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Rome in 3 days: what to see? - Découvrir Ensemble

Rome in 3 days: what to see?

Last update : 25 February 2024

Rome is an ideal destination to escape your daily routine for a few days. A veritable museum city, it offers a surprising journey back in time. We’ve decided to visit Rome in 3 days to take in this incredible city.
Whether or not it’s your first time in Rome, you should easily (re)fall under the spell of the Italian capital. From its beautiful pedestrian streets and alleyways to its architecture steeped in history, not to mention its cuisine, you’ll find in this article our 15 favorites to make your stay in Rome an unforgettable one!

So if you’re like us lovers of trips to Italy as well as lovers of long walks and big foodies (if pizzas, tiramisus and other Italian-style ice creams don’t scare you 😛 ) you should enjoy this blog post about our 3 days in Rome. Discover today on our travel blog, the list of our must-see must-do’s in Rome.

Visiting Rome in 3 days, where to sleep?

Nikis Collection Navona

If you’re looking for a hotel to visit Rome for 3 days or more, we recommend you take a look at this address. This hotel is ideally located in the heart of the city center, which is perfect for visiting Rome on foot. The rooms are very good and the hotel has a magnificent terrace accessible at any time of day. In short, a great address for discovering Rome.

Hotel Rome

Visit Rome in 3 days, our must-see list:

1. The Pantheon

Ah, the Pantheon, clearly one of our favorite discoveries during our 3 days in Rome. Built 2,000 years ago, it’s Rome’s best-preserved ancient monument. Located in the heart of the city, this ancient temple boasts the largest dome in the world. The baroque and antique style of this well-maintained building is incredible. In the historic center of Rome, you can contemplate both the remains and the incredible buildings. Come and admire this architectural beauty from the inside, preferably in the middle of the day to take advantage of the well of light that penetrates the room through the oculus, the hole in the center of the dome. What’s more, admission is free…

Fancy a coffee? It’s impossible to spend 3 days in Rome without tasting Italian coffee!” In Piazza del Pantheon, you’ll find one of the city’s best counter-service cafés, the Casa Del Caffe Tazza D’oro !

Rome in 3 days Rome blog voyage
 

2. Galleria Sciarra

We stumbled across this gallery on our way to the Fontana Di Trevi. The large glass roof and the rich illustrations that adorn its walls make this gallery a magnificent place!
For the record, the gallery was founded in 1870 by Prince Maffeo Sciarra Colonna.

The address : Nowadays, the gallery is a pedestrian passageway located between the streets Vicolo Sciarra and Marco Minghetti.  We highly recommend that you stop by during your visit to Rome, the place is definitely worth a visit!

Galleria Sciarra Galleria Sciarra Rome
 

3. La Fontaine di Trevi

The fountain is Rome’s largest and most famous. To avoid the crowds, we advise you to come and admire it in the morning. Tradition has it that you throw a coin into the fountain to ensure that you will one day return to Rome. Thanks to this coin ritual, the city collects over 3,000 euros every day. This money is then redistributed to a Catholic charity.

Petite conseil : pour les amateurs de photos revenirez en fin d’après-midi pour profiter de la belle lumière de fin de journée.

Rome in 3 days Rome blog voyage
 

4. Venchi Chocolate and Gelato

For lovers of gelato and chocolate of all kinds, head for Venchi. The store has a wall of flowing chocolate that’s sure to draw you in from the street. For your gelato, opt  for a cone coated and filled with Venchi chocolate, the most gourmet gelato of our stay in Rome!

Our recommendation: like us, think about setting yourself challenges during your stay: visit Rome in 3 days: one gelato a day, minimum!  😛

Venchi Chocolate Venchi Chocolate
 

5. The Colosseum

Visit the iconic Colosseum, early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the crowds. You’ll be won over by the city’s most impressive monument, a symbol of Ancient Rome, with its Arena and bleachers.  Worth knowing: there’s the Roma pass which allows you access to the Colosseum and the Roman Forum with a queue cutter, as well as public transport for 48h for 28€.

Good plan: Toast your Roman sojourn with Prosecco, at dusk on a terrace facing the Colosseum, bliss!

Rome in 3 days Coliseum Rome
 

6. The Roman Forum

The Roman Forum was originally a collection of marble-covered temples, which has now become an impressive field of ruins. A sublime vestige of the Roman Empire! Located just a few steps from the Colosseum, the site has very few shaded areas: remember to bring water!! As with the Colosseum, prefer mornings or late afternoons to avoid the crowds.

Good deal with the Roma Pass, entry to the Roman Forum is included, coupled with that to the Colosseum. Line-cutting tickets are also available to avoid queuing.

Forum Romain Forum Romain
 

7. Cut-price tickets and free tours in Rome

 

8. Monument to Victor-Emmanuel II

The monument is located in the heart of the city, just behind the Roman Forum and Capitoline Square. You’ll be hard pressed to miss it, so impressive is its size and style, which contrasts with the surrounding architecture. Its construction dates back to the early 20th century, and pays homage to Italy’s first king Victor-Emmanuel II, who reunited the country after conflicts with Austria.

 

Good deal: as the visit is free, it’s also possible to climb up to the terrace for 7 euros via a glass elevator to enjoy an incredible 360-degree view of the whole city.

Monument to Victor-Emmanuel II Monument to Victor-Emmanuel II
 

8. Piazza di Spagna

Piazza di Spagna, or Spanish square, owes its name to its proximity to the Spanish embassy, which was established here in the 17th century. From the top of the stairs of the Trinité des Monts church, you can enjoy a unique view of the city. Indeed, once you’ve climbed the 135 steps, you can admire the sensational view over Rome’s rooftops. The district is also known as having the chicest shopping street in Rome and being the haunt of all luxury boutiques.

Piazza di Spagna
 

9. Di Qua’ / Tiramisu de Pompi

Near the steps of the Piazza di Spagna, get away from the tourist trail for a bite to eat at Di Qua. We recommend opting for one of their traditional and delicious pasta dishes, in a 100% Italian atmosphere! For dessert, let yourself be tempted by the king of Tiramisu, the Tiramissu de Pompi right next door. This Italian combo is sure to keep you going for the rest of the day!  😉

Tiramisu de Pompi
 

10. Vatican Museum

A visit to the Vatican Museums is an unforgettable experience, and one you should make at least once in your life! The vast museum is one of the most beautiful artistic ensembles in the world. Among all its works of art, you’ll find the famous Sistine Chapel painted by Michelangelo, so expect to be in for an eyeful!

If, like us, you don’t want to miss Bramante’s incredible staircase, be aware that it’s at the very end of the tour, so you’ll be obliged to use it to exit the museum. Admission is 16 euros or 8 euros for concessions, and free on the last Sunday of the month. You can also choose a guided tour!

Hungry? Have lunch on the terrace inside the Vatican, in the courtyard of the Pigna!

Vatican Museum Vatican Museum Vatican Museum
 

11. Saint Peter’s Basilica

St. Peter’s Basilica is the first basilica in the Catholic world and the second largest in the world. It contains incredible works of art, including Michelangelo’s Pietà, and the square in front of the basilica is equally impressive. It is here that the Pope celebrates his religious feasts. Admission to the basilica is free! 🙂

Tip tip: to avoid the crowds, we advise you to plan your visit for lunchtime or late in the day.

Rome in 3 days Basilica of Saint Peter Rome Basilica of Saint Peter
 

12. Piazza Navona

A emblematic square in the center of Rome, come and admire its superb fountains and palaces. You’ll find plenty of terraces and artists of all kinds. Dancers and musicians provide a warm atmosphere for an afternoon in the heart of Rome!  🙂

Piazza Navona
 

13. Piazza del popolo

This piazza was created to offer a grand entrance to the north of Rome, to St. Peter’s Square. To admire a superb view of the city, climb the stairs to the Terrazza del Pincio. You’ll have the best possible angle from which to photograph the square. As you make your way up the steps, snap a Roman photo on the arms of the Gladiators.

Piazza del popolo
 

14. Gelato by Giolitti

Accredited as Italy’s best artisanal ice cream parlour, Giolitti has been THE historic ice cream parlour in Rome since 1890. Since its opening, many stars have visited and contributed to its success, including John Travolta, Michelle Obama and even Pope John Paul II! You’ll find over fifty flavors at very fair prices; expect to pay an average of 3.5 euros per gelato.  🙂

Gelato de Giolitti
 

15. The Palais de la civilisation italienne

The Palace, nicknamed the Colosseum Square by the Romans, is a perfect 60-meter-high cube embellished with 260 arches all on 8 floors. Today, this iconic site is the headquarters of Italian fashion house Fendi. This is what made its renovation possible, in short, we recommend this place to all architecture lovers! 🙂

To get there: as the site is a little out of the city center. We recommend you take the blue line of the metro and stop at EUR Magliana station. We recommend this visit if you plan to spend 3 days or more in Rome.

Rome in 3 days Palace of Italian Civilization Rome
 

Visiting Rome, how to organize your trip properly

How to get to Rome

To find the best mode of transport to your destination, we recommend you always look on the OMIO comparator. This will give you an overview of all available modes of transport.  You’ll be able to compare prices very easily.

How to rent a rental car at the best price in Rome

If you’re looking to rent a car during your trip, we recommend you take a look at the RentalCars website. This will enable you to find the best prices and conditions for your rental.

How to find the best hotels to visit Rome

In order to find the best hotels and benefit from the best conditions (security, cancellation…) we go almost exclusively through Booking.com for our trips. We recommend that you take a look at the available hotels before you leave. You can filter them according to their ratings. The customer reviews are very numerous and recent, which means you can avoid unpleasant surprises when traveling!

Rome in 3 days

How to find ideas for vacation activities

If you want to get ideas for activities to do on your vacation and want to book in advance, we’d also recommend taking a look at the GetYourGuide website. This will give you an overview of the activities on offer in your destination, so you don’t have to wait until you get there to book your places.

Our latest tips for visiting Rome 

  • Once at the airport, choose the Terravision bus to reach the city center: there are two shuttle options, economical (5€/pers) and fast (45 min).
  • The entire city center is easily reached on foot, but to get to the extremities, the metro is practical, fast and inexpensive.
  • During your stay, opt for the Roma Pass 48h: 1 line-cut entrance to the Colosseum and the Roman Forum + 48h of public transport for 28€ per person. A great city pass!
  • To visit the Vatican Museum, we advise you to book your tickets in advance on the internet to avoid the crowds and ensure you get in.


 

Thank you for reading!

We hope that the tips and good addresses on our travel blog will help you organize
your next stay in Rome.

You can also follow our daily adventures on Instagram 🙂
Clem & Alex

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