Rome Itinerary: 2 Days to See the Very Best of the City

Although we recommend setting aside at least 4 days to explore the Italian capital, if you have less time we'll make it easy for you. Here's a complete itinerary of the best things to see in Rome in 2 days. 

This route covers the most important places to visit in Rome, from its most iconic monuments to recommendations on where to eat and other fun details that will turn your trip into a real experience. Read on!

What to see in Rome in 2 days

If you have even less time in Rome, we have a complete guide to what to see in Rome in one day with a route through the unmissable sights and a downloadable map.

It can also serve as a guide for what to do in Rome on the first day of your trip.

• You can see the full itinerary and map of Rome in one day here.

Ready for day two of your Rome getaway? We start in Vatican City, one of the most emblematic spots in the Italian capital, with countless monuments and places to see.

A good place for breakfast is Bar Latteria Giuliani (Borgo Pio 48). If you're up for ordering your coffee in Italian, you can ask for a caffè normale, macchiato or cappuccino in any café. It opens at 7:00 am, the service is good and the prices are better, and it's just a 5-minute walk from our first stop: St. Peter's Square.

There is a huge amount to see at the Vatican, so we recommend starting early, since it deserves at least a full morning. 

The Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel

Visiting the Vatican is an essential thing to do in Rome, and a place worth seeing at least once in your life.

To help you out, we've put together a complete guide to Vatican tickets, which give you access to the most important sights in the city state. You'll find up-to-date information on prices, benefits and how to buy tickets for the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel. 

The Vatican Museums hold a vast series of rooms and galleries displaying the most artistically valuable works belonging to the Catholic Church. 

Admiring their impressive collection of artworks, sculptures and antiquities is a unique chance to learn about the history of the Catholic Church and its influence on culture and art.

Another of its main attractions is the Sistine Chapel, inside the Apostolic Palace. Head there to see this Renaissance masterpiece, famous for its ceiling painted by Michelangelo, one of the greatest figures of Renaissance art. 

Visitors can take in the beauty and precision of the chapel as they walk through and gaze at frescoes covering some 1,100 square meters. This is where the conclave of cardinals gathers to elect the pope. 

If you want to go straight to the most important parts of the complex, we recommend taking the guided tour of the Vatican. On a 3-hour route, a Spanish-speaking guide will explain everything and lead you straight to the spaces you shouldn't miss.

One of them is St. Peter's Basilica. Access to the Basilica from inside the Vatican is currently closed, but if you take the tour, the guide will show you how to get in for free by joining the outside line at the Basilica entrance on St. Peter's Square.

St. Peter's Basilica

St. Peter's Basilica is the most important place of worship in the Catholic Church and Rome's main basilica. The leading pilgrimage destination for Catholics, it houses an impressive collection of artworks, including sculptures, frescoes and mosaics.

Once you're through the doors (after the long lines), you'll be standing in the largest church in the world. Did you know its beautiful gilded coffered ceiling is more than 45 m high? You can also climb to the dome of St. Peter's, 136.5 meters up, where you'll be rewarded with one of the best views in the city. 

Entry to the basilica is free, you just have to wait in a long line. If you'd like to see the inside with a guide, take a look at the St. Peter's Basilica tour.

Rome's most beautiful bridge

Another must-see on a 2-day trip to Rome is Ponte Sant'Angelo. Built as a military bridge in the 2nd century by the emperor Hadrian, this bridge over the Tiber sits a short walk from St. Peter's Square. 

You can reach the bridge by walking along Borgo Pio, a street surrounded by small lanes and lovely squares that are great for photos. It's worth stopping at Piazza del Catalone, which still has an old fountain from the days centuries ago when water didn't reach Roman homes.

Once on the bridge, be sure to notice the angel statues that make it unique among Rome's bridges. Pure photo material!

Castel Sant'Angelo, Hadrian's former mausoleum

The next stop is Castel Sant'Angelo. This circular fortress was originally built as Hadrian's mausoleum, but over time it became a refuge for the popes in times of danger. Its name comes from the legend that the Archangel Michael appeared here as a sign that the ferocious plague of 590 had ended. 

To see inside, you'll need to buy a Castel Sant'Angelo ticket, but you won't regret it. Its museum holds unique pieces from the castle itself: ancient weapons, sculptures and paintings, along with numerous rooms and galleries showcasing the city's history and culture.

You can also walk out onto the terrace for a stunning view over Rome and the Tiber.

Since you're nearby, take a look at one of Rome's most impressive buildings: the Corte Suprema di Cassazione. Right next to the castle, it's an architectural showstopper thanks to its sheer size. This is the seat of Italy's courts of justice.

An affordable way to take a guided walk is to join a free tour. One of the best free tours in Rome, the Free tour around the Vatican, covers many of the places described in this itinerary (tickets not included).

Sunset in Trastevere

The final stop on this trip to Rome is the lively neighborhood of Trastevere, one of Rome's most charming districts, famous for its buzzing bohemian atmosphere. 

On the way, you can stop to eat at one of Trastevere's good restaurants. One of the most highly regarded pizzerias in the neighborhood is Dar Poeta (Vicolo del Bologna 45), very close to Villa Farnesina.

Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere

Take your time getting lost in its streets until you reach the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere. It's one of the oldest places of worship in the Italian capital, known for its mosaics by Pietro Cavallini. Its octagonal gilded ceiling frames one of Giuseppe Velasques's finest paintings: L'Assunzione della Vergine.

Among all the things to see in Rome in 2 days, one spot in this neighborhood we love to recommend is the Orto Botanico dell'Università di Roma «La Sapienza». It's the botanical garden on the University of Rome campus, one of the oldest in Italy and the perfect place for anyone interested in botany and natural history.

This 12-hectare green space holds a wide collection of plants and trees, including rare and endemic species from around the world. There are also several greenhouses and a lovely pond with koi and other aquatic species.

Visiting here is the perfect warm-up for our next stop.

The Gianicolo hill, one of the best views in Rome

Once you're done, head up to the top of the Gianicolo hill, which, besides its pretty Baroque fountain and the monument to Garibaldi, offers beautiful views over the long, winding Tiber and the whole city. This spot is considered one of the best viewpoints in Rome.

End your day with dinner of local food: Trastevere is an ideal place for it, with plenty of restaurants and trattorias serving fresh pasta, grilled meats and fish.

Another option in summer is catching a play or an open-air concert. And if nightlife is more your thing, you're in the right place: two spots we recommend are Mr. Brown Pub (Vicolo del Cinque, 29) and Big Hilda Public Bar (Vicolo del Cinque, 33) to round off an unforgettable day. Cheers! 

Map of Rome in 2 days

If you liked this 2-day route through Rome, here's the map with the itinerary and every stop. Click on the image to download it as a PDF or take a closer look on Google Maps.

What to do in Rome in 2 days?

According to www.romando.org, for 2 days in Rome the recommendation is: Day 1, the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Palatine and the Pantheon; Day 2, the Vatican (the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica), the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps (Piazza di Spagna). This itinerary covers the must-see monuments while keeping walking between areas to a minimum.