3 Days In Rome Itinerary (72 hours in Rome)

Rome is a fascinating city full of ancient culture and whose historic ruins, monuments, and museums are waiting to teach you about its rich past. To make the most out of your time in Rome, we’ve put together a suggested 3 day itinerary to show you how you can spend three days (72 hours) in the Eternal City and see the best of what Rome has to offer.

Day 1

Morning - St Peter's Basilica 

St Peter’s Basilica is perhaps one of the most important religious and historic buildings in the world, let alone in Rome, so a visit to this iconic cathedral is a must. Its imposing architecture is breath-taking and inside is even better with its huge dome, Baldacchino, and Papal throne. The best thing is you can skip the queue and walk right in and make the most of a free audio guide too!

Midday - Sistene Chapel and Vatican Museums

Save up to four hours of queuing with the Rome and Vatican pass package and step right into the Vatican Museums. Considered some of the most prestigious museums of its kind for the sheer scale of collections and artworks on display, you can see ancient Roman bronzes, to marble sculptures, and tapestries. There are over 9 miles of art to appreciate so you’ll need a few hours to take it all in. Don’t miss Michelangelo’s masterpiece, the Last Judgement, on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel before you leave.

Afternoon - Castel Sant'Angelo

On the bank of the River Tiber, Rome’s ancient fortress Castel Sant’Angelo – also known as Hadrian’s Mausoleum – is waiting to be discovered. Built over 2000 years ago, it has seen its fair share of events, from battles to Papal refuge and jailing criminals so it has a story to tell. Walk through its courtyards and bring Rome’s ancient history to life.

Day 2

Morning - Colosseum

The Colosseum is arguably the most famous amphitheatre in the world and provides a fascinating insight into the world of gladiator fighting and Ancient Roman entertainment. Walk through the ancient corridors and along the tiers that would have held aristocracy to paupers and imagine what the gruesome games would have been like as a spectator. Learn more about Rome’s ancient culture in the exhibitions – and what’s more, enjoy fast track entry to get in!

Midday - Museum of Rome

Revisit some of Rome’s forgotten art and sculpture at the stunning Museo di Roma. The Baroque Palazzo Braschi, a fine example of Roman architecture in itself, celebrates the ‘forgotten ages’, showcasing frescoes, mosaics, ceramics, and more. Right beside Piazza Navona its location is hard to beat, too! Spend a few hours admiring its rich collections dating back to the Middle Ages and spanning up to the mid-20th century.

Afternoon - Capitoline Museums

If you are an art and sculpture aficionado, make a beeline for the Capitoline Museums. Founded in 1471, they are considered the oldest museums in the world. A true museum of the people, they feature the first collections donated by Pope Sixtus IV, the original bronze statues, as well as the iconic She-Wolf suckling Romulus and Remus.

Day 3

Midday - Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

See the sights of Rome from the comfort of a hop-on hop-off bus tour and let the guide do all the work. Pass the iconic sights and get a unique perspective along the way. You’ll be pointed out the Colosseum, Imperial Forum, Vittorio Emanuele, Piazza Navona, and more – and you can hop on and off at leisure to tailor-make your own itinerary. We recommend going to Campo di Fiori to see the local fresh produce.

Afternoon - St John in Lateran

Officially the seat of the Pope, St John in Lateran is a must for your Rome itinerary. You’ll see the baroque and Costmatesque style and architecture and 14th century Baldacchino, cloisters and Scala Sancta (Holy Steps) to which thousands make a pilgrimage to every year to see. Whether you’re a visitor or a worshiper, St John in the Lateran is not to be missed! Hopefully this gives you everything you need to see the best of Rome in 3 days. It will be an action-packed 72 hours but an unforgettable one.

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Celebrate New Year's Eve in Rome

Celebrate New Year’s Eve, Capodanno, in Rome and wave goodbye to 2014 as you welcome what 2015 will bring. If you’re going to be in Rome for this special time, read on; we’ve got a list of things to do in Rome to help you celebrate the 31st December into the 1st January. In true Roman style, there are historic traditions and both contemporary culture to appreciate – so take your pick, and buon anno to you! Coliseum Celebrate in one of the oldest parts of Rome, at one of the oldest attractions, the Coliseum. Dating back over 2,000 years it’s one of the most iconic backdrops to spending New Year’s Eve and you’re guaranteed a great photo moment. At midnight, you’ll be able to enjoy views over the city’s fireworks display and can continue the street party at your leisure. Imperial Forum Slightly down the way from the Coliseum, the Imperial Forum is featuring its very own Vintage Party this year to celebrate 2014/2015. Expect everything themed from the '30s to '60s – from music to decorations. You’re invited to dress up, too! Hosted by Swing Circus, there will be an orchestra, DJ, dancers and Linda Hop the swing performer. Not least, a marching band and a clown for the kids. Definitely worth a visit! Circus Maximus This year Rome is pulling out all of the stops and visitors and locals alike can enjoy plenty of historic backdrops for their New Year’s celebrations. Another venue to head to is Circus Maximus to enjoy a real knees-up. With a full blown concert, starting with the Italian one-to-watch Mannarino, followed by local rappers and artists, it’s after midnight that it all kicks off. With a break for the impressive annual fireworks, the early hours of 1st January 2015 will see a DJ set by Daddy G and Grant from Massive Attack. Names not to be sniffed at. St Peter’s Basilica If you are looking for something slightly more quiet and reflective, why not head over to St Peter’s Basilica. Starting earlier than the evening revellers, the Pope will be hosting the Feast of Mary, Mother of God, at St Peter’s Basilica at 5pm. Here, the Pope will celebrate the First Vespers of the Solemnity of the Mother of God, followed by the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, the traditional singing of the “Te Deum”, and the Eucharistic Benediction. You will need to pre-book tickets as it’s a highly sought after event. Alternatively, the following day (1st January 2015) you can attend a Mass at 10am (tickets are also required). Gianicolo As Rome is such a romantic place, spending New Year’s with your loved one in this historic city can be a special moment. We suggest you head up to the Gianicolo, a hill that starts in Trastevere. Climb this winding summit and you’ll reach one of the most spectacular viewpoints in the city. Overlooking the city, you can see the iconic domes from St Peter’s Basilica to Piazza Victorio Emmanuele II not to mention you'll get a great panorama of all the firework displays around the city, illuminating the sky line. Don’t forget your camera as you’re guaranteed a breath-taking New Year’s Eve. Don't forget you can make great savings if you explore Rome with the OMNIA Vatican & Rome Card. Granting you free entry into the Vatican City and sights, as well as free entry into the Coliseum and many other historic attractions with the Roma Pass. Click here to find out how you can save.
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A Visitor's Guide to the Vatican Museums

The Vatican Museums see over 5 million people per year; and with an estimated worth of over €15 billion it’s no wonder people flock to see it! At an impressive 9 miles in length the museum is bursting with art from floor to ceiling. It’s believed that if you spent just one minute admiring each painting it would take you four years to see the entire collection. And that’s not including the sculptures, tapestries, frescoes... The Vatican Museums are filled with some of the greatest masterpieces of all time; from Michelangelo to Botticelli, Bernini and Raphael. There are 54 rooms, or salas, in total ranging from miniature mosaics, Etruscan artefacts, classical antiquities and much more... But as part of the Holy See in the Vatican City (and the smallest country in the world), needless to say there are rules to be followed and customs to be respected. It’s hard to know where to begin, so we’ll give you some advice from what to see and to what to wear, with our visitor’s guide to the Vatican. Rules Because the Vatican City is a place of worship and the heart of the Roman Catholic Church, any visitor must abide to their rules and regulations - even if its outside of your beliefs. You may not wear short skirts, sleeveless blouses or shorts (cover all knees and shoulders) so make sure you come appropriately dressed in advance or you’ll be sold an overpriced scarf by a lurking tout to drape over yourself. As any important building or museum, you must be respectful of your surroundings. The Vatican Museums date back to the early 1500s so it’s almost an artefact in itself. Don’t try and touch any of the sculptures, or tapestries on display – even though there will be hoards of people inside - please leave enough room around the art pieces. Cameras may be used in the museum with no flash, but not in the Sistine Chapel. This is to protect the fresco from fading – and let’s be honest, it would be a travesty if Michelangelo’s Last Judgement were to peel and discolour. What to see An average visit to the Vatican Museums takes about four hours and from the moment you get in there are works of art, sculptures and architecture to be admired. From the spiral staircase built in 1832 right at the entrance, to the four imposing Raphael Rooms in the public part of the papal apartments, you can explore the great Vatican Museums from top to bottom. Discover the Ancient Egyptian Museum covering nine rooms, or learn about the different Popes in the portraits gallery. If you love statues, you can’t miss the hallway of marble masterpieces. Checkout the Sistine Chapel on your way out to end on a high. Literally. Remember no cameras are allowed, so take a mental picture of the famous 15th century ceiling and while you're in there, admire Botticelli’s long murals, too - something that often gets overlooked. Beat the crowds With the OMNIA and Vatican Card you can get free and fast track entry into the Vatican Museums, saving you hours of queuing in the summer months. Just flash your card and jump straight to the front. To make your experience even more enjoyable, our advice is visit around midday or 1pm when the early birds are leaving to get lunch which means there might be a lull in numbers. Saying that, it’s always pretty busy so make sure you’re good in crowds. There’s an outdoor area and little café in the grassy courtyard, too, if you need a break – and it’s always nice to sit outside and admire the architecture from a different perspective. If you want something a little different, why not try their Night Time Tours, which run in the summer (May-July and Sept-Oct) when the Vatican Museums are open until 11pm. It's the perfect time to go as you’re guaranteed fewer people and a calmer experience - even if it's at an extra cost. St Peter’s Basilica St Peter’s Basilica is part of the Vatican City however it’s not accessible through the Vatican Museums. For this, you’ll have to queue up under the right hand colonnades of St Peter’s Square and enter from the front of the basilica. Like the Vatican Museums, you must have shoulders and knees covered to be allowed entry. As this is a daily place of worship you must be respectful of those around you. With an OMNIA Vatican & Rome Card you can get a free audio guide and skip the lines to St Peter’s Basilica once you’ve visited the Vatican Museums, to complete your exploration of the Vatican City. Discover more of the Rome and the Holy See with the OMNIA Vatican & Rome Card - your indispensable sightseeing pass!
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