Rome, the Eternal City, is one of the most beautiful and historic places in the world! Something is bound to take your breath away around every corner.
Exploring a city that strove for centuries to attain perfection in beauty, sciences, and philosophy is a rare and exquisite opportunity.
With so much to see and do in Rome, it’s difficult to decide what to visit! We’ve put together a Rome in 2-day itinerary so that you can make the most of your trip, even with a short time to spend.
Some of the stops are more off-the-map, so you can experience Rome without crowds of people, while others are classics that simply cannot be missed!
Rome in 2 Days Itinerary For First-Timers
With this packed Rome 2-day itinerary, you’ll leave the ancient metropolis with sore feet, a happy heart, and a head full of memories. It is a great way to see the best of this beautiful Italian city!
If you plan to tick off a few Italian destinations, check out our Italy travel blog for tips and resources!
Day 1 – Colosseum, Arch of Constantine, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill:
Doing Rome in two days allows you to cross off the top Italian attractions and most exciting stops. With some of the best of what to see in Rome in 2 days, day one is packed with easy-to-reach stops!
You can easily walk to all of them, making it convenient and comfortable. Just grab a map from your hotel and plan your stops before you leave in the morning.
1. The Colosseum
The Colosseum is naturally the first stop on the list! This ancient architectural marvel is a must-see. It might be the most famous landmark in Italy.
We knew the Colosseum would be impressive, and it did not disappoint!
We have the Colosseum first on the list because we recommend getting there early, as the queue grows very quickly and gets long. Or purchase some priority tickets, as we don’t have time to lose simply standing around in a queue.
Be sure to book a guided tour – there is so much you will want to know about the Colosseum’s rich history that it’s more than worth it!
- Length of time: ~ 2 hours
- Best Selling Tours: Check out the Viator Colosseum Tour here, or get your priority tickets at GetYourGuide Colosseum Tour here.
2. Arch of Constantine
The Arch of Constantine lies just outside the Colosseum, making it the perfect next stop for your two days in Rome.
The famous Roman landmark is the largest triumphal arch still standing! It was dedicated in 315 AD to commemorate Constantine’s victory in battle.
Head up close to examine the minute details on the extravagant arch. They didn’t hold back in the 4th century! It’s a short stop but well worth it.
- Cost: Free
- Length of time: 30 minutes
3. Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
Your next stop is the Roman Forum! It’s a short walk from the Colosseum and the Arch. It provides excellent views of the Colosseum, as much of it was built on Palatine Hill.
You can and should spend hours strolling through the Forum. But the best way to grasp what the Forum could have looked like in its heyday is to stand on the top of Palatine Hill and look out over the sprawling forum.
It’s a strenuous walk up the hill for some, but it’s still early in the day, and those views are so worth it!
The enormity of these ruins allows you to marvel at the Roman engineering and architectural designs. One feels incredibly tiny against these colossal ruins.
After this stop, simply choose one of the restaurants in the area where you can enjoy lunch.
- Cost: Included in the Colosseum ticket
- Length of time: 3 – 4 hours
- Best Selling Tour: You can find a combined tour for the Colosseum and the Roman Forum here.
4. Mouth of Truth (Optional)
Otherwise known as the Bocca della Verita, this landmark is relatively small but incredibly important to the Romans.
It’s been leaning against the wall of a small Italian church since 1631! But there are dozens of legends surrounding the curious marble mask! You’re bound to hear one or two while you’re there.
Here, you have to brave up and shove your hand in the mouth of this statue, which is believed to have been created to portray one of the Roman pagan gods.
The legend goes that you will lose your hand if you are a liar. But hopefully, you’ll continue on your Rome 2-day itinerary with all your limbs!
The Mouth of Truth’s hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5:50 p.m., so you should arrive at the end of the day.
I think this is a fun stop, but it is by no means a ‘must-do’. If you are tired from your day of walking or simply want to relax at a restaurant, you could easily skip this stop!
- Length of time: 30 minutes
5. Piazza Della Bocca della Verità (Optional)
While you’re right here, head over to this incredible Piazza! The green oasis features multiple ancient monuments, like the Tempio di Portuno.
This 3rd/4th-century shrine is just one of the many dotting the Roman landscape! But it’s so secluded and beautiful that you will want to spend some time appreciating the opportunity to see it.
Here, you’ll also find the Temple of Hercules Victor! These are two of the earliest examples of Roman architecture, and despite being free to access, they are remarkably well preserved.
You will be here in the evening, so you may even see the monuments lit up and glowing!
- Cost: Free
- Length of time: 1 hour
What to do in Rome at night?
Rome is fun to explore at night as well. If you still have energy left, go for a stroll to the Forum and Colosseum and grab some gelato from one of the local gelaterias.
Best Selling Rome Night Tours:
With two nights in Rome, at least one should be spent touring the gorgeous city under the stars.
Day 2 in Rome
On your second day in the Eternal City, you’ll see more of the best of what to see in Rome for 2 days!
Your feet may feel a little sore (seeing most of Rome in 2 days on foot can be tiring), but with no time to spare, we suggest you set out early in the morning.
Most attractions open at 8 am. Our first stop, however, is accessible 24/7, so you can get up and out even earlier!
But don’t worry—whether you set out at 7 a.m. or 9 a.m., you’ll be able to tick off all the stops on your Rome itinerary for two days. The time you spend at each can be easily adjusted!
1. The Knights of Malta Keyhole and Aventine Hill
Strange, isn’t it, to put a keyhole on an itinerary? But this stop is one of the most underrated yet exciting things to see in Rome in 2 days!
The view you find, with a tunnel of green hedges to help your eye focus on the absolute prize – the beautiful magnificent St. Peter’s Basilica, perfectly centered at the end of the garden – is truly stunning!
I had to get another look after hubby had his turn, and if it was not for the mere fact that there were people in line behind us, I probably would have kept staring into this ‘magical’ keyhole for even longer.
That’s why we’ve put it first on the itinerary. You’ll avoid the crowds, and may even have this marvel all to yourself!
There is more to do here at Villa Malta, with a lovely orange grove garden, some beautiful shady trees and some seats to relax on. It’s a perfect way to cool down after standing in the hot sun in the line for the door.
Stroll around the picturesque Aventine Hill to enjoy a greater appreciation for Rome’s eternal beauty.
You could even make your way here before sunrise, and watch the event from the hill! But that’s only for the early wakers among us.
- Cost: Free
- Length of time: 1 hour
2. The Pantheon
The iconic Pantheon is another must-see stop, and one of the absolute best things to do in Rome in 2 days!
It’s difficult to understand the marvel of this site until you are actually standing there under the pillars that seem to be touching the heavens.
Trying to wrap your head around how a dome, with a hole in the top, can stay put decade after decade, without any real support from the building itself. The engineering of this building will blow you away!
The Pantheon is usually busy, but nothing is taken away from its grandeur by the crowds.
In fact, appreciating such an icon with others who are just as impressed as you are, can add to the experience! Especially because the lines go very quickly.
Cost: Free!
Length of time: 2 hours
Best Selling Tours:
- Pantheon audio guided tour
- Guided tour of the Pantheon
- Get a Skip-the-line ticket for the Pantheon including Colosseum and Ancient Rome
3. Trevi Fountain
This glorious fountain is such a worthwhile stop! Almost 50 meters wide, the massive fountain is the most famous in the world!
You may recognize it from iconic movies like Roman Holiday, or La Dolce Vita.
The Baroque monument showcases numerous beautiful sculptures designed by Italian architect Nicola Salvi.
You’ll feel a strong desire to wade in and admire them from up close, but unfortunately, you’re not permitted beyond the fountain’s edge.
What you can do, is toss a coin in to ensure you return to Rome! According to the legends, two will help you find love, and three symbolize wedding bells.
Cost: Free
Length of time: 30 Minutes
Best Selling Tours:
- Best Rome walking tour, including Trevi Fountain and Pantheon
- City of Water tour including Trevi Fountain underground
4. The Spanish Steps
What a glorious city Rome is, that a fountain, a keyhole, and a set of steps are so impeccably beautiful that they would be important stops for travelers from around the world!
The Spanish Steps are iconic, a meeting place for artists and adventurers for centuries.
Take a photo on the Steps, and relax your feet for a while as you listen to buskers and musicians who lend the place a perfectly timeless feel.
You can have a meal here – some pizza with this view goes down really well about now.
You can also check out the brilliant English poet John Keats’ house! It stands on the right of the steps and is now a pretty fascinating museum.
- Cost: Free
- Length of time: 1 hour
- Best Selling Tour: Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain walking tour.
5. Vatican City and St Peter’s Basilica
No one could ever make a list of what to do in Rome in 2 days without the Vatican!
This is the last official stop on our Rome Itinerary so that you can avoid the crowds. The Vatican is open till 6 pm, with the final entry at 4 pm. Plenty of time to explore!
The Vatican is actually a country – but don’t worry, you don’t need a separate visa. Full of historical and artistic significance, the tiny country will leave you awed.
You could spend a whole day walking through this gorgeous place and admiring the many, many many fascinating artifacts and artworks! The guided tours, however, last 3 hours.
Cost: USD $50 for a skip-the-line ticket
Length of time: 3 hours
Best Selling Tours:
- Book a fast-track tour to the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel here!
- Exclussive VIP Vatican experience
Conclusion
This itinerary will help you see all the best when you visit Rome in 2 days and will furnish you with some of your best memories!
Leave Rome dreaming of painting the Vatican, battles in the Colosseum, or a magical world viewed through the Keyhole of Malta.
The stops have so much to see between them that you’ll be snapping photos every few minutes.
If you’re exploring Rome with your family, check out our post to see which is the best Rome family hotel on your visit to Rome.
Further Reading:
- Rome in 3 Days Itinerary
- Need-to-know Rome Travel with Kids Tips
- What to see and do on a Weekend in Rome
