Rome in 2 days: a full itinerary including the Vatican
Quick answer
For 2 days in Rome, spend the first on ancient Rome and the centre (Colosseum, Forum, Pantheon, Navona and Trevi) and the second on the Vatican (Museums and St Peter's) plus Castel Sant'Angelo and Trastevere. Book the Colosseum and Vatican Museums ahead to avoid lines.
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Day 1: ancient Rome and the historic centre
A day on foot through imperial Rome and the Baroque centre, with Colosseum tickets booked in advance.
- 1
08:30 · Colosseum · metro B Colosseo
Colosseum
Enter with the combined ticket in your slot. Give 1 hour 15 minutes to the stands, the underground chambers if open and the arena.
- 2
10:00 · Roman Forum and Palatine
Roman Forum and Palatine
Walk the Via Sacra and climb the Palatine for a view over the Forum. Allow about 2 hours.
- 3
12:30 · Monti
Lunch in Monti
A break in the Monti district, ten minutes from the Forum, with trattorias and pizza al taglio.
- 4
14:00 · Piazza del Campidoglio
Capitoline Hill
Michelangelo's square and the best free terrace over the Forum.
- 5
15:00 · Piazza della Rotonda
Pantheon
30 minutes for the best-preserved Roman temple. With AnyArt, point the camera at the dome or Raphael's tomb to hear its story.
- 6
16:00 · Piazza Navona
Piazza Navona
Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers and a break with an ice cream.
- 7
17:30 · Piazza di Trevi
Trevi Fountain
Come in the late-afternoon light; the area next to the water costs €2.
- 8
19:00 · Piazza di Spagna
Spanish Steps and dinner
Climb the Trinità dei Monti staircase for the sunset and have dinner around the Tridente district.
Day 2: the Vatican, Castel Sant'Angelo and Trastevere
The Vatican takes a good part of the morning. Arrive early to see the Sistine Chapel with fewer people. For a shorter version, follow our Vatican Museums 2-hour route.
- 1
08:00 · Vatican Museums · metro A Ottaviano
Vatican Museums
Arrive at opening with your ticket booked. Head straight to the Sistine Chapel and the Raphael Rooms before they fill up. Allow 2.5 hours.
- 2
10:30 · Sistine Chapel
Sistine Chapel
Michelangelo's frescoes: the ceiling and The Last Judgment. Silence is required and photos are not allowed. To understand the scenes, point AnyArt at the frescoes in the Raphael Rooms, where you can use your phone.
- 3
11:30 · St Peter's Square
St Peter's Basilica
Free entry, with a dress code. Give it an hour: Michelangelo's Pietà, Bernini's baldacchino and the dome. Climbing the dome is paid separately.
- 4
13:00 · Prati
Lunch in Prati
Eat in the Prati district beside the Vatican, with pizzerias and trattorias at fairer prices than the streets around the square.
- 5
14:30 · Castel Sant'Angelo
Castel Sant'Angelo
Hadrian's former mausoleum, a papal fortress and now a museum. The terraces look over the Tiber and St Peter's. Afterwards, stroll across Bernini's Ponte Sant'Angelo.
- 6
16:30 · Trastevere
Trastevere
Cross the Tiber to the most picturesque district. Visit Santa Maria in Trastevere, with its golden mosaics, and get lost in the lanes.
- 7
18:30 · Janiculum
Sunset on the Janiculum
Climb the Janiculum Hill for the sunset over the whole city.
- 8
20:00 · Trastevere
Dinner in Trastevere
Dine at a classic trattoria and try cacio e pepe, carbonara or supplì.
Tips for planning the 2 days
- Book the Colosseum and the Vatican Museums early on their official sites; they are the two critical reservations.
- If your trip includes the last Sunday of the month, the Vatican Museums are free from 9:00 to 14:00, but with very long lines.
- For St Peter's, cover your shoulders and knees or you will be refused entry.
- If you'd rather not start early two days in a row, swap them: Vatican on day 1 and ancient Rome on day 2 with an afternoon Colosseum slot.
Frequently asked questions
Is 2 days enough for Rome?
For the essentials, yes: one day for ancient Rome and the centre, another for the Vatican and Trastevere. With 3 days you could add the Galleria Borghese and the Appian Way.
Which day is best for the Vatican?
Monday to Saturday, first thing. The museums are closed on Sundays except the last one of each month, when entry is free from 9:00 to 14:00 but extremely crowded.
How much do tickets cost over these 2 days?
About €18 for the Colosseum with the Forum and Palatine, €25 for the Vatican Museums (€20 plus a €5 booking fee) and €5–7 for the Pantheon. St Peter's is free.
Is it worth climbing St Peter's dome?
Yes, if you have time and don't mind the steps: the views over the square and the city are among the best in Rome. It is paid separately.
Where is the best area to stay?
The historic centre (near the Pantheon and Navona) or around Termini, for its metro links to the Colosseum and the Vatican.