Things to do on a three-night trip to Rome

[CrawlingFromShitshowToAfterglow]

Sorry - I know it's not AIBU, but posting for traffic. After a lot of stress over the past few years, hubby got the all clear from the cancer and I have managed to arrange childcare and we've booked three nights in Rome in a few weeks time.

I know there's lots to see, but I'd really appreciate recommendations on what to do.

What a lovely way to celebrate your amazing news!

there’s the obvious Colosseum, Vatican (pre book tickets if you can) - if you feel up to the climb the venture up the inside of the dome (again, ticketed) is a corker and worth the view at the top.

Pantheon, Trevi fountain and and Forum are worth a look, a bit further field are the catacombs which I loved.

eat out one evening in Trastevere, cheaper and best food in Rome!

escape to the Villa Borghese gardens for a change of pace!

its a fabulous city - enjoy!

The Colosseum and the Pantheon where my favourites.

Thank you for your suggestions.

Is there a specific website I should pre-book from? For the Colossium, there are lots of websites and I'm confused!

If you want to go to the Sistine Chapel book ASAP as it sells out and the queue otherwise is massive.
We went to the Colosseum in the afternoon as the tickets are for 24 hours - we went back the next day
and spent ages in the Palatine Gardens. You can buy them on the day.
The walk along the top of the Spanish Steps is lovely as is Villa Boirgeise. I also loved the Keats museum and breakfast at Babingtons.
Most of the sites are in walking distance and one of the things I loved was pottering around the streets and visiting as many churches as possible!

I’d definitely book tours in advance (sorry can’t remember who we used but I would have gone on Tripadvisor. I did a search of emails and Viator came up). We did colosseum with palatine Hill, a day trip to Pompeii and Mt Vesuvius and skipped the Vatican as too much queuing and people, and walked everywhere else. Popped into the odd church and found some beautiful things (one had a gold exhibition in the basement). It will be HOT. Hotter than here. This was about ten years ago and it was 35. My kids were 9 and 10 and say it was one of our best trips (just me and them). Just wish I hadn’t gone in the summer!

You'll have the absolute best time!
Booking is usually best done with the official places, tickets go super quick. There are a few FB groups giving tips on where to go and what to see, just search visiting Rome.

Have fun!
Vatican https://m.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani-mobile/en/organizza-visita/tariffe-e-biglietti.html
Collosseum
https://ticketing.colosseo.it/en/

If I were going to Rome, I'd definitely want to visit the Borghese Gallery to see the Bernini statues - they are incredible!

https://borghese.gallery/creators/gian-lorenzo-bernini/

It's a relatively small city, so you can walk just about every where.

Don't miss the Vatican museums, but book in advance and if there's a skip the queue option take it - queue gets chaotic and they don't control it well.

I was coming in to say this ,this gallery blew me away

Rome is beautiful but try not to bite off more than you can chew because in late July/August it will be absolutely roasting OP!!!!

It was a while ago but I liked the Baths of Caracalla (I expect they're still there!)

Yes it will be scorchio. Do what we did and have a medicinal ice cream every half an hour. Doctor's orders!

Congratulations on your recovery.

I mean DH's recovery!

My favourite gallery ever.

Victorio Emmanuel museum. Restaurant on the roof listening to the bells across Rome ringing the hour.

This underground immersive Roman villa was recommended on here and was fantastic.
www.palazzovalentini.it/en/

I think the best thing to do is just wander, but with a sort of route in mind! It's just amazing what you come across while walking around. I have to admit that I am not a person who queues, (so I ditched the Vatican museums and inside the Colloseum for example - I can see it online ha ha). Sorry for being such a Philistine. I'm sure you know that the heat will be ferocious in Rome so be very careful. There are public fountains all over BTW and the water is really good, called Nasoni.

Depending on where you are staying, draw up a list of the things doable every day. For instance Ancient Rome, Trevi, Piazza Navona, etc., The Vatican (city and St. Peter's Square etc.), and Trastevere. Select the things you do NOT want to miss, make sure you go there, and then the rest of the nice places will happen if you have time.

I hope your DH and you have a super time, and that he enjoys continued good health going forward.

If you’ve a bit of cash to splash during the summer you can do a colosseum tour at night. It is the most atmospheric experience. My goosebumps didn’t go down for a good hour or so afterwards.

You can also do similar for the Vatican. It’s much less crowded and less hot.

It is pricy though but I would say worth it.

The Aventine Keyhole was cute and quirky. It’s touristy but hey you’re tourists.

I adore Rome. Wandering about is an activity all of its own. You stumble upon amazing things. Eat everything you can possibly fit in. Have a wonderful time.

1. book another trip back. Not remotely joking.

My absolute favourite things were the roman Forum (really loved that) and I was surprised as a very non religious person, I loved St Peter's and the Vatican.
I also have fond memories of a sunken ruined temple full of stray cats, but that may not be the same now, it was a while ago...

I found the Trevi fountain less appealing, very very crowded (everywhere was crowded tbh, but the Spanish steps and Trevi especially so) and a very ugly fountain!

I agree with this!

But for a two day trip maybe book one day Colisseum/Palatine (it’s a joint ticket you need to book direct; the Coliseum has a time then the Palatine can follow at whatever later point that day). If you have time/energy you can usually get into St John Lateran or San Clemente on the day (although they are bookable)

Then the second day, more of a wandering - the Pantheon you can queue on the day and the Trevi fountain you can just wander around plus Piazza Navona, Via Condotti etc

I probably wouldn’t do the Vatican as it is a major day out but you can save it for next time!

Thank you for your suggestions and kind words, everyone!

I have booked the Colossium with a standard ticket (I couldn't get arena tickets or night tickets as a PP recommended as they had already sold out) and the Vatican museums (standard tickets had sold out so we booked a guided tour). I'm definitely taking up the suggestion of having lots of medicinal ice cream - we'll need to as it going to be 35 degrees there!

I wanted to book the Villa Borghese and Pantheon, but that might be cramming too much in. We'll walk to St Peters after the Vatican and see if we can go in.

I am super excited! Thank you again to all of you for taking the time to comment and your kind wishes for DH.

Can anyone recommend some good Rome-related books to download on my Kindle before we go?

You won’t get official tickets for the colloseum now but you could book through a third party.

I’m currently sat on the big bus tour here 🤣 it’s a great way to see things and get around at the same time

I know you might mean guide books, but Angels and Demons by Dan Brown is fun. Also Conclave by Robert Harris.
I love Rome. There are just random beautiful things around every corner. Wear good shoes as you’ll do a LOT of walking.
Also of you’re a cat lover, there are loads of cats living in the Forum!