Rome is a city that offers something for everyone. Whether you want to immerse yourself in history, take a scenic walk, or indulge in hearty Italian meals, you’ll find it all here.
For us, this trip was all about sightseeing, learning about Rome’s rich history, and soaking in the experience—all while enjoying a cone of gelato and a bite of tiramisu.
We relied entirely on Rick Steves’ free audio guides (download the app!) and his travel book for our trip: Rick Steves Rome Travel Guide. Before diving into the details, we highly recommend getting this book!
Day 1: Strolling through the magic of Rome
After an early morning flight from Luxembourg, we took the Leonardo Express, which connects Fiumicino Airport to Termini, the main train station in Rome. After checking into our Airbnb, we were ready to explore!
For our first day, we wanted to immerse ourselves in the city’s charm and simply walk around the historic center. We followed the “Heart of Rome” walk, a route shared by Rick Steves, which is an incredible way to visit Rome’s major landmarks. This walk covers the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, and several beautiful piazzas.
Set aside at least 1.5 to 3 hours to truly soak in the experience. This mile-long walk is best enjoyed at a leisurely pace, allowing time for unexpected discoveries. We had a fantastic time passing by fresh markets, taking quick breaks for lunch, indulging in gelato, and doing a little shopping.
Our final stop of the day was the National Roman Museum – Palazzo Massimo. This incredible museum offers a deep dive into Roman history, featuring stunning statues, intricate mosaic works, and remarkable frescoes. The highlight for us was experiencing the famous frescoes from the Villa of Livia, which were absolutely breathtaking. We were also captivated by The Boxer at Rest, a remarkable bronze statue of a seated, battle-worn boxer, considered one of the most emotionally powerful ancient sculptures.
Unlike other popular tourist sites, this museum is not as crowded, making it a great place to explore at your own pace. Just drop in, buy your ticket, and enjoy! 😊
Day 2: Exploring the Colosseum, Roman Forum and other hidden gems
We woke up super excited, ready to experience some of the most incredible historical sites. Imagine stepping out of the metro station, lifting your head, and coming face-to-face with one of the most iconic landmarks in history—The Colosseum. You might just freeze for a moment, overwhelmed by the sight—we certainly did! We even found a quiet corner and just stood there, taking it all in.
We arrived 30 minutes early for our 8:30 AM slot, the first entry of the day. Opting for the earliest slot was a great decision, as the queues were shorter and the crowds were relatively smaller. After exploring the Colosseum, we headed to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. We spent almost half a day here, enjoying our audio-guided tours and immersing ourselves in history.
For the second half of the day, we visited the Jewish Ghetto Quarter, where we enjoyed beautiful views of the Tiber River, indulged in a hearty Italian meal, and took a colorful stroll through the neighborhood. We highly recommend visiting the “Fondazione Museo della Shoah”—a Holocaust museum with free entry, showcasing powerful stories, pictures, and videos of human resilience and trauma.
Day 3: Visit a new country – The Vatican
Did you know that Vatican City is the world’s smallest fully independent nation-state, with its own postal service? 😊
We started our day early and took the metro to reach the Vatican. Our first stop was St. Peter’s Basilica. Keep in mind that even to enter St. Peter’s Square, you must go through security checks. We waited in the security queue for just five minutes, but if you’re visiting during peak tourist season, be sure to allow extra time for the wait.
Of course, St. Peter’s Square is unmissable! What stands out is the 90-foot obelisk at its center. This obelisk, brought from Egypt, is over 2,000 years old. We enjoyed the breezy morning, with patches of clouds and sunshine, before heading into St. Peter’s Basilica.
Entry to the basilica is free, but we also visited the basilica dome, which requires a time-slotted entry ticket. The panoramic 360-degree view from the top was simply amazing—definitely worth it! If you plan to visit the dome, book your ticket in advance for your preferred time slot.
Our next stop was the Vatican Museums—a massive place with so much to explore! We thoroughly enjoyed listening to the Rick Steves’ audio guide as we walked through the stunning galleries filled with centuries of art, history, and culture. Each room seemed more spectacular than the last, from the intricate tapestries to the breathtaking Raphael Rooms.
One important tip: the Sistine Chapel is at the very end, so be sure to pace yourself and save some energy for this once-in-a-lifetime sight. As we stepped inside, the grandeur of Michelangelo’s masterpiece left us speechless. The sheer scale, detail, and beauty of the frescoes—especially The Creation of Adam—were truly awe-inspiring. Despite the hushed whispers of the crowd and the frequent reminders of “Silenzio!” from the guards, it was a deeply moving experience.
A key thing to note—photography and videography are strictly prohibited inside the Sistine Chapel. The staff keeps a close watch, and if you try to sneak a picture, you’ll likely be asked to put your camera away. It’s best to simply take in the beauty with your own eyes and cherish the moment.
Day 4: Time to Wrap Up and Leave for Home
On our last morning in Rome, we took a leisurely stroll through the neighborhood, soaking in the quiet charm of the city before heading to the airport. A highlight of the morning was visiting the local market, or mercato, where we picked up some amazing local ingredients—fragrant spices, rich olive oils, and other Italian delicacies to bring a taste of Rome back home with us. It was the perfect way to end our trip, immersing ourselves one last time in the local flavors and culture before saying arrivederci to this incredible city!
That’s it from Rome!! We hope you will find this blog helpful 🙂 Oh and dont forget to see some pro-tips to make Rome travel easy. Check out the blog.
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