4 Days in Rome: Complete Travel Itinerary

Arrival in Rome and Accommodation

It was December 2019 when we arrived in Rome overnight. We landed at Leonardo da Vinci International Airport, also known as Fiumicino Airport, which is about 30 minutes from the center of Rome. We chose to use the train that leaves the airport to the center and take a bus at the exit of the train to the Guest House where we stayed. In case you want to know more about transport in Rome we have a post about it here.

We chose Pigneto Luxury Rooms for our stay and we can’t wait to return. The hostess was kind and assisted us with what to do around the place. The Guest House has a great location, perfect for those who want to save money by using public transport. The rooms also have a shared kitchen, which makes it easy to prepare your own meals at the place.

1 day in Rome: Vatican

Our first day in Rome started with a visit to the Vatican. We woke up a little late due to fatigue after the trip and we booked a tour on the same day through the Get Your Guide app. As we only had that afternoon to do the tour, we were afraid of the queues at the entrance of the Vatican. The tour is a perfect way to cut the lines and move faster until the gate.

The tour included a visit to the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica. Here you can see in detail our tour of the Vatican. Before entering, the agency gave us Audio Guides that ended up necessary, as it was difficult to hear the explanations due to the number of people inside the museum. Paying for the tour was great so that we didn’t get lost in the middle of so many rooms to visit.

Our tour started at 2:30 PM and when we left the Basilica to St. Peter’s Square it was already night. We took some pictures next to the Christmas tree in the middle of the square. Then we went to have something to eat on one of the avenues around the Vatican.

Eating and drinking at the Vatican:

Around the Vatican, you find countless cafes, restaurants, pizzerias, and ice cream parlors (after all, we are in Italy, right?). Before going to the meeting point of the tour, we spent some time walking around the streets of the area. About six blocks from the Vatican are the Castel and Ponte Sant’Angelo. If you have time, it’s worth walking along the Tiber River and also passing in front of the Italian Supreme Court.

At night we decided to take benefit of the location and walk along the main roads near the Vatican. We ended up stopping at Sfizio Pizzeria on Via Ottaviano. They serve generous slices of pizza, charging around €5 per unit and no extra fees per service. I believe that, out of our 4 days in Rome, it was the most worthwhile meal. In addition, we had an ice cream near the restaurant. There are several ice cream parlors there and it’s worth walking a bit to find the best value for money.

Guide map of our tour in the Vatican:

2 day in Rome: Colosseum

Unfortunately, this was one of the days we only had the afternoon to enjoy the city. After a work meeting in the morning, we had our coffee at the hotel and headed downtown. This time our destination was the great monument of Rome, the Coliseum. Its construction began in 71 AD and in 2007, it was chosen to join the list of the 7 wonders of the modern world.

When we arrived we faced the famously long lines to enter. As we were again worried about the time we would have to visit inside, we choose a guided tour. We bought it right there at the monument’s entrance. With the ticket in hand, we joined our group. In less than half an hour we manage to inside, cutting the line with the guide directly to the entrance. If you want more tips about the Coliseum, we have a complete post about our tour there.

Palatinate and the Roman Forum:

As we went in the Italian winter, the Coliseum, the Roman Forum, and the Palatine were closing at 4:30 PM. We had a short time to make the visit. With the same ticket from the Coliseum, you can visit the Palatine and the Roman Forum. Be prepared for long walks at the archaeological site that houses the ruins of ancient Rome’s administrative buildings.

We have prepared a map to make it easier for you to find your way around this area.

Palatine hills visitation map guide:

Eating and drinking at the Coliseum:

Like most tourist spots, eating and drinking near these areas can be very expensive. So avoid the restaurants and cafes near the Coliseum (unless you’re willing to pay more for a privileged view). So you can have an idea, we stopped in a cafe where the pizza marinara (only tomato sauce, no cheese) cost €14. My tip is to walk a little further to the side of Piazza Venezia. In the narrow streets of Rome, you will find numerous restaurants with cheaper prices.

3 day in Rome: Vittoriale, Fontana di Trevi, Via del Corso

For our third day in Rome, we planned to do everything on foot. Making your itinerary walking is not only economical but the best way to get to know the Roman streets. Most of the historic buildings and monuments are located in the city center. You can use our map at the end of this topic to guide you around the history and architecture of the city.

Monument to Victor Emanuel II:

We left the hotel for our first stop at Piazza Venezia. We took a bus that dropped us at the subway station and from there we continued walking. Upon arriving at the square, it’s impossible not to be impressed. The monument to Victor Emanuel II, the first king after Italy was unified, imposes himself on the big square view. 

Inaugurated in 1911, the monument has more than one official name. You can find it by searching for Vittoriano or also Altar of the Fatherland. The building is 81 meters high, about 30 meters larger than the Coliseum. It’s no wonder that thousands of visitors climb its stairs until the panoramic elevator to go to the terrace, which I dare say has the best view in the city. The lift ticket can be purchased on the spot and costs 10 euros.

In addition, the Vittoriano has three internal museums. The Museum of Italian Immigration as well as the Museum of the Armed Forces (which houses the Tomb of the Unknown Military), has free admission. Pay attention only to schedules, as most activities close around 6 PM. The third museum, Complesso del Vittoriano, hosts large national and international exhibitions. The admission is paid.

Fontana di Trevi:

Rome has countless magnificent fountains, but none is more visited than the Fontana di Trevi. It’s famous for its grandness, as it’s about 26 meters high and 20 meters wide. Its construction began in 1453 by the order of Pope Nicolas II. The water that feeds the fountain comes from the Acqua Vergine Aqueduct, one of the oldest in Rome.

It’s tradition to throw a coin into the fountain and place a wish. But pay attention to the times since most of the day the fountain is crowded with tourists. To ensure a good view of the fountain, early morning hours are most suitable. We stopped by at the end of the day and it was full, but we were lucky to get close to the fountain without facing the crowd.

Via del Corso:

Between one tourist spot and another, we walk at one of the main streets in the city center, Via del Corso. It connects Piazza del Popolo with Piazza Venezia and is known as a must-see street for fashion lovers and shoppers in the city. All luxury stores have units along this route. But we were more interested in the huge department stores. It’s worth visiting especially during the promotional seasons (July/August and January/February).

Eating and drinking downtown:

As you might expect, there are thousands of options to eat and drink in the center of Rome. Cafes, restaurants, and bars of the most different prices. As we are in Italy and we are pizza lovers, we chose to buy two slices at a restaurant near the Fontana di Trevi and have an ice cream admiring the location. 

At the end of the day, we went back to the hotel to shower and go out for dinner. We walked on Via del Pigneto, a charming street full of affordable restaurants and bars. We ordered two well-served plates of pasta and two glasses of wine, all for less than 20 euros.

You can check out all the places we went to on this map:

4 day in Rome: Pantheon, Piazza Navona and Castel Sant’Angelo

Our 4th-day tour in Rome was actually accidental but extremely welcome. As we mentioned at the beginning, our initial idea was to travel to Croatia. Unfortunately, we missed our flight that was scheduled for New Year’s Day! You can imagine our despair when we found ourselves with all our suitcases and nowhere to stay right on New Year’s Eve. To avoid any delays, our tip is to leave the center of Rome at least four hours in advance, as it will take you an hour by train to reach the airport.

Fortunately, we were able to make a last-minute booking at Golden House Medaglie D’Oro, a Guest House 15 minutes by bus from the Vatican. The place has a backyard with space for breakfast with a coffee maker, an electric kettle, and some toast. We got there at the end of the day, got dressed, and went to spend New Year’s Eve at the Circo Máximo, very close to the Coliseum.

The next day we had the chance to discover some points that we ended up leaving aside on our previous itinerary. We chose to visit the monuments around the Vatican, starting at Castel Sant’Angelo. To get there you can take the 913 bus right in front of the Guest House and get off at the Ottaviano stop, the same as the Vatican.

We choose to go walking (around 30 minutes walk) to get to know the region better. On our way, we stopped for coffee at La Cannoleria Siciliana. The cost-benefit was great. The cannolis are fresh and delicious and we tried the Arancini, a typical Italian rice dumpling with risotto. Also great!

Castelo Sant’Angelo

The construction of Castel Sant’Angelo began in the year 135. It was designed by Emperor Hadrian to be a mausoleum for his family, but it soon became a military building. The castle houses the National Museum, art collections, and army relics.

For those who want to visit, the ticket offices are open from Tuesday to Sunday. You can see the rooms that used to be a prison as well as the shelter for the Pope. As the lines were long, we decided to skip the internal visit and take the time to visit other monuments that we really wanted to see in Rome.

Piazza Navona

Plaza Navona was built on the site of the stadium Domiciano, or Circo Agonal. On the square, there are 3 fountains. Among them is the Fontana de Quattro Fiumi, which stands out for being the largest one. You can also visit in the Piazza Navona the Church of Sant’Agnese in Agone. With preserved baroque architecture, the church still houses the skull of Saint Agnes of the Agony.

Pantheon

Located in Piazza Della Rotonda, the Pantheon is classified as one of the most preserved buildings in ancient Rome. Its construction (in the molds we see today) is dated 126 AD. It occupied the place where, in the year 27 BC, the Pantheon of Agrippa stood. In 609, it was converted into a Church and named in honor of Our Lady of the Martyrs. The building has one of the largest built domes, 43 meters in diameter. The pantheon is open every day and the visit is free.

Eating and drinking around the Vatican:

At the end of our day, we decided to return to our guesthouse area for dinner and to pick up our bags. We found several restaurants in Via Andrea Doria. There was food for all tastes, but as we enjoy Italian cuisine (and after all, we are in Italy) we choose to eat at La Fiorentina restaurant. It was one of the most delicious dinners of our stay and the service was great.

4 Day in Rome guide map:

With our backpacks, we head to the bus station, heading to our next destination.

Did you like the tips on how to enjoy 4 days in Rome?

Keep following our trip through Italy, now in the city of Venice.

FAQ 4 Dias em Roma