I remember tossing the coin over my shoulder into the beautiful, clear water and asking my friend Amy if I did it right. It was my first time to Rome. After seeing the famous Colosseum and tasting the deliciousness that was real Italian pizza, I was hooked. I was determined to come back some day. And if legend assured me that tossing a coin into the Trevi Fountain would mean I would return to Rome, I wasn’t going to risk not doing so.
That was 10 years ago and I am happy to say that I did return to Rome!
My husband and I had our first worldly adventure as a married couple year ago (how old do we sound?!) After visiting Dublin, Edinburgh, London and Paris, I’m happy to say my husband also contracted the travel bug.
Unsure of this whole travel thing at first, he asked why we need to pack up our stuff and carry it around for a while until we find an expensive place to stay with an uncomfortable bed while we have a perfectly good one at home? (Valid point babe…) However, I have since convinced him that there is so much more to it than that.
For our next trip, we decide on Italy, the land of ancient history, fresh pasta and of course, lots of wine. We spent 12 days traveling to 5 different Italian cities, Rome, Venice, Florence, Cinque Terre & Milan.
72 hours in Rome
Our first stop was Rome. Yep, Rome is crowded, busy and full of tourists, but it’s also full of history and delicious food. This iconic city is one of the most traveled cities in the world. It’s likely you will have to put up with crowds, long lines and occasional selfie stick to the face (that’s a story for another day) but it’s all worth it. Even towards the end of the peak season when we went, it was still very busy. Rome is definitely what I heard one person describe it as, “the chaos that is Italian order” and we loved it!.
Our trip consisted of 3 perfect days exploring ancient pieces of history, eating our weight in pasta and enjoying a delicious glass of wine (or two!) in the beautiful weather. A city as large as Rome can be very intimidating if it is your first time visiting. I have created this guide to help ease your fears and equip you with helpful information for your trip.
What to expect In Rome:
- LANGUAGE: Italian is the most common language found in Rome however, many modern-day Italians speak English as well. We did not run into any problems communicating with anyone we interacted with. I will say though, a little basic Italian can be helpful but you can definitely get by without it.
- CURRENCY: Italy uses the Euro (€). Most places do not accept US money.
- CREDIT CARDS & ATMs: Almost everywhere accepts credit cards, especially Visa. It is common to use cash for inexpensive items and some places will not accept credit cards for small amounts. I would suggest having some Euros on you wherever you go. ATMs are also very easy to come by and are located at most of the main tourist sites.
- GETTING THERE: The main airport is Rome Fiumicino and is located about 30 minutes outside the city. A bus or metro into the city will take about 45-60 minutes and is the least expensive, about €5. A taxi costs a fixed rate of €48 for up to 4 people to anywhere inside the Aurelian walls (walls built during the 3rd century that encircle central Rome).
- GETTING AROUND THE CITY: Rome is a busy metropolitan city and has several modes of public transportation. The buses and metros all stop at the main attractions. However, you can always walk so bring your walking shoes! Walking the city is a great way to see all it has to offer.
- WEATHER IN LATE SEPTEMBER AND WHAT TO WEAR: Warm. During the day it was 70º-low 80º’s F. I was comfortable in a skirt or jeans. I tend to get cold easily so I always carry a light jacket or sweater. During the evenings and at night it cools down but it is still warm enough to wear a skirt or jeans. I definitely needed a sweater or jacket for those late dinners on the cute restaurant patios. As for shorts, we saw many people wearing shorts. Just remember: shorts, mini skirts and bare shoulders are not allowed in many churches, especially Saint Peter’s Basilica.
Day 1: The vatican Museum, The Trevi Fountain & Piazza Navona
The Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel
It’s difficult to comprehend how old Rome really is. The oldest stuff in America is only around 500 years old while Rome dates back thousands of years. The Vatican Museum is not only one of the oldest museums in the world, but houses some of the greatest artifacts in history. The amount of art, sculptures and other “old stuff” in this one place is mind-boggling.
The museum is a must see while visiting. But unless you are a history buff or want to spend hours upon hours wondering the crowded halls on your own, I would recommend joining a tour. There are so many interesting details and stories we would have otherwise missed out on if we had braved the halls on our own.
We decided to take the tour the museum offers, although there are many other third-party tours available online. We found the museum offered the best tour for the price. It was led by an Italian woman who was very knowledgeable. We would definitely recommend booking this tour. You can purchase tickets for this same tour here.
With our tour ticket, we were able to skip the massive line outside. Check-in was quick and easy. We were given a small, wireless headset so we were able to hear our guide even with many other people around. Our tour ticket also included the tour of Saint Peter’s Bascillica. The end of the museum tour leads you into Saint Peters Basilica. The Basilica also had a very long line to enter (even though it is free) so we were glad we didn’t have to wait in that one. You can find more information about the tour we took and purchase tickets from their website here.
Important Info:
- Museum only tickets (purchase day of at the ticket counter): €16
- “Skip the line” tickets (online purchase): €17-20 (depending on the season)
- Vatican Museum and Saint Peter’s Bassilica Guided Tour: €33-37
- Vatican museum hours: 9:00am-6:00pm (Check here for closures)
- The museum ticket includes the Sistine Chapel
Saint Peter’s Basilica
This church is insane! The size, the sculptures, the architecture, the attention to details. It’s just beautiful! If you decide to skip the museum, get to the basilica early before the tour buses to beat the lines and enjoy it’s it with less crowds. Note that there is a dress code that is enforced to get inside. You will not be admitted with shorts, exposed shoulders (tank tops or strapless tops) or mini skirts.
Visit the Cupola
Before leaving Saint Peter’s, you must take the hike to the top of the dome or cupola. Although its 551 stairs to the top, the views of the city are completely worth the hike. There is an option to take an elevator however you will still have 320 stairs to climb that is not accessible by elevator. By this point, I’m sure you have some pasta to burn off anyway! To find the entrance to the cupola, look for the signs on the North side of the entrance of the Basilica (to the right if you are facing the front entrance).
The Trevi Fountain
Rome is known for its ancient fountains. It seems these beautiful pieces of art and history are spouting water around every corner. The Trevi Fountain is no exception. You can barely hear the rushing water from this massive fountain until you are practically on top of it. As one of the most famous fountains in the world, the Trevi Fountain is a must see. It’s even better with some gelato in hand from one of the many gelaterias surrounding the fountain.
Be sure to toss in a coin! Legend has it that if you toss a coin over your left shoulder with your right hand, you will return to Rome in the future. The fountain collects an estimated 1.3 million Euros per year which is then donated to help fund a supermarket for the poor. I tossed in a coin during my first trip 10 years ago so legend seems to have held true for me!
Piazza Navona
After a busy first day, head over to Piazza Navona. This lively square is the perfect way to spend your evening and definitely worth a visit. Stop into one of the gelato shops nearby and find a good spot to watch the street performers. Or find a seat at an outdoor cafe and grab a glass of wine while admiring the Bernini fountains. Although the restaurants around here are over priced and full of tourists, sometimes you just do it because, well, when in Rome…!
Day 2: PALATINE Hill, The roman Forum and the Colosseum
The Roman Forum & Palatine Hill
Palatine Hill
Of Rome’s seven hills, Palatine Hill is the most famous. Known for being the home of many aristocrats and emperors, this area was a desirable place to live in ancient Rome. Today you can find many ruins of these “luxurious” homes and remains of the beautiful gardens.
Palatine Hill flows right into the Roman Forum and it is not necessarily clear where one ends and the other begins. Continue to walk North through Palatine Hill and you will eventually be lead down the hill into the Forum.
The Roman Forum
Once the bustling center of Rome, the forum now may seem like a pile of rubble and ruins. As the heart of Ancient Rome, this site was the home to many tempels, statues and public buildings. Although it doesn’t seem like much now, one can imagine how magnificent the Roman Forum must have looked in its day. You can almost imagine the chariots rolling down the stone streets and the beautiful gardens that once surrounded it..
You can easily spend one whole day at all three sites (Palatine Hill, Roman Forum & the Colosseum). Your ticket is valid for two days so you can split up visiting all three sites over two days if you have the time. However it is possible to do all three in one day. We took a break for lunch after leaving the Roman Forum and before heading to the Colosseum in the afternoon at BrewDog, just a short walk up the hill. The lines were definitely shorter at the Colosseum during the afternoon when we went, around 3pm.
The Colosseum
After exiting the Roman Forum, enter the Colosseum by walking a short distance to the East. Remember, you use the same ticket you used for Palantine Hill and the Roman Forum. There will be two lines to get into the Colosseum. One will be the really long line that wraps around the building. The other one is the much shorter line for those who have purchased tickets online. That’s you!
The iconic Colosseum is stunning from the outside but you must go inside to truly capture the full experience. As a symbol of Rome, this enormus amphitheater has stood the test of time and dates back to 70 AD.
We spent about 2 hours exploring the Colosseum. It’s amazing to think of the Gladiator fights that had happened right there and the amount of people those events would attract. The size of this amphitheater is crazy and the fact that it was built 2000 years ago is even crazier.
Tours are available if that is something you want to do. I would recommend buying them online before you arrive to save time. We decided not to take a tour and were still able to see and learn about the Colosseum. Take your time exploring the main ring and take a break from the hot sun. There’s much to see!
If you want to tour the third ring (upper level) and the underground, you will need to purchase a separate ticket. These tickets sell out very quickly so be sure to look for those tickets way in advance (like 3-4 months!). The additional ticket is and extra €9 for the guided tour. Purchase those here.
Recommended Route:
I’m sure the Colosseum is the first place on your list to see. It is located right next to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. You can head strait to the Colosseum but here is what I suggest. Since your ticket to the Colosseum is good for all three sites (Colosseum, Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum), start at Palatine Hill. To get there, walk south past the Colosseum and use the entrance to the south west, just off Via di San Gregorio. This is near the buses drop off. The line may seem long but it moves faster. You can buy your ticket at this entrance or purchase tickets online to bypass the ticket line. There will be a second (shorter) line for pre-purchased tickets.
Day 3: The Pantheon, The Altar of Patriotism, & The Spanish Steps
The Pantheon
As one of the most spectacular historic buildings in Rome, you simply cannot miss visiting the Pantheon. Like many other historical Roman sites, the Pantheon is located in the middle of what seems to be a completely normal residential area. Nestled between more modern buildings, this ancient architectural marvel seems somewhat out of place. It was a little difficult to find and it is easy to get lost on one of the many narrow streets that lead to it. Then you turn the corner and there it is!
The Piazza della Rotunda in front of the Pantheon is bustling and full of tourists. This is a great spot to grab a coffee or glass of wine and people watch. We sat near the fountain and obelisk at the center and listened to the street performer who was singing out front. The square is even more alive at night and we walked through there on more than one occasion.
Built in 125 AD, the Pantheon was once a Roman temple. Today it is used as a Catholic Church and modest dress is required to enter. The dome is truly an engineering marvel and still remains as the largest, unreinforced concrete dome in the world. The height and width of the dome are exactly the same meaning an exact sphere could fit inside this building. Take time to look around at the beautiful architecture, the marble floors and show well this place has been preserved, both the inside and the outside.
The Altar of Patriotism
(aka Monumento NATIONAL a Vittorio EMANUEL II)
This building has many names such as “the wedding cake” building and is very new considering the age of everything else in Rome. It was constructed between 1885-1925 in honor of the first king of unified Italy. You can visit for free and I definitely recommend strolling around for a little bit. There are some amazing views of the city from the top!
The Spanish Steps
Although crowded at times, take a stroll through Piazza di Spagna. Climb the 138 steps and over look the piazza. You can take the easy route and use the elevator near the Metro station with will also take you to the top. Sit on the Spanish Steps and enjoy (more) gelato and people watch. Or walk around Via dei Condotti nearby for a little window shopping.
Where to stay in Rome:
There are many great Airbnbs and hotels in Rome the trouble is finding what area to stay. We opted to stay in a 2 bedroom Airbnb in the Centro Storico, not far from the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain. This area is close enough to walk to many of the main tourist sites, but not too close to the very crowded Colosseum or Vatican City. We ended up having about a 25 minute walk to both the Colosseum and the Vatican and about 10-15 minute walk to the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain plus countless other things to do and see here.
Photo: Airbnb
Where to Eat:
Sant’ Eustachio il Caffe
Although they have delicious coffee, this cafe is more about the location for us. It’s tucked into a cute residential area near the Pantheon and Piazza Navona. Stop in for your morning espresso before heading out for the day. Italians drink their espresso standing at the bar but feel free to take a seat and people watch while you sip your cappuccino. However, know you will be charged a higher price if you decide to sit.
Brewdog Rome
Since we are spoiled Denver and have hundreds of craft breweries nearby, we were on a quest to find a beer other than Moretti. BrewDog was that place. We have been to several BrewDogs and it is a must if you want to take a break from drinking wine. BrewDog Roma is a short walk from the Colosseum. We stopped in for a late lunch after the Roman Forum but before heading to the Colosseum. This place is definitely underrated and worth a visit! Find them here.
Ducento Gradi
A great place near the Vatican to stop in for a delicious sandwich. A definite must for those on a budget. We had great service, a yummy meal and a cold beer to re-energize us after our tour of the Vatican museum. Find them here.
Poldo e Gianna Osteria
Absolute must! Amazing service, staff, food, everything! It is located in a secluded, quiet alley and surrounded by beautiful greenery. It is honestly the perfect getaway from the busy streets and crowds. Our food was delicious! Make a reservation online here and sit on the patio if possible. Truly an magical experience.
I recommend exploring Rome during the day and night. Don’t be afraid to get lost and find beautiful parts of the city. Rome is amazing and I hope you get captivated by it’s beauty and charm, just like we did.
Next stop: Venice!
