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4 Days in Rome - Perfect Rome Itinerary for First Time visitors

Local 4 day guide to Rome

Visiting Rome, Italy is a unique experience, this tourist travel destination mecca is full of things to do, places to eat, and accommodations to stay at. It’s home to some of the most important historical monuments and attractions.

This 4-day itinerary is a perfect way to explore some of the most popular but also side attractions, alongside that this itinerary will bring you to some of the best food spots in Rome, Italy! In this itinerary, everything is explained and you will have an easy time creating your own itinerary if you like.

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Day 1:

Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill

Rome colosseum in a paint format

Everybody knows about Colosseum, so in most travel guides and itineraries this is the first place to visit, and there are 2 things for what reason that is.

  1. You will probably lose most of the day exploring Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill, they are located right next to each other and are always crowded.
  2. In 99% of situations when you visit a major city, you wish to visit the main attraction first, which is what Colosseum is.

That being said all three attractions are covered if you buy a single ticket that costs 15 USD, but I would recommend that you buy it online for extra 2.5 USD since you will save a LOT of time or if you like tours, you can book a tour which has everything included.

Inside view of colosseum in Rome
Outside view of colosseum in Rome

As you may already know Colosseum is the biggest amphitheater ever built that was opened in 80 AD, and it is a must-see attraction.

Palatine Hill is where Rome was founded in 753 BC and where the famous Romul and Rem story was born. But the more important part is that it is located on the centermost of the Seven Hills of Rome, so it offers excellent views of the city.

Roman Forum is one of the most impressive architectural structures ever built next to the Colosseum, but the Roman Forum is better known to be the main square of ancient Rome and currently is full of ancient ruins.

La Gatta Mangiona - Lunch/Dinner

After a long start of the day exploring the Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill you will have to get something to eat, and what is better than an amazing pizza.

La Gatta Mangion offers a mixture of Napolitana and Roman pizza, this restaurant is a local favorite so book ahead if you wish to go here.

Pizza at La Gatta Mangiona in Rome
La Gatta Mangiona Photo © La Gatta Mangiona
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Price Range: $$

Otaleg - Desserts

The best Gelato in Rome, this shop opened in 2012 and has been a crowd favorite since then.

Otaleg’s rich and creamy all-natural gelato is made from high-quality ingredients like Valrhona chocolate, bourbon-Madagascar vanilla beans, and much more, so be sure to visit.

Gelato at Otaleg Rome
Otaleg Photo © Otaleg
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Day 2:

Pasticceria Linari - Breakfast

Opened in 1971, Pasticceria Linari is committed to quality and friendly service.

They offer some of the best pastries in Rome and on site, and there are a number of them to choose from.

Sweet pastry with coffee at Pasticceria Linari Rome
Pasticceria Linari Photo © Pasticceria Linari
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Price Range: $

Pantheon

People standing in front of Pantheon in Rome

This striking 2000-year old temple is the most well-preserved old structure in the whole of Rome. It has lived through all the wars and turmoil of Italy and it is still one of the most influential buildings of the Western world. The entrance is free, but keep in mind that it is crowded.

Climb up to Gianicolo Hill

The second highest point in the whole city, Gianicolo Hill offers an amazing view of the whole city and most of the major attractions that you can visit on foot.

Mercato centrale food hall - Anytime

Mercato food hall is a marketplace/food hall that is a must-visit place. Filled with over 18 food artists, a pub, and a bar you will be sure to find something for anybody from Italian traditional dishes to international dishes that people love.

Burger at Mercato centrale food hall in Rome
Mercato centrale food hall Photo © Mercato centrale food hall
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Price Range: $$

The Trevi fountain

People taking pictures at Trevi fountain in Rome

This Famous fountain is a crowd favorite and there are tourists there any time of the day. Throwing coins in the water is considered to give you luck, and there are around 3,500 USD worth of coins being dropped there every day.

Piazza di Spagna and Spanish steps

People taking pictures at Spanish steps in Rome

One of the most romantic places that you can see in Rome, Piazza Di Spagna is also one of the most famous piazzas in all of Rome. There you will see a crowd of people sitting and just talking on the famous Spanish steps.

Giulia - Dinner

A great restaurant to have a nice dinner where you can dress up or just go casual, this restaurant has some of the best reviews online, and have some of the best food in Rome.

Besides the amazing food, Giulia offers some of the best cocktails in Rome. Food ranges from Risotto to Crispy beef, so you will find something.

Couples food at Giulia in Rome
Giulia Photo © Giulia
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Price Range: $$$

Day 3:

Caffè Delle Commari - Breakfast

Little small cafe located right next to Vatican city, it is a perfect morning spot to relax before exploring Rome or Vatican City. They offer fresh morning pastries alongside with freshly brewed coffee.

Pastry and Coffee at Caffe Delle Commari
Caffè Delle Commari Photo © Caffè Delle Commari
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Price Range: $

Walking tours

Since there is so much to see in Rome, I highly recommend that you go on a walking tour (just like I did), because you won’t be able to see all the main attractions in your first 2 days.

But if you go on a walking tour for one day you will have a great shot at experiencing Rome at your own pace, and you will surely learn more about Rome than exploring it all by yourself.

Pizzarium - Quick Snack

If you are looking for pizza slices, this is a must destination. Arguably the best pizza in the city Pizzarium is a hole-in-a-wall pizza stand that is always crowded, but trust me it is well worth it to wait.

Pizza in Rome
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Price Range: $

Piazza Navona

Piazza Navona Rome

The most famous square next to the Roman Forum, this square is decorated with grand fountains and mansions. Here you will find a number of artists that offer their paintings for sale.

Visit Altar of the Fatherland

The altar of the Fatherland is one of the biggest monuments in Rome. Built-in honour of Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of a unified Italy, it stands as a must-see attraction.

People standing next to Altar of Fatherland in Rome

It is located between Piazza Venezia and Capitoline Hill, with an entrance to the top terrace being free where you can have a 360-degree view of the city, alongside that there are some hidden things that I will not tell you that you can see there if you visit Rome.

Casina Valadier - Luxury Dinner

One of the most luxurious restaurants in Rome, this is more of a palace than a restaurant. If you are looking to have a romantic and beautiful dinner in Rome, then this is a place to be.

Located next to Spanish steps and looking over them gives that romantic feel, alongside with Casina Valadier having some of the best food in Rome.

Octopus at Casina Valadier restaurant
Casina Valadier Photo © Casina Valadier
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Price Range: $$$$

Day 4:

Le Carré Français - Breakfast

Le Carré Français gives a French flavor to the Italian capital city. Pop in at 8 am for fresh French bread, cheeses, wines, cakes, patés, and more when in Rome. There are a number of things to choose from, from delicous coffee to amazing pastry.

Pastry on Tray
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Vatican city

On the last day, I always like to save one major attraction to visit it before leaving and in this situation, it is the Vatican City. If you are ever in Rome, be sure to visit Vatican city, it has some of the most interesting and historically influential attractions that you can visit.

People walking to Vatican City
Attractions that you can see there are The Vatican Museum, the Sistine Chapel, and Castle Sant’Angelo. You can buy your ticket for the first two attractions for 17 Euros + 4 Euros if you buy them online (which I would recommend).
Sunset view of Saint peters basilica in Vatican city

St. Peter’s Square is probably the most famous square in all of the world. This is the place where the Pope addresses the people and where it gets really crowded at any time of the day.

St. Peter’s Basilica is the largest church in the world and a world-class example of Renaissance architecture. The entrance is free, but if you wish to skip the line you can pay extra or you can take a tour guide.

Castle Sant’Angelo is an enormous castle that was built as a mausoleum for Roman Emperor Hadrian but later it was reconstructed to be a fortress that protects the Pope. The castle is famous for its appearance in the James Bond movie Spectre.

Tavernaccia Da Bruno - Lunch/Dinner

Opened in 1968, this restaurant does not only offer traditional Italian food, it offers amazing meat meals and lasagne is a crowd favorite on Sundays. Wines from Slovenia and Italy round up this excellent restaurant menu.

Pasta at Taverniaccia da Bruno in Rome
Tavernaccia Da Bruno Photo © Tavernaccia Da Bruno
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Pompi Tiramisù - Dessert

Pompi Tiramisu is located right next to Vatican City, so it is a very easy visit if you are walking around the Vatican. Considered by the locals and tourists alike to be one of the best tiramisu spots in Rome for decades, Pompi Tiramisù offers just that, tiramisu!

This place also offers great espresso and cappuccino, so you can have that there also.

Tiramisu at Pompi Tiramisu in Rome
Pompi Tiramisù Photo © Pompi Tiramisù
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Price Range: $

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Perfect 4 Day Itinerary Rome
4 day itinerary Rome

Hello! I’m Sara, a Croatian native. I’ve traveled all over the world and have knocked out some amazing cities and countries off my bucket list.

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