Rome in 3 Days: The Perfect Itinerary for First-Time Visitors

# Rome in 3 Days: The Perfect Itinerary

Rome wasn't built in a day, and you can't see it all in three — but you can hit the highlights and eat exceptionally well. Here's your 72-hour plan.

Start at the **Colosseum** (book skip-the-line tickets — the queues are brutal). Walk through the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill next door. For lunch, head to the Monti neighborhood — Roscioli for the best carbonara in Rome, or grab pizza al taglio from Antico Forno Roscioli.

Afternoon: Visit the **Pantheon** (free entry) and toss a coin in the **Trevi Fountain**. Evening: aperitivo in Trastevere — Freni e Frizioni for great cocktails and free buffet snacks.

Morning: Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel (book the earliest slot). The Raphael Rooms are as impressive as Michelangelo's ceiling. Skip St. Peter's Basilica queue by entering through the dome entrance (€8 for the elevator, 320 steps from there).

Afternoon: Castel Sant'Angelo for panoramic views, then cross the bridge to Piazza Navona for gelato at Giolitti — Rome's oldest gelateria.

Morning: Borghese Gallery (book weeks ahead — only 360 visitors per 2-hour slot). Walk through Villa Borghese gardens afterward. Visit the Capuchin Crypt — a chapel decorated with the bones of 4,000 monks.

Lunch at Mercato Testaccio — the real food market Romans eat at. Try supplì (fried rice balls) and porchetta sandwiches.

Evening: Sunset at the Orange Garden (Giardino degli Aranci) on Aventine Hill — the best free view in Rome. Look through the Knights of Malta keyhole for a perfect framed St. Peter's view.

- Buy Roma Pass for free transport + 2 free museum entries

- Dinner starts at 8pm — don't show up at 6pm

- Tap water is drinkable — look for nasoni (public fountains) everywhere

- Caffè is espresso; caffè americano is what you probably want