halls that collect one of the most important art collections in the world. Highlights include the Gallery of Maps, the Raphael Rooms, classical sculptures, and various Renaissance treasures. The visit ends at the Sistine Chapel, where Michelangelo’s ceiling and Last Judgment fresco art and human expression.

🗒️ Important Notes

• Book tickets well in advance for the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel

• St. Peter’s Basilica is free, but there may be long lines

• Hours: Vatican Museums open at 8:00 AM (closed on Sundays, except last Sunday of the month with free entry); St. Peter’s Basilica opens around 7:00 AM

• Modest dress is required for all Vatican sites

• Expect crowds, especially in the mid-morning

Afternoon: Pantheon + Piazza Navona

🔑 Key Activities

• Step inside the ancient Roman Pantheon and admire its massive dome

• Relax at Piazza Navona, surrounded by fountains, artists, and baroque architecture

The Pantheon, the best-preserved monuments of ancient Rome. Originally a pagan temple, is now a church. Its massive dome remains the largest unreinforced concrete dome ever constructed with an open oculus in the center. Inside, you’ll find tombs of notable figures like Renaissance artist Raphael.

Just a few minutes away is Piazza Navona, one of Rome’s most beautiful and lively squares. The piazza is now home to three stunning fountains, including Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers, cafes, artists, and street performers. It’s a great stop to sit back and take in the city’s charm.

🗒️ Important Notes

• The Pantheon Ticket: around €5

• The Pantheon Hours: usually from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM

• Piazza Navona is open 24/7, free to visit, and most vibrant in the afternoon and early evening

• Be aware of tourist pricing at restaurants directly on the square—better value can be found on nearby side streets

Evening: Campo de’ Fiori

🔑 Key Activities

• Explore the lively Campo de’ Fiori square and its surrounding streets

• Enjoy dinner or drinks at one of the many traditional Roman trattorias or bars

Campo de’ Fiori, is a bustling market in the morning, and by the evening it’s full of people eating, drinking, and hanging out. At its center is statue of Giordano Bruno, a philosopher who was executed here in 1600s. The area around is packed with restaurants, wine bars, and cafes, making it a perfect spot for dinner or a late-night drink.

🗒️ Important Notes

• Most restaurants begin to fill up after 7:30 PM

• Reservations are a good idea if you want to dine at popular spots, especially on weekends

📍 Other Nearby Options:

• Largo di Torre Argentina is a archaeological site located in the heart of Rome. The area contains the ruins of four ancient Roman temples and the Curia of Pompey, where Julius Caesar was assassinated. It also home to a cat sanctuary, where hundreds of cats roam freely around the ruins.

• Castel Sant’Angelo is a historic fortress located along the Tiber River. Originally built as a tomb for Emperor Hadrian and later became a fortress and papal residence. Visitors can tour the museum, walk the old escape route to the Vatican, and head to the rooftop for the best views in Rome.

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Day 3

Morning: Trevi Fountain + Spanish Steps

🔑 Key Activities

• Toss a coin into the iconic Trevi Fountain for good luck

• Climb the Spanish Steps and take in the view from the Trinità dei Monti church

Start your last day at one of the city’s most beloved landmarks, the Trevi Fountain. This 18th-century Baroque fountain is built into the facade of the Palazzo Poli and depicts Oceanus riding a shell chariot pulled by sea horses. Tradition says that if you toss a coin into the fountain over your left shoulder, you’ll be guaranteed a return to Rome.

Spanish Steps, a nearby stop, is a monumental staircase of 135 steps that connect to Piazza di Spagna with Trinità dei Monti church above. The area is a favorite hangout for locals and travelers. Just off the square is Via dei Condotti, home to Rome’s most luxurious fashion boutiques. Great for window shopping or grabbing coffee at a historic café like Antico Caffè Greco.

🗒️ Important Notes

• Trevi Fountain is always open and free to visit, but it gets extremely crowded by mid-morning

• Coin tossing funds support a local charity, so feel good about making a wish

• Spanish Steps are also open 24/7 and free to access; sitting on the steps is discouraged by local authorities, and fines are possible

Afternoon: Villa Borghese + Borghese Gallery

🔑 Key Activities

• Explore the Villa Borghese Gardens, one of Rome’s most beautiful parks

• Visit the Borghese Gallery, home to an collection of Renaissance and Baroque art

Villa Borghese is Rome’s third-largest public park just north of the Spanish Steps. The park is full of wide variety attractions, including fountains, and sculptures. You can rent a bike, electric scooter, or even a rowboat on the small lake.

Inside the park is Borghese Gallery, a small but renowned art museums. The galleray is housed in a beautiful 17th-century villa and showcases a collection of sculptures, painting, and antiquities. Highlights include works by Caravaggio, Bernini, and Raphael.

🗒️ Important Notes

• Villa Borghese Gardens are free to visit and open daily from dawn until dusk

• Borghese Gallery requires advance booking as entry is by timed ticket—tickets are valid for two-hour visits

• Borghese Gallery is typically closed on Mondays

Evening: Piazza del Popolo

🔑 Key Activities

• Explore the Piazza del Popolo, one of Rome's most iconic squares

• Visit the Santa Maria del Popolo church, home to Caravaggio’s masterpieces

• Climb to the Pincio Terrace for panoramic views of Rome at sunset

• Shopping for souvenir at Via del Corso

Piazza del Popolo is a big open square that’s easy to reach and packed with history, art, and architecture. In the center is the Obelisk of Ramesses II, with twin churches—Santa Maria in Montesanto and Santa Maria dei Miracoli.

After exploring the square, head up to Pincio Terrace for a sunset view. The view stretches across the Villa Borghese Gardens to St. Peter's Dome, and beyond to the rolling hills of Rome. You can walk down the nearby Via del Corso, a busy shopping street lined with shops, cafes, and restaurants, making it an ideal spot for a casual evening walk or a final souvenir hunt.

🗒️ Important Notes

• Piazza del Popolo is open and free to visit at any time

• Santa Maria del Popolo church is free to enter and open daily from 7:00 AM to 12:30 PM and 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM

• Expect crowds in the evenings, especially during the high tourist season

📍 Other Nearby Options:

• Gallerie Nazionali di Arte Antica is a great museum if you’re into Renaissance and Baroque art. You’ll find works by Caravaggio, Raphael, and Titian. The building itself — Palazzo Barberini — is worth seeing too, with a staircase by Bernini and detailed frescoes throughout.

• Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore is One of Rome’s four major basilicas. Known for early Christian architecture, and detailed mosaics. It’s a peaceful and spiritual place to visit, with stunning details that showcase Rome's rich religious history.

• Piazza Barberini is a busy square in central Rome with Bernini’s Fountain of Triton in the middle. It’s right by Palazzo Barberini and connects to Via Veneto—a street lined with cafes and hotels.

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More Places to Visit

Villa D'Este: Located just outside Rome in Tivoli. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its Renaissance gardens and fountains. Plan a half-day trip if you enjoy peaceful walks, water features, and architecture. Good spot for photography or a slower-paced afternoon.

Baths of Caracalla: Some of the best-preserved ancient Roman baths. These ruins of swimming pools, saunas, and giant halls will give you a glimpse into a ancient Roman life.

Arcibasilica di San Giovanni in Laterano: Rome’s oldest basilica and the Pope’s official cathedral. Its monumental Baroque façade, soaring columns, and ornate ceiling are stunning. Inside, you'll find relics, ancient mosaics, and powerful spiritual significance.

MAXXI – National Museum of 21st Century Arts: Designed by famed architect Zaha Hadid, MAXXI is Rome’s premier museum for contemporary art and architecture. With its sleek, futuristic design and rotating exhibitions, it’s a contrast to the city’s ancient ruins and a must-visit for modern art lovers.

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Conclusion

Rome has a lot to offer from ancient sites, great art, to famous piazzas. This 3-day plan gives you a solid starting point, mixing major landmarks with local spots. You can swap places in or out based on your interests and energy. You don’t need to see everything in one trip. Just make a trip that suits your style and enjoy the time discovering this Eternal City.

Use this itinerary as a template and start planning your own trip now with TripPlannerz