If you’re planning your first trip to Rome and have 4 days available, this guide will help you see the most important attractions, enjoy authentic Italian food, and make the most of your stay.
On this page you’ll find a detailed day-by-day itinerary, alternatives based on your interests, as well as tips for accommodation, transportation, and what to pack. Everything you need for a perfect 4 days in the Eternal City.
Four days is both a lot and a little for visiting Rome – it all depends on planning wisely!
While with 4 days in the city you can easily see many of Rome’s most famous attractions and even have time to rest, you’ll notice that time will start running short if you add museum visits, and even more so if you want to do one of the things Rome does best – relax in a beautiful piazza or park!
I can think of many, many ways to spend 4 days in Rome, each tailored to different types of travelers and interests. What I’m going to do today is share my recommended itinerary for people visiting Rome for the first time, and then give some alternative suggestions so you can make this itinerary truly your own.
At the end of the article you’ll also find suggestions for hotels in Rome and essential items for your 4-day Roman getaway.
Rome in 4 Days: Complete First-Time Visitor Guide with Must-See Attractions, Hidden Gems, and Local Insider Tips (4 Nights in Rome)
If this is your first trip to Rome, you’ll want a four-day itinerary that covers Rome’s must-see attractions.
In this case, I have an itinerary for you that includes the Colosseum, the Vatican, the Pantheon, the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, and several more.
Rome Day 1 Itinerary – Ancient Rome Discovery: Colosseum Underground Tours, Roman Forum Walking Guide, Capitoline Hill Museums, and Trevi Fountain Evening Experience
Morning – start your day with a morning tour of the Colosseum and Roman Forum to get acquainted with Ancient Rome. The two sites are located next to each other and together will take an entire morning spent exploring at a leisurely pace.
I highly recommend joining at least the Colosseum tour: I recommend getting one that includes the underground section and upper floor for the best experience – and no, it’s not expensive at all!
You can also choose whether to have a guide for the Forum as well, or explore it on your own. The choice depends on your interest in history: the Forum has few information panels and if you’re on your own, you won’t learn much about it, but it’s a very pleasant place to walk around, so even just a stroll here to see what it’s all about is enjoyable.
To find the best price on the Colosseum tickets, check out this page.
Important: don’t forget to climb to the top of Palatine Hill, right above the Forum (this is included in the price). It’s stunning and is one of the places with incredible views over Rome!
Lunch – after your morning exploring Ancient Rome, you’ll be hungry. There are several nice places in this area, but one I recommend is “Al 313 Via Cavour” – this is a pleasant “enoteca” (wine bar with food) with wooden tables and traditional Roman food just a few minutes from the Forum.
Afternoon – the Roman Forum is located right next to Piazza Venezia, so it makes sense to spend the afternoon in this area. Several things can be seen in this square, including Vittoriano / Altare della Patria – this is a large, white, neoclassical monument and one of Rome’s most famous landmarks. It was built as an altar to unified Italy (altare della patria means Altar of the Fatherland) and a monument to Vittorio Emanuele (hence its other name: Vittoriano), and today it has symbolic value. It houses museums and exhibitions.
The museums are interesting, but for this 4-day Rome itinerary I recommend sticking just to the Vittoriano terraces. Climbing to the second floor is free, visiting takes only a few minutes, and the view over Rome is stunning!
After enjoying the views from here, head back down and climb the hill right next to it: this is Capitoline Hill, and its summit was designed by Michelangelo. This is a place with a long history that begins in ancient Roman times and extends through the Renaissance to even modern Rome – here you can find my guide to visiting Capitoline Hill.
Good to know: Capitoline Hill is home to the wonderful Capitoline Museums. They’re incredible, but they’re also huge. If you want to visit them, make an advance reservation and give yourself enough time to explore them.
Evening – I recommend spending your first evening in Rome strolling around the Trevi Fountain area. This area is lively and touristy, but you can’t come to Rome and not see Trevi (it’s one of the most beautiful fountains in Rome, if not the most beautiful) and it’s most pleasant in the evening when crowds are thinner and the fountain is illuminated.
Sora Lucia on Via Rasella and Il Piccolo Arancio are two nice restaurants in the area that are worth trying.
Important – if you’re in this area at sunset, go to the top of La Rinascente, the department store on Via del Tritone, just a few minutes from Trevi Fountain: it has a beautiful rooftop terrace, perfect for aperitivo!
If you love drinks with a view, you can find a list of my favorite rooftop bars in Rome here.
Rome Day 2 Complete Vatican Experience – St. Peter’s Basilica, Sistine Chapel Masterpieces, Vatican Museums Skip-the-Line Guide, and Borgo Dining Recommendations
I recommend dedicating your second day in Rome to the Vatican and its surroundings. The Vatican is a destination in itself and how much time you need to spend here depends on what you want to see. You’ll still need at least one morning and a full day if you want to see the museums too.
I think at minimum you should see St. Peter’s Square (free to visit and very picturesque) and St. Peter’s Basilica (stunning).
If you love art, you absolutely must see the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, which however are huge and almost always packed with tourists, so be prepared for a long day!
If you’re not interested in art, I recommend skipping them – not because they aren’t beautiful (they’re stunning), but simply because they’re not the kind of museums you can just walk into to look around. Visiting the museum requires advance reservations, proper attire, and several hours, so I highly recommend planning your visit carefully. But even without entering the museums, visiting the Vatican is impressive!
You can see the square, the Swiss Guard, visit the Vatican Gardens (you need a ticket), and climb to the top of St. Peter’s dome – all wonderful things to do on your first trip to Rome!
>>> Here you can find my guide to planning your Vatican trip. <<<
While you’re in this area, I recommend stopping to eat at Pastificio Borghiciana in Borgo, which is a small place with wonderful pasta and several other delicious typical Italian dishes.
If you’re at the Vatican all day, I recommend spending the evening in Prati and having dinner at I Balestrari.
This is a nice neighborhood in Rome and one of the best for shopping! Here you can shop for both souvenirs and fashion items, or you can take a tram/bus from Piazza Risorgimento to return to the city center.
In this case, I recommend heading to Piazza del Popolo – one of the most beautiful squares in Rome, also a wonderful area for shopping with plenty of cafes.
Important: if you’re at Piazza del Popolo, you can head to Gusto on nearby Piazza Augusto Imperatore – this is a restaurant and bar located right in front of the Mausoleum of Augustus, which is worth seeing even just from the outside.
Rome Day 3 Historic Center Walking Tour – Pantheon Architecture Guide, Piazza Navona Baroque Fountains, Campo de’ Fiori Market, and Authentic Trastevere Food Scene
On the third of our four days in Rome, I recommend exploring Rome’s center and strolling through the city’s famous cobblestone streets.
Don’t overthink which route to take to get there. The entire area is beautiful, you won’t get lost for long, and it’s more of an area to immerse yourself in rather than an area with places you must see. Nevertheless, don’t forget to visit the following attractions!
Morning
1. The Pantheon – stunning and unique, this is an ancient Roman temple converted into a Catholic church. It towers over a stunning square (Piazza della Rotonda or Piazza del Pantheon) and is so beautiful that I recommend seeing it twice: in the morning to visit the interior, and in the evening to enjoy the sunset outside.
2. Piazza Navona – very close to Piazza del Pantheon, Piazza Navona is one of Rome’s most famous squares and a place you cannot miss. An ancient Roman stadium completely redesigned during the Baroque era, Piazza Navona is where you can see Bernini’s famous Fountain of the Four Rivers and Borromini’s beautiful Sant’Agnese in Agone.
Important: For lunch I recommend Cul de Sac on Piazza Pasquino – a traditional Roman wine bar/restaurant right in front of the most famous of Rome’s 6 talking statues!
3. San Luigi dei Francesi – while strolling through this area, you’ll pass by San Luigi de’ Francesi, a beautiful church I recommend entering: It will only take a few minutes, and the paintings are stunning!
4. Campo de’ Fiori is a beautiful medieval square, right near Piazza Navona, but so different from it. In the morning Campo de’ Fiori has a market, and in the afternoon and evening it fills with people enjoying their time in Rome at the numerous cafes and bars. Don’t miss seeing the statue at its center: it’s of Giordano Bruno, who was burned at the stake here for his scientific beliefs.
Evening – in the late afternoon/evening I recommend heading to Trastevere. This Rome neighborhood is located right across the river from Campo de’ Fiori and is famous for its delicious food.
If you come here early enough, take time to stroll through the beautiful streets Via Garibaldi, Via della Lungaretta, and Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere and admire some of the best mosaics in Rome!
Important: when heading to Trastevere, bring our Trastevere guide with you so you can explore the best of this neighborhood, including the hidden treasures!
Rome Day 4 Luxury Shopping and Panoramic Views – Spanish Steps Designer District, Villa Borghese Gardens, Galleria Borghese Art Collection, and Castel Sant’Angelo Sunset
You may have noticed that one attraction is missing from this itinerary: the Spanish Steps. Today is the day you’ll visit them!
Morning – for your last day in Rome I recommend exploring the area around the Spanish Steps. They’re located in the very center of Rome, access is free, and they’re also close to several streets you might want to explore, namely Via dei Condotti, Via Belsiana, Via del Babuino, Via di Ripetta, and Via Margutta – a paradise for luxury goods lovers!
From here I recommend climbing the steps and turning left – after a few minutes you’ll find yourself in the stunning Villa Borghese, one of Rome’s most beautiful parks!
I recommend resting well here, having a light lunch at the café by the lake, and then walking to the Pincio terrace: from here there’s a stunning view over Rome and you can relax at the newly opened bar in the Hortus garden.
If you love art, Villa Borghese is also where you’ll find the Galleria Borghese – one of the most beautiful art collections in the world. If you love museums and especially sculptures, Galleria Borghese is not to be missed, as it houses some of the best statues in Rome.
If you prefer other types of attractions, then I recommend heading to Castel Sant’Angelo instead.
Evening – Castel Sant’Angelo was originally a Roman mausoleum, but over the centuries it became a fortress and is now a very impressive castle with towers and cannons!
It’s best to visit at sunset, when there’s a beautiful view over Rome and the Vatican. I recommend spending your last evening here before returning to the Piazza Navona area and having dinner on the terrace of Hotel Eitch Borromini.
This is an unforgettable way to end your stay (and if you’re traveling as a couple, one of the most romantic things you can do in Rome!)
Beyond the Classics: 5 Alternative Rome Experiences – Ostia Antica Day Trips, Hands-On Cooking Classes, Jewish Quarter Food Tours, and Underground Caracalla Baths
1. Visit Galleria Borghese – Galleria Borghese is one of the most beautiful art galleries in the world. Advance reservations are mandatory, and the visit will take a little over 1 hour. It’s easiest to combine with a visit to Villa Borghese park, a stop at Pincio terrace, and then descending to the Spanish Steps. This will take one morning/one afternoon.
2. Visit Ostia Antica – Rome’s ancient port, Ostia Antica is often compared to Pompeii and is a wonderful archaeological site. You can combine this with a visit to Aventine Hill, Rome’s Protestant Cemetery, and dinner in Testaccio, a Rome neighborhood known for its good food. All of this will take you one day.
3. Discover the Baths of Caracalla – the Baths of Caracalla are a huge ancient thermal complex dating from the 3rd century AD. This is one of the most beautiful ancient sites in Rome: the visit can be combined with viewing Circus Maximus and Aventine Hill.
4. Take a cooking class – a cooking class can be a wonderful way to get to know a different side of Rome. I’d recommend the pasta and tiramisu making class and dinner near Piazza Navona, and if you prefer a morning activity, another great class is the market tour and cooking class.
5. Visit the Jewish Ghetto – the Jewish Ghetto is a beautiful and interesting part of Rome. It’s located in the city center and a wonderful way to explore it is through a local food tour (this area has wonderful and unique food traditions and history), but you can also just stroll around in your free time. It easily combines with Campo de’ Fiori. Via dei Giubbonari is located between the two and is a nice shopping street. Visiting this area will take you half a day, after which you can head to Piazza Navona or Trastevere.
Rome Public Transportation Complete Guide: Metro and Bus Ticket Prices, Walking vs. Transit Times, and Money-Saving Tips for 4-Day Visits
If you’re staying in Rome’s center, you’ll be able to walk most of this itinerary on foot. For times when you need public transportation, I recommend simply getting a BIT ticket – it’s valid for buses and metro and costs only 1.50 euros for 70 minutes (as many buses as you need / one metro trip).
If you need to use public transportation regularly, you can explore ticket purchasing options in our Rome public transportation guide here.
I usually don’t recommend buying a pass for all of Rome’s attractions, since you really only get your money’s worth if you visit several museums in a very short period of time.
Essential Rome Packing Checklist: Vatican Dress Code Requirements, Comfortable Walking Gear, and Weather-Appropriate Clothing by Season
What to pack for Rome depends on the timing of your visit, but you’ll need some essentials regardless of your type of trip:
- Comfortable walking shoes – you have to do a lot of walking in Rome, and the cobblestone streets are difficult to navigate with inappropriate shoes!
- Appropriate clothing for visiting the Vatican and Rome’s main churches, namely long pants/skirts and tops that cover shoulders, décolletage, and stomach.
- A bag with interior pockets to keep your wallet safe. Please note that in Rome it’s mandatory to carry ID with you at all times – make sure you store it in a way that you won’t lose it.
Some cash – convenient for small purchases.
You won’t need formal clothing unless you’re planning special occasion dinners out or you want to!
Rome 4-Day Trip Planning FAQ: Budget Breakdowns, Time Management Tips, and Expert Answers to Common First-Timer Questions
Are 4 days in Rome enough?
Four days in Rome is enough to see Rome’s most famous attractions, like the Colosseum, the Vatican, the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, and some beautiful Roman squares. It’s also enough time to get acquainted with neighborhoods like Trastevere and Monti. However, 4 days in Rome requires some planning, prioritizing, and lots of walking. Our 4-day Rome itinerary shows how to plan your stay to see as much of Rome as possible.
How can I best spend 4 days in Rome?
The best way to spend 4 days in Rome is to combine visits to historical attractions, leisurely strolls through the city’s cobblestone streets, and relaxed walks through Roman squares. See our 4-day Rome itinerary for a day-by-day travel plan.
How much money do I need for 4 days in Rome?
Rome can be visited on a limited budget and the only money you’ll need daily will be for food (street food costs just a few euros, coffee is around 1 euro, gelato is 3-4 euros, sit-down pizza starts from 10 euros up, with restaurant budgets varying). Ticketed attractions should be booked in advance, so they’ll be paid for before the trip. The same applies to accommodation. If you need public transportation, a standard ticket is 1.50 euros.