Visit the city of Rome in three days is very scarce, and we will have to go a thousand an hour from one place to another if we want to cover those places of interest that must be seen yes or yes. You may have a special predilection for something, but the truth is that there is so much to see in the city that we would not get a week.
Summarizing a lot the places to see and hoping that there are no long lines in which we waste time, there are quite a few places that we must put on our list. The vast majority of things are in the old town and close by, which is a bonus, so the first two days can be spent in the center of Rome. The last one has to go to the Vatican, where there is also much to see.
Day One, the essentials
You do not want to miss any detail in the city of Rome, but the truth is that there are some essentials. The Colosseum, symbol of Rome, can be a first stop. There are almost always lines for tickets, although guided tours can be arranged to see the Colosseum in detail, although these are more expensive. Near the Colosseum there are several interesting visits. On the one hand, there is the palatine, the hill that is considered the cradle of the city. On this hill there are several places to see such as the House of Livia, the House of Augustus with ancient frescoes, the Domus Flavia, the Farnese Gardens, which are the first botanical gardens in Europe, and the Palatine Museum. Following the route near the Colosseum we can also go to the Arch of Constantine and then to the Roman Forum, place of the old public life in the city and of which today there are only remains that allow us to imagine how fascinating this important area would be.
A little further away is the Pantheon of Agrippa, but it is another of the essentials. This building is the best preserved of ancient Rome, a circular building that surprises even more from the inside. It must be remembered that this is where the painter Rafael is buried. A short distance away it is possible to see the Navona Square, of the most important squares in the city. In it you have to see its famous three fountains one by one, among which the 'Fountain of the four rivers' by Bernini stands out. It also has the Fuente del Moro and the Fuente de Neptuno, both by Giacomo della Porta. We cannot leave the first day without going to the Trevi Fountain, some distance from Piazza Navona, located in Piazza di Trevi. It is a beautiful fountain, but we must also visit it because of that legend that says that if you throw a coin into the fountain you will return to Rome.
Day two, we are still in Rome
On day two we can continue to know more about Rome. The catacombs are getting more and more famous and there are several tours to visit. Those of San Sebastián, San Calixto or Domitila among others. Places where pagans and the first Christians were buried today have become a unique experience in which to discover underground Rome. If we like green places, a must see Villa Borghese, one of the most beautiful and largest urban parks in all of Europe. In the city we must also go through the famous Mouth of Truth, in which they say that if you put your hand in and lie it will catch you. Other points of interest will be the Trajan's Market, considered the first indoor shopping center in the world, and the Termas de Caracalla, an old thermal center in the city.
Day three, the Vatican
El Vatican is the smallest country in Europe and since it is not next to the historic center it is better to leave the trip for a specific day. In this city-state we can see the famous St. Peter's Square, built by Bernini, in which the St. Peter's Basilica is located. You can see this basilica from the inside, where the statue of La Pieta of Michelangelo. Going up to the dome you can enjoy spectacular views of the square.
The visit continues through the Vatican MuseumsAlthough if our time is limited, it is better to look only for what we want to see and leave the rest for another longer visit, because it would take us several days to see them in full. There is so much to see and they are a great attraction. From the Gallery of cartographic maps to the Gallery of Candelabra, the Pavilion of the Floats, the Gallery of Tapestries, the Picture Gallery, the Egyptian Museum or the Etruscan Museum among others. In short, it is impossible to see them all, so we will have to choose.
We cannot leave Rome without paying a visit to the Sistine Chapel with the great work of Michelangelo on the ceiling of the chapel. The frescoes with the Last Judgment and the Creation of Adam are a must-see.