3 Days in Rome: My Solo Travel Guide

Planning 3 days in Rome as a solo traveler? This guide shares exactly how I explored Rome on my own, including the best landmarks, neighborhoods, viewpoints, and local spots you can comfortably experience solo.

Rome might seem overwhelming at first, but I found it to be one of the most rewarding cities to explore alone. The streets are walkable, there’s history around every corner, and it’s the kind of place where you can spend hours wandering, sitting in a piazza with gelato, or getting lost down a cobblestone street.

In this itinerary I’m sharing how I spent three days traveling solo in Rome, breaking it down by morning, afternoon, and evening so planning your trip is simple.

Whether this is your first solo trip or your tenth, Rome is an incredible place to experience on your own.

After you’re done, check out my full 2 week Italy itinerary for more solo travel inspiration.

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Day 1

Morning: Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill

There’s nothing quite like starting your Rome trip standing inside the Colosseum. I booked a guided tour, which was very informative and interesting. When I go to new cities I usually like to book guided tours so I get all the background information and history while seeing the big sites. I usually use GetyourGuide, so check out some of the options here. 

After entering the Colosseum, we began our tour walking through the stadium, listening to rich culture and history about the Ancient Romans. We walked the colosseum amphitheater arena and through the back where all the gladiators used to enter. It was an amazing experience to walk on the floor where the battles took place. Make sure you make another stop at the Colosseum at night to see how it lights up, definitely worth the quick stop, even if it is just for the pictures. 

Next to the Colosseum is the Roman Forum. It’s located between Palatine Hill and Capitoline Hill. The forum was made up of the most important buildings of that time: temples, basilicas, and markets. The most well known of the ruins are the Arch of Titus, the Temple of Saturn and the Curia. In ancient Rome the forum was mostly used for political speeches and religious ceremonies. 

The last stop in your morning is Palatine Hill. According to Roman mythology, this was the hill that Romulus founded Rome in 753 B.C. It used to be the home of the most powerful families of the Roman Empire. You can walk through the remains and it has great panoramic views of the Roman Forum and Colosseum from the hill as well. It’s easy to do all three of these in the morning as they are close together and it’s walkable.

Are you a history buff? Another place I think you should look into is Egypt. Check out my post here. Rich history, lots of things to do and see.

Lunch: Monti Neighborhood

Afternoon: Piazza Venezia & The Pantheon

Now that your feet are rested and you’re no longer hungry, you can head toward Piazza Venezia and the Pantheon. Piazza Venezia is Rome’s most important central square. First, check out the Monumento Nazionale a Vittoriano Emanuele, also known just as Vittoriano or Altare della Patria. It’s a large white building in the square and inside is a museum, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and a rooftop terrace with some of the best views of Rome. A little hidden gem with some great viewpoints of the city.

Right next to the Vittoriano is Palazzo Venezia, previously a palace, now a museum. I didn’t go inside this time unfortunately, I didn’t have a ton of extra time. I had a leisurely long lunch, but if you’re into museums it’s recommended from the things I read. From here, the Via dei Fori Imperiali street leads straight toward the Colosseum, and if you turn the opposite direction, the Via del Corso, it’s one of Rome’s busiest shopping streets.

After visiting the square, you can head to the Pantheon. It’s now a Christian church, the Basilica of St. Mary and the Martyrs. The Pantheon’s name means “All the Gods” and it features the world’s largest unreinforced concrete domes. It’s also the tomb of artist Raphael and one of Ancient Rome’s best preserved buildings. I would definitely go inside as you can’t see the beauty of it from outside. You can take a tour of the building for more details about the building.

Evening: Trevi Fountain & Spanish Steps

In the early evening I headed to the Trevi Fountain which is really close to the Pantheon. You can’t go to Rome without throwing a penny in the fountain, it’s what all the tourists do, myself included. It’s a great place to take photos as well, but a bit crowded. Definitely a staple in Rome, so you have to go.

As the sun was setting I went to the Spanish steps. It’s a 135 step staircase which connects the Piazza di Spagna at the bottom to the Trinita dei Monti church at the top.  Keep in mind that it is a popular place to watch the sunset so there will be a lot of people there. I tried to get away from the crowd a bit and went to Terrazza del Pincio to watch the sunset on the promenade. It was about a 10 minute walk from the Spanish Steps and it was a little less crowded. I got to see a great sunset and a beautiful view of the city. There are a lot of places near the center for great viewpoints to watch the sunset or sunrise, whichever works best for you.

Day 2

Morning: Vatican Museums & St. Peter’s Basilica

I started early again, I love my sleep, but on my vacations I get an early start to see everything I want in the short time I have. The Vatican Museum was the perfect place to start. Even starting early, there were a lot of people wandering through the museum. There are actually 24 galleries in total, but the Sistine Chapel is the most well known and definitely the most popular. You’re not allowed to take pictures in the Chapel, but the ceiling is one of the most beautiful pieces of art I’ve ever seen. I was mesmerized while staring at it. It’s one thing I think you should see at least once in your life. If you read my blog, you know by now I’m not really a museum person, but the Sistine Chapel had me in awe.

After the Vatican Museums you can head to St. Peter’s Basilica. Inside you can see elaborate chapels, monuments, and large, ornate decorations. The dome of St. Peter’s Basilica was designed by Michelango. It’s 133 meters tall and you can climb the stairs to the roof. It’s a total of 551 steps. There is an elevator, but it doesn’t go all the way to the roof. You still have to climb over 200 steps to get to the top. It’s a hard climb, but the dome is worth the hype. You are also rewarded with amazing views of Rome.

Don’t forget to stop in St. Peter’s square before you go. It’s a nice place to hang out and really take in the fact that you just walked through the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican. Amazing. Next, time to grab some lunch since you got up early to go to the museum.

Afternoon: Aventine Hill & Circus Maximus

After checking out the Vatican Museums and grabbing some lunch, you are ready to get on with the day. 

Instead of a long walk after a big morning, you could opt for a quick taxi from the Vatican to Aventine Hill. It’s worth saving your energy if you have a long day ahead. Depending on your plans. First, you could stop at the Giardino degli Aranci, a peaceful orange tree garden with some beautiful views of Rome. Afterwards, you can see the famous Keyhole of the Knights of Malta. The Keyhole is a perfect view of St. Peter’s Dome. It’s one of the secret spots in Rome.

Next, you can walk down until you reach Circus Maximus. It’s a quick walk, only like 10 minutes. The Circus Maximus was an old ancient stadium, which used to hold over 150,000 spectators. Only the outline remains, but it’s still great to be where the chariot racers were once on the ground. It’s a great photo stop and unique to Rome.

Just around the corner is the Bocca della Verità or the Mouth of Truth. It’s a unique stone mask which was made famous in the Audrey Hepburn movie Roman Holiday. The legend that if you stick your hand in the mouth it will bite you, but only if you’re a liar. Interesting legend and this one makes me wonder where this really started and why. Then you can cross the river for your evening plans.

Evening: Trastevere

Across the bridge you’ll find yourself in Trastevere, one of Rome’s most charming neighborhoods. This is a great place to hang out, eat and shop.  The cobblestone streets, ivy covered buildings, string lights, and  piazzas, make picture taking places abundant. Grab dinner, wander with a gelato, or just people watch. It’s the perfect end to a long day of exploring.

Day 3 

After two busy days exploring Rome’s iconic sites — the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Vatican, Aventine Hill, and Trastevere, Day 3 is all about discovering hidden corners, enjoying the views, and experiencing the city like a local. This day keeps you central, while giving you a mix of sightseeing, wandering, and down time.

Morning: Janiculum Hill

 Late Morning / Early Afternoon: Jewish Quarter

Continuing on with your local and off the beat sightseeing day, you could walk through the Jewish Ghetto, one of Rome’s most historic neighborhoods. Wander through the little streets, see the Great Synagogue of Rome, and maybe stop at a bakery for a quick bite and some coffee. You could next go to Tiber Island, a tiny little island in the middle of the river. It has a very unique view of the city and is worth a quick stop.

Afternoon: Campo de Fiori

Next, you could head toward Campo de’ Fiori, one of Rome’s busiest squares. The market is full of  local produce and lots of energy. This would be a great stop for lunch. There are many restaurants and food to choose from. A short walk away is Piazza Farnese, home to the stunning Palazzo Farnese. This quieter square is ideal for relaxing and enjoying the architecture. The buildings are beautiful. Take some time to wander the surrounding streets, they’re full of charm and photo opportunities everywhere.

Evening:

Keep it open. Do whatever you feel like. It’s your last night in Rome. Relax, enjoy your last Italian meal. Reflect on your trip, journal, or just chat with the locals.

Looking for a place to stay? Check out below for some recommendations.

Tips From My Trip

• Book major sites early, especially the Vatican and Colosseum.
• Walk whenever you can,  Rome’s magic is in the in-between moments.
• Try some new pasta dishes while you’re there.
• Eat gelato every day (like I did). I figure you walk it off anyway.
• Stay central: Monti, Trastevere, or near Campo de’ Fiori are all great bases.
• Rome is a great solo destination. Lots of things to do and see, friendly locals, and amazing food.

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