How to spend 4 days in Rome, Italy | Itinerary + Guide

This is my first blog and I decided to write because I am passionate about both traveling and penning down my travel experience. So our first ever Europe trip was to Italy and where better to start the journey than the eternal city of Rome or Roma.

From the Colosseum and Pantheon to devouring so much of Italian food in small trattorias, I could write forever. But for now let’s see how we can fit so much of awesomeness into 4 days.

Our BnB – Chic and Town Luxury Rooms was situated in the Spagna area so the below itinerary is in accordance.

 Day 1

The Spanish Steps

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Our first stop – Piazza Spagna and the famous Spanish Steps (was a 5 mins walk from our BnB) that is forever packed with tourist. We went there quite early and got to take some good pictures with not so many people in the background.

Piazza del Popolo

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The Piazza is vast with an ancient Egyptian obelisk right in the center and 2 huge fountains at the either ends of the elliptical piazza (one dedicated to Neptune and the other to the Goddess of Rome).

This was the northern gate into Rome in the older days and you will find a 2000 year old city gate still standing sentinel watching over the city of Rome.

Terrazza del Pincio & Villa Borghese

From the side of the Fontana della Dea di Roma, we took the steps up to the Terrazza del Pincio.

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Trust me, this is one of the best unobstructed views of Rome and Vatican. Red orange roofs stretching for miles in front of you embedded with huge domes of the cathedrals and churches that are scattered all over this beautiful city.

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Visit the Temple of Aesculapius and rent a boat to peddle away in the small lake surrounded by quiet gardens and the birds flocking around. Walk around the Villa Borghese and visit the Borghese museum. Pack a picnic and spend the afternoon in the shade of the fine mature trees of the garden.

Trevi fountain

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This is one of the most iconic places in the whole of Rome. See this place during the day and also lit up post sunset. Pick up a Gelato from the many Gelatarias around the fountain and sit and enjoy the touristy hustle. (Try Gelateria Valentino in the next lane). Throw a coin backwards in the fountain.

P.S. – Be careful of pick pockets as this area is always super packed with people.

Pantheon

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It’s free to enter and you feel like you have entered some strange world where everything is so amplified and majestic. Watch artist perform around the piazza or sit on the steps of the fountain.

Piazza Navona

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Check out the famous Fountain of the 4 Rivers. We spent our evening at Tre Scalini one of the restaurants lining the Piazza sipping on some Aperol Spritz and wine, just relaxing and absorbing all the beauty around us.

We walked back to our hotel and on the way stopped by Pantheon and Trevi Fountain once again and picked up some more gelato (When in Rome, one can never have enough Gelato)

Day 2

Piazza Venezia

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Make a stop at the Piazza Venezia for a quick tour of the Alter of the Fatherland. Go up to the terrace and check out the Marble columns that support this huge monument

Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill

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The gory history of the Colosseum along with the magnanimity of the architecture is what makes the place so awe inspiring.

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Trek up the Palatine hill and look at the Circus Maximus and the Roman Forum. Walk down into the Forum and check out the oldest door in Rome. Stroll along the cobbled paths and gaze at the ruins of the Roman Forum.
Spend your evening around the Monti neighborhood. Try some wood-oven pizzas and handmade pastas at Ristorante Luzzi or try the Gelato at Fatamorghana Di Monti.
Walk past the Colosseum after sunset. It’s a sight to behold with the lit up façade that has stood unperturbed for so many ages.

Day 3

Campo Di Fiori

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This place sells fresh fruits and vegetables and meats and is away from the touristy buzz. We bought some fresh strawberries and small juicy oranges that did not share and some Pasta to take home and some spices for cooking.

Pick up some pizza by weight from Forno Campo de’Fiori, the pizza here sells out really fast so make sure to not be very late

Visit the Vatican

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After a quick lunch we took a bus to the Vatican City. The Vatican is a wonder on its own, it’s a country right in middle of a city and has its own set of rules. So no baring of shoulders or knees when you are in Vatican.

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Start with the Vatican Museums from the Belvedere courtyard — Head to the Sistine Chapel — Climb up the Dome of the St. Peter’s Basilica — Enter the St. Peter’s Cathedral — and finally wander around the St. Peter’s Square.

P.S – To enter Vatican City without a huge waiting time, purchase your tickets online and skip the line

Castel Sant’Angelo

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Cross the road that connects the Square to the St. Angelo’s castle on the banks of the river. Take the iconic photo with the 10 angels that adorn the bridge.

Day 4

Testaccio and Trastavere

The whole day was dedicated to the food-o-holic in both of us. These regions towards the south of the main touristy Rome are the most colorful and delicious neighborhoods.
We visited the Testaccio market to try some pizzas in cones at Trappizzino followed by the Ricotta filled fresh Cannoli at one the stalls in the Mercato Testaccio. Still cant get the taste off my mind.

After all that food in us, we headed towards the gorgeous village of Trastavere. The best way into Trastavere is across the Tiber using the Ponte Sisto. Visit the Trastavere Piazza and the Santa Maria di Trastavere.

Walk around the lanes with bougainvillea and ivy covered houses. Go for a trek up to the Terazza del Gionocolo. Finally with so much walking around, go in for an apertivo buffet at one of the many bars in Trastavere.

Read the detailed post about Trastevere in this link.

 

There you go… 4 days packed with visiting new places, trying some amazing Italian food, meeting new people, clicking loads and loads of Instagram worthy pictures and taking back home a lifetime of memories.

Hope this helps you guys plan your itinerary in Rome. Feel free to share your experiences if you or your friends found this helpful. Ciao!!!

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