9 Best Things To Do in Rome, Italy (3-day Guide)

Day 1 – Getting to Know Rome

Rome is such an incredible city, but it does get busy, so we recommend waking up early to make the most of the city without the crowds.

Tip: We found quite a few (drinkable) water fountains dotted around the streets, so we used these to refill our water bottles.

1. Colosseum Tour

The Colosseum is the largest amphitheater ever built and is also one of the Seven Wonders of the World, having survived earthquakes, fires, and wars over nearly 2000 years. We headed straight here on our first day, and the sheer scale of it didn’t disappoint!

The doors open at 08:30 AM, but it is recommended to be early to avoid the crowds and to buy a ticket in advance to skip the line.

While it’s super impressive inside, the exterior was the most beautiful part for us, and you can get some great photos from the steps and the surrounding walls outside. After, we visited the Arch of Constantine, located next to the Colosseum.

Our favorite hotels in Rome 😴

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Colosseum Palace Star

Rome

Casa Modelli

Rome

Sentho Roma

Rome

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Check available hostels

2. Roman Forum & Palatine Hill

After the Colosseum, it is a short 10-min walk towards the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. The first settlement of Rome began on the Palatine Hill; we got great views of the Forum from the top before walking down to explore its ruins.

The ticket we bought for the Colosseum also gave us access to these sights. Please note that a ticket is valid for 24 hours from the first moment you use it, so we recommend heading straight to the Forum after your visit. Get your tickets here.

3. Altare Della Patria

In front of Piazza Venezia stands a gigantic pure-white marble monument offering incredible panoramic views of the entire city.

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The first part is free to visit, but to visit the top, you’ll need to book an entrance ticket. We didn’t do this, but it’s a good idea, especially as sitting on the monument/stair steps is not allowed.

Day 2 of Things to do in Rome

What we really loved about Rome is that (despite its size), we could still explore almost everything on foot. We walked around 4 km per day during our Rome City Trip.

4. Castel Sant’Angelo

Castel Sant’Angelo is a unique, round-shaped military building. The five floors inside, connected by spiral stairs, go all the way to the roof terrace. It’s a great spot for taking photos, just make sure to be on time to avoid the crowds, as tours start around 9 AM.

5. Pantheon

The Pantheon is one of the best-preserved buildings we saw in Rome. The former temple, now converted into a church, has a massive dome with an opening that lets natural light illuminate the entire building. It’s so unique to look up and see beams of sunlight shining down.

Outside the Pantheon, at Piazza della Rotonda, there were loads of lovely terraces where we could take a break and get a delicious Italian espresso.

Fact: The columns on the outside of the Pantheon are made from granite from Egypt!

6. Make a Wish at the Trevi Fountain

Both times we’ve visted Rome, we’ve had to make a wish at the Trevi Fountain! The myth goes that when you toss a coin with your right hand over your left shoulder, you’ll be destined to return to Rome someday. Every day, over 3000 EUR is collected from the fountain and donated to a non-profit for food banks and shelters.

7. Spanish Steps

In the heart of the city, climb the famous 135 Spanish Steps. Please note that it’s not allowed to sit on the steps, as they connect Piazza di Spagna and Trinità Dei Monti; there is always something going on here. Tip: We found a delicious ice cream place nearby called Gelateria Valentino.

Day 3 – Busy and Relaxing Rome

On our third day, we woke up super early to be one of the first at Vatican City. This is the most popular thing to do in Rome, so it’s very busy, but for good reason.

8. Vatican City

Inside the walls of Vatican City is the smallest country in the world. It’s so fascinating that even though this is the heart of Rome, it’s actually a different country (the walls are its border!). Visit St. Peter’s Square & Basilica, the Vatican Museums, and the Sistine Chapel, but make sure to check opening times beforehand, as it’s sometimes closed on Sundays.

St. Peter’s Square

St. Peter’s Square is the large plaza in front of the basilica where people gather on Sundays for a short greeting from the Pope at his window. We didn’t need to buy a ticket to enter St. Peter’s Square; anyone can visit for free.

St. Peter’s Basilica

St. Peter’s Basilica is one of the most important temples for Christendom. It’s a massive 136 meters tall, and the inside is completely covered with incredible art.

We visited the dome of the Basilica, which was an absolute highlight. It was quite a climb to the top, but we had an incredible 360-degree panoramic view over the entire city and of St. Peter’s Square. Reminder: Make sure to dress appropriately with knees and shoulders covered.

The church is free to visit, but you have to get a ticket to visit the dome (worth it in our opinion).

• Stairs only ticket: 17 EUR
• Elevator return ticket: 22 EUR for a return ticket

It gets busy, even first thing in the morning, so get there as early as you can (it opens at 7 AM) and make sure to book your ticket and time slot in advance. Note: You may still have to queue even with a ticket.

After our morning, we walked 10 minutes to Café Mémé Bistrot for a delicious lunch. Make sure to get there just before lunchtime, as it is small and very popular.

9. Villa Borghese – A Unique Thing to do in Rome

We were so surprised to find this massive park located right in the middle of Rome! We grabbed an espresso at the little cafeteria and enjoyed watching local life unfold. We saw people exploring on rental bikes, which looked like a lot of fun, but we really enjoyed just walking around on our own.

10. Day Trip to Orvieto

Perfectly situated atop a massive limestone rock, high above the lush Italian landscape, is the Umbrian town of Orvieto. It took us only 1.5 hours to drive there from Rome, so it’s a great location for a day trip.

There are so many beautiful spots we came across in Orvieto:

• Winding cobblestone streets
• A beautiful cathedral with colorful frescoes
• Underground caves and tunnels from the Etruscan
• Delicious Umbrian cuisine and wines

We explored many villages (including Orvieto) before we headed to Rome, so for us the most flexible option was to rent a car in Italy.

We also saw the option to go by train from Rome to Orvieto. The train arrives at Piazzale Matteotti in Orvieto Scalo (the lower part of town), from where you can take the cable car up to the historical center.

Best Cafes and Restaurants in Rome

There are so many incredible spots to eat in Rome. We loved stumbling across hidden gems in neighborhoods like Trastavere. Here are some of our favorites from the trip:

Hotels in Rome

We stayed at Cielo Vaticano Guesthouse which was easy walking distance to most things to do, and a very reasonable price. Piazza Navona and San Lorenzo are also well-located areas. For something more local and vibrant, try Travestere or Testaccio.

Our favorite hotels in Rome 😴

View all

Colosseum Palace Star

Rome

Casa Modelli

Rome

Sentho Roma

Rome

See available hotels in Rome

Check available hotels

Check available hostels

Tip: We wouldn’t recommend staying near the Colosseum as it’s very busy and generally overpriced for the quality you get.

How to Visit Rome

Rome has two airports, Ciampino (CIA) and Fiumicino (FCO), with flights arriving from all over the world.

• Fiumicino: Take the express train to Rome Termini (the main station). Get train tickets online.
• Ciampino: There are shuttle buses that will drop you at the subway station in the middle of Rome. Check Google Maps for directions.

We were already on a roadtrip through Italy when we visited Rome, so we arrived by rental car (which isn’t ideal in terms of parking). It’s more convenient to come by train.

Getting Around Rome

We walked almost everywhere in Rome. But if you’re planning on seeing all the top things to do, it’s best to buy a Rome Card, which gives you skip-the-line access and discounts to the city’s most important sights (+ unlimited public transport for 3 days).

Get your Omnia Pass

How Much Does Rome Cost?

As Rome is the capital city of Italy, we noticed we were paying slightly higher prices than in other cities. However, with a bit of research and straying off the tourist trail, we did find some amazing trattorias selling delicious, cheap eats.

Best Time to Visit Rome

We visited Rome twice: once in August and once in April. Spring was way better, as it was quieter, the temperatures were more pleasant, and prices weren’t as high. We wouldn’t recommend the peak summer months, as it’s a bit too hot for comfortable exploring.