3 Days in Rome : Weekend & Short Stay Itinerary

Rome is a gritty and delicious city – particularly the juxtaposition between the ancient roman sites and the modern day city.  It is also chaotic, frenetic, crowded and very hot in Summer – but all these things are forgivable because it is a magical place. This 3-day Rome itinerary will give you some ideas for how to best utilise your time, especially for first time visitors.

I have also added notes for how to maximise your time on 2 and 4 days in Rome + how to experience Rome in one day!

Where to stay in Rome

In my opinion, there is nowhere better than Trastevere – it reminds me very much of the Left Bank of Paris. Lots of little winding streets, great restaurants and little boutiques.  Campo de’ Fiori is just over the river and is also a solid place to stay. In the middle of some famous sites (east of the Vatican, south of Piazza Navona, south-west of Fontana di Trevi and the Spanish Steps, and west of the Roman Forum and the Colosseum).  

The bridge between Trastevere and Campo de’ Fiori is the beautiful Ponte Sisto – which has a glorious view up the river to St Peter’s Basilica.  If you visit Rome during the summer months, make sure you book a hotel with air conditioning!

Hotel Recommendations in Rome

In Campo de’ Fiori, I really loved the upmarket Hotel Ponte Sisto – especially the roof terrace. For a more affordable option next door, try Casa Campo De’ Fiori – a cute B&B with a communal covered terrace.

In Trastevere, my favourite spot is Villa Della Fonte – which has roof terraces and is dog-friendly.

Transport in Rome

If you’re in a couple or small group, then I would recommend taking the official city taxis. Taxis are prolific, cheap, and if you give your destination in Italian and ensure the taxi driver puts the meter on, you shouldn’t get ripped off (although, always best to check).  

Buses can be chaotic, busy and hot during summer, but are much more bearable during the cooler months. The metro is good and cheap for journeys across the city too. If you’re just sticking to the big tourist attractions, you can get hop on-hop off bus tours too.

Be especially careful at Termini (the main train station), thieves will try to ‘help’ you at ticket machines and then grab the tickets to coerce money out of you (or steal your wallet while you argue with them).  Best policy is to assertively say ‘Basta’ (enough!), or at the very least, ‘Non, grazie’ – and keep walking.  Don’t engage if at all possible.

If you are catching a taxi from either of Rome’s airports, take note of the set fees and ensure you don’t get intimidated into paying more. There are signs at the airport clearly noting the price, but we found that some taxi drivers tried to get around this!

3-Day Rome Itinerary – Things To Do

There is so much to see and do in Rome, that you really need a week to even make a dent.  During summer, I would recommend twice that, as the heat slows you down.  It is possible to see a lot and not spend much money, as many ruins and monuments are on display for all to see.

Day 1: Vatican City + Castel Sant’Angelo + Trastevere

Vatican City

The Vatican City is the world’s smallest independent state, located in the centre of Rome. It is the spiritual and administrative centre of the Roman Catholic Church, it is home to the Pope, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museums, and the Sistine Chapel. The Vatican Museums house an extensive collection of art and historical artefacts, including works by Michelangelo, Raphael, and Leonardo da Vinci.

The Vatican is incredible, but there are many pitfalls to visiting, so it is the one place I recommend investing in a tour.  A tour allowed us to skip the queues (which were 5 blocks long by 10:30am), and get some tips which you might miss if you tried to do it yourself.  

The various galleries of the Vatican Museums can close at any time (for cleaning or maintenance), so you never know what’s going to be available to view until the day.  The best view of the dome of St Peter’s is actually from the courtyard, so don’t miss that.

Fun story, there was a heat wave during our visit and the Vatican Museum was so hot and crowded that I nearly fainted. Thankfully, our guide was able to whisk us away down a hidden passageway (with the help of some Vatican guards) into the air conditioning of the Sistine Chapel!

Sistine Chapel

If it’s summer, I would recommend taking an early morning tour of just the Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s. The Sistine Chapel is pretty small, so the later you go, the busier it gets and the less pleasant it becomes.

The Sistine Chapel is known for the frescoes by Michelangelo, including The Creation of Adam on the ceiling and The Last Judgment on the altar wall. Used for papal ceremonies and conclaves, it remains one of the greatest artistic achievements of the Renaissance.

While the Sistine Chapel is very culturally and historically important, I found it a little underwhelming. Perhaps because the colours and detail I had seen in books aren’t visible to the naked eye when you visit. But the story told and the feat of painting it is amazing – so it is worth seeing (remember, photography is not allowed in the chapel itself, not that anyone seemed to heed the yelling guards!).  

St Peter’s Basilica is incredible and worth seeing purely for the sheer scale of the building. You will look up at the huge columns inside and feel tiny!

Castel Sant’Angelo

Castel Sant’Angelo is a beautiful circular fortification, right next to the grand Ponte Vittorio Emanuele II and Ponte Sant’Angelo pedestrian bridge. Set in star-shaped gardens, you can visit inside and see Renaissance furnishings and paintings.

Castel Sant’Angelo is only 15 minutes walk from Vatican City. Stop at Da Ramolo Restaurant (Vicolo del Campanile) for lunch on your way. This Roman trattoria has a lovely terrace hidden from the street.

Trastevere by night

Day 2: Roman Forum + Colosseum + Trajan Forum + Campo de’ Fiori

Roman Forum & Colosseum

The Roman Forum was the political, commercial, and social centre of ancient Rome, filled with important temples, government buildings, and marketplaces. The Colosseum, just nearby, is one of the most iconic landmarks of ancient Rome. This massive amphitheatre, completed in 80 AD, hosted gladiator battles and public spectacles. Despite centuries of damage, it remains a testament to Roman engineering.

I recommend spending a whole day at the Roman Forum and Colosseum.  If you are staying in Campo de’ Fiori or Trastevere, you can walk east and go via Chiese St Angelo In Pescheria (an open archeological dig), Teatro Marcello (a restored and renovated circus), Piazza di Campidoglio, and the Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele II on your way there.  There are so many places to see while walking through Rome, but more on that later.

The Colosseum is so aesthetically pleasing, that you could stare at it for hours. If you are interested in architecture, I would recommend paying for a guided tour.  Even just circling this incredible edifice many times is beyond belief.  

Spend time admiring the Arco di Costantino too.  

Top Tip: If you go to the gate at the top of the Roman Forum (Via di San Pietro in Carcere), there are no / minimal queues. You can get a ticket that allows you into the Colosseum too.  If you go to the Colosseum entrance gate, the queues can be miles long.

Trajan Forum

One of my favourite areas in Rome was the Trajan Forum. Seemingly in amongst the modernity of Rome, and some of it under the major road way Via dei Fori Imperiali (from Piazza Venezia to the Colosseum), it is free to walk through.

It served as a grand public space with a basilica, markets, and a massive column celebrating Trajan’s military victories. Trajan’s Column remains, and the area is a lovely public space.

Campo de’ Fiori for dinner

Day 3: Piazza Navona + The Pantheon + Trevi Fountain + Spanish Steps

Piazza Navona

Built on the site of the ancient Stadium of Domitian, Piazza Navona retains the slight oval shape of the Roman athletic arena. The square is home to three iconic fountains: Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers) by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Fontana del Moro (Fountain of the Moor), and Fontana del Nettuno (Fountain of Neptune).

It’s a great place to either start or finish your day. Have a coffee and plan your day at one of the piazza-side cafés.

The Pantheon

The Pantheon is one of the most understated structures in Rome. It doesn’t have the scale of the Colosseum, but I urge you to visit. The inside of the dome is incredible, it’s the largest unreinforced dome in the world!

Originally built by Marcus Agrippa around 27 BCE, it was later rebuilt by Emperor Hadrian between 118 and 125 AD, it is one of the best-preserved monuments in Rome.

We particularly enjoyed the piazza in the front of the Pantheon – it was buzzing with buskers.

The Trevi Fountain & Spanish Steps

The Trevi Fountain is a tourist must-do, but my recommendation is to leave your fountain visit to late at night or visit super early in the morning. If you save it for the end of your evening, you can enjoy the thinning crowds and beautiful lighting of the fountain.

The Spanish Steps are a little overrated, but if you’re in the area, stop by. You’re no longer allowed to sit on the Spanish steps (one of many new rules to help curb over-tourism in Italy), so that very much defeats the charm they once had. But have your Roman Holiday moment anyway!

For if you have 4 days in Rome

Shopping

If you want some boutique shopping and galleries, try Piazza Navona, and the little streets in Campo de’ Fiori to its west.

• For high-street shops and brands, the main shopping street is Via del Corso.
• Via dei Condotti is where the luxury high end shops are located.
• Monti District is the best for vintage, independent designers, and artisan boutiques.

Take a wander

During our three days in Rome, we wandered through the city’s winding streets with no real destination in mind, letting curiosity guide our way. Without a strict itinerary, we stumbled upon hidden piazzas, quiet alleyways, and lively local markets, each corner revealing a new slice of Roman life.

The true magic was in feeling ‘lost’ and unexpectedly encountering breathtaking ruins—ancient columns standing beside bustling cafés, fragments of centuries-old walls integrated into modern buildings, and forgotten temples repurposed into contemporary spaces.

The oddly natural blending of old and new, where history isn’t just preserved but actively lived in, was one of the things that made me fall in love with Rome.

If you have time:  If you want a romantic sunset, head to Pincio, near to Piazza del Popolo, to watch the sun set over this charismatic city.

If you have a week in Rome

If you have a week in Rome, chances are that you will have time to discover some lesser known areas. While the big attractions could easily take up your days, if you fancy something a bit different, try these lesser known spots:

• Coppedè District (Quartiere Coppedè) – Tucked away in the Trieste district, this small neighbourhood feels like something out of a fairytale. With much of it designed by architect Gino Coppedè, it blends Art Nouveau, Baroque, and Gothic styles into a whimsical, surreal atmosphere. Don’t miss the Fountain of the Frogs.
• Basilica di San Clemente (Via Labicana, 95) – This fascinating church is actually three structures stacked on top of each other, spanning different eras. You can descend underground to explore a 4th-century basilica and even deeper to see a 1st-century Roman house and Mithraic temple.
• Aventine Keyhole & Orange Garden (Piazza dei Cavalieri di Malta) – On the Aventine Hill, there’s a mysterious keyhole in the gate of the Knights of Malta Priory. Peeking through, you’ll see a perfectly framed view of St. Peter’s Basilica! Just nearby, the Orange Garden (Giardino degli Aranci) offers stunning panoramic views over Rome.
• Via Piccolomini (Via Piccolomini, Gianicolo Hill) – This street offers a mind-bending view of St. Peter’s Basilica. As you drive closer, the dome appears to shrink instead of getting bigger—an incredible optical illusion that confuses the brain and makes for a fun experience!
• Appia Antica (Parco Regionale dell’Appia Antica) – One of the oldest roads in Rome, built in 312 BC to connect the city with southern Italy, you can walk along the Appia Antica through this lovely park. In fact, a great thing to do is walk from the Aqua Claudia near the Colosseum, along the Appia Antica, past the Baths of Caracalla, to the Parco Regionale dell’Appia Antica, where there are lots of catacombs and Roman history.

Where to eat in Rome

We found that it was hard to find a truly bad meal in Rome, but here are some places that we visited and enjoyed. Don’t forget to have REAL carbonara, try the Saltimbocca and the Cacio e Pepe… oh, and the Tiramisu!

• Osteria Cacio e Pepe (Vicolo de’ Cinque, Trastevere) – This friendly osteria in the winding streets of Trastevere is welcoming and well-priced (a 2 course meal with wine only cost us €25-30 each) – the bread was particularly memorable.
  
• Osteria Barberini (Via della Purificazione, near Barberini & Spagna metro stations) – We had booked this osteria for a more formal birthday dinner with friends.  They specialise in truffle dishes (there is even a separate truffle menu). Again it was well-priced (2 courses + antipasti and wine for €30 each).  The steak with Barolo wine sauce was divine.
  
• Ristorante Sottosopra (Via Di Ponte Sisto) – The covered terrace of this restaurant is quite magical. With a view over the Piazza Trilussa in Trastevere, the food is equally good.  The caesar salad and tiramisu were excellent – so fresh and flavourful!  The waiter was great value and the meal was cheap too.  Over all, probably our best meal of the trip.
  
• Angelino ai Fori (Largo Corrado Ricci, 40-43a) – This eatery is opposite the Roman Forum, so fills up quick.  It has a large outside patio covered in ivy, so is lovely for respite on a hot day (their iced cappuccinos are delicious).  We didn’t try their food, but drinks were reasonable, and their carbonara looked delicious from a distance.
  
• Due Colonne (Via del Seminario, near the Pantheon) – This wee hole in the wall was staffed by friendly waiters, and was a welcome respite from the busy tourist areas nearby. We stopped for drinks and the Aperol Spritzers were strong and delicious.

Food to try in Rome

• Cacio e Pepe – This simple yet delicious pasta dish is made with just three ingredients: Pecorino Romano cheese, black pepper, and pasta (typically spaghetti or tonnarelli).
• Carbonara – Roman-style carbonara is made with egg, Pecorino Romano cheese, guanciale (cured pork cheek), and black pepper. Unlike some versions around the world, there’s no cream, just a velvety, rich sauce created from eggs and cheese.
• Roman-Style Pizza (Pizza al Taglio) – Pizza al taglio is pizza sold by the slice. It’s often square-shaped with a crispy, thick crust. Toppings vary, but traditional options include margherita, prosciutto, and funghi (mushrooms).
• Supplì – These are delicious fried rice balls filled with mozzarella cheese and sometimes meat, then coated in breadcrumbs. They’re a popular street food snack, similar to Sicilian arancini but with a Roman twist.
• Saltimbocca alla Romana – A savoury dish consisting of veal (or sometimes chicken) topped with prosciutto and sage, then pan-fried in white wine.
• Carciofi alla Giudia – Fried Jewish-style artichokes, a signature dish of Rome’s Jewish ghetto. The artichokes are deep-fried until golden and crispy, offering a mix of tender and crunchy textures.
• Porchetta – This slow-roasted pork is seasoned with herbs and garlic, then cooked until crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. It’s often served in sandwiches or as a main dish.
• Maritozzo – A sweet bun filled with whipped cream. This Roman pastry is often eaten for breakfast and is a delicious, indulgent treat.
• Gnocchi alla Romana – Unlike the typical potato gnocchi, these are made from semolina flour, butter, and cheese, and are baked in the oven for a crispy top and creamy texture inside.
• Frittata di Zucchine – A zucchini frittata that’s commonly served as a side dish – light yet satisfying.
• Trapizino – A hybrid between pizza and a sandwich. It’s a triangular-shaped pocket of pizza dough, similar to pizza bianca (a simple, olive oil-based flatbread), that’s stuffed with a variety of traditional Roman and Italian fillings. 

If you only have one day in Rome, I would recommend visiting the Colosseum, one of the forums, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, and Trastevere!

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3-Day Rome Itinerary Ideas

There is something about Rome – a laissez-faire attitude despite the weight of history on its shoulders. Food is a family affair, and big gatherings of multi-generational groups are common and uplifting.

Come to Rome with your stretchy trousers, because you will surely eat well. You will love your 3 days in Rome – just soak up the atmosphere, it’s intoxicating.

I don’t swoon over many cities, but Rome is one of them. Paris is the other!

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All photos © Hannah Henderson and may not be used without permission (sharing this blog post is fine, though!). Images shot with a Canon DSLR T3i Rebel + Canon EF 35-80mm f/4-5.6 III; and an iPhone6s.