3 Days in Rome: Ancient Sites, Vatican & Trastevere

Colosseum

Piazza del Colosseo

The 2,000-year-old amphitheater that held up to 50,000 spectators. One ticket covers the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.

Tip: Book timed tickets well ahead; the arena floor and underground need special tickets.

Roman Forum & Palatine Hill

Foro Romano

The heart of ancient Rome: temples, the Senate house and triumphal arches, overlooked by the emperors' palaces on the Palatine.

Tip: Bring water — there is little shade.

Capitoline Hill

Piazza del Campidoglio

Michelangelo's piazza and the Capitoline Museums. The terrace behind the city hall has the best free view over the Forum.

Monti neighborhood

Rione Monti

Ivy-covered lanes behind the Forum with wine bars and trattorias — a good first dinner.

Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel

Musei Vaticani

The papal collections, the Raphael Rooms and Michelangelo's ceiling in the Sistine Chapel.

Tip: Book the first entry slot; closed most Sundays, and shoulders and knees must be covered.

St. Peter's Basilica

Piazza San Pietro, Vatican City

The largest church in Christendom, with Michelangelo's Pietà. Climb the dome for a view down the length of the square.

Castel Sant'Angelo

Hadrian's tomb turned papal fortress, with a rooftop terrace over the Tiber. Cross the angel-lined bridge afterwards.

Trastevere

Cobbled streets, ivy and some of Rome's best trattorias. Start at Santa Maria in Trastevere's golden mosaics.

Pantheon

Piazza della Rotonda

A nearly 1,900-year-old temple with the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world and a 9 m opening to the sky.

Tip: Now ticketed; book online to skip the line.

Trevi Fountain

Piazza di Trevi

Rome's baroque fountain. Toss a coin over your shoulder to guarantee a return trip.

Tip: Early morning or late at night are the only uncrowded times.

Spanish Steps

Piazza di Spagna

The 135 steps up to Trinità dei Monti. Sitting on them is not allowed; walk up for the view along Via dei Condotti.

Piazza Navona

A baroque square on the outline of an ancient stadium, with Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers. Campo de' Fiori's market is around the corner.