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An sincere, reasonable information & itinerary that will help you plan your 2 days in Rome – with out making an attempt to suit an excessive amount of in!
Because the basic cliche goes, Rome wasn’t inbuilt a day – and you’ll want not less than two days to see all of it. Extra, actually.
To get essentially the most out of your metropolis break, goal for 3 nights and two full days. Should you solely have two nights, you may need to shift the under itinerary round a little bit – however you may nonetheless cowl a lot of the large sights.
Should you’re brief on time and want fast solutions, I’ve received a brief model of all the itinerary (plus a map) on the very backside of the web page. Use the contents menu under or scroll proper down to seek out it. In any other case, maintain studying for my detailed itinerary and information to planning your two days in Rome. Take pleasure in!
My current go to to Rome was sponsored by hu Roma tenting on the town (extra on that within the “The place to Keep” part). All phrases and opinions are my very own.
Is a 2-Day Journey Lengthy Sufficient for Rome?
My sincere reply to that is no! Rome is a implausible metropolis and there’s SO a lot to see and do right here. Plus, in a metropolis that’s recognized for its superb delicacies, great nightlife, and fabulous procuring scene, an extended go to permits extra time to wander and take in that well-known “dolce vita”.
However generally, two days is all you’ve got! And should you solely have time for a whirlwind go to to Rome, the excellent news is which you can pack so much into two days.
My most up-to-date journey to the town was virtually precisely 48 hours. In that point, I used to be capable of go to the Vatican, take in the artwork on the Borghese Gallery, take an open-top bus tour, wander some fairly sidestreets, and cram a LOT of pasta into my face!
Prime Sights for Your First Journey to Rome
I’ll kick off with a fast checklist of all of the “major” sights in Rome – good should you solely have a few days to discover.
- The Colosseum & Roman Discussion board
- Borghese Gallery
- Vatican Metropolis (together with the Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Basilica)
- Trevi Fountain
- Pantheon
- Spanish Steps
Be aware: The final three sights are all positioned pretty close to one another within the Centro Storico
Two Days in Rome: Itinerary
In a rush? There’s a map and a fast model of this itinerary on the very backside of the web page. In any other case, right here’s my itinerary that will help you see as a lot of Rome as potential in 2 days…
Day One in Rome
1. The Colosseum & the Roman Discussion board
How a lot time: 1-2 hours (2.5-3 hours should you embody the Roman Discussion board)
The Colosseo (Colosseum) might be Rome’s most well-known attraction. Virtually 2,000 years outdated, and the biggest historical amphitheatre ever constructed, the stadium as soon as seated round 50,000 spectators and is actually breathtaking to behold.
As the town’s most iconic sight, it’s often very packed and may have lengthy strains – so I like to recommend heading right here as early as potential. Tickets additionally embody entry to the close by Roman Discussion board; a powerful expanse of ruined streets and buildings which have been as soon as the very coronary heart of Historical Rome.
Pre-book your tickets (ideally for the primary timeslot of the day) from the official website, or e book a guided tour for skip-the-line entry and a few attention-grabbing historical past with an professional. This 1-hour Guided Tour is good for anybody on a decent schedule.
Very brief on time? Skip the Roman Discussion board and solely go to the Colosseum. Should you’re actually pressed, you possibly can skip the go to altogether and easily stroll across the outdoors of the Colosseum, which might take round 10-Half-hour.
RECOMMENDED TOUR: Precedence Entry Colosseum, Roman Discussion board & Palatine Tour, 2.5 hours, from €62.40pp
2. Hop-Hop, Hop-Off Bus Tour
How a lot time: Not less than 2 hours
Should you’re on a decent schedule, the hop-on-hop-off bus tour from Metropolis Sightseeing is an effective way to see a whole lot of Rome in a brief area of time. It’s additionally a lot much less tiring – and features a free audio information to share some background on the stuff you’re .
There’s a bus cease on the Colosseum, so you may hop aboard when you’re carried out exploring (or use the bus to get there). Using the entire circuit with out getting off takes round 2 hours. Should you do hop off, there are buses each 15-20 minutes.
Prime tip: The precise-hand facet of the bus has the very best views of the Colosseum as you strategy.
3. Tour the Borghese Gallery
How a lot time: 1-2 hours (visits are timed and final 2 hours max).
Subsequent, head to Galleria Borghese to take in Rome’s unimaginable artwork historical past. Should you’re driving the Metropolis Sightseeing bus tour, you may hop off on the Piazza di Spagna and stroll up – in any other case, it’s a couple of 50-minute stroll.
The gallery is housed inside the historic Villa Borghese Pinciana, set inside a stunning park. Enable a while to discover the encircling gardens – you may even hire a rowboat on the lake!
The structure and decor are beautiful, however the actual treasure contained in the villa is the artwork assortment. Highlights embody marble statues by the well-known Bernini and work by the masterful Caravaggio.
I like to recommend you pre-book your tickets as far upfront as potential (that is the official web site – tickets are €13 + a €2 reserving price). You too can pay a bit further for Skip-the-Line Tickets (from €40, a bunch will meet you and escort you thru the doorway). Nevertheless, guided excursions price about the identical quantity and in addition assist you to skip the road, so these are often higher worth.
RECOMMENDED TOUR: Borghese Gallery Small Group Guided Tour (consists of skip-the-line entry tickets) from €40
Night: Take a Meals Tour
Should you’ve nonetheless received some vitality left, I extremely advocate taking a meals tour of Rome. It’s such a enjoyable technique to uncover the town and its unimaginable meals scene.
I booked this 2.5-hour road meals tour by Get Your Information (from €40pp) on my first journey to the town. I wasn’t disenchanted: the tour was nice, our information Graziella was superb, and I ate a LOT!
Various tour: 4-Hour Meals Tour by Evening with over 20 meals tastings – from €109pp.
Day Two in Rome
1. Go to the Vatican
How a lot time: 2.5-3 hours (not less than)
Vatican Metropolis is a must-visit in Rome. Not solely is that this city-state the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church and residential of the Pope, however it additionally homes an enormous assortment of artwork, structure and artefacts.
There are historical Roman sculptures, Renaissance frescos, masterwork work, and – after all – the well-known Sistine Chapel ceiling, painted by Michelangelo.
I extremely advocate taking a guided tour on the Vatican. The entry strains could be insanely lengthy (I met individuals who’d been queuing for 3 hours) and it will get very busy inside. A tour will assist you to skip the road, and might help you navigate the crowds – plus I don’t suppose I’d have had a clue what I used to be and not using a information! You can pre-book Skip The Line Tickets (click on right here), however this simply means skipping the queue to purchase tickets – you’ll nonetheless should queue to get in.
Advisable tour: Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and Basilica Tour, from €95pp
Prime Tip: 2025 is a Jubilee yr on the Vatican, which occurs each 25 years. It’s a giant deal, and customer numbers are anticipated to surge. Pre-book your tickets as far upfront as you may.
2. Stroll alongside the River to Castel Sant’Angelo
How a lot time: 20-minute stroll + 5-minute photograph cease
If you’re carried out exploring the Vatican, it’s solely a brief stroll to the close by Castel Sant’Angelo – an iconic sight in Rome, greatest considered from the traditional Ponte Sant’Angelo bridge.
Initially constructed as a mausoleum for the Roman Emporer Hadrian (of Hadrian’s Wall fame!) and later used as a fortress, at this time, the citadel is a museum. There are some pretty frescoes, superbly embellished rooms, and a set of weapons – however on a brief journey to Rome, it’s not likely value going inside.
Detour: In case you have time, I extremely advocate a detour to the close by Neve di Latte gelato store, which was one in every of my favorite discoveries! Learn extra in my Rome gelato information!
3. Centro Storico Strolling Tour: Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps
How a lot time: 1 hour (not less than)
Rome’s Centro Storico (Historic Centre) is the center and soul of the town: a blinding neighbourhood of fairly piazzas, cobbled alleyways, historical structure, ornate palaces, and historic church buildings.
You might spend hours (days, even) getting misplaced in its scenic facet streets. However we’re on a decent schedule! Fortunately, the three major sights type a straightforward strolling tour that can take round an hour (permitting for stopping time):
Strolling Tour Route
1: Pantheon (15-minute stroll from Castel Sant’Angelo). A Roman temple relationship from round 126AD which was later changed into a Catholic Church. The facade is especially spectacular and there’s a really fairly piazza outdoors with a stupendous fountain.
Prime tip: It’s value going contained in the Pantheon (€5, pre-booking not crucial) to admire the spectacular domed ceiling – and to see the tombs of the painter Raphael and the Sardinian King Vittorio Emanuele.
2: Trevi Fountain (10-minute stroll from the Pantheon). Be ready for crowds at Rome’s most photographed fountain! Made well-known by the basic 1960 movie La Dolce Vita, the fountain was constructed between 1732 and 1762 and options a powerful facade with quite a few sculptures and icons.
Prime Tip: Come again within the night and also you’ll hopefully discover the fountain much less crowded.
3: Spanish Steps (10-minute stroll from the Trevi Fountain). This grand, historic staircase relationship from the 1720s leads from the Piazza di Spagna to the white, twin-towered Trinità dei Monti church. It’s one other Rome icon and a well-liked photograph spot, however once more, be ready to share it with crowds!
Detour: Swing by the Don Nino gelato store close to the Pantheon to attempt what is perhaps the greatest gelato in Rome.
The place to Keep in Rome
Should you’re searching for an ideal, reasonably priced place to remain in Rome, I can extremely advocate hu Roma tenting on the town. A part of the hu openair group, this can be a peaceable, leafy tenting village on the very fringe of the town.
It’s like a mini vacation park – affording the right escape after a busy day exploring Rome. You get the very best of each worlds right here: all of the motion of the town centre, plus the chilled-out vibes and self-catering affordability of a vacation park.
PROMO CODE: Use my unique reader promo code EMILYFORHU for a ten% low cost legitimate on villages and campings on the town for stays till 17/04/2025 (together with Christmas holidays).
hu Keep Premium Cell Dwelling
I stayed in one of many hu Keep Premium cell properties. It sleeps 5 company throughout two rooms: a double and a triple with a bunk mattress. Each rooms have their very own ensuite rest room and bathe. Between the 2 bedrooms is a roomy kitchen/eating room. Click on right here to observe my video walk-through.
One of the best half is the giant veranda out the entrance of the property, with a big desk for out of doors eating or night drinks.
From the surface, it seems like a really small unit – however it’s really surprisingly spacious. There’s a great deal of space for storing, each bedrooms are very giant, and the kitchenette comes with a full-size fridge and many cabinets.
hu Roma tenting on the town
There are tenting and motorhome pitches, so that is the right place to remain should you’re taking a street journey in Italy. If not, there are additionally cell dwelling items just like the one I stayed in: preferrred for a self-catering getaway.
Though hu Roma tenting on the town is good for households, it didn’t really feel overly family-focused or solely geared in the direction of younger children. Actually, I’d say about 50% of the opposite company have been {couples} or teams of adults.
There’s an out of doors pool with two jacuzzis, a big BBQ space, a small playpark, a basketball & soccer court docket, desk tennis tables, and a really well-stocked mini marketplace for grabbing the necessities.
There’s additionally an ideal bar (good for a sundown Aperol Spritz!) and a stunning onsite restaurant serving scrumptious Italian dishes at fairly cheap costs. Pasta dishes have been round €13 – and each meals I had at Rione have been wonderful. I extremely advocate the tiramisu!
The one draw back is that you simply’re a little bit removed from the town centre. It’s about 5km to The Vatican, however the site visitors could be fairly dangerous, which slows the journey down. Taxis aren’t too dangerous: I paid €18 getting back from the Vatican, and about €35 getting back from Villa Borghese (the far facet of Rome).
Fortunately, hu Roma tenting on the town runs a shuttle bus (€5 return) to the Cipro metro station – the place you may stroll to the Vatican or hop on the metro to discover additional. You too can take public buses, which cease proper outdoors the park’s entrance, to achieve the closest metro station.
PROMO CODE: Use my unique reader promo code EMILYFORHU for a ten% low cost legitimate on villages and campings on the town for stays till 17.04.2025 (together with Christmas holidays).
Ideas for Making the Most of Your Two Days in Rome
Pre-book or arrive early.
Pre-book tickets (or excursions) for the big-hitter sights, particularly should you’re visiting in peak season. Queues can get VERY lengthy and also you don’t need to waste hours standing in line while you solely have a few days to play with.
Some sights promote “Skip the Line” tickets that are useful for avoiding the longest queues.
Should you haven’t pre-booked, arrive as early as you may on the Vatican and the Colosseum. You need to be there earlier than opening time so that you could be first in line for entry.
When to go
Alternatively, go to through the low season. My first journey to Rome was in January and the crowds and queues in any respect the sights have been considerably lower than throughout summer time. I used to be capable of get same-day tickets for the Colosseum with zero wait time.
Should you can, plan to go to mid-week slightly than at a weekend. Throughout the week, sights are prone to be a tad quieter than on the weekend.
Getting Round
Rome’s Centro Storico is pretty compact and walkable, however the remainder of Rome’s metropolis centre is sprawling. Should you’re brief on time, it may be tempting to make use of taxis to get round – however this may add up quick.
Fortunately, there’s a reasonably respectable public transport system in place. There are three metro strains within the metropolis: strains A (the purple line) and B (the blue line) cowl the town centre and a few of the most well-known monuments, just like the Colosseum, the Spanish Steps, and the Vatican.
Trains are very frequent and the map is pretty straightforward to determine. Additionally, the ticket machines could be switched to English. You should purchase a single journey ticket (100 minutes) for €2, or there are day and week-long tickets. Click on right here for an in-depth information to utilizing the metro.
Should you do have to take a taxi, I like to recommend utilizing FREE NOW; a ridesharing app just like Uber however extra prevalent in Italy.
What and the place to eat
Among the finest issues about visiting Rome is the FOOD. I may fairly fortunately spend two days within the metropolis with out visiting any sights, simply consuming pasta and gelato!
I’ve received a separate submit concerning the high native dishes to attempt in Rome: click on right here to test it out. Beneath is a fast checklist of a few of the greatest eating places – all of that are near the sights on the itinerary above:
- Supplizio – An important place to attempt suppli (conventional Roman road meals snack)
- Panificio Bonci – Good for a fast lunch close to the Vatican. Order the porchetta sandwich!
- Pizzarium by Gabrielle Bonci – Pizza by the slice, additionally close to the Vatican
- Settimo – Prime flooring of the Sofitel with beautiful views. Good for sundown drinks.
- Da Sergio – Rustic little trattoria with red-checked tablecloths.
- La Matriciana – Attempt the signature dish, Bucatini Amatriciana.
- Roscioli – Probably the very best carbonara in Rome. It is advisable to e book a desk because it will get busy – should you’re eating solo, sit on the bar.
Rome 2-Day Itinerary: Map & Fast Model
Day 1
- Go to the Colosseum (enable 1-2 hours minimal)
- Pre-book tickets (ideally the primary slot of the day) or e book a guided tour.
- Go to the Roman Discussion board (included together with your entry ticket) in case you have time.
- Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus Tour with Metropolis Sightseeing (enable 2 hours)
- Go to the Borghese Gallery (visits are timed so you may’t keep longer than 2 hours)
- You should use the Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus Tour to get there.
- Prebook your tickets to ensure entry.
- Afterwards, spend a while exploring the encircling gardens. You may even hire a rowboat on the lake in order for you!
- Night: Take a meals tour (should you nonetheless have vitality!)
Day 2
- Morning go to to the Vatican (enable not less than 2.5 hours)
- I extremely advocate reserving a guided tour to keep away from the queues.
- Don’t miss the Sistine Chapel (search for!), the long-lasting St Peter’s Basilica, or the beautiful Gallery of Maps.
- In case you have time – climb the dome of St Peter’s Basilica.
- Stroll alongside the river to Castel Sant’Angelo (it’s a couple of 20-minute stroll)
- You may go to inside in case you have time.
- Discover the Centro Storico (enable not less than 1 hour, longer should you don’t need to rush)
- The Pantheon (15 minute stroll from Castel Sant’Angelo)
- Trevi Fountain (10 minute stroll from the Pantheon)
- Spanish Steps (10 minute stroll from the Trevi Fountain)
- Enable time to discover the varied piazzas and scenic facet streets.
- Seize a gelato – I like to recommend Venchi, Gunther or Don Nino. Take a look at my information for extra suggestions!
Learn Extra
Why You Ought to Go to Rome in January
Is Rome Secure for Solo Feminine Travellers?
14 Dishes You Should Attempt in Rome
So, that’s my information to spending two days in Rome – with out exhausting your self! Acquired a query? Scroll all the way down to ask within the feedback!
