Rome Itinerary for a Weekend: 3 Days of Essentials

Short on time in the Eternal City and not sure where to start?

Do you have just one weekend to see Rome? Here we'll tell you the key places, what to see in Rome in 2 days, where to begin and how to get around so you make the most of your time.

You'll see it's worth it!

First things first: where to stay

Our first piece of advice is to choose accommodation that is as central and well located as possible.

You can pick from the huge range of hotels in the central neighborhoods of Rome, and especially those around Roma Termini station. (Most buses leave from there and it's the central station where both metro lines meet.)

Anywhere in Parione, Pigna or Monti is a good bet, since they're very close to the main monuments of Rome and you can walk to many of them.

If you want a bit more independence or a more authentic stay, there are apartments in Rome that will surprise you, both for their prices and their unique decor.

What to see in Rome in a weekend – Day 1

The Trevi Fountain

Head first to the Trevi Fountain. It's one of the most magical and charming spots in Rome, a must-see, and it's free!

The Pantheon

From the famous fountain you can also walk to the Pantheon (about 8 minutes). It's a redesign from the era of Hadrian, who had this monument built in honor of all the gods, and it's a beautiful structure well worth admiring.

Entry to the Pantheon is free, as it is at many other museums in Rome. Find out which are the free days at Rome's museums and which ones you can always visit for free.

Piazza Navona

The next stop on foot is Piazza Navona (about 5 minutes), where you'll be struck by its elegance and design. It's not only one of the most famous squares in Rome, it's also where the ancient Stadium of Domitian once stood, which could hold up to 20,000 people.

You can experience the magic of this place by staying right in the center of Rome at any of these hotels near Piazza Navona.

Piazza del Popolo

Next, make your way to Ottaviano station and take the metro to Piazza del Popolo, then walk down Via del Corso, where you'll find countless shops.

Second day in Rome

St. Peter's Basilica

There's no better way to start the day than in the magnificent St. Peter's Square.

St. Peter's Basilica, in Vatican City, is one of the most important centers of Catholicism and one of the largest buildings in the world. The number of works of art it holds is astonishing.

The Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel

Next we recommend booking one of the most important guided tours you can do in Rome: the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. The most important sights in Vatican City are included in this complete visit. (See more details on the button just below this text.)

The first stop is the Vatican Museums. Your guide will take you through a selection of the main rooms, where you'll see masterpieces of world art including sculptures, tapestries and frescoes.

The Vatican Museums hold one of the most impressive art collections in the world.

Then comes a very special moment: visiting the Sistine Chapel. You'll have the privilege of admiring frescoes by Michelangelo and other major painters of the Italian Renaissance.

Castel Sant'Angelo

From the Vatican you can head to Castel Sant'Angelo. This Roman monument was built by the emperor Hadrian as his mausoleum, but ended up playing a very important defensive role.

Trastevere

Trastevere is one of the most charming neighborhoods in Rome. You can take a pleasant walk along the Tiber, and it won't take you more than 20 to 25 minutes to reach the heart of the neighborhood from Castel Sant'Angelo.

What to do in Trastevere? Get lost in its streets and admire some of its striking buildings, such as the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere or Villa Farnesina. If you visit on a Sunday, you can browse the Porta Portese flea market (open until 2:00 pm), wander the winding lanes and, highly recommended, find an osteria or trattoria for dinner.

Restaurants with terraces are perfect for a leisurely pizza lunch or dinner, while you watch the world go by.

Third day in Rome

Here are some of the things you can save for your third day in Rome. If you have time to spare or it isn't your first visit to the Italian capital, you could set aside a day for one of the towns near Rome.

Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano

The Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano is one of Rome's four papal basilicas, along with St. Peter's Basilica, St. Paul Outside the Walls and Santa Maria Maggiore. It's also the oldest in Rome, consecrated back in 324.

Inside, the standouts are its five naves, each more than a hundred meters long, and the Baroque architecture of Francesco Borromini, the architect who transformed the church in the 17th century.

Entry is free, though the priority ticket for San Giovanni in Laterano includes access to restricted areas such as the Scala Santa, the Baptistery and the Cloister, among others.

The Colosseum

On this third day you should definitely start with the Colosseum! The Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill tour starts at 11:00 am. (You can book it using the button below.)

To get there, take metro line B toward Laurentina. Two stops later you'll be at «Colosseo», and as you come up to street level the majestic sight of the legendary building is right in front of you.

The Roman Forum

Remember that the same ticket also gets you into the Roman Forum afterwards, where you'll see one of the great emblems of ancient Rome.

Rome tourist cards

Depending on how you like to travel, a tourist card may be worth buying. The two main ones in Rome are the Roma Pass Omnia and the Go City Rome Explorer Pass. Click on each one to see which suits you best. You'll even find a comparison of their biggest advantages.

Piazza Venezia and the Quirinal Palace

On your way out, head along Via dei Fori Imperiali toward Via del Corso. After about a 10-minute walk you'll find the Forum of Augustus and the Forum of Trajan on your right.

On your left is Piazza Venezia, where you'll see the monument to Vittorio Emanuele II. From there, another 10 minutes takes you to the Quirinal Palace, the current official residence of the President of the Italian Republic.

Shopping along Via del Corso and Via dei Condotti

From Piazza Venezia you can take Via del Corso and spend an afternoon shopping or just browsing. Eventually you'll come to Via dei Condotti, another of Rome's prime spots for shopping.

The Spanish Steps (Piazza di Spagna)

At the end of Via dei Condotti you'll reach the Spanish Steps (Piazza di Spagna), where you can rest for a while and soak up the city's best atmosphere. Very close by there's a huge choice of places to try pasta and pizza in Rome at good prices.

And now… a well-earned gelato!

After two days of serious walking, the best thing to do is stop and buy a creamy gelato, the perfect reward for covering such a big chunk of Rome.