Sights of Rome: what to see in 3 days?

Rome is one big attraction in itself, you can walk here without a special route. But if you find yourself in the city for a few days, you want to see, if not all, then as much as possible, and this requires a clear plan.

In this article I will tell you about the main sights of Rome. You just have to choose what to see in Rome on your own.

How I went to Rome

I love to celebrate the New Year in a new place. And for the last New Year's holidays I decided to go to Italy. One-way tickets cost about 100 euros (1 euro = 70 rubles). But if you buy tickets in advance, you can find cheaper ones. Russians need a visa to travel. But if you have a valid Schengen of any of the EU countries, then you do not need to additionally apply for an Italian visa.

Going to Rome in winter was the right decision, because there are much fewer tourists than during the season. And the thrill of Rome is that in winter there is sunshine and freezing temperatures, unlike Moscow.

View from the Dome of St. Peter's Basilica

The Italian capital sparked mixed feelings. There is no separately conserved old city with historical buildings, all of Rome is ruins and antiquities, which are mixed with residential buildings, cafes and shops. When you walk around the city, you get the feeling that you have entered a museum, but this museum never ends. And the greatness and solemnity of the city disappear. Strange and indescribable emotions.

I prepared for the trip in advance, looked for interesting places, and on the spot I already studied it on my own. I won't say that excursions in Rome are vital, but guided tours are more informative and less time-consuming.

My friends tried the Tripster service in Rome - excursions from local Russian-speaking residents are collected here, they liked the gourmet excursion. And we talked, and looked, and - most importantly - ate :)

And now I will tell you where to go and what to see in Rome in 3 days. But first, I'll give you my top attractions.

By the way, about how easy and budgetary it is to get from Fiumicino airport (11 euros round trip) - I have written in the section "My Tips".

Coliseum

Roman Colosseum or Flavian amphitheater - time to go inside with us,
unfortunately not

It seems to me that the Colosseum is the main attraction of Rome, and you should definitely visit it.

I strongly advise you to buy tickets online in advance, because the queues at the Colosseum are huge at any time of the year. In addition to online shopping, you can use a life hack and buy tickets at the box office of the Roman Forum. The ticket to the Colosseum and the forum is the same and is valid for two days, but at the box office of the second there is no such crowd of people.

I didn’t go inside the Colosseum, I didn’t want to waste time. In addition, I met the New Year itself under its walls - this is a bombing spectacle. The lights of fireworks, the sound of exploding firecrackers and joyful Italians and stunned tourists. Fortunately, the Colosseum itself did not explode, although everything was heading towards it.

Colosseum ticket price: € 12 + € 2 per booking.
Those under 18 can go with an adult for a surcharge of € 2.
The first Sunday of the month is free.
Please do not waste time in queues!

Roman forum

The Roman Forum is believed to be the place where Rome began. The ruins of the most ancient buildings have been preserved here: temples, the meeting place of the Senate and people's assemblies. But figuring out on your own which of the ruins was what during the Roman Empire is not so easy. Therefore, if you want historical details - use the services of a guide or take an audio guide in Russian - the cost is € 5, you can pay online when buying a ticket or on the spot at the box office.

I was struck by the Forum late in the evening, when the backlight is turned on. Against the background of the night sky, ruins, the remains of columns glow, and modern buildings remain in the dark, and then the imagination begins to draw how everything was here before. The forum is clearly visible from the outside - if you don't want to stand in lines, then you don't have to go inside.

Cost: included in the Colosseum ticket ↑

Trevi Fountain and Roman Forum at night

Fountain di Trevi

The largest and perhaps the most beautiful fountain in Rome. And wildly popular with tourists. The only way to see the fountain without people is to come here at 6 am, but few people are capable of such a feat.

Tourists believe that you need to throw a coin into the fountain, and then you will return to Rome; if you throw two coins, you will meet love; and if three - you get married. You need to throw with your back to the fountain. I don't know if this legend works, but thanks to this belief, the Roman government has a daily replenishment of the treasury in the amount of about 3000 euros.

The Trevi Fountain is located on the square of the same name at the intersection of three streets, hence the name. The area itself is small and the fountain occupies almost all of it, the remaining free space is occupied by tourists. Finding a fountain is not easy, so mark it on the map beforehand.

Pantheon

This is an ancient temple in honor of the Roman gods. Presumably built in the 2nd century AD. During the Renaissance, the Pantheon was used for the burial of great Italians: the painter Raphael Santi, King Victor Emmanul II, King Umberto I.

Last year, they wanted to make the entrance to the Pantheon paid, but this never happened. You can visit the temple for free, the opening hours are from 9 to 19 hours.

Surprisingly, there is a huge dome with a hole in the middle through which air and sunlight penetrates. But what is even more stunning is how well preserved the temple is inside, given its age. Looking at the perfect marble floors, it looks like they've been renovated specifically for your arrival.

The Pantheon is located in Piazza della Rotonda. Right next door is the Church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva, where you can view free works by Michelangelo, Filippino Lippi and Bernini.

Pantheon (be sure to go inside) and Mouth of Truth

Mouth of Truth

The monument is known for the film "Roman Holiday". This is a large marble face of an unknown deity with an open mouth, which is embedded in the wall of the church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin.

In the Middle Ages, Usta helped bring liars and unfaithful wives to the surface. You put your hand in the mouth of the mask and if you are lying, then you take out part of the bloody hand. Supposedly this deity punished the liar. In fact, on the other side there was an executioner who cut off his hand.

The Usta Pravdy is located on the square of the same name (Piazza della Bocca della Verita). The visit is free, but you have to stand in a huge queue of those who want to be photographed. There are especially many Japanese here. Either they are so fond of a shot from the film with handsome Gregory Peck, or the Japanese still believe in the power of this deity and check their wives for loyalty.

Venice square

The main attraction of this square is the Vittoriano monument, built in honor of the first king of Italy, Victor Emanuel II, who united the Italian lands.

The Italians themselves do not like the structure and call it a typewriter or false jaw. There really is a similarity. But if you go upstairs, you get a good view of the center of Rome - the entrance to the observation deck on Vittoriano costs 7 euros.

Vatican

Golden globe in the Vatican

The Vatican is a separate small state on the territory of Rome. It is better to allocate a whole day for his visit. Take tickets online, it is 4 euros more expensive, but believe me, when you see a many kilometers queue at the ticket office, you will not regret your money.

It is impossible to see all 29 papal museums in one go, so study the list of museums in advance and select a few of the most interesting so that you can go there right away.

Or take a Russian-speaking guide to find the job you need and not panic in the crowd of tourists.

Recommendation.
Of all the museums, I remember most of all the papal garage with carriages, papamobiles and other means of transportation. There are fewer people here and you can safely walk and look at papal cars from different eras.

But the Sistine Chapel did not have the expected effect on me. Because it is at the very end of the path, and when you come there, you are no longer interested in painting the ceiling, and there is no strength to look up. Therefore, first of all, go directly to the chapel, look at it, put a mental tick, and then see everything else.

As a nice bonus, you can send postcards directly from the Vatican with a personal stamp.

Entrance - € 17.

Castel Sant'Angelo

Located on the banks of the Tiber River. The Vatican is visible from the huge bridge that leads to the castle. The castle was built as a tomb for the emperor Hadrian. But after Hadrian, the rest of the emperors began to be buried. In the Middle Ages, there was both the residence of the popes and a prison for opponents of the faith. It was here that Giordano Bruno was held until the burning.

Now inside is the National Museum with the treasures of the Catholic Church, the Armory, the library and the Museum of the Military History of Rome.

The ticket price is € 14.
Opening hours - from 9:00 to 19:30.

Spain square

There are several attractions here at once.

• The first is the famous Spanish Steps, which has 138 steps of various widths. On the steps you can sit, relax and bask in the sun
• At the foot of the stairs is the second attraction - the Barcaccia fountain by Pietro Bernini in the form of a flooded boat in memory of the flooding of Rome.

Several shopping streets start from Plaza de España, such as Via Condotti.

Villa Borghese

In fact, this is not a villa at all, but a public park. It was founded by Cardinal Borghese, and was named after him. The park is huge, with many sculptures and fountains, only about 80 hectares. It even has a lake for boating.

There are several museums in the park, for example, the National Museum of Modern Art, Villa Medici, the Museum of Ettruscan Art. But the main museum of the park is the Borghese gallery, where you can see the works of Titian, Veronese, Rubens, Caravaggio.

In addition to museums, the park has a small zoo with various animals and birds. If you come with a child, you can take a train ride around the zoo and feed the animals.

The entrance to the park is free.
The ticket price for the gallery is € 15.
Entrance to the zoo for adults - € 16, for children under 10 years old, taller than 1 meter - € 13, if taller than 1 meter - free.

What to see in Rome in 3 days?

Basilica of Saint Peter

I have prepared three routes for those who want to see the best places in Rome in 1 day, in 2 days or in 3 days. Sights geographically follow one another, transport movements are minimal - all routes are pedestrian.

View from the Dome of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican

Observation Decks

Well, for a sweet tooth for those who like to see everything, I immediately suggest the top 5 observation decks in Rome:

1. The dome of St. Peter's Cathedral - walking up costs 8 euros, by elevator - 10 euros, although after the lift you will have to walk a little along a very dizzying spiral ascent. But the view from the dome is worth it.
2. Vittoriano - a view of the center of Rome will cost 7 euros.
3. The Aventine Hill Orange Garden is free.
4. Castle of Saint Angel - entrance to the castle 14 euros.
5. Pincho Hill is free.

Prices for excursions in Rome

Inside view of St. Peter's Basilica

What else to see in Rome? If you have seen all the popular sights, you can go on an excursion outside the city. Visit the ancient city of Palestrina or the picturesque ghost town of Civita di Bagnoregio around Rome.

Well, if you have more than enough time for rest in Rome, then you can go to other cities. For example:

My tips for tourists

We approach the Vatican, during the season there are a lot of people

Finally, a few life hacks in Rome:

✓ When choosing the time to travel to Rome, remember that summer here the temperature is about 30 degrees - walking and sightseeing in such heat is difficult. In addition, in July and August, many establishments are closed, because the Romans themselves go to rest. In autumnSince October it can be quite rainy, so be sure to bring a raincoat or umbrella with you. Winter Rome is cool but sunny, although rain is also possible. The most comfortable way to go to Rome in the spring - the temperature is around 20 degrees - it's already warm, but not hot, you can walk all day.

✓ Rome is wonderful in terms of transfer from / to the airport: a shuttle bus will take you to the center (Termini station) in 45 minutes and 6 euros, and in order not to stand in line, do as I do - buy a ticket online in advance. Immediately in both directions cheaper, 11 euros.

✓ From good hotels, I can only recommend my own: San Marco is a worthy "three-ruble note" in the center of Rome, 95 euros per night for two.

✓ If you chose a tour to Italy and a beach vacation - and this is, as a rule, Rimini - then there are an order of magnitude more outbound excursions from there, because it is closer (look at Sputnik):

• Excursion to Florence - 10 hours and € 81
• From Rimini to Venice - 12 hours and € 81
• Trip to San Marino - 6 hours and € 19

✓ Install the maps.me application - these are maps that work offline without the Internet - and mark sights, cafes and your hotel in advance so as not to get lost.

✓ Buy tickets to museums in advance on the official websites. It may cost a little more, but you won’t waste time in queues!

✓ A network of drinking fountains is scattered throughout Rome. The water there is of good quality, so you don't have to spend money on it, the main thing is not to throw out the bottle.

✓ When ordering coffee, say the password "al banco", which means coffee is not at the table, but at the counter, in which case it will be cheaper.

✓ Go to churches - this is a free option for museums. Many churches were painted by famous artists, whose paintings hang in museums.

✓ Italians eat at certain times. Lunch from 12.30 to 15.00, dinner from 19.30 to 23.00, the rest of the time the restaurants are closed. Only tourist establishments are open, where the prices are higher and the food is not always tasty.

✓ Of course, in Rome you can pay by credit card. In order not to lose money on commissions or conversions, read about the best cards to use abroad.

Here are some establishments of Italian cuisine that will definitely serve delicious food:

• Pompi (a chain of bars throughout the city) - divine tiramisu
• La Veranda (Borgo S. Spirito, 73) - for lovers of atmospheric establishments, this restaurant is located in a palace of the 15th century
• For pizza, head to Dar Poeta (Vicolo del Bologna, 45)
• For pasta - at Carlo Menta (Via della Lungaretta, 101)
• I am very sorry that during my trip I did not manage to reach the Largo Der Pallaro trattoria. But you definitely go. This is a family café run by Signora Paolla. You can't choose the food here, which creates the feeling of homemade dinner, where you are fed to the bone. For 25 euros per person, you get snacks, pasta, main course, wine and dessert. The institution is located at Largo del Pallaro, 15.

As you can see, you can see a lot in Rome in 3 days, but not all. In 5 days or in a week, you can see much more - for example, the Baths of Caracalla or the square Coliseum built under Mussolini; walk around the Nomentano quarter, which was built up during the fascist period, and see atypical Rome; look into the Copede quarter, where art nouveau architecture dominates; take the train to Pisa and take pictures with the most popular leaning tower; or buy a ticket to Venice for a gondola ride through the canals.

A description of all the interesting places in Rome will take more than one article. Better to see once, and even better - not one :)

Rome map with landmarks