4 Days in Rome- The Ultimate Itinerary for Your Adventure in Rome.
Updated: Apr 27
Discover the magic of Rome in just 4 days. From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, follow along as we explore the ancient city's rich history, vibrant culture, and irresistible charm. Get ready for a whirlwind adventure through the heart of Italy's capital, where every street tells a story and every corner reveals a new treasure.
In this post, I'll provide the itinerary I used during my 4 days in Rome! Get ready for a journey through the ancient streets, iconic landmarks, and mouthwatering cuisine that make Rome one of my favorite destinations.
Tips:
Purchase tickets for tours in advance. The earlier the better.
Prior to purchasing flights, make sure your passport is up to date and it won't expire within 6 months of your travel dates. If it is set to expire, you will need to renew your passport.
Sign up for the Smart Travel Enrollment Program (STEP). Allows U.S. citizens and nationals to share information about their trip with the closest U.S. Embassy. STEP will help the U.S. Embassy contact you in a natural disaster, civil unrest, or family emergency.
Avoid wearing flashy jewelry or expensive clothing to help avoid theft.
Purchase European electrical outlet adapters. The European countries do not use the same electrical outlets that we use in the U.S.
Make copies of your passport and keep your passport on you at all times.
Tips for Rome from our Food Tour Guide:
Avoid all the restaurants near the Colosseum. They are very touristy and not good.
When looking for authentic Gelato, the Gelato should be stored in a container and not out with large waves and humps in it (if you see it you will recognize it). He said that if the gelato has those characteristics then it means that it is full of preservatives.
When you go out to dinner in Rome, don’t expect your waiter to come to your table immediately or come back to check on you multiple times. This is part of Italian culture. They don’t want you t feel rushed or bothered, but if you request service they are on it.
When to Visit:
May is one of the best times to visit Rome, with great weather and right before the summer tourist season begins.
June- August is peak season so expect long lines and high hotel prices. Also, keep in mind that many Roman shops close down in August for their Holiday (vacation season for locals).
Other busy times for travel include Christmas (December) and Easter (March/April).
How to Get There:
There are many ways to get to Rome. If you are already in Europe visiting another country, consider traveling by train to Rome. When I traveled to Rome, I was already in Paris so I opted for a quick plane ride.
Where to Stay:
There are many accommodations available in Rome. We stayed in a budget-friendly hotel called Hotel Duca D’Alba. The hotel is average but we were drawn to this hotel not for the style, but for the location and price. The hotel is surrounded by a lot of restaurants, and shops and it is within walking distance to the Colosseum.
Transportation:
While we were in Rome we paid for tickets to use the BigBus Hop on/Hop Off for 48 hours. If you have never heard of the BigBus Tour, it’s a massive bus that provides a narrative tour while taking you to all the popular sites in Rome. Once the bus arrives at each stop, you are able to get off, explore the area, and then get back on the next bus to continue the tour. We found this to be the most economical and the most convenient way for us to get around the city.
Safety:
Overall we felt pretty safe in Rome. We stayed mainly in the tourist areas and the only non tourist areas we went to were the restaurants we found out about during our food tour. There are quite a few street sellers that we quickly learned to avoid as they would try to stop you and get you to purchase items.
Budget:
The budget for a trip to Rome can vary depending on what you are interested in doing. There are a lot of tours to choose from throughout the city and this can quickly drive up costs. If you are having trouble deciding on which tour to choose from, I recommend a food tour if you love food and culture. If you love history I recommend the Colosseum or Pompeii.
4-Day Rome Itinerary
Day 1
Start your morning with an early morning visit to one of the seven wonders of the world, the Colosseum. The Colosseum is truly an amazing and historical site!
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Tip: I opted for the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and the Palatine Hill guided tour. The Colosseum was the place where epic gladiator battles took place, the Roman Forum was the heart of ancient Rome and the center of everyday life for the Romans. Palatine Hill is home to ancient ruins that also provide an insight into everyday life. The tour lasts about 2.5- 3 hrs.
Next, head over to the meeting place for a food tour with Secret Food Tours. To this day, this is still one of the best food tours I have ever been on. Our guide was amazing! He was a history teacher in Rome. During the tour, he spoke of the history of Rome with so much passion and he was so knowledgeable. The food and wine were also delicious!
Note: We ate breakfast at our hotel each day and for the rest of the meals we ate at the restaurants recommended during the food tour.
Spend the rest of the evening exploring the areas you visited on the food tour or relax in one of Italy’s beautiful Piazzas.
Day 2
Spend the day in The Vatican City and see the Sistine Chapel and St. Peters Basilica. This can take all day if you take your time looking at all the art and the exhibits.
Day 3
Explore North Rome (Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps). Take the BigBus tour around the city, get off, and explore each spot.
Day 4
Take an excursion to Pompeii.
Pompeii was once a thriving Roman city before it was covered in ash after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. The city is incredibly preserved and is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
I hope this itinerary is helpful as you plan your trip to Rome. If you don’t have a trip planned I hope it inspires you to visit Rome one day!
Ciao!
(bye in Italian)
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