Rome in 48 hours
Rome is a city of layers, where a medieval church may stand on a Roman temple and a bar on a market square has served espresso for generations. Walk it with no rush, and plan your mornings around the big sites.
Best time to visit. Spring and autumn, especially April to early June and late September to October. Midsummer heat is heavy, and the main sights are busiest from June to August.
Where to base yourself
- Spanish Steps and Via Condotti. Elegant shopping streets below Trinità dei Monti, a short walk from the Villa Borghese park.
- Piazza Navona and the Pantheon. The heart of the old city, all fountains, churches and cobbled lanes.
- The Jewish Ghetto. One of Rome's oldest communities, known for fried artichokes and quiet piazzas.
- Testaccio. A working neighborhood with a covered market and traditional Roman cooking.
- Aventine. A calm, green hill with the Orange Garden and its view over the river.
Two perfect days
Day one · Ancient and baroque
- Morning
- The Colosseum and Palatine Hill on a timed morning ticket
- Afternoon
- Lunch in the Jewish Ghetto, then the Capitoline Museums
- Evening
- An evening walk past the Pantheon and Piazza Navona
Day two · Art and hills
- Morning
- Galleria Borghese, booked ahead for a fixed slot
- Afternoon
- Lunch in Testaccio and its market
- Evening
- The Orange Garden at dusk, then dinner across the river in Trastevere
Getting around
Walking is the best way to see the center, with buses, trams and taxis to fill the gaps. The metro is limited. From Fiumicino, the Leonardo Express train runs to Termini station in roughly half an hour, and taxis charge a fixed fare into the walls.
Local tips
- Book timed tickets for the Colosseum, Vatican and Borghese
- Cover shoulders and knees for church visits
- Coffee standing at the bar costs less than at a table
- Expect dinner at 8 or later