Eternal Rome is my favorite European city after Paris. I’m ready to come back here again and again, discovering new places each time. And while some may be bothered by the worn-out buildings, I feel they actually add more character to the city.
In the group, people often ask what to see in Rome. My answer would be: EVERYTHING.
But for beginners (those visiting the city for the first time), I’ve decided to highlight the most famous and interesting sights that should be visited first. I came up with a 3-day itinerary for an introduction to the city, excluding the Vatican.
Day 1. Of course, it’s dedicated primarily to the wonder of the world that people travel halfway across the globe to see.
ITINERARY, DAY 1
- Colosseum
- Roman Forum
- Palatine Hill
- Capitoline Hill
- Trajan’s Forum
Visiting the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill usually takes almost an entire day.
However, we still had enough time before sunset to walk around Capitoline Hill, including the Capitoline Square and the monumental Vittoriano. We also strolled past Trajan’s Forum.
Day 2. Here’s a ready-made itinerary, tested on foot by yours truly.
ITINERARY, DAY 2
- Piazza del Popolo
- Spanish Steps
- Trevi Fountain
- Pantheon
- Piazza Navona
- Castel Sant’Angelo
- Tiber River Embankment and Bridges
- Trastevere
- Garibaldi Square
And if you still have the energy and aren’t overwhelmed by all the impressions, I highly recommend the Trastevere neighborhood. It’s here that I felt the true essence of Italy the most. With numerous cafés, cozy squares, and narrow streets, this area is a gem. And when you reach Garibaldi Square, passing by the grand dell’Acqua Paola fountain, you’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking view of all of Rome.
Day 3. I dedicate this day to lesser-known, but equally fascinating spots scattered across Rome. There are several options here.
ITINERARY, DAY 3
- Piazza della Repubblica
- Diocletian Baths or Caracalla Baths
- Borghese Park
You can travel to the Appian Way, or in the other direction to Piazza della Repubblica, admire the central fountain there, and visit the Diocletian Baths. Alternatively, you could see the massive Caracalla Baths, which were incredibly impressive to me.
But most of all, I would recommend strolling through Villa Borghese and its park, and catching the sunset with a view of the Vatican while enjoying the live music of street performers.
I’ve only scratched the surface of what Rome has to offer. There are countless more parks, museums, fountains, and interesting churches to explore.
P.S. I deliberately left out the Vatican. That’s a story of its own. After all, it’s a different country.
Photos: www.larairis.com
