The Perfect 2-Day Rome Itinerary for First Time Visitors
Last Updated: July 5, 2023
Rome is one of the most visited cities on the planet, with plenty to do and see. But when it’s your first time visiting Rome, you likely want to make sure you see the top sites. Below is our complete guide to 2 days in Rome, including where to stay in Rome, how to get around in Rome, and of course the top sites to see in Rome!
How many days do you need in Rome?
If you just want to see the top sites in Rome, you can hit them all in two days. In fact, we did Rome in one day, as part of a bigger trip to Italy. While we felt like we could take in the main attractions in Rome in one day, we definitely pushed ourselves and were quite exhausted by the end of one day. So we designed our ideal 2-day itinerary to include the top sites we loved, as well as some that we had to pass by quickly and wished we had had more time for.
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How do you get around Rome?
The heart of ancient Rome is very walkable. For example, you can easily walk from the Vatican to the Pantheon in around 30 minutes. In fact, you’ll find that the city center of Rome is full of many pedestrian-only zones and plazas. So getting around on foot is a great way to see Rome up close and personal.
However, if you prefer not to walk or you are tight on time, you can easily take a taxi in Rome. Taxis are a great option in Rome when you are trying to fit a lot into a short trip. Rome has a licensed taxi system, with fixed rates. The official taxis are white and should have a registration number on the side of the car.
How do you get a taxi in Rome? You can usually ask the front desk of your hotel to call a taxi for you (this is what we did to get to the Vatican and the airport). If you’re not at your hotel, you can dial 060609 or you can book a taxi through the app Chiama Taxi Utente. There are also taxi stands scattered throughout Rome’s city center.
Uber does operate in Rome, but it is only the luxe Uber options like Uber black. So be prepared to spend more than a normal Uber in the United States, when using Uber in Rome.
Where to stay in Rome?
Since we knew we didn’t have much time in Rome, we prioritized staying right in the heart of ancient Rome. Our hotel was in the Monti neighborhood, just a 15 minute walk from the Colosseum. We found this was a great location to easily walk and catch taxis to all the best sites in Rome. There were also great restaurants and cafes within an easy walking distance. Overall, the Monti neighborhood was a great spot to stay when visiting ancient Rome.
How to spend 2 days in Rome?
Our 2-day Rome guide below packs in the top sites to see for your first time in Rome. Most of our Rome itinerary is designed for walking across the city from site to site. But if you don’t want to walk all day, another great way to hit all the top sites in Rome is this bike tour, which includes nearly all the same sites that we recommend. Another fun option to see some of the top sites in Rome in a unique way is booking a segway tour. However you choose to get around, keep reading for the stops to include in the best Rome itinerary for first-time visitors.
2-Day Complete Rome Itinerary
Day 1: St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican Museums, Pantheon, and Trevi Fountain
On Day 1 of your Rome itinerary, you’ll stop at iconic Roman sites such as St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museums, the Pantheon, and the Trevi Fountain. You’ll also stop for delicious fresh pasta for lunch and eat Roman pizza for dinner.
1. St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican
Vatican City, the Vatican Museums, and St. Peter’s Basilica are stops that you cannot miss on a visit to Rome. The architecture outside the Basilica is incredibly striking, even more so in person. Before or after you visit the Vatican Museums, you can easily spend an hour walking around St. Peter’s Square outside the Basilica, taking photos of the towering church building, St. Peter’s Square Obelisk, the Bernini Fountain, and more.
The Vatican Museums (Musei Vaticani) are where you see the Sistine Chapel, the famous spiral Bramante Staircase (Scala Elicoidale Momo), and huge volumes of art spanning continents and centuries.
How far in advance do you need to book a Vatican ticket? At least two months or more during the high season. You can book tickets on the Vatican website, but Vatican tickets sell out fast, so be sure to book in advance.
If tickets on the Vatican website are sold out for the day you want to visit the Vatican, you can always book through a private skip-the-line tour, which often has available tickets set aside specifically for their tours. You also get the added benefit of a tour guide who can give you all the history of the exhibits.
You should also know that the museum is closed on Sundays, so when planning your Rome itinerary, make sure your Vatican visit doesn’t fall on a Sunday!
Important Note: The Vatican is considered a sacred space, and thus has a strict dress code. I ignorantly did not research this beforehand, and showed up in a tank top and shorts trying to beat the August heat. I was asked to cover up by purchasing scarves from the vendors right outside the Vatican. If you’re in my same position, you can expect to pay € 5-10 per scarf to cover your shoulders and/or legs. Not the end of the world, but certainly a little embarrassing!
How much time do you need in the Vatican Museums? We spent about two and a half hours there, and we got to see all the highlights of the Vatican. But you could easily spend all day in the Vatican Museums if you are an art or history aficionado.
2. Eat Fresh Pasta at Pastaciutta
After you’ve explored the Vatican and St. Peter’s Basilica for a few hours, you will have likely worked up an appetite. When in Italy, you of course have to try fresh pasta. Luckily, there is a counter-serve restaurant just around the corner from the Vatican called Pastaciutta.
Pastaciutta makes excellent fresh pasta for a very affordable price. You can eat your pasta at one of the few chairs inside, or take it to go and sit on a park bench to continue enjoying the views of St. Peter’s Square. Either way, it’s a great way to try some authentic Italian pasta while on the go in Rome.
3. The Pantheon
Next, we suggest walking to the Pantheon. You can walk from the Vatican to the Pantheon in about 30 minutes. Rome is very walkable and you’ll walk by many cute gift shops, gelaterias, and historic buildings on your walk.
The Pantheon is a striking building looking out over a plaza full of cafes and fountains. It’s truly remarkable to see such an ancient building juxtaposed against the buzz of modern life. If you have time, you can go inside the Pantheon and see its impressive domed ceiling and oculus.
Although the Pantheon is now a church, as of July 3, 2023, you will need to pay a €5.00 entrance fee to enter. Monday through Friday you can just walk in, but on Saturday or Sunday you need a reservation in advance, which you can book through the official Pantheon website, for €20.00-25.00.
4. The Trevi Fountain
Once you’ve explored the area around the Pantheon for a while, your next stop is in the incredible, iconic Trevi Fountain.
It’s a short 10-minute walk from the Pantheon to the famous Trevi Fountain. If you’re like us, you’ll be ready for a snack after all that walking, so we recommend popping into one of the many gelato shops on the way to the Trevi Fountain, such as the highly rated Gelato g Italiano.
The Trevi Fountain will likely be crowded if you go during the summer. You’ll have to wait your turn to get up close for a photo, but it’s definitely still worth it to see the Trevi Fountain! After all, who doesn’t want to try to be Lizze McQuire for a day, in hopes of meeting an Italian popstar? ✨
5. Eat Roman pizza
What’s a trip to Italy without pizza? 🍕At this point in Day 1 of your Rome itinerary, you’ll be tired from so much time on your feet and in the sun. We recommend ordering a box of delicious Roman pizza to go, taking it back to your hotel room, and kicking back and relaxing.
After scouring Google Reviews for the best pizza nearby, we opted for Trieste Pizza, which did not disappoint. Trieste Pizza had flavorful sauce, perfectly baked bubbly crust, and delicious fresh basil on top. It was walking distance from our hotel in the Monti neighborhood, which made it the perfect way to end a busy day.
Day 2: Colosseum, Arch of Constantine, Monument to Victor Emmanuel II, Spanish Steps, Villa Borghese
On Day 2 of your Rome itinerary, you’ll get to see famous Roman sites and some underrated hidden gems in Rome. Day 2 includes the Colosseum, the Arch of Constantine, the lesser known Monument to Victor Emmanuel II, the Spanish Steps, and the Villa Borghese. We also included in the itinerary a stop for some delicious tiramisu at a restaurant we really enjoyed.
6. The Colosseum
The first stop on Day 2 of our Rome itinerary is perhaps the most famous landmark in Rome: the Colosseum. The Colosseum is a truly remarkable architectural feat, and you cannot miss a chance to see it.
Seeing the Colosseum from the outside is impressive, and honestly worth a trip even if you don’t go inside. But if you want to get the full picture, you can book a ticket through the official, direct booking Colosseum ticket site called Coop Culture. Tickets are released 30 days in advance, and they sell out quickly. Make sure you book your Colosseum tickets quickly once it is 30 days before the desired date of your Colosseum visit.
7. Arch of Constantine
Right around the corner from the Colosseum, you can add to your Rome itinerary another impressive ancient architectural site. The Arch of Constantine in Rome was built in 315 AD to commemorate the victory of Constantine I over the previous emperor Maxentius. The arch stands nearly 70 feet tall, and is full of detailed carvings of different battle images. While not as famous as the Colosseum, the Arch of Constantine is still a marvel to see, and worth stopping by when in Rome.
8. Stop for Tiramisu
After you’ve spent the first part of the morning exploring the Colosseum, we recommend stopping for a pick-me-up in the form of an espresso and a tiramisu.
As we were walking near the Colosseum, we stopped for tiramisu and espresso at this adorable trattoria called La Vineria di Angelino. This restaurant has a lovely leaf-covered terrace, where you can sip on your espresso and enjoy their delicious tiramisu, all while looking out over the Roman ruins.
9. Monument to Victor Emmanuel II
Next, we recommend continuing down the street Via dei Fori Imperiali until you reach the Monument to Victor Emmanuel II (Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele II or Il Vittoriano). This striking marble monument is an underrated destination in Rome. Many people stumble across this hidden gem on their way to the Colosseum and have no idea what it is! This Monument to Victor Emmanuel II celebrates the unification of Italy in 1861 under its first king Victor Emmanuel.
For serious history buffs, the Monument offers a museum inside, where you can learn more about the unification of Italy and Victor Emmanuel. But the museum is geared more towards an Italian audience.
If you can handle a lot of steps, climb the steps of Il Vittoriano for incredible views of Rome. Or purchase a ticket for one of the elevators!
10. The Spanish Steps
Next on your Rome itinerary are the famous Spanish Steps, also known as Scalinata di Trinita dei Monti. These steps are beautifully constructed in the Baroque style, and they look out over much of the upscale fashion district of Rome.
Depending on the season and the time of day, it may be very crowded at the Spanish Steps. If you want to get the very best photos at the Spanish Steps, we recommend re-configuring your Rome itinerary a bit to go right at dawn or late in the evening to the Spanish Steps. But if you’re ok with a few fellow tourists in the picture, then you can go in the middle of the day.
11. Villa Borghese
If you have the time, you can stop at the Borghese Gallery, where you can see stunning sculptures and pieces of art. The Borghese Gallery offers limited tickets every hour, so be sure to book in advance! You can take a guided tour of the gallery and the gardens to get the optimal insights into the beautiful Villa Borghese.
If you don’t have time for the Villa Borghese Gallery, we recommend you at least watch the sunset from the Terrazza del Pincio. The Terraza del Pincio looks out over Rome, giving you stunning views of St. Peter’s Basilica and other Roman landmarks. This sunset landscape is the best way to end a 2-day itinerary in Rome!
Looking for other adventures in Italy? Check out our articles on kayaking in the Amalfi coast and taking a Tuscany wine tour from Florence!