Two Days in Rome Itinerary

Spending only two days in Rome can feel like a world wind because it is. We are going to try to pack as much as we can get into these precious two days. You’re going to have a great time, but you might feel a little tired after day two.



Please note that the itinerary below is for if you have a full two days in Rome. I say this because you may be coming from another destination, in which case you won’t have two full days. If you are coming in from another location some of your time will be spent at the airport, train station, settling into your lodging, etc.

Two Days in Rome Itinerary

Rome Day One

8:00 am – Colosseum – Head over to the Colosseum early in the morning. If you have tickets or have a Roma Pass head to the Colosseum first. If you do not have tickets, do the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill first, and get your tickets for the Colosseum at that time.

You will see the Arch of Constantine as you walk to the Roman Forum.

10:00 am – The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill

12:30 pm – Lunch Break. By this point, you have been walking a lot, and you’re going to need a bit of rest. Take your time sitting at a nearby restaurant. Read my Tips on Rome to choose the best place to eat.

1:30 pm – Trajan’s Market and the ruins located on Via dei Fori Imperiali

2:00 pm – Capitoline Hill Museum

3:30 pm – Churches around the Pizza Venezia or Altare della Patria or skip and spend longer at the above locations.

For a quick boost head to Sant’ Eustachio II Caffe for a great cup of coffee.

4:50 pm – Pantheon

5:15 pm – Trevi Fountain

5:30 pm – Spanish Steps

Your day has ended, and you are probably exhausted. It’s been a long day of walking, now it’s time to head to dinner and have a drink or maybe two, you deserve it for all that walking you did!

Rome Day Two

6:30 am – St. Peter’s Basilica – Get here early in the morning. St. Peter’s opens at 7 am you can get in line early and beat the bus tours. You will also be able to take some beautiful shots of St. Peter’s Square with the best light.

8:45 am – Vatican Museum – The museum opens at 9, so this time frame allows you to get in line early.

1:00 pm – Castel Sant’ Angelo – By now you should have seen both the museum as well as St. Peter’s Basilica it’s time for a lunch break and some rest. You can choose a restaurant in the area or wait to eat at the Castel Sant’ Angelo. The foods not bad and the view is great.

3:00 pm – Piazza Navona

3:30 pm – Campo de’ Fiori

Head over to the medieval Trastevere district for dinner. Trastevere has the highest concentrations of restaurants in Rome, so it shouldn’t be hard to find a great meal. You can also visit Colle del Gianicolo by walking up from Trastevere or pick up bus #115, a circular route. In the center, you should have a night view of the Spanish steps and a partial view of Trevi Fountain.

Please be prepared for lines, even if you have tickets in hand. One way to skip lines is to buy group tours.