3-Day Rome Itinerary: Must-See Sights, Best Carbonara & Gelato

The moment we set foot in Rome, we felt as though we had stepped onto the stage of a living museum. Ancient columns stood shoulder to shoulder with bustling trattorias, the scent of espresso and freshly baked pizza drifting through narrow cobblestone alleys.

Every corner revealed another story — a sunlit piazza echoing with laughter, a crumbling ruin whispering secrets of emperors, a fountain splashing like it had for centuries. Rome doesn’t just invite you to explore; it pulls you headfirst into its rhythm, weaving together past and present in a way no other city can. Here we list our three day itinerary to make the most of your visit to Rome!

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We arrived in Rome from Olbia at 9am and check into our hotel, one we would really recommend. Minutes from the Spanish Steps and with the best gelato in Italy at your door steps, what’s not to like?

We made lunch reservations for Agrodolce Roma, a welcoming Roman trattoria just steps from the Trevi Fountain, where homemade pasta and a relaxed, rustic atmosphere offered the perfect midday break before exploring the city’s historic heart. We had the pappardelle ragu, octopus and focaccia – all to die for.

The Pantheon’s portico of granite columns stand like sentinels, guarding the secrets of nearly two millennia. We step inside, and the world shifts: above us the great dome opens to the sky through its perfect oculus.

A shaft of sunlight spills through the aperture, sliding slowly across the marble floor, illuminating gilded chapels and worn stone as if marking the passage of time itself. Outside, cafés spill into the square, life buzzing in every corner, but within these walls, Rome whispers eternity. Buy tickets from the official site here, with prices from 5 Euro.

Next up was a scheduled visit to the iconic Colosseum. Buy tickets through the official site and reserve a time slot. We booked the Full Experience Ticket with Entrance to the Arena but would recommend the Underground Levels ticket. The Arena entrance is an erected platform over the underground maze, there is a part near the exit which provides a similar experience.

There is an audio tour guide that you can download via the QR code but we didn’t find this useful. The Colosseum is one of our favourite attractions — its immense arches and weathered stone telling stories of gladiators, roaring crowds, and spectacles so grand they still define the spirit of Rome nearly two thousand years later.

Included in these tickets are visits to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. The Roman Forum felt like walking through the very heart of ancient Rome, where every column and crumbling arch seemed to echo with the voices of senators, merchants, and citizens who once filled its bustling squares. Standing among the ruins, it was easy to picture triumphal processions marching down the Via Sacra or heated debates unfolding in the shadow of grand temples.

Climbing up to the Palatine Hill, the air grew quieter, and the city stretched out below in sweeping views. Once home to Rome’s emperors, the hill now offers a serene contrast to the chaos of the Forum, its gardens and ruins carrying an almost regal calm — a reminder that this was not just the birthplace of a city, but the cradle of an empire.

A short walk away, you will see the Mouth of Truth, and behind it is an interesting medieval legend. It is said that husbands brought their wives to the Mouth of Truth to declare their faithfulness and swear they had not committed adultery. The unfaithful ones would have their hands bitten off!

Open between the times of 09:30 – 13:00 and 14:00 – 17:50 daily, admission is only 2 Euro per person. We left Rome with both our hands in tact!

After a full day of walking through history and ruins, we headed for Trastevere to explore its charm and find a place for dinner. We had hoped to line up for Trattoria Da Enzo al 29 but by the time we arrived, there was a large queue snaking all the way down the alley. Speaking to the people next in line, they had arrived before opening and had been waiting an hour so far. The restaurant does provide some Aperol Spritz / drinks for those queueing but given our grumbling bellies, we set forth for other options.

We came across Antico Carbone nearby, a cute trattoria with red and white plaited table covers and outdoor seating. Avoid the Carbonara as it was so cheesy (look below for the best Carbonara we had) and order the Ox Tail Rigatoni. This dish was the best pasta dish of our trip!

We also ordered the beef cheeks, grandmas meatballs and a side salad, and didn’t have room for dessert. We walked home to work off the meal and close the end to a great first day.

We booked an 8:30am Vatican, Sistine Chapel and Basilica tour through Getyourguide mainly for the skip the line access. We’d recommend to get to the Vatican as early as you can to avoid the crowd. Pro tip is to ensure you dress appropriately with clothes covering your shoulders and knees. I had brought a scarf with me which I used to cover the shoulders.

Our morning was devoted to the Vatican Museums, a labyrinth of galleries overflowing with masterpieces that trace the course of human genius, from ancient sculptures to Renaissance treasures. Each room felt more breathtaking than the last, but nothing could prepare us for the hush of the Sistine Chapel — Michelangelo’s ceiling soaring above, every brushstroke alive with drama and divine vision.

The tour concluded in the awe-inspiring St. Peter’s Basilica, where shafts of light streamed through towering windows onto marble floors, and the scale of its dome made us feel both humbled and uplifted all at once.

The tour concluded after 3 hours, just in time for lunch. I’d read about this small restaurant where you ring a doorbell and wait in line for a place at a bistro that fits 20 people – Rione XIV Bistro. A short walk from St Peter’s Basilica, we arrived right before noon and were thankful there wasn’t a queue. We ordered the octopus, the pistachio pesto pasta and meatballs, washed down with Aperol Spritz of course. We left with our bellies full and our hearts content.

Across the road was Hedera, a gelato place recommended by a friend. The flavour and consistency was delicious, but the scoops they provided were criminal. Two scoops looked like one, and left us wanting more. Keep reading below for our number 1 recommended gelato place in Rome in Day 3.

We headed for Castel Sant’Angelo afterwards. Once a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian, later a fortress and papal refuge, its history seemed to cling to every stone. As we climbed its spiralling ramps, each level revealed something new — from chambers that once held prisoners to terraces alive with the whispers of intrigue.

Finally, stepping onto the rooftop, Rome stretched out in every direction, with St. Peter’s Basilica gleaming in the distance. The view was breathtaking, and in that moment, the city’s layers of history unfolded before us in perfect clarity.

With a rooftop bar booking to watch the sunset at Oro Bistrot scheduled, we walked towards Piazza Venezia and browsed shops along the way. We found a cool retro sunglasses shop, selling eyewear from the 1970s to 2000s and each purchased a pair as fashionable souvenirs. At Piazza Venezia, the heart of modern Rome, traffic and history collide beneath the towering white marble of the Vittoriano monument, its grandeur commanding attention from every angle.

As evening settled over Rome, we made our way up to Oro Bistrot Rooftop, where soft lights flickered around the terrace and the air carried the faint murmur of distant church bells. From our table, the city spread out beneath us — terracotta rooftops, domes, and spires stitched into the sky. We savoured each bite of artfully prepared food: fresh, seasonal, with flavours that felt both familiar and delightfully new. Meanwhile, twilight painted the horizon in warm peach and rose tones, and the glowing lights from below started to twinkle like memories. It was the kind of rooftop moment you live for on a trip — elevated, luminous, and utterly Roman.

We made a reservation on their website a few weeks in advance, checked for sunset hour and settled for the time we wanted. Each table is allowed 2 hours which is plenty to enjoy the amazing atmosphere and views. The only downside is the price tag but I guess it’s expected with such views!

We capped off the night at the intimate but authentic Enoteca Corsi. Appallingly, we’ve gone all trip without ordering Cacio e Pepe so that’s the first dish ordered. We ordered a pasta with langoustines and the rabbit main to complete the feast. The table next to us in partial disbelief as our plates arrived, in contrast to the one pasta dish each they were nursing. With our bellies full, we made our way back and reflected on an amazing second day in Rome.

We started for the Trevi Fountain early – even then there were already a lot of people waiting in line at 9am! It is impressive with its vast marble stage bursting with myth and movement. Oceanus rides high at the center, his chariot pulled by rearing sea horses, each wave frozen yet alive, as though the stone itself had learned to breathe.

These days, barriers and crowd control reshape the experience — no longer can you simply wander up at will. Instead, we joined the orderly queue, waiting for our turn to step close to the fountain’s edge. At last, coins flashed in my hand, and I took part in the ritual — one over the shoulder, a promise to return.

The queue did move quite quickly, and once you are let in, you can stay for as long as you want. Trying to take a photo with the crowd is very much of a challenge though!

The Spanish Steps rise like a sculpted cascade of travertine. Each tier feels alive with energy — couples pausing for a kiss, painters balancing sketchbooks on their knees, tourists catching their breath before the next ascent. At the base, Bernini’s Fontana della Barcaccia murmurs with the sound of water, its sunken boat both a relic and a reminder of Rome’s playful genius.

From the top, the city unfurls in ochres and terracotta, rooftops glowing in the Roman light, and I feel the steps are less a staircase than a stage where centuries of travelers have stood, paused, and looked out in wonder.

For our last meal in Rome, we headed for Osteria de Memmo, tucked away in a narrow street of Rome’s Centro Storico. The décor is simple but honest: stone walls, wooden tables, soft lighting, a few well-worn wine labels displayed overhead. We ordered the carbonara and the grilled seafood platter, both delightful and heavenly. And here’s the secret revealed: this was the best carbonara of the trip—creamy, cheesy, and perfectly saucy, leaving us completely satisfied!

As we headed back, we grabbed the last gelato from Ciampini Lab right downstairs from our accommodation. It was the best gelato we had in Rome and we’re kicking ourselves we only tried it on the last day. This time, the servings were fitting and the taste, delicious. It capped off the perfect end to a wondrous visit. Rome never stays still; it thrums with stories, ancient and modern, sacred and ordinary, all unfolding at once. And as we turned the final page of this chapter, I know this isn’t a farewell — it’s a promise, sealed with a coin in the fountain, that we will return.

Three days in Rome might feel short, but with a mix of iconic sights, charming neighborhoods, and unforgettable meals, it’s more than enough to fall in love with the city. From wandering ancient ruins to tossing coins at fountains, and of course savoring the best carbonara of our trip, every moment felt like a little adventure. Rome has a way of leaving a mark on you—one you’ll carry long after you’ve returned home.

👉 Rome may have stolen our hearts, but Italy has so much more to offer—and Florence and Lake Garda are the perfect next stops. If you’re exploring more of Italy, don’t miss our guides to Florence’s Renaissance treasures and Lake Garda’s best things to do—both perfect pairings with a Rome trip!