Your perfect 2 days in Rome itinerary
Are you planning a trip to Italy and have only 2 days to spend in Rome? Don’t know how to make the best of your time in the Citta’ Eterna? By following this easy and comprehensive 2 days in Rome itinerary, you will tick off most of the things you might have on your Rome bucket list.
Rome has many attractions, but you can visit the prominent ones in 2 days.
I was lucky to have lived and worked in Italy’s capital for a while, and I have visited it several times since. I cannot tire of Rome and its unbelievably rich history and culture.
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Table of Contents
Your perfect 2 days in Rome itinerary
Getting to Rome
If you are starting your Italy itinerary from Rome, you will most likely land at Rome Fiumicino Airport. If you are traveling by low-cost flights from another European country, the other option is to land at Rome Ciampino airport.
From either one of the airports, you will have 4 options to get to the center of Rome:
- By train. Click on Rail Europe and search for trains from Fiumicino Airport to Rome Termini or Ciampino to Rome Termini.
- By taxi. You can take a cab from the airport. The fare is usually fixed at circa 50 euros.
- By bus. The bus leaves in front of the airport in Ciampino, and it takes around 30 minutes to get to the city center. From Fiumicino Airport, it will take you roughly 45 minutes (depending on the traffic) to get to Rome Termini. For both options, I recommend taking the Terravisio private bus for the current price of 10 EUR. Book your ticket in advance here!
- By private transfer. This option can be similar to taking a taxi, but it will be less challenging for you because you will have everything arranged. See private transfer options here!
Where to stay in Rome
When you only have 2 days, I would strongly suggest booking a hotel or apartment close to the most important tourist attractions.
This is the only way you can save valuable time and include more destinations on your itinerary.
Some great locations would be around Vatican City, near the Foro Romano or Colosseo, or near Piazza del Popolo.
Vatican Luxury Penthouse with terrace
Rooftop Magic in Piazza del Popolo
Booking.comDay 1 itinerary
Vatican City
Start your day early in the morning and make your way directly to the Vatican Museum.
A place like the Vatican could easily take up to one entire day to explore. However, since you have other things on your itinerary for the day, I suggest booking a tour with skip-the-line options.
I remember we waited for quite some time to get the ticket and go inside the museum. We didn’t have a guide with us to explain everything we saw, so we didn’t get to see it all.
By booking a tour, you will know what to expect from the start, you won’t have to waste time waiting in line to buy the ticket, and you will get a whole lot of valuable information. Additionally, you will see the famous Sistine Chapel, go on a tour of the Vatican Garden by minibus, and have an audio guide to explain everything you see.
The best part? You have total flexibility! You can cancel up to 24 hours before your activity starts for a full refund.
Here are 2 great options to have in mind:
- A Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel skip-the-line tour
- A tour of the Vatican Museum would also include a climb to the top of St. Peter’s Basilica Dome, from which you will get one of the most breathtaking views over Rome. Check it out here!
Since a visit to the Vatican can easily take up to 4-5 hours, it is best to start your day here and stop for lunch in the area afterward.
Castle of Sant’Angelo
Your second stop for the day will be the Castle of Sant’Angelo.
With a vast history behind it, here you can visit a series of cells in which many famous figures were incarcerated throughout the years, see Renaissance frescoes, or be amazed by the weapon collection.
From the castle, you will also get impressive views over the Vatican or the Tiber River.
Piazza Navona
From here, cross the river and make your way towards one of the most famous piazzas in Rome: Piazza Navona.
In this square and on the streets surrounding it, you can sit back and listen to music with a glass of wine in hand, admire the impressive statues and fountains, or stop at a local fortune-teller.
Pantheon
Make your way to the Pantheon and discover the secrets of this engineering masterpiece dating from 113 AD on a guided tour.
Here, you can see the tomb of Raphael, learn about the gods worshiped by the Romans, and understand why this building is so impressive and unique. Book your ticket and tour here!
Trevi Fountain
Also, within walking distance, you’ll find the famous Trevi Fountain.
Due to its popularity, this area is always packed with people, and it is difficult to take a picture with the fountain as a background without crowds of other people. However, a stop here is not an option.
The Roman Forum, the Palatine Hill, and the Colosseum
By now, I am sure you already feel tired, but if you can still make it, I would suggest adding the Foro Romano, the Palatine Hill, and the Colosseum to your list of places to see on your first day in Rome.
Book a skip-the-line tour that would include both attractions so that you can get in faster and see them 2 in 1.
Book your best deal for a tour here!
Day 2 itinerary
We’ll split the second day into 2 areas you will need to get to by public transportation.
If you haven’t managed to see the Colosseum and the Roman Forum on the first day, you can always include them here. Read also the complete guide for visiting the Colosseum.
However, if you managed to get everywhere yesterday, follow the next itinerary.
Villa Borghese
Start your day at Villa Borghese, which has a beautiful park and an impressive villa filled with masterpieces by Bernini or Caravaggio. Be careful not to slip on the stairs (as I did), and climb to the Pincio Terrace from where you can admire Rome’s rooftops.
Book a skip-the-line ticket to the Villa Borghese here!
Piazza del Popolo, Via del Corso, and Piazza di Spagna
From here, your second stop of the day will be Piazza del Popolo. You’ll then make your way on Via del Corso, with all its amazing shops, towards Piazza di Spagna and its famous steps.
Giardino degli Aranci
Jump on the bus or subway and travel all the way to the Giardino degli Aranci park. This place offers a great panoramic view of Rome from above, and you will especially get to have a different viewpoint of the Vatican.
Knights of Malta Keyhole
Once night falls, head over to the Knights of Malta Keyhole, not far from the park, and get ready to see one of the most romantic places in town.
Baths of Caracalla, and dinner in Trastevere
Also, in the area, before making your way up to the gardens, you can stop and admire the Pyramid of Caius Cestius and the Baths of Caracalla.
Finish your day off with a dinner in Trastevere – an absolute experience to have for foodies in Rome!
What else should you do in Rome in 2 days?
If you manage to do everything I’ve suggested in this 2 days in Rome itinerary, you will already have accomplished quite a lot!
However, don’t leave Rome behind without:
- Tasting delicious traditional local food – don’t always go to tourist places or fancy restaurants. Try the more local-looking restaurants, even if they aren’t really luxurious, that is where you will find the best food. Also, during lunchtime, try looking for the places where the locals eat. Don’t leave without trying some of these mouthwatering pizza places.
- Eating some “gelato artigianale” at one of the many gelaterias in town. Again, it would be better not to head to the most crowded places, close to the main attractions in Rome.
- Drinking an authentic Italian coffee at the “banco”, while standing. Don’t ever ask for an “americano” or a coffee to go. Also, avoid getting coffee with milk (particularly cappuccino) after lunch.
- Learning how to cook a proper Italian meal at a cooking workshop.
Getting around Rome
While this itinerary is super easy to follow and is designed specifically for walking, the easiest way to get around Rome is by public transportation, particularly by metro.
When you choose to hop on the bus and admire the city from your window, remember to buy the ticket beforehand from any tabaccheria or local bar.
You can buy a ticket at any metro station to take the metro.
When to visit Rome
I think I’ve been to Rome in almost any season except winter and loved it no matter what.
With nice weather year-round and not-so-low temperatures during winter, you can never go wrong. However, I recommend planning your trip for spring (April, May, and even June) or fall (September to November).
There’s always the discussion about visiting Rome during August, and that has both advantages and disadvantages: on the one hand, most locals will be out of town due to vacations, and on the other hand, temperatures will be very high, and you will find it hard to travel around town in the heat.
More Italy travel guides and information
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- The best Italy subscription box ideas for when you get home
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