Anda
I’ve been doing this survey on Twitter about the first place you’d like to travel to when it’s safe again, and a classic tour of Rome won the poll. So, I thought I’d take you on a 3 days tour of the main tourist attractions in Rome.
I realized that, though I wrote a few posts about Rome, I never focused on the major tourist attractions in Rome. So, when you get to Rome for the first time, and you only have a few days to explore it, these are the top tourist attractions you’ll want to visit.
When you’re in the eternal city, you’ve got to hit up the classics like the Colosseum, Vatican City, and the Trevi Fountain. And hey, after you’ve soaked up the history, don’t forget you’re just a train ride away from experiencing the romantic vibes of Venice. It’s a breeze to hop on a train from Rome to Venice, and before you know it, you’ll be sipping on espresso in St. Mark’s Square!
Top Tourist Attractions in Rome, a 3 Days Itinerary
I’m making this a 3-day itinerary of the most important attractions to see in Rome, organizing them by vicinity and the amount of time you’ll need to visit.
Day 1 – Main Tourist Attractions in Rome: the Colosseum
The Colosseum is probably the most visited attraction in Rome. Long queues form here, so booking a priority entrance or a guided tour is highly advisable.
You should know that a regular ticket will allow you to see most of the site but won’t grant you access to the Arena or the Underground. A full experience ticket will allow you full access from Stern Gate.
However, I would suggest booking a guided visit to help you visualize and understand what went on in the Flavian Amphitheatre (the actual name of the Colosseum).
All entrance tickets to the Colosseum also include access to the Roman Forums and the Palatine Hill.
The Forum was at the center of any Roman city. It was essentially a large public square, where people met, gatherings were held, and merchandise was exchanged.
The Palatine Hill, on the other hand, is the place where legend says Romulus, the founder of Rome, lived. During the Roman Republic and the Imperial times, the Palatine became the residence of many important Roman figures. For instance, Octavian Augustus built his imposing palace on this hill, just above Circus Maximus.
Seeing the Colosseum, the Forum, and the Palatine Hill will take you the whole morning. I’m assuming by this time, you’ll be happy to find a place for a good lunch.
Churches, Piazzas and Good Food
I suggest walking towards the Jewish Quarter about 2km away. On your way, you can see the Imperial Forums from the street, and you’ll pass by Piazza Venezia as well. There are a few good restaurants in this area to try some delicious Roman food.
For the rest of the day, make your way to the Pantheon and visit San Luigi dei Francesi Church to admire some of Caravaggio’s work. Then, stop for an ‘aperitivo’ in Piazza Navona or Campo de’ Fiori and finish your day across the river in Trastevere.
Day 2 – Main Attraction: Vatican City
The Vatican is on the other side of the Tiber from the other major tourist attractions in Rome. I enjoy walking everywhere in Rome. But, depending on where you are staying, the Vatican might be out of your walking range. The easiest way to get there is by metro line A, stopping at Ottaviano station. Here’s a quick guide for transport in Rome to help you plan your trip.
Now, the Vatican Museums are notoriously crowded. You need to buy a skip-the-line pass but still, expect to walk in line with hundreds of strangers and not be able to stop and admire what you’re most interested in. I would expect things to change now, at least for a while, with the need for social distancing.
The best option is an early guided tour of the Vatican Museum and St. Peter’s Basilica. The catch here is to start with the Sistine Chapel. That will allow you to admire it before the crowds rush in.
Have you seen The Two Popes, the movie? Well, it won’t be quite like that, but the closest you can get to it unless you’re a high-rank cardinal at the Vatican already.
As you exit St. Peter’s Basilica, spend some time admiring that incredible circular plaza in front of it. Then, head to your left and find Borgo Pio street. It’s a picturesque area with some cafes and good places to eat.
Sant’Angelo Castle
At the end of it and after lunch, you’ll get to Sant’Angelo Castle. Emperor Hadrian intended the unusual round structure as his mausoleum. Later, it served as a fortress. An entrance ticket is 15€, and the queue here is acceptable. There are also guided tours, but I’m not sure you need one here.
The main attraction of the castle is the panoramic view from the upper terrace. Also, I had one of the best cappuccinos ever on that terrace, so try one as you enjoy the views over Rome.
A couple more things in this area:
Leaving the Castle, to your left is a row of street souvenir vendors. It is a pleasant walk under the sycamore trees by the Tiber.
The pedestrian bridge in front of the castle – Ponte Sant’Angelo, was originally built by Roman Emperor Hadrian.
The next bridge, just after the street vendors, is Ponte Umberto I, and it’s the perfect place to catch a spectacular sunset over St. Peter’s Church.
Day 3 – Trevi Fountain & Borghese Gallery
I know, the first two days were full. There are just so many things to see in Rome that I’m trying to fit as many tourist attractions as I can in a short time.
I’m making the third day easier – no queues, no guides. First of all, you need to stop at the famous Trevi Fountain. This beautiful fountain will be crowded at any time of the day and no matter the weather. It’s probably best to get there in the morning and throw a coin in the fountain to be sure you’ll come back to Rome, as legend says.
From Trevi, it’s a 10 minutes walk to Piazza di Spagna. Go up the Spanish Steps for a beautiful panorama.
If you’re an Arts fan, your next stop should be the Borghese Gallery, one of the best museums in the world. You need to prebook a ticket to visit. Find out more about the museum on the gallery’s website. The other option is to book a guided tour of Villa Borghese to make the most of it.
Don’t ignore the beautiful park around the Villa, one of the largest green spaces in central Rome. Make sure to get to the beautiful terrace above Piazza del Popolo.
That’s about it, but it’s just the first taste of Rome. These top tourist attractions are what everybody wants to see when they get to Rome for the first time. However, there are many other things to discover in the Eternal City. You can start with my 17 free things to do in Rome.
Where to stay in Rome, Italy
Rome is a large city, and transport in Rome can be a pain. The best way to experience Rome is on foot so you must choose your accommodation carefully. I chose a few places to stay in the same area of central Rome, where you can walk to all major tourist attractions.
Palazzo Navona Hotel has every convenience and is situated at the very heart of Rome, close to Piazza Navona.
Hotel Damaso is a more budget-friendly option in the same area. My favorite part about it is the panoramic terrace on top.
If you prefer staying in an apartment, I found a cozy one, A Secret Corner.
I hope this tour of the main attractions in Rome will help you plan your trip. Have you been to Rome? Let me know what was your favorite part in the comments below.
Disclosure
Some of the above may be affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and make a purchase, I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. However, I only recommend companies, activities, or products that I use myself. Thank you for your support in keeping my blog live!
Thanks for this info. I haven’t started formally planning the Rome leg of our trip yet, but the first two days I’ve thought about are pretty similar to what you did here. Definitely need to remember to book ahead!
Fantastic post and a great load of information suxh a great city thanks for sharing
Great post! I’ve been to Rome and you’ve brought me back there. Thanks for sharing!
Happy to bring back good memories. Rome is one of my favorite places in the world.
Beautiful photos! I would love to visit Rome! I would probably get distracted by all the food!
Food is a distraction in Rome indeed, but even sitting at a terrace will usualy come with a view of something unique 🙂
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this!! Rome is at the top of my list, my father and I would dream about going there sincenI was little, I plan on taking him for his 70th birthday!! Ill be sire to refer back to this post!!
Thank you so much! I hope you and your father will enjoy Rome on his 70th birthday!
Great itinerary!
Rome will always be Rome! No matter what happens:)
The Eternal City, of course 🙂
I think our itineraries were backwards. What you did at the end, I did at the start, you in the morning, me in the evening. But no doubt we both loved it. I didn’t get to the Borgese gallery though. I would have loved that. Next time.
🙂 Well, they were the same even though backwards. I always have something for next time everywhere. In Rome, it’s Villa Pamphili for next time, then Castel Gandolfo and maybe Frascati close to Rome. Thanks for reading, John.
Oooh! Going to the Colosseum is a MUST! So rich with history. There is so much to see! Vatican City is definitely a place I want to visit someday. The architecture of the church is AMAZING! Glad you enjoyed your time out in Rome! Gotta visit someday!
Nancy ♥
Rome is a must! I hope you get the chance to visit soon, Nancy 🙂
Fantastic itinerary! I’ll be saving this for a future trip to Italy…hopefully next year. I like your suggestions about using skip the line as well as guides! So much otherwise to take in. It certainly helps having first hand knowledge to appreciate certain sites!
Yes, I believe it helps to have someone explain what you’re seeing and give you some context that you can’t really get from a guidebook. Thanks for commenting, Linda!
Great suggestions for what to do in Rome! We’ve never actually visited together, but would love to head there sometime soon. This will come in handy! Thanks for sharing!
I hope you get the chance to visit Rome together soon 🙂
Oh beautiful Rome, I would love to explore it more.
Thanks for the guide..
Thanks for reading, Gabi!
Great post! We visited Rome in November and it was awesome. Definitely agree that a guided tour is the way to go with the Colosseum!
I was in Rome at the beginning of November 🙂
These are great suggestions. I love Rome and you hit on the big attractions.
It’s one of my favorite cities, I feel at home in Rome 🙂
Such a helpful post to really set the foundation for a great itinerary. I’ve added your other Rome posts to my reading list 🙂
I hope you get to put them to good use soon, Chris! Let me know which was your favorite 🙂
Rome is my favorite city in the World & go as often as possible! Loved Borghese Gallery recommendation- it is truly the best way to see this incredible art! Would also recommend evening Apertivo at one of the many rooftop terraces – stunning! Great article!
Thank you so much Cindi! I love Rome too.
I hope things get back to normal soon and we can have that aperitivo again somewhere in Italy. 🙂
Rome is one of those places that’s been on the Bucket List basically since I was born and yet I’ve still never made it there. One day! Now off to bookmark your ’17 free things to do in Rome’ post.
🙂 Let me know which was your favorite when you do visit Rome. Hopefully soon! 🙂
I really wish I’d spent more time in Rome when I went to Italy. But, hey, at least that’s an excuse to go back!
Al x
Haha, I’m fond of that excuse too, I don’t remember having spent enough time anywhere really 🙂
Oh my goodness. I would love to go to Rome one day! Your pictures look so beautiful. I cant wait to be able to travel again!
Me too, my feet are itching already. I hope you get to visit Rome soon 🙂
Great post! I agree that the guided tours and skip the line options are best! There is so much to see and doing it that way really gets you the most for your money. Thanks for sharing!
I love to explore a place at my leisure but for the most popular and crowded attractions, I think this is the best option, instead of waiting in line and missing a lot of the attraction itself for lack of information. Thanks for commenting.
Great recommendations as always!
Thank you, Meg! 🙂
Loved this itinerary and the helpful tips for actually getting to see everything to get the most from your experience!
I know it can be disorienting to have just a few days in a city like Rome and wanting to see as much as possible. I hope the post helps a few people plan and enjoy their trip to Rome. 🙂
I have always wanted to visit Italy, especially Rome. Hopefully one day I’ll have my photograph taken in front of the Trevi Fountain. Thanks for sharing this itinary!
I’m sure you will when things calm down and we can travel again. Thank you for stopping by!