Rome 3-Day Colosseum & Vatican Itinerary

Rome · 3 days · 15 places

1. Colosseum (Colosseo)
The Colosseum is an elliptical amphitheatre in the centre of the city of Rome, Italy, just east of the Roman Forum. Wikipedia
Best time: At opening (timed) · Admission: Paid · timed booking practically required — One ticket covers the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill / Tickets sell out — book on the official site as soon as you can
2. Palatine Hill (Colle Palatino)
The Palatine Hill, which is the centremost of the seven hills of Rome, is one of the most ancient parts of the city; it has been called "the first nucleus of the Roman Empire". Wikipedia
Best time: Morning · Admission: Colosseum combined ticket — Overlooks the Forum and Circus Maximus / Little shade — bring water (there are drinking fountains)
3. Roman Forum (Foro Romano) Wikipedia
Best time: Morning or late afternoon · Admission: Colosseum combined ticket — Without context it's a field of stones — get an audio guide or map / See it free from behind the Capitoline Hill
4. Monument to Victor Emmanuel II (Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele II)
Best time: Sunset · Admission: Free (rooftop lift paid) — The rooftop terrace has a 360° view of Rome / The giant white monument on Piazza Venezia
5. Mouth of Truth (Bocca della Verità) Wikipedia
Best time: Early morning · Admission: Small donation — Made famous by 'Roman Holiday' — there's a line for the hand-in-mouth photo / Just a few minutes

1. Vatican Museums (Musei Vaticani)
The Vatican Museums (Italian: Musei Vaticani; Latin: Musea Vaticana) are the public museums of the Vatican City. Wikipedia
Best time: At opening (timed) · Admission: Paid · timed booking practically required — Usually closed Sundays (except the free, very crowded last Sunday) / No photos in the Sistine Chapel; cover shoulders and knees
2. Saint Peter’s Basilica (Basilica di San Pietro) Wikipedia
Best time: Early morning (around 7 am) · Admission: Basilica free · dome climb paid — Long security lines — go early / Shoulders and knees must be covered
3. Saint Peter's Square (Piazza San Pietro) Wikipedia
Best time: Sunday noon (Angelus) or evening · Admission: Free — When in Rome, the Pope leads the Angelus from a window on Sundays at noon / Wednesday general audiences need free tickets
4. Castel Sant'Angelo
Castel Sant'Angelo, also known as Mausoleum of Hadrian (Italian: Mausoleo di Adriano), is a towering rotunda (cylindrical building) in Parco Adriano, Rome, Italy. Wikipedia
Best time: Sunset · Admission: Paid — The rooftop terrace faces St. Peter's head-on / Approach over the angel-lined Ponte Sant'Angelo

1. Campo de' Fiori
Campo de' Fiori (Italian:, lit. Wikipedia
Best time: Morning (market) or evening · Admission: Free — Open-air market by day, busy bars at night / The market usually doesn't run on Sundays
2. Piazza Navona
Piazza Navona (pronounced) is a public open space in Rome, Italy. Wikipedia
Best time: Evening · Admission: Free — Home to Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers / Restaurants on the square are touristy — side streets are cheaper
3. Pantheon
Best time: At opening · Admission: Paid (small fee) · bookable — Light pours through the oculus — and rain falls straight in / Long lines at weekends
4. Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi) Wikipedia
Best time: Early morning or late night · Admission: Free — Toss a coin over your left shoulder with your right hand to return to Rome / Packed by day — watch for pickpockets
5. Spanish Steps (Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti) Wikipedia
Best time: Early morning · Admission: Free — Sitting or eating on the steps is banned (fines) / Views from Trinità dei Monti at the top
6. Piazza del Popolo
Piazza del Popolo is a large urban square in Rome. Wikipedia
Best time: Sunset · Admission: Free — The Pincio terrace above is a sunset spot / Santa Maria del Popolo holds Caravaggio paintings

These courses are compiled from public sources. Hours, prices, and closing days can change — check official info before you go.