This spring, I finally spent a long weekend with my best friend in Italy’s capital, and it turned out to be the perfect mix of sightseeing, la dolce vita, and plenty of Italian food and Aperol Spritz. Staying at Mama Shelter Roma, a colorful, quirky hotel with a lively rooftop terrace near the Vatican, made it super convenient to explore the Eternal City. The hotel’s restaurant was also the perfect spot to enjoy our first pizza and Spritz of the trip, setting the tone for the weekend ahead.

Day I

After a delicious breakfast at the hotel, we kicked off our first full day with a visit to St. Peter’s Basilica. From there, we wandered toward the city center and soon found ourselves sipping our first Spritz of the day in the sun at Piazza Navona. Strolling through Rome’s historic streets, we admired the Pantheon, grabbed gelato at Giolitti, one of Rome’s oldest gelaterias, and tossed coins into the Fontana di Trevi, ticking off some of Rome’s most famous landmarks along the way.

In the evening, we headed to Trastevere, one of Rome’s most charming neighborhoods for dinner and drinks. We enjoyed an incredible pasta dinner at Tonnarello (don’t miss their cacio e pepe!) and ended the night early after a few too many Aperol Spritz at Bar San Calisto, a down-to-earth 1960s bar known for its cheap drinks and local vibe.

Day II

Despite a slightly foggy head the next morning, we were determined to make the most of the day and packed in plenty of sightseeing. Starting with the Colosseum and Roman Forum, we continued on to Piazza di Spagna, Castel Sant’Angelo, and Piazza del Popolo.

For lunch, we refueled with pizza at a small pizzeria near Piazzale Flaminio and then headed to Villa Borghese Gardens for a break from the city bustle. You can also rent a rowing boat on the lake there, though we skipped it after spotting the long line. If you’re craving dessert, stop by Pompi nearby for their legendary tiramisu.

Later in the afternoon, we explored the Monti neighborhood, particularly Via Urbana, known for its vintage shops, boutiques, and cozy cafés. At the nearby Mercato Centrale Roma, you can also grab Rome’s famous street food pocket at Il Trapizzino. Although we had hoped to visit Oro Bistrot for rooftop drinks with a view, after another packed day, we were simply ready to head back and rest at the hotel.

Day III

On our final day, we finally tackled the 551 steps to the top of St. Peter’s Basilica, we were rewarded with stunning panoramic views over Rome. If have more time to explore the Vatican, the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums are right next door and well worth a visit. Later, we stopped at the bustling Campo de’ Fiori market – open from Monday to Saturday – which is a great spot for fresh produce, flowers, and souvenirs. From there, we wandered through the nearby streets and treated ourselves to coffee and the most delicious cannoli at Sant’Eustachio Il Caffé.

With a bit of time left before our flight, we headed up to Piazzale Socrate, a lesser-known viewpoint offering sweeping views over the city, especially at sunset. Alternatively, Giardino degli Aranci is another popular spot for similar views. And to end our Roman adventure on a perfect note, we grabbed some of the city’s best Roman pizza by the slice at Panificio Bonci, paired with one final Aperol Spritz.