Rome Itineraries - 3 and 4 days

Planning an itinerary is the best way to make the most out of your visit – especially to a city that has so much to see and do, like Rome. With your 3-day OMNIA Rome and Vatican Pass, here is a suggestion of what you could do over 3 days in Rome and if you’re staying a bit longer, what to do during day 4 in Rome, too. From the iconic historic attractions to must-do bus tours, here are some suggested itineraries for your trip to Rome.

3 Day Itinerary

Day 1:

MORNING

Attraction: St Peter’s Basilica

Make St Peter’s Basilica the first stop on your itinerary and get one ticked off the bucket list. Any visit to St Peter’s Basilica will start your holiday on the right foot. With its huge impressive dome, marble façade and beautiful interior you can’t help but be awed by this Roman landmark. Don’t miss Bernini’s baroque baldachin, the papal throne and crypt underneath. Visit duration: 2 hours Address: Piazza San Pietro, 00120 Città del Vaticano Metro: Ottaviano-S.Pietro-Musei Vaticano (Metro A line) MIDDAY Attraction: Sistine Chapel & Vatican Museums Around the corner from St Peter’s Basilica you’ll find the Vatican City, home to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. Made world-famous by Michelangelo’s The Last Judgement, visit this chapel to admire the skill for yourself. There are also 9 miles of art, sculpture and tapestries to admire in the museums too – so make sure you have enough stamina!

Visit duration: 4 hours

Address: Viale Vaticano, 00165 Roma

Metro: Ottaviano-S.Pietro-Musei Vaticano (Metro A line)

AFTERNOON

Attraction: Castel Sant’Angelo

Castel Sant’Angelo is also known as the Mausoleum of Hadrian and has stood on the bank of the River Tiber for over 2,000 years. It was once Rome’s fortress, then papal refuge, now it’s a historic attraction that showcases a range of ancient Roman artefacts from pottery to paintings, military weapons and the bronze angel right on top. Visit duration: 2 hours Address: Lungotevere Castello, 50 - 00186 Rome Metro: Lepanto or Ottaviano (Metro line A)

Day 2:

MORNING

Attraction: Colosseum

The Colosseum is one of the most iconic historic buildings in Rome and dates back over 2,000 years so its walls are bursting with history and tales of Ancient Rome. The Colosseum is the world’s most famous amphitheatre, once used for entertaining and brutal gladiator contests – you can learn about these and the lives of a gladiator and the hierarchy of the Empire at the fascinating exhibits in the Colosseum.

Visit duration: 2 hours

Address: Piazza del Colosseo, 00184 Rome

Metro: Colosseo (Metro line B)

MIDDAY

Attraction: Roman Forum & Palatine Hill

If you’re into your history and archaeology, the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill are two of Rome’s most iconic sites to visit and will give you a great insight into what life was like in Ancient Rome. Walk through the cobbled streets of the forum to imagine what life was like in the busy market place, and walk up the Palatine Hill for views across the city of Rome and the ruins of the Forum below.

Visit duration: 2 hours

Address: Via di San Gregorio, 30 - 00184 Rome

Metro: Colosseo (Metro line B)

AFTERNOON

Attraction: Capitoline Museums

The Capitoline Museums are considered the world’s oldest national museums, founded in 1471 by Pope Sixtus IV who donated bronze statues to the museum, set within three historic buildings and piazza designed by Michelangelo. Within you can see the iconic She-Wolf suckling Romulus and Remus, as well as sculptures and statues thousands of years old.

Visit duration: 2 hours

Address: Piazza del Campidoglio, 1 - 00186 Rome

Metro: Colosseo (Metro B)

Day 3:

MORNING

Attraction: Borghese Gallery

The Borghese Gallery is one of the most impressive art galleries in Rome and certainly in one of the most picturesque of locations. Housed in the old Villa Borghese Pinciana, once home to Scipione Borghese who commissioned works off Caravaggio and Botticelli for his private collection, has since become one of the most esteemed art galleries for paintings and classical antiquities in all of Rome.

Visit duration: 2 hours

Address: Piazzale del Museo, Borghese, 5 - 00197 Rome

Bus: Pinciana- Museo Borghese

MIDDAY

Attraction: Hop on Hop off Bus Tour

There’s no better way to see the sights of Rome than aboard a hop on hop off Rome Christiana bus tour. Take the stress off and just sit back and admire the landmarks and monuments of Rome, passing the iconic sites; Castel Sant’Angelo, St Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican City, River Tiber, Colosseum – and more! Plug into live commentary as you drive through the streets and learn about the city’s history as you go. Whenever takes your fancy, just hop off to explore!

Visit duration: 3 hours

AFTERNOON

Attraction: St John in the Lateran

Did you know St John in the Lateran is the official seat of the Pope? Take in the stunning Cosmatesque architecture, sculpture and 14th-century Gothic Baldacchino, and don’t forget to visit the Scala Sancta – the Holy Steps – to which hundreds make pilgrimage to every month. It’s also one of the oldest basilicas in Europe, dating back to 324 AD!

Visit duration: 2 hours

Address: Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano, 00184 Rome

Metro: San Giovanni (Metro A)

4 Day Itinerary

Day 4:

MORNING

Attraction: Pantheon

The Pantheon is one of the best preserved ancient buildings in Rome, dating back to 118 AD. It’s a place of worship and working church to this day, and its name, in fact, means “house of gods”. It’s famous for its large pillared façade – upon which the Pantheon in Paris was modelled – as well as its huge oculus in the ceiling which provides the only source light in the building. Visit duration: 1 hour

Address: Piazza Della Rotonda, 00186 Roma

Tram/Bus: Largo di Torre Argentina

MIDDAY

Attraction: Trevi Fountain

The Trevi fountain is not to be missed on your trip to Rome; it’s the perfect place to go around lunch as all around the piazza are restaurants so you might be lucky to get a table with a view. The Trevi Fountain is one of the most famous fountains in the world thanks to its stunning Baroque sculptures – so make sure you throw a coin in for good luck to make sure you’ll return to Rome! Visit duration: 1-hour Address: Piazza di Trevi, 00187 Roma Metro: Barberini (Metro line A)

AFTERNOON

Attraction: Spanish Steps

There are 135 steps which make up the Spanish Steps that date back to the early 1720s, linking the Piazza di Spagna to the elevated church in the Piazza Trinità dei Monti at the top. You might recognise the steps in some classic films, such as Audrey Hepburn’s Roman Holiday, otherwise, it’s a lovely spot to buy a coffee or a picnic and sit and watch the world go by.

Visit duration: 1 hour

Address: Piazza di Spagna, 00187 Roma

Metro: Spagna (Metro line A)

It’s important to plan out an itinerary or rough agenda so you can make the most out of your days in Rome. There are so many historic sites, it makes more sense to group them by location, as above. Rome is small enough you can walk between many attractions during the day – but with the OMNIA Rome and Vatican Pass you get a free travelcard for the Metro, Trams and Buses which also makes getting from A to B easier.

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Explore the City: Our Guide to the Best Piazzas in Rome

Take things easy with our guide to the top piazzas in Rome There's a sculpture, church and pasta place on every corner in Rome - and the same rings true for its many piazzas. Lined with restaurants and filled with fountains, there's a number scattered around the capital nearby some of the biggest tourist attractions or in quieter areas perfect for city break. Here's our guide to the top piazzas in Rome. This town 💜#balconyview #sunset #rome #travel A post shared by miia 💋 (@minttumanttu) on Jun 5, 2017 at 11:33am PDT Piazza Campo de'Fiori This atmospheric piazza thrives with energy and culture. This rectangular square is home to one of the best street markets in Rome, where you'll be able to grab everything from fresh produce to street food. In the evenings, it becomes a massive hang out area for people from all walks of life and there's a number of fantastic restaurants for ideal date nights. City of many fountains. #rome #vsco #latergram A post shared by Armi (@armi_h) on Jun 19, 2017 at 4:50pm PDT Piazza Navona An ancient Roman stadium once stood where this piazza does now. This large area retains the general shape of the arena and is filled with interesting statues and architectural marvels, including the Fountain of the Four Rivers and the Obelisk of Domition. With restaurants and benches scattered around the piazza, it's a fantastic place to chill out with a cold glass of white wine. Пьяцца дель Пополо или «Народная площадь" В центре площади стоит обелиск Фламиния – 24-х метровая каменная колонна возрастом 3400 лет, которая была вывезена из Египта как военный трофей. Вначале колонну поставили в Большом цирке. Там он простоял долгие годы, разрушился и рухнул. Архитектор Доменико Фонтана по распоряжению Папы соединил обломки, и установил восстановленный обелиск посреди Пьяцца дель Пополо. Каждый шаг в Риме - это возможность увидеть своими глазами историю, прикоснуться к прекрасному. Единственное, что меня под конец стало раздражать - это торговцы цветами, подходят предлагают цветы и говорят, что это бесплатно. Начинаешь отказываться, пытаются всунуть их тебе в руки, в платье, вообщем лишь бы цветы оказались у тебя 😤 Настырные такие, слов не понимают, так и хотелось им уже 👊🏼 А так Рим прекрасен💓 Ставьте 💗, вам несложно, мне приятно😊 #travelnotes_Mfamily A post shared by Натали • Медякова (@iamname_) on Jun 16, 2017 at 1:53am PDT Piazza del Popolo As one of the larger squares in Rome, this piazza is named after the nearby church Santa Maria del Popolo. Located within throwing distance of the Borghese Gardens which houses the Borghese Gallery, it draws on neoclassical elements while incorporating fun sculptures such as an Egyptian obelisk and a tall arched gateway into the central area. A number of fountains add natural elements to the square and it's worth dipping into the three churches ringing the piazza. #wedding #boda 1 año y 7 meses después #instagood #instapic #roma #rome #roma🇮🇹 A post shared by Fʀᴀɴᴄᴇsᴄᴏ Cʜɪᴀʀɪ (@masterfrenc) on Jun 19, 2017 at 4:47am PDT Piazza del Campidoglio This breathtaking square was designed by the Italian master himself - Michelangelo. Trace the charcoal and cream oval pattern on the ground and pose alongside the intimidating bronze statue of Marcus Aurelius, a former Roman Emperor. Once you've finished basking in the sun, head into the Capitoline Museums nearby to get your fill of ancient Roman art and architecture. Mijn buitenverblijfje. #vaticaan #vatican #vaticano #vaticancity #basilica #italy #rome #zweten A post shared by Esteban (@estetollen) on Jun 20, 2017 at 2:41am PDT Piazza San Pietro If you're keen on seeing the pope, this large Vatican City piazza is the place to be. On select dates, the pope appears in a window of St Peter's Basilica - the gigantic cathedral that dominates the square - and addresses those below with blessings. It functions as the spiritual heart of the deeply religious state and it's worth passing through on your way to the rest of the Vatican's attractions. Spanish Steps 👣 #Rome #italy #NasaEuropeSia #europalma #europetraveldiaries #beautifuldestinations A post shared by CZARLINE S. P. (@itsczzzarline) on Jun 16, 2017 at 8:00pm PDT Piazza di Spagna Channel your inner Audrey Hepburn and head to the Spanish Steps on your Roman holiday. Piazza di Spagna, the large square at the base of the famous staircase, is a charming place to cool off and grab an espresso after running round the sights. Grab a picture of Bernini's ivory fountain before heading into the English poet John Keats' former home, where he and his fellow literary celebrity Percy Shelley are celebrated.
Megan Hills
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Christmas Markets in Rome

There’s no better time to visit the Eternal City than during the festive, winter months. As the city is lit up from the decorative street lights and shop windows, there’s an unbeatable sense of festive cheer throughout the city. Although not famous for its Christmas Markets as a tradition, you can still celebrate in the streets of Rome, find those last minute gifts and stuff yourself full of seasonal delicacies. The best places to go to get in the Christmas spirit when in Rome are; 1) Piazza Navona Piazza Navona is the only dedicated Christmas Market in Rome and pops up annually at the beginning of December and runs until the 6th January, the Epiphany. Attracting thousands of locals and tourists alike, the Navona market is family friendly with games and rides, including a carousel for children. You can walk through the stalls admiring handcrafted goods and savour roasted chestnuts and porchetta sandwiches for a true taste of an Italian Christmas. Other activities include fortune telling and the traditional La Befana, who arrives on the final day of the market to hand out gifts for the children. Piazza Navona, 00186 Rome 2) Campo dei Fiori This market isn’t entirely Christmas-themed, as it runs throughout the year, but it is Rome’s oldest serving market – founded in 1861. Open every morning except Sundays, Campo dei Fiori market is famed for its local produce, artisanal knick-knacks and funny shaped pasta. At Christmas you can find festive-inspired gifts and goods and it’s the perfect place to shop for foodies. Nestled in the heart of the historic centre, and only a short walk from the Coliseum, you can walk through the cobbled streets and get a true sense of Rome in all its festive celebrations. Piazza Campo Dei Fiori, 00186 Rome 3) Porta Portese If you’re after a real bargain-hunting Christmas market and bartered down Christmas gifts, head to Porta Portese in the Trastevere district to sort through the stalls of vintage clothing, handbags and novelty items. Best for the practiced shopper, this flea market is extensive and stretches through the old gate walls that date back to 1644. It’s the only market in Rome open on a Sunday and is a great place for any last minute gifts. With an undeniable Christmas feeling, you’ll be sure to snap up a discount and have fun in the process! While you’re near, why not stop off at the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museum and queue jump to the front with free entry. Via di Porta Portese, 00153 Roma Make the most of your trip to Rome over Christmas with an OMNIA Vatican & Rome Card. Not only can you tick some of the most iconic historic monuments off your bucket list, but you can travel around Rome for free making all these things to do that bit easier!
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