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3-day Rome itinerary

Rome is an incredible city. It’s full of life and of things to see and there is always something going on. Not even a lifetime will be enough time to visit everything the city has to offer, so no worries if your 3-day itinerary in Rome won’t cover everything. We included the most beautiful and famous attractions, so you won’t miss much.The city, being the Italian capital and a World tourist destination, is very crowded all year round. The best seasons to visit Rome are spring and autumn. The temperatures in these periods are mild and allow you to walk comfortably around the city. However, many tourists do come in the other seasons. Just be prepared to sweat a lot in summer (temperatures can go as high as 40 degrees) and to wear warm clothes in winter.In Rome, you can’t rely much on public means of transport and the majority of the attractions are outdoor. You will probably spend a lot of time walking around, so better pack a very comfortable pair of shoes.Let’s start with our 3-day itinerary in Rome!

Summary

Colosseum

Colosseum in Rome – Italy

DAY 1

Start your first day visiting the most famous attraction in Rome: the Colosseo (Colosseum). This massive stadium-like building has been there for more than two thousands years. It was used for gladiators contests and public spectacles in ancient Rome. To see the internal structure, we suggest you to book the ticket online in advance to avoid long queues.

Nearby the Colosseum, you can walk towards Arco di Costantino (Arch of Constantine) and then proceed to Foro Romano (Roman Forum), the ancient center of Roman life. If you’re planning to enter the site, be sure to go with a guide. It’s the best way to go back in time and understand how people used to live 2.000 years ago. If you’re on a budget, fret you not, you can see the whole Forum walking down Via dei Fori Imperiali. In fact, there is the Foro Romano on the left and Foro di Augusto (Forum of Augustus) on the right.

At the end of this street, you will arrive at Piazza Venezia. Here you can admire the Altare della Patria or Vittorio Emanuele II Monument, also known as the typewriter for its particular shape. The huge white monument has great national significance. It represents the long process of unification undertaken by Vittorio Emanuele II throughout the second half of the 19th Century.

Climb the stairs just beside the monument to arrive on the top of the Capitoline hill. Here you’ll see the Campidoglio, the Roman major office, and the stunning panorama. End here your first day of your 3-day itinerary in Rome. Just chill around and enjoy the city in the evening.

Trevi

Trevi Fountain in Rome -Iitaly

DAY 2

On the second day of your 3-day itinerary in Rome, go to Piazza di Spagna. This square is famous for its fountain, called Barcaccia (literally ugly boat in Italian, we assure you, it’s anything but ugly). Climb the stairs that bring to Trinità dei Monti, a beautiful church. You’re also in the most fashionable districts in Rome. All around the square you can admire the windows of the most famous brands.

Once you’ve done being amazed by Piazza di Spagna, prepare yourself for even more stunning places. Proceed to Fontana di Trevi (Trevi Fountain). This is one of the most beautiful fountains in the World, designed initially by Bernini, the same artist of La Barcaccia, but in the end created by the Italian architect Salvi. Turn your back to the fountain and toss a coin inside the fountain, it will bring you luck.

Continue your itinerary towards Pantheon. Built to be a Roman temple in 126 AD, it’s currently a Catholic church. It’s famous because of its dome, still the World’s largest unreinforced concrete dome. The legend says the rain doesn’t enter from the hole in the center, but it’s not true.

Walk to Piazza Navona, where you can find a huge fountain in the middle of the square. It’s called Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of Four Rivers) and it was designed by Bernini. You can see the Nile representing Africa, the Danube representing Europe, the Ganges representing Asia, and the Río de la Plata representing the Americas.

Go now to Campo de’ Fiori, another square close to Piazza Navona. Usually, there is an outdoor market with some local products. Near Campo de’ Fiori, enjoy some wine in one of the several wine shops and bars in the area.

After you recharged yourself, walk towards Isola Tiberina, the only island in the middle of Tiber, the river which crosses Rome. Cross the bridge and you’ll find yourself in one of the most typical neighborhood of the city: Trastevere. This is your reward for the second of your 3-day itinerary in Rome. Walk around and enjoy the vibes, the small restaurants, shops and wine bars around.

DAY 3

We’re sending you abroad for your third day in Rome: in fact, you’re going to the Vatican City, the smallest country in the World. This is the Pope’s home and it includes the most important church for the Catholics: San Pietro (St Peter’s Basilica).

We highly suggest you to enter for a visit, no matter what your faith is. The paintings and the sculptures inside the church are really worth some time, you can find the masterpieces of the most important Italian Renaissance artists (1450 – 1650 AC). One in particular is extremely famous: la Pietà, designed by Michelangelo. It represents the Virgin Mary holding Jesus in her arms after he was crucified.

After visiting San Pietro, walk towards Castel Sant’Angelo (St Angel Castle), initially built by the Roman emperor Adrian to be his mausoleum, it began a castle and a fortress for the popes. Now it’s a museum.
If you still have some energy we got three options for you to end your 3-day itinerary in Rome.

For the art lovers, book a ticket for the Vatican Museums and access the Sistine Chapel, a chapel entirely full of paintings from the best artists of the Renaissance (14th-16th Century).

Shopping addicts, you’ll be set up with a tour in Via del Corso. This is a long street full of nice shops. You can choose to buy a souvenir from one of the hundreds Italian and international brands.

Nature lovers, for you we suggest to head to Villa Borghese, a wonderful park in the very center of Rome.

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