Rome, the Eternal City, has layered itself for 2,700 years—Republican stones beneath Imperial arches beneath Baroque flourishes. In two days you can trace the arc of Western history from the Colosseum’s arena to the awe of the Sistine Chapel and the grandeur of St. Peter’s Basilica.

Beyond the monuments, Rome rewards with street-level pleasures: the snap of pizza bianca from a historic forno, the perfume of espresso pulled to a hazelnut crema, and twilight in a piazza as fountains murmur and violinists play. Every corner seems designed for lingering.

Practical notes: dress codes apply inside the Vatican (shoulders and knees covered). Book major sights with skip-the-line access, wear comfortable shoes for cobblestones, and keep small bills for coffee bars. Gelato is a daily ritual; so are slow dinners. When in doubt, order cacio e pepe.

Rome

Rome is a living museum of ancient ruins, Renaissance palazzi, and lively neighborhoods from Trastevere to Testaccio. Its compact historic center lets you walk between headliners—Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona—in minutes, with detours for espresso, supplì (fried rice croquettes), and gelato.

• Top sights: Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona.
• Iconic flavors: cacio e pepe, amatriciana, carbonara, Roman-style artichokes, pizza al taglio, gelato. For coffee lore, try Sant’Eustachio or Tazza d’Oro.
• Fun facts: The Pantheon’s concrete dome has stood since AD 126; Rome has more than 900 churches; cats are legally protected in certain ruins.

How to get to Rome: Fly into Fiumicino (FCO) or Ciampino (CIA). Compare options on Omio (flights in/to Europe). If you’re coming from elsewhere in Italy or nearby countries, high-speed trains to Termini or Tiburtina take 1–3.5 hours depending on origin—search schedules and fares on Omio (trains in Europe). Traveling from outside Europe? Price long-haul tickets on Trip.com (flights).

Airport transfer: From FCO, the Leonardo Express train to Termini takes ~32 minutes; official white taxis to the center are a fixed fare (about €50). From CIA, taxis are fixed-rate to central Rome.

Where to stay (handpicked and central):

• Hotel de Russie, a Rocco Forte Hotel — Landmark luxury by Piazza del Popolo with a garden courtyard ideal for aperitivo.
• Hotel Eden — Hilltop elegance near the Spanish Steps; panoramic rooftop for sunset views.
• Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel — Resort-style property above the city with a famed art collection and pool.
• Hotel Santa Maria — Trastevere boutique hideaway with orange-tree courtyards; quiet yet steps from trattorie.
• The Beehive — Friendly, budget-minded stay near Termini with a café and eco ethos.
• Kolbe Hotel Rome — Smart, serene rooms overlooking a garden near the Forum.

Browse more options: Hotels.com – Rome | VRBO – Rome apartments

Day 1: Historic Heart, Colosseum Afternoon, Trastevere by Night

Morning: Arrival day—take it easy. Drop bags at your hotel and refresh. Grab a first coffee at Sant’Eustachio Il Caffè (silky crema, Roman institution) or Roscioli Caffè (excellent maritozzi pastries). Take a gentle walk: wander from the Spanish Steps to the Trevi Fountain, then over to the Pantheon to admire the oculus lighting the marble floor like a sundial.

Afternoon: Head to the Flavian Amphitheater for a guided deep dive. Book the Rome: Colosseum with Arena, Roman Forum and Palatine Guided Tour (typically ~3 hours; small-group; often from ~$60–$110 depending on season) to walk the Arena Floor and then continue through the Forum and Palatine Hill—the birth hill of Rome.

Quick bites nearby: try PANE & VINO for porchetta sandwiches; or a short hop to Testaccio for Flavio al Velavevodetto (classic Roman pastas in an amphora-lined space).

Evening: Cross the Tiber for a progressive dinner on the award-winning Winner 2025 Rome Twilight Trastevere Food Tour by Eating Europe (~3.5 hours). You’ll sample artisanal salumi, Roman-style pizza, supplì, and seasonal trattoria dishes in one of the city’s most atmospheric neighborhoods—perfect orientation to local flavors and stories.

Prefer a hands-on evening? Swap in the 3 in 1 Cooking Class near Navona: Fettuccine, Ravioli & Tiramisu to master two pastas and a classic dessert, then dine on your creations.

Nightcap ideas: Gelato at Gelateria del Teatro (seasonal fruit sorbets, sage-lemon is a standout) or a craft cocktail at Salotto 42 overlooking the Temple of Hadrian.

Day 2: Vatican Masterpieces, Centro Strolls, Departure

Morning: Beat the crowds with skip-the-line access on the Skip the line: Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peters Tour (about 3 hours; often from ~$70–$120). You’ll glide through highlight galleries, pause under Raphael Rooms frescoes, then enter the Sistine Chapel to contemplate Michelangelo’s ceiling before fast-track access to St. Peter’s Basilica. Dress code: shoulders and knees covered.

Post-visit coffee: duck to Pergamino Caffè for specialty beans, or grab pizza al taglio at Pizzarium Bonci near Cipro (airy focaccia base, ever-changing toppings).

Afternoon: Leisurely finale before your departure. Stroll Via dei Coronari’s antique shops to Piazza Navona’s Bernini fountains, then slip into the Pantheon once more—the light changes by the hour. Lunch options: Armando al Pantheon (book ahead; textbook Roman pastas), Emma Pizzeria (thin, crackly-crust pies), or Forno Campo de’ Fiori for warm pizza bianca folded with mortadella. Pick up cannoli or tiramisù at Two Sizes.

Need a quick transfer? Trains to Termini/the airport can be checked on Omio (trains in Europe), and airport coaches on Omio (buses in Europe). If you’re flying onward within Europe, compare late-afternoon options on Omio (flights).

Evening: If you’ve added an extra night, consider a luminous city sweep—Spanish Steps to Piazza del Popolo, or a terrace aperitivo. For a memorable after-dark overview, book the Rome by Night: Golf Cart Tour (~2 hours) to see the Forum, Colosseum, and fountains glowing after sunset.

Coffee & breakfast picks: Tazza d’Oro (near Pantheon; classic stand-up bar), Faro (third-wave coffee), Marigold (Testaccio; sourdough, seasonal brunch).

Lunch & snacks: Supplizio (gourmet supplì), Pastificio Guerra (takeaway fresh pasta near the Steps), Mercato Testaccio (stalls for panini and Roman plates).

Dinner ideas: Da Enzo al 29 (Trastevere; artichokes alla giudia, cacio e pepe), Cesare al Casaletto (worth the tram ride; creative Roman trattoria), Osteria Fernanda (modern Italian near Porta Portese), Armando al Pantheon (old-school soul).

Gelato: Gelateria del Teatro, Fatamorgana, Giolitti (go for nocciola).

Insider tips:

• Start early or late for Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps to avoid crowds.
• Carry a reusable bottle; Rome’s nasoni fountains pour pristine drinking water.
• Stand at the bar for a cheaper “al banco” coffee price; sit-down costs more.
• Sunday: some shops close; the Vatican Museums are typically closed except special dates—plan accordingly.

In 48 hours, you’ll have walked with gladiators, gazed at a ceiling that changed art history, and eaten like a local. Rome rewards return visits—consider this your first chapter, with countless piazze and trattorie left to discover.