Ciao!
Here’s a quick and easy 3-day history-focused itinerary for Rome, packed with our top tips and tricks to help you skip the lines and experience the best of the Roman Empire. Click HERE for the full, detailed and in-depth version of this itinerary including our reasons for each stop and extra insights to make the most of your visit.
📅 Day 1
Start your day with a delicious cappuccino and pastry.
✅ Helpful Tips for the Rome
👉 Comfortable walking shoes: Purchase comfortable walking shoes to help you survive those 20,000+ steps with ease. A few of our favorites are Adidas Sneakers and good old Dr Scholl’s Sneakers.
👉 Modest clothing: You may be denied entry into churches if you are not modestly dressed. Pack a shawl or scarf to cover your shoulders and tights or leggings if you are wearing a short skirt or dress. You don’t want to miss these beautiful churches.
👉 Pick pocketing: We strongly advise you to be extremely careful with pickpocketing and ensuring your valuables are secured at all times.
👉 Guided Tours: Here at ShiShi Style we highly recommend guided tours. While they are a bit more costly, it truly helps you understand the history and significance of the locations.
👉 Front of the Line tickets/ VIP tickets: Several companies via Viator or Trip Advisor offer from of the line passes. We highly recommend this to avoid long lines especially if you have limited time in Rome.
Once you have enjoyed your cappuccino, make your way to Piazza del Popolo as your starting point for the day.
🌸Why start here? If you look at a map of Rome, you’ll notice that the locations listed below are laid out in a straight line making it easy to explore them seamlessly and efficiently. We’ve taken the guesswork out for you and arranged them in the perfect order (in true ShiShi Style fashion, of course 😉).
Piazza del Popolo
🎟️ No tickets required for admission
Spanish Steps
🎟️ No tickets required for admission
Distance from Piazza Del Popolo: 10 minute walk/ 4 minute bus ride
Trevi Fountain
🎟️ No tickets required for admission (Try to visit as early as possible as it gets very crowded)
Distance from the Spanish Steps: 8 minute walk
👉 As you walk between the locations, you will see beautiful churches and cafes. We encourage you to stop and go where your heart takes you. You won’t regret seeing the absolutely stunning churches.
Pantheon
🎟️ You can pre-purchase your ticket online on the Pantheon Website to help skip the lines. (Admission: €5 per person)
Distance from the Trevi Fountain: 7 minute walk
The Pantheon is a functioning church and is open to worshipers on Sundays without restrictions beyond those of other churches in Rome.
We recommend doing a guided tour to help you fully understand and take in the significance of the Pantheon. Here is a suggestion for a tour guide website.
Piazza Navona
🎟️ No tickets required for admission
Distance: 5 minute walk from the Piazza Navona
There are lots of restaurants in the area for you to choose from based on your preferences.
Here is where we conclude day 1. You deserve to put your feet up and relax after a fun long day of stunning architecture and rich history. Ciao!
📅 Day 2
Start your day with a delicious cappuccino and pastry.
Colosseum, Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum
🎟️ Ticket prices: Prices will vary based on whether you select a guided tour, VIP entrance and different routes of the tour.
They are all located adjacent to the Colosseum and we highly recommend buying a ticket that includes all three locations.
👉 We highly recommend pre-buying your tickets and working with a guided tour company. The copious amounts of detail and history at the Colosseum surely blew us away.
👉 Purchase a ticket that includes the tour for all three locations (Colosseum, Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum) as they are connected.
👉 Plan to arrive early to take lots of pictures and meet with your tour guide or purchase tickets if you do not wish to work with a guide.
Check out the tour we took and really enjoyed.
👉 After a long morning of walking through Roman history and admiring pathways built in the year 0, it is time to head for some delicious pasta, pizza and gelato.
Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere
🎟️ No tickets required for admission
Distance: 8 minute drive (it is located across the river)
Enjoy a yummy lunch in this area and kick back and enjoy the italian way of life!
To end the night taste a biscuit or/and fried artichokes from local bakeries.
Last but not least, LOTS OF GELATO!!
📅 Day 3
Start your day with a delicious cappuccino and pastry.
Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel
I cannot emphasize having a guided tour enough. The museum is filled with history over decades and centuries and it is worth the few extra Euros to soak in all this information (is my nerdy side showing again HAHA)
👉 Dress code: Dress modestly since this is a church. There’s a strict dress code in place so no miniskirts, shorts, or bare shoulders. You can be denied entry due to your clothing.
St Peter’s Basilica: Free admission to the church.
We suggest that you book a ticket to go to the top of the dome for the spectacular views of the city. You have to climb to the top, so if you have individuals who struggle with steps in your party, you may sit this one out.
Seeing The Pope
Wednesday mornings
🎟️ Tickets: Admission is free, but you must request them in advance through the Vatican or your local parish.
You can see the Pope every Wednesday morning (except during July or when the Pope is traveling) in St. Peter’s Square or the Paul VI Audience Hall (indoors during colder months) where the Pope gives a teaching and blessing.
Sundays at noons
🎟️ No tickets required
You can see the pope when he appears from a window above St. Peter’s Square. It is a short reflection and prayer, followed by a blessing.
A fun activity to do while at the Vatican: Mail yourself a post card from the Vatican post office for when you reach home.
🌸 Why you may ask? The Vatican City is the smallest independent country in the world and it is a fun and symbolic travel experience plus you get to use their cool Vatican Stamps.
We recommend spending the rest of the afternoon exploring the charming and picturesque corners of Rome. The Eternal City reveals its beauty in even the smallest, tucked-away streets. Happy traveling!
