7 days in Rome = the PERFECT length. 3 days covers icons. 5 adds hidden gems. 7 lets you LIVE like a Roman. 3 days → · Neighborhoods →
Day 1 — Ancient: Colosseum 9am → Forum+Palatine → Testaccio Market lunch → Centrale Montemartini → aperitivo Testaccio. Day 2 — Vatican: Vatican Museums 8am → St. Peter's + dome → Trionfale lunch → Castel Sant'Angelo. Day 3 — Piazzas+Churches: Pantheon → Navona → San Luigi 3 Caravaggio → Trastevere lunch → Gianicolo sunset → Freni e Frizioni.
Day 4 — Borghese+Monti: Galleria Borghese 9am → Villa Borghese park → Monti lunch → San Pietro in Vincoli (Moses) → Santa Prassede mosaics. Day 5 — Underground+Appia: San Clemente 3 layers → Catacombe San Callisto → Via Appia bike → Parco Acquedotti sunset. Day 6 — Day trip: Ostia Antica (metro 25min, half day) OR Tivoli Villa Adriana+Villa d'Este. Day 7 — YOUR Rome: Morning market → Palazzo Doria Pamphilj → Galleria Colonna (if Sat) → Aventine keyhole+Orange Garden sunset → farewell dinner.