How to Spend 3 Days in Rome: The Perfect Itinerary
Planning a trip to Rome? Here’s my 3-day Rome itinerary, including the Colosseum, Vatican City, Trevi Fountain, hidden gems, authentic Italian restaurants and the best places to watch the sunset.
If you want to avoid the biggest tourist crowds and the intense summer heat, I would recommend visiting Rome in September. The weather is still warm and sunny, but it is usually much more pleasant than during the summer heatwaves, and the city feels a little less crowded. In my opinion, it’s one of the best times to explore Rome.
Here is my 3-day itinerary in Rome, based on our own trip during our Interrail adventure. From the most famous landmarks and Vatican City to beautiful churches, little streets, Italian restaurants and some of my favourite spots in the city, here is how we spent three days in Rome.
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Getting around Rome
There is so much to see in Rome, and some parts of the city can feel quite spread out. Luckily, getting around is relatively easy.
If you want to take the bus, you can usually pay directly by tapping your credit or debit card. We mostly used Google Maps to check bus routes and timetables, and it was really useful because it also showed us when buses were running late.
One important tip: wave at the bus driver when your bus arrives! Otherwise, they might not stop. 😅
In Rome the metro cost 1.50€ which is not expensive at all compared to other cities like Vienna or Paris.
We spent three days in Rome at the end of August, during our Interrail trip. When we arrived, it was already nighttime, so we headed straight to our accommodation and settled in. We had just spent seven hours on a train from Como, so we were exhausted and ready for bed.
Day 1: Exploring Rome at our own pace
For our first day in Rome, we wanted to take things slowly and explore the city on foot. We didn’t have a strict itinerary because we wanted to get a feel for the city and see as many of the famous sights as possible.
One thing that really stood out to me was the number of beautiful churches in Rome. Everywhere we went, we seemed to come across another incredible church, each one showing a different side of the city’s history and wealth.
We started our morning at Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, one of Rome’s most beautiful basilicas.
Afterwards, we stopped for breakfast at Molino Bakery, which was the perfect way to start our day with a cappuccino and a fresh juice.
We then continued exploring the city, stopping at:
- Santa Maria della Vittoria
- Fontana del Mosè
- Trevi Fountain
- The Pantheon (get tickets)
🍝 Lunch at Ristorante Pancrazio
For lunch, we went to Ristorante Pancrazio, a restaurant with a really unique setting. It is built inside what feels like a cave, and the Roman-style decor makes the whole experience feel very immersive.
The service was great, and of course, we had to try carbonara. And yes, we also had tiramisu for dessert!
I really enjoyed the restaurant and would recommend it if you want a memorable Roman dining experience. However, it is definitely on the more expensive side. If you’re travelling on a budget, I would recommend heading to Trastevere, where you’ll find plenty of more affordable restaurants and traditional osterie and trattorie.
After lunch, we continued walking around the city and visited:
- Sant’Andrea della Valle
- San Luigi dei Francesi
- Piazza Navona
We ended our first day with one of my favourite moments: watching the sunset over the Colosseum and Roman Forum. There is something pretty magical about seeing these ancient monuments lit up as the sun goes down.
Day 2: Vatican City & Castel Sant’Angelo
On our second day, we took the metro to Vatican City.
We started at St. Peter’s Square before heading inside St. Peter’s Basilica, which is free to visit.
We arrived at around 8 AM, and we didn’t have to wait at all. If you want to visit the basilica without spending ages in a queue, I would definitely recommend going early in the morning.
The basilica was absolutely incredible. The golden ceilings, paintings and enormous dome make it one of those places that is difficult to fully appreciate through photos.
After visiting St. Peter’s Basilica, we walked towards Castel Sant’Angelo, crossing the beautiful Ponte Sant’Angelo on the way.
We had tickets to visit the castle, and I really enjoyed it. It was interesting to learn more about Rome’s history and the Roman Empire while exploring the different rooms and viewpoints.
💡 Budget tip: European visitors under 26 can get a reduced-price ticket (2€), so make sure to check the current prices before visiting.
Afterwards, we stopped for some pizza and gelato before continuing to explore the city on foot.
🌳 Villa Borghese
In the afternoon, we headed to Villa Borghese, one of Rome’s biggest parks.
After spending so much time walking around the city, it was nice to escape the busy streets for a while.
🍕 Dinner in Trastevere
If you’re looking for a neighbourhood with lots of restaurants and a lively atmosphere, I really recommend Trastevere.
There are tons of traditional osterie, trattorie and pizzerias, making it a great place to spend an evening.
We went to Pizzeria Giardino Interno. My boyfriend tried another carbonara (he was clearly on a mission 😂), while I had eggplant in tomato sauce with Parmigiano.
We ended the day at the Spanish Steps, where we watched the sunset. Since the Spanish Steps are located on one of Rome’s higher points, they are a great place to enjoy the city as the sky changes colour.
Day 3: The Colosseum 🏛️
For our last full day in Rome, we had tickets to visit the Colosseum.
And honestly? It was impressive, but I was a little disappointed.
The Colosseum itself is incredible and absolutely worth seeing, but there were so many people, and combined with the intense August heat, it was honestly overwhelming.
We ended up rushing through the visit a little because the heat was just too much for us. Eventually, we went back to our hotel to cool down.
This experience is actually why I would recommend visiting Rome in September rather than July or August. If you don’t handle extreme heat very well, exploring Rome in the middle of summer can make sightseeing much less enjoyable.
💡 Budget tip: European visitors under 26 can get reduced-price tickets for the Colosseum, so check the official website for the latest prices and conditions. If you prefer learning more about the history while you visit, you can also consider booking a guided tour.
🌙 Rome by night
After cooling down at the hotel, we went back into the city centre in the evening.
And Rome felt completely different at night.
The streets were cooler, the atmosphere was more relaxed, and seeing the monuments illuminated was a completely different experience from seeing them during the day.
After a very hot day, walking around Rome at night was actually the perfect way to end our trip.
We tried one last restaurant Hostaria la Scalinata. The owner was so friendly and even spoke French with us. We had burrata with anchovies as a starter and then we tried the lasagna. I can only recommend this place.
✨Would I recommend Rome?
Absolutely! If you’ve never been to Rome, I definitely think it is worth visiting. There is so much to see, from ancient landmarks like the Colosseum to beautiful churches, fountains, piazzas and little streets filled with cafés and restaurants.
It can be very busy and touristy, especially during the summer, but the history, atmosphere and incredible food make it a city I would happily visit again.❤️
🏠Where to Stay in Rome?
As students travelling on a budget, we decided to book one of the cheapest accommodations we could find. We didn’t expect too much, but we were actually really happy with our stay at Domus Altino.
The room was clean, comfortable and, most importantly during the August heat, had air conditioning. The host was also incredibly kind and thoughtful, checking in with us every day to make sure we had everything we needed.
The only downside for us was the location. Domus Altino is in the San Giovanni neighbourhood, a little outside the main tourist centre, so we usually had to take the bus or metro in the morning to start exploring. However, the area is well connected to public transport, and the accommodation itself was great value for money.
If you’re travelling to Rome on a student budget and don’t mind staying a little outside the historic centre, I would definitely recommend Domus Altino. For us, having a clean, comfortable room with air conditioning at an affordable price was more important than being right in the middle of the city.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 3 days enough to visit Rome?
Honestly, yes! Three days is enough to see Rome’s main highlights, try a few restaurants, and get a feel for the Italian lifestyle and atmosphere. Of course, you could easily spend more time in the city, but three days is a good amount of time for a first visit.
Check out my article on the 10 best things to do in Rome.
What is the best time to visit Rome?
In summer, Rome can get extremely hot, especially during heatwaves. That’s why I would recommend visiting before or after summer, for example in May, June, September or October. You’ll enjoy more comfortable temperatures and can also avoid some of the biggest tourist crowds.
Is Rome expensive for students?
Not as much as I expected! In fact, Rome had the cheapest accommodation of our whole Interrail trip. Many of the sights and activities we visited were either free or cost around €2 for European visitors under 26.
Rome is also a great city for eating well on a budget. Pizza and pasta are generally quite affordable, so you don’t necessarily have to spend a fortune to enjoy good Italian food.
Is Rome easy to get around without a car?
Yes! We mostly explored Rome on foot, but when the distances were too long, we used the bus or metro. Google Maps was really helpful for finding routes and checking bus times in real time. You definitely don’t need a car to explore Rome, and honestly, walking is one of the best ways to discover the city.
What should you not miss in Rome?
For me, seeing the Colosseum at sunset or at night is a must. It is absolutely incredible, and when you see it in person, you really understand why it is considered one of the world’s most iconic ancient monuments.
Sant’Andrea della Valle was also a highlight for me. The painted ceiling was one of the most beautiful I have ever seen.
But honestly, nothing beat St. Peter’s Basilica. The size, the golden details, the paintings and the incredible dome made it one of the most impressive places we visited in Rome.
You can also visit the Vatican Museum, we didn’t do it but I will definetly do it the next time I go to Rome.
Rome is definitely a city I would recommend visiting, especially if it’s your first time in Italy. From the ancient ruins and beautiful churches to the incredible food and lively atmosphere, there is so much to discover. Three days is enough to see the main highlights, but I’m sure I’ll be back one day to explore more of the city!
Have you been to Rome? What was your favourite place or hidden gem? Let me know in the comments!
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