3 days in Rome: Have I allotted enough time?

I think there is never enough time for Rome! We just spent a week there and barely scratched the surface. That said, the one that that wasn't on our list (and it's not on your list, either) was the Borghese Gallery. We went on a Sunday morning; you need to make advance reservations and only have a two hour window, so make sure you arrive early. It was one of the most fantastic museum experiences we've ever had.

The Jewish ghetto is not too far from Trastevere, so you may want to put those together for the same day.

After you leave the Pantheon you may want to nip around the corner and visit the Church of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva. It's seldom crowded and is a beautiful and rare example of Gothic architecture in a city dominated by the Baroque. Don't forget to say say 'Hi" to Bernini's Chick in the piazza out front. He's a jovial fellow, despite the recent damage to his tusks.

I think it is fine. Don't add anything additional that is scheduled as you may want the freedom to do something impromptu. The Galleria Borghese is amazing, the Capuchin Crypts less so. I've been to the art museum 3 times, the crypts a hurried once. It was quite underwhelming.

Thanks for the input.

Melissar and Laurel: Neither of us are much into art, but the gardens at the Borghese gallery look stunning!

TXTwinmamma: Thanks for the tip about putting the Jewish ghetto and Trastevere on the same day.

Our first time in Rome, a 3-day, 2-night fly-by in 2010, was a cursory look, taken up with the Vatican/Sistine Chapel, riding the Hop On Hop Off bus where we drove by the sights and waved hello ("HEY, there's the Forum!!"). Walked the Ghetto and Trastevere. It was fine, but I was thinking what are people so ga-ga over?!

Then we returned last March, renting an apartment at Campo de' Fiori for a week. Had the good fortune of having a Roman local & his wife give us some backstreet tours, off the beaten path. Rode the buses & took the Metro. Did laundry. Walked into some churches barely on a guidebook map. And it was utterly fantastic. I thought Florence was awesome, but this was real life meeting world-class history on a daily basis, layers & layers of centuries. Bronze Age/Iron Age artifacts, incredible.

Bottom line is enjoy as much time as you have allotted in Rome, but know you'll be back. I know I will.

Great itinerary, bxrlover, and I'm impressed with how your itinerary includes major sites as well as lesser-known gems.

I just returned from a trip to Rome in February/March, and several of my activities and lodging mirror your choices. With that in mind, a few suggestions:

• Huge props for prioritizing a stop at Palazzo Mattei in Centro Storico! The inner courtyard of this building is one of the best-kept secrets I know. Fascinating and you'll want to take tons of pictures!
• TXtwinmama is spot-on. Combine Trastevere with your exploration of the Jewish Ghetto if you can. Explore the churches in Trastevere to better understand the history of the area. Santa Cecilia, San Benedetto in Piscinula, and Santa Maria in Trastevere are all well worth a stop. In fact, you might consider a tour of the Jewish Ghetto and Trastevere. Context Travel offers a small group tour (max 6 people) that fits these areas. Or, if you're interested in a private guide who covers these areas, I highly recommend Agnes Crawford (www.understandingrome.com). She's a brilliant guide, her tours are full of lots of interesting information, and she can provide you impeccable recommendations of other activities or dining options for the remainder of your time. I took her Jewish Ghetto and Trastevere tour in February, and wish we had had more time! Had so much fun!
• Also huge props on prioritizing Trajan's Market! I visited that museum on last year's trip to Rome and fell hard for that place. So, so cool. Amazing views as well - be sure to climb as high as you can up the ruins for some memorable moments. They are running an exhibit on Trajan this year - you should check it out!
• Although you're exploring Monti on a Sunday, you may be able to swing around the Mass services to see some of the amazing churches in this area. Consider St Peter in Chains as it's on the way to the Colosseum because everyone needs to see Michelangelo's Moses as well as the memento moriae shrines. Also Santa Prassede for mindboggling mosaics and stunning Cosmatesque floors. Several others that I'm sure the fellow forum members will contribute. If you're exploring Monti, also check out Elizabeth Minchilli's blog (elizabethminchilli.com). She lives in Monti and shares so much of her love of her neighborhood that you practically feel like a neighbor! Her Instagram feed is terrific fun as well.
• If you're walking by Largo di Argentina's ruins, nod to Caesar's assassination site as well as hi to the cats. Then, consider a visit to the Crypta Balbi museum. This musuem is more focused on the layered history of Rome. You get a degree of art, yes, but the spot of this museum evolved over 1500 years, and the museum tells the story in a really cool way. For ancient and medieval history nerds like me, it was pretty close to perfect.

Happy planning, and let us know if you have additional questions!

If you like gelato, try Old Bridge - located across the street from where people line up to get into the Vatican Museum.

Thank you again for all of your input. It has really helped me figure this out.
Here is the revised and (I hope) final version of our Rome itinerary. If I have over or under estimated time for things, please let me know.

Sat May 26:

Arrive FRO at 12:00
Check in at Hotel Genio at 2:00

Option 1 (if tired):

• Piazza Navona, Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, Campo de Fiori

• Dinner at Der Pallaro (Campo de Fiori)

Option 2 (if wired):

• Heart of Rome Walk with side trip to Santa Maria Sopra Minerva

• Dinner near the Spanish Steps, or Piazza Navona

Sun May 27:

• Pantheon at 9:00

• Largo Argentina

• Trajan’s market

• Explore Monti - Fatamorgano for gelato

• Colosseum tour: 2:30 - 6:00

• Victor Emmanuel Monument

• Via del Corso (Piazza Venezia to Piazza del Popolo)

Mon May 28:

• Jewish Ghetto, Palazzo Mattei

• Trastevere

• Vatican tour at 1:15- 5:00 ( any suggestion for getting from Trasteve to Piazza del Risogimento by transit?)

• Dinner at Il Mozzicone , or Hostaria Dino e Tony

• Back to hotel via Ponte de St. Angelo

Tues May 29:

• Borghese Gallery 11:00-1:00

• Capuchin crypts

• Pack

We have been to Rome at least six times or more for a total of at least four weeks. You are just beginning to scratch the surface. It is a good start but plan on returning. I think you will be lucky to hit two thirds of the items on your list but it is a plan.

You will probably want to take a taxi from Trastevere to the Vatican.

I agree with Frank about scratching the surface. In Italy they have a saying: Roma, non Basra una vita - for Rome one lifetime is not enough.

If your tour of Trastevere heads in the right direction you will end up about a 25 minute walk from the Vatican Museum from John Cabot....just continue down Via della Lungara past the arch and continue to Piazza della Rovere or go up on the street above and walk Lungotevere Gianicolense..
Not to throw a wrench in the works, Trastevere is also a nice place to stay...

please please please report back on this thread when you get back! I am so interested in your feedback . PS I thought the Capuchin Crypts were cool and unique. I bought a postcard and showed it to my othopedic dr and other dr friends haha I also want to know what you think of HOSTARIA DINO & TONY if you go and what you end up paying :) as well as how the other restaurants you went to were, your hotel and your other sites THanks:) We are doing a food tour that has rave reviews and also I had a family member go on thru eating itally : https://www.eatingitalyfoodtours.com/rome/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwu_jYBRD8ARIsAC3EGCJaorg7GQs1YbH9iuKZTeEmYH76SVEMo4HZ8vhqwKQCgNdR03DhdQgaAm4oEALw_wcB