3 days in Rome: a day-by-day sightseeing plan

Rome layers two thousand years of history on top of each other, from imperial ruins to Renaissance churches and Baroque squares. Day one walks through ancient Rome to the Pantheon and Piazza Navona, day two is given to the Vatican before crossing to the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain, and day three is a more spread-out day linking the papal basilicas with the city walls and Galleria Borghese.

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Day 1

The Colosseum, the Forum, the Pantheon and Piazza Navona

5 stops

09:00
Colosseum
About 2 h
The largest amphitheatre ever built held tens of thousands of spectators for gladiator games and public shows. Entry is by a timed ticket that also covers the Forum and the Palatine, so book ahead and let the arena open your first morning.
Walk, 6 min
11:10
Palatine Hill
About 1 h 15 min
The Palatine, the centremost of Rome's seven hills, is where the emperors built their palaces and where legend places the city's founding. Wander among the ruins and gardens, then come down toward the Forum from the terraces that look over it.
Walk, 10 min
12:35
Roman Forum
About 1 h 30 min
The Roman Forum was the centre of public life in the ancient city, lined with temples, basilicas and the Senate house. Walk the Via Sacra past the Arch of Titus and the Temple of Saturn, then head through the old streets to the Pantheon.
Walk, 16 min
14:25
Pantheon
About 55 min
The Pantheon is the best-preserved building of ancient Rome, a temple turned church whose unreinforced concrete dome, open to the sky at its centre, is still the largest of its kind. Raphael is buried inside, and Piazza Navona is a five-minute walk away.
Walk, 5 min
15:25
Piazza Navona
About 25 min
Piazza Navona keeps the long oval shape of the ancient Stadium of Domitian it was built on, with Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers at its centre. Borromini's church of Sant'Agnese faces the fountain, and the square is a relaxed place to end the first day.

Day 2

The Vatican, the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain

5 stops

09:00
St. Peter's Basilica
About 1 h 30 min
St Peter's is one of the largest churches in the world, built over the tomb of Saint Peter, with Michelangelo's Pietà just inside and Bernini's bronze canopy over the main altar. If you have the legs for it, climb the dome for one of the best views in Rome.
Walk, 6 min
10:40
Vatican Museums
About 2 h 45 min
The Vatican Museums hold centuries of papal collections, from ancient sculpture to the Raphael Rooms, and the route ends in the Sistine Chapel under Michelangelo's ceiling and Last Judgement. They are among the busiest museums anywhere, so book a timed ticket and allow extra time if you want more than the highlights.
Walk, 6 min
13:35
Saint Peter's Square
About 25 min
Bernini's colonnades wrap around St Peter's Square like two open arms, with an Egyptian obelisk at the centre. Stand on one of the marked discs between the obelisk and the fountains, and the four rows of columns line up as one.
Taxi, 5 min
14:05
Piazza di Spagna
About 20 min
Piazza di Spagna sits at the foot of the Spanish Steps, which climb to the church of Trinità dei Monti, with the boat-shaped Barcaccia fountain at the bottom. Sitting on the steps is no longer allowed, so enjoy the view from the top before the short walk to the Trevi Fountain.
Walk, 9 min
14:35
Trevi Fountain
About 25 min
The Trevi Fountain is Rome's grandest Baroque fountain, with Neptune riding a shell-shaped chariot across a wall of carved rock. Tradition says a coin tossed over your shoulder brings you back to Rome, a fitting way to close the Vatican day.

Day 3

The papal basilicas, the Aurelian Walls and Galleria Borghese

5 stops

09:00
Basilica of Saint Paul outside the Walls
About 50 min
St Paul Outside the Walls is one of Rome's four papal basilicas, rebuilt after a fire in 1823, with a vast nave, mosaic portraits of every pope and the tomb of Saint Paul. Start the day in its calm cloister with twisted and inlaid columns, then take a taxi to the city walls.
Taxi, 6 min
10:00
Aurelian Walls
About 1 h 15 min
The Aurelian Walls were built in the 270s under Emperor Aurelian, and long stretches with their towers and gates still ring the city. Treat this as a short look at the brick walls and a gate rather than a long visit, then walk on to St John Lateran.
Walk, 23 min
11:40
Archbasilica of St. John Lateran
About 50 min
St John Lateran is the cathedral of Rome and the oldest of the four papal basilicas, with giant statues of the apostles lining the nave. Across the square, the Holy Stairs are a place of pilgrimage worth a short look before the walk to Santa Maria Maggiore.
Walk, 23 min
12:55
Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore
About 50 min
Santa Maria Maggiore is the largest church in Rome dedicated to Mary and one of the four papal basilicas, with fifth-century mosaics along the nave and a gilded coffered ceiling. Pope Francis was buried here in 2025; from here a short taxi ride takes you to Galleria Borghese.
Taxi, 5 min
13:50
Galleria Borghese
About 1 h 40 min
Cardinal Scipione Borghese's villa holds some of Bernini's finest marble sculpture, including Apollo and Daphne, alongside paintings by Caravaggio, Raphael and Titian. Entry is by booked time slot only, so reserve ahead, and afterwards the Villa Borghese park around it is good for a slow walk.

Good to know

Book timed tickets ahead for the Colosseum, which also covers the Forum and the Palatine Hill, for the Vatican Museums and for Galleria Borghese, which only lets visitors in by booked time slot.
Churches and the Vatican expect covered shoulders and knees, so carry a light layer.
Days one and two are mostly on foot; day three is spread out, so plan on taxis or the metro between St Paul's, the walls, the basilicas and Galleria Borghese.
Spring and autumn are the best seasons for this much walking; summer afternoons are hot and the main sights are crowded.
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3 days in Rome: a day-by-day sightseeing plan

Colosseum

Palatine Hill

Roman Forum

Pantheon

Piazza Navona

St. Peter's Basilica

Vatican Museums

Saint Peter's Square

Piazza di Spagna

Trevi Fountain

Basilica of Saint Paul outside the Walls

Aurelian Walls

Archbasilica of St. John Lateran

Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore

Galleria Borghese

Good to know

Make this plan yours