There are so many things to do in Rome, but how many days in Rome is enough to see everything? This guide will show you how many days you should spend in Rome.
Planning a trip to Italy is like creating a highlight reel for a travel influencer.
Venice’s charming canals, Florence’s towering churches, and the rolling vineyards of Tuscany. And, of course, Rome. Planning a trip to Rome is always exciting.
But, with so much to see in Italy, how long in Rome is enough?
Well, I’ve got that answer for you right here, along with some itineraries to help you decide how many days are right for you.
How many days in Rome is enough?
4-5 days is perfect to experience all Rome has to offer. It’s the perfect number of days for travelers to Rome to see the major attractions and not get tired of the city.
Whether it’s dining, checking out museums, or exploring the outskirts, there’s always more to see in and around Rome.
If you’re thinking of two to three days in Rome, you can still see the major attractions, but you’ll miss a lot.
So, consider what you want to experience in Rome, Italy, for a better idea of how many days are right for you.
Note: I recommend checking out the different passes in Rome (for example, the 72h Roma Pass or the Rome Tourist Card).
These passes can give you unlimited access to Rome’s public transportation, which is crucial if you travel with a lot of baggage. Plus, you can visit a few landmarks depending on your chosen pass.
The Rome Tourist Card includes a bunch of perks and is affordable.
Plan your trip to Rome with these Rome itineraries
3 days in Rome
Personally, I think two days in Rome is too tight for a visit to Rome.
With three days, your time is tight, but you can still enjoy Rome properly.
But, it’s best to group the landmarks by location to save time.
Day 1: The heart of Ancient Rome
Attractions on Day 1:
- Colosseum
- Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
- Altare della Patria
- Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore
You’ll get five main attractions in Rome on this first day, some big ones in the city center.
You get to pass by restaurants where you can sit and grab food or a large beer. You also walk among the buildings, experiencing the historical center of Rome on the ground.
Start at the Colosseum. I know, a pretty big entrance, right?
Get your tickets online, and try to book early. You to avoid many crowds this way (if possible at the Colosseum).
And you get to cross one of the large attractions off your list early.
After the Colosseum, head to the Roman Forum.
If you purchase the Rome Tourist Card, you can access the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and the Roman Forum. These three are very close, and you could spend half a day walking around the ruins.
After these three, you’ll head to Altare Della Patria, or “Altar of our Fatherland.”
Last, head toward Basilica Papala di Santa Maria Maggiore to finish off day one.
Day 2: Roman culture
Attractions on Day 2
- Piazza Navona
- Pantheon
- Trevi Fountain
- Spanish Steps
Day two will be a bit lighter. There are four total attractions, and all are within walking distance of each other.
To begin, start at Piazza Navona. This wide open space features the beautiful Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers). Enjoy some time in this area, grabbing a coffee or some food before setting off.
Next, you’ll visit the Pantheon.
The Pantheon is one of the most impressive buildings I’ve seen in Rome. Its size is large, yes. But it feels even bigger when you’re standing in front of it. You can tour the temple/church if you’d like.
After, go to Trevi Fountain.
Everyone knows Trevi Fountain from the photos. You don’t see the sheer number of people that flock to this place, though.
I recommend coming during the shoulders of summer (March-May or September-November), you’ll get the same view with fewer crowds.
Last, head to the Spanish Steps.
The Spanish Steps are another perfect photo-op. Watch out for the scammers who walk around trying to stuff roses into your hands. If your hand is open, they’ll stick a rose in it and hassle you until you pay them.
Day 3: Vatican City
Attractions on Day 3:
- Vatican City
- Castel Sant’Angelo
- St. Peter’s Basilica
- Sistine Chapel
- Trastevere
- The Aventine Keyhole
Head to Castel Sant’Angelo, near Vatican City, to start your last day in Rome.
After, take the short walk to Vatican City, and take in St. Peter’s Basilica or the Vatican Museum. In St. Peter’s Square, you can get a beautiful view of the basilica and relax for a bit.
You’ll have to book a guided tour to visit the Sistine Chapel. Book this online ahead of time for an appointment to skip the lines.
Next, head south to Trastevere, spend the afternoon roaming the streets, get a drink, and grab some lunch. Trastevere is a beautiful area to walk around or find a cafe to relax. You’ll see many college students walking around, especially if you stay till the evening.
Last, head to The Aventine Keyhole. It’s the perfect end to your day to view it basically where you began — only through a keyhole!
You can view a walking map of the day-by-day sights using this Google Map.
4 days in Rome
Let’s build on our 3-day itinerary with more attractions.
Day 4: Tour the many museums of Rome
Attractions on Day 4:
- Galeria Borghese
- Capuchin Crypt
- Four National Roman Museums
You’ve already seen the major attractions and gotten a dose of culture. But let’s turn things up a notch with some museums.
Start your day at Galeria Borghese and its beautiful art collection and museum. This is one of the most famous museums in Rome, so it’s a must-see.
Then, head to the Capuchin Crypt and its dark crypts full of bones and other relics. This gives a different view into Rome so you can experience everything it has.
Last, visit the four National Roman museums. You don’t have to visit all four, but adding a couple to your list is well worth it.
You can see the four day itinerary on Google Maps here.
5 days in Rome
After reading the previous itineraries, you may think, “Is 5 days in Rome too much?”
No, five full days in Rome is not too much! Five days in Rome is an excellent amount of time to spend in Rome if you’re a slower traveler.
Some people don’t like to go, go, go. So, spreading out the sites across more days on your trip to Rome and taking the time to go sightseeing is a great option.
But, the ability to see Rome in 5 days is easy.
Here are a few more attractions to add to your list if you’re looking for a five-day itinerary.
👉 Want to find a cheap flight to Rome?: Hopper App Review: Is It Legit for Cheap Flights
Day 5: Sample a bit of everything
Attractions on Day 5:
- Baths of Caracalla
- Appian Way Regional Park
- Otello’s Restaurant in Trastevere
First, start at the ancient thermal at Baths of Caracalla. These are easy to find and are great for spending a morning walking around the ruins.
Next, head to the Appian Way Regional Park. Rome is full of history. That much is obvious. But you don’t always realize how much of it is right in front of you.
Last, try all four Roman pastas at Otello. It’s a big feat, but finishing all four Roman pastas in one sitting is an excellent way to spend an evening.
If you want to view a Google Maps walking route, you can see it here.
Where to stay in Rome
Whether you spend one day or five weeks in Rome, you’ll have plenty of options for accommodation.
From hotels to private rooms, you can find it all here.
So, I’ll highlight some of the top areas to stay, along with a brief highlight of them. If you want to know more, Untold Italy has a great post about each neighborhood.
Pantheon/Piazza Navona
If it’s your first time in Rome, this is a great area to stay in.
Most major sights are within walking distance, and there are more than enough restaurants and bars in the area to keep you busy. Plus, it’s one of the best areas to get a true feel for The Eternal City.
Trastevere
People love Trastevere for its cobbled streets and narrow alleys.
That and it has some amazing food options in the area, too.
Trastevere isn’t far from the Colosseum and other major landmarks.
So, if you don’t mind a bit of walking, you can enjoy everything this small neighborhood has to offer and still see the major sites.
Vatican
If you plan to explore the Vatican, St. Peter’s Basilica, and other nearby areas, why not stay next to them?
The area around the Vatican is quiet and relatively calm. You can still find great restaurants and some nightlife if you want it. Plus, it’s not a terribly far walk to get to the center of Rome.
Plus, it’s got the Old Bridge Gelateria, where you can snag some dangerously delicious gelato.
Roma Termini
Plan to head to other areas of Italy before returning back to Rome?
Then Roma Termini is a great place to stay. With the train station smack dab in the middle of the area, it’s easy to hop on a train to Florence, Napoli, or Venice.
And it’s cheaper than in other areas, so it’s great for budget travelers!
When is the best time to visit Rome?
Lucky for you, the best time to visit Rome is basically the entire year!
From March til November, Rome is a fantastic place to visit, with great weather and plenty of time to enjoy the sights.
The peak season for travel is June, July, and August, so expect heavy crowds and hot weather. If you go on the shoulder seasons (March-April/August-October), you’ll have fewer crowds and more temperate weather. Remember, Rome is one of the most famous cities in the world.
So, when I say there are huge crowds, expect long wait times no matter where you go.
Where to eat in Rome
I’m not a food expert, but I definitely know a good restaurant when I visit.
So, here are a few to visit during your vacation.
Tonarrello
Tonnarrello is in the winding streets of Trastevere.
And it’s been serving up delicious dishes since 1876. Which is why it’ll likely be packed when you arrive. But that just makes for a better experience as you pinch yourself into one of the tables.
Featuring all the classic dishes of Rome and other Italian favorites, the restaurant cooks it up quickly and doesn’t skimp on quality.
For a solid dish, go with the Carbonara, which I thought was excellent here.
Pizzeria La Boccaccia
I’m a huge pizza fan.
So, if I can find amazing pizza while I’m wandering around, I’ll return repeatedly. And that’s exactly what I did with Pizzeria La Boccaccia.
Because of the quick in-and-out nature, this would be a great place to stop for lunch in the middle of an exploration day. Featuring a bunch of different pizza varieties that rotate daily, you can easily pop in, grab a few slices, then continue exploring.
If you love pizza, don’t miss out on Pizzeria La Boccaccia.
Otello
Otello was mentioned in the itineraries as the place where you can eat all four Roman pastas (I challenge you to do this).
But that’s not all they have on their menu. With other Italian staples, you can find anything you want here. I even saw some people eating hamburgers.
So, if you want a nice dining night out, Otello’s is an excellent choice.
Marzapane
Located just north of Piazza del Popolo, Marzapane is an excellent place to get a HUGE variety of foods from a top chef.
But know you’re in for a dining experience as they offer three- and five-course menus.
So, if you like fine dining, Marzapane is for you.
How many days will you spend in Rome?
Rome is one of my favorite cities in the world.
Every visit is packed with fun in an exciting and vibrant city. It doesn’t hurt there’s loads of good food, too.
But I’m eager to hear about your trip. I’m curious to hear if you’ve decided how many days you need in Rome. Let me know in the comments!
Also, if you’re headed to Rome, you may want to snag an Airbnb discount or find the best Airbnb hacks!
Last, if you aren’t already, follow me on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok!
Thanks for your blog, nice to read. Do not stop.