Rome itinerary for first-timers
The classic neighborhoods in an order that works, with a 4K street walk for every stop. Watch your trip before you take it.
Day 1: Ancient Rome
The Colosseum, the Forum and the Capitoline, ending in the lanes of Monti.
- 1
Morning
Colosseum & Roman Forum
The great amphitheatre of ancient Rome, and next to it the Forum and Palatine Hill, the ruined centre of the empire, all on one ticket.
- Colosseum
- Arch of Constantine
- Roman Forum
- Palatine Hill
Book a timed ticket in advance and go at opening time; by late morning the queues and the heat build up.
Walk along Via dei Fori Imperiali, about 15 min.
- 2
Afternoon
Capitoline Hill & Trajan's Forum
Michelangelo's square on top of the Capitoline Hill, with a terrace that looks straight down over the Forum, then the columns and market halls of Trajan's Forum below.
- Piazza del Campidoglio
- Forum viewpoint
- Trajan's Forum
Walk behind the town hall on the Capitoline for a free view over the whole Forum.
Walk past Trajan's Forum and uphill into Monti, about 15 min.
- 3
Evening
Monti
A village of ivy-covered lanes just uphill from the ancient sites, with a small square where locals gather around the fountain in the evening.
- Piazza della Madonna dei Monti
- Via del Boschetto
Rome, Italy: From Rome’s Monti District to the Colosseum | Hidden Streets 4K Walking Tour
Video by Roma Walks on YouTube
Day 2: Vatican & Trastevere
St. Peter's and the Sistine Chapel, a papal fortress, and dinner across the river.
- 1
Morning
The Vatican
The smallest country in the world: St. Peter's Basilica and its colonnaded square, and the Vatican Museums ending in the Sistine Chapel.
- St. Peter's Square
- St. Peter's Basilica
- Vatican Museums
- Sistine Chapel
Book the museums ahead and cover shoulders and knees, or you may be turned away from the basilica.
St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums 4K
Video by Walking Alice on YouTube
Walk down Via della Conciliazione, about 10 min.
- 2
Afternoon
Castel Sant'Angelo
A Roman emperor's tomb turned papal fortress, reached over a bridge lined with Bernini's angels, with a rooftop view back to St. Peter's.
- Ponte Sant'Angelo
- Castel Sant'Angelo
- Via della Conciliazione
Walk along the Tiber to Trastevere, about 25 min.
- 3
Evening
Trastevere
Across the Tiber, a tangle of ochre lanes, ivy and washing lines that fills up every evening with people eating and drinking outdoors.
- Piazza di Santa Maria in Trastevere
- Lanes around Via della Lungaretta
Walk a few streets away from the main square for quieter tables and better prices.
Trastevere Evening Walk - Rome, Italy
Video by Prowalk Tours on YouTube
Day 3: Fountains & piazzas
Trevi before the crowds, the Pantheon, Piazza Navona and sunset above the Spanish Steps.
- 1
Early morning
Trevi Fountain & the Pantheon
The most famous fountain in Rome, then a short walk to the Pantheon, a 2,000-year-old temple whose dome is still open to the sky.
- Trevi Fountain
- Pantheon
Trevi is only calm early in the morning; by midday you will be standing several rows deep.
Walk past the Pantheon to Piazza Navona, about 15 min.
- 3
Sunset
Spanish Steps & Via del Corso
Rome's grand staircase and the shopping streets around it, then up to the Pincio terrace above Piazza del Popolo for sunset over the domes.
- Spanish Steps
- Via del Corso
- Piazza del Popolo
- Pincio terrace
Sitting on the Spanish Steps is not allowed and can be fined; stand or keep walking up.
Rome, Italy | Piazza di Spagna & Via del Corso Walking Tour | 4K
Video by La Vita Walks on YouTube
Travelling with someone?
Send them this 3-day Rome plan, videos included.
Planning your first trip to Rome
How many days?
Three days covers ancient Rome, the Vatican and Trastevere, and the fountains and piazzas of the centre. Add Villa Borghese and Prati, and the Appian Way and the Aventine, for five.
Where to stay
The centro storico or Monti put most of this plan within walking distance; Trastevere is lovely at night but further from the metro. Compare areas →
Getting around
You will walk most of the day. The metro is handy for the Colosseum and the Vatican; buses and trams fill the gaps. Pay by tapping a contactless card at the gates.
Rome rewards walking more than almost any city, because the sights sit almost on top of each other. A first visit splits into three easy days: ancient Rome around the Colosseum and the Forum, the Vatican with Trastevere across the river, and the baroque centre of fountains and piazzas from Trevi to the Spanish Steps.
Every stop comes with a walking video filmed on those streets, so you can see the crowds, the cobbles and the evening light before you arrive. Use the buttons under each video to jump to the landmark, or press Preview to watch a whole day in a row.
Rome itinerary: common questions
Is 3 days enough for Rome?
For a first visit, yes. Three days covers ancient Rome, the Vatican and the baroque centre at a comfortable pace. With five days you can add Villa Borghese and Prati, and a day on the Appian Way, the Aventine and Testaccio.
What order should I see Rome in?
Do ancient Rome on one day, the Vatican with Trastevere on another, and the fountains and piazzas of the centre on a third. Start each day early: the Colosseum, the Vatican and Trevi are all far calmer in the first hours.
Do I need to book the Colosseum and Vatican Museums in advance?
Yes. Both use timed tickets that often sell out, especially in spring and summer. Book on the official websites a few days or weeks ahead.
Is Rome walkable?
Very. Most sights in this plan are 10 to 25 minutes apart on foot. Wear comfortable shoes: the streets are cobbled and you will easily walk 15 to 20 kilometres a day.
Travel times are approximate. Check opening days and any booking requirements before you go.
Where to stay in Rome
6 areas compared, each with a street walk so you can see the neighborhood before you book.
Read the guide →Rome self-guided walking tour
The Spanish Steps to the Colosseum: about 5.1 km, 9 stops, with the whole route on video.
Walk the route →Keep exploring Rome
More 4K walking videos, top sights, food markets and dishes to try.
Rome city guide →