Rome is one of the most charming cities in the world. It is incredible how it combines history, art and gastronomy. In addition, being a small city you can always get around it very easily, either using transport or walking.
Today, Rome in 4 days.
Day 1 in Rome
We can start our route in Rome in the oldest part. I think that spring and fall They are two good seasons to visit this city, since the climate is more pleasant to be and stay outside for a long time. I went in October and it was still hot so we had some great days for walking.
On the first day of our route Rome in 4 days, we can get up and spend the morning visiting the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. It will be a good window into ancient Rome and both places are very close so you jump from one to the other, you put the order. In my case, I first visited the Colosseum and then walked to the Forum.
when i was the underground tour I think it wasn't available, but today it was so you can take advantage of it. With that extra tour the experience is much better. Note that the same ticket is valid for the Forum, the Colosseum and the Palatine Hill. How much time can you dedicate to it? One or two hours in the Colosseum and the same in the Forum. And yes, there are guided tours in both places.
Once you have explored this ancient area you can stop for lunch. Sounds like a quiet morning to you? Better, if you want to enjoy Rome you have to go slowly. Sites like the Colosseum and the Vatican on the same day can be a bit much.
After lunch it already depends a bit on you. Do you like to nap? Then it's time to head back to your accommodation for a while. Afterwards, you can go to Piazza Venezia, Capitoline Hill and Monti.
The Colosseum and the Roman Forum are next to the Piazza Venezia so don't move around much if you decide not to nap. In the square itself there is a huge white monument that is one of the most famous places in Rome, the Victorian. It was built after the unification of Italy and is the monument to the first king, Vittorio Emanuele. Its terraces are super panoramic, but it also houses museums.
It's free to go up to the second floor and the views are great. You can also go down and up the next hill, which is the Capitoline Hill, designed by Michelangelo. The hill houses the famous Capitoline Museums, but if you like them a lot, you should go back exclusively to meet them because they can easily occupy you all morning.
To continue walking you can get lost in the cobbled streets of the Monti district, and with the sunset you can walk around the surroundings of the Trevi Fountain. You will see it on and there are always a little less tourists. Would you like to watch the sunset over Rome with a drink? You can go up to the La Rinascente commercial store, on Via del Tritone, to its terrace.
Day 2 in Rome
During the second day in Rome you can dedicate yourself to tour the city center, in the area of Piazza Navona and the Pantheon. Walking, stopping to drink a coffee or have an ice cream is what you have to do in this sort of open-air museum. There are restaurants, cafes, shops, statues and fountains everywhere.
The pantheon It's a wonderful thing, a old roman temple converted into a catholic church. You can go see it in the morning and also in the afternoon, when the lighting changes. Inside, some noble Italians sleep their eternal sleep and also the brilliant Rafael.
Nearby is the Piazza della Minerva, with the statue of Bernini and the Church of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, the Piazza di Pietra, with the columns of the Temple of Hadrian, or the San Luigi dei Francesi Church, with the most beautiful frescoes by Caravagio, in the chapel.
After lunch you cannot miss visiting the Piazza Navona, one of the most photographed in Rome. In the time of Ancient Rome it was the site of the circus of the floats, so it maintains a certain original shape and its foundations can still be seen. The powerful Pamphili family also lived here, the birthplace of many Popes, and also responsible for the general embellishment of the square with the Fountain of the Four Rivers, by Bernini, or the Church of Saint Agnese in Agony.
If you come to the square for lunch, take advantage of the number of cafes and restaurants that are around here. Then you can know the Field of 'Fiori, at the other end of the street from Piazza Navona. It is a lovely medieval square with a lot of life It has a rather expensive and well-touristed market, but there are many pizzerias and cafes.
and from here you can walk to the Trastevere neighborhood. This area is on the other side of the river from Campo de' Fiori and it is great to go out to eat because its offer is good and numerous.
Day 3 in Rome
The day of the Religious rome. In my case, I am not a fan nor do I have a list of places to see, so I just walked to the square and stayed there for a while. But in the Vatican you can visit the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel.
The truth is that museums are a treasure, but they will take you a couple of hours of immersion. If art is your thing, welcome! It is advisable to buy tickets in advance, although you can buy them directly at the box office and a little cheaper. Yes, you can take a guided tour. The one offered by LivTour is semi-private and lets you in a little earlier than the official time. Another possible tour is to do it in the afternoon. Both are expensive options.
In the same area as the Vatican you can meet Borgo, between the Vatican and the river, a small neighborhood with many restaurants with outdoor tables. Rione Ponte, on the other side of the river, right in front of Castel Sant'Angelo, also very picturesque.
And obviously, the St. Peter's Square built by the architect and artist Bernini. Walking around here is free, as is entering the basilica, but there are always queues of people. The best time is early in the morning or a little after it opens to avoid the accumulation of people. Can climb the dome of the basilica but for that you have to get closer to get the ticket. Going up is not a small feat but the view is worth it.
Day 4 in Rome
In the morning of our fourth day in Rome we can dedicate ourselves to art and gardens. We can start with the Borghese Gallery, one of the most famous art museums in the world and its collection includes statues and works by Raffaello, Caravaggio, Bernini and many more.
It is in the Borghese Gardens, a really beautiful park in Rome, and you can rest on the pincio terrace, with free access, with wonderful views of the Italian capital. From here a short walk to the left takes you straight to the Piazza Spgana, a masterpiece of baroque style: a wide and large staircase with a famous fountain, that of the boat, made by Bernini father and son.
A popular fashion show used to be held here a few years ago, do you remember? Well, that once in this site is in the heart of the city itself and you will see many commercial stores. It is not a quiet place, there are always a lot of people, but it is very beautiful.
The last day in Rome has to end well so you can do several things. Can pay a taxi or a tram to go around Testaccio or the Aventine Hill, For example. This is one of the seven hills of Rome, it has a panoramic terrace very pretty with its Garden of Oranges, and it can be a beautiful farewell to Rome. From here Testaccio is not far.
Another option is to pay a golf cart ride. Queer? The truth is that golf carts are great because of their size you can get into the narrow streets and squares of Rome. And one last option is visit the Catacombs of Rome.
those of Saint Callixtus They have 15 hectares and the tour lasts half an hour, with a guide. there are also the Catacombs of San Sebastian, Domitilla, Priscilla and Capuchin crypt to see. For the latter you always have to book. Finally, we cannot stop mentioning Ostia Antica, the Caracalla Baths (I really liked them and the visit is outdoors and does not last more than an hour), or visit the Jewish ghetto.
So far our article Rome in 4 days. I hope you have written down the most useful information, but before I say goodbye, I will leave you with a couple more pieces of information that, as a tourist, will be very useful when visiting the Italian capital.
Practical information for visiting Rome:
- You can buy the Rome Tourist Card (Rome City Pass), a 100% digital pass.
- Wave OmniaCard (Rome & Vatican). It is even more complete than the first. It is valid for three consecutive days.