Rome in 3 Days: Mission Impossible?

Our most beautiful travel photos — photo by unsacsurledos.com

Rome has always captivated me: the Colosseum and the Forum, the Vatican and St. Peter's Basilica, Piazza Navona, the Trevi Fountain... Rome and its Italian cuisine: pizzas, pasta, gelato ... Rome! This city, so rich in many aspects, deserves to be explored for days or even weeks, but we discovered it in just three days.

So, is discovering Rome in 3 days a mission impossible?

A Gift of Ancient Rome

Rome is a dream destination for me, and my husband knows it well: after hearing my ritual lament

When are we leaving for Rome?

He gave me plane tickets to the capital of Italy as a Christmas gift (I know, I am spoiled!).

Not having chosen the duration or the period, I found myself spending 3 days during the worst time of the year: the week of Easter Monday, with a public holiday in Italy (this Friday for the liberation from fascism) and especially a few days before the canonization of Popes John Paul II and John XXIII. In short, it was crowded!

And to up the challenge, we decided to do everything on foot: no metro, tram, or bus for us!

Challenge accepted!

Rome in 12 Surprises and Impressions

Top 4 Surprises

Rome in 3 days, Roma, Italy, city trip — Seagulls perched on the statues photo by unsacsurledos.com

There are seagulls everywhere! Not so surprising when you know the sea is nearby.
The Trevi Fountain is bigger than we imagined (and the square it's in is smaller!).
There is a record number of fountains and statues in this city!
The Roman sense of humor: road signs are often humorously altered, adding a delightful touch to intersections.

Top 4 Favorites

Rome is beautiful: you can sense the attention to detail, with buildings as charming as the Italians themselves. Structures and citizens are chic and trendy! This impression of aesthetic concern comes from small details, but also thanks to the artworks displayed freely in the streets, without any protection (which we appreciated in Sicily).
Rome is a mix of eras, all blending into a warm Mediterranean style: Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and the Renaissance coexist at every turn of the streets and squares. Every street is worthy of a stroll: many lead to unsuspected squares, refreshing fountains, and impressive buildings.
Rome smells good: I had been warned about the pollution and the smell of Rome, and I was pleased to breathe in the air scented with orange blossoms and jasmine (among my favorite flower scents, which had charmed me in Sicily as well as in Seville).
The sun! Rome in late April is a true blessing: the sun bathes the facades of the houses (and the shoulders of tourists), a few clouds provide fluffy touches to the sky, and the temperatures are just perfect. A nice early summer bath!

Top 4 Dislikes

The price of accommodations: despite booking 6 months in advance at a small hotel near the train station (not the best neighborhood), prices remain quite high.
The noise: Rome is a lively city (a plus), but François was struck by the frequency and number of ambulance and police sirens ringing out, wherever we were in the city.
Dining in Trastevere: a neighborhood where Italians eat... but unfortunately we had bad luck with our two restaurant choices in this area (we both got sick the first night after a pretty disappointing pizza).
The line to enter St. Peter's Basilica: we visited the Vatican Museums very early, but did not take advantage of the shortcut that leads from the Sistine Chapel directly into the basilica... and the line waiting in the square discouraged us. We have to return to Rome to see the basilica. It's as if we intentionally left ourselves a good excuse!

Tickets to Visit Rome

Should I Reserve?

Yes! I recommend buying your tickets online here. Not only does it guarantee access to the sites, but it also helps avoid long lines (and they are long!). Many unprepared tourists come to the Vatican... and turn back, discouraged by the line, even at opening time.

Online reservation is simple and efficient, allowing you to use the right line at the Vatican, quickly passing in front of all the unfortunate souls waiting hours in the sun.

However, it is possible to buy tickets at the entrance of each site, and passes are sold at kiosks near the metro.

Strolling in Rome: What to See?

To visit Rome in a few days, I advise you not to set too busy a schedule or a fixed itinerary for walking in Rome: let your feet lead you, get lost in the alleyways... and stop! Whether for a cappuccino in a café or simply to rest your feet on the steps of a church, I cherished our breaks, allowing us to observe the life that continued around us.

I had almost no preparations for this trip, just jotted down on a city map the places and areas I wanted to discover. Of course, I recommend seeing the big classics for yourself: the Colosseum, the Palatine Hill and the Forum, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, the Vatican Museums, and St. Peter's Basilica, as well as Piazza Navona, Venezia, and Republica, the Capitoline Hill...

But these major sites aren't everything! Here is a (non-exhaustive) list of lesser-known points of interest in Rome that I discovered during my trip:

Piazza Mattei and its magnificent fountain of three turtles (fontana delle tartarughe)
Spada Palace and its architectural trompe-l'œil visible from the inner courtyard: the gallery to the left, lined with columns, appears deep (35 meters), while it only measures a little over 8 meters! The statue at the end of the walkway is only 50 centimeters tall.
St. Ignatius Church and its painted ceiling, including a trompe-l'œil dome
St. Peter in Chains Church and Michelangelo's Moses
Trastevere Hospital and its café in a medieval cloister: an unusual destination unknown to tourists, where patients, nurses, and Italians gather for a coffee
The walk between the Vatican and Trastevere, passing through Piazzale Giuseppe Garibaldi, on Gianicolo Hill, offers a beautiful view of Rome
Villa Borghese park

And between these various points, stroll around, create your own itineraries: Rome cannot be limited to a few items on a list. Rome is to be seen for its atmosphere, the beauty of its old colorful walls, wrought iron or stone balconies, and antique wooden shutters...

Budget for Visiting Rome

Transport

If you arrive by plane, expect to pay €14 and about half an hour to reach the city by train (Termini station).

Warning: don't forget to validate your train ticket before boarding; checks are systematic and fines can be steep!

Single tickets for public transport in the city cost €1.50, to be purchased at kiosks and tobacco shops.

Visits

Visits are a significant part of the travel budget in Rome. In our case: €14 for the Colosseum and €28 for the Vatican Museums (to enter before the crowd).

Tip: entry to certain tourist sites (like the Vatican Museums) is free on the last Sunday of the month (but I can barely imagine how crowded that must get...!).

Tip: entry to St. Peter's Basilica is free; only the ascent to its dome is paid.

Accommodations

The price varies greatly depending on the location, the package, the desired comfort, as well as the season and the booking time in relation to the stay. However, finding accommodations under €50 per night for 2 people is quite difficult. The best approach is to test your dates in our accommodation comparator.

Food

For dining, pizzas in not too touristy places, such as Trastevere, are reasonably priced (on average €7), a plate of pasta costs under €10, whereas meat and fish are pricier: around €15. Desserts range between €3 and €4: at that price, you can indulge!

A coffee on the terrace will depend on the type of coffee chosen and the location: from €2 to €8!

The selection is obviously vast: espresso, ristretto, lungo, macchiato, doppio, schiumato, cappuccino...

Ice cream (a must-try!) does not have the same prices depending on the cone chosen and the number of scoops, with the smallest portions starting at €2.50.

When to Visit Rome?

I am often asked about the best time to visit a place: the answer is not straightforward, as there always needs to be a good compromise between climate and tourists!

For Rome, late April to early May is ideal in terms of weather: what a pleasure to get a head start on summer by soaking up some sun ahead of time! The temperatures are perfect: 24 °C at the hottest part of the day.

In July-August, temperatures rise and become stifling. On average, summer temperatures hover around 27 °C and around 9 °C in winter.

All seasons are beautiful for visiting this city, each allowing an emphasis on one aspect or another of the capital: in summer, you can enjoy the parks more, while in winter, the museums and galleries.

5 Tips for Visiting Rome

Wear good shoes Because while Rome has a good network of metro, tram, and buses, there is no better way to discover the Italian capital than on foot.
Don't burden yourself with unnecessary water Small drinking fountains are scattered throughout the city.
Don't underestimate the sun I speak from experience (got a real sunburn after the first day: a true beginner!).
Choose your timing wisely Check the dates you want to travel to avoid, for example, unintentionally being in the midst of religious festivals or festivals!
Get a guide Of course, it's nice to visit at your own pace, in a leisurely manner... But for some places, having direct information, touching on history, and understanding the heritage around you... completely changes the site discovery experience. Thus, we were delighted to tour the Colosseum and the Forum with a guide.

Good Addresses

Restaurants

Hostaria I Clementini: 106 Via di San Giovanni in Laterano

Just steps from the Colosseum, this little inn is popular with Italians: few places are available due to reservations. No pizzas, but a tempting and original menu, at standard prices. The best meal we enjoyed in Rome was here!

And to top it off, the staff is super friendly: it feels like attending a dinner show, with the server, Gaetano, describing the menu as if announcing the program of a play!

I'm still charmed by the bufala-pistachio-cherry macaroni baked: a delight! And the tiramisu... the photo speaks for itself!

Ai Bozzi: 107 Piazza Giuditta Tavani Arquati

Located in the Trastevere neighborhood, this restaurant was recommended to us by Julie, a French guide who has been living in Rome for 9 years (who also recommended I Clementini). We couldn't try it, but given the quality of the previous restaurant, we'll trust her fully!

Chiostro del Bramante (Bramante Cloister): 5 Arco della Pace

Near Piazza Monte Vecchio and the famous Piazza Navona, this restaurant (recommended again by Julie) is renowned for being romantic and excellent.

Da Baffetto: 114 Via del Governo Vecchio

Pizzeria close to Piazza Navona, recommended in all guides. We had our best pizza in Rome there (but it didn't compare to the one we had in Sicily!).

You must either be patient or arrive early to avoid the line outside. The servers and pizza makers are incredibly efficient: our pizza was ordered and served in under 10 minutes!

There are many small trattorias around Piazza Navona that are reputed: worth a try!

The Trastevere neighborhood is famous for its restaurants and bars; it's where the Italians go (tourists mainly stay on the other side of the river). We dined there twice but were unlucky with our restaurant choices...

Ice Cream Shops

Corona - Gelato e semifreddi Artigianali: C.so Vittorio Emanuele II,144

Facing the ruins of the Ara Sacra, an excellent gelato shop run by a passionate operator, offering artisanal ice cream with original flavors: lemon basil, orange cinnamon, chocolate rum plums, raspberry pistachio...

Verde Pistacchio: Via Nazionale 239

Near Piazza della Repubblica, a gelato shop with a cool look, featuring a Vespa and a green minivan, classic flavors, and their specialty... pistachio!

There are many other good addresses we didn't jot down during our strolls. Generally, to choose a gelato shop wisely, here are a few tips:

Observe the texture of the gelato and how it's served: with a spatula, pressing the gelato to expel air; the gelato should be soft and not seem to be already formed into scoops;
The cones offered are also a good indicator: abandon ship if the only available cones look like they are made of polystyrene!
The line in front of the establishment can be misleading: some reputed gelato shops that have been in guides for years rest on their reputation and decrease the quality of their products (while increasing prices).

Tours and Tourist Agencies

YouTour Roma: we visited the Colosseum and the Forum with Francesca Delle Cave, an excellent guide (Italian/English), with whom we learned a lot about Ancient Rome, but also about the modern life of Italians during our conversations. I warmly recommend her.

La Rome de Julie: Julie is the French guide I mentioned earlier. We met over a meal, which was very pleasant. While we didn't have her as a guide, all her advice (visits, good addresses) proved invaluable!

Rome: veni vidi...

Rome, Colosseum, Italy — The Colosseum in Rome (©Javier Vieras) photo by unsacsurledos.com

You've probably sensed it throughout these lines: I loved Rome! I came, I saw... and I will return!

This first stay allowed me to take the temperature; the city can be easily discovered on foot in 2 or 3 days. On our next Roman trip, the serious side will begin: I can explore in greater depth some places that opened my appetite!

For those who want to escape for a weekend in Rome, my main advice is: prepare a little at least, meaning buy the tickets/passes for the sites you wish to visit to avoid lines; and above all, don't over-plan, allowing yourself to get lost and make your own discoveries!

And you, have you ever visited the Italian capital? Any experiences or good tips to share?