Itinerary

What to see in Rome in 3 days starting from St Peter

Three days is little for Rome, but enough to see what matters without rushing. This itinerary starts in the Vatican area, where you sleep, and walks as much as possible: in Rome the real timings depend more on queues than on distances.

Day 1

The Vatican and the dome

Early morning in St Peter’s Square: the light is better and the queue for the dome is shorter.
Climb the dome: lift first, then the last steps on foot. Allow an hour and a half in total.
Quick lunch in Borgo or Prati, away from Via della Conciliazione.
Afternoon at the Vatican Museums, with a ticket booked online and a fixed entry time: you need at least three hours.
Quiet evening: walk back and have dinner at a trattoria around Gregorio VII.

Day 2

The historic centre on foot

Set off towards Castel Sant’Angelo along the Tiber, then Via dei Coronari.
Piazza Navona, the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain: all walkable within half a day.
Lunch break with pizza by the slice or supplì, without sitting down at restaurants on the main squares.
Afternoon at Piazza di Spagna and the Pincio, sunset from the terrace.
Head back by bus or on foot along the river.

Day 3

Trastevere and Villa Pamphili

Morning in Trastevere: Santa Maria in Trastevere and the side streets, before they fill up.
Breakfast or lunch at the market in Piazza San Cosimato.
Afternoon at Villa Pamphili, the largest park in the city: free entry, ideal for a slow pause.
Last walk home through the Gianicolo, with the view over the city.
Final dinner and bags ready for departure.

Three tips that make a difference

Book the Vatican Museums online with a time slot: without a booking you lose half a day in the queue.
Walk in the morning and take the bus in the middle of the day: the centre is small but crowded.
Always carry a water bottle: the public fountains give good, free water.

Stay ten minutes from St Peter

A flat for two guests with a private terrace facing the dome: the right base for this itinerary, booked directly with no commission.

Check the dates Where to stay near the Vatican