Easy methods to Spend 2 Days in Rome, Italy

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close up of the top section of the Colosseum in Rome, a large circular building of beige stone with empty arched windows in a row around it | Is Rome Safe for Solo Female Travellers

An sincere, life like 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 in-built a day – and you’ll want at the least two days to see all of it. Extra, actually.

To get essentially the most out of your metropolis break, intention for 3 nights and two full days. Should you solely have two nights, you might need to shift the under itinerary round somewhat – however you possibly can nonetheless cowl many of the massive sights.

Should you’re quick on time and want fast solutions, I’ve bought a brief model of the whole itinerary (plus a map) on the very backside of the web page. Use the contents menu under or scroll proper down to search out it. In any other case, hold studying for my detailed itinerary and information to planning your two days in Rome. Get pleasure from!

My latest 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.

Solo female travel blogger Emily Luxton wearing a long red dress with a ruched waist and small white dots and carrying a small black cross body bag. She is walking towards the camera inside a cathedral with marbel floor and a large marble archway behind her with dark pink pillars and a yellow tiled roof. — *St Peter’s Basilica, The Vatican*

Is a 2-Day Journey Lengthy Sufficient for Rome?

My sincere reply to that is no! Rome is a improbable metropolis and there’s SO a lot to see and do right here. Plus, in a metropolis that’s recognized for its wonderful delicacies, great nightlife, and fabulous buying 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 if you happen to solely have time for a whirlwind go to to Rome, the excellent news is which you could pack quite a bit into two days.

My most up-to-date journey to the town was nearly precisely 48 hours. In that point, I used to be in a position to 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!

corner of a large pink apartment building with shuttered windows against a cledar blue sky on a sunny morning — *Exploring Rome’s stunning structure!*

High Sights for Your First Journey to Rome

I’ll kick off with a fast checklist of all of the “primary” sights in Rome – excellent if you happen to 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

Word: The final three sights are all situated 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 if you happen to embody the Roman Discussion board)

The Colosseo (Colosseum) might be Rome’s most well-known attraction. Virtually 2,000 years outdated, and the most important historic amphitheatre ever constructed, the stadium as soon as seated round 50,000 spectators and is really breathtaking to behold.

side of the colosseum in rome, a large beige stone circular building with rows of archways around the edge. In the foreground are green leafy trees and a palm tree, with clear blue sky overhead.

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 formidable expanse of ruined streets and buildings which had 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 ebook a guided tour for skip-the-line entry and a few attention-grabbing historical past with an knowledgeable. This 1-hour Guided Tour is good for anybody on a good schedule.

Very quick on time? Skip the Roman Discussion board and solely go to the Colosseum. Should you’re actually pressed, you would skip the go to altogether and easily stroll across the exterior 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: A minimum of 2 hours

The Colosseum in Rome taken whilst leaning out of the top deck of a double decker bus, the side of the red bus is visible on the left of the photo with parked cars along the road to the right.

Should you’re on a good schedule, the hop-on-hop-off bus tour from Metropolis Sightseeing is an effective way to see plenty 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 belongings you’re taking a look at.

There’s a bus cease on the Colosseum, so you possibly can hop aboard when you’re achieved 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.

High tip: The correct-hand aspect of the bus has the most effective 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).

white marble statue depicting a nude woman being grabbed around the waist by a man's arms, she has one arm raised up and her long hair is flying out behind her. Inside the Borghese Gallery in Rome, with the wall behind the statue covered in gold details and engravings. — *Statue by Bernini within the Borghese Gallery*

Subsequent, head to Galleria Borghese to take in Rome’s unimaginable artwork historical past. Should you’re driving the Metropolis Sightseeing bus tour, you possibly can hop off on the Piazza di Spagna and stroll up – in any other case, it’s a few 50-minute stroll.

The gallery is housed throughout the historic Villa Borghese Pinciana, set inside a stunning park. Permit a while to discover the encircling gardens – you possibly can even hire a rowboat on the lake!

The structure and decor are gorgeous, 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 prematurely as potential (that is the official web site – tickets are €13 + a €2 reserving charge). You can too pay a bit additional for Skip-the-Line Tickets (from €40, a number will meet you and escort you thru the doorway). Nevertheless, guided excursions value about the identical quantity and in addition mean you can skip the road, so these are often higher worth.

Night: Take a Meals Tour

hand holding an ice cream cone with three different colour scoops of gleato: one red, one yellow and one brown. There is a circular wafer in the gelato and behind is a flagstone street in Rome lined with shops and orange buildings.

Should you’ve nonetheless bought some vitality left, I extremely advocate taking a meals tour of Rome. It’s such a enjoyable method to uncover the town and its unimaginable meals scene.

I booked this 2.5-hour avenue meals tour via Get Your Information (from €40pp) on my first journey to the town. I wasn’t upset: the tour was nice, our information Graziella was wonderful, and I ate a LOT!

Different tour: 4-Hour Meals Tour by Night time with over 20 meals tastings – from €109pp.

Day Two in Rome

1. Go to the Vatican

How a lot time: 2.5-3 hours (at the least)

blurred pigeon flying in front of a beige stone fountain with the exterior of St Peter's Basilica behind it, there are several pillars along the facade of the basilica and a grey dome on top. — *St Peter’s Basilica*

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 historic Roman sculptures, Renaissance frescos, masterwork work, and – after all – the well-known Sistine Chapel ceiling, painted by Michelangelo.

hallway in the Vatican with marble floor, green walls, and a high, arching ceiling covered in gold carvings. — *Gallery of Maps in The Vatican*

I extremely advocate taking a guided tour on the Vatican. The entry strains might be insanely lengthy (I met individuals who’d been queuing for 3 hours) and it will get very busy inside. A tour will mean you can skip the road, and may also help you navigate the crowds – plus I don’t suppose I’d have had a clue what I used to be taking a look at 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 must queue to get in.

Really helpful tour: Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and Basilica Tour, from €95pp

High Tip: 2025 is a Jubilee 12 months 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 prematurely as you possibly can.

2. Stroll alongside the River to Castel Sant’Angelo

How a lot time: 20-minute stroll + 5-minute picture cease

large white marble statue of an angel with wings and long flwoing robes holding up one hand in front of a large circular building of orange coloured bricks

Whenever you’re achieved exploring the Vatican, it’s solely a brief stroll to the close by Castel Sant’Angelo – an iconic sight in Rome, finest seen 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, immediately, the fort is a museum. There are some beautiful frescoes, fantastically embellished rooms, and a group of weapons – however on a brief journey to Rome, it’s not likely price going inside.

Detour: When you’ve got time, I extremely advocate a detour to the close by Neve di Latte gelato store, which was one in all 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 (at the least)

Rome’s Centro Storico (Historic Centre) is the center and soul of the town: a stunning neighbourhood of fairly piazzas, cobbled alleyways, historic structure, ornate palaces, and historic church buildings.

You could possibly spend hours (days, even) getting misplaced in its scenic aspect streets. However we’re on a good schedule! Fortunately, the three primary sights type a straightforward strolling tour that may take round an hour (permitting for stopping time):

Strolling Tour Route

close up of a section of a beige stone fountain with a carved fish spurting water from its mouth into the surrounding pool. Behind is the facade of the Pantheon, a grey building with columns along the front holding up a triangular roof. — *Cease One = The Pantheon*

1: Pantheon (15-minute stroll from Castel Sant’Angelo). A Roman temple relationship from round 126AD which was later became a Catholic Church. The facade is especially spectacular and there’s a really fairly piazza exterior with an attractive fountain.

High tip: It’s price going contained in the Pantheon (€5, pre-booking not vital) to admire the spectacular domed ceiling – and to see the tombs of the painter Raphael and the Sardinian King Vittorio Emanuele.

Trevi Fountain in Rome, Italy, a large bright blue pool with a crowd of stone carvings and statues behind it and a large cream coloured building behind with columns and more statues in arched nooks — *Cease Two = Trevi Fountain*

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 formidable facade with quite a few sculptures and icons.

High Tip: Come again within the night and also you’ll hopefully discover the fountain much less crowded.

wide stone staircase in Rome with crowds of tourists all over them. There are buildings either side of the steps and a white church at the top with two domed towers and a beige stone obelisk in front. — *Cease Three = The Spanish Steps*

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 picture 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 could be the finest gelato in Rome.

The place to Keep in Rome

small recangular cabin built from grey wood with a veranda out front surrounded by a grey fence. There are trees on either side and clear blue sky above. Hu Stay Premium mobile home. — *hu Keep Premium*

Should you’re in search of an excellent, reasonably priced place to remain in Rome, I can extremely advocate hu Roma tenting on the town. A part of the hu openair group, it is a peaceable, leafy tenting village on the very fringe of the town.

It’s like a mini vacation park – affording the proper escape after a busy day exploring Rome. You get the most effective 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 Cellular Residence

double bed with brown bedspread and white pillows and a large wooden headboard in the bedroom of a mobile home unit. The walls and floor are grey and there are mustard-yellow curtains to the left. Next to the bed is a large shelving unit and on the far right is a stand with a white sink with a mirror above. Hu Stay Premium at Hu Roma Camping in Town.

I stayed in one of many hu Keep Premium cellular houses. It sleeps 5 visitors throughout two rooms: a double and a triple with a bunk mattress. Each rooms have their very own ensuite bathroom and bathe. Between the 2 bedrooms is a roomy kitchen/eating room. Click on right here to look at my video walk-through.

The most effective 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 skin, it appears like a really small unit – however it’s truly surprisingly spacious. There’s a great deal of cupboard space, each bedrooms are very giant, and the kitchenette comes with a full-size fridge and plenty of cabinets.

hu Roma tenting on the town

rectangular outdoor swimming pool with red stone tiles around it surrounded by green leafy trees with some small shrubs in the foreground with white flowers. It is just after sunset with a golden glow in the sky overhead. — *FYI – the pool is closed in Autumn/Winter*

There are tenting and motorhome pitches, so that is the proper place to remain if you happen to’re taking a highway journey in Italy. If not, there are additionally cellular residence items just like the one I stayed in: excellent 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 completely geared in the direction of younger children. Actually, I’d say about 50% of the opposite visitors had 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 excellent bar (excellent for a sundown Aperol Spritz!) and a stunning onsite restaurant serving scrumptious Italian dishes at fairly affordable costs. Pasta dishes had been round €13 – and each meals I had at Rione had been wonderful. I extremely advocate the tiramisu!

hand holding a large glass of aperol spritz, a bright orange drink with large chunks of ice and a black straw. There are tables and a swimming pool out of focus behind and the sun is setting in a golden sky. The hand has a small black tattoo of a pterodactyle on the wrist.

The one draw back is that you simply’re somewhat removed from the town centre. It’s about 5km to The Vatican, however the site visitors might be fairly unhealthy, which slows the journey down. Taxis aren’t too unhealthy: I paid €18 getting back from the Vatican, and about €35 getting back from Villa Borghese (the far aspect of Rome).

Fortunately, hu Roma tenting on the town runs a shuttle bus (€5 return) to the Cipro metro station – the place you possibly can stroll to the Vatican or hop on the metro to discover additional. You can too take public buses, which cease proper exterior 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).

Suggestions 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 if you happen to’re visiting in peak season. Queues can get VERY lengthy and also you don’t wish 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 helpful for avoiding the longest queues.

Should you haven’t pre-booked, arrive as early as you possibly can on the Vatican and the Colosseum. You wish to be there earlier than opening time so that you might be first in line for entry.

side of the colosseum in rome, a large beige stone circular building with rows of archways around the edge. On the ground in front of the colosseum is a large crowd of people. it is a very sunny day with clear blue sky above. — *The Colosseum might be VERY busy*

When to go

Alternatively, go to throughout the low season. My first journey to Rome was in January and the crowds and queues in any respect the sights had been considerably lower than throughout summer season. I used to be in a position to get same-day tickets for the Colosseum with zero wait time.

Should you can, plan to go to mid-week reasonably than at a weekend. Through the week, sights are more likely to be a tad quieter than on the weekend.

mopeds in an alleyway in rome with beige buildings either side of a narrow grey cobbled street

Getting Round

Rome’s Centro Storico is pretty compact and walkable, however the remainder of Rome’s metropolis centre is sprawling. Should you’re quick on time, it may be tempting to make use of taxis to get round – however this will 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 crimson line) and B (the blue line) cowl the town centre and among the most well-known monuments, just like the Colosseum, the Spanish Steps, and the Vatican.

Trains are very frequent and the map is pretty simple to determine. Additionally, the ticket machines might 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 must take a taxi, I like to recommend utilizing FREE NOW; a ridesharing app much like Uber however extra prevalent in Italy.

What and the place to eat

Among the best 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 bought a separate publish in regards to the prime native dishes to attempt in Rome: click on right here to test it out. Under is a fast checklist of among the finest eating places – all of that are near the sights on the itinerary above:

Supplizio – An ideal place to attempt suppli (conventional Roman avenue 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 – High ground of the Sofitel with beautiful views. Good for sundown drinks.
Da Sergio – Rustic little trattoria with red-checked tablecloths.
La Matriciana – Strive the signature dish, Bucatini Amatriciana.
Roscioli – Probably the most effective carbonara in Rome. It is advisable ebook a desk because it will get busy – if you happen to’re eating solo, sit on the bar.

Rome 2-Day Itinerary: Map & Fast Model

Day 1

Go to the Colosseum (permit 1-2 hours minimal)
- Pre-book tickets (ideally the primary slot of the day) or ebook a guided tour.
- Go to the Roman Discussion board (included along with your entry ticket) when you’ve got time.
Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus Tour with Metropolis Sightseeing (permit 2 hours)
Go to the Borghese Gallery (visits are timed so you possibly can’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 if you’d like!
Night: Take a meals tour (if you happen to nonetheless have vitality!)

Day 2

Morning go to to the Vatican (permit at the least 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 gorgeous Gallery of Maps.
- When you’ve got time – climb the dome of St Peter’s Basilica.
Stroll alongside the river to Castel Sant’Angelo (it’s a few 20-minute stroll)
- You may go to inside when you’ve got time.
Discover the Centro Storico (permit at the least 1 hour, longer if you happen to don’t wish 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)
- Permit time to discover the assorted piazzas and scenic aspect streets.
- Seize a gelato – I like to recommend Venchi, Gunther or Don Nino. Try 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 Must Strive in Rome

So, that’s my information to spending two days in Rome – with out exhausting your self! Bought a query? Scroll right down to ask within the feedback!

Text reading: Rome Two Day Itinerary. This title is printed on top of a photo of a river with the domed basilica of the vatican city on the far side refelected in the water at dusk with purple sky, and the view is framed by leaves.