Rome is probably one of the most exciting city you’ll ever visit. The capital of Italy has the perfect combination of history, art, and traditional Italian cuisine, but also has an edgy side where you can explore fashion, nightlife and much more.

To help plan your weekend in Rome, here is a guide of what to do and see when you only have 48 hours, and if it’s your first time in the city.

Source: Flickr/larrywkoester

Good morning, Rome! – Day 1

After a good cup of cappuccino and a breakfast that will give you enough energy to explore the city, you’re ready to go to one of the most beautiful squares in Rome, the Piazza del Campidoglio where you can see the piazza remodeled by Michelangelo back in the 1530s. The piazza is located on the Capitoline Hill, one of the seven hills of Rome and this is where you’ll see the Palazzo Nuovo, Palazzo dei Conservatori, and the Palazzo Senatorio. Here you will enjoy a fantastic panoramic view of the Colosseum. 

Good afternoon – Day 1

After grabbing a quick lunch and setting up your camera, get ready to see Rome’s famous monuments. First, you can go to the incredible Colosseum. Admire it from the outside and book a tour to skip-the-line (trusts us, this will save you a lot of time) and visit the underfloor passageways and see where the gladiators and wild animals stayed before heading to the arena. 

Following the Colosseum, go through the Forum, which worked as the hub of political and social activity of the Roman citizens and has many temples to admire, like the Arch of Titus and Column of Phocas. 

Then you can head to the Palatine Hill, the most famous of Rome’s seven hills and home to the great legend of Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome – supposedly here is where both kids were found by a she-wolf – and appreciate a panoramic view of the Italian capital. 

Goodnight – Day 1

Time for that well-deserved dinner. You can choose to go to the picturesque neighborhood of Monti and walk around window shopping the numerous stores, jewelers, perfumeries, small art galleries, and many other things and then choose one of the many restaurants to grab delicious Italian food. 

If you still want to explore the city, after Monti, go to Trastevere, the bohemian neighborhood of Rome. It’s a great place to drink an aperitivo and is full of bars and restaurants. 

Hello, again Rome! – Day 2

We recommend you to wake up early and go to the Vatican. Once again, it is better to buy tours that offer to skip-the-line, so you won’t waste precious time just standing in line. Check the St. Peter’s Basilica, take a quick walk in the Vatican Museums and, of course, admire the magnificent Sistine Chapel where you can see the chapel full of Michelangelo’s paintings. 

Remember that if you’re visiting the Vatican on a Sunday, you can see the Pope at noon and listen to his 20-minute speech, if you don’t want to miss it make sure you check the Pope’s schedule before going there. 

Afternoon – Day 2

Now is time to visit the Roman Pantheon. This ancient monument is a Roman temple dedicated to every god of pagan Rome and, although it is almost two thousand years old, the dome is still there to amaze you. 

After that, go to the Trevi Fountain and throw in a coin. This incredible Baroque fountain is a must-see in Rome and if you throw a coin into the fountain, according to the local legend, you are guaranteed to return to the Eternal City. 

If you want, you can also add a visit to the Campo de’Fiori on your itinerary. This market square is perfect for purchasing souvenirs or just grab a quick meal. 

Night – Day 2

At the end of your second day, head to Castel Sant’Angelo, making sure you go before closing time at 7.30 pm, the monument overlooks the Tiber river and has the stunning Ponte Sant’Angelo that lights up at night. 

After that, you can go to the Centro Storico, one of the coolest and beautiful neighborhoods in the city and choose a restaurant to have dinner and relax in after spending 48 hours in Rome. 

Weekend in Rome, or 48 hours of fun in the Italian capital

We hope we helped you planning your vacation if you’re traveling for a short time, but still, want to experience the best in the city. You can easily spend days exploring Rome and never get bored, but most people, unfortunately, can’t do that. To help you out a little more, keep in mind that Veditalia offers 14 different tours in the city where you can visit the Colosseum, the Vatican Museums, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish steps and many other attractions, all with an English speaking guide.