Rome is a center of history and culture, as the saying goes “All roads lead to Rome”
This guide is an efficient 3-day tour of Ancient Roman ruins and Vatican.
The Perfect 3-Day Rome Tour: Ancient and Modern from the Colosseum to the Vatican
Daily Itinerary
Day 1
Exploring ancient Roman ruins Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill - the heart of ancient Rome Unlimited public transportation + free/discounts on major museums with the Roma Pass (48h/72h). The Eurail Italy Pass is recommended when traveling to Florence or Venice.
Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill - the heart of ancient Rome
1
Colosseum (Colosseo) A symbol of Rome, completed in 80 AD. Gladiator games were held in an amphitheater that could accommodate 50,000 people. Experience the rescue of that time through an underground passage and arena tour. Marvel at architectural techniques from 2,000 years ago. Online reservation required (€18). Basement + Arena tour costs an additional €22. The first hour at 8:30 am is the busiest. Guided tour recommended.
08:30 2시간A symbol of Rome, completed in 80 AD. Gladiator games were held in an amphitheater that could accommodate 50,000 people. Experience the rescue of that time through an underground passage and arena tour. Marvel at architectural techniques from 2,000 years ago.
Online reservation required (€18). Basement + Arena tour costs an additional €22. The first hour at 8:30 am is the busiest. Guided tour recommended.
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2
Roman Forum & Palatine HillRemains of a square that was the political, economic, and religious center of ancient Rome. The remains of the senate, temple, and basilica remain. Palatine Hill is the stage of Rome's founding myth and the site of the emperor's palace. Admission included with Colosseum ticket. Included with Colosseum ticket (visit within 24 hours). There is no shade, so a hat and water are required. Panoramic photo of the Roman Forum from Palatine Hill.
11:00 2시간The ruins of a square that was the political, economic, and religious center of ancient Rome. The remains of the senate, temple, and basilica remain. Palatine Hill is the stage of Rome's founding myth and the site of the emperor's palace. Enter together with the Colosseum ticket.
Included with Colosseum ticket (visit within 24 hours). There is no shade, so a hat and water are required. Panoramic photo of the Roman Forum from Palatine Hill.
3
Ristorante Remo is a local restaurant in the Testaccio area. Roman style thin and crispy pizza (pizza al taglio). Margherita and carbonara pizzas are popular. In the evening, waiting for an hour is common. From the Colosseum, take subway line B and get off at Piramide Station, 3 stops. Exploring the local atmosphere of Testaccio. Margherita Pizza + Souffli (Fried Risotto Balls) + House Wine Lunch (12-2pm) is quieter than dinner. They don't accept cards, so prepare cash.
13:30 roman pizzaA local restaurant in the Testaccio area. Roman style thin and crispy pizza (pizza al taglio). Margherita and carbonara pizzas are popular. Waiting for an hour is common in the evening.
From the Colosseum, take subway line B and get off at Piramide station, 3 stops away. Exploring the local atmosphere of Testaccio.
4
Pantheon 2,000 years ago, the temple is almost original! The highlight is the scene where light pours through the hole (oculus) in the center of the 43m diameter dome ceiling. The tomb of Renaissance master Raphael is also located here. Admission is free (starting in 2023, there will be a €5 reservation system). Even on rainy days, rain comes inside, and the floor drainage system has been in operation for 2,000 years!
15:30 45분The temple is almost original from 2,000 years ago! The highlight is the scene where light pours through the hole (oculus) in the center of the 43m diameter dome ceiling. The tomb of Renaissance master Raphael is also here.
Free entry (starting in 2023 with a €5 reservation system). Even on rainy days, rain comes inside, and the floor drainage system has been in operation for 2,000 years!
5
Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi) is a baroque fountain famous for the movie “Roman Holiday”. There is a legend that if you throw a coin with your right hand over your left shoulder, you will return to Rome. Approximately €3,000 of coins are collected and donated to charity per day. Always crowded. It is quiet early in the morning (before 7am) or after 11pm. Beware of pickpockets nearby.
17:00 30분Baroque fountain famous from the movie “Roman Holiday”. There is a legend that if you throw a coin with your right hand over your left shoulder, you will return to Rome. Approximately €3,000 of coins are collected and donated to charity per day.
Always crowded with people. It is quiet early in the morning (before 7am) or after 11pm. Beware of pickpockets nearby.
6
Spanish Steps (Piazza di Spagna) A meeting place in Rome consisting of 135 steps. The place where Audrey Hepburn ate gelato in the movie “Roman Holiday.” No eating on stairs (€250 fine)! Connected to the luxury street Condotti Street. Sitting and resting on the stairs is OK, eating is not allowed. The cafe nearby “Antico Café Greco (1760)” is famous.
18:00 30분A meeting place in Rome with 135 steps. The place where Audrey Hepburn ate gelato in the movie “Roman Holiday.” No eating on stairs (€250 fine)! Connected to the luxury street Via Condotti.
Sitting on the stairs and resting is OK, eating is not allowed. The nearby cafe “Antico Café Greco (1760)” is famous.
Today's Key Tips
With the Roma Pass (48h/72h), unlimited public transportation + free/discounted access to major museums. The Eurail Italy Pass is recommended when traveling to Florence or Venice.
Day 2
Explore Vatican City The world's least independent country, the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica. The Vatican has a strict dress code! No exposed knees/shoulders. It is recommended to bring a long skirt and shawl.
The world's smallest independent country, Vatican Museum and St. Peter's Basilica
1
Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Contains over 70,000 works of art collected by past popes. The highlight is the Sistine Chapel, which features Michelangelo's ceiling paintings "The Creation" and "The Last Judgment." Raphael's "School of Athens" is also a must. Online reservation required (€20). Free on the last Sunday of every month (3 hours+ waiting time). Recommended first time is 8 am. Photography/talking is prohibited inside the Sistine Chapel.
08:00 3시간More than 70,000 works of art collected by past popes. The highlight is the Sistine Chapel, which features Michelangelo's ceiling paintings "The Creation" and "The Last Judgment." Raphael's "School of Athens" is also a must.
Online reservation required (€20). Free on the last Sunday of every month (3 hours+ waiting time). Recommended first time is 8 am. Photography/talking is prohibited inside the Sistine Chapel.
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2
Saint Peter's Basilica (Basilica di San Pietro) is the world's largest cathedral and the headquarters of Catholicism. View of the Vatican and Rome from the top of the dome designed by Michelangelo. Inside, Michelangelo's "Pieta" and Bernini's Baldacchino (canopy) are masterpieces. Entrance to the cathedral is free, dome climbing €10 (551 steps) or elevator + stairs €8. Separate entrance from the Vatican Museums (right side of the square).
11:30 1시간 30분The world's largest cathedral, the headquarters of Catholicism. View of the Vatican and Rome from the top of the dome designed by Michelangelo. Inside, Michelangelo's "Pieta" and Bernini's Baldacchino (canopy) are masterpieces.
Free entrance to the cathedral, €10 to climb the dome (551 steps) or €8 for the elevator + stairs. Separate entrance from the Vatican Museums (right side of the square).
3
Trattoria Da Enzo (Da Enzo al 29) A popular restaurant for locals in the Trastevere region. All of Rome's four major pastas, including Carbonara, Cacio e Pepe, and Amatriciana, are of the highest quality. Enjoy the local atmosphere at the narrow alley terrace. 20 minutes by bus from the Vatican to Trastevere. A great neighborhood for a walk with many pretty alleys. Carbonara + Caccio e Pepe + House Wine Reservations not possible, unconditional waiting. Recommended to arrive before 12 noon. Be prepared to wait for 1 hour.
13:30 roman traditionA popular restaurant for locals in the Trastevere area. All of Rome's four major pastas, including Carbonara, Cacio e Pepe, and Amatriciana, are of the highest quality. Enjoy the local atmosphere on a narrow alley terrace.
From the Vatican, take a 20-minute bus to Trastevere. It's a great neighborhood for a walk with many pretty alleys.
Today's Key Tips
The Vatican has a strict dress code! No exposed knees/shoulders. It is recommended to bring a long skirt and shawl.