Rome, Rome, Rome...
There is no second city like it in the world. Rome is simultaneously an open-air museum, a living metropolis, and the spiritual capital for one billion Catholics. Here, every alley hides a story, every fountain tells a myth, and every espresso tastes like a revelation.
Seventy-two hours is enough to fall in love with the Eternal City. But it will never be enough to fully understand it.
Day 1 — Ancient Rome
The Colosseum and Surroundings
Start at the Colosseum — but arrive early. At 8:00 AM the queue is manageable; by 10:30 it becomes a battle. The Flavian Amphitheater once held 50,000 spectators and served as the entertainment center of the Empire for four centuries.
Your ticket also covers the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill — three sites, two to three hours of unhurried exploration.
The Pantheon
Built by Agrippa and rebuilt by Hadrian in the 2nd century AD, the Pantheon astonishes above all with its dome. The opening at its apex — the oculus — is 9 meters in diameter and the sole source of light inside. Rain enters through it and drains through 22 holes in the marble floor.
Michelangelo looked up at this dome and said: "This is the work of angels, not of men."
Day 2 — The Vatican and the Baroque
The Vatican Museums
Book tickets online and in advance. The Vatican Museums house one of the world's greatest art collections — the map galleries, the Raphael rooms, the Apollo Belvedere...
Everything leads to the Sistine Chapel. Michelangelo's ceiling fresco, covering 512 square meters, was painted over four years (1508–1512), lying on scaffolding.
St. Peter's Basilica — the largest Christian church in the world. Entry is free. Climbing the dome is paid, but the view over Rome is worth every euro.
Day 3 — Baroque Rome and Local Life
Trevi Fountain
The largest Baroque fountain in the world, designed by Nicola Salvi in 1762. Legend says that tossing a coin over your right shoulder with your left hand guarantees your return to Rome. Each day more than a million euros are collected from the fountain — the money funds anti-poverty programs.
Go at dawn or after 10 PM. The fountain is illuminated around the clock.
Trastevere
This is the real Rome. Forget Via Veneto and head to Trastevere — the neighborhood of artisans, students, and the best restaurants in the city. No English-language menus, no food photography. Just tradition.
Order cacio e pepe, carbonara, or amatriciana — the three pillars of Roman cuisine. And a slice of crostata for dessert.
Coffee, Roman-Style
Rome has its own coffee rules:
- Espresso is drunk standing at the bar
- Cappuccino is for mornings only — never after lunch
- Don't say caffe latte — you'll get a glass of milk with coffee
- Sant'Eustachio il Caffè near the Pantheon has been a legend since 1938
Getting There and Getting Around
Fiumicino Airport connects to the center via the Leonardo Express (32 minutes). Ciampino serves budget airlines — take a bus or taxi.
Rome's metro has only two lines and isn't practical as your primary transport. The best vehicle is your feet. The historic center is surprisingly compact.
Note! Many churches require covered shoulders and knees. Carry a scarf or light shawl.