This guide of Rome in two days It is perfect for travelers who have a weekend or for the first two days of your trip to one of the most impressive cities in the world.
We know that having this time is not enough to know all the points of interest of this endless city, although if you optimize the route on foot, we are sure that you can make a great first visit and that it is the prelude to an upcoming trip more days.
After touring the first day some of the most emblematic places in Rome such as the Colosseum, the Forum, the Trevi Fountain or the Pantheon, on this second day you will approach the Vatican and discover some of the most charming corners of the city.
Based on the three times we have been in this city, the last one during a month in which we wrote this travel guide to Rome, we have made this guide to know the best of Rome in 2 days.
Recommended hotel in Rome
One of the first things you have to do when you have decided to travel to Rome is to book the hotel as many months in advance to save a good amount of money.
To stay at the Rome in two days We recommend the area located near the Termini station, being well connected to the airport and 15 minutes walk from the historic center and the Colosseum.
In our case we have stayed twice in this area, the first in the Hotel Cherubini, a basic hotel according to its price and the second in the UNA Hotel, with a higher price and a better value for money.
If you prefer to stay in a nicer neighborhood with a better offer in restoration, we advise you to book the Residenza San Calisto, located in a historic building in the heart of Trastevere.
You can expand the accommodation information by reading this post about the best neighborhoods and hotels to stay in Rome.
How to get from Rome airport to hotel
To get to the city center or your hotel from the airports of Fiumicino and Ciampino, you have these means of transport:
- Bus: Terravision buses, synchronized with the arrival of the flights, will take you to Termini Station from Fiumicino in 30 minutes and from Ciampino in 40 minutes for a price of 5 euros, 9 if you take a round trip. You can book here the bus from Ciampino and here from Fiumicino.
- Train: The Leonardo Express train will leave you in Termini in 30 minutes for 14 euros, from Fiumicino. From Ciampino airport you have to first get on a bus that will take you to Ciampino station and from there a train to Termini, the total journey will leave you for less than 3 euros but we believe that it will not compensate you with the time you will lose .
- Cab: They have a fixed rate of 30 euros from Ciampino and 50 euros from Fiumicio. It is always better to confirm before raising the price with the taxi driver, showing the location of the hotel.
- Direct transfer: When booking this comfortable transfer here, a driver will be waiting for you at the airport and will take you directly to your hotel.
You can find more information about the transfer in this post about how to get from Ciampino Airport to Rome and in this post about how to get from Fiumicino Airport to Rome.
More tips for a trip to Rome
Other tips that can help you have an amazing trip to Rome are:
- Check the prices of food and drinks before sitting on any terrace or restaurant located near a tourist attraction.
- Having only two days may be a good option to book the tourist bus that stops at the main points of interest and has comments recorded in Spanish.
- If you use public transport remember that you can buy tickets at the tobacconists and kiosks in Rome.
- Check how much money you save on tickets by booking the OMNIA Vatican & Rome Card, a tourist card that allows you access without queues to the main attractions of Rome and the Vatican, discounts and free public transport.
- If you want to take pictures without people, you have to reach the most famous points of the city, especially the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain, at dawn.
- To learn more about the interesting history of the city, you can book this free tour of the historic center or this free tour of mysteries and legends, both with a guide in Spanish.
For more recommendations you can consult this post of tips to travel to Rome essential.
First day in Rome
The first day of what to see in Rome in two days It begins arriving at 8:30 in the morning at the Roman Colosseum, one of the seven wonders of the world.
A good option to skip the long lines of the entrance and learn more about the history of this impressive building is to book this guided tour of the Colosseum, Forum and Palatine or this tour that also includes the entrance to the gladiatorial arena, both with a guide Spanish expert
After visiting the Colosseum you will pass in front of the ancient Arch of Constantine to reach the entrance of the Forum and the Palatine, two of the most essential places to visit in Rome and from where we recommend you go to the Palatine Hill to see the ruins of the old houses and palaces of the emperors, and enjoy incredible views of the Roman Forum.
Roman Forum
From near this viewpoint you can go down to the Forum and move for a few moments to Ancient Rome while touring the Via Sacra seeing remains of temples, triumphal arches and ancient churches.
The next stop of Rome in 2 days It is the terrace located behind the Campidoglio Square, from where you will have fantastic views of the Forum and where the Capitoline Museums are located and on one of the sides a copy of the famous Capitoline Wolf.
Leaving the visit to the museum for another occasion, you will go down to Venezia Square to see the huge Nazionale Vittorio Emanuele II Monument, which has a large viewpoint on the upper terrace. A few meters from this monument is the Trajana Column and the Trajan's Market, another essential visit if you have a little more time.
After seeing these buildings on the outside you can head to the historic center to eat a good cheese and sausage board in the recommended Pane e Salame, which will give you strength to continue with the route.
In the afternoon the Rome in two days Continue with the visit to the famous Trevi Fountain and with a route through the old streets of the city to the Pantheon. During this walk, do not forget to see the spectacular Temple of Hadrian of the year 145, try an ice cream in Venchi and take an express at the Tazza D'Oro, some of the most recommended places in the city.
After this stop, you can not miss the Pantheon in 126 AD and see its incredible dome is, without any doubt, one of the best things to do in Rome.
Pantheon of Agrippa
Continuing with the walk through the historic center you will reach Piazza Navona, one of the most beautiful squares in the world in which its three baroque fountains stand out.
After enjoying the atmosphere of the square and before heading to the Trastevere neighborhood, we advise you to approach the Two Sizes store, to devour a delicious pistachio tiramisu.
To put an end to this first day of Rome in two days nothing better than a walk at sunset through the charming neighborhood of Trastevere and have a good dinner of pasta in Grazia e Graziella or in Tonarello, two of the most recommended restaurants to eat in Trastevere.
(Extended information of the first day here)
Map of the route through Rome in one day
What to see in Rome in two days
The second day of what to see in Rome in 2 days, start with a walk along the bank of the Tiber or taking the subway to the Ottaviano stop, to reach the small country of the Vatican.
This sovereign country has three essential places in every visit to the eternal city: St. Peter's Square, St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums that keep inside the incredible Sistine Chapel.
We recommend starting the tour by visiting the Vatican Museums, which has one of the most important art collections in the world and opens at 9 in the morning.
To avoid the long lines of the entrance that can exceed two hours and get to know the history of the most important pieces of the museum, it is very interesting to book this guided tour that includes the quick entrance to the Basilica of San Pedro or this offer that includes the Guided tour of the Colosseum, the Forum and the Palatine, both with guide is Spanish.
Gallery of Maps in the Vatican Museums
After touring fantastic galleries such as those on maps and tapestries, seeing the decoration of Raphael's Rooms, you will be speechless when you enter the Sistine Chapel, the masterpiece of master Michelangelo.
When you leave the Vatican Museums going down the famous Bramante Staircase, you will head to another of those who visit the most beautiful Vatican, St. Peter's Basilica.
This church, the most important in the world for Catholics, impresses with its dimensions and having two great masterpieces inside: the Pieta by Michelangelo and the Bernini Baldachin.
Before leaving the basilica we recommend you go up to the top of the dome to have one of the symbolic images of the eternal city with St. Peter's Square in the foreground and all of Rome in the background.
Views from St. Peter's Basilica
After walking around the Plaza de San Pedro you can continue on Rome in two days eating a piece of pizza at the Taglio at Pizza Zizza or if you have more time to approach the Rione XIV bistrot, one of the best restaurants to eat in Rome.
When leaving this restaurant you have next to the ice cream shop L'Arena del Gelato, one of the most recommended in the city, where you can put the icing on the food with an exquisite dessert.
In the afternoon we recommend you approach the Castel Sant'Angelo, built to bury the emperor Hadrian and located next to the Tiber. When you have a few days we recommend you not to enter and continue with the Rome in 2 days crossing the photogenic Puente de Sant'Angelo to continue along the banks of the Tiber until you reach the Umberto I Bridge, which has fantastic views of the river with the Basilica of St. Peter in the background.
Views from the Umberto I Bridge
After taking several photos, you will head to Via del Corso, the most famous street in the old town, full of shops of Italian and international brands. This street will take you to the Plaza Colonna which has an impressive column of Marco Aurelio in the center of 193 and on one of the sides, the beautiful Alberto Sordi Gallery.
The route of Rome in two days Continue through the intersection of Quattro Fontane streets, where at each corner you will see a magnificent Renaissance-style fountain and arriving at Piazza Barberini, one of the most beautiful in the city with the Triton Fountain.
Near this square is another of the most famous in the city, the popular Plaza España. In this square you can climb the 135 steps of its staircase to reach the church of Trinità dei Monti, from where you will have good views of the city.
In addition to enjoying the great atmosphere of this square, we recommend walking through the charming streets around Via dei Condotti, full of shops and restaurants.
Spain Square
Before sunset you can regain strength by eating several pieces of pizza in the Grano Frutta e Farina and for dessert a tiramisu in the Pompi, one of the most famous in the city.
To finish the Rome in 2 days We recommend you go to Piazza del Popolo, where the two twin churches are located, along the beautiful Via del Babuino.
From one of the sides of this square you can climb the Mirador de Pincio, located on one of the sides of Villa Borguese, to enjoy one of the best sunsets in Rome.
And if you still have energy you can take a night walk to see the Trevi Fountain and other illuminated places or book this night tour with a guide in Spanish, considered one of the best excursions in Rome.
If you have more days, you can follow the guide of Rome in 3 days.
Map of the second day of Rome in two days
Do you want to organize a trip to Rome in 2 days?
Get it here:
The best offers of Flights to Rome here
The best hotels at the best prices in Rome here
Get € 35 for your reservation with AirBnb here
Book the best tours and excursions in Rome in Spanish here
Book your transfer Airport⇆Roma here
Guide of Rome in one day
The best offers of Flights to Rome here
The best hotels at the best prices in Rome here
Get € 35 for your reservation with AirBnb here
Book the best tours and excursions in Rome in Spanish here
Book your transfer Airport⇆Roma here
Guide of Rome in one day
