A Perfect First-Time Visit: 4 Days, 3 Nights in Rome

Plan your arrival to match the hotel’s 3 pm check-in, which makes for a smooth start after a morning flight from elsewhere in Europe. Settle into your boutique base (Chapter Roma is my top pick for style, location, and atmosphere) before stepping out to explore.

Take an afternoon walk along Via del Corso, weaving through Piazza di Spagna, the Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona, and the Pantheon.

Pause for gelato at Giolitti, a Roman institution and perfect first taste of the city.

End your first evening with rooftop cocktails at Hey Güey, Chapter Roma’s playful taqueria bar, before heading to La Piccola Cuccagna for dinner, where ordering the carbonara is a must.

Begin the morning with an early visit to the Trevi Fountain, ideally between 7 and 8 am, when its baroque beauty can be appreciated before the crowds gather.

Continue on to Vatican City and step inside St. Peter’s Basilica, one of Rome’s most awe-inspiring sites. Climb to the top of the dome, a total of 551 steps (or 320 if you take the elevator part of the way), for a sweeping 360-degree panorama of the Eternal City. The view lingers in memory long after you leave.

For lunch, head to Borghiciana Pastificio Artigianale, a tiny spot near the Vatican with only a few tables but excellent homemade pasta. You may have to wait outside until a table opens, but it is worth it. Stand in the shade, look over the menu, and enjoy the anticipation of a truly satisfying meal. The atmosphere feels refreshingly removed from the chaos of the Vatican crowds.

In the afternoon, slow down with an indulgent spa experience at Six Senses Rome. The Roman bath ritual is restorative, and pairing it with a massage is well worth it. The property itself is also a beautifully designed hotel in the heart of the city, and worth seeing even if you are not staying there.

For the evening, dress up for a romantic dinner at Imàgo, the Michelin-starred rooftop restaurant at Hotel Hassler, only a 10- to 15-minute walk from Six Senses, where breathtaking views stretch across the city.

Start the morning with a guided tour of the Colosseum and Palatine Hill, ideally paired with the Roman Forum for the full sweep of ancient Rome. Booking a tour with skip-the-line access is essential, as the queues here can be hours long and the guided experience brings the history vividly to life. Allow at least three hours for this visit so you can take in the scale and stories without feeling rushed.

After your deep dive into antiquity, enjoy a slower Roman afternoon. Stop for lunch in the Jewish Quarter at Da Enzo al 29, famous for its carbonara and cacio e pepe, or opt for Poldo e Gianna Osteria for a cozy trattoria feel.

For the sweet pause every Roman day deserves, treat yourself to gelato at Gelateria Della Palma, beloved for its endless flavor selection. Then wander through artisan boutiques or simply linger at a café to soak in the city’s rhythm.

As evening falls, head to La Terrazza at Hotel Eden for an aperitivo with panoramic views across Rome’s domes. For dinner, make your way to Cipasso, a restaurant celebrated for its perfect wine pairings and creative takes on Roman cuisine. Arrive with an appetite and plenty of room—the pairings elevate every dish into an experience worth savoring slowly.

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at your hotel before setting out for one last discovery.

Cross the river into Trastevere for a gentle farewell stroll. This neighborhood is one of Rome’s most charming, with cobbled lanes, ivy-draped buildings, and leafy courtyards that feel worlds away from the grandeur of the historic center. Take your time to wander without an agenda, step into artisan shops, and pause at the Fontana dell’Acqua Paola, a stunning and much quieter fountain that captures the city’s beauty without the crowds.

Before heading to the airport, stop at Antico Forno Roscioli to pick up a sandwich to go. It is the perfect last taste of Rome and far better than anything you will find once you reach the terminal.