A Fantastic Itinerary For 4 Days In Rome

If you have 4 days in Rome and it is your first time in the city, you will be glad to know you can see the main landmarks of the city.

You will need to carefully plan in advance, have a detailed day-to-day itinerary, and book the entrances to the various attractions before you go – this way, you will be able to see the main tourist attractions, and you’ll even manage to explore some lesser known ones.

Rome is my home away from home. I have lost count of how many times I have been there, and I have even lived there for a few months in two different years. So I thought I’d help you plan your 4 days in Rome.

With my itinerary to help you plan your trip, the only thing left for you to do is to book your flights, accommodation (I even share where to stay in Rome in this post), and tickets for the attractions that require advanced bookings.

Continue reading to discover all the things to do in Rome in 4 days.

4 Days In Rome – Itinerary Overview

Are you wondering about what to see in Rome in 4 days?, or asking yourself “are 4 days in Rome enough?” Don’t worry! 4 days in Rome are enough to get a good feel of the city, though you certainly won’t be able to see all of it – the thing is: a lifetime isn’t enough to see Rome anyways!

My 4 days in Rome itinerary is based on the assumption that you are spending 5 nights in the city, and you have 4 days in Rome. It may also work if you arrive in Rome very early in the morning by plane or bus on your first day or leave very late in the evening on your last day.

Here is a quick overview of this itinerary for 4 days in Rome:

Day One

Visiting the Colosseum is certainly what to do in Rome in 4 days, so let’s start with that! Today you will also appreciate one of the best views of Rome:

• Colosseum
• Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
• Baths of Caracalla
• Mouth of Truth
• Orange Garden

Day Two

Visit the Vatican City and the two best museums in Rome:

• St. Peter’s Basilica
• The Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel 
• Castel Sant’Angelo
• Spanish Steps
• Piazza del Popolo
• Galleria Borghese

Day Three

Focus on the historic center of Rome, and visit the most iconic fountains in the city:

• Trevi Fountain
• Montecitorio
• Pantheon
• Piazza Navona
• Campo de’ Fiori
• Largo di Torre Argentina
• Jewish Ghetto
• Altar of the Fatherland
• Tiber Island and Trastevere

Day Four

Discover some lesser visited sites churches and ancient sites in Rome.

• San Clemente Basilica
• St. John in the Lateran
• Appian Way

I have tried to keep this itinerary leisurely and not too packed. Each day you will visit attractions that are at easy walking distance one from the other, so that you can minimize the time spent on public transportation. Just wear comfortable shoes!

Visiting Rome Soon?

Whether yours is a last minute trip to Rome, or you’ve been planning it for months, there are some attractions and tours that you need to book ASAP.

My go-to websites to book tickets and tours are GetYourGuide and TakeWalks. Both offer a great variety of activities, 24/7 support and flexible cancellation.

Finally, continue reading to discover my suggested itinerary for 4 days in Rome.

What To See In Rome In 4 Days

Day 1: Ancient Rome

This 4 days in Rome itinerary starts with the unmissable attractions in Rome. Today you will visit the Colosseum in depth, explore the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, the magnificent Baths of Caracalla, and then head over to the Giardino degli Aranci for impressive views of the city.

Map of day one Rome itinerary

Here is a link of the itinerary you have to follow on Google Maps on your first day. Your starting point is the Colosseum, which you can reach by Metro B or – depending on where you are in the city – even on foot.

From the Colosseum, you will make your way to the Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum. Your day will end with the most beautiful sunset in Rome.

You may be able to follow this itinerary in reverse if you want to visit the Colosseum at night, but at the time of writing there is no offer of night tours of the Colosseum!

The Colosseum

The Colosseum is one of the unmissable things to see in Rome in 4 days.

One of the most famous tourist attractions in the world; the Colosseum is a beautiful sight during the day and a breathtaking one at night, when it is beautifully illuminated.

Officially called the Flavian Amphitheater, the construction of the Colosseum took the best of 10 years: it started under Emperor Vespasian in 72, but it was only completed under Titus in 82.

The name Colosseum comes from the Colosso di Nerone (Colossus Neronis), a massive statue representing Emperor Nero and that used to be placed right by the theater.

Back when the Colosseum was used as a theater, it could hold up to 80,000 spectators. People of all social classes could attend shows – though obviously the best seats were reserved for the most important people in the city.

The Colosseum held all sorts of shows. Obviously the most famous ones were gladiator battles or battles between gladiators and wild animals, which were carried to the arena floor thanks to a complex system of elevators. But there were also naval battles during which the arena was completely filled with water.

There’s no other way around it: the Colosseum is one of the places to visit in Rome in 4 days. The bad news is that this is a visit you must plan very carefully, as this is the most popular attraction in the city.

In order to visit the Colosseum, you need to get tickets in advance and select a time slot for your visit. The site opens at 9:00 and for the purpose of this itinerary, I recommend booking the very first time-slot.

Make sure to make your way to the Colosseum around 30 minutes before you are meant to walk in. Once you get there, you’ll have to go through airport-style security, but that line is usually quite quick.

The official retailer of Colosseum tickets is CoopCulture. Your tickets also give you access to the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill, for which you don’t need to book a time slot.

One thing I must stress is that during the high season (June to October) the Colosseum gets easily sold out. So, buy your tickets well in advance. The official website only sells tickets 30 days before the visit, so you will have to monitor this and put a reminder if that’s your preferred ticket option.

Otherwise, I actually recommend joining a guided tour of the Colosseum to fully appreciate its history and impressive architecture.

My recommendation is this this guided tour of the Colosseum run by local company Touriks. It’s the tour I took last time I was in the city, and enjoyed it. The tour also goes to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.

In my post How To Get Tickets To The Colosseum And Skip The Lines I detail all the ways you have to skip the line at the Colosseum. Make sure to read it, as it will give you some tips on how to get in – and you can even get money saving tips.

Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, lunch then and Circus Maximus

It’s literally a 5 minutes walk to the Roman Forum once you exit the Colosseum.

The same ticket that gives you access to the Colosseum can be used to visit the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill. In fact, most tours that go to the Colosseum include a visit of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.

Back in the time of the Republic, the Roman Forum was the very heart of Rome. There were a market, temples, brothels, and the House of the Senate. When the republic ended and the Roman Empire started, the Forum has more of a ceremonial function.

The Palatine Hill, which is basically overlooking the Forum and from where you can get impressive views of the Colosseum, is the very place where the twins Romolo and Remo were raised by the wolf, and the spot where Romolo founded Rome once he killed his brother Remo.

During the times of the Roman Empire, emperors and aristocrats used to live in the Palatine Hill, in magnificent villas whose remains (complete with mosaics) you can still see today.

Once you leave the Roman Forum, head over to lunch. For a unique experience, you could go to Aroma, a fabulous Michelin starred restaurant just a 7-minute walk away (but advanced bookings are necessary).

Otherwise, you could visit one of the many trattorie in Via Tor de’ Conti. I like the Taverna de’ Fori Imperiali. Just a word of warning though: the area is packed with pickpockets so don’t leave your belongings on a chair or on the floor!

After lunch, make your way to the Circus Maximus – it’s a further 20-minute walk from both areas.

The Circus Maximus is an ancient chariot racing stadium and entertainment venue located between the Palatine and the Aventine Hill. It is now a large urban park that is often used for concerts and other popular events.

Baths of Caracalla

From the Circus Maximus, it’s a 1 km (0.6 mile) or around a 15 minutes walk to the Terme di Caracalla (Baths of Caracalla in English). These are an enormous bathing complex where a whopping 1,600 persons could all bathe at the same time.

The Thermae Antonianae (that’s the original name) were built between 212 and 216 AD, in an area close to the first stretch of the more famous Appian Way, and were used until 537 AD. They weren’t just a massive spa, though: this was a social space complete with a library, pools of various kinds, gardens where back in the day people would go for a stroll, and more.

Contrary to many other sites in Rome, the Baths of Caracalla show the passing of time, yet upon visiting you can still see incredible mosaics and get an idea of how impressive they used to be back in the day. They are a fascinating place, and since they don’t get nearly as many other tourists as other sites, they are a nice addition to this 4 day Rome itinerary.

The official site to buy your tickets to the Baths of Caracalla is CoopCulture.

You could also consider this guided tour of the Baths of Caracalla run by Touriks, my favorite local operator available via GetYourGuide. There are two daily tours on offer and you could opt for the afternoon one.

Mouth of Truth

You will have to walk for about 20 minutes to reach your next stop for the day.

La Bocca della Verità (Mouth of Truth in English), is located by the entrance of the church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin. It’s a large marble mask that was placed by the side of the church in 1632 (though the actual mask dates back to the 1st century, when it was a manhole). 

A Medieval legend says that the mouth bites off the hand of liars. If you want an iconic photo, this is really what to see in Rome in 4 days!

Think you have seen the Mouth of Trust before? You may have if you are into old movies! Indeed, Mouth of Truth became internationally famous with the 1953 movie Roman Holiday with Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn.

Orange Garden and Knights of Malta Keyhole

After you leave the Mouth of Truth, head to the Giardino degli Aranci, or Orange Garden – also referred to as Parco Savello. It’s an 8-minute walk.

From the Orange Garden you will get incredible views of the city and especially of the Altar of the Fatherland and of St. Peter’s Basilica Dome, and one of the most impressive sunsets in Rome.

The gardens were designed in 1932 by Raffaele de Vico and nowadays they are among the most pleasant parks in Rome, appreciated by tourist and especially by locals.

Make sure to spot the famous Fountain of the Mask (Fontana del Mascherone in Italian) that is located at the entrance of the park.

It was a Roman hot bath joined with a colossal marble mask, literally a face spitting water into a massive stone tub. It was sculpted in 1593 by Bartolomeo Bassi and first located in the Roman Forum, and eventually – after being moved several times – it was placed at the entrance of the Orange Garden in 1936.

If you are keen, at a 3-minute walk from the Orange Garden you will also find the Knights of Malta Keyhole – it literally is a keyhole through which you can get one of the most unique views of St. Peter’s Basilica Dome.

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

Day 2 of your 4 days in Rome itinerary will take you to the Vatican City, Castel Sant’Angelo and Galleria Borghese – these are all unmissable things to see in Rome in 4 days!

Map of day three Rome itinerary

Here is a link of the itinerary you have to follow on Google Maps on your second day in Rome.

You can opt to have the Vatican Museums or St. Peter’s Basilica as your starting point – it depends on whether you want to do a guided tour or not. I recommend it for sure. First of all, it will make your visit significantly smoother, and secondly, there is so much to take in that only an expert guide will be able to help you make sense of what you see!

Once you leave the Vatican City, you will go by Castel Sant’Angelo and through the historic center of Rome to head to Borghese Gallery.

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

You have a long day ahead, and whether you take a guided tour or not I recommend heading out no later than 7:00 am to explore the Vatican, so that you can be out by 12:00 pm at the latest and have more time to enjoy other places in this Rome in 4 days itinerary.

The Vatican Museums are definitely among the things to see in Rome in 4 days. They are one of the biggest museums in the world, with 54 chambers and one of the most incredible collections of art you can ever wish to see.

Most people go to the Vatican Museums to admire the breathtaking Sistine Chapel, where they can see The Last Judgement – one of Renaissance’s greatest works and Michelangelo’s masterpiece.

The Vatican Museums are also home of Raphael’s Chambers, where you can see many of his works. It’s where you can spot Caravaggio‘s Entombment of Christ (I make it a point to stress this as he is one of my favorite painters of all times), as well mosaics and sculptures dating back to the Roman Empire.

You won’t be able to see the entire Vatican Museums – that would take you a lifetime really, but you only have 4 days in Rome. But if you go on a guided tour, your guide will manage the itinerary for you and show you the most relevant pieces while you listen and take photos. Don’t worry, I will recommend my favorite tour in a bit.

St. Peter’s Basilica is another work of art of Renaissance, and one of the best places to visit in Rome in 4 days.

The church was built by Michelangelo, Bernini and Bramante over an older basilica, which was already built over a site where the tomb of St. Peter was located. It’s a massive church, with 11 chapels, 45 altars and more mosaics than you can imagine.

My favorite pieces inside are Michelangelo’s Pietà – the famous statue of Mary holding Jesus, Bernini’s Baldacchino, as well as the Chair of St. Peter.

Now, to the organization bits. Here are the things you need to know to plan your day.

The official opening time of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel is 9:00 am. Lines to get into the Vatican Museums start forming at around 7:30 am.

St. Peter’s Basilica opens at 7:00 am.

You have two options to visit:

Start with St. Peter’s Basilica first, and plan to be there as soon as it opens at 7:00 am. It’s free to visit. Once you are done exploring, walk to the Vatican Museums. You’ll have to walk for 1 km (0.6 miles) around St. Peter’s Square to get to the museums. Just make sure to give yourself enough time to explore the church and make it to the Vatican Museums main gate.

You can book a time slot for the Vatican Museums on the official website. You can also get tickets are also available on third-party booking sites – they usually have more last-minute availability.

I recommend booking a time slot around 10:00 am to make it to the museum comfortably, especially if you intend to go up St. Peter’s Basilica Dome (you have the option of taking an elevator, but there’s still quite a bit to climb). I recommend reading my post on how to visit St. Peter’s Dome to have a more accurate idea of what to expect.

Alternatively, you can opt for an early access Vatican tour (which allows you to walk in before opening times) that also visits the Sistine Chapel and includes a dedicated access to St. Peter’s Basilica via a “secret passage” (this means you don’t have to walk out of the museums and around their perimeter to get the church), and tour of St. Peter’s Basilica too.

The main bonus of an early tour is that the Vatican Museums is that you will see it with almost no crowds at all.

I recommend this Pristine Sistine Early Entrance Small Group Vatican Tour – the tour starts at 7:10 am. My sister and I took the tour the last time we visited Rome and enjoyed it. We had a very knowledgeable guide who brought the museum to lie for us and gave meaning to whatever we saw.

Please be advised that no photography is allowed inside the Sistine Chapel. Remember you must be dressed modestly to visit the Vatican.

Castel Sant’Angelo

If you have 4 days in Rome, you probably have enough time to visit Castel Sant’Angelo, which is on your way from St. Peter’s Basilica to the Spanish Steps. Once you walk out of St. Peter’s Basilica, you will need to walk along Via della Conciliazione for about 10 minutes to make it there.

If you leave the Vatican by 11:00 am, your should have enough time to check out . You will walk by it on your way to Spanish Steps, as it is right by the Tiber River.

What’s special about Castel Sant’Angelo? If you ever read Dan Brown’s novel Angels and Demons you may know quite a bit about it already. For example, you will know that this was never really a castle.

Castel Sant’Angelo was built to be a mausoleum for the Emperor Hadrian, but then served different purposes throughout history. It was used as a prison, as a fortress, and as a safe place for popes – who has access to it via a secret passage from the Vatican.

Castel Sant’Angelo is now a museum, with beautiful frescoes and paintings. The highlight of a visit however is typically the impressive views of St. Peter’s Basilica and Rome you can get from the terrace.

I never found Castel Sant’Angelo to be crowded compared to other sites in Rome, and there never really is much of a line at the ticket counter. However, you may still want to get skip the line tickets for quicker access.

The Spanish Steps

The next stop on your Rome in 4 days itinerary will be the Spanish Steps. On your way there, you can stop for lunch. There are many places you can consider along the way, but my favorite is the Cantina Belsiana, a nice wine bar that serves some local staples, charcuterie boards and bruschetta, and lots of good wines – you can book a table on the app The Fork.

It will take you about 20 minutes to reach Cantina Belsiana, and from there it’s another 5 minutes to the Spanish Steps.

We actually refer to the Spanish Steps as Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti (the name of the church at the top of the staircase) here in Italy, and the square is known as Piazza di Spagna.

You can go up the 185 steps to the church if you wish. The steps were built in the 18th century and overlook one of the most famous shopping streets in Rome, Via Condotti, where you’ll also find the historic Antico Caffé Greco (another good spot for lunch, but very expensive).

Piazza Del Popolo

From Piazza di Spagna it’s a 10-minute walk along Via del Babuino to reach Piazza del Popolo. The square, located below the Pincio (the Pincian Hill), is one of the most impressive squares in Rome. There is quite a bit to see here, but you won’t have much time for an in depth visit if you want to make it to Galleria Borghese.

For reference, the obelisk at the center of the square is that of Ramesses II from Heliopolis. It is one of the tallest obelisks in Rome.

Piazza del Popolo is also home to the Chiese Gemelle of Piazza del Popolo – Carlo Reinaldi’s Twin Churches (though mind you, they are not identical!). They are located on either side of the Via del Corso. They are the 1681 Santa Maria dei Miracoli and the 1675 Santa Maria in Montesanto.

Piazza del Popolo is also home of three fountains – the Fountain of the Lions (Fontana dei Leoni; also known as the Fontana dell’Obelisco); the Fountain of the Goddess Rome (Fontana della Dea Roma), under the Pincio Terrace; and the Fountain of Neptune. All fountains are fed by the acqua Vergine Nuova aqueduct.

Galleria Borghese 

Taking the steps from Piazza del Popolo to the Pincian Hill you will find a trail that goes through the park and takes you to Galleria Borghese. It will take you around 25 minutes to get there, with no stops.

Galleria Borghese is the best art collection in Rome with paintings and sculptures of artists such as Bernini, Canova, Caravaggio and Titian.

The villa itself is a truly impressive building, where you can see original furnishings and beautifully frescoed ceilings. There occasionally are special exhibits that add an extra touch to the visit.

Here are the organizational bits:

Only 360 visitors are allowed inside Galleria Borghese for every time slot, so it’s never too crowded. Admission is timed and this implies that you need to buy tickets before your visit. This is the last stop of your day, so you can plan to be there for the very last time-slot, at 5:45, so that you have time to enjoy all the other attractions during the day.

Visits last two hours, after which the staff on the site will literally ask you to leave.

You can buy tickets for Galleria Borghese directly on the official website. Make sure to book well ahead of time as they often sell out.

As an alternative, you could go on a small group guided tour of Galleria Borghese which also includes a visit to the beautiful Borghese Gardens. There are tours starting at 4:00 and 5:00 pm so you can easily fit it in this itinerary.

My post A Guide To Galleria Borghese shares more information on how to plan your visit to this stunning art gallery.

Day 3: The Historic Center of Rome

The third of your 4 days in Rome is a bit more chilled and takes you to the most iconic spots of the historic center. There are no attractions that require strict advanced bookings so you can take it a bit easier.

Map of day two Rome itinerary

Here is a link of the itinerary you have to follow on Google Maps on your third day in Rome. You will make it all the way to Trastevere, where you can opt to have dinner before heading back to your hotel for the night.

Trevi Fountain

There is no way that any Rome in 4 days itinerary can skip the Trevi Fountain! The most famous fountain in Rome is a masterpiece of Baroque art, and it is strategically located in the historic center of Rome so a very easy place to add to your itinerary.

Trevi fountain is quite the sight! First of all, it is very big: It measures 20 meters (almost 66 feet) in width and 26 meters (that’s more than 85 feet) in height. Stop for a few moments to observe the sculpture of the sea god, Oceanus. He is sitting in his shell shaped chariot, which is led by a pair of Tritons and sea horses.

I need to warn you that Trevi Fountain is always very crowded. I have placed it as the very first attraction in today’s itinerary so that you can head there nice and early (I suggest 7:00 am) so that you don’t have to fight the crowds for a photo.

You may be tempted to dip your toes in the fountain, but it’s forbidden. There usually is police around and they will whistle at you if they think you are misbehaving, but they may even fine you!

Of course if you head out to visit Trevi Fountain so early in the morning, you may miss breakfast at your hotel. Don’t worry. There are plenty of places nearby where you can have breakfast.

If you can hold on a bit further, you can actually head to Caffé Sant’Eustachio, one of my favorite cafés in Rome that is close to the Pantheon. They toast their own beans and they have all sorts of coffee drinks and pastries you can try for a truly decadent Italian breakfast experience. Otherwise, you can stop at Gran Caffé la Caffettiera on the way to Montecitorio.

Montecitorio

Piazza di Montecitorio, in the Rione Colonna, is just a 7-minute walk from Trevi Fountain. It’s on the way to the Pantheon, so you may as well stop by to take a look.

Montecitorio Palace has been the seat of the Italian Chamber of Deputies since 1871. You may have seen it on TV news at times – we certainly see it all the time on the news here in Italy.

The magnificent building that dominates the square was planned by Bernini in 1653. The building was by Pope Innocent X as a second residence for Ludovico Ludovisi, a young cardinal. It was intended to be used for social purposes and public functions.

When Pope Innocent X died in 1655, the constriction works were interrupted for lack of funds and were only resumed 30 years later by Carlo Fontana, under the pontificate of Innocent XII. Fontana completed the construction by adding a bell gable above the main entrance.

The building was inaugurated in 1696, and housed the Governorate of Rome and the police department.

The 22-meter (72 feet) obelisk at the center of the square dates from the 6th century BC, and was moved to Rome from Heliopolis during the Empire of Augustus. It was placed in its current location in 1792.

The Pantheon

It’s a further 5-minute walk to Piazza della Rotonda, where you will find the Pantheon, one of the most iconic buildings in Rome and definitely what to see in Rome in 4 days.

The building was commissioned by Emperor Hadrian and built in the 126 AD. Its Dome is thought to be the best preserved building from antiquity. Once a temple, over time the Pantheon became a church – which is why inside you will find the tombs of famous Italian artist Raphael and of King Victor Emmanuel II, among many others.

Visiting the Pantheon is no longer free to visit. To get tickets you need to visit the site Musei Italiani, which will require you to register. You should also be prepared to stand in line for a bit to be able to walk in – but it’s usually quite fast, around 10 or 15 minutes. In any case, if you follow this itinerary as it is, you will be there relatively early before the largest crowds arrive.

My post A Complete Guide To The Pantheon shares more insights into this stunning landmark and more information that will help you plan your visit.

Piazza Navona

Piazza Navona is just 5 minutes walk from the Pantheon.

This is one of the most beautiful squares in Rome. The square was paved in the 15th century over what used to be the 1st century Stadio di Domiziano. Nowadays, it is home to one of the many markets of Rome – though to be fair, I only ever saw it around Christmas so it is not permanent.

The main point of interest in Piazza Navona is the Fountain of the Four Rivers, designed in 1651 by Bernini, and the Baroque Sant’Agnese church, which was built in the 17th century over an 8th century site. Legend says that this was the spot where 12-year old martyr Agnese was killed during Diocletian’s persecutions.

There are more fountains to see in Piazza Navona! For example, the Fontana del Moro and the Fountain of Neptune.

Piazza Navona is one of my favorite Rome Underground sites. You can literally visit the square underground to learn more about the history of Diocletian Stadium and what the square looked like and was used for during Roman times.

This audio-guided tour of Piazza Navona underground lasts just one hour. You can pick up the audio-guide and then will have to walk under the square to follow the itinerary in the audio-guide. I have done it a few times and found it very interesting.

Once you are done exploring Piazza Navona, you can head to lunch. I recommend stopping at Cul de Sac, a nice wine bar in Piazza di Pasquino that serves delicious bruschette, polpette (meatballs) and other local staples. Make sure to spot the statue of Pasquino nearby – it’s one of the talking statues in Rome.

Campo de’ Fiori

Campo de’ Fiori is located South of Piazza Navona, a quick 5-minute walk from your recommended lunch spot. It is considered one of the most charming, scenic squares in Rome. The name (which means “field of flowers”) refers to the fact that in Medieval times the area over which the square was built was a meadow.

It was paved in 1456, and since the late 19th century it’s been home to a popular market where you’ll find fruits, vegetables and flowers. There also are several bars and cafés where you can stop for a drink or to rest.

The main thing to spot here is the statue of Giordano Bruno, in the center of the square. The statue faces the Vatican, and it was erected in 1889 in the exact same spot where Bruno died on 17 February 1600, burned alive after having been condemned for heresy.

Largo di Torre Argentina

If you are half as much a cat lover as I am, then visiting Largo di Torre Argentina is what to do in Rome in 4 days. It’s just a 6-minute walk from Campo de’ Fiori. Here, you will find the oldest cat sanctuary in Rome.

Now, don’t mistake this for just your regular cat sanctuary! Cats here are lounging in Roman ruins, literally.

Largo di Torre Argentina is in fact a unique archeological site, the very place where the Theater of Pompey is located. If you don’t know, this is the place where Julius Cesar was stabbed to death on 15 March 44 AC (a date to which we refer to as the “idi di Marzo” here in Italy).

You can walk around the square to peep at the ruins (excavations are ongoing) and if you wish to visit the cats, you can find the entrance to the shelter. Here, the Gatti di Torre Argentina charity takes care of local cats and works to raise funds for them.

You can spend some time at the shelter to chat with the lovely people that volunteer there, buy a Cats of Rome calendar or another trinket as a souvenir, or even make a donation. Some cats can be adopted at a distance (meaning you make a yearly donation that will support any expenses they face).

You can also donate online on the official website of Largo di Torre Argentina cat sanctuary.

Piazza Venezia and its monuments

A quick 5-minute walk from Largo di Torre Argentina to Piazza Venezia. One of the most impressive sights here is Trajan’s Column, which was erected to commemorate Roman Emperor Trajan’s victory in the Dacian Wars.

However, your attention will be immediately get caught by the Altar of the Fatherland, the massive monument to Vittorio Emanuele II. Also referred to as Vittoriano, this monument was built in 1911 to celebrate the first king of unified Italy, but its construction attracted much criticism due to the eviction of the entire local community to make space for it.

Piazza Venezia really is the heart of Rome, where locals gather to celebrate as well as to protest. It’s where the parade of the Festa della Repubblica takes place on 2 June.

Access to the monument is free – you can walk up all the way to the main terrace. However, there’s a fee to pay to get to the top terrace, which can be reached by elevator only. You can get tickets once there.

I highly recommend you go at least up to the main terrace, as the views of the square below and of the Roman Forum and Colosseum from there are simply stunning!

The Jewish Ghetto

Your next stop if the Jewish Ghetto of Rome. It’s a 7-minute walk from Piazza Venezia to the Portico d’Ottavia, the main landmark.

Rome’s Ghetto degli Ebrei (Jewish Ghetto in English) was established by Pope Paul IV in 1555. All the Jews living in Rome were forced to move there. The area was walled and had gates that were closed at night, and since it was really close to the Tiber River, it would regularly flood, making the life of the community very difficult.

The main spot you should stop to admire here is the Portico di Ottavia, the ruins of an ancient Roman gate built in 27 BC by Emperor Augustus. It was specifically named after his sister, Octavia, and from the middle ages until the mid 19th century it was used as a fish market.

Not far from the Portico di Ottavia you can find the Theater of Marcellus, completed by Augustus in 13 BC and named after his nephew. It used to seat up to 20,000 people you may here some people refer to it as the “Jewish Colosseum”.

Other spots not to miss include the Turtle Fountain, or Fontana delle Tartarughe, which was built by Bernini between 1580-88 and is located in Piazza Mattei, and Rome’s Synagogue, which however will be closed by the time you make it there.

If you wish to have a tour around the Jewish Ghetto, you could consider this Local Rome Food Tour: Jewish Quarter & Historic Center – The tour starts from the Portico d’Ottavia in the Ghetto and goes to a couple of stops in the historic center before finishing in Trastevere. It’s a great way of learning more about the history of Rome through its food.

Tiber Island and Trastevere

From Teatro Marcello, by the Jewish Ghetto, it will take you just six minutes to walk towards the Tiber River where you can spot the Tiber Island – Isola Tiberina in Italian.

This is the only island inside the Tiber River that you’ll find in Rome, connected to the city by Ponte Cestio and Ponte Fabricio – among the most famous bridges in Rome.

Located on the island there used to be the Temple of Aesculapius, built in honor of the Greek god of medicine and healing, Aesculapius, by orders of the Senate of Rome during a terrible plague. The temple no longer exists, but in 1584 a hospital (Fatebenefratelli) was built in its place.

The island is tiny, really, but a nice place to explore and take in a different view of the city. From there, you can cross to Trastevere.

This is one of the most charming, lively and interesting neighborhood in Rome. The name is a clear reference to the fact that it’s on the other side of the Tiber River.

While there is quite a bit to see in Trastevere (my favorite spots are the Santa Maria in Trastevere Church, and the Santa Cecilia Church), by the time you make it there you will likely be tired and will simply want to wander around. And there is no better place in Rome for that!

Trastevere is packed with narrow alleys and charming streets, nice squares where locals and tourists alike gather at night – this is you will find the best nightlife in town, with lots of pubs, wine bars, cafés and restaurants.

You can walk along via della Scala, where there are many nice bars and shops, to make it all the way to the Porta Settimiana, one of the gates along the Aurelian Walls of Rome. Past that, you could push yourself up the Fontana dell’Acqua Paola on the Janiculum Hill for magnificent views of the city.

Or, simply, you can stop for gelato at Fior di Luna in Via della Lungaretta (it’s one of my favorite gelaterie in Rome) or head for dinner at Enzo al 29, which however doen’t take reservations.

Day 4: Lesser visited sites in Rome

On the last of your 4 days in Rome, get to see some lesser known churches and explore the Appian Way. If you want, you can even consider a day trip from Rome.

Map of day four Rome itinerary

Here is the link to the map you must follow for the last of your 4 days in Rome. It seems quite a lot of walking, but you could also consider getting a bus to travel from St. John in the Lateran to the Catacombs of St. Callixtus on the Appian Way. Simply click on the train icon on the map to see the public transportation options.

San Clemente Basilica

If visiting churches is what to do in Rome in 4 days, make sure not to miss the Basilica di San Clemente. I am always surprised this stunning church doesn’t get more visitors, since it’s only a stone’s throw from the Colosseum.

This is a church like no others in Rome. First of all, it’s one of the oldest in the city, and actually made of two churches built one on top of the other, and themselves built over the remains of one of the most impressive Mithraic temples in Rome, which date back from Rome’s Republic era.

The lower church probably dates from the 5th century, though it was restored in the 8th and 9th century and finally destroyed in the 11th century. At the beginning of the 12th century, a new church was built on top of those ruins, and the church was further restored by Carlo Fontana during the reign of Pope Clement XI.

The main church is divided in three naves and the apse houses a stunning 12th century mosaic. The lower basilica has frescoes representing the legend of Sisinno.

If you want to access the underground of San Clemente you will have to pay a small fee (the rest of the church is free to visit). This is where you can find the 5th century basilica and where you can spot the relics of St. Cyril, some beautiful frescoes, as well as the 1st century church. It’s also where you will find the remains of two Roman villas and the Mithraic temple.

You can easily visit this church independently, but there also the option of this San Clemente Underground Basilica tour that lasts 1.5 hours and also goes to San Giovanni in Laterano church.

St. John in the Lateran

A 13-minute walk from San Clemente, San Giovanni in Laterano – that’s the name of the church in Italia – is the Cathedral of Rome, and the seat of the Pope in the city. It’s the oldest basilica in town, though what you see is the result of many reconstructions that that took place after fire destroyed the church.

The Baroque facade dates from 1735 is a work of Alessandro Galilei.

Inside the church, there the tombs of popes Alexander III, Clement XII, Innocent III, Leo XIII, Martin V, Sergius IV.

Standing in front of the church there’s the Lateran Obelisk, known as the largest standing Egyptian obelisk in the world.

Next to the church you will find the Scala Sancta, a stairway of 28 steps thought to be those that Jesus walked up while heading to his trial in Jerusalem. They were brought to Rome by Saint Helena, mother of Constantine, in the 4th century and moved to their current location in 1589. Pilgrims ascend them on their knees.

The Catacombs and the Appian Way

The Appian Way and the Catacombs are a nice place to conclude your 4 days in Rome, and will provide a nice respite from the chaos of the city.

The Appian Way is one of the oldest surviving roads int he world, having been built between 312 and 264 BC. Back then, it had military and commercial purposes, and connected Rome to Naples and Brindisi. It was fairly wide, and in fact two carriages going in the opposite direction could pass comfortably. What’s incredible is that the road is still used today!

Along the Appian Way, you will find some unique churches. Most visitors head to this part of town to explore the Catacombs. My favorite are the Catacombs of St. Callixtus, which date from the 2nd and 4th century and where more than 500,000 people where buried, among them several martyrs such as Saint Cecilia, and 16 popes.

To make the most of the Appian Way, you should join a guided tour. I particularly recommend this bike tour of the Appian Way that also stops at the Catacombs of St. Callixtus and at the Parco degli Acquedotti.

Practical Tips For Your 4 Days In Rome

Where to stay in Rome 

There are many nice neighborhoods in Rome and some excellent hotels in Rome. I recommend staying in the historic center, so that you have easier access to all the main attractions and don’t have to count on public transport all the time.

Ottaviano and the Prati area in general offer easy access to the Vatican; while Esquilino, which has more budget friendly options, and Monti, where you can get rooms with Colosseum views.

These are some good places to stay in Rome:

• Polinari Rooms – spacious comfortable rooms just 5 minutes from the Vatican Museums.
• Town House 57 – very good guest house with clean, modern rooms. It’s walking distance from the Vatican Museums.
• My Bed Vatican Museum – right on the other side of the entrance to the Vatican Museums. Rooms are comfortable and very clean.
• Relais Monti – a beautiful hotel both in terms of location and rooms.

Where to eat in Rome

There are many good restaurants in Rome where you can try the best dishes of Roman cuisine, and many tourist traps too. Steer away from any place where someone outside invites you to walk in or check the menu – they are tourist traps!

These are some of my favorite places:

ARMANDO AL PANTHEON – This lovely small restaurant close to the Pantheon makes some of the best saltimbocca alla romana – veal cutlets with prosciutto and sage. Book in advance.

RENATO E LUISA – I have tried carbonara pasta in so many places in Rome, and this remains my favorite. You can opt to have it with additional truffle if you are a fan.

FELICE A TESTACCIO – Located in Testaccio, a bit outside the historic center, it has the best tonnarelli cacio e pepe. Make sure to reserve a table well in advance.

LA FRASCHETTA DI MASTRO GIORGIO – This is a fantastic restaurant in the Testaccio neighborhood, actually steps away from Felice a Testaccio mentioned above. It has a fantastic local feel. Try the spaghetti with cicoria and pecorino when in season.

SEU PIZZA ILLUMINATI – One of the 50 best pizzerie in Italy, they have the most classic pizza toppings, but also the most innovative ones – including dessert pizza. It’s tucked away in a lesser known spot in Trastevere. Book in advance as it is super popular.

MATERMATUTA – If you are tired of the classics and want something a bit more modern, this nice restaurant in the heart of the Monti District is the place to go. The menu changes on a regular basis. When I visited, I had a delicious pasta with seafood.

AROMA – This Michelin starred restaurant by Chef di Iorio is located in the historic Manfredi Palace and has fabulous views of the Colosseum so it is perfect for a romantic dinner. Book well ahead of your visit as seats are limited.

Mu posts The Best Restaurants In Rome and The Best Restaurants In Trastevere give even more options of places to try the best local dishes.

Using Rome Pass to explore Rome in 4 days

If you have 4 days in Rome, you may want to get a city pass to access various attractions. Most passes force you to visit the website of all attractions you wish to visit to book a time-slot, which can be quite time consuming.

You mainly have two options in Rome.

You can get your Roma Tourist Card, which is super convenient as it allows you to book the various attractions on the same site you use to buy it.

Or else, you can get a classic Roma Pass which may be overall a bit cheaper, but you still have to visit the various individual sites for the bookings.

My post The Best Roma Pass Options gives you a full overview of what the Roma Pass is and how you can make the most of it.

Best time to visit Rome

Each season in Rome has its advantages.

If you can, try to visit in Rome in October: the days are still nice and long-ish, temperatures pleasant, and sites are slightly less crowded. In the late spring and early summer months you can take advantage of the longer days and of the longer opening hours of the various sites.

Avoid going to Rome in August if you can. It’s when Italians get out of the cities, so you won’t really find locals and the lines of tourists at sites are the longest (and prices of accommodation more expensive). Plus Rome in August is almost unbearably hot.

How to get to Rome

There are two airports in Rome – Fiumicino, for intercontinental flights and all major airlines; and Ciampino, for budget flights from Italy and Europe.

You can get from Ciampino Airport to Rome city center by taxi or bus. Several companies depart regularly – Terravision is probably the most reliable one.

You’ll have more options to travel from Fiumicino Airport. The cheapest 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. If you get a physical ticket, you must validate it before getting on the train! There are machines along the platform. If you fail to validate, you may have to pay a fine.

Other options include taxis, which have a flat rate of around €50 to travel from the airport to the city center, or a private transfer, either shared or private.

My go to company to book private transfers from the airport anywhere in the world is Welcome Pickups. They have good cars, professional drivers and an overall reliable service.

My post How To Get From Fiumicino Airport To Rome City Center shares more information on how to travel to the city from the main airport.

Rome is well connected by train to the rest of the country. There are many train stations in Rome but the long distance trains usually go via Roma Termini Station, from where you can hop on one of the metro lines to reach your hotel.

How to move around Rome

You can’t really count on Uber in Rome, so if you think you may need a taxi every now and then, download the app MyTaxi.

Once you make it your hotel in Rome, the best way to get around the city is on foot, and this itinerary for 4 days in Rome is meant to maximize the amount of things you can see in Rome in 4 days and allows you to avoid having to use the subway or the buses as much as possible.

Locals may have a different opinion, but public transportation in Rome is quite efficient: there are many buses and three metro lines (A, B, and C). You can get tickets at any vending machine at the subway station, or download the app My Cicero where you can buy tickets.

Remember to validate your ticket before getting on the bus or metro. If you are using the app, it works with a QR code you have to scan with your phone camera.

Do not ride horse pulled carriages. With the traffic and noise in Rome, those animals suffer and you surely don’t want to contribute to their pain.

Luggage storage in Rome

If you need to check out of your hotel in the morning but your flight or train is not until the evening, you can leave your luggage in storage at a central place in Rome.

Termini train station may be the best option as that’s where you’ll have to go to catch your train to the airport or to other cities. You will need to book your luggage storage online in advance.

Other useful tips 

Take it easy the day you arrive

After a long-haul flight adrenaline may kick in and you may feel compelled to head out and explore as soon as you arrive.

However, by the time you get through customs (if you are coming from outside the European Union), get your luggage and make it to town, two hours will have passed as a minimum. The train from Fiumicino Airport to Termini Station takes around 40 minutes and from there you still have to make your way to your hotel.

Once you get to your hotel, take a shower and go out for a walk in the area, get a bite and go to bed early, but still at a reasonable time (ie 9:00 pm). A good alternative is to take a food tour, which will keep you active and feed you at the same time.

This food tour is an excellent option for the day you arrive in Rome as it starts at 5:15 pm.

Alternatively, you could consider this Tastes & Traditions of Rome: Testaccio Food and Market Tour which goes to a lesser visited area of Rome.

Another option is this Trastevere at Sunset: Rome Food & Wine Tour which takes you to one of the most vibrant neighborhoods in Rome.

Mind the dress code

Remember to dress appropriately when visiting Rome, or you may be denied entry to certain sites. My post The Vatican Dress Code is a good starting point on what to wear when visiting religious sites in Rome.

If you are not visiting religious sites, it is perfectly fine to wear shorts and tank tops. I normally recommend to avoid flip flops as walking in them for a long time will hurt your feet!

My post What To Wear In Rome is packed with suggestions on what to take for your trip (and what to leave home).

Get a data plan for your smartphone

Make sure you can use your smartphone in Italy and that you can access data to follow maps and use the internet if needed for example to find a spot to eat at the last minute, or make dinner reservations. Download maps that you can use offline, just in case.

Get a guide book

In the era of apps, websites and everything online, I still find that having a physical guide book is helpful. Throughout this post, I have given as much information as possible about the things to see in Rome in 4 days, but a good Rome guide may give you even more insightful information.

Here are some Rome guides you may want to consider:

• DK Eyewitness Top 10 Rome (Pocket Travel Guide)
• Rick Steves Pocket Rome
• Fodor’s Rome 2024

Stay hydrated 

Regardless of the season, drink plenty of water throughout the day when exploring Rome. Carry a bottle you can refill on the go: tap water is safe to drink in Rome and there are fountains everywhere.

Mind the scams 

Tourists are a target of scams anywhere in the world and Rome is no different.

Always keep your stuff with you to avoid pickpockets in Rome; don’t accept help from strangers who offer to carry your bags or help getting tickets at the train station and beware of the friendship bracelet scam – probably the most common one in Rome.

Just assume that if someone stops you to offer you something, a scam is in the making and walk away.

Get a good travel insurance

Even if you only plan to spend 4 days in Rome, you need a good travel insurance for your trip.

My post Why You Need A Good Travel Insurance will help you understand the importance of travel insurance wherever you travel. If you need travel insurance, I recommend using Heymondo. I have used them in various places around the world and liked their service.

Further Readings About Rome

Check out my other itineraries:

• The Perfect Itinerary To See Rome In 2 Days
• A Wonderful Itinerary For 5 Days In Rome
• A Great Itinerary For A Fabulous Week In Rome
• 31 Incredible Places To Explore Rome Off The Beaten Path

Further Readings About Italy

Make sure to read my planning tips for Italy in these posts:

• 17 Reasons To Visit Italy As Soon As Possible
• 67 Extremely Useful Travel Tips For Italy
• What To Do And What To Avoid When Planning A Trip To Italy
• A Perfect Italy Itinerary: What To See And Do With 10 Days Or More

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