Every time I take a step in Italy I feel full of life. Rome is a city that always calls you back no matter what stage in life you may find yourself. There is that time when you went there backpacking in college, a time when you visited with your family, a time you visited solo as an adult after experiencing true heart break, but with more means to enjoy the city you once budget backpacked through, or the time you are madly in love with someone and want to share the city together ( I have not experienced this one yet so I know I will be back).
Read more: Why you should visit Rome, Italy solo*Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase or booking, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.Travels of Sarah Fay is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designaed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and affiliated sites at no cost to you. All views are my own and honest opinion of my experiences.
This time an extended layover in between destinations called me to Rome alone just a few days after celebrating my birthday alone away from friends and family. I was going to treat myself to experiences that I did not get to have in my early twenties, do what I wanted to do, and follow my whims for the 3 nights I would spend in Rome doing whatever I wanted to do. Because who knows what will call me to Rome next.
Exploring Rome Solo: Where to stay
While in my twenties I was all about parties and experiencing whatever I thought a true traveler was at the time, this time would be different. Instead of hostel dorms, I was going to still enjoy the traveler vibe, but instead do it from a private ensuite room prioritizing comfort. I still enjoyed the boutique hostel experience offered by Generator Rome for the social aspect, but this way I could actually get a great nights sleep to enjoy my days exploring Rome and beyond.
There are so many things to do in the eternal city, but one of my favorite things to do when I get to a city is take a walking tour and also experience something new or different, especially in a city I am revisiting.
Exploring the Vatican Alone
The first night I arrived I headed to the Vatican. While not exactly a part of Italy, and the smallest country in the world. I found a unique experience with Walk Tours to experience the Vatican Museum and Sistine chapel almost all to myself after-hours.
If you have seen any videos of the Vatican during the day, you will see throngs of tourists standing shoulder to shoulder as they admire one of the world’s most impressive collection of art, as well as most important religious site for Catholics.
We gathered outside the exit, and watched the last tourists exit as we met our guide to have one of the most special experiences I have ever had. I am Catholic, and honestly while I have not been to church in a while there was something awe inspiring being able to walk through the gates of the Vatican and be able to walk the halls with almost complete silence other than our lovely guide sharing as many details into the short 3 hours we had together.
My favorite part was when we walked through the Maps hall, the Raphael rooms, and then finally to the Sistine Chapel. This is the year of the Catholic Jubilee and everyone was celebrating the new pope so it was definitely special to have the Vatican museum all to ourselves. Alone in the Sistine Chapel tour is not cheap, but it is definitely worth it.
Day 2
Wake up and enjoy your breakfast at the hotel, and take it slow finding a cafe to get a cappuccino and cornetto the typical Italian breakfast. Why not check two items off at once by visiting the Pantheon and an old school cafe nearby with a slight view.
The Pantheon
The Pantheon in Rome, originally built by Marcus Agrippa around 27 BCE and later rebuilt by Emperor Hadrian in 118–125 CE, is one of the best-preserved monuments of ancient Rome and has served as a Roman temple, a Christian church, and now a major landmark. It is 5 euros or so to enter and you a pay by card to get through the line faster.
Fun facts: the dome is the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world, the exact purpose of its perfect proportions is still debated, and it houses the tombs of Raphael and several Italian kings.
After visiting the Pantheon head to La Casa del Caffe Tazza d’Oro for breakfast or their celebrated iced granita with whipped cream. (You can guess what I got).
Visit the most visited fountain in the world- Trevi Fountain
While most people will try and tell you to wake up early to see the Trevi Fountain at some ungodly hour, I felt like while it was busy when I went the system was quite organized to have my moment in front of the Trevi Fountain. Now many people have decided they want to wake up before sunrise to catch a glimpse of it, but my best times visiting the Trevi Fountain was during the off- season in the winter and seeing it on my way home after a night out. There was absolutely no one there. I even had a kiss in front of it so maybe that is what continues to draw me to the city.
The Trevi Fountain, completed in 1762 by Nicola Salvi and later finished by Giuseppe Pannini, is Rome’s largest Baroque fountain and stands where an ancient Roman aqueduct once ended.Fun facts: about €3,000 is thrown into the fountain daily (collected for charity), it has appeared in famous films like La Dolce Vita, and it stands an impressive 85 feet tall and 160 feet wide.
Visit the Colosseum and Ancient Roman Forum
If you come to Rome and you do not visit the Colosseum and Roman forum, you are indeed missing out. This is a tourist hot spot for a reason, and it is seriously impressive.
The Colosseum, built between 70–80 CE under Emperor Vespasian and completed by his son Titus, was the largest amphitheater of the Roman Empire and hosted gladiator battles, animal hunts, and public spectacles. To visit, book tickets online in advance, consider a guided tour to access underground areas, and arrive early to avoid long lines. Fun facts: it could hold up to 50,000 spectators, had a retractable awning system called the velarium, and despite centuries of earthquakes and stone looting, much of its structure still stands today.
There are so many options when looking at how to explore one of the most famous wonders of the world the Colosseum, but for me I decided to take a self guided audio tour and booked my ticket on Getyourguide. It included the audio guide, the entry to the Colosseum and the Ancient Roman Forum, as well as Palentine Hill.
Visitors to the Colosseum can explore standard entry areas or upgrade to guided tours that include the underground chambers and arena floor for a closer look at where gladiators and animals once competed. If you want to visit the arena floor book in advance as these options were sold out when I tried to book the day or two before.
Explore Trastevere on a food tour
Walking through neighborhoods and Rome is by far my favorite thing to do in the city, however if you are looking to blend history, culture, and food in a walk I recommend Devour food tours. I took one through the neighborhood of Trastevere.
This iconic neighborhood has kept up much of its’ charm and local atmosphere as compared to other tourist hotspots in the city such as the Trevi Fountain, and the area surrounding the Colosseum. Don’t get me wrong I also visited here, but I knew I wanted to experience new, old, and touristy Rome on my solo adventure to Italy this time around.
A food tour in Trastevere with Devour Food Tours takes you through the charming cobblestone streets to sample authentic Roman dishes, from fresh pasta and pizza to gelato. Guided by local experts, you’ll discover hidden eateries, hear fascinating culinary stories, and experience the neighborhood like a true Roman.
The tour ended in near the Ponte Sisto the only pedestrian bridge in historic center of Rome. The sunset vibes were immaculate live music, entertainment, and the view of the Tiber River.
Day 3 Half-Day Trip To Tivoli
If you want to visit Tivoli in the summer, I recommend waking up early. At first you may wonder if it is worth it to leave the city for half a day to explore a day trip from Rome. However, you will quickly find out how amazing Tivoli is and want to stay longer.
How to get to Tivoli?
Tivoli, Italy, is about 30 kilometers east of Rome and can be reached by bus, or car. From Rome, you can take a regional train from Roma Tiburtina to Tivoli station (around 1 hour) or you can drive there in about a half hour. Driving is also convenient via the A24 motorway, offering flexibility to explore Tivoli’s villas and gardens at your own pace.
My top tip when I go anywhere is to stay connected and that helps me when executing these day trips solo. How do I do this? With an eSIM. Get one for your next trip.
What to do in Tivoli when you get here?
Tivoli, a charming town just outside Rome, is famous for its stunning villas and gardens, including Villa d’Este with its impressive Renaissance fountains and Villa Adriana, the expansive ancient Roman emperor Hadrian’s estate. Don’t miss the dramatic Villa Gregoriana, featuring waterfalls, caves, and lush walking paths. The town’s picturesque streets and panoramic views of the surrounding countryside make it a perfect day trip from Rome.
Villa Gregoriana
I enjoyed walking through the cobblestone streets without the crowds and headed to Villa Gregoriana first.The hike through Villa Gregoriana’s gorge is about 2–3 kilometers round trip, depending on which paths you take, and typically takes 1.5 to 2 hours at a leisurely pace. The descent into the gorge is moderately steep, with stairs and uneven terrain, winding past waterfalls, caves, and Roman ruins, while the climb back up is more strenuous but offers rewarding panoramic views of Tivoli and the Aniene River.
Villa D’este
Visiting Villa d’Este, I was immediately captivated by the stunning Renaissance gardens and the incredible display of fountains that seemed to bring the entire estate to life. I wandered along the ornate pathways, discovering hidden grottoes, cascading water features, and intricate sculptures at every turn. The sound of water everywhere created such a peaceful and magical atmosphere that I could have spent hours just listening and exploring. I also took time to admire the grand villa itself, with its frescoed rooms and beautiful views over Tivoli, making it a truly unforgettable experience.
They say these are the gardens inspired the gardens at Versailles and I can see how.They layout, terrace, and awe inspiring fountains truly are reminiscent of my visit to Versailles.
After exploring the cute town, it was time to head back to Rome. My last night I decided to head treat myself to a solo dinner at the beautiful Trastevere Roma UNA Esperienze rooftop.
I had an immaculate dinner here that did not only look good, but tasted delicious as I took in the sunset from the rooftop in Trastevere. The gnocchi was delicious with seafood, and I could not resist the tiramisu for desert.
To wrap it up
There are so many ways you can enjoy 3 days solo in Rome, but the one thing you have is your free will to do, eat, or go anywhere when you are by yourself. So if you want to treat yourself to a beautiful restaurant, shopping, or a once in a lifetime tour go for it because you do not have to wait for anyone.
What I would have added if I had more time?
Biking along the Appian way. The Appian Way (Via Appia Antica) in Rome is one of the oldest and most important Roman roads, originally built in 312 BCE to connect Rome with southern Italy. Walking or biking along this historic route, you can see ancient tombs, catacombs, and ruins, as well as charming countryside landscapes just outside the city. It’s a perfect place to experience Rome’s history away from the usual tourist crowds.
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