Are you planning a 2-day trip to Rome Italy? Searching for a perfect 2 days in Rome Itinerary? If so, let me help you to see the best of Rome in 2 days and to make the most out of your 2 days in Rome Italy! Check out my 2-day Rome itinerary and find out what to do in Rome in 2 days, what to see in Rome in 2 days, where to stay in Rome in 2 days, and more!
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I wrote a Rome in A Day itinerary for people with only one day to visit Rome. But, if you have 2 days in Rome (which is great!), the following itinerary is for you.
If you choose to follow this 2 days in Rome itinerary, you will have much time for sightseeing in Rome and leisurely enjoying the city. This 2 days in Rome itinerary allows you to see Rome’s attractions in a relaxed and stressless manner.
Similar to the 1-Day in Rome Itinerary, this 2-Day Rome itinerary covers the three most visited parts of Rome: the historic center of Rome, the Vatican City, and Trastevere. But unlike the 1-Day in Rome itinerary, you will have much time in the Vatican. You will be able to tour both (the Vatican Museums and St Peter’s Basilica) and see more sites in the historic center of Rome than in the previously mentioned 1 Day in Rome Itinerary.
Just to remind you, the historic center of Rome, the Vatican City, and Trastevere are within walking distance and easily explored on foot. In addition, they are well-connected by public transport as well.
I recommend staying in the historic center of Rome or Trastevere for the convince of this itinerary. Consider staying at Hotel Barrett near Pantheon in the historic center or Horti 14 Borgo Trastevere Hotel in Trastevere! Both hotels have great locations for this itinerary.
A note: this suggested itinerary has estimated times for visiting the sites in Rome. The actual time depends on a (tourist) season in Rome and related tourist crowds. However, I suggest booking tickets and tours in this 2 days in Rome itinerary in advance to avoid the lines and to make the most of your 2 days in Rome.
Contents
- 2 DAYS IN ROME ITINERARY
- 2 Days in Rome itinerary: Day 1
- 9 am – 1 pm Day 1: Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill
- 1:05 pm – 1:15 pm: Piazza Venezia
- 1:20 pm – 1:35 pm: Campidoglio Square (Capitoline Square)
- 1:45 pm – 1:55 pm: Bocca della Verità (the Mouth of Truth)
- 2:05 pm – 3:05 pm Lunch at Ba Ghetto
- 3:15 pm – 3:25 pm Via dei Gubonnari & Campo de’ Fiori
- 3:30 pm – 3:50 pm Piazza Navona
- 3:55 pm – 4 pm Sant ‘Eustachio Il Caffe
- 4:02 pm – 4:45 pm: Pantheon
- 4:55 pm – 5: 10 pm: Fontana di Trevi
- 5: 20 pm – 5:30 pm: The Spanish Steps & Spanish Square
- 5:40 pm – 5:50 :Via del Babuino & Piazza del Popolo
- 6 pm – 6:10 pm: Pincio terrace (Terrazza del Pincio) & Pinico promenade (Passeggiata del Pincio)
- 6.30 pm – Evening: Dinner at Mirabelle (optionally)
- 2 Days in Rome itinerary: Day 2
- Summary of the 2 Days in Rome itinerary
- Where to stay in Rome in 2 days
- Map of this 2 days in Rome Itinerary
- MORE ABOUT TRAVELING ITALY
- 2 Days in Rome itinerary: Day 1
2 DAYS IN ROME ITINERARY
2 Days in Rome itinerary: Day 1
9 am – 1 pm Day 1: Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill
Start your day by visiting the three most popular sites of ancient Rome: the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. About 7 million visitors visit the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill every year. They are the must-see sites in Rome. Luckily, they are all next to each other. They are usually crowded. Thus, go early in the morning.
You can visit all three sites in one tour. Take the earliest possible tour in the morning. Book it in advance.
You can buy a ticket for the Colosseum at the ticket office near the Colosseum though. But tickets for the Colosseum are capped at 3,000 visitors a day. I believe you don’t want to miss getting your ticket for the Colosseum nor do you want to waste your time in Rome waiting in the lines for the ticket.
Besides that, this tour doesn’t give you only access to the Colosseum, but access to the three sites (the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine HillI) and valuable insights into their fascinating histories. The tour lasts 3 hours. Book the Priority Access to the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Tour. This tour is the most popular Colosseum-Roman Forum-Palatine Tour.
1:05 pm – 1:15 pm: Piazza Venezia
After touring the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill, go to the magnificent Piazza Venezia and see the Alter of the Homeland (Altare della Patria). This monument is also called Vittoriano for the colossal statue of Victor Emmanuel II (the first king of unified Italy). A terrace at the top of Vittoriano provides some of the best panoramic views of Rome, the Roman Forum, and the Colosseum. Climb the steps to the terrace, or take an elevator to admire the views!
Piazza Venezia is a 5-minute walk from the Roman Forum. Don’t miss out on seeing the views from the terrace! The views are amazing!!
1:20 pm – 1:35 pm: Campidoglio Square (Capitoline Square)
After Piazza Venezia, proceed to Capitoline Square (Campidoglio Square).
Piazza del Campidoglio is at Capitoline Hill and a 5-minute walk from the Piazza Venezia. Capitoline Hill is the smallest of the seven hills of Rome. However, it is the most important hill since the original city of Romulus stood there once.
Redesigned Capitoline Square was the first modern square in Rome. Grand Michelangelo designed it in the 16th century. It is one of the prettiest squares in Rome. Three palaces (Palazzo Senatorio, Palazzo dei Conservatori, and Palazzo Nuovo) edge the square while a bronze (replica) statue of Marcus Aurelius is in the center of the square. A (replica) statute of the famous Capitoline Wolf (She-Wolf), an iconic symbol of Rome, is in front of the Palazzo dei Conservatori.
Palazzo dei Conservatori and Palazzo Nuovo are the two parts of the famous twin Capitoline Museums. The Capitoline Museums in Rome house the original statues of Marcus Aurelius and Capitoline Wolf. Besides them, Capitoline Museums hold a large collection of art collection from the history of Rome. It houses a marvelous collection of ancient sculptures and antiquities. The Capitoline Museum is the oldest national museum in the world. On this itinerary, I suggest only strolling the square, but if you would like to learn about the history of ancient Rome and see one of the most amazing ancient art collections in the world, visit Capitoline Museums.
Optionally: If you are a museum fan, you can choose to visit the Capitoline Museums instead of visiting some other sites on this itinerary. A visit to the Capitoline Museums takes 2 houses on average and a ticket is 16 €. The museum is open 7 days a week from 9.30 am to 7.30 pm.
1:45 pm – 1:55 pm: Bocca della Verità (the Mouth of Truth)
After strolling the Capitoline Square and seeing the iconic Capitoline Wolf, head to the Mouth of Truth.
This iconic marble mask stands on a wall of the patio of the Basilica of Saint Mary in Cosmedin. The mask portrays the face of Oceanus, the ancient Greek titan god of the sea. The mask is believed to be a part of the nearby Temple of Hercules Victor. However, its purpose is still uncertain to the historians. Regardless of its purpose, the mask is famous for the legend that says that it will bite off the hand of any liar who puts their hand in the mouth of the statue. The Mouth of Truth has been one of the most popular tourist attractions in Rome ever since it was featured in the Roman Holiday movie with Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck in 1953.
Today tourists head to the Bocca della Verità, put their hands into the Mouth of Truth, and make a photo memory of their visit to the Eternal City.
Bocca della Verità is a 10-min walk from the Capitoline Square. The Mouth of Truth is free to visit. However, expect a line of visitors waiting to take their photos with their hands in it.
2:05 pm – 3:05 pm Lunch at Ba Ghetto
It is lunchtime, finally!
Head to the renowned Ba Ghetto restaurant in the Jewish Getto. Take a scenic walk along the bank of the Tiber River on your way to the restaurant. The restaurant is a 10-minute walk from Bocca della Verità.
Ba Ghetto is the oldest Jewish restaurant in Rome. Rome’s Jewish Quarter is well-known for its fabulous food scene. Rome’s Ba Ghetto restaurant is famous for serving five-star genuine traditional Jewish-Roman dishes using fresh local ingredients. Take Jewish-style artichokes or Roman-style artichokes, try Bucatini Amatriciana style or Tonnarelli with artichokes and mullet roe and Jewish-style lamb. A top Roman lunch is assured!
Ba Ghetto is one of the best restaurants in Rome, famed for its delicious food and impeccable service. It is usually crowded. So, book your table there in advance!
3:15 pm – 3:25 pm Via dei Gubonnari & Campo de’ Fiori
After lunch head to Campo de’ Fiori and stroll Via dei Gubonnari.
Via dei Giubbonari is one of the most picturesque streets in Rome. Via dei Giubbonari is a narrow and bustling street that connects Piazza Campo de’ Fiori with Piazza Cairoli. Stroll Via dei Giubbonari and visit the famed Campo de Fiori. This stroll to Campo de’Fiori takes about 10 minutes.
Piazza Navona is the next stop on your itinerary. It is only 4 minutes away.
Piazza Navona is one of the most famous Rome’s squares. Piazza Navona is a beautiful Baroque square with three masterpiece fountains (The Fountain of Neptune, Fontana del Moro, and The Fountain of the Four Rivers) and a beautiful Church of Sant’Agnese in Agone.
Bernini designed the fountains, while Borromini designed the church. They are must-sees in Rome!
3:55 pm – 4 pm Sant ‘Eustachio Il Caffe
Head to the Pantheon after visiting the Piazza Navona. Make a short coffee break or grab a coffee-to-go in Sant ‘Eustachio Il cafe on your way to the Pantheon.
Sant ‘Eustachio Il Caffe is a coffee roaster shop that serves the best coffee in Rome. It is reputed for making high-quality gourmet coffee since 1938, the year of its opening. You can read more about my visit: Visiting Sant ‘Eustachio Il Caffe in Rome.
Take a coffee-to-go and continue to the Pantheon.
Sant ‘Eustachio Il Caffe is a 3-minute walk from the Piazza Navona and a 2-minute walk from the Pantheon.
4:02 pm – 4:45 pm: Pantheon
Once an ancient Roman temple, the Pantheon became a Catholic church in 609 AD. The Pantheon is the best-preserved building of ancient Rome and a symbol of Rome. The Pantheon is a gaintic building of a round plan, with massive Corinthian columns, and a giant dome. It is best known for its Oculus (also called the Eye of the Pantheon), a hole at the top of the dome through which light comes into the Pantheon.
A visit to the Pantheon could take up to 2 hours in the Pantheon. However, plan about 40 minutes to visit it.
Pantheon is open from 9 am to 6.30 pm from Monday to Sunday. Tickets are available on the site. A Pantheon ticket is 5 €.
4:55 pm – 5: 10 pm: Fontana di Trevi
Trevi Fountain is a 10-min walk from the Pantheon.
The 18th-century Trevi Fountain in Rome is the most famous in Italy for its beauty! It is one of the most photographed spots in Rome too. Tourist crowds at the fountain are a regular phenomenon!
A legend says that a person who throws a coin with their right hand over their left shoulder in the fountain will return to Rome. Take a coin with your right hand and throw it over your left shoulder to ensure to come back to the Eternal City.
5: 20 pm – 5:30 pm: The Spanish Steps & Spanish Square
The Spanish Steps at the Spanish Square (Piazza di Spagna) are 10 minutes from the Trevi Fountain.
The Spanish Steps are a famous landmark of Rome. They are, like Fontana di Trevi, one of the most photographed and crowded sites in Rome,
The Spanish Steps are the longest and widest steps in Europe. Built in the 1720s, they have 135 steps and 3 terraces.
Please be aware that sitting on the Spanish Steps is forbidden! Sitting on the Spanish Steps is charged for a 400 € fine. Climb the steps to the top and back, take photos of these iconic steps in Rome, but do not sit down!
5:40 pm – 5:50 :Via del Babuino & Piazza del Popolo
Via del Babuino is a famous and historic Roman street with high-end fashion shops, including some of the best Italian fashion design shops. The street connects Piazza del Popolo with Piazza di Spagna.
Head to Piazza del Popolo from Piazza di Spagna and do some window shopping along your way. A stroll takes 10ish minutes.
6 pm – 6:10 pm: Pincio terrace (Terrazza del Pincio) & Pinico promenade (Passeggiata del Pincio)
The nearby Passeggiata del Pincio is a 19th-century urban promenade in Rome. It is named after Pincio Hill in the gardens of Villa Borghese (known as Borghese Gallery). The Pincio promenade goes from Piazza del Popolo towards Villa Medici with a connection to Villa Borghese.
Pinicio Terrace is a top viewpoint in Rome. It provides iconic views of Rome with the Dome of St Peter’s Basilica in the background. The views are especially beautiful at sunset. Pinico Terrace is above the Piazza del Popolo.
Take the small stairway ramps of Piazza del Popolo to Pincio Terrace to enjoy the breathtaking sunset views of Rome.
6.30 pm – Evening: Dinner at Mirabelle (optionally)
Around 6:30 pm the first day of this 2 days in Rome itinerary ends.
You can go back to your hotel, or optionally have dinner in the nearby Mirabelle restaurant. The restaurant has one of the most beautiful rooftop gardens in Rome. Enjoy your dinner in Mirabelle with the night views of Rome. Mirabelle is in Via di Porta Pinciana, 14, a 20-minute walk from Terrazza del Pincio. Reserve your table in Mirabelle in advance!
2 Days in Rome itinerary: Day 2
The Vatican City (Vatican Museums & St Peters’s Basilica) and Castle Sant’t Angelo during the day and Trastevere for thereat afternoon/evening are scheduled for the second day of this 2-day Rome itinerary.
9 am -12 pm: The Vatican Museums Sistine Chapel & St Peter’s Basilica
Head early in the morning to the Vatican City. Consider taking a tour of the Vatican Museums and St Peter’s Basilica.
The Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter’s Basilica Guided Tour is the most popular tour. The tour lasts 3 hours and up to only 10 participants. If you take this tour, you won’t need to queue in the infamous Vatican Museum lines. Besides that, you will learn about the Vatican, the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel & St Peter’s Basilica from a knowledgeable guide.
You will see the spectacular Sistine Chapel with Michelangelo’s The Creation of Adam and The Last Judgement, along with many other art masterpieces in the Vatican Museums, on this tour. You will also see and learn about Michelangelo’s La Pietà and Bernini’s Baldachin in St. Peter’s Basilica. St. Peter’s Basilica is the largest cathedral in the world. There is so much to see in it!
An important note: A visit to St Peter’s Basilica on this tour might not be available on Wednesday because of the papal audience which is held every Wednesday (when the Pope is in the city). If you are visiting the Vatican on Wednesday, the tour might be the extended tour of the Vatican Museums only. However, you will be able to visit the Basilica of St Peter independently later in the day once when the papal audience ends.
12 pm – 12:30 pm: the Dome of St Peter’s Basilica
After finishing this tour, I would recommend climbing to the cupola of St Peter’s Basilica.
The views from the top of the dome are a must-have experience in Rome. You can take an elevator or climb 230 steps. Whichever option you choose, you will need to take an additional and final 320 steps to get to the roof!
Tickets to the dome of St Peter Basilica are available on the site. Tickets are 8 € for climbing the steps option and 10 € for the elevator option.
The Dome of the St. Peter’s Basilica is open from 8 am – 5 pm (Oct-March) and 8 am – 6 pm ( April – Sep) every day of the week, except Wednesday. The Dome is closed on Wednesdays.
12:40 – 2 pm: Castle Sant’Angelo
Castle Sant’Angelo is the next stop on this itinerary. It is a short walk from the Vatican.
The Castle of Sant’Angelo is also called the Mausoleum of Hadrian since the Roman emperor Hadrian originally built it as his burial place. However, later it became a papal fortress since popes used it as a refuge during enemy attacks on the Vatican. Castle Sant’Angelo was a prison too. Giordano Bruno as its prisoner spent his last six years of life in Castle Sant’Angelo before getting burnt in Campo de Fiori.
It is worth mentioning that Sant’Angelo is the only castle in Rome. The castle got its name after the Archangel Michael who, according to a story, appeared at the top of it after a 3-day procession led by Pope Gregory in 590.
Today Castle Sant’Angelo is an exciting museum where visitors can see the ancient apartments of the popes, ancient tombs (including the tomb of Hadrian), ancient statues, medieval weapons, etc. Built around 123 A.D. Castle Sant’Angelo shows a two-thousand-old history of Rome! In addition, the top terrace of the castle has amazing views of the Vatican, the Tiber River, and Rome. So, don’t forget to get to the top terrace!
For all of these reasons, Castle Sant’Angelo is a must-visit in Rome. Castle Sant’Angelo receives about 1 million visitors a year. Expect crowds at the entrance and consider buying a ticket online in advance! A visit to Castle Sant’Angelo takes 1 hour and a half on average.
Cross the Sant’ Angelo Bridge (Ponte Sant’Angelo) over the Tiber River and head to Trastevere.
4 pm – 8 pm: Trastevere
After visiting the Vatican City, go to Trastevere, one of the prettiest and most picturesque neighborhoods of Rome.
Trastevere is a famous foodie neighborhood with cool bars and great restaurants.
Join the Roman Food Tour in Trastevere with Free-Flowing Fine Wine. The food tour lasts about 4 hours. But the time passes quickly since the participants enjoy typical Roman food like suppli, pizza pockets, artichokes, pasta alla carbonara, gelato … and, lots of wine. On this tour, you will learn about Trastevere and Rome’s food a lot while indulging in the food and wine!
Book the tour and spend a delicious afternoon in one of the loveliest parts of Rome.
Alternatively, you can have dinner and do bar hopping in Trastevere independently on your last evening in Rome!
Summary of the 2 Days in Rome itinerary
Day 1
1. The Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Tour.
2. Piazza Venezia & The Alter of the Fatherland
3. Capitoline Square
4. The Mouth of the Truth
5. Ba Ghetto restaurant
6. Via dei Gubonnari & Campo de Fiori
7. Piazza Navona
8. San’t Eustachio il Caffe
9. Pantheon
10. Trevi Fountain
11. Spanish Square & Spanish Steps
12. Via del Babuino & Piazza del Popolo
13. Pinico Terrace
14. Mirabelle restaurant (optionally)
Day 2
1. The Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter’s Basilica Tour & the Dome
2. Castle Sant’Angelo
3. The Roman Food Tour in Trastevere
Where to stay in Rome in 2 days
Hotel Barrett – a lovely hotel with an excellent location near the Pantheon in the historic center of Rome, great service and breakfast.
Horti 14 Borgo Trastevere Hotel – a luxury boutique hotel with large designer rooms and a fabulous breakfast in Trastevere.
Map of this 2 days in Rome Itinerary
Rome 2 day itinerary map
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