The Perfect Four Day Itinerary for Your City Trip to Rome
Welcome to the eternal City of Rome, a city of ancient history and legend. In this city, you will experience delicious food and drinks. Soak up the Roman lifestyle while seeing some of the worlds most famous sights like the Colosseum or the Trevi Fountain.
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Day 1 - Walk in the Sandals of the Caesars
On your first day in Rome, you will experience the ancient history of the city. You will see how it must have been to live in the centre of the Roman Empire as a Roman. Today you will travel through time from ancient Rome to the Rome of today.
1. Colosseum
Get up early and start your first day in Rome by visiting one of the worlds most popular attractions – The Colosseum.
The Colosseum attracts more than 7 million visitors every year. Be wise and go there as early as possible in the morning to avoid queuing for hours in the heat. You can get there on the blue metro line. Just get off at “Colosseo” station.
Top Tip: The Colosseum opens at 8:30 AM. Buy a ticket online in advance to skip the line. I definitely recommend booking a guided tour in order to experience more of the brutal history of this place.
The Colosseum, also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, got its name because of the colossal statue of Nero that used to stand in front of the Colosseum. It was built in 80 AD under the emperor Vespasian and Titus. It was used to host the brutal fights of the gladiators and many humans and animals lost their lives in the sand of the arena. Today, every time a country in this world abolishes the death penalty, the Colosseum will be lit up in special colours in honour of that country.
2. Forum Romanum
The Forum Romanum is located right opposite the Colosseum. So you can go there straight after you have seen the Colosseum. Here you can wander on the very roads Julius Caesar used to walk.
Top Tip: The ticket for the Colosseum also permits entry to the Forum Romanum. So you don’t need an extra ticket! Take enough water with you as it can get very hot in summer and there is no shade where you can escape the heat.
The Forum Romanum used to be the centre of the Roman Empire. All of the political decisions, elections and even religious ceremonies used to take place here. The Forum itself is located between three of the seven hills on which Rome is built.
3. Vittorio Emanuele II Monument
The Victor Emmanuel II Monument, also known as the Altare della Patria, is a huge white monument in the middle of Rome. After you have seen the Forum Romanum you can walk straight over there within 5 minutes.
Top Tip: The entrance to this monument is free. For an amazing view over Rome and the Forum Romanum take the elevator to go on the top of the monument. This will cost you € 7.
Many Romans have labelled this monument as “The Typewriter” or “The Wedding Cake” as they believe it to be ill-fitting due to its enormous size.
4. The Vatican at Night
If you still have some energy left after this long day, I recommend that you visit the Vatican at night. Seeing the St. Peter’s Basilica lit up at night is beautiful. You will also avoid the large number of tourists who congregate during the day. Tomorrow you will see what I mean…
Day 2 - A Day Trip to the World's Smallest Country
Welcome to the Vatican. The worlds smallest country and the seat of the Pope. Start your day as early as possible to avoid the crowds.
5. St. Peter's Basilica
Let’s start your visit to the Vatican on the St. Peter’s Square which is located directly in front of St. Peter’s Basilica. Here you will be surrounded by 284 columns with a 25-meter high obelisk in the middle of the square. After admiring this square you can make your way into the basilica.
Top Tip: Bring long clothes that will cover your shoulders and knees. Otherwise, you won’t be allowed to enter the basilica. The entrance is free.
Inside the basilica, you will find yourself in one of the biggest churches in the world. The incredible artwork and the sheer size of this temple of Christianity are deeply humbling.
After you have seen the inside of the basilica you can make your way up the 551 steps to the top of St. Peter’s Basilica where you can enjoy the beautiful view over Rome and the Vatican.
Top Tip: The entrance to the Dome is on the right side of the basilica. To go to the top you will have to buy a ticket at the entrance to the dome. It will cost you € 6.
6. The Vatican Museums
The Vatican Museums are a must-see if you are visiting the Vatican. On the 8 km long corridors you will see the artwork the Roman Catholic Church has collected over the centuries.
A highlight of the museums is the Sistine Chapel and its ceiling which contains fresco paintings by Michelangelo himself.
Top Tip: Buy a Ticket for the Vatican Museums online in advance to skip the line. On the last Sunday of the month, entry is free. But be prepared that a lot more people will visit the museum on that day.
7. Campo Santo Teutonico
The last little treat in the Vatican is the Campo Santo Teutonico also known as the Teutonic Cemetery. This hidden gem is a small little German cemetery, which is located in the non-public area of the Vatican. To get there you have to go to the left side of the St. Peter’s Square where two members of the Swiss Guard will be guarding the entrance. If you ask for permission to enter to see the Campos Santo Teutonico in the German language they will grant you permission to enter.
8. Castel Sant'Angelo
This Castle was initially a mausoleum for the Roman Emperor Hadrian. Later it was used as a fortress for the Pope. Pope Nicholas III even built a secret passage that connects St. Peter’s Basilica with the Castel Sant’Angelo.
Top Tip: The Castle is open from Tuesday to Sunday between 09:00 AM and 7:30 PM.
Day 3 - Discover the Romantic Side of Rome
Start your day like a real roman and go into a little café to treat yourself to a cappuccino and a cornetto con crema. Usually, this is quite cheap and you will get both for less than € 5.
9. Piazza Navona
After your breakfast head over to the Piazza Navona. Here you will experience Italian life just as you would expect it. Artists are painting pictures, musicians playing music and restaurants are promoting their food. Just take a seat and soak in the atmosphere on this square.
Top Tip: The restaurants on this square are expensive. So if you want to save some money, take a walk through the little side streets where you will find very good food for a reasonable price. Check out the food section to find the best Tiramisu.
In the middle of the square, you will see the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi which was designed by Bernini. On this fountain, you will find four statues. Each statue represents one river for each of the four continents known at the time the fountain was built: the Danube, Ganges, Nile and Rio de la Plata.
10. Pantheon
After you have seen the Piazza Navona, walk over to the Pantheon. To this day, this building boasts the largest unreinforced dome in the world, with a diameter of 43 meters. Best of all the entrance is free.
The big opening in the dome, which has a diameter of 9 meters, always raises the question if it can rain into the pantheon. The simple answer to that is… Yes, it rains into the pantheon. However, because of a clever drainage system, the Pantheon doesn’t flood.
11. Wander the Sidestreets of Rome
While you already are in the old town of Rome you can take a stroll through the small streets and discover all the small little gems Rome has to offer. Maybe walk over the Piazza Campo de’ Fiori, go and see the Fontana delle Tartarughe or wander over the Piazza Farnese.
12. Trastevere
Trastevere is one of our favourite districts of Rome. This district kept its charm over the years. With the narrow cobbled streets and the character-filled medieval houses, you will feel like you travelled back in time. Not only will you find fantastic restaurants but also a plethora of bars where you can get an Aperol Spritz.
In Trastevere, you will also find one of our favourite places to eat pizza and a huge variety of Bruschetta in Rome. Check out Dar Poeta in our food section below.
Top Tip: Check out the amazing Free Walking Tour through Trastevere by Veni Vedi Visit.
Day 4 - A Little Treat for the End
For the last day of this four-day itinerary, I saved a little treat for you. You will see the worlds most famous fountain and enjoy a beautiful park to relax in.
13. Trevi Fountain
The Trevi Fountain is probably the most beautiful fountain that you can find in Rome. With a width of 50 meters and a height of 26 meters, it is also the biggest fountain in Rome. This fountain will leave a lasting impression especially when lit up at night.
According to a famous folk tale, throwing a coin over your shoulder into this fountain will bring good luck. Throwing one coin is said to ensure a safe return to Rome, throwing two coins promises that you will fall in love with a Roman. The folk tale also vows that if you throw three coins into the fountain, you will marry the Roman you fell in love with. So don’t forget to throw a coin.
14. Spanish Steps
The Spanish Steps got their name from the Piazza di Spagna which lays at the foot of the steps. The real name of the Spanish Steps is Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti. I would have recommended you to just get ice cream from one of the gelaterias that surround the Piazza di Spagna, sit on the steps and enjoy the view of the hustle and bustle on the square. But sadly since 2019, it is prohibited to sit down on the steps.
15. Villa Borghese
After you have seen the Spanish Steps make your way to the Villa Borghese which is a beautiful park in the centre of Rome. Here you can escape the mass tourism and enjoy a few moments where you can get a rest. Two of the highlights in this garden are the Temple of Aesculapius and the Water Clock.
16. Piazza del Popolo
End your tour through the Villa Borghese at the Terrazza del Pincio from where you can overlook the Piazza del Popolo. Far in the distance, you can make out St. Peter’s Basilica. The Piazza del Popolo used to be the entrance into the ancient city of Rome for visitors coming from the north.
Arriving in Rome
When you go and visit Rome you will probably arrive in the city at one of the two main airports. From there you will have to take public transport to Rome.
Getting from Leonardo da Vinci Airport (FCO) to the City Centre:
The Leonardo Express is the fastest possible way to get into Rome. In just 32 minutes this train takes you directly from the airport to the main station Termini. The train departs every 15-30 minutes and it will cost you € 14 one way. You can buy the ticket for the Leonardo Express at the station of the airport or beforehand online.
There are a lot of different bus companies that are operating at the airport. You can simply buy the tickets at the bus stop at the airport. The ticket costs around € 6. Once on the bus, it will take you around 1 hour to get into Rome, depending on traffic. If you want to find out more about the bus connection check the website of Terravision.
Getting from Ciampino Airport (CIA) to the City Centre:
The Ciampino airport is the smaller of Rome’s airports. The only reasonable way to get from this airport to Rome is by taking the bus. The company that operates from this airport are the same as the ones from Fiumicino. The ticket will cost you € 5 and the journey will take approximately 40 minutes, again depending on traffic. You can buy the bus ticket at the counter in front of the airport or online.
Getting Around Rome
Rome has a very good public transport system. The three metro lines will get you close to any sight in Rome. Wherever the metro won’t get you there will be a bus that takes you to the place you want to go. There is also a tram in Rome but that doesn’t get close to the main sights in Rome.
A one-way ticket (BIT) is valid for 100 minutes and costs € 1,50 and you can use the metro, buses and trams.
A day pass (Roma 24H) costs € 7,00 and you can use all the public transportation in Rome until midnight.
A 3-day pass (Roma 72H) is valid for three days and costs € 18,00.
You can buy the tickets at every ticket machine in the metro stations or in the Tabacchi shops in Rome. Always buy the tickets in advance because you can’t buy the tickets on the bus.
Top Tip: Because getting into all the sights in Rome can get quite expensive, I recommend getting a Rome Pass. There are several different kinds of Rome Passes available but they all include a ticket for the public transportation system. The best value in our opinion is the Roma Pass 72h. This pass will come at a cost of € 52,00 and gets you into two museums or archaeological sites for free. For any other places you are going to visit in Rome you will get a discount. You can book this Rome Pass here online in advance.
Food You Need to Try in Rome
There are a few dishes that are traditionally Roman. While you are in Rome you should definitely try some of them. Here are our recommendations.
Cacio e Pepe: This pasta dish is a classic dish of the Roman cuisine. Its only ingredients are black pepper, Pecorino cheese and the pasta.
Amatriciana: This pasta sauce is made from guanciale (pork cheek), pecorino cheese and tomatoes. It is often served with Bucatini.
Carbonara: Most people have probably eaten a Carbonara before. But you should definitely try this classic dish here in Rome. It is made from eggs, pecorino, guanciale (pork cheek) and black pepper.
Porchetta: This pork roast dish is one of the must-tries in Rome. Originating from the region of Lazio it is made from pork which is stuffed with rosemary, garlic and pepper. It is often served as a filling of a sandwich.
Our Favourite Food Places in Rome
Best Pizza
Dar Poeta: Located in Trastevere this little restaurant serves delicious roman pizza and a huge selection of bruschetta. Definitely, a must-go while you are in Rome. Here you can find the Restaurant Dar Poeta.
Best Pasta
Trattoria Vecchia Roma: This little restaurant is often frequented by the people living in Rome. You will get amazing pasta dishes and good wine. Here you will find the Trattoria Vecchia Roma.
Best Aperitivo
Mormart: If you want to get a good Aperitivo in Rome check out Mormart. They serve a huge selection of different kind of antipasti, pasta and pizza. And the best is, it is all-you-can-eat. Find here the Aperitivo Bar Mormart.
Best Ice Cream
Giolitti: This is probably one of the most famous gelaterias in Rome. Located close to the Pantheon this ice cream is worth a try. Find the Gelateria Giolitti here.
Frigidarium: If you want to try top-quality ice cream with special flavours try out this gelateria. Don’t forget to ask for the chocolate icing on top of your ice cream. Find this Ice Cream at Frigidarium here.
Neve di Latte: Located a bit outside of the historical Rome, this small gelateria serves delicious homemade ice cream with special flavours. Find Neve di Latte here.
Best Tiramisu
Two Sizes: Close to the Piazza Navona you will find a little inconspicuous shop selling Tiramisu. But don’t be mistaken, this little shop sells arguably the best Tiramisu in Rome. Find the Tiramisu at Two Sizes here.
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