3 Days in Rome with My Favorite Hidden Gems

Here’s how to spend 3 days in Rome, a city I’ve traveled to at least 6 times. Italy is my favorite country, and I’ve explored it deeply. Every time I visit Rome, I’ve done something new. It’s such a big city, and you won’t run out of things to do. I even discovered some hidden gems, which I will weave into this Rome itinerary while also highlighting the classics for you first-time visitors.

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Where to Stay in Rome

Top Hotel Picks:
Central: Hotel Fontana ($$) | The Inn at the Spanish Steps ($$$)
Monti: Hotel Viminale ($$)
Trastevere: Donna Camilla Savelli – VRetreats ($$)
Vatican: The Mamma Shelter ($$) | Atlante Star Hotel ($$)

Rome is huge, so where you stay depends on your priorities. If it’s your first time here, I’d recommend staying central so you can see many of the sights by walking. These sites are clustered around Rome’s historic center. So, search for hotels in the area of Rome’s center, which is close to the iconic sights like the Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, and the Roman Forum. I love a good view so if you can book a hotel with an iconic landmark view, what a dream! For example, Hotel Fontana has a Trevi Fountain from your window! Or, The Inn at the Spanish Steps which has room views of the Spanish Steps.

If you want to stay in a trendier, local neighborhood, I’d recommend the neighborhood of Monti. It’s very close to the Colosseum, and you can use public transport easily to get around. Hotel Viminale is a great choice in the Monti neighborhood.

If you’re planning to visit the Vatican Museums, there are more affordable hotel options in this area, and they are actually quite nice. But just know, you will be commuting about 30 minutes or more to get to the center on your other days in Rome. I would recommend the Mamma Shelter or Atlante Star Hotel for a sleek yet affordable hotel option.

Finally, another local favorite is Trastevere. This lively neighborhood is full of cafes and great nightlife, but it is a bit further from the city center sights. However, I wouldn’t dismiss it as a great place to stay during your time in Rome.

3 Days in Rome

Day 1

Campidoglio

On your first day in Rome, spend it exploring Ancient Rome. I’d start by walking through Piazza del Campidoglio, a beautiful square designed by Michelangelo in the 16th century. You will naturally walk through it anyway as you make your way to the Roman Forum and then finally the Colosseum. The beautiful Cordonata stairs here are adorned with statues of the ancient Greek gods Castor and Pollux.

Most tourists start at the Colosseum and do the opposite route I’ve described. It’s really up to you, but I found that entering from this back entrance to the Forum to be a much quieter experience.

Mamertine Prison and Roman Forum

Start your morning early, making your way towards the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. If you approach from the back entrance near Campidoglio, you will find this amazing view above.

Plus, most people don’t realize that right down the steps from this viewpoint is the Mamertine Prison. This impressive but small sight is an interesting addition to your Rome itinerary. That’s because it’s Rome’s oldest surviving prison, and it’s also where the apostles Peter and Paul were imprisoned before their martyrdom. You can actually go inside the underground prison, and the rest of the site is an archaeological museum. If you’re planning to go here, I’d pop in first before continuing to the Forum. It’s about a 30-45 minute stop. You can buy the Mamertine Prison tickets online.

The Roman Forum was the heart of Ancient Rome. It was a meeting place for politics, religion, and public events. Today, you can walk through the ruins and see a glimpse of what it must have been like nearly 2,000 years ago. I recommend doing a guided tour here to really understand what you’re looking at. If you prefer to go on your own, there is an audio guide, but I tried to use it and found it a bit confusing to navigate.

Colosseum

After your visit to Palatine Hill, you will be at the closest exit to reach the Colosseum. Now, the Colosseum requires pre-booking, and you will have timed entry slots.

I have visited Rome so many times and actually only visited the inside of the Colosseum once many years ago. Sometimes I’m perfectly happy admiring it from the outside. It’s one of those places that’s so impressive that you don’t necessarily need a ticket to appreciate it.

I actually have a favorite viewpoint where you can get some of my favorite photos of the Colosseum without the crowds (as pictured above on the left). You can just head to xxx on Google Maps and find this quieter spot to enjoy the view and take pictures. I did this in the afternoon and still got an empty shot.

But if you do decide to go in, you will need to reserve tickets well in advance. Did you know you can visit the underground part of the Colosseum too? In all the times I visited Rome, I had never been. This time with my sister, we went and it was quite cool. You have a small group and a guide take you to the underground portion of the sight and these spots are not accessible to the public.

Shopping & Dinner in Monti

Monti is a local neighborhood many tourists miss, and it’s not far from the Colosseum area at all. It’s actually also a great base for your trip, and I’ve personally stayed here before. There’s a lot of cute boutique stores for shopping, and it’s also got lively wine bars you can visit in the evenings.

Even if you don’t stay here, definitely check out the shopping and enjoy dinner here. For restaurants in the area, I’d recommend I Vaccinari or Taverna Romana. And for wine bars, try Ai Tre Scalini or La Barrique.

Day 2

The Spanish Steps

The Spanish Steps are another iconic sight to add to your bucket list during your 3 days in Rome. It’s an 18th-century Baroque landmark gifted by the French. You might be wondering how its name includes Spain; that’s because of the nearby Spanish Embassy. You can climb the 135 steps for a view up top and to see the Trinità dei Monti church above. Just don’t sit on the steps, as you could be fined after a new law came into place to preserve this special landmark.

Trevi Fountain

I visited the Trevi Fountain at 7 am on a Sunday in July, and let me tell you, 7 am is no longer early enough to visit. The place was already packed full of people; I was shocked. You can see what I mean in my Instagram video here. But if you go to the left or right corner of the fountain, it’s much quieter, and you can get a photo there, as you see above. I believe the crowds have started earlier ever since the Trevi Fountain started to charge €2 for visitors to come to the front of the fountain. This charge is in place from 9 am to 10 pm. It was enforced in 2025 in order to control crowds and to protect the monument. If you truly want to experience it alone, you’ll need to visit in the middle of the night or at 5 am. Or, visit during the off-peak season.

One little hack I have is to visit the Rooftop Lounge at Hotel Fontana for a view of the Trevi Fountain without the crowds. You must, however, pay €25 per person, which goes towards a breakfast buffet in the morning or a drink and apertivo in the afternoon. I enjoyed the view, but it is not open air, and you have a plastic barrier in front of you.

Chiesa di Sant’Ignazio di Loyola

Chiesa di Sant’Ignazio di Loyola is one of the most unique things to do in Rome. In this beautiful church, you will find a large mirror that allows you to see the beautiful ceiling frescoes. This spot is very popular on social media (check out my Instagram reel showing what it’s like!). So, with that, expect a large line to be able to take a photo at the mirror. You will need to bring exactly €1 to activate the mirror. It stays on for about 1 minute after placing your coin in. And this was such a highlight during my 3 days in Rome. It was such a beautiful church and such a unique way to admire the frescoes. My tip is to arrive 10 – 15 minutes before opening time to avoid a long one-hour wait!

Galleria Doria Pamphilj – Rome’s Hidden Gem

I love exploring hidden gems no matter how big a city it is. So when I came across Galleria Doria Pamphilj, I had to visit.

Tucked away in the heart of the city, this stunning historic palace is home to an incredible private art collection.

This place is STUNNING! And I visited around 1 pm and found few crowds here, unlike at the famous Vatican Museums.

Another quieter and beautiful spot in Rome is the Galleria Borghese. I have yet to visit, but I’d love to next time I’m in Rome.

Pantheon

Campo de’ Fiori

Campo de’ Fiori is located in the heart of Rome and has a famous outdoor market selling everything from flowers to produce. It’s open from Monday to Saturday from 7 am to 2 pm. While it is quite a touristy area, it’s worth a little stroll to get a glimpse of classic Rome.

Try Carbonara

Carbonara is a famous pasta dish in Rome (with eggs, Romano Cheese, and bacon), so no visit would be right without giving it a try. One of the most famous places to try it is Osteria Da Fortunata. While I don’t typically recommend chain restaurants, this place is loved by both locals and tourists for a reason. It started in Rome and has expanded to other Italian cities. Don’t miss the tiramisu; it was one of the best I’ve ever had! The other reason this place is famous is that you can see the staff making fresh pasta in the window.

There are many locations across Rome, so visit whichever location you please. If you’re near Campo de’ Fiori, then this location might be convenient if you’re following this Rome itinerary.

Piazza Navona

Piazza Navona is a beautiful public space with many intricate fountains. It dates back to the 1st century AD, and it was originally the Stadium of Domitian. Romans used to come here to o watch athletic competitions and other public spectacles. Today, it’s a beautiful place to admire the baroque architecture and it’s lined with various cafes.

Dinner in Testaccio 

If you’re looking to mix in some hidden gems during your 3-day Rome itinerary, then visiting the Testaccio neighborhood is a must! It’s known for its amazing food, and locals love it. There’s actually a market here where you can choose to eat different food options, perfect if you have a group of people who love to eat different things. I highly recommend doing a food tour in Testaccio to try different Roman specialties.

Day 3

The Vatican Museums

The Vatican is one of the most important sites you will see during your Rome itinerary. And it’s actually a whole other country! Now, this one is one you need to book in advance or through resellers if you’ve missed out. Otherwise, you’ll be standing in line for hours to get a ticket. As you might imagine, it’s Rome’s busiest tourist attraction. Your tickets will include a visit to the Sistine Chapel, which is the main highlight for most people. In here, you are not allowed to take any videos or photos. It’s such a magical moment to see it in person, and I recommend doing it at least one time in your life. But just be prepared for massive crowds. If that’s not your thing, you might not want to come here.

I booked an 8 am opening slot, and the crowds were still insane. I believe it’s busy at every hour unless you can pay extra to visit before opening hours, which is possible, actually!

As you exit the Vatican, you will see this beautiful spiral staircase. A grand exit, I must say.

Saint Peter’s Basilica

Saint Peter’s Basilica is a short 10-15 minute walk from the Vatican Museums. It’s actually free to visit, so you don’t need a separate ticket to come here. I actually recommend coming here first at opening time to avoid the crowds if you want to go inside. Afterward, you can head to the Vatican Museums. I did the opposite and saw the queue was so long, so I just decided to visit the beautiful exterior of the church. There were many people outside claiming to sell you skip-the-line-tickets. I would not trust them, as I feel it could be a scam. Especially since many may not know that the Basilica is free to visit.

Trastevere

In the evening, head to Trastevere, Rome’s trendiest neighborhood.

Ponte Sisto is likely where you’ll begin your journey to Trastevere. It’s a famous 15th-century stone bridge crossing the Tiber. You will find some beautiful views along the way.

Sunset at Janiculum Hill

Janiculum Hill is reached by walking uphill for about 20 minutes. The view at sunset is 100% worth it. You can see the entire city skyline, and it’s such a nice spot to relax.

I’d recommend having dinner on the streets. There are so many amazing spots, and the atmosphere is just wonderful here. It’s such a vibe here, and you will love it! The streets are very charming and lively. I dined at Hostaria Del Moro. Other options in the area I recommend are La Canonica or Tonnarello Scala. End your evening with a drink in Trastevere. There are literally so many options to choose from.

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