What is a successful romantic weekend getaway in Rome? Visiting the essentials, tasting the delicious Italian cuisine in a romantic restaurant in Rome, staying in a perfect hotel, and discovering more unusual and intimate places far from the tourist crowds. Here are our tips and hidden gems for visiting Rome as a couple. This romantic 3-day trip to Rome will be unforgettable, that’s for sure!
Itinerary to visit Rome in 3 days as a couple
How to visit Rome in 3 days? Here are the best things to do in Rome for a romantic weekend getaway, day by day. Here is an example of an itinerary. You can schedule activities as you wish.
First day – weekend in Rome
Here’s what you can do on the first day of your romantic weekend in Rome. Find more details below.
- In the morning: stroll and discover the great must-sees of Rome on foot (Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Piazza di Spagna)
- Lunch in a typical restaurant in the historic center
- In the afternoon: visit the Borghese Gallery and its gardens
- Dinner at the Alfredo alla Scrofa restaurant
Adapt the itinerary according to your arrival time. If you arrive in Rome in the afternoon, you can move the afternoon tour to another day, cancel it or do it backward. Find our selection of accommodation further down in this article.
Walk in the historic center of Rome: Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Piazza di Spagna
The center of Rome is easily explored on foot. You will find Rome’s great must-sees in the heart of the city center: the magnificent Trevi Fountain, the majestic Pantheon, and squares such as Piazza Navona or Piazza di Spagna. All these places are very close to each other. For example, you only have 5 minutes on foot between the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon to give you an idea. These are essential, unmissable places to visit during a romantic 3-day weekend getaway in Rome.
About 3 hours. For this first day of your romantic weekend in Rome, we recommend going from Piazza Navona to Piazza di Spagna to get closer to the Borghese Gallery. Admission to the Pantheon in Rome is free, and the visit is done quickly. All other locations are outdoors. Take good walking shoes for more comfort.
Quieter streets. Do not hesitate to make minor detours in the streets with fewer people. For example, Via Margutta or Via dell’Orso. Visitors generally take the straightest route from Piazza Navona to the Pantheon. So, as soon as you get away from it a little, it’s calmer.
Lunch in a typical restaurant in Rome
The center of Rome is full of restaurants. You have a wide choice. However, don’t be surprised: you have to book in advance for some restaurants, even for lunch. Babette is a delicious Italian restaurant for couples, and Il Gabriello is a stone’s throw from Piazza di Spagna. Find more places below or in our article: Where to eat in Rome. Otherwise, you can take away a sandwich or a slice of pizza and continue the visit.
Romantic visit to the Borghese Gallery in Rome
Gallery + Gardens. The Borghese Gallery is a perfect place for a romantic weekend in Rome. Here, you will be able to admire the sculptures and paintings of Bernini, Canova, and Caravaggio. A lovely visit and a beautiful moment to share for two! In addition to the interior of the Gallery, you can stroll through the peaceful gardens of Villa Borghese and even take a boat ride (near the Temple of Aesculapius). It’s a pretty romantic activity to do as a couple in Rome.
Tickets. If your romantic weekend getaway in Rome is on a Saturday or Sunday, remember to book tickets in advance to save time once there. Read more here: Entrance tickets for the Borghese Gallery.
Not to miss! From the gardens of Villa Borghese, you can reach the Pincio hill of Rome and, more precisely, the Terrazza Viale del Belvedere. From this terrace, you will admire a magnificent view of Rome. An interesting itinerary to do after visiting the Borghese Gallery. It takes about 20 minutes on foot to go from the Gallery to the terrace. If you make a detour to go boating, easily add 1 hour more.
Dinner at the Alfredo alla Scrofa restaurant
On the evening of this first day of the romantic weekend in Rome, you can choose the restaurant Alfredo alla Scrofa. It’s more than a restaurant, an institution. Famous for its Fettuccine, this restaurant offers an ideal setting for a romantic lunch or dinner: see prices and book a table. After dinner, take advantage of Rome’s historic center for a sunset stroll.
Second day – romantic weekend in Rome
Here’s what you can do in Rome on the second day of this romantic weekend. You can shift the afternoon visit to another day or reverse the visits. Find our selection of accommodation further down in this article.
- Morning: Vatican Tour (St. Peter’s Basilica, Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museums)
- Lunch in a good restaurant near Castel Sant’Angelo in Rome
- Afternoon: visit the Colosseum
- Diner on a rooftop or in the Trastevere district
Visit Vatican’s treasures
What to visit in the Vatican? Among the main places to visit are St. Peter’s Basilica, The Sistine Chapel, and the collections of the Vatican Museums. During your romantic weekend in Rome, you can visit all of these places or some of them. Tickets are sold separately.
2 or 3 hours, depending on the visits chosen. If you don’t buy tickets in advance, it will take plenty more time. Queues can be very long. Here is an example of a guided tour in English that takes you to see the essentials: a guided tour to the must-sees. You can also visit St. Peter’s Basilica and even climb to the top of its dome: a guided tour with the ascent to the dome. Otherwise, book the tickets as a free visitor: tickets for The Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums.
Lunch near Castel Sant’Angelo in Rome
After visiting the Vatican, you can head to Castel Sant’Angelo to admire this magnificent monument from the outside. Rome’s Castel Sant’Angelo is just a 10-minute walk from St. Peter’s Basilica. During a 3-day weekend in Rome, the visit to Castel Sant’Angelo is optional. Nevertheless, it can be done in less than 2 hours if you take skip-the-line tickets.
Cross the Ponte Sant’Angelo, and get ready for lunch. Here are some excellent places to eat near the Ponte Sant’Angelo: Alfredo e Ada, Osteria Luci in cucina, or La Fraschetta di Castel Sant’Angelo.
Visit the Colosseum in Rome
This impressive monument is one of Rome’s most emblematic must-sees. You can see the Colosseum from the outside without necessarily visiting it. Nonetheless, it is a fascinating visit if you are fond of ancient history or Roman times.
Tickets. The number of daily visitors is limited. Therefore, planning your visit is necessary, with a fixed entry time. Skip-the-line tickets include the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Palatine Hill (see prices and availability). For a visit to the Colosseum alone, allow 1 hour. But if you want to visit these 3 places, count for about 3 hours.
Monument to Victor Emmanuel II. This majestic monument is a 10-minute walk from the Colosseum. It is a pleasant route to take on foot, as it runs along the ruins of the Roman Forum and those of the Forum of Augustus. You should also know that the Monument to Victor-Emmanuel II is also an observation point. The visit is free if you take the stairs and chargeable if you take the elevator. A magnificent unobstructed view of Rome awaits you at the very top!
Diner on a rooftop or in the Trastevere district
Many of the city’s rooftops are located in the historic center of Rome. For example, Ambrosia Rooftop Restaurant & Bar or Settimo Roman Cuisine & Terrace.
Otherwise, in the evening, you can also visit the Trastevere district. It is a picturesque district of Rome, with many good places to eat. During these 3 days in Rome in love, you can do this visit in the evening.
Best accommodations for a romantic weekend in Rome
If you visit Rome as a couple, the accommodation is crucial for the success of your romantic getaway. The closer you are to the historic center of Rome, the center of the Renaissance period, the better. Here is a selection of accommodations perfect for a one or two-night stay in Rome.
Tree Charme Parliament Boutique Hotel is one of the best hotels for a romantic weekend in Rome. This hotel is perfect in every way. You will love your stay!
Stay 50 meters from the Trevi Fountain? It is possible at Trevi Beau Boutique Hotel! This hotel is a charming place. The decoration of the rooms combines contemporary decoration and the magnificent exposed beams on the ceiling. For visiting Rome as a couple, this hotel is ideal.
To stay in the historic center of Rome in peace, you can choose Navona Colors Hotel. Rates are reasonable for Rome, especially considering the location of this hotel.
With a lower budget, you can book a room here: Le Suite del Barone. This B&B offers cheap rates, so don’t miss it. San Silvestro, or Salotto Monti, is also in the same price range. The latter is located not far from the historic center, but also Termini Station (convenient for the transfer from the airport by train). The value for money is excellent.
Find more addresses in our article: Best accommodation in Rome.
Getting from Fiumicino airport to Rome city center
To go from Fiumicino airport to Rome city center, you have 3 options: the Leonardo Express train, the shuttle (bus), or the taxi. The best option for you will depend on the location of your accommodation and your budget. The Leonardo Express train and shuttle will take you to Rome Termini Station, while the taxi will go directly to your accommodation.
By train. The Leonardo Express train is perfect if your accommodation is near Rome Termini Station, its terminus. To give you an idea of the distances, Termini Station is a 35-minute walk from the Pantheon (the heart of Rome’s historic center). The journey between the airport and Termini Station is approximately 30 minutes. You can buy tickets here: tickets for the Leonardo Express train.
By bus. The cheapest option, but it is slower than the train. The bus journey takes about 50 minutes. The terminus is also Termini Station. Find out more: book tickets for the shared shuttle from Fiumicino airport.
By taxi. For a romantic 3-day weekend in Rome, you can book a private airport transfer (see prices for a private transfer) or a private taxi (see rates here). It is the most comfortable solution. The driver will take you from the airport to your accommodation.
You are going to have a fabulous romantic weekend getaway in Rome! These 3 romantic days in Rome will make you want to come back again. This city is ideal for a couple’s trip. The architecture, the Italian cuisine, and the city’s atmosphere will leave you with beautiful memories.
