ROME, ITALY
The Eternal City
Rome is a city I will forever want to return to. Since my first visit as a 20-year-old, it has never ceased to amaze me with its stunning architecture and layers of history tucked around every corner. I vividly remember that first trip, I had just completed a university course on Classical Western Art History, and I was awestruck to walk through the city and see the magnificent structures I had studied in textbooks only weeks prior. As an architect, there is still no greater thrill than seeing a masterpiece in person—especially when you stumble upon it completely by surprise.
Rome offers an overwhelming amount to see, I have mapped out my favorite three-day itinerary below. Be warned, this route requires a significant amount of walking, so be sure to reward yourself with frequent gelato stops and aperitivi along the way!
Day 1: Ancient Rome & Baroque Masterpieces
The Colosseum
Start your morning at the Colosseum to marvel at an ancient amphitheater still standing proudly after nearly 2,000 years. Recommend that you take the metro to the Colosseo metro stop, which brings you out directly at its massive base. Built in the first century CE, the Colosseum was not only an architectural marvel but also a vital cultural hub that brought together all classes of Roman society to watch gladiators and exotic animals.
What makes the structure so structurally unique is its specialized Roman concrete. Builders mixed local volcanic ash from nearby regional deposits with lime, creating a durable compound that has survived centuries of earthquakes and wear. Architecturally, the exterior facade features a brilliant progression of classical orders across its three main tiers: masculine, simple Doric at the base; elegant, feminine Ionic (identified by its two rounded scrolls, or volutes) in the center; and fanciful Corinthian (adorned with elaborate acanthus leaves) on the third floor. This layout brilliantly shifts the building's visual weight from grounded and sturdy to light and soaring as it climbs.
The Arch of Constantine & The Roman Forum
As you stand in the Colosseum and look west, you will see the Arch of Constantine and the Roman Forum. Walk toward the arch after exiting. The triumphal arch stands as a testament to Emperor Constantine the Great's victory over his rival Maxentius at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312 CE, a triumph that made him the sole ruler of the Western Roman Empire.
Just beyond it lies the Roman Forum, a sweeping composite of temples, commercial buildings, basilicas, and public squares. Your standard Colosseum ticket includes admission to the Forum grounds. The Forum served as the multifunctional heart of ancient Rome, anchoring its politics, law, religion, and commerce. As you stroll past these 2,000-year-old structural skeletons, look closely at the engineering feats of the era—particularly the Roman arch. By redirecting structural weight outward rather than downward, the arch allowed Romans to span massive interior openings without relying on tightly spaced columns like traditional Greek post-and-lintel systems.
Palatine Hill & Capitoline Hill
From the Forum, walk up the paths to the Palatine Hill. For centuries, this exclusive hill served as the real estate for wealthy elites and ultimately became the site of Emperor Augustus's sprawling imperial palace complex. The hill is sacred ground in Roman lore; as one of the city's foundational seven hills, mythology dictates that the twin founders Romulus and Remus were discovered in a cave at its base.
Wander back down through the Forum toward the west and exit up onto Capitoline Hill. While it served as an ancient religious epicenter, today it showcases the Renaissance genius of Michelangelo, who designed the magnificent Piazza del Campidoglio here. Commissioned by the Pope in 1536, it is a masterclass in urban planning. While exploring the piazza, look for the famous Lupa Capitolina (Capitoline She-Wolf) sculpture, which honors the myth of Romulus and Remus.
The Vittorio Emanuele II Monument & Trajan's Column
Descending the hill, you will face the Monument to Victor Emmanuel II—a colossal, gleaming white civic building started in 1885 to celebrate the unification of modern Italy. Continuing just slightly west, you will encounter Trajan's Column, which provided one of my first true architectural "aha" moments as a college student. Dedicated in 113 CE, this monumental column features a continuous 200-meter-long narrative frieze that wraps around the shaft 23 times, meticulously detailing Emperor Trajan's military victory over Dacia (modern-day Romania).
The Pantheon
From the column, follow the street signs guiding you toward the Pantheon. This engineering marvel was constructed starting around 125 CE under Emperor Hadrian and originally served as a temple dedicated to all Roman gods. It held the record as the world's largest dome for well over a millennium until Brunelleschi constructed his famous dome in Florence in 1436. The dome in Florence is made of brick and mortar while the Pantheon is unreinforced concrete. Today, it serves as a Catholic church and functions as the final resting place for the Renaissance master Raphael. The exterior facade is a flawless adaptation of classical Greek design, utilizing a stepped stone base (stylobate) to support massive Corinthian columns, that hold up a grand triangular pediment.
Trevi Fountain & The Spanish Steps
Make your way from the Pantheon toward the Trevi Fountain, taking time to explore the cobblestone alleys along the way—they are packed with exceptional street-side pizzerias and gelaterias. Completed in 1762, the Trevi Fountain is a Baroque masterpiece of dramatic sculpture and cascading water. The central composition depicts the titan Oceanus taming the wild waters, perfectly capturing the emotion, theatrical scale, and dynamic movement that define Baroque design.
To conclude this jam-packed day, make your way to the Spanish Steps to relax and people-watch. Built between 1723 and 1725 in an elegant late-Baroque style, this monumental sweep of 135 travertine stone steps connects the piazza below to the church above. When you are ready to head back to your hotel, simply hop onto the metro at the Spagna station located near the steps.
Rome often called the Eternal City is filled with so many historic sites. We love to start at The Colosseum, wander through The Forum, and make our way over to The Pantheon and Trevi Fountain which are near each other.
Day 2: The Wonders of Vatican City
Even if you are not a religious person, the Vatican is entirely awe-inspiring. The sheer scale of St. Peter’s Basilica is massive, the current layout was designed by Bramante starting in 1506. Its beautifully symmetrical façade is a Baroque masterpiece designed by Carlo Maderno, and the structure is capped by Michelangelo’s crowning architectural achievement: the soaring dome that sits directly over the historical tomb of St. Peter below.
The Vatican can easily occupy most of your day, so splitting your time between the Basilica and the museums is highly recommended.
Inside St. Peter's Basilica
Entry into the main basilica is completely free. Along each side of the central nave, distinct side chapels hold beautiful depictions of Christ and various saints.
Do Not Miss
La Pietà - Immediately to your right as you enter the basilica do not miss Michelangelo’s emotional masterpiece, which depicts Mary holding Jesus after his crucifixion. His mastery of sculpture is apparent in the emotion of the faces, and the delicate representation of folding fabric carved into stone.
As you look down the grand nave toward its intersection with the transept, your eyes will be drawn to Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s bronze masterpiece, the Baldacchino. This monumental canopy serves as the symbolic centerpiece directly beneath the dome and right above St. Peter’s holy relics. Take note of its four massive columns; their twisted form is deeply symbolic, symbolizing the original 4th-century church's Solomonic columns, which were traditionally believed to have been brought from the Temple of Jerusalem.
The Dome
While construction on the current Renaissance and Baroque basilica began in 1506 and concluded in 1626, this site has been sacred ground for millennia. Smaller churches housing the relics of St. Peter have stood here since Emperor Constantine commissioned the first old basilica in the 4th century CE.
To experience the architecture from a unique perspective, buy a ticket to climb to the top of the dome. The high-level vantage point grants an incredible, up-close view of the intricate ceiling mosaics, and stepping out onto the exterior roof offers a breathtaking panoramic vista of St. Peter’s Square below.
St. Peter's Square
Bernini’s massive elliptical piazza (St. Peter's Square), is defined by a quadruple colonnade made of doric columns. The symmetrical colonnades look like a set of arms reaching out from the basilica to embrace the people below. In the center is a 4000 plus year old Egyptian obelisk that was brought to Rome in 37 CE by Emperor Caligula to originally stand in the Circus of Nero, where St. Peter was said to be martyred.
Vatican Museum
After exploring the basilica, make your way to the massive Vatican Museum complex, which requires a separate, pre-booked ticket. This labyrinth of galleries houses an unparalleled collection of classical sculpture and fine art accumulated by popes over several millennia. Located near the very end of the museum route is the Sistine Chapel, famously designed and painted by Michelangelo. Emotional images of the last judgement adorn the far altar wall, and look up to see God reaching out to give life to Adam.
The Vatican Museum is packed with art from around the Roman world. The sculpture Laocoon and His Sons is packed full of emotions. As you leave the museum complex you will walk down the beautiful double helix stairway designed by Giuseppe Momo.
Day 3: Hidden Gems, Engineering Marvels & Park Strolls
If you have a full third day, you can use it to break up the dense locations from Day 1, or venture out to experience some of Rome’s highly unique, less-frequented areas.
Trastevere Neighborhood
Located just across the Tiber River, this vibrant neighborhood is a beautifully layered maze of colorful, narrow cobblestone streets and lively squares. Because it sits away from the dense tourist hubs, it offers a wonderful glimpse into authentic Roman daily life. Trastevere is the ultimate destination for authentic Roman cuisine; sitting down here for a classic bowl of spaghetti carbonara—one of my personal favorites—is an absolute must.
Parco degli Acquedotti (The Park of the Aqueducts)
For an incredible architectural excursion outside the city center, take a trip to the grounds of the ancient aqueducts. This magnificent feat of Roman engineering completely revolutionized urban infrastructure and redefined how human populations could live together at scale. To supply the capital, water was channeled from freshwater springs located roughly 15 miles east of Rome. By maintaining a remarkably precise, gentle downward incline, the conduits successfully transported water both above and below ground, perfectly adapting to the natural terrain.
While the very first underground aqueduct (Aqua Appia) dates back to 312 BCE, the iconic, towering stone arches you see running through this park belong to the Aqua Claudia, constructed between 38 and 52 CE under the Emperors Caligula and Claudius. By contrast, the intersecting Acquedotto Felice is a Renaissance-era aqueduct built much later, in the 16th century, which physically utilizes and runs parallel to portions of those original ancient Roman structures.
Galleria and Villa Borghese
Just outside of the historic center, explore Villa Borghese, a spectacular 80-acre public park centered around a 17th-century villa built for the Borghese noble family. While the architecture of the estate is stately in its own right, the true showcase is the world-renowned art museum inside, the Galleria Borghese. It houses Renaissance and Baroque masterpieces by masters like Raphael and Caravaggio. However, as an architect, the absolute highlights for me are the breathtaking sculptures by Gian Lorenzo Bernini displayed here—most notably The Rape of Persephone, Apollo and Daphne, and his dynamic rendition of David.
Relax in a Roman Piazza
There are so many gorgeous squares spread across Rome; make sure you reserve at least one afternoon to simply do nothing but sit in a piazza. Find an outdoor table, order an aperitivo, and watch the fountains, the pigeons, and the bustling crowds pass by. In Rome, the piazza functions like the city's collective living room—it is the central space where people naturally gather to socialize and connect. For the best atmospheres, spend time at Piazza Navona, Piazza del Popolo, Piazza di Spagna, or Piazza di Santa Maria in Trastevere.
Do Not Miss
Pasta - Rome is known for an excellent variety of pasta dishes. Recommend that you try something new, and note how different pasta shapes are paired with different sauces based on the weight and texture. Spaghetti carbonara is one of my favorite Roman dishes.
Top Tips for Your Roman Holiday
Prioritize the Metro: Rome is geographically massive. I highly recommend booking a hotel within short walking distance of a metro stop. This setup allows you to easily start your morning at one major historical site, spend the day walking cross-town through the streets, and simply pick up a completely different metro stop at the end of the night to return to your hotel.
Anchor Your Days: The sheer volume of world-class architecture and art can easily become overwhelming. Instead of rushing, select a few non-negotiable "anchor" experiences for your trip. For example, scheduling the Colosseum on Day 1 and reserving Vatican City for Day 2 is a classic strategy I always rely on to keep my itineraries balanced.
Pace Yourself and Hydrate: You will easily walk several miles a day. Take frequent opportunities to slow down, rest your feet, and enjoy a quick espresso or a scoop of gelato. Best of all, you don't need to carry heavy water bottles: the historic public drinking fountains flowing throughout the city (known locally as nasoni) offer completely free and cold running water.
Buy Tickets in Advance: All throughout Italy key tourist sites often have long entrance lines if you show up without a ticket. You can save a lot of time buying tickets in advance online. The Colosseum, Vatican Museum, and Galleria Borghese for example all can be purchased in advanced. My strategy is to find the site on Google Maps, click on the website link within the info section of Google Maps, when it takes you to Chrome just translate from the local language to your language in order to maneuver through the website. I like finding the real website this way, instead of being confused with websites which are trying to up sale promotions / tours. Key locations can fill up weeks in advance, that is why I encourage you to book a location to anchor your day, and then you can be more flexible for the non-ticketed locations.
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