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ITINERARY

4 days in Rome: a day-by-day itinerary for first-timers

A realistic 4-day plan for a first trip to Rome, grouped by area so you spend your time seeing things, not travelling between them.

By the Viorvo team · Checked

This plan groups sights by area so you spend less time on transport. Check the day of the week first: Galleria Borghese and Castel Sant'Angelo are closed Mondays, and the Vatican Museums are closed Sundays except the last Sunday of the month (free, 9 a.m.–2 p.m., very busy). Book the Colosseum, Vatican Museums and Borghese before you leave home.

Day by day

Day 1: Ancient Rome: Colosseum, Forum and Palatine

Morning
Enter the Colosseum at your booked slot (it opens 8:30 a.m.). Your time inside is limited to 75 minutes.
Afternoon
Walk into the Roman Forum and up Palatine Hill (open from 9:00 a.m.). Your ticket covers them within 24 hours of the Colosseum slot. From October 25, last entry drops to 3:30 p.m., so do the Forum first on winter days.
Evening
Dinner in Esquilino, a short walk or metro ride away, where many halal restaurants are found.
Getting around
Metro line B to Colosseo; the Forum and Palatine are a short walk.
Tours for day 1 ↗

Day 2: Vatican City

Morning
Arrive for the Vatican Museums early (open Monday–Saturday from 8:00 a.m.) and finish in the Sistine Chapel.
Afternoon
Visit St. Peter's Basilica (free, open 7:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.). Cover your shoulders, and wear long trousers or a knee-length skirt. Expect a security queue.
Evening
Stroll the Prati streets near the Vatican for dinner, choosing halal or vegetarian places.
Getting around
Metro line A to Ottaviano; everything else is on foot.
Tours for day 2 ↗

Day 3: Historic centre: Pantheon and Trevi

Morning
Go to the Pantheon when it opens at 9:00 a.m. (€7). Mass is held Saturdays at 5 p.m. and Sundays at 10:30 a.m., so plan around it.
Afternoon
Walk about 10 minutes to the Trevi Fountain. Paid access is open 9 a.m.–10 p.m. (from 11:30 a.m. on Mondays and Fridays), and costs €2 for non-residents.
Evening
Return to the fountain after dark if you prefer smaller crowds (last entry 9:00 p.m.).
Getting around
On foot; metro line A to Barberini is the nearest stop to Trevi.
Tours for day 3 ↗

Day 4: Castel Sant'Angelo and Galleria Borghese

Morning
Visit Castel Sant'Angelo (opens 9:00 a.m., closed Mondays) for the views from the terraces.
Afternoon
Take your pre-booked Galleria Borghese slot (hourly entries from 9:00 a.m., about two hours). Then walk through Villa Borghese park.
Evening
If you want to see the Great Mosque of Rome, check ahead for its visiting dates, as tourist visits are limited.
Getting around
Walk or take a short taxi between the castle and the gallery. Metro line A reaches Spagna and Flaminio for the park.
Tours for day 4 ↗
Go deeper

Details for every stop

Things to do in RomeHours, prices and how to get to each sightSee the sights → Tours in RomeGuided tours and tickets on GetYourGuideBrowse ↗
Plan the rest

More for your trip to Rome

Where to stay in RomeThe best areas, comparedRead →Things to do in Rome8 sights with hours and pricesRead →Halal travel in RomeHalal food, mosques and where to stayRead →Rome travel hubFlights, when to go, entry rules and every guideRead →
Getting there

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Sources

Checked October 1, 2026. Prices, rules and fees change, so confirm before you travel.

Tours in RomeGetYourGuide ↗