3 Days In Rome: A Great Itinerary To Make Fully Enjoy It

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With 3 days in Rome, you won’t be able to cover everything that the city has to offer, but you can really see a good deal of it and get to all the most famous attractions. If you prepare in advance, planning your itinerary, booking entrances to the various attractions, sticking to the plan and keeping good timing you’ll definitely be able to cover all the highlights and perhaps also have a chance to relax and take in the incredible atmosphere of the Eternal City.

Since I have been to Rome many times and I have even lived there for a while, I thought I’d help you with the planning bit and I have put together a 3 days in Rome itinerary, so that all you’ll be left with is making reservations for your flights, attractions and places to stay.

In this post, I will not only explain what you can see and do if you have 3 days in Rome, but I will also share some useful tips to help you skip the lines at the most popular attractions, save a bit of money here and there, and make the most of your time in the Italian capital.

Make sure to check out my posts “30 Unmissable, Fun And Cheap Things To Do In Rome” and “17 Reasons To Visit Italy As Soon As Possible.”

Continue reading to discover all the things to do when you have 3 days in Rome.

With 3 days in Rome, you absolutely have to visit the Colosseum

Table of Contents

A Day By Day Itinerary For Your 3 Days In Rome

Let me first stress that if you really want to spend just 3 days in Rome, you need to book entries to the most famous attractions or there will be high chances that you’ll be stuck in line trying to get ticket and may even find out that these are sold out at times.

I will make sure to point out whenever you need to make advanced reservations for the attractions mentioned in this 3 day Rome itinerary. Follow my itinerary and advice, and you’ll have 3 memorable days in Rome.

The assumption of this itinerary that you have at least 3 days in Rome (which means you’ll sleep there 4 nights and have 3 full days). You’ll have to start your day very early, heading out on a mission to explore. I have created an itinerary that is logic in terms of visiting attractions that are more or less all in the same area on the same day, and where you can walk from one to the other thus minimizing the use of public transportation.

I have included all those places in the historic center of Rome that you really have to see, and a few ones that will be a nice addition to your time there. This itinerary is packed. I recommend heading out early (no later than 8:30 AM), and at times even earlier; having lunch on the go enjoying some of the best street food of Rome (go for pizza al taglio, supplì al telefono or gelato) and then opt for a sit down meal in the evening.

Make sure to read my post “All The Food In Rome You Should Eat: 25 Delicious Dishes.”

Finally, without any further ado, let me give you the ultimate itinerary to see Rome in 3 days.

Don’t skip the Forum when you have 3 days in Rome

Day One: Ancient Rome

This 3 days in Rome itinerary starts with a bang. Your first stop is the Colosseum, and you’ll then explore the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. Later on you’ll discover other beautiful places, including the Altare della Patria of Piazza Venezia, the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and other iconic squares of Rome.

Map of day one Rome itinerary

To get a better idea of the itinerary you have to follow on this day, I thought I’d link to a map that I have specifically created for you. You can see it by clicking here. This will give you a good idea of what there is to see and do along the itinerary, walking distances and times, places to stop for a bite or a drink. You can adjust it to remove places you are not interested in, or add more if you feel you want to pack your itinerary further.

The Colosseum

Few places scream Rome as much as the Colosseum. This is one of the most visited attractions in the world; a mighty sight during the day and a simply stunning one at night, when it is completely illuminated. You just can’t miss it – certainly not when you have 3 days in Rome.

However, I have some bad news for you: there often (or shall I say always?!) are endless lines to enter the Colosseum.

In my post “Five Smart Ways To Get Tickets To The Colosseum And Skip The Lines” I have explained all the options you have to skip the line at the Colosseum. I suggest reading it, as it will give you some good insights on how to avoid the lines (and some of them don’t have to cost you an arm and a leg).

Let me however sum it up here: the only real way to skip the line at the Colosseum is by buying skip the line tickets online. Mind you, even then you’ll have to go through security. But that’s a much faster line.

TIP: Keep in mind that the Colosseum is often sold out. Make sure to buy your tickets well in advance. If you just buy tickets with no guided entrance, you will have to go to a separate website to specify a date and time for your visit.

TIP: It may be easier, less time consuming for you and overall a better option to invest in a guided tour of the Colosseum. This way, all you’ll have to worry about is to indicate the time of the tour upon purchasing it, and the company you’re buying from will worry about all the other arrangements.

These are some excellent group tours with skip the line tickets to the Colosseum:

Make sure to read the full description of the tour to see what it includes – the basic tours only go to the main floor, while others also access the underground.

Taking a night tour of the Colosseum

If you are looking for a more intimate, and a truly unique experience, you may want to opt for a night tour of the Colosseum. Night time tours typically start at 9:30 pm and last around 2 and a half hours.

TIP: If you are doing a night tour, have dinner beforehand and head back to the Colosseum in time for the tour.

Night tours give access to the main areas of the Colosseum that you’d normally get to see on regular tours – the first and second ring, the arena floor; as well as the undergrounds.

Night-time tickets to the Colosseum cost around €87 per person. It is significantly more expensive than a regular tour, but it may be well worth it.

These are some good night tours of the Colosseum:

Another must see is the Roman Forum

The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill

With the same ticket you use to visit the Colosseum, you will have access to the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill. This is a very large site, so consider doing a guided tour to make the most of it. Most of the tours of the Colosseum also go to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.

These are some of the best guided tours of the Roman Forum:

A few facts about the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill

The Roman Forum is one of the unmissable sights in Rome. It used to be the heart of the city when this was a Republic; an incredibly busy place. It was a market, as well as packed with temples, brothels and even the House of the Senate. At the time of the Roman Empire, it became a ceremonial center.

The Palatine Hill is the place where the twins Romolo and Remo were raised by the wolf, and Romolo founded the village that later on became Rome after having killed his twin brother. The Palatine used to be the residence of the emperors and aristocrats of Rome.

The Jewish Ghetto

By the time you are done visiting the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill, head to the Jewish Ghetto. It will be a great addition to this 3 days in Rome itinerary and an excellent place to grab some lunch.

The Ghetto was established by Pope Paul IV five centuries ago, and forced all the Jews living in Rome to move into a walled quarter on the banks of the Tiber River. The area was surrounded by walls the Jewish community had to pay for, and had gates that were locked at night.

Though life in the Jewish Ghetto was hard, the community managed to thrive, developing its own dialect as well as its own cuisine. Nowadays, Roman Kosher cuisine is one of the most famous in the city, and if there is something you shouldn’t miss when in Rome that’s the carciofi alla giudia – fried artichokes with mint and garlic. Make sure to read this post for inspiration on where to eat in the Jewish Ghetto.

Piazza Venezia

After lunch, head back to Piazza Venezia, where you’ll be able to see Trajan’s Column and the massive monument to Vittorio Emanuele II, built in 1911 to celebrate the first king of unified Italy. It’s a very central part of Rome, the kind of place where locals gather to protest or for public celebrations. If you happen to be in Rome on 2 June, during the Festa della Repubblica, you’ll be able to see a parade going right by it.

Cat lovers have to stop at the cat sanctuary of Largo di Torre Argentina

Largo di Torre Argentina

This 3 days in Rome itinerary is bound to include my favorite places in the city. Since it is really close to Piazza Venezia and you’ll walk by it on your way to Piazza Navona, and after all it is an archeological site, it would be a pity to miss Largo di Torre Argentina when exploring ancient Rome.

Known as the place where Julius Cesar died – although this information isn’t accurate, since he died on the steps of the Theater of Pompey, which is a couple of blocks away – Largo di Torre Argentina is a series of ruins of some of the oldest temples of Rome.

If this is not enough to catch your attention, you may find it interesting to know that it’s also home to the oldest cat sanctuary in Rome. To be completely honest, it’s what attracted me in the first place. Mind you, I had seen the ruins. But it was when I spotted cats relaxing on the columns that I was curious to find out more about it.

If you walk around the site, you’ll get to a small entrance where you’ll find a shelter and a small shop that sells gadgets to raise funds to be used to care for the cats. You can go to the shop – it’s one of the coolest things to do in Rome in 3 days – play with the cats, buy a nice souvenir (Cats of Rome calendars are a great, easy and light thing to carry in your suitcase) and make a donation.

You can even donate online on the official website of Largo di Torre Argentina cat sanctuary. If you aren’t as much of a cat lover as I am, you can just continue walking onto your next stop.

Campo de’ Fiori

South of Piazza Navona, Campo de’ Fiori is one of the prettiest squares in Rome. The name, which translates as “field of flowers,” refers to the fact that in Medieval times this area was a meadow. Paved in 1456, since the late 19th century it’s been home to a beautiful market that sells fruits, vegetables and flowers. You’ll find several bars and cafés, and a lot of people hanging around.

Piazza Navona

Piazza Navona is one of the prettiest squares in Rome and at a short walk from Largo di Torre Argentina, so it can be easily added to the places to visit with 3 days in Rome. Paved over the 1st century Stadio di Domiziano in the 15th century, it’s home to one of the many markets of Rome. Here you’ll be able to see the Fountain of the Four Rivers, designed in 1651 by Bernini, and the Baroque Sant’Agnese church, built in the 17th century.

The Pantheon is one of the most iconic buildings in Rome

The Pantheon

On the way from Piazza Navona di Trevi Fountain, there are several places you can visit. One of them is the Pantheon, one of the most famous and unique attractions in Rome. It was commissioned by Emperor Hadrian and built in the 126 AD. Its Dome is considered the best preserved building from antiquity. Inside there are the tombs of famous Italian artist Raphael and of King Victor Emmanuel II.

Admission to the Pantheon is free, and you won’t find much of a line. You may consider getting an audioguide to take you around (the audio-guide tour lasts 35 minutes) for just €5 euro. You can get yours here.

Read my post “A Guide To Visiting The Pantheon, Rome + What You Should Know About Pantheon Tickets.”

Montecitorio

If you continue following this itinerary for 3 days in Rome, you’ll walk by Piazza di Montecitorio, which is the seat of the Italian Chamber of Deputies. Chances are you have seen it on TV news. It’s worth stopping for a few moments, to admire a building whose construction was initiated by Bernini for Ludovico Ludovisi, a young cardinal nephew of Pope Gregory XV.

The building was completed by Carlo Fontana, who added a bell gable above the main entrance. It was designed for social and public functions.

You have to see Trevi Fountain!

Trevi Fountain

Trevi Fountain is one of the most iconic places to visit in Rome, and an easy addition to this itinerary to see Rome in 3 days. In recent years, the fountain underwent major renovation work and it’s been covered for a while – but it’s finally been brought back to its original splendor.

You’ll soon notice that this is one of the most crowded attractions in town, yet it’s a gorgeous place and it would be a pity to miss it.

TIP: Remember that jumping in fountains or putting your feet in them is forbidden. If you do that and get caught, a hefty fine will follow.

A beautiful view of St. Peter’s Basilica from Via della Conciliazione

Day two: Vatican City, Castel Sant’Angelo and Galleria Borghese

Day two of your 3 days in Rome itinerary will be just as packed as your first one. You will visit the Vatican, Castel Sant’Angelo, the Spanish Steps and finish off with Galleria Borghese.

Map of day two Rome itinerary

Click here to download a map of your itinerary for your second day in Rome.

St. Peter’s Basilica, The Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel

I suggest heading out no later than 7:00 AM for an early tour of the Vatican, so that you’ll have plenty of time to explore other places afterwards.

The Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel officially open to the public at 9:00 AM, while St. Peter’s Basilica opens at 7:00 AM. Lines to get into the Vatican Museums start forming as early as 7:30 AM. However, you can get an early access Vatican tour. I recommend getting one that includes a dedicated entrance to St. Peter’s Basilica.

Alternatively, you can opt to visit St. Peter’s Basilica as soon as it opens at 7:00 AM and then head to the Vatican Museums – but keep in mind in this case you won’t have a dedicated entrance and you’ll have to walk all the way around to get in.

TIP: Remember that the lines at the Vatican Museums are some of the longest in Rome. Make sure to avoid them! Check out my post “How To Get Tickets To The Sistine Chapel And The Vatican Museums And Skip The Line” for more information.

All in all, I believe that an early guided tour of the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica is a huge time saver, not to mention you’ll also have a guide that will take you around providing all the most relevant facts about the Sistine Chapel and pointing to the must sees of the Vatican Museums collection. Furthermore, an early tour will mean that you can enjoy the place when it is still virtually empty and by the end go to St. Peter’s Basilica, where you’ll once again be guided.

If you do an early access tour of the Vatican, you should be done by 11:00 AM at the latest, leaving plenty of time to continue exploring the city.

These are the best tours of the Vatican with early access and entrance to St. Peter’s Basilica:

A few facts about the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica

The Vatican Museums are huge: there are 54 chambers and an infinite collection. The real show stealer is the Sistine Chapel, where Michelangelo painted his masterpiece – The Last Judgement – thought to be one of Renaissance’s greatest works.

St. Peter’s Basilica is the most important church for Catholics. It was built by Renaissance most prominent artists – Michelangelo, Bernini and Bramante, over a site thought to be the tomb of St. Peter. The church consists of 11 chapels, 45 altars and more mosaics than one can count. Inside there are Michelangelo’s Pietà, Bernini’s Baldacchino, as well as the Chair of St. Peter.

Find out more about St. Peter’s Basilica in my post “How To Get St. Peter’s Basilica Tickets And Skip The Line.”

If you also want to climb the dome, make sure to read my post “A Complete Guide To Visiting St. Peter’s Basilica Dome.”

TIP: Modest clothing is required to enter the Vatican: cover your shoulders, chest and knees.

TIP: No photos are allowed inside the Sistine Chapel. If you are caught taking one, you’ll be immediately escorted out.

If you have 3 days in Rome, you have to visit Castel Sant’Angelo!

Castel Sant’Angelo

If you have 3 days in Rome, you have enough time to visit Castel Sant’Angelo. You will walk by it as you make your way to the Tiber River, walking towards the Spanish Steps.

Castel Sant’Angelo was originally a mausoleum for the Emperor Hadrian. It was subsequently used as a prison, and it now is a museum.

If you are thinking of visiting, I recommend opting for a skip the line ticket in order to maximize your time. These are some good options:

Fast track advance ticket to Castel Sant’Angelo
Castel Sant’Angelo tickets
Castel Sant’Angelo Entrance With Digital Audio-Guide
Castel Sant’Angelo and St. Peter’s Square Tour
Castel Sant’Angelo skip the line
Castel and Ponte Sant’Angelo Guided Tour
The Spanish Steps

The next stop on your 3 days in Rome itinerary will be the Spanish Steps. It’s one of the most famous places to visit in the city, and if you have 3 days in Rome you just can’t skip it.

Italians call it Piazza di Spagna. There, you’ll find 185 steps that lead to the beautiful Trinità dei Monti church. The steps were built in the 18th century and face Via Condotti – a famous shopping street. Make sure to walk up and take in the lovely views before you move on to your next stop.

Piazza Del Popolo

You will see many squares during your 3 days in Rome.

Right at the bottom of the Pincio (the Pincian Hill) there is Piazza del Popolo, one of the largest squares in Rome often used for concerts and large social gatherings. At the center of it there is the obelisk of Ramesses II from Heliopolis, which is the second tallest in the city. The best views of the square are from the steps that lead to the Pincio Terrace – which I also recommend visiting.

Galleria Borghese is one of the best art collections in the world

Galleria Borghese

If you walk up the stairs from Piazza del Popolo to the Pincian Hill and continue walking for little under 2 km through the gorgeous park, you will reach Galleria Borghese, a place that you absolutely have to see if you have 3 days in Rome.

Not only Borghese Gardens are absolutely gorgeous, but the actual museum has one of the finest art collections in the world, with paintings and sculptures of Bernini, Canova, Caravaggio and Titian (I guess the bolding gives in to which one is my favorite among them!).

Galleria Borghese only allows 360 visitors at once, so it’s never really crowded. The other side of the coin, however, is that entrances are timed. This means 3 things: you’ll have to pick a time for your visit; you need to buy tickets online beforehand; you have to keep good timing to be at the museum right on time for the tour – keep in mind that it will take you between 25 to 30 minutes to walk there from piazza del Popolo.

These are some recommended tours of Borghese Gallery:

Make sure to read my post “Seven Smart Ways To Get Galleria Borghese Tickets And Skip The Lines.”

A detail of St. John in the Lateran church

Day three: Lesser known Rome

On your last day of your 3 days in Rome, I suggest visiting places that aren’t perhaps as famous but which will be just as rewarding as the others. If you feel you have already seen enough churches, you may want to head to the Catacombs and the Appian Way directly, or just head to Garbatella for a walk in what is one of the most interesting neighborhoods in town.

Map of day three Rome itinerary

You can download your map for your third day in Rome here. You will see that the distances are a bit greater so you may consider getting a bus or a taxi to move from one to the other. If you click on the train icon on the map that should give you all the public transportation options.

San Clemente Basilica

If you are not churched out already, San Clemente Basilica is one of the places to visit when you have 3 days in Rome. I only discovered it a few years ago, when a friend mentioned it, saying that this is thought to be the site where Christians used to pray when they were still prosecuted.

Various excavations have uncovered remains that date back to the 1st century, as well as the 4th. In fact, there even is an older stratum, thought to contain buildings that were destroyed by Nero’s fire in 64 AD.

The church, which actually is very close to the Colosseum, is small enough and easy to explore. However, you may want to join a guided tour to get a bit more information than that which can be found on panels.

These are few good tour options – some of them also go to the Catacombs:

St. John in the Lateran

I used to live a few blocks away from this church, and walk right by it on my way to class every day, so I want to make sure you get to see it if you spend 3 days in Rome. This is the cathedral church of Rome, and the seat of the Pope in the city. The oldest basilica in town, it’s significantly less visited compared to St. Peter’s Basilica.

In front of the church, you’ll find the Lateran Obelisk, known as the largest standing Egyptian obelisk in the world. The church is famous for its Scala Sancta, a stairway of 28 steps believed to be those that Jesus walked up while heading to his trial in Jerusalem. You may have heard of those steps in Rome that the pilgrims climb on their knees – the only way visitors are allowed to ascend. It’s these!

Here’s a selection of the best guided tours of St. John in the Lateran:

The Appian Way is one of the most interesting places to visit if you have 3 days in Rome

The Catacombs and the Appian Way

One of the most interesting things to do in Rome in 3 days is visiting the Appian Way. This was built in 312 BC and is considered one of the oldest surviving roads in the world. During the Roman Empire, it connected Rome to other important cities such as Naples and Brindisi, allowing the fast movement of military troops and goods.

There are many interesting things to see along the Appian Way. The most interesting ones are the Church of Domine Quo Vadis, which was built in the 9th century, and the Catacombs of St. Callixtus and St. Sebastian. St. Callixtus catacombs is where 16 popes, and a variety of martyrs have been buried.

To make the most of this vast site, I recommend doing a guided tour. These are a few good options:

Garbatella

Garbatella is one of the most local neighborhoods in Rome, one that has yet to become a major tourist site. It became increasingly popular among Italians when a famous TV series was filmed there. The area was built starting from 1918, and for a long time it was considered a dangerous area of Rome. Now, it’s thought to be one of the most pleasant places to live in the city.

This part of Rome is packed with interesting attractions: museums, art galleries and churches (this is where St. Paul’s Outside The Walls is located). More than anything, it is a place where you can still enjoy an authentic local meal, away from the crowds you’ll find in the historic center of Rome. It’s a cool place to visit when you have 3 days in Rome.

The beautiful Altare della Patria in Piazza Venezia

Practical Tips For Your 3 Days In Rome

Where to stay in Rome

Rome is packed with excellent hotel options (if only a bit pricey). I recommend staying in the city center if you only have 3 days in Rome, so that you can more easily move around and won’t have to always rely on public transportation. The areas I recommend are Ottaviano, for easy access to the Vatican, Esquilino, where you are bound to find more budget friendly options, or Monti, which is very close to the Colosseum.

These are some excellent hotels in the area of Ottaviano:

Polinari Rooms – a great hotel with spacious comfortable rooms. It’s just a 5 minutes walk from the Vatican Museums. Click here for the latest rates and here for reviews.
Town House 57 – a very good guest house with impeccably clean, modern furnished rooms. It’s an easy walking distance from the Vatican Museums. Click here for the latest rates and here for reviews.
My Bed Vatican Museum – unbeatable in terms of location. It features spotless, comfortable rooms. Click here for the latest rates and here for reviews.
Chester Suites – plush rooms in an excellent location. Click here for the latest rates and here for reviews.

These are some excellent hotels in the area of Esquilino:

Hotel Tito Rome – an excellent option in terms of location, right by the train station. Click here for the latest rates and here for reviews.
Charm of Rome – a good small hotel by the train station, close to Vittorio Emanuele square. Click here for the latest rates and here for reviews.

These are some excellent hotels in the area of Monti:

Relais Monti – a fantastic hotel, in a great location and with excellent rooms. Click here for the latest rates and here for reviews.
Domus Romana Hotel – a perfect choice for families, it features very spacious rooms. Click here for the latest rates and here for reviews.

For more accommodation options, read my post “A Complete Guide To Where To Stay In Rome.”

Guided Tours Of Rome

The itinerary I have drafted for your 3 days in Rome is completely doable independently. I suggest joining a couple of guided tours to make the most of the attractions. The good thing about a guided tour is that you only have to book that – the company will take care of booking the attractions.

These are a few good guided tours of Rome that go to all the most famous attractions:

Full day walking tour of Rome – a good tour of Rome, but keep in mind it doesn’t go to the Vatican. The price is per group.
Faster than skip the line: Vatican, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica tour – an excellent three hour guided tour of the Vatican.
Skip the line ancient Rome and Colosseum half day walking tour – a very good guided tour of ancient Rome.
Best of Rome: Vatican, St. Peter’s Basilica and Colosseum pass – an audio-guide tour that goes to the most famous sites.

Consider joining a tour or two to make the most of your time in Rome

Using A 72 Hours Roma Pass

My post “The Best Roma Pass Options And How To Make The Most Of It” provides a full overview of what the Roma Pass is and how you can make the most of it.

In general, a Roma Pass is worth it if you have 3 days in Rome, since that’s its maximum duration and you can make the most of it by visiting all the many attractions and get discount for others, and you can even access public transportation and, in some cases, have a one way transfer to the airport.

These are some good 72 hours Roma Pass options. Whichever one you pick, make sure to carefully read the terms and conditions:

Omnia Card for Rome and Vatican City: there is a 24 hours and a 72 hours version of this pass. It includes skip the line tickets to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, preferred access with an audio-guide for St. Peter’s Basilica, access to the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls and the Mamertine Prison. However, it doesn’t include tickets to the Colosseum.
Visit Pass Rome Gold – with this pass you get fast track access to a variety of sites including the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums; privileged access to St. Peter’s Basilica and Castel Sant’Angelo; skip the line tickets to the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hills. You’ll also get an app to help you draft an itinerary and an audio-guide for the Roman Forum and Palatine. It includes a public transportation pass.
Visit Pass Rome Platinum – a more expensive option than the one above, because you get a live guide for St. Peter’s Basilica.
Best of Rome all access pass – a pass that gives you fast track entrances to the Vatican, the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and Palatine Hills, and an audio-guide. I can’t say if transportation is included – but it’s cheaper than the previous two so a good option if you’re going to walk anyways.

One thing to consider is that even when you have the Roma Pass you will have to book your entry to sites such as the Colosseum and the Borghese Gallery in advance. All in all, you may be better off booking individual skip the line tours.

These are the best tours that include skip the line access:

Colosseum and Roman Forum:

Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica:

When to visit Rome

Any time is good to visit the Italian capital, but if you only have 3 days in Rome try to go when the days are longer and the attractions still on summer opening time. Personally, I find it has something special in October: the days are still nice and long-ish, the temperatures mild, and sites are a bit less crowded.

I’d recommend avoiding August. It’s when Italians go on holidays, so the city really empties out of locals and all you’ll see is lines of tourists everywhere.

Such a wonderful city!

How to get to Rome

Rome has two airports – Fiumicino, for intercontinental flights and all major airlines; and Ciampino, for flights to Italy and Europe, and a major budget airline hub. Both airports are well connected to the city via cabs, buses and (in the case of Fiumicino) trains.

The easiest way to get from Ciampino to Rome city center is by taxi or bus. Various companies depart regularly – Terravision is probably the most reliable one. You can book Terravision bus tickets here.

There are more options to travel from Fiumicino Airport to Rome. The cheapest way is the express train, which runs every 15 minutes (or every 30 minutes late at night). You can buy tickets and check the timetable online. Remember to validate your ticket at one of the many machines scattered around the station before getting on the train – if you don’t do so, you may be subject to a fine!

Other options include taxis, which have a €48 flat rate, or a private transfer, either shared or private.

These are some good transfers options

For more information, check out my post “How To Get From Fiumicino Airport To Rome City Center.”

Rome is well connected by train to the rest of Italy, and it has many train stations. Fast trains usually depart from Roma Termini station. You can buy tickets and check the train timetable here.

How to move around Rome

Uber doesn’t really work in Italy – so if you want to use taxis, you are better off downloading apps such as MyTaxi.

Unless you are covering really long distances, the best way to get around Rome (especially if you have just 3 days in Rome) is on foot, and the itinerary I have drafted for your 3 days in Rome is meant to maximize the amount of things you can see in an area, so as to avoid the use of transportation as much as possible.

Having said so, despite the many complaints of the locals, public transportation in Rome is quite efficient and you can pick between a multitude of buses and two metro lines (a third one is still being built). If you travel by bus you have to validate your ticket as soon as you get on or you may be subject to a fine.

You can get a Rome public transportation pass valid for 72 hours here. It may seem pricey but keep in mind it includes transfer from Ciampino airport.

TIP: I recommend not riding a horse pulled carriage. With the traffic and noise in Rome, you wouldn’t want to contribute to stressing out these poor animals!

Check out my post “The Complete Guide To Becoming A More Responsible Traveler.”

Luggage Storage in Rome

If for some reason you have to check out of your hotel early in the morning but your flight or train is only in the evening, you can count on several luggage storage services scattered around town. Check out this one or this one. Both have shops around town, but depending on your next stop you may want to leave your stuff in storage at Termini train station.

Other useful tips

Mind the dress code

This may be the most useful tip you get. If you aren’t dressed appropriately, you may be denied entry to certain sites. Modest is the way to go – keep your knees, shoulders and chest covered and you won’t have an issue. I know that in the summer months you may be tempted to escape the heat by wearing shorts and a tank top, but just don’t.

Get a data plan for your smartphone

Make sure that your smartphone has enough data and a plan that allows you to navigate the internet if needed, so that you can follow the map in this itinerary. Make sure you can consult Google Maps, and in case download maps you can use offline.

Get a guide book

I advise to bring along a good guide book with plenty of information about the places to visit in Rome in 3 days, as well as some good maps to find your whereabouts.

These are some good guide books:

Stay hydrated

If you visit Rome in the summer months, the heat may well be overwhelming and you will easily get dehydrated. Make sure to carry a bottle of water with you, and refill it on the go. Tap water is safe to drink in Rome and you’ll find many fountains across town where you can refill your bottle. Keep in mind that in most restaurants, when asking for “acqua” you’ll be served bottled water.

Mind the scams

Big, touristy cities are fun to explore, but it’s not uncommon for tourists to become the preferred target for scams. While locals are friendly, beware of overly friendly men, keep your stuff with you at all times to avoid pickpockets, don’t talk to people who offer unwanted help at places like the train station (and by all means do not surrender your train ticket), don’t ever put your hands on things that are offered to you – whether a rose or a bracelet (a polite but firm no is a must, but oftentimes ignoring is all it takes).

Get a good travel insurance

Whether you are spending just 3 days in Rome or more, don’t forget to purchase a good travel insurance. Check out my post “Why You Need A Good Travel Insurance.” Get your travel insurance here.

The Perfect Itinerary For 3 Days In Rome