Travel & transfer: Arrival at Fiumicino Airport
After landing, head into the city with your luggage by the Leonardo Express or a fixed-price taxi.
3 days · 28 stops
Rome in 3 days
Three relaxed days in Rome with a single base in the centre: arrival and an Old Town stroll, ancient Rome and Monti, then Trastevere, Testaccio and the Vatican before departure.
- Pace
- Balanced
- Budget
- Mid-range
- Season
- April
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Plan with your own wishesDay 1 · Rom
Arriving and strolling the Old Town
Arrive in Rome, drop your luggage at Hotel Campo de' Fiori, then enjoy a leisurely Old Town stroll taking in the Pantheon, Piazza Navona and Caravaggio at San Luigi dei Francesi, finishing with dinner at Armando al Pantheon.
10:30
11:00
11:00
12:00
Travel & transfer: Transfer from the airport to the centre
The Leonardo Express takes about 32 minutes to Termini, then it's a short taxi or bus ride to Campo de' Fiori.
Roma Terminiapprox. 14–€25 pp30 min by public transport
12:30
13:00
Stay: Luggage drop-off at Hotel Campo de' Fiori
You drop off your luggage; the room is only ready from about 3:00 pm. Alternative, if available: Hotel Navona.
Hotel Campo de' Fioriapprox. 150–€290 / night3 min on foot
13:03
14:18
Lunch: Pizza bianca at Forno Campo de' Fiori
Forno Campo de' Fioriapprox. 6–€12 pp8 min on foot
14:30
15:15
Sightseeing: Caravaggio at San Luigi dei Francesi
The Contarelli Chapel holds three Caravaggio paintings about Matthew. The church is open at this time and entry is free.
Keep a few coins ready for the chapel light, otherwise the paintings are barely visible.
4 min on foot
15:25
16:10
Sightseeing: Baroque Piazza Navona
Admire Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers and the façade of Sant'Agnese in Agone, built on the site of the former Stadium of Domitian.
5 min on foot
16:20
17:00
Sightseeing: The Pantheon and its dome
Ancient Rome at its best: the concrete dome with its oculus is especially impressive for architecture fans.
Pantheonapprox. €5 pp3 min on foot
17:10
18:00
Café: Espresso at Caffè Sant'Eustachio
This traditional café has been roasting since 1938 and serves the Gran Caffè with sugar foam. A break after the Pantheon.
Caffè Sant'Eustachioapprox. 3–€8 pp4 min on foot
18:10
19:15
Hidden gem: Borromini's courtyard at Sant'Ivo alla Sapienza
A courtyard with a spiral lantern, a Baroque masterpiece. A quiet contrast to the bustle.
10 min on foot
19:30
21:00
Drinks: Aperitivo at Il Goccetto
This long-established wine bar has a large selection of Italian wines and cold cuts. Ideal before dinner. Alternative: Enoteca Ferrara.
Il Goccettoapprox. 12–€22 pp15 min on foot
21:15
22:45
Dinner: Dinner at Armando al Pantheon
This family trattoria, open since 1961, serves Roman classics such as cacio e pepe and amatriciana. Alternative: Da Francesco.
Armando al Pantheonapprox. 35–€55 ppBe sure to book ahead; the restaurant is usually fully booked.
Day 2 · Rom
Ancient Rome and Monti
A day in ancient Rome: the Colosseum, Forum and Palatine Hill in the morning, then lunch and coffee in Monti, San Clemente and an aperitivo at Piazza della Madonna dei Monti.
08:30
09:15
Breakfast: Breakfast at Pasticceria Regoli
A traditional bakery on the Esquiline with fresh maritozzi and cornetti, a real Roman breakfast. Have a cappuccino at the counter with it.
Pasticceria Regoliapprox. 6–€10 pp10 min by public transport
09:45
13:00
Sightseeing: Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
Kolosseum, Forum Romanum und Palatinapprox. 18–€24 ppBook a combined ticket online in advance and choose an early time slot for the Colosseum, so you avoid the long queues.
15 min on foot
13:15
14:30
Lunch: Lunch at Trattoria Monti
A family-run trattoria serving cuisine from the Marche, such as tortelli with ricotta and spinach. Cosy and fairly priced.
Trattoria Montiapprox. 30–€45 ppReserve a table in advance, the restaurant fills up quickly at lunchtime.
15 min on foot
14:50
16:30
Sightseeing: Basilica di San Clemente and the Lower Church
Three layers of history on top of one another: a medieval basilica, an early Christian church and a Mithraic shrine beneath.
Basilica di San Clementeapprox. €10 pp25 min by public transport
16:55
17:40
Café: Coffee break at La Casa del Caffè Tazza d'Oro
La Casa del Caffè Tazza d'Oroapprox. 4–€8 pp20 min by public transport
18:15
19:30
Drinks: Aperitivo at Ai Tre Scalini
Ai Tre Scaliniapprox. 15–€25 pp5 min on foot
19:45
21:15
Dinner: Dinner at Pasta e Vino da Cesare
A small osteria in Monti serving classic Roman pasta such as cacio e pepe.
Pasta e Vino da Cesare al Casalettoapprox. 25–€40 pp
Day 3 · Rom
Trastevere, the Vatican and departure
Last day: Trastevere in the morning with Santa Maria in Trastevere and lunch, then the Vatican Museums and St Peter's Basilica, and in the evening transfer to FCO airport.
08:00
08:45
Breakfast: Breakfast at Biscottificio Innocenti
Biscottificio Innocentiapprox. 4–€8 pp5 min on foot
09:00
09:45
Sightseeing: Santa Maria in Trastevere and its mosaics
12 min on foot
10:00
10:40
Hidden gem: Raphael's frescoes at Villa Farnesina
Villa Farnesinaapprox. €12 pp11:00
11:30
Travel & transfer: Onward to Prati and the Vatican
Take a bus or tram to the area around the Vatican Museums, or alternatively walk over the Gianicolo hill.
Pratiapprox. €2 pp10 min on foot
11:40
12:40
Lunch: Pizza al taglio at Pizzarium Bonci
Pizzarium Bonciapprox. 10–€16 ppTry the pizza with seasonal vegetables or the classic Rossa, and come before 12 pm, before the queue grows.
10 min on foot
13:00
15:45
Sightseeing: Vatican Museums with the Sistine Chapel
Galleries, Raphael's Rooms and, as the finale, the Sistine Chapel with Michelangelo's frescoes. Allow around 2.5 hours.
Vatikanische Museenapprox. 20–€36 ppBook your timed-entry ticket online in advance, otherwise you often queue for over an hour. It is very crowded on Saturdays, and the museums usually close around 6 pm.
15 min on foot
16:00
17:00
Sightseeing: St Peter's Basilica and Michelangelo's Pietà
The largest church in Christendom, with the Pietà, Bernini's Baldachin and an impressive dome. Entry is free, and there is a security check.
12 min on foot
17:15
17:45
Café: Espresso at Sciascia Caffè
Traditional roastery in Prati, known for its caffè eccellente with chocolate. A relaxed finish before departure. Alternative: Antonini.
Sciascia Caffèapprox. 3–€6 pp25 min by public transport
18:10
19:25
Travel & transfer: Collect your luggage and head on to the airport
Go back to the hotel, pick up your suitcases and take a taxi or shuttle to Fiumicino Airport. Allow a generous buffer.
19:30
20:30
Travel & transfer: Transfer to FCO Airport
Flughafen Fiumicino (FCO)approx. €28 pp
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FAQ
How many days should you plan for Rome?
Three days are enough for the main sights such as ancient Rome, the centre and the Vatican. With four days there is time for neighbourhoods like Trastevere or a more relaxed pace.
Where is the best place to stay in Rome?
For short stays, the Centro Storico, Monti and Trastevere are good because you can reach a lot on foot. If you want affordable accommodation with good transport links, choose the area around Termini, but stay alert in the evening.
Is Rome expensive?
Rome is roughly on a par with other European capitals in terms of prices. Accommodation is the biggest expense, while food and public transport remain comparatively cheap.