Three days in Rome: a Photography itinerary
Table of Contents
This post seems to be a long time in the making. I have longed to visit Rome and had tickets in hand with an arrival date in March 2020. The world would have other plans. It would be another two years before our roads led to Rome. One could spend a lifetime in Rome and still have a list of things to see and do. While this post is from a photographer's perspective, it will still add value to anyone planning a trip to the Eternal City.
The nightlife in Rome is robust, with restaurants and bars open late into the evening. If you want to photograph the city without people, sunrise will deliver. Want the Trevi Fountain or the Roman Forum to yourself, early morning might be your only chance. If you want the effect of an empty city at sunset, be sure to take your ND filters for some long exposure.
Roma Pass
The Roma Pass includes entry into two museums, free use of public transportation, and discounts on additional sites and experiences. The Colosseum and the Roman Forum are two places to use the Roma Pass. Purchase your pass before you go. While certainly not required, I did find value in both the access to locations and the ability to use public transportation.
More information can be found on the Roma Pass site.
The Colosseum
As one of the Seven Wonders of the World, any guide to the Rome would not be complete without the Colosseum on the list. While photography is best at sunrise with fewer people, there are plenty of perspectives at any time of day. Tickets and a time reservation are required to enter. Your ticket to the Colosseum might be included with your City Pass, but you will still need to reserve a time slot to visit. I recommend looking at time slots before you arrive in Rome to ensure your visit works with the rest of the things you want to see and do.
Roman Forum
The Forum was the center of ancient Rome and dates to before 500 B.C. In its prime, it served as a marketplace and open-air meeting space. Of all the incredible things we saw and did in Rome, the Forum is where you can spend days and find something new with every visit. The day we spent in the Forum we walked over 13 miles between Arch of Titus to Palatine Hill.
Trevi Fountain
Arguably the most recognizable fountain in the world, the Baroque Trevi fountain stands just shy of 90ft. high, making it quite an impressive site. Because it is instantly recognizable, it is a popular location that draws large crowds. If you want a quieter visit to the fountain, grab a coffee and make the fountain by sunrise. Don't forget to bring a few coins to throw from your right hand over your left shoulder into the water.
Pantheon
Rome's ancient past is on display across the city. There is no shortage of reminders from the Circus Maximus to the Forum, but the Pantheon might be one of the best-preserved structures. The interior is a must-see, but photographers should visit early. Sunrise may find the square empty, making photography easier.
Vatican City
There is no shortage of beautiful things to see and photograph in Vatican City; St. Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Museum, and the Vatican Garden, to name a few. Being limited to three days means prioritizing what you want to see and experience. I highly recommend hiring a tour guide. We could talk with our guide about our priorities, and she ensured we made the most of our time. With this information, our guide got us early entry into the Vatican Museums and straight to the Spiral staircase.
Photography in the Sistine Chapel
With the ceiling adorned with Michelangelo's masterpiece, the Sistine Chapel has a strict no-photography policy. If you forget, the guards will remind you. Often. Trying to understand the policy will lead to sentiment about quiet reflection in viewing the masterpiece or an effort to protect the works of art from the damage of flash photography. The real reason, however, is more commercial.
In the 1990s, the chapel was to undergo a major restoration project. The Vatican looked to fund the effort through an auction won by the Nippon Television Network Corporation of Japan. Part of the deal between the Vatican and Nippon was that Nippon would receive exclusive rights to photograph the restored works.
While this exclusivity ended in 1997, the ban remains.
Photographing the beauty of Vatican City is possible beyond the hours it is open to the public. St. Peter's Basilica dominates the skyline of the surrounding area, and incredible photography can be had from the banks of the Tiber or many of the seven hills of Rome. One of my favorite views of St. Peter's was from Ponte Umberto I bridge over the Tiber River. This can be seen in the header of this post.
Trastevere
The Trastevere is not a singular place but a neighborhood, and for a foodie, it is not one to miss. It can be hard to cull through all the resources to find the best food in Rome. My recommendation is to leave it to a local. On our trip, we contacted Benedetta and Valeria from Local Aromas. They sent us lists of some of their favorite restaurants in the city, took us on a food and wine tour through the Trastevere, and even did a private cooking class with us.
From a photography perspective, this neighborhood would offer endless street photography opportunities. Spending time lost in the Trastevere would be time well spent.
Conclusion
Three days in Rome could never be enough time to see the Eternal City. But this would be my short list of things to see and do if you had limited time. Bring your walking shoes and get lost; it will be a time you will never forget. What are your favorite things to see and do in Rome? I'd love to hear about it in the comments below. Click the buttons below to see more images or buy prints from our recent trip to Italy.
