There is truly something magical about Rome that captures a tourist’s heart no matter how many times you visit this beautiful city. Rome is a real-life collage of piazzas, open markets and amazing historic sites. You would need more than a week to explore everything that this city has to offer but we would like to share with you our weekend itinerary that covers all the touristy and prominent places. Conquering Rome in two days requires a lot of planning and preparation, so make sure to pace yourself. We put an amended itinerary together to help you make the most of your time exploring the city by sections without burning out.
The Two Day Itinerary
The most convenient and economic way of getting around Rome is by far the Public Transit – buses and trains that run 24*7. But, you will most likely, just walk. The metro doesn’t have stops right in the center so the buses are great for that. However, since a two day itinerary is pretty hectic, we would recommend purchasing a 48-hour Hop On Hop off bus ticket as that would save up quite some time that you might otherwise spend on figuring out the local transit system. Hop Hop off tickets could be a little pricier but what could be better than sitting in a double-decker open top tour bus and listening to audio commentary about Rome’s history.
Day 1:
Piazza Venezia
This place serves as the central hub of Rome with several intersections around it. The iconic statue that mainly dominates this landmark is that of Vittoriano – the first king of Italy. Not only is this landmark one of the largest in Rome but also a recent majestic addition to Rome’s architectural beauty.
The top of the building offers some spectacular views of Rome from a centralized point of view and it just costs 2 Euros per person to get to the top by lift.
Circo Massimo
The Circus Maximus forms a solid part of Roman history. This is an ancient Roman chariot stadium that has now been converted to a public park. Standing here, you can’t think but imagine what this place once was.
Colosseum: the historical wonder
The Colosseum still stands as the most iconic historical site of Rome. Visiting the Colosseum is a unique and recommended experience. It is a magnificent masterpiece of architecture that describes the beauty of Roman history. This oval amphitheater was built in 70 – 80AD to entertain all classes in Rome and can hold an estimated 50,000 to 80,000 spectators.
Unfortunately, it is not that easy to get a glimpse of the Colosseum’s interiors!! This place can get insanely crowded!! You can easily expect a one hour wait to get in. The best option to reduce your waiting time here is to purchase your tickets online (about 1-2 months in advance is the recommended time, they sell out fast). While doing so, we recommend purchasing a combo ticket that covers the Colosseum, Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill. Why? Well firstly, you can get to see some ancient ruins, which is pretty cool!! And secondly, you can find this perfect Instagram spot which fortunately, not many know about – so yayy – not many people around you!! As soon as you enter Palatine hill, take a right and walk towards the direction of the Colosseum and you would find this photo spot right in front of the railings.
The arena and the interiors of the Colosseum would just take your breath away. The Italians have truly done a brilliant job protecting what is left after it was hit by an earthquake many years ago.
It is amazing to just stand on the arena floor and imagine what could have happened there hundreds of years ago.
You can spend more than an hour walking around exploring and absorbing the amazing history here. The walk here can be a bit tiring under the scorching sun especially during summers. So, make sure you get a hat, an umbrella and a bottle of water to quench your thirst.
Basilica Papale Di Santa Maria Maggiore
Wow!! Just Wow!! These were the words we uttered as we got through the entrance of this church. We were awestruck and left speechless as we spent about an hour gazing at the intricate architecture and the magnificent paintings here. The church of Santa Maria Maggiore is the largest Catholic Marian church in Rome and it truly reflects the impressive talent of Roman sculptors.
This church is usually less crowded than most other churches in Rome. So, make sure you get your cameras out for some great photos!!
Day 2:
It is always good to keep the second day’s itinerary shorter for two reasons – you walk less after a hectic first day and you get some spare time for souvenir shopping.
Spanish Steps
The Spanish Steps were built in 1723 and links the Piazza di Spagna (Spanish square) at the base and Piazza Trinita dei Monti at the top dominated by the Trinita dei Monti Church. These are an impressive set of steps that are beautifully structured. It is fascinating to see the treads that are worn smooth and dipped by centuries of visitors. This is a great photo shoot spot where a lot of movies have been shot. There are some nice cafes around this square if you want to grab a quick drink.
Trevi Fountain
The Trevi fountain was built in the 4th century and is one of the oldest water sources in Rome. Believe it or not – It was built from the same material as the Colosseum – travertine stone. The fountain stands a massive 85 feet tall and 65 feet wide and pumps out nearly 2,824,800 cubic feet of water every day. The marble around this fountain and the statues here are stunning.
It is a common practice to throw three coins into the fountain and make a wish, which most visitors do. Unfortunately, this place gets so crowded that getting a photo with less than 10 people in the background would be a great achievement unless you plan to visit early in the morning!! Nevertheless, if you do find a spot near the fountain, you would want to sit down and admire the artwork here. It is a relaxing experience!!
Pantheon
The Pantheon is the only ancient Roman building that has remained nearly intact through the centuries. It’s dome is 142 feet in diameter – bigger than the dome of St.Peter’s Basilica.
The history of this place is quite saddening but interesting. It was converted from a Roman temple to a Catholic church. A number of significant people are buried at the Panthenon including Italian kings are the renaissance painter Raphael. Make sure to walk back outside to one of the many restaurants surrounding the church and just take in your surroundings.
Piazza Navona
The public plaza is one of the local’s favorites. This is one of the most outstanding squares of the Baroque period in Rome. This place is always bustling with tourists taking photos of fountains and beautiful sculptures in the background. The piazza is lined with charming outdoor cafes and restaurants. Even if you take a stroll here for 10 to 15 mins, you’d get a flavor of what a great square this is. This is also one of the best places to grab a few Roman souvenirs.
Well, that brings us to the end of the list!! There are lots of places to visit in Rome and we have just covered a few prominent ones. If you have an extra day to spare in Rome, we recommend
–Villa Borghese
–Campo De’ Fiori
–Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano.
Best Time to Visit Rome
If it is the only the season you are taking into account, March to October would be the ideal and peak time though it can get quite hot and crowded during these times. We visited during the summer and got roasted under the sun. Took us over a month to get the tan off our skin!! If you are considering lesser crowd levels, November to February might be better. But, you might have to re-plan your itinerary considering the short daylight time. The best time, according to us, is the very beginning of March or the end of October when the weather is at it’s best and the crowds are comparatively lesser..
Rome Travel Tips and Hacks
When in Rome, do as the Romans do!!
– Always carry a hat, an umbrella and a water bottle wherever you go. Rome can get quite hot and the temperatures can soar up to 35 degrees centigrade during summers.
– If you are an student under 25 years, bring your ID card. You can get discounts at popular places like the Colosseum.
– Don’t spend on water bottles here. It is absolutely safe to drink fountain water throughout the city and this is absolutely legal!! Everyone does that!! So, just carry an empty bottle.
– Be picky when you look for a good gelato place. We have had good and bad experiences.
– Wear more covered clothes and apply sunscreen. The sun rays here can be quite harmful.
– Do not tip. Italians assume that human sincerity cannot be bought with tips.
– Be aware of pick-pockets. Though we haven’t experienced this, we have read a lot about pickpockets in this city. Make sure you stay away from shady places especially during the night.
– Avoid using taxis as much as possible. Not all taxis are prepaid ones, so if at all you are taking one, make sure the driver and you agree upon a fare.
– Skip taking pictures with costumed characters loitering around popular attractions. Many visitors have complained about being harassed by these people sometimes just to get some more money.
– Stick to church attire while visiting popular churches. A few people in front of us were not allowed inside St.Peters Basilica as they were not dressed properly.
– Tell yourself that you won’t see everything. It is impossible to cover Rome in just a few days. So, convince yourself that you will only see the best of Rome. This way, you will leave with a happy smile.
Rome wasn’t built in a day. One can never get enough of Rome. The city has an endless collection of ancient ruins and historical monuments. If you have an other day to spend here, visit Vatican city which is at a walk able distance from Rome. Also, stay tuned for our upcoming blog post “Vatican in a day”..
Happy Traveling!!
twoboardingpasses.com 