Ultimate Rome Itinerary 3 Days
Updated: Nov 18, 2022
3-Day Rome Itinerary: The Best of Rome
Welcome to the city full of rich history, incredible food, lively citizens, beautiful art, and more. If you are thinking about going to Rome, trust us when we say book that ticket because you will NOT regret it.
Roman architecture is phenomenal. There are amazing restaurants on every corner. And there are so many sights to admire and learn about from the ancient Romans. Rome has so much to offer so you’ll find something new to do every time you go.
So to help you out, we’ve created the ultimate 3-DAY ROME ITINERARY to ensure you have the best time possible in this incredible city. There is so much more worth seeing and doing, but we found these activities absolute must do's!
Take a look at the ultimate Rome itinerary...
3 Days in Rome
Now let's break it down! Rome is full of rich history, captivating ruins, beautiful art, and more. So let's take a look at what you NEED to see while in this charming Italian city.
Day 1 in Rome
Breakfast at Caffe Monte d’Oro
You cannot miss out on an Italian cappuccino and croissant. The coffee is the best we've ever had, and we loved it so much that we got about 3 cappuccinos every day. And don't get me started on the pastries. If you have a sweet tooth, especially when it comes to breakfast foods, you will be in heaven in an Italian cafe. Check out Caffe Monte d'Oro.
Colosseum
If you only see one "tourist attraction" while in Rome, make sure it's the Colosseum. Originally built as a venue to host gladiator combats, man-to-animal fights, and more, this incredible historical sight is a must-see. Make sure you buy tickets ahead of time if you plan on going into the Colosseum! There are combined tickets for the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, which is what we did, and we recommend buying them.
Lunch at Cafe Cafe
Grab a delicious lunch just steps away from the Colosseum. Cafe Cafe offers a great selection of all kinds of pastas, pizzas, coffees, and more. We ordered the Margherita pizza and loved it. While it's very close to a major tourist attraction, we didn't find the prices to reflect that. It was all quite reasonably priced and all very tasty.
Roman Forum
After a bite to eat, make your way over to the Roman Forum: beautiful, ancient Roman ruins. Once the place of public meetings, gladiator combats, shops, and more, you can walk through these ruins and learn about what life was like in ancient Rome. Make sure you buy tickets ahead of time if you want to explore all of the Roman Forum.
Flor Gelato
You simply HAVE to get gelato when you're in Rome. The Roman Forum is all outside, so if you're visiting anytime between May through October, you'll definitely want some gelato afterward. Our favorite was Flor Gelato which is conveniently located close to the Roman Forum.
Piazza Venezia
Admire the architecture at Piazza Venezia next, home of Palazzo Venezia. Watch out for traffic, though, as this is the intersection of four major roads in Rome! Once the embassy of the Republic of Venice, Palazzo Venezia is now an incredible art museum. It's fun to admire from the outside, but if you plan on going inside, buy tickets in advance!
Life Ristorante
End your first day in Rome with a delicious meal from Life Ristorante. This restaurant offers perfectly flavored and plated Italian meals without totally breaking the bank. The service is wonderful, and everything we ate, we devoured.
Day 2 in Rome
Breakfast at Barnum Roma
You simply can't go wrong with an Italian breakfast. Start your day off right at Barnum Roma and prepare yourselves for another busy day roaming the streets of Rome!
Piazza Navona
After a cappuccino and fresh pastry, head over to Piazza Navona to check out the Fountain of Neptune, Sant'Agnese in Agone, and the Fountain of the Moor. There are also shops, restaurants, and cafes to wander through at Piazza Navona.
Via del Governo Vecchio
Ready for a walking and shopping stop? Head over to Via del Governo Vecchio next. This notable Roman street is filled with quaint shops, restaurants, markets, and more. There is a lot to see here, but even walking up and down to window shop is fun. The street is gorgeous.
Lunch at Angelo’s
Now it's time for some lunch. Stop at Angelo's next to Vatican City for a delicious meal and midday drink. We loved everything we had to eat here, and the service was great.
Vatican City
This is also a must-see when in Rome. You have to stop by and visit Vatican City, even if you don't have tickets for the Sistine Chapel. Getting into St. Peter's Basilica is free, but there might be a decent wait. However, it is so worth the wait. It's an incredible, breathtaking place, no matter your religious beliefs.
Dinner at Pasta in Corso
End your second day in Rome at Pasta in Corso. Enjoy a delicious meal here, they have tons of pasta dishes to choose from, and you can't go wrong with pasta in Italy.
Day 3 in Rome
Breakfast at Trecaffè
Make the most of your last day in Rome and enjoy several pastries and a fresh cappuccino from Trecaffè. They also have a wonderful selection of sandwiches which make for a great takeaway meal or snack.
Spanish Steps
Make your way over to these iconic stairs next. Commissioned by the French in the 18th century, the Spanish Steps are located in Piazza di Spagna (Spain), hence the name. There is also a beautiful fountain (Fontana della Barcaccia) located at the bottom of the stairs and a 16th-century church located at the top (Trinità dei Monti).
Trevi Fountain
This is a must-see as well while in Rome. However, be prepared for it to be busy. Lots of people want to see the Trevi Fountain, and there isn't too much space around it, so it's often packed. Rome is home to many famous and beautiful fountains, the Trevi being the most popular.
Gelato g Italiano
Make sure you make another gelato stop while still in Rome. There are many flavors to choose from, and it's hard to go wrong when it comes to gelato. Trust us. You'll want more of it. It is sooo good. Check out Gelato g Italiano.
Lunch or snack from L'Antico Forno di Piazza Trevi
Grab a quick bite to eat or sit down for a meal at L'Antico Forno di Piazza Trevi. They offer espresso, pastries, sandwiches, pizza, and more, so there's something for everyone here.
Pantheon
Next, head over to the Pantheon. Originally a temple for Roman gods, this architectural inspiration is the best preserved ancient Roman monument. It's free to get into, but you'll most likely have to wait in line. The good thing is that the line generally moves very quickly.
Obica Mozzarella Bar
Devour some of the best mozzarella you'll ever find at Obica Mozzarella Bar. They also have much more to offer, but you HAVE to try one of their mozzarella dishes. Italy is home to some of the best cheeses in the world, and Obica is home to some incredibly delicious mozzarella.
Read Also: First Trip to Italy Suggestions
We truly hope you enjoy your time in Rome. We absolutely love this city and all it has to offer, so we want to help you enjoy it too! We've put together a list of the best hotels and Airbnbs in Rome so you can pick the best place for you!
Let's recap...
3-Day Rome Itinerary
Day 1
Breakfast at Caffe Monte d’Oro
Colosseum
Lunch at Cafe Cafe
Roman Forum
Gelato from Gelateria Valentino
Piazza Venezia
Dinner at Life Ristorante
Day 2
Breakfast at Barnum Roma
Piazza Navona
Via del Governo Vecchio
Lunch at Angelo’s
Vatican City
Dinner at Pasta in Corso
Day 3
Breakfast at Trecaffè
Spanish Steps
Trevi Fountain
Gelato g Italiano
Lunch at L'Antico Forno di Piazza Trevi
Pantheon
Dinner at Obica Mozzarella Bar
While there is far too much to see and enjoy in 3 days in Rome, we truly found these sights and activities to be MUSTS-DOs. And if you only have one day to spend in Rome, no worries! Take a look at our ultimate 1-Day Rome Itinerary. If you need help packing for your Italy trip, check out our Italy Packing List, so you know exactly what you'll need!
Have you been to Italy before? If you have, where have you been?
Ciao! Buon Viaggio!
