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Seren Morris

Rome Three-Day Itinerary

Rome is a beautiful city full of important landmarks and exciting activities. When planning a vacation in Rome, it can be overwhelming deciding what you should do. That’s why we've put together a three-day itinerary for visiting Rome to help you out. This itinerary will help decide how to plan your time in Rome, with ideas on which top attractions to visit and what sights to see. Additionally, this itinerary has factored in the time you need to spend at each attraction plus the travel distance between them, to make your trip run as smoothly as possible. Our three-day Rome itinerary includes...

  • The Trevi Fountain
  • A Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
  • The Colosseum
  • The Pantheon
  • Vatican City
  • and more!

Save with Go Rome

Admission to top attractions is included with the Go Rome pass. You could save up to 47% on admission vs gate price. This itinerary will save you nearly 25% on admission.

Day 1 Bus Tour & Italian LunchMorning: Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off & Trevi Fountain

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Day one of your Rome vacation should be all about getting to know the city. So, jump on board a Big Bus Rome Hop-On Hop-Off tour as early as you can to start sightseeing. Tours start as early as 8.30 AM from Termini Railway Station, and then buses arrive every 10-20 minutes. Stay onboard to do a full route which will give you a great overview of the city – this will take approximately 1 hour 40 minutes. Then, get off at the last stop which will be the Spanish Steps. From the Spanish Steps, make your way over to the Trevi Fountain, which is around an 8-minute walk. Don’t worry about missing the Spanish Steps – you’ll be back later. Once you’re at the Trevi Fountain, you have to toss a coin in. It is said that if you throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain, you will return to Rome! Take your all-important holiday snaps before taking a break for lunch. Getting in: Big Bus Rome Hop-on Hop-Off tickets are included in the Go Rome pass. Regular admission: $34.79.

Lunch: Eat Like Italians! Set Italian Menu

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Stopping for lunch doesn’t mean you have to stop exploring Rome. Two minutes away from the Trevi Fountain is Agrodolce Restaurant. Here, you can experience Italian cuisine with an Eat Like Italians! Set Italian Menu. You’ll get to enjoy classic Roman starters, mains, and desserts. Try fresh pasta dishes like Tagliolini cacio e pepe, Bucatini all’amatriciana or Spaghettone alla carbonara. Please note: Lunch is available from noon and you must reserve a table at least 24 hours in advance. Getting in: Eat Like Italians! Set Italian Menu tickets are included with the Go Rome pass. Regular admission: $34.79.

Afternoon: Big Bus: hop off at areas you’d like to explore

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After lunch, jump back on the hop-on hop-off bus. But this time, hop off when you get to an area you’d like to visit. Choose your spot and spend a couple of hours walking off your lunch. There are lots of free things to do and see around Rome. You can hop off the bus at Circo Massimo, Piazza Venezia, or perhaps the Ludovisi & Spanish Steps area. Wander around and take in the sights at your own pace. You’ll get a feel for where you want to see while on the bus.

Day 2: Colosseum & Horse Riding Morning: Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and the Roman Forum $60.88 (3 hrs)

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Start your morning by taking a guided tour of Rome’s most famous landmarks. Your guide will take you around the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and the Roman Forum, and will tell you everything you need to know about its history and significance to the Roman Empire. This is a must-visit attraction, as you’ll get to visit some of Rome’s most important historic sites. Tours start as early as 8.30 AM, but there are tours at 10 AM, too. However, going as early as you can means you’ll avoid the crowds, and will get to tour the outside sites before it gets too hot around midday. After your tour, take a break for lunch. There are tons of places to eat near the Colosseum. After lunch, start heading towards Appia Antica, which takes about 30 minutes on the metro. Getting in: Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and the Roman Forum tickets are included with the Go Rome pass. Regular admission: $60.88.

Afternoon: Horse Riding (2 hrs)

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Explore Rome’s beautiful Appia Antica Park on horseback. You’ll trek through Roman ruins and gorgeous greenery on this unique kind of sightseeing tour. Learn all about the importance of Appia Antica and what it meant for the Roman Empire. Additionally, you’ll get to learn about the unique ranch that takes care of the horses. You’ll need to get there by 3 PM Monday - Friday and 4 PM on Sundays. Please note: Horse Riding in Appia Antica Park is closed on Saturdays and you must reserve your slot ahead of time. Getting in: Appia Antica Park on horseback tickets are included with the Go Rome pass. Regular admission: $43.48.

Day 3 Pantheon, the Vatican & OperaMorning: Pantheon tour (1 hr)

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Take a guided tour of the Pantheon before the crowds arrive. Your expert guide will take you around Rome’s best-preserved building and will tell you about its history. You’ll get time to explore and take photos before it gets too busy later in the day. Please note the tour begins at 9 AM Monday-Friday and you must reserve ahead of time. After your tour, spend the morning exploring the area – there are loads of free things to do nearby. Check out Piazza Navona, which is a beautiful square with three fountains. This square is known for its exciting street artists and performers, plus restaurants and cafes. You could spend a couple of hours here, easily! Make time to check out the nearby Museo Napoleonico, which has free admission. You’ll learn all about the Napoleonic age and the history and significance of the Bonaparte family. It’s full of paintings and artifacts from the 18th and 19th centuries that provide a little insight into what life was like during this historic time. Consider stopping for lunch in this area too. You’ll only be a 30 min walk from the Vatican, which is your next stop! Getting in: Panethon guided tour tickets are included with the Go Rome pass. Regular admission: $38.05.

Afternoon: Vatican City (2 hr 30 min)

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Enjoy fast-track access to and a guided tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica. Your expert guide will take you around Vatican City’s most important sites and will tell you everything you need to know along the way. In the Vatican Museums, you’ll see priceless art and artifacts, such as paintings, sculptures, and tapestries. The Sistine Chapel is one of the tour’s highlights, as you’ll get to see Michelangelo’s famous ceiling in person. However, don’t miss the other works of art – the Sistine Chapel is also home to works by Renaissance paintings by Botticelli, Perugino, Pinturicchio, Ghirlandaio, and Signorelli. Then, you’ll tour St. Peter’s Basilica, which is one of the world’s most important Catholic landmarks. As well as well-known works of art, the Basilica is known for its famous ceiling. Getting in: Guided tour of Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica tickets are included with the Go Rome pass. Regular admission: $61.69.

Evening: Opera (1 hr 30 min)

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Various operas are happening throughout the week, so you can choose which one you attend based on when you visit. Each 90-minute show will allow you to experience classic Italian opera that will engage and entertain the whole family. Additionally, each opera comes with a complimentary pasta tasting before the show. See the Three Tenors in Concert with Ballet at the Waldensian on Saturdays, or the Three Tenors in Concert with Ballet at St. Paul’s Church on Wednesdays. Pocket Opera will take place every Friday until 8 November 2019, and the Most Famous Opera Arias will take place on select Sundays throughout 2019, and every Sunday from 12 January 2020. Please note: Three Tenors in Concert with Ballet at the Waldensian will not take place from November to 17 April 2020. Three Tenors in Concert with Ballet at St. Paul’s Church will not take place from 19 December 2019 - 14 January 2020. Getting in: Opera tickets (either Three Tenors in Concert with Ballet, Most Famous Opera Arias or Pocket Opera) are included with the Go Rome pass. Regular admission: $38.05.

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In summary – Save with Go Rome

We hope this itinerary has helped you plan your Rome vacation. Take ideas from this three-day itinerary to plan your trip based on your interests. By using a 7-Choice Go Rome pass to follow this itinerary you will save nearly 25% on admission to these top Rome attractions.

  • Total admission price without the Go Rome pass: $311.73.
  • Price of a 7-Choice Go Rome Pass: $233.98
  • Total savings per adult based on this itinerary: $77.75

A Go Rome pass will save you money on admission to top attractions compared to the usual gate price.

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