Once upon a time, between 2023 and 2024, several solo female travel creators came on TikTok to share their travel experiences while visiting Rome. And it wasn’t pleasant! Even though the city had been on my list for more than a year, I finally took a birthday solo trip to spend three days in Rome. Frankly, I enjoyed myself and will be sharing my itinerary on how to explore Rome in three days.
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I was in the city for four days, but my fourth day was spent in the Vatican City. So this post is a travel guide and itinerary for a three-day solo trip to Rome. Every research I did felt packed and overwhelming, but as usual, I planned my itinerary to suit a beginner. If you are on a solo trip to Rome, make sure you go along with your travel safety gadgets.
The city is highly touristic, and there are rules that you must respect when visiting religious places. I had the best lasagna in front of Piazza Navona and found the staff to be warm. You don’t have to worry about a language barrier because the locals can speak English, too.
Related post: Day Trip Guide and Itinerary to Vatican City
This guide is also a beginner-friendly itinerary, whether you’re traveling solo or visiting Italy for the first time. I will break down the attractions you should visit for each day, where to stay and eat, and how to make the most of your trip.
CONTENTS:
- Best time to visit Rome
- How to get to the city
- Where to stay in Rome
- Where to eat in Rome
- How to get around the city
- Full itinerary for three days in Rome
- Rome Travel Tips
- Other things to do
- FAQs about visiting Rome
This post will be long, but I will do my best to summarize it as concisely as possible.
Best Time To Visit Rome
I was on a solo trip to Rome in the first week of July, and I would say the city wasn’t crowded at this time. Of course, there were tourists in the city, but it wasn’t overcrowded.
The weather was sunny but bearable, and public buses were not crowded at this time. But if you prefer to avoid the crowds and heat, the best time to spend three days in Rome for your trip is from the end of May to mid-July, and from early September to mid-October.
How to Get to Rome
Typically, tourists coming in from other parts of Europe can drive into Rome or take a train ride to Roma Termini. I took a night train with Italy’s Trenitalia from Marseille St. Charles station in France to Roma Termini, Italy.
It was a 16-hour ride from Marseille, through the French Riviera, and to Rome. There were bunk beds in the train, pillows, blankets, a toiletry pouch, and water was provided for passengers. For food, the restaurant provided dinner and breakfast (not free) for guests. Overall, my train experience was good.
If you are coming from outside Europe or if you prefer not to take an overnight train, you can take a flight to Rome. Make sure to land at Rome Fiumicino Airport (Leonardo da Vinci Airport) – not at Ciampino Airport.
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Where to Stay
The key to having an easy stay in Rome is to stay within the city and not too far from the attractions. Areas like Monti, Trevi, and 10 minutes from Roma Termini are great places to book an accommodation in Rome.
I stayed at Hotel Des Artistes, which was a 10-minute walk from Roma Termini and barely 3 minutes away from bus stops. The location was perfect, and a supermarket was just a 4-minute walk from the hotel. It had a breakfast room, a free bag storage, and a rooftop terrace.
The hotel was pristine, the staff was kind, and the rooms were cleaned every day. I stayed here for three days in Rome, and I’ll give them a 5/5 star review.
Where to Eat
I am not one of those travelers who are particular about hot food spots – I eat wherever I want. And another rule of mine is to avoid restaurants near the attractions, because they’re overpriced.
I had a delicious plate of Bolognese lasagna at Ristorante Domiziano, just in front of the Piazza Navona fountain. Don’t blame me – I was very hungry. My meal, with a glass of Coke, cost €18. Their staff was kind and amused me while I was there.
My plate of fettuccine bolognese pasta at Pasta e Vino restaurant (behind the Pantheon) was delicious too. It cost me about €18 for a plate and a cocktail.
Florian’s Restaurant, close to my hotel, was another great choice for pizza and a plate of Bucatini all’amatriciana pasta. I find the dish to be salty because of the bacon, but I enjoyed my tiramisu dessert.
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How to Get Around Rome
Walking and public transportation are the best ways to get around Rome. Since the attractions are clustered in areas and are about 5 minutes away from each other, you can take a bus to the area and walk to each one.
Buses were the easiest way for me to get around in Rome. I used Google Maps to find directions on which bus lines to take and at what bus stop to wait. There were several bus stops near my hotel, and it was easy for me to navigate the buses.
So, I recommend using Google Maps to check the correct bus lines, and you can explore the town on foot.
Full Itinerary for Three Days in Rome
A good thing about the city is that its attractions are clustered together, making it easy to navigate through each one. For my trip, I took a bus to an area and explored the attractions on foot. This way, it was easy for me to tour the city on foot and take in the sights as well.
For this Rome travel itinerary, I have arranged these attractions into clusters and explained how I toured them.
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DAY ONE
Piazza & Palazzo del Quirinale
Not far from the Roma Termini station is the Quirinale Palace and Square. The square is a large space with a fountain and its Obelisk, as well as the palace facing it. The palace is the president’s official residence, and it is not accessible to the public. At the time of my visit, the square was empty and not a popular tourist attraction.
Basilica Santa Maria di Maggiore
This church is one of the Papal churches in Rome and is the burial site of Pope Francis, who died in April 2025. The church is enormous, with a small Sistine Chapel and prayer rooms.
Entrance into the church is free, but you will be checked by security at the entrance. Also, make sure to pack a scarf and cover your shoulders.
Arco di Gallieno
The Arch of Gallienus is an ancient Roman arch that is nestled up against a church. This site is not popular among tourists, but it is a good spot to take a photo.
Piazza di Spagna
This area covers the Spanish Steps and the surrounding areas. I read that sitting on the stairs is illegal, but I saw people sitting on them.
Just before the steps is the small fountain, and just around the square is the tall Column of Immaculate Conception. If you choose to take the stairs to the top, it will give you a workout for your thighs, so be prepared.
But at the top of the stairs, you will find the small Trinità dei Monti church. Also, the square is always crowded, so plan to visit before 8 am.
Borghese Gallery
When I visited the gallery, it was closed to the public due to renovations, but you can enjoy the park. The gallery is an art museum featuring Italian artifacts, and admission to the gallery costs €20.
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DAY TWO
Trevi Fountain
For your second day during your three days in Rome, you should not skip the Trevi Fountain. The best time to see the Trevi Fountain is in the morning, before 8 am. The fountain is crowded after 8 am, and the colorful lights at night may not provide a clear view of the fountain.
Please note that the fountain is cleaned for coins every Monday, but drained once a month for cleaning. This is a free attraction, but you can pay €4 for an underground tour.
Chiesa di Sant’Ignazio di Loyola
The Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola is a beautiful Catholic church with bold painted ceilings, a dome (the illusion), and a mirror that gives a reflection of the ceilings. Entrance into the church is free, but loud conversations are prohibited inside the church.
![Mirror_cieling_illusion_at_Sant'Ignazio[1]](https://beyondhernotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Mirror_cieling_illusion_at_SantIgnazio1.jpg)
Pantheon
Less than 5 minutes from St. Ignatius Church is the Pantheon. It is a Catholic church and the burial place of Raphael (the painter) and the former king Victor Emmanuel II. The dome is beautiful, and you will find a large replica of the broken thorns in the center (and a small one inside the church).
Entrance to the Pantheon costs €5, and you can get a ticket at the church.
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Basilica of Saint Mary of Minerva
Just behind the Pantheon is the small Basilica of Santa Maria Minerva and the Elephant & Obelisk church. The church is small, and there wasn’t much to see inside, but its ceilings are beautiful. It’s not a major tourist attraction, but I recommend visiting the church at any time.
Piazza Navona
A few minutes walk from the Pantheon is Piazza Navona. The square has two fountains: the fountain of the four rivers (with four statues) and the fountain of Moro. I visited in the afternoon, and there was no crowd at the fountain.
Sant’Agnese in Agone Church
Just in front of the fountain is St. Agnese in Agone. It’s a beautiful church built in memory of Saint Agnes, where she was martyred. The church is not crowded because tourists tend to skip this place, and entrance into the church is free.
Quick tip: You can take a 20-minute walk from Piazza Navona to St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City.
DAY THREE
Monument of Vittorio Emanuele II
Depending on your location, take a bus or taxi to the Plebiscito or a train to Colosseo. The bus will stop just behind the monument, but the train will stop in front of the Colosseum. Since I took a bus, I stopped just behind the monument and walked right to the front.
The monument is dedicated to Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of Rome. Forget what you see in the picture, but this monument is huge. The stairs leading to the top entrance alone will give you a workout that 100 squats won’t make you feel.
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When you finally get inside, you will explore the artifacts, paintings, and sculptures from top to bottom. This way, tourists can get an aerial view of the city and then find their way to the exit at the bottom. Visiting the monument is free.
Ceaser’s or the Roman Forum and its ruins
Just behind the Victor Emmanuel’s Monument, toward Via del Fiori Imperiali, is the Roman Forum. Forget about finding the entrance to the ruins and get the free view from the street.
If you follow a painted street just behind the Monument, it will lead you through a church and to a back street where you can see the ruins and the Palatine Hill in full view for free.
Personally, I think the street view will give you a representation of what the ruins looked like, rather than being inside the ruins. If you choose to go inside, please note that this is a paid attraction.
Don’t forget the Palatine Hill. It is one of the oldest parts of Rome and will give you a full view of the city. To get access to the Palatine Hill, you need to pay to see the ruins. You can also see it from the streets.
Colosseum
When you are done getting a free view of the Roman Ruins, continue along Via del Fiori Imperiali towards the Colosseum. You will see it right ahead of you.
The area is crowded with tourists, and you will be lucky to find a photo spot. Just beside the Colosseum is the Arc of Constantine. Access to the Colosseum is paid, but I got too tired to explore the entire place. If you have the time, you can explore the Domus Aurea later.
These three attractions will consume most of your day because they have a lot of ground to cover. So, grab a bottle of water, put on your flat shoes, and don’t forget your sunscreen.
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Rome Travel Tips
- Pack a scarf for your trip. Ensure that your shoulders are covered and your dress reaches your knees while visiting the cathedrals.
- Eat at a local restaurant. Forget the social media rave and eat at an authentic local restaurant. Sometimes, the hype is not worth the taste.
- For the Colosseum, book your tickets in advance to avoid the long queues.
- Visit the Trevi Fountain early in the morning, before 8 am. I visited in July, and by 8:00 am, the area was filling in with tourists. After 8:00 am or 8:30 am, the Trevi Fountain will be crowded, and you will not be able to take any photos. For the Pantheon, make sure to be there before 10:00 am.
- If you’re traveling on a budget, you can take a bus to the Rome Fiumicino airport for €10. You will find these buses behind the Roma Termini station, and the ride takes about 45 minutes to Terminal 1.
- You can see the Roman Ruins without paying to do so. Follow the street behind the Vittorio Emmanuele II monument, and it will lead you to a view of the ruins. Frankly, it is the best way to see the ruins from an aerial point.
- Phone calls and loud conversations are highly prohibited inside the Cathedrals. So, avoid picking up your calls inside the churches, or you will be warned by security.
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Other Things and Activities to Do For Three Days in Rome
Apart from exploring attractions in the city, other activities you can do while in Rome are:
- Shop at Via del Corso. It’s a shopping area with mid-sized brands to luxury stores. The 2-floor H&M and Zara stores are a must-visit.
- Get a charm bracelet or an Italian souvenir from a souvenir store.
- Stroll around Roma Termini and do some shopping inside the train station.
- Get a custom-made bracelet at Paolina Roma. Their store is about 5 minutes away from the Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore. I found them on TikTok, and they can make a custom charm bracelet or necklace for you in minutes.
FAQs About Visiting Rome
Yes, you can. But a trip to Vatican City will take a day, so if you plan to spend three days in Rome, add an extra day to visit Vatican City.
It depends on your travel style, but if you plan to use public transportation and eat at local restaurants, you can budget up to €50 and €70 per day. Since I was visiting solo, I spent less than €50 per day, including tickets. Bear in mind that some attractions are free.
Yes, it is! I spent 3 days in the city, and it was safe to walk around, even in the evening. However, if you are traveling alone, avoid walking around late at night.
Some attractions are free, while some require a fee. For the paid attractions, you can purchase a ticket at the entrance or online. But it is not compulsory to make reservations in advance.
Three days is enough to see the city, but staying up to 5 days is not a bad idea. If you are slow traveling or planning a day trip to Vatican City, five days is enough.
My Final Thoughts:
Personally, I would say that Rome beat the allegations against it, especially for black solo travellers like me. I enjoyed my time in the city and even took a day trip to Vatican City on my fourth day. The city may seem intimidating at first, but it all becomes easier as your trip progresses.
The churches and cathedrals were magnificent, there was food everywhere, and the attractions were easy to navigate.
Even though it was a solo trip, I had memories of every activity I did in the city. So, I hope this three-day travel itinerary for Rome has given you all the necessary information you need for your trip.
You can spend three to five days in the city, but I believe that three days in Rome is the perfect amount of time to explore the city. I have a gallery of all the pictures I took while I was in Rome, Italy. If you are planning a trip to the South of France, do well to check out my travel guide to the French Riviera. And since you are in the city, you should also read my curated itinerary for a one-day trip to Vatican City.
What other city have you visited in Italy?
