How to spend 3 days in Rome.

Rome – Adorned by the mighty Colosseum, with over 250 fountains and 900 churches it is a destination full of history and architecture. One of the most visited and beautiful cities in Europe and perhaps the world. Rome attracts millions of tourists from around the world to discover the romantic blend of culture, history, delicious gastronomy and excellent wines. The Capital of Italy has always ranked high on the top cities to visit in the world list. Let’s find out – How to spend 3 days in Rome.

If you are wondering why we start with Day 6? This is a continuation of our trip which started in picturesque Amalfi Coast – A Complete Guide to the Amalfi Coast. My first Blog that I penciled down.

Day 6 – How to spend 3 days in Rome.

The train journey from Naples to Rome is just over an hour and a great way to travel in Italy. The trains are efficient and affordable. We reached Rome Termini late in the afternoon.

We got off the train and walked towards the exit and there was the big M (McDonald’s) staring right at our faces. With no junk food for the kids over the last few days this instantly brought a twinkle in their eyes. We picked up a quick take away and headed to our hotel.

How to Get to Rome.

Rome is one of the most visited cities in the Worlds and very well connected. There are plenty of options to travel to the city and around it as well. You can fly into Rome International airport from most countries in Europe and the world. It has a great train network so if you do land in any other city in Italy you can easily connect to Rome. The train station in Rome is in the heart of the city and a great way to start your Roman Holiday. Travelling from the station or the airport you can choose from the bus/underground or taxi. Can you use UBER in Rome? Yes you can get UBER in Rome and it is safe and affordable.  We used an UBER to get to our hotel in Rome which was located near the Colosseum.

Where is the best place to live in Rome?

When it comes to accommodation and where to stay in Rome there is a lot of choice. The city is well connected so even if you find something a bit far and saves you some money it should not be an issue. I would suggest living near the city centre as you will save money and time on travelling. Most of the tourist attractions in Rome are walk-able from the City Centre. 

The best places to live in Rome are: How to spend 3 days in Rome.

• Centro or the historic centre, is the best neighbourhood as most places are walking distance. If this is your first time then surely try and stay around here.
• The Spanish Steps– For some of the best bars and lively nightlife.
• Testaccio – for some of the best restaurants and markets of Rome.
• Trastevere – A popular neighbourhood with both locals and tourists.

We choose a hotel close to the Colosseum – The Mercure Rome Colosseum Centre. The hotel has great views of the Colosseum from its rooftop Pool. Great transportation link. Check with your hotel in Rome give you a free 24hr or 48 hr travel pass these days.

Best time to go to Rome.

Rome is very crowded during the summer holidays so be mindful. If you are travelling in the summer holidays (July to early September) please be ready to face huge queues everywhere and high rates for accommodation. The best time to visit Rome is from early October to late April when it is less crowded and room rates are lower.

Things to See and Do in Rome – How to spend 3 days in Rome.

A quick check in and we decided to head to conquer Rome –

The Colosseum –

We started with the magnificent Colosseum which was a short walk from our hotel. This was my second visit to Rome and must say very crowded due to the summer holidays. Try and avoid the morning rush. You can easily see the whole of the Colosseum in 2 -3 hrs so a food time to visit the Colosseum is post lunch when it is a bit less crowded. 

We visited the Colosseum and thanks to some of the locals who advised us that it is much less crowded after 3 pm. Most tourist attractions have a lot of tour guides selling fast entry tickets to the sites for astronomical figures. Try and avoid these and buy tickets online or at the official counters located at the attraction. Just to give you a flavour we were asked to pay over €100 in the morning for the 4 of us and we paid just under €25 when we stood in a short queue later in the day.

Trevi Fountain –

After a walk around the Colosseum we ventured into town and our first stop was the iconic Trevi Fountain. Once you are in close proximity of the Trevi Fountain most of the other attractions are within walking distance from here. The Trevi fountain is one of the most photographed attractions in the world. Flip a coin over your head into the fountain and they say – luck and you will return to the fountain again. Surprisingly over 700,000 euros are flipped into this fountain every year which is donated for charity work.

After spending some time near the fountain and having our very own photo shoot we walked over to the much talked about MAGNUM Pleasure Bar. The Pleasure Bar is an ice-cream parlour owned by the popular brand MAGNUM and sits opposite the fountain and can’t be missed. Kids will love it and must say so did I.

 

The Spanish Steps –

Our next stop – The famous Spanish steps which has been showcased in many movies. The most popular film being Roman Holiday, starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck, which made the Spanish Steps famous to the American audience. Americans top the tourist chart when it comes to Rome as a tourist destination. As we sat on the steps the kids played around and made some new friends and this was the perfect place to finish off our first day in Rome.

Most of the above places our walking distance from each other and The best way to discover Rome is by foot.

We had dinner in a restaurant just around the corner where they showcased some handmade pasta on the window. A nice meal and time to head to the hotel.

We headed back to the hotel in one of the local buses. Are local bus safe in Rome?  The answer is yes they run frequently and till quite late in the night.

Day 7 – How to spend 3 days in Rome.

I must say cities like Rome & Paris only get more beautiful when you have time to explore them at leisure and you are not rushing around from one attraction to another. My second visit to Rome so I had done my share of rushing from point A to B within timescales.

This was a more relaxed holiday in Rome with the kids and I wanted to give them a flavour of this historic city. Is Rome child friendly?  It is one of the best cities to visit with kids. The history and grandeur of this Mega City will help them as they study about the great empire in school.

We started or day with a late breakfast and a swim in the rooftop pool which had beautiful views of the Colosseum. Most of the tourist sites start getting crowded quite early so we decided to have a late start. We headed to another very popular attraction in Rome the Pantheon.

The Pantheon

A building of great historic importance with a domed ceiling. The 142 feet diameter domed ceiling was the largest of its kind when it was built. The Pantheon consists of three sections: a portico with granite columns, a massive domed rotunda and a rectangular area connecting the other two sections. The Pantheon is free and requires no tickets to enter. 

The Piazza’s of Rome

Rome is home to some of the most beautiful Piazza’s – open public places for gatherings. The best way to enjoy these are by walking from one Piazza to another through the narrow lanes of the city.

Piazza Navona is one of the most popular and beautiful Piazza’s in Rome. It is a great place to spend an evening. Most Piazza’s have a fountain in the centre and surrounded by churches and beautiful buildings.

The most popular Piazza’s in Rome are:

• Piazza Navona
• Piazzadi Spagna.
• Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere
• Piazza Mattei
• Piazza della Madonna dei Monti

We spent most the day in these Piazzas and after doing some serious steps treated ourselves to another must in Rome – Gelato.

Best Gelato Parlours in Rome.

Italy is popular for Gelato- a popular frozen dessert similar to ice-cream and Rome has some of the best Gelato parlours. Gelato in Italy is serious business and it attracts almost every age group.

One of the most fascinating Gelato Parlour in Rome is Venchi – This is a chain and has stores in some of the most popular cities around the World including London. Yes they even have a chocolate fountain wall in Rome. It is a must visit when in Rome.

Another Gelato parlour which you must visit in Rome is Giolitti. Giolitti is one of the oldest and most traditional Gelato parlour in Rome and perhaps Italy. 

Where to Eat in Rome.

Rome is home to some of the best restaurants and culinary delights you can think off. From the popular international chains to family owned cafeterias it has it all. Every Piazza has restaurants dotted around them and it is a great way to sit outdoors and enjoy the classic Italian cuisine.

Rome has a museum dedicated entirely to Pasta.

One of my favourites in Rome is Baccano’s just near the Trevi fountain. It is a bit pricey but the food is amazing. There are plenty of restaurants around this area and it is quite lively till very late at night. To find out about some best places to Eat in Rome for every budget – Best Places to Eat in Rome – The Lonely Planet – 

Day 8 – The Vatican and Sistine Chapel.

There are not many places in the world where you can jump onto an underground train and hop off at another country. A visit to the Vatican is a must when in Rome. The Vatican is a country by itself and is the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church. It is the home of the Pope and attracts millions of pilgrims from around the Globe.

St Peter’s basilica is the largest church ever constructed.

We took the underground to the Vatican from Rome which is well connected to most parts of city. Alternatively you can get there by bus as well.

We planned our visit and decided we were not going to go into the Sistine Chapel as I had done this in my previous visit and the kids were a bit too young to understand the importance. A visit to the Sistine Chapel is highly recommended if this is your first visit to Rome. It will take you roughly a full day to see the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel so plan accordingly.

The main attractions in the Vatican are St Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel.

Do you have to buy tickets to enter St Peter’s Basilica? Visiting St Peter’s Basilica is free and you do not have to buy any tickets. The queues to enter the Basilica are very long but they do move very quickly so dot be put off.

You will be offered fast entry tickets and guided tours as you walk along and get closer to the entrance of the Vatican but unless you are ready to pay 4 times the normal prices IGNORE politely.

Can you book tickets to the Sistine Chapel online? Yes you can. I would recommend that you book online if you are looking to visit the Sistine Chapel. If you are not then just get in the queues and get your free entry to the St Peter’s Basilica.

After spending a few hours inside the Basilica we headed back to Rome. How much time do you need in St Peter’s Basilica? St Peter’s Basilica is the largest church and filled with history. Yes you can easily spend a whole day here but you can view most of in in 3-4 hrs. It is absolutely stunning.

What is the cheapest way to travel in Rome? The bus is the cheapest and quickest option to travel in Rome.

We took the bus and headed back towards the centre of Rome and it does give you great views of the city. The buses are air conditioned and run frequently. You get to see many monuments as you go through the city which is an added benefit if you don’t want to walk all the way.

We had a relaxed lunch in one of the many Pizza restaurants dotted around the city centre and headed towards our hotel for some well-deserved rest.

What is the Best way to See Rome? The best way to see Rome is by walking. Our last evening in Rome was spent walking through the streets and soaking in the history this lovely city.

 

Day 9 – How to spend 3 days in Rome.

Our final day in this beautiful city and it was time to end our Italian holiday. We had an afternoon flight back to London so the morning was spent in doing a bit of retail therapy. As they say you can’t beat the Italian in fashion and yes it’s very true.

You can get some great deals in Rome when it comes to shopping Linen and cotton clothing. Anything from top designer labels from around the world to more local brands there is something for every budget.

Italy and Rome are famous for their shoes and leather products so if you fancy some, Rome is a great place to get your hand on some fine Italian leather products. Just found out that – The first shopping mall was built in Rome by Emperor Trajan.

It has been an absolute amazing trip from the history of Pompeii to the beauty of Positano. The turquoise waters of Capri to Amalfi town it has been a treat and a journey I will never forget.

So to sum up our Italian Holiday –

• We started our Italian journey with a flight from London into Naples. – Buying 2 individual tickets can work our cheaper sometimes.
• Visited the Historic city of Pompeii.
• Travelled from Naples to Sorrento – Use this as your base to discover the Amalfi Coast.
• Spend an evening in Positano – One of the most stunning destinations I have visited. You should try and spend a day or so here.
• Day trip from Sorrento to the beautiful islands of Capri and Ana Capri – Use the ferry to go island hopping in the Amalfi Coast.
• Travelled to the historic town of Amalfi. – You can travel further to the resort town of Ravello.
• Discovered the gems of Sorrento and drive down to Naples.
• Ride the railway from Naples to Rome termini.
• Discovered the historic sights of Rome and enjoyed the Gelato parlours.
• Visited the Vatican and admired the architecture of St Peters Basilica.
• Don’t forget to buy your tickets online to marvel at the Renaissance works by – Michelangelo at the Sistine Chapel.
• Walk the streets of the Roman Capital and discover hidden Piazzas.
• Shop for some fine Italian clothing and shoes in the Capital.

Hope you enjoyed our Complete Guide to the Amalfi Coast and culminating with – How to Spend 3 Days in Rome.  – If you enjoyed it share it or reach out to me if you need any more tips.

Addios till we meet again…. 

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