The trip was all that and then more – I have saw dozens and dozens of sites, looked at hundreds of statues, and drank more than a few glasses of wine. You have seen a few of these photos here but for my coworker and for anyone else who might be interested, if you had four days in Rome, this is how I would spend it.
Trajan’s Forum (The Roman Forum)
The Pantheon
Day Two: Any trip to Rome, in my opinion, deserves a full day at the Vatican, regardless of the length of your stay. My recommendation is to at St Peter’s and climb its dome for your first view over the Eternal City. Then visit the incredible wealth of the Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel. You can book tickets online for the museums, which saves on waiting in line! If you are religious I recommend checking to see if there is papal audience while you are in town and to plan accordingly!
The Dome of St. Peter’s
Cortile del Belvedere (The Vatican)
On the left my visit at age 14 and on the right at age 20
Laocoön and His Sons (The Vatican)
The Imperial Coronation (Vatican Museums)
DAY THREE: The most famous and iconic site in Rome is definitely the Colosseum and you do not want to miss it. When you are actually standing inside the massive amphitheater you actually get a sense of what it would have been like 2,000 years before. I highly recommend you book your tickets ahead of time here. The Arch of Constantine is a triumphal arch in Rome, situated between the Colosseum and the Palatine Hill. To end day three head over to the Ara Pacis or Augustus’ Temple of Peace.
The Arch of Constantine 
The Temple of Divine Claudius (and Portico)
Bust of Augustus (Ara Pacis)
Augustus’ Temple of Peace (Ara Pacis)
DAY FOUR: Start your fourth day in Rome by walking the Spanish Steps. If you are religious the Trinità dei Monti is a gorgeous French church situated atop the hill and there is a beautiful fresco of the Mater Admirabilis in a niche along a corridor that opens onto the cloister. From there head to the the Trevi Fountain and toss a coin in— according to tradition, this means you’ll return to Rome. Then after lunch I recommend going to the Capitoline Museum, there are a tremendous amount of beautifully preserved, famous statues all in the air conditioning.
The Spanish Steps and Trinità dei Monti
TThe Trevi Fountain
The Capitoline Museum
The Equestrian Statue of Marcus Auerlius and Commodus as Hercules (Capitoline Museum)
Statue of the Dying of the Gaul – Galata Cappolino (The Capitoline Museum)
This four day plan covers almost every thing on my must see list; The Vatican and St. Peter’s Basilica, The Colosseum, The Trevi Fountain, Pantheon , The Spanish Steps, San Clemente, Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum and Monument to Victor Emmanuel II. If you have time I really enjoyed the The Ara Pacis Musuem, an outdoor temple they put inside to preserve it, but it isn’t a must-see. From the time I spent in Rome in university I think you can skip Ostica Antica, the Catacombs of San Callisto, the via Appla Antica, and Hadrian’s Villa.
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Angela Rose Tinted Lenses says
I love this Rome is def on my Travel Hitlist!!!! X
Catherine says
Thank you for the suggestions. This will come useful for the European holiday I’m planning
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Amy Breckenridge says
i went to rome when i was studying abroad in spain in college…i have such great memories!
Clever Girl Reviews says
I wish I’d been to Rome while here but Tuscany and Venice will have to do for now! Great pictures!
Sarah C says
OH I loved our trip to Rome! We loved the Scavi tour, it’s the excavations under St. Peter’s. They only allow so many people down there a day and have strict rules on how far in advance you can ask for tickets (at least it was back when we went 5 years ago) and I highly reccomend seeing the same sites that you metioned at night, like the Colosseum and Trevi fountain, awesome at night.
Alyssa says
I’m going to definitely be reaching out to you for your favorite restaurant suggestions–my family and I are going to Italy this summer (EEK!!!) and Rome is one of our stops…obviously, I need you to point me in the direction of all the best pasta, since I’ve only spent four days in Rome in my life.
Kate Jordan says
This is perfect! I’m considering taking a trip to Rome this year and this is just such a good guide to have :).
Charlotte MacDonald-Gaunt says
Beautiful photos, I’d love to go and will perhaps also follow your itinerary :o) Xx
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