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ROME in 3 Days
In Rome you can do so many things because there are so many things that this city offers: places to eat, museums to see, alleys to discover … the important thing is to make a sort of travel diary to organize your trip to Rome. Let’s see all that is possible to do in Rome in three days!
Day One
VATICAN CITY – PIAZZA NAVONA – CAMPO DE’ FIORI- PIAZZA DI SPAGNA
Vatican City
Vatican City, photo by Selim Gecer, sourced from Pixabay
My advice is to go to Vatican City to admire the wonderful San Peter’s Church and the magnificence of the square designed by GianLorenzo Bernini.
This square is majestic and composed of 284 columns, where in the center there is the obelisk which seems to dominate the facade of the Basilica and the surrounding space in a perfect axis.
A veritable symbol of Christianity, the greatest names in Renaissance painting and architecture gathered around its restructuring, such as Michelangelo, Raphael, Bernini and Carlo Maderno, who oversaw the construction of the imposing facade.
Raphael’s painting, photo by Janeb13, sourced from Pixabay
Inside the Basilica you will be welcomed by the marvel of the work that is kept there, such as Michelangelo’s Pietà and the bronze statue dedicated to Saint Peter, an exciting masterpiece.
After having dedicated at least a couple of hours to the visit of San Pietro, what could be better than a nice walk in one of the hearts of the eternal city?
Piazza Navona
Piazza Navona, photo by KirkandMimi, sourced from Pixabay
Piazza Navona is the symbol of Baroque Rome and is the square that was to represent the grandeur of the House of Pamphili.
In the center of the square there is the sculpture of the four rivers, which goes to define the four corners of the Earth, and the imposing facade of the splendid Church of Sant ‘Agnese in Agone. If you are in Rome during Christmas, my advice is to go to Piazza Navona to visit the market, very active during these days and famous for the representation of the Epiphany of Piazza Navona.
Campo De ‘Fiori
Campo de’ Fiori, image by Myrabella, sourced from Wikimedia Commons
If you have arrived at lunchtime, it is time to go to another place par excellence in Rome, namely Campo De ‘Fiori! Here you will find many typical restaurants and especially the famous Roman bakeries, where you can enjoy the delicious local focaccia called “Pinsa”, to be filled with pecorino romano doc (a famous cheese) or mortadella, and drink a glass of red wine.
During the Middle Ages, the square was covered by a flowery meadow and some vegetable gardens, used by the local population for sustenance, and it was the place used for capital executions. In 1600 the philosopher Giordano Bruno was burned alive, accused of heresy.
Bruno burned at the stake after accusations of heresy, painting by Walter Pater
Today, Campo De’ Fiori is one of the famous square of Rome, and unmissable is its market, where you can buy local specialities like artichokes, and immerse yourself in a past time in Rome.
Piazza di Spagna
Piazza di Spagna, image by Ptra, sourced from Pixabay
As a last stop on our first day in Rome, a photo of Piazza di Spagna is a must! Probably one of the most famous squares in the world, it owes its fame to the famous staircase and to the Church of Trinità dei Monti.
In the center you will find the beautiful sculpture called the “Barcaccia”, a work by Bernini, where it will be inevitable to take a souvenir photo. Every corner of this beautiful Roman place is steeped in charm, thanks to the prestigious buildings of the great luxury boutiques and residences, such as that of Keats and Shelley, which today have become real pilgrimage destinations for tourists eager to relive moments of the Romantic period.
My advice is to enjoy a good tea at “Babington’s”, a veritable institution in the Roman world, opened at the end of the nineteenth century and still a meeting place for politicians and intellectuals. You will be greeted by an impeccable staff, who will advise you on the various types of tea present, and snacks with an Anglo-Saxon flavor.
Babington’s is located at Piazza di Spagna, 23, Open all days 10-21.15
Babington’s tea, image sourced from their website
Babington’s meal, image sourced from their website
Day Two
PANTHEON – PIAZZA VENEZIA – COLOSSEO – RIONE MONTI
Pantheon
Our second Roman day can only begin with a visit to the Pantheon. The Pantheon is a real temple, built in Roman times, to be dedicated to all the divinities of the past and the future, and still represents Rome in the world.
Pantheon, image by KirkandMimi, sourced from Pixabay
A true masterpiece of architecture and engineering, it is formed by a hemispherical dome, visible if one enters the Pantheon itself, and by as many as 16 Greek columns that support the imposing entrance.
My advice is to enter in this magnificent structure in the central hours of the day, when thanks to an opening of about 9 meters positioned at the top, you can enjoy the spectacular play of lights; if you are around this area at lunchtime, I recommend a stop at the Pizzeria “Il Pomodoro”, open every day, where you will taste delicious pizza and pasta. Pizzeria “Il Pomodoro” is located in Piazza Ragusa.
Piazza Venezia
To continue your second day in Rome, a must is the splendid Piazza Venezia with its Vittoriano. After leaving ancient and baroque Rome, the most striking thing about this square are its buildings constructed with essential lines, and the grandiose complex of the Vittoriano, built in 1885 by the architect Giuseppe Sacconi.
Piazza Venezia, image by BKD, sourced from Pixabay
Made of botticino marble, typical of the Brescia area, and not in travertine, Sacconi was inspired by the cornerstones of the time: There is, in the center of the “Altare della Patria”, positioned the Statue of Vittorio Emanuele II, on the sides we find sculptures depicting “The Power”, The “Concord”, The “ Sacrifice” and the “Law”.
Going up the first steps of the staircase, you will find a depiction of the “Goddess Rome”, with the “Work” and the allegory of “Patriotism” on the sides.
Entrance to the Vittoriano is free
Colosseum
Colosseum, image by LoggaWiggler, sourced from Pixabay
Passing through Via dei Fori Imperiali, in a quarter of an hour on foot, you will arrive at the Colosseum. Unesco heritage and symbol of Rome par excellence, the Colosseum is one of the most visited monuments in the world thanks to its beauty and magnificence, and over the centuries it has been a source of inspiration for many painters and directors, fascinated by its charm.
With a perimeter of 527 meters, the Colosseum was the fulcrum of the social and recreational activity of Ancient Rome, and in the interior shows and fights between gladiators were very often organized.
My advice is to go absolutely underground, guided by an organized tour to admire the remains of precious marbles and stones that made up the original Amphitheater, providing you with a ticket, if possible booked on the internet, which at a cost of about 21 euros will allow you to reach the third level to enjoy a magnificent view of the arena.
Visiting hours change in the summer which lasts until 7.30pm, while in winter until 4.30pm.
Rione Monti
La Casetta café, photo by Ozlem A, sourced from Tomato
Not far from the Colosseum, you will find the Rione Monti, a district of wine bars and art galleries, where a must is a good aperitif to “La Casetta di Madonna di Monti”: covered with ivy and with an essential design, it will be an excellent retreat to enjoy the last rays of the sun, sipping an excellent cocktail and eating the excellent snacks that you can find, in a welcoming and intimate atmosphere that will transport you back in time.
La Casetta is located in Via della Madonna dei Monti 62, Rome. Open every days, except Tuesday.
DAY THREE
TREVI – PALAZZO DEL QUIRINALE – GIARDINI DEL QUIRINALE – PIAZZA BARBERINI – VIA VENETO
Trevi
The third Roman day begins with Trevi and its splendid fountain. Made even more famous by the famous scene in the film La Dolce Vita by Fellini, it is certainly the most scenic fountain in Rome.
Trevi Fountain, image by wearewaway, sourced from Pixabay
Inaugurated in 1762, the fountain is composed of a central niche and four Greek columns, at the end of which are the statues of the four seasons; In the center we find the splendid statue of Oceano on a chariot pulled by two horses that symbolize the calm and agitated side of the sea.
Surrounding this extra romantic place in Rome, there are numerous legends. One of the most famous is surely that of throwing a coin from behind the water of the fountain, to ensure that the return to Rome is assured. For the more in love, it was a custom in medieval times to have your fiancé drink a glass of water from the central basin of the fountain, to symbolize eternal loyalty. Curious to try?
Palazzo del Quirinale
Another stop not to be missed is the splendid Palazzo del Quirinale and its majestic gardens. The Quirinale, a name given by the homonymous hill, is one of the most important Italian palaces. Residence of the King of Italy, it is today the official residence of the President of the Republic.
Palazzo del Quirinale by Wikimedia Foundation
The entire structure was built in travertine, and around the large representative courtyard the most beautiful rooms are developed, while the presidential offices are all located in the buildings at the end (“Manica Lunga”).
Among the most important Halls we recall the Sala degli Specchi, seat of the oaths of the judges of the Constitutional Court and the Salone delle Feste, the most solemn hall of the building where the official lunches are held. My advice is to book in advance the visit to the Palazzo del Quirinale, following the instructions on the site of the building itself.
Being the seat of the Italian State, depending on the institutional commitments, the time of visits may vary. For any information, call: 06 39.96.75.57
GIARDINI DEL QUIRINALE
Giardini Quirinale sourced from luoghi.italianbotanicalheritage.com
Spread over 4 hectares, they include a wide variety of plants, some from South America and other parts of the world, such as large cycads, and a fir tree from Northern Europe. In the Italian garden we find large quantities of laurel and holm oak hedges, and the splendid Fountain of the Turtles and the Organ, while in the English part, we find different species of roses and a Lebanese ceder.
For every reservations and informations, you can see the website of the Quirinale.
PIAZZA BARBERINI
Fontana Tritone Piazza Barberini sourced from iliveitaly.it
In the afternoon another symbolic place of the Capital waiting for us: the splendid Piazza Barberini and a walk in the symbol of Rome in the 60s, Via Veneto. At the center of the square we will find the magnificent fountain of the Triton, composed of 4 dolphins that support the marine god Triton, and at a distance of about 200 meters we find Palazzo Barberini, home of the National Gallery of Ancient Art.
VIA VENETO
Federico Fellini, Via Veneto ‘60 sourced from fondazioneitalianelmondo.com
To conclude these Roman days, I recommend a walk along the splendid Via Veneto, adjacent to Piazza Barberini, a symbol of Roman society and the 60s, when actors and Hollywood stars would meet in the many cafes and restaurants that still crowd this jewel of the past.
The Terrace at the Majestic Rome sourced from their website
Do not miss the chic aperitif on the “Via Veneto Terrace”, a must on spring and summer afternoons, where while sipping an excellent cocktail, you will be fascinated by the charm of Via Veneto and its tree-lined avenues. And if it’s time for dinner? Don’t worry, the Majestic Restaurant will offer you a wide choice, in a sophisticated and extraordinary class design. For all reservations you can visit the website of Majestic Hotel Rome, or call : +39 06 421441.
