Travel & Visa ·
By Yunus Emre · Rome Consultancy
What to See in Rome: A 3-Day Itinerary with Ticket Tips
A practical 3-day Rome itinerary: ancient Rome and the historic centre, the Vatican and Trastevere, then the Borghese and the city's squares. With official ticket prices, booking rules and where to stay.
Short answer: Split Rome by area: day 1 ancient Rome (Colosseum, Forum, Palatine) and the historic centre, day 2 the Vatican and Trastevere, day 3 the Borghese, the Spanish Steps and the squares. Book the Colosseum and the Vatican Museums in advance on their official websites.
Day 1: Ancient Rome and the historic centre
- Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine: one ticket, €18 full price, with 75 minutes inside the Colosseum. Tickets go on sale 30 days ahead and a timed slot is compulsory.
- Capitoline Hill: free views over the Forum.
- Pantheon: entry is paid; tickets are sold on pantheonroma.com.
- Trevi Fountain: since 2 February 2026, visitors pay €2 to enter the area in front of the fountain (9:00-22:00). Rome residents, children up to 5 and visitors with disabilities enter free.
Day 2: The Vatican and Trastevere
- Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel: €20 full price, €5 online booking fee. Booking is optional but saves hours of queueing. The only official shop is tickets.museivaticani.va.
- St Peter's Basilica: free entry after a security check; shoulders and knees must be covered.
- Castel Sant'Angelo, then dinner in Trastevere.
Day 3: Borghese, the Spanish Steps and the squares
- Galleria Borghese: Bernini and Caravaggio; visits are timed and must be booked.
- Pincio terrace over Piazza del Popolo, then the Spanish Steps and Via Condotti.
- End the day at Piazza Navona and Campo de' Fiori.
Where to stay in Rome
| Area | Best for |
|---|---|
| Centro Storico | Walking everywhere on a first visit |
| Monti | Close to the Colosseum, boutique hotels |
| Prati | Close to the Vatican, quieter, good for families |
| Around Termini | Train connections and airport links |
Frequently asked questions
Are the Vatican Museums ever free?
Yes, on the last Sunday of each month, but online booking is not available on those days and queues are very long.
How much is a bus or metro ticket in Rome?
A single BIT ticket costs €1.50 and is valid for 100 minutes.
See Rome with a private guide
We arrange private routes, guided Vatican and Colosseum visits, restaurant bookings and airport transfers. Contact us from our VIP Guiding & Travel page.
Last checked: 7 November 2026. Prices and rules come from the official Colosseum, Vatican Museums and Rome tourism websites.