{"id":25875,"date":"2026-08-26T08:37:02","date_gmt":"2026-08-26T07:37:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/?p=25875"},"modified":"2026-08-26T08:36:34","modified_gmt":"2026-08-26T07:36:34","slug":"2-days-in-rome","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/2-days-in-rome","title":{"rendered":"2 Days in Rome: The Perfect Itinerary"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You could spend an <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">eternity<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eternal<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> City, roaming its winding streets, discovering its thousands of churches and neighborhood markets, and appreciating its historic sites. That said, you undoubtedly have less than that for your vacation. So, w<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">hile Rome merits many trips, you can still see and do plenty with just two days, the key is planning ahead and making the most of your limited time. To help you make the most of your visit to the Italian Capital, we created a guide to spending 2 days in Rome, taking you from the ancient ruins of the Colosseum to the splendour of Vatican City.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Read on and discover how to maximize your 48 hours in Rome!<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_25125\" style=\"width: 1930px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-25125\" class=\"wp-image-25125 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Walks_Rome_Alone-in-the-Catacombs_0036.jpg\" alt=\"The Tiber river, flowing through rome, flanked by trees with the dome of st peter\u00b4s in the distance\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Walks_Rome_Alone-in-the-Catacombs_0036.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Walks_Rome_Alone-in-the-Catacombs_0036-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Walks_Rome_Alone-in-the-Catacombs_0036-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-25125\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Rome is not just all romans and ruins, there is so much to see and do, you can return again and again<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/2-days-in-rome\/#Day_1_%E2%80%93_Colosseum_and_Historic_City_Centre\" >Day 1 &#8211; Colosseum and Historic City Centre<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/2-days-in-rome\/#Morning_Colosseum_and_Roman_Forum\" >Morning: Colosseum and Roman Forum<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/2-days-in-rome\/#Afternoon_Centro_Storico\" >Afternoon: Centro Storico<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/2-days-in-rome\/#Evening_Trastevere\" >Evening: Trastevere<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/2-days-in-rome\/#Day_2_%E2%80%93_Vatican_Museums_and_St_Peters_Basilica\" >Day 2 &#8211; Vatican Museums and St. Peter\u2019s Basilica<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/2-days-in-rome\/#Morning_St_Peters_Basilica_and_Vatican_Museums\" >Morning: St. Peter\u2019s Basilica and Vatican Museums<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/2-days-in-rome\/#Afternoon_Castel_SantAngelo_and_Piazza_del_Popolo\" >Afternoon: Castel Sant\u2019Angelo and Piazza del Popolo<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/2-days-in-rome\/#Making_the_Most_of_2_Days_in_Rome\" >Making the Most of 2 Days in Rome<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/2-days-in-rome\/#FAQs_%E2%80%93_2_days_in_Rome\" >FAQs &#8211; 2 days in Rome\u00a0<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/2-days-in-rome\/#How_much_does_a_2_day_trip_to_Rome_cost\" >How much does a 2 day trip to Rome cost?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/2-days-in-rome\/#What_is_the_best_time_of_year_to_spend_2_days_in_Rome\" >What is the best time of year to spend 2 days in Rome?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/2-days-in-rome\/#How_far_in_advance_should_I_book_Rome_attractions\" >How far in advance should I book Rome attractions?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/2-days-in-rome\/#How_much_walking_is_involved_in_two_days_in_Rome\" >How much walking is involved in two days in Rome?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/2-days-in-rome\/#Can_I_do_this_itinerary_with_children\" >Can I do this itinerary with children?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/2-days-in-rome\/#Should_I_stay_in_the_historic_centre_for_a_two-day_visit\" >Should I stay in the historic centre for a two-day visit?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Day_1_%E2%80%93_Colosseum_and_Historic_City_Centre\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Day 1 &#8211; Colosseum and Historic City Centre<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Morning_Colosseum_and_Roman_Forum\"><\/span>Morning: Colosseum and Roman Forum<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Start your morning at the Colosseum, Rome\u2019s most iconic ancient landmark. Built nearly 2,000 years ago under the emperors Vespasian and Titus, the massive amphitheater once hosted gladiatorial contests, animal hunts, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mentalfloss.com\/history\/what-ancient-romans-watched-colosseum-wasn-t-gladiator-fights\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">other public spectacles<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We recommend going early, as crowds tend to build throughout the day. What&#8217;s more: As this is one of the city\u2019s busiest attractions, make sure to book your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/best-colosseum-tours-in-rome\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Colosseum tickets and tours<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in advance; waiting in line can eat up precious hours when you only have 2 days in Rome.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_20841\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20841\" class=\"wp-image-20841 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/colosseum_hypogeum.jpg\" alt=\"An interior view of the seats and bottom floor known as the hypogeum inside the Colosseum.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"589\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/colosseum_hypogeum.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/colosseum_hypogeum-768x377.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-20841\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Imagine being a gladiator back in the day&#8230; see what they saw looking up at the stands<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From the Colosseum, continue into the Foro Romano (Roman Forum) and explore what was once the heart of ancient Roman society. A hub for political, religious, and commercial life, the Forum is today filled with the ruins of temples, basilicas, and government buildings that formed the center of the Roman Republic and Empire.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Spend the rest of the morning exploring the Palatine Hill: one of Rome\u2019s seven hills and, according to legend, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.historyhit.com\/locations\/palatine-hill\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the birthplace of the city.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><b><i>Insider Tip:<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Ever wondered what all those strange carvings and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/third-level-graffiti-colosseum\">graffiti<\/a> on the ancient stones are about? Keep an eye out as you explore the Colosseum and Roman Forum, these marks offer glimpses into how people experienced these places long after ancient Rome.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<div id=\"attachment_23318\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-23318\" class=\"wp-image-23318 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Super-Sites-of-Rome_-Roman-Forum.jpg\" alt=\"The Super Sites of Rome include the ancient ruins of the Roman Forum.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Super-Sites-of-Rome_-Roman-Forum.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Super-Sites-of-Rome_-Roman-Forum-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-23318\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The ancient ruins of the Forum really do make you think about past civilisations and Roman life through the ages<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Afternoon_Centro_Storico\"><\/span>Afternoon: Centro Storico<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After exploring ancient Rome, head through Centro Storico, the Italian Capital\u2019s historic city center. While you\u2019ll want to leave some time to wander the city\u2019s labyrinthine streets, with just 2 days in Rome, you\u2019ll also want to keep a few key sights on your radar, including:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Campo di Fiori<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; A historic square that was once a meadow on the outskirts of Rome, which today houses a daily market that draws vendors selling fresh produce, spices, flowers, and other local goods.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Pantheon &#8211; <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A nearly 2,000 year old structure, which was originally a temple dedicated to the Roman gods and was later converted into a Christian church.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"attachment_10665\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10665\" class=\"wp-image-10665 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/RW_7145-4.jpg\" alt=\"Tour guide leading group in front of Rome's Pantheon\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/RW_7145-4.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/RW_7145-4-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-10665\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Pantheon is a cool thing to see, both inside and out, especially if it rains!<\/p><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Fontana di Trevi<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; An 18th Century fountain which was built at the endpoint of an ancient Roman aqueduct, Aqua Virgo, and has supplied water to Rome for more than 2,000 years.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Piazza Navona<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; A grand baroque square that is home to Bernini\u2019s famous <b id=\"mwCw\">Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi<\/b>\u00a0 &#8211; <i id=\"mwDA\">Fountain of the Four Rivers<\/i>), designed back in 1651. (which you can learn more about in our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/vatican-tours\/rome-in-a-day-tour\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rome in a Day Tour<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">!).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"attachment_22558\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22558\" class=\"wp-image-22558 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/four-rivers.jpg\" alt=\"Piazza Navona's central piece of a man with bushy beard sitting on fountain.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/four-rivers.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/four-rivers-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-22558\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The central fountain and obelisk of Piazza Navona will blow your mind.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As you explore Centro Storico, you\u2019ll also want to grab lunch. For a quick and quintessentially Roman option, grab a slice of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksdevour.com\/blog\/traditional-italian-pizza\/#Roman-style_pizza\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pizza al taglio<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/fornocampodefiori\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Forno Campo di Fiori<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Sold by weight, it\u2019s an easy (and delicious) way to refuel without sacrificing too much sightseeing time.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Evening_Trastevere\"><\/span>Evening: Trastevere<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you still have energy, head to Trastevere for an evening stroll, where you can try some classic Roman <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/staging.devourtours.com\/blog\/rome-street-food\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">suppl\u00ec<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or stop for a drink at one of the neighborhood&#8217;s lively bars.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_21905\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21905\" class=\"wp-image-21905 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Devour_Rome_Trastevere_0778.jpg\" alt=\"A woman holding a cheesy fried rice ball while on a tour in Rome.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Devour_Rome_Trastevere_0778.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Devour_Rome_Trastevere_0778-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-21905\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Mmmmmm! Suppli really are an amazing street food you can enjoy while you wander!<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Day_2_%E2%80%93_Vatican_Museums_and_St_Peters_Basilica\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Day 2 &#8211; Vatican Museums and St. Peter\u2019s Basilica<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Morning_St_Peters_Basilica_and_Vatican_Museums\"><\/span>Morning: St. Peter\u2019s Basilica and Vatican Museums<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kick off the second of your 2 days in Rome with a visit to Vatican City, the world\u2019s smallest independent state and home to some of the world\u2019s most important artistic and religious treasures.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Start your morning at St. Peter\u2019s Basilica, and admire its monumental interior and masterpieces like Michelangelo\u2019s Piet\u00e0. Make sure to keep an eye out for the Swiss Guards, who have protected the pope since the 16th century.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_17348\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-17348\" class=\"wp-image-17348 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Walks_Vatican-Highlights-WEB-0011.jpg\" alt=\"Michelangelo's works of architecture and painting\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-17348\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Michelangelo&#8217;s works of architecture and painting will astound you!<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you\u2019ve had your fill of the basilica, head to the Vatican Museums, which house one of the world\u2019s most significant art collections, spanning ancient Roman and Greek sculpture, Renaissance masterpieces, elaborate galleries, and centuries of religious art.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make your way toward the Sistine Chapel, where you\u2019ll find famous works like Michelangelo\u2019s ceiling and The Last Judgment.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As with the Colosseum, you\u2019ll want to secure tickets beforehand; with only 2 days in Rome, you don\u2019t want to waste precious time waiting in line. For exmaple, on our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/vatican-tours\/rome-in-a-day-tour\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rome in a Day Tour<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, we take care of the logistics for you, with reserved entry and priority access so you can spend less time waiting and more time exploring.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_17318\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-17318\" class=\"wp-image-17318 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Walks_Rome_Sistine-Chapel-0001-e1714990295356.jpg\" alt=\"sistine chapel rome\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Walks_Rome_Sistine-Chapel-0001-e1714990295356.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Walks_Rome_Sistine-Chapel-0001-e1714990295356-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-17318\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The ceilings of the Sistine Chapel are what a lot of people come to Rome for<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Afternoon_Castel_SantAngelo_and_Piazza_del_Popolo\"><\/span>Afternoon: Castel Sant\u2019Angelo and Piazza del Popolo<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After venturing through the Vatican, spend the afternoon checking out some of the surrounding neighborhoods and landmarks.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Start with Castel Sant\u2019Angelo, the impressive fortress on the banks of the Tiber River. Originally built as a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD, the structure was later transformed into a papal fortress and prison.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_12129\" style=\"width: 2058px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-12129\" class=\"wp-image-12129 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Castel-St.-Angelo-Rome-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"a bridge over a river in rome, with a castle\/fortress at the end of it, in front of a sunset sky\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Castel-St.-Angelo-Rome-scaled.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Castel-St.-Angelo-Rome-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Castel-St.-Angelo-Rome-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-12129\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On the banks of the Tiber River you will see the imposing silhouette of the old fortress Castel Sant\u2019Angelo<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<blockquote><p><b><i>Insider Tip: <\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For lunch, head to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/osteriadellaparola\/?hl=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Osteria della Parola<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Prati, where you\u2019ll be able to enjoy some top notch traditional Roman pastas.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From here, walk along the Tiber toward Piazza del Popolo, one of Rome&#8217;s most expansive squares. Take in its grandeur and twin churches before continuing into Villa Borghese, Rome\u2019s expansive central park, just steps from the piazza.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wander its tree-lined paths, enjoy views over the city, or visit the Galleria Borghese, if you\u2019ve booked tickets beforehand.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_22448\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22448\" class=\"wp-image-22448 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Walks_Borghese-Gallery-Tour-WEB-0001.jpg\" alt=\"Various people standing outside the beautiful building that houses the Borghese Gallery.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"801\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Walks_Borghese-Gallery-Tour-WEB-0001.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Walks_Borghese-Gallery-Tour-WEB-0001-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-22448\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The beautiful building that houses the Borghese Gallery, which stands in stunning gardens that you can enjoy too<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Making_the_Most_of_2_Days_in_Rome\"><\/span>Making the Most of 2 Days in Rome<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2 days in Rome may not be enough to see everything the Eternal City has to offer, but with a little planning and smart time management, you can experience many of its biggest highlights without feeling like you\u2019re constantly rushing from one attraction to the next.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your schedule is tight, our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/vatican-tours\/rome-in-a-day-tour\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rome in a Day Tour<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> makes it possible to experience Rome\u2019s essential sights in just one day. Led by one of our expert guides, they\u2019ll bring the city\u2019s history to life while taking care of the logistics, so you don\u2019t have to stress about planning.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your guide can also point you toward what\u2019s worth exploring if you have extra time after the tour, or give you recommendations to save for your next trip to Rome.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On this seven-hour experience, you\u2019ll get to combine skip-the-line access with one of our expert guides and cover many of Rome\u2019s essential sites, including:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Colosseum<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vatican Museums<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sistine Chapel<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Trevi Fountain<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Piazza Navona<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pantheon (exterior)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">View of Roman Forum<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Piazza Venezia &amp; Mussolini\u2019s balcony<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"attachment_22473\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22473\" class=\"wp-image-22473 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Walks_Borghese-Gallery-Tour-WEB-0026.jpg\" alt=\"A group of people looking at a large statue in the Borghese Gallery while the tour guide explains its history.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"750\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Walks_Borghese-Gallery-Tour-WEB-0026.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Walks_Borghese-Gallery-Tour-WEB-0026-768x480.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-22473\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">There are so many works of art in Rome, you definitely will be spoilt for choice!<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQs_%E2%80%93_2_days_in_Rome\"><\/span><strong>FAQs &#8211; 2 days in Rome\u00a0<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_much_does_a_2_day_trip_to_Rome_cost\"><\/span>How much does a 2 day trip to Rome cost?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">Rome can be surprisingly expensive, particularly when you add up accommodation, attraction tickets and meals. For a comfortable trip, budget around \u20ac100\u2013\u20ac150 per person per day, excluding your hotel. You can spend less by eating at casual restaurants and pizzerias, but major attractions such as the Colosseum and Vatican Museums will add to the cost.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_best_time_of_year_to_spend_2_days_in_Rome\"><\/span>What is the best time of year to spend 2 days in Rome?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">Spring and autumn are generally the best times for a short trip, with pleasant weather and fewer crowds than in the peak summer months. Summer can be hot and extremely busy, while winter is quieter and often cheaper. If you visit in July or August, plan sightseeing for the morning and take a break during the hottest part of the day.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_far_in_advance_should_I_book_Rome_attractions\"><\/span>How far in advance should I book Rome attractions?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">For a two-day visit, book your major attractions before you arrive. Colosseum and Vatican tickets can sell out, particularly during spring, summer and holiday periods. Booking ahead also means you can plan your days around fixed entry times rather than wasting valuable sightseeing time in queues.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_much_walking_is_involved_in_two_days_in_Rome\"><\/span>How much walking is involved in two days in Rome?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">Quite a lot! This itinerary covers several areas of the city on foot, so expect to walk several kilometres each day. Comfortable shoes are essential, and you may want to use public transport or a taxi for some longer journeys. Remember that Rome&#8217;s historic streets can be uneven and are often paved with cobblestones.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_25434\" style=\"width: 1930px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-25434\" class=\"wp-image-25434 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Walks_Rome_Roman-Icons_0099.jpg\" alt=\"A group of tourists walking down a cobbled back street in the city of rome, with plants and ornate doors and windows on the building either side \" width=\"1920\" height=\"1282\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Walks_Rome_Roman-Icons_0099.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Walks_Rome_Roman-Icons_0099-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Walks_Rome_Roman-Icons_0099-1536x1026.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-25434\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Wandering the back streets of Rome is a day out in itself, just remember to wear comfortable shoes!<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_I_do_this_itinerary_with_children\"><\/span>Can I do this itinerary with children?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">Yes, although you may want to slow the pace down. Two days packed with ancient ruins, museums and churches can be tiring for younger children. Consider dropping one or two stops and building in time for gelato, parks and playgrounds. The Colosseum and Roman Forum are usually particularly engaging for children because there is plenty of history to bring to life.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Should_I_stay_in_the_historic_centre_for_a_two-day_visit\"><\/span>Should I stay in the historic centre for a two-day visit?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>If you only have two days, staying relatively centrally can save you a lot of travel time. Areas such as Centro Storico, Monti, Trastevere and Prati put you within easy reach of many major sights. A slightly more expensive hotel in a convenient location can be worthwhile when every hour counts.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_24099\" style=\"width: 1630px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-24099\" class=\"wp-image-24099 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Walks_Rome_Rome-In-A-Day_WEB-RES-0014.jpg\" alt=\"A tour guide leads a group of guests on a walking tour of rome, with the colosseum in the background, the ideal thing to do if you have 2 days in rome\" width=\"1620\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Walks_Rome_Rome-In-A-Day_WEB-RES-0014.jpg 1620w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Walks_Rome_Rome-In-A-Day_WEB-RES-0014-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Walks_Rome_Rome-In-A-Day_WEB-RES-0014-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1620px) 100vw, 1620px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-24099\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A guided walking tour helps take the logistical stress out of sightseeing!<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>Want to see Rome\u2019s highlights in just one day?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">If two days in Rome sounds like a good plan, our <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/vatican-tours\/rome-in-a-day-tour\/\">Rome in a Day Tour<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>takes the stress out of planning. In seven hours, an expert guide leads you through many of the city&#8217;s essential sights, including the Colosseum, Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, Trevi Fountain and Piazza Navona, with reserved entry and priority access along the way.<\/p>\n<p><strong>See more of Rome, spend less time planning and waiting, and make every hour count.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>You could spend an eternity in the Eternal City, roaming its winding streets, discovering its thousands of churches and neighborhood markets, and appreciating its historic sites. That said, you undoubtedly have less than that for your vacation. So, while Rome merits many trips, you can still see and do plenty with just two days, the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":103,"featured_media":25131,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[95,342,69],"ppma_author":[295],"class_list":["post-25875","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-things-to-do","tag-ancient-rome","tag-art-and-culture","tag-history"],"authors":[{"term_id":295,"user_id":103,"is_guest":0,"slug":"vera-armus","display_name":"Vera Armus","avatar_url":{"url":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/V.-Armus-Picture-300-px.png","url2x":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/V.-Armus-Picture-300-px.png"},"user_url":"https:\/\/vera-armus.journoportfolio.com,%20https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/mordisco.monster","last_name":"Armus","first_name":"Vera","job_title":"","description":"Vera is a freelance writer\/guide who is passionate about food history, culture and immigrant-driven cuisine. Her work has appeared in publications such as Gastro Obscura and Eater. As a proud Argentine-NYer living in Barcelona, she holds a deep love for empanadas, 99 cent pizza, and turr\u00f3n. "}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25875"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/103"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25875"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25875\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25881,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25875\/revisions\/25881"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25131"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25875"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25875"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25875"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=25875"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}