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On our recent trip to Italy, we wanted to make the most of every moment. Because we didn’t have much time in each city, we started our days early and ended them late — not a pace that’s right for everyone! We flew into Rome, and with only two days to spend there, hit the ground running!
Rome is an incredible city, and I ended up loving it even more than I expected. If you can, I highly recommend spending at least three nights there so you can slow down and truly soak in the history and culture. But if you only have about 48 hours, here are my tips, lessons learned, and a suggested itinerary! Before you go on your trip, be sure to check out my post about everything I learned about traveling to Italy for the first time.
Where to Stay
Rome is compact and walkable, so no matter where you stay, it’s fairly easy to get around. If you want to maximize your time, stay near Piazza Navona — it’s central to most major attractions and within walking distance of neighborhoods like Trastevere.
We also loved Campo de’ Fiori — we had a delicious dinner there one night and explored the lively open-air market the morning we left.
We stayed at the Martis Palace Hotel, which I highly recommend. The staff was warm and welcoming, the location couldn’t be more convenient, and the breakfast buffet was amazing. Our room was spacious and had the largest shower I saw on our entire trip!
How to Get Around
I love exploring new cities on foot — you see and experience so much more than from a taxi or bus window. Rome is wonderfully walkable, and honestly, walking is often faster than sitting in traffic.
That said, the city does have easy-to-use public transportation, and taxis or Uber are also options if you’re short on time or energy. But most of the time, comfortable shoes will get you everywhere you want to go!
Where to Eat in Rome
I’ll be the first to admit I’m not a “foodie,” but I do appreciate a great meal. We didn’t make any restaurant reservations because our time was limited and we didn’t want to be locked into schedules. Luckily, amazing food is everywhere in Rome, and we had fantastic meals without ever following social media “must-try” lists.
My Tips for Finding the Best Food in Rome
- Avoid restaurants with photo menus or staff trying to pull you in.
- Skip the tourist traps on big piazzas (like Piazza Navona) — just walk a block or two for much better food.
- Eat gelato only from shops with metal tins, not the bright, fluffy ones piled high in display cases.
HOT TIP: There are no public bathrooms in Italy! If you need one, you’ll need to buy something to eat or drink. We made several stops for a glass of wine or a snack “for the bathroom” and it was always worth it!
What to Do in Rome
Two days isn’t nearly enough to see it all, but it’s plenty to get a real feel for the city and leave you already planning your return.
Keep in mind that tour and entry fees add up quickly. You don’t have to go inside every museum or take every tour. It is absolutely ok to save a few things to look forward to on your next trip!
You Don’t Want to Miss These Things in Rome
From my research before our trip, these are the top things not to miss on your first trip to Rome. We didn’t check everything off the list, but we did a pretty good job!
- Stroll through the historic heart of Rome (Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona)
- Visit the Colosseum
- Explore the Roman Forum & Palatine Hill
- Visit St. Peter’s Basilica (and climb the dome)
- See the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
- Enjoy the view from the Altar of the Fatherland
- Explore an underground site (Catacombs, Capuchin Crypt, or Domus Aurea)
- Visit the Borghese Gallery
- Eat gelato
- Have dinner and drinks in Trastevere
My Two-Day Rome Itinerary
Day 1: Explore the Heart of Rome
Arrive in Rome. If flying, take the Leonardo Express Shuttle to Termini Station. From there, take a taxi, bus, or walk to your hotel.
Once settled, get to know the city! I recommend downloading the Rick Steves Heart of Rome Walk (download the app). It guides you through Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps.
If you’re not too tired, cross the river into Trastevere for dinner. Wander the cobblestone streets, soak up the neighborhood vibe, and then head back to your hotel.
HOT TIP: If you’re staying at Martis Palace Hotel, enjoy a glass of wine at their rooftop bar — the views are spectacular!
Day 2: Vatican and Colosseum Highlights
Morning: Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter’s Basilica
Taking a guided tour here is absolutely worth it. Our guide was an art major from Rome, and she made the experience so much richer. The tour lasted about three hours and covered all the highlights without feeling rushed.
HOT TIP: Book the earliest tour you can. We started at 8 a.m., which meant fewer crowds, especially in the Sistine Chapel. Some tours even offer early entry (worth it if your budget allows).
Was the Sistine Chapel worth it? Absolutely. It’s crowded, and you can’t take photos, but seeing Michelangelo’s masterpiece in person was one of the most moving moments of our trip.
Our tour included a private passage directly from the Sistine Chapel into St. Peter’s Basilica, which saved us from standing in line. The basilica itself is breathtaking — from its grand architecture to The Pietà. We didn’t have time to climb the dome, but would recommend adding it in if possible.
Plan accordingly: If you are visiting the basilica, shoulders and knees must be covered. And on Wednesdays, you won’t be able to enter before 1 p.m. due to the Pala Audience.
Optional: The Vatican Necropolis (Scavi) Tour
If you’re interested in history, this is an incredible experience. The Vatican Necropolis, beneath St. Peter’s Basilica, is an ancient Roman burial ground — and it’s fascinating. A few notes about the tour:
- Only 12 people per tour are allowed.
- Request tickets at least 3 months in advance on the official Vatican website.
- Not suitable for young children, people with mobility issues, or those who are claustrophobic.
If you don’t get a response to your request, be persistent! I never heard back after my initial email, so I followed up a week before our trip and got approved right away.
Afterward, grab pizza nearby and stop at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major. We visited to see the Holy Door (and because Pope Francis had just been buried there). It’s absolutely worth the stop.
Afternoon: Visit the Colosseum
After a busy morning at the Vatican, rest a bit before heading to the Colosseum. We skipped a guided tour due to time but made it there at sunset — and it was unforgettable.
If you book a tour, go for a late afternoon slot so you can catch the golden light and enjoy cooler weather. Most tickets also include entry to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.
End your night with dinner near the Colosseum or back in Campo de’ Fiori for a lively evening atmosphere.
Day 3: Morning in Campo de’ Fiori and Onward to Florence
We took the 12:30 p.m. train to Florence, which gave us a relaxing morning for coffee and one last wander.
Campo de’ Fiori has a totally different vibe in the morning — we grabbed cappuccinos at a café, browsed the open-air market, and then picked up our bags for the train. See if your hotel has a late check out, but even if it doesn’t, most hotels will hold your luggage after checkout if needed.
Final Thoughts
Rome was busy during our visit — partly because we went in early September and partly because it was a Jubilee Year. We started early (around 8 a.m.) and stayed out late.
Our favorite times of day were early morning and late evening, when the crowds thinned and the city felt more peaceful (and cooler!).
HOT TIP: Visit the Trevi Fountain early in the morning if you want to enjoy it without the crowds. We went mid-afternoon, and it was absolutely packed.
We loved our time in Rome and only wish we’d had one more night. With an extra day, I’d add a visit to the Borghese Gallery and maybe a cooking class, which would be the perfect way to end a Roman adventure.
