**Three Days in Rome?**

Here’s How to Do It:

I have been to countless cities all over the world, but I must say Rome is still my favorite. After spending one month solely in Rome, I am here to share how I would do it if it were my first time.

Where to Stay:

With three days, I would try to stay near the city center. Although more touristy, you can find great places around Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, Spanish Steps, or in Monti by the Colosseum.

Day 1: The Staples

If you are coming from across the pond, you most likely have an overnight flight and are getting into Rome early in the morning, Roma Time. Taxi or Uber (yes there is Uber in Rome!) are usually 40min and 50E from the airport, or you can take the Leonardo Express train to get to the Roma Termini station.

Drop your bags at the hotel and hit the ground running.

Coffee at: Sant Eustachio il Caffe - dating back to 1938, this famous cafe makes its blends, roasts its coffee, and even uses water from the ancient aqueduct system. Sit outside for an espresso before heading over to the Pantheon.

Walk: Pantheon to Trevi Fountain to Spanish Steps (tip don’t sit on the steps you will get yelled at). If you want to keep walking all the way to Piazza del Popolo, keep going!

If you need another coffee, close to Spanish Steps is Antico Caffè Greco one of the most famous cafes in Rome, 19th century Romantic poets such as Keats and Byron drank coffee here.

Lunch: Hosteria Romana Boccaccio is a seven min walk from Spanish Steps and great pasta. Get the cacio e pepe or amatriciana. Check times as lunch is 12:30-3PM!

be sure to try the cacio e pepe, amatriciana, and carbonara - pastas famous in rome

Go back to the hotel to check-in relax, and refresh. Nap if you must, but the first day is crucial to try and get on a normal sleep schedule so stay strong.

Drinks before dinner outside the Pantheon or at the Hotel Minerva, the Minverva Rooftop Garden. The Pantheon is incredible during the day, but even more special at night.

Dinner Make a reservation much ahead of time at Lucifero or Armando al Pantheon

Gelato at Giolitti close by

Day 2: The Colosseum

I am not always one to recommend tours, but in Rome tours of the Colosseum and Vatican are a must for first-timers. Here’s how to do it best.

Whether or not you schedule an AM or PM tour is up to you. Either way, this is what I would do:

Leave at least an hour early if you can to Colosseum. Start HERE - the location of the famous mural of Francesco Totti - the most famous Roma Soccer player of all time. He is royalty in Rome, the location can be hard to find on the internet because Lazio (Roma’s rival) fans will deface it!

From there, walk down Via del Cardellò toward the Colosseum, this is my favorite view of the Colosseum.

Walk down that street to Cafee Roma if you need a snack, water, drink, or bathroom break before the tour.

Tours typically last anywhere from 2-4 hours long depending if you do the Colosseum alone or add on the Roman Forum/Palatine Hill. Schedule what you like, just remember if you are going in the summer it can be a VERY hot and long day.

After Tour Drink at Oro Bistro Roma Rooftop Bar @ NH Fori Imperial Hotel, it’s close and the views are insane. During peak season you may need to make a reservation or call ahead.

Head back to the hotel to refresh/relax.

On your way to drinks/dinner: stroll Piazza Navona. Explore and walk down Via dei Coronari one of the most beautiful streets in the city full of cafes, shops, and art galleries.

Drinks around sunset at Terrazza Borromini. Make a reservation for the rooftop. My favorite rooftop in Rome!

Dinner at Verso Sera has a cute outdoor patio off of Campo di Fiori, with great pasta dishes.

Day 3 - The Vatican

AM Vatican Tour - don’t start too early, you will want to sleep in after travel and yesterday’s long day! These tours are long so eat something beforehand and caffeine up.
Lunch - Osteria da Fortunata if wanting more pasta, or just grab something while walking

Relax at the hotel before heading out.

PM: Explore the Trastevere neighborhood on the other side of the Tiber.

Dinner Casual pizza and wine by the liter at Dar Poeta

Gelato at OTALEG in Trastevere

Extra Day?

Rent a bike or a Vespa and see the city beside on your two feet
Grab snacks, sandwiches, and wine, and head to the Borghese Gardens to people-watch. Extra points for checking out the Gallery there.
Hop on a food tour, do a cooking class, or wine tasting
Do a tour of the catacombs, crypts, or aqueducts
If you have even more time, consider a day trip to Tivoli, Orvieto, or Civita di Bagnoregio

Only two days?

Add the Colosseum tour to the first day, in the afternoon. Opt for a 2hr tour. Skip Trastevere for now. If you are flying back out of Rome at the end of your trip, save exploring and dinner there for the last night before you leave.

Other Rome Tips

Italians eat dinner very late. Make dinner reservations between 8PM-9:30PM.
That means go for pre-dinner aperitivo or drinks at 6:30-7:30. If you want to have a drink at sunset at a rooftop bar, call, email, or make a reservation ahead of time.
To avoid getting lost, download MapsMe to use offline maps and star your lodging, restaurants, and attractions ahead of time
Pro-tip- pack a reusable water bottle and fill up at the many public water fountains (nasone, aka fontanella). Yes, you can drink this water!