Rome is a living palimpsest: emperors, popes, and artists all left their mark on the Eternal City. In two days, you can step onto the Colosseum arena where gladiators fought, gaze up at Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, and share a sunset over cupolas and cypress trees. This itinerary balances blockbuster sights with hidden corners and slow, romantic moments.

Food and wine are a love language here. Think cacio e pepe twirled in a trattoria, Roman-style pizza al taglio, and gelato crafted like fine pastry. For wine tasting, cozy enotecas pour Lazio’s Frascati Superiore, Etna rosso from Sicily, and Brunello—all ideal for a date night after sightseeing.

Practical notes: book timed-entry for the Vatican and Colosseum. Churches require modest dress (covered shoulders and knees). Rome is walkable; combine buses/metro with your feet, and guard against pickpockets in crowded areas. This plan assumes you arrive in the afternoon of Day 1 and depart in the afternoon of Day 2.

Rome

Rome thrills with icons—the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, and St. Peter’s Basilica—yet the real romance lives in neighborhoods like Monti and Trastevere, where cobblestones glow at dusk and wine bars spill onto tiny piazzette. Art, archaeology, and aperitivo culture weave into one unforgettable weekend.

• Top sights: Colosseum and Forum, Palatine Hill, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel.
• Romantic moments: Sunset at Terrazza del Pincio (over Piazza del Popolo), Tiber-side strolls, fountains by night, a shared gelato on Via dei Coronari.
• Wine & nightlife: Trastevere after dark, Monti’s cocktail bars (try Drink Kong), classic enotecas like Il Goccetto and Enoteca Cavour 313.

Where to stay (hand‑picked for a mid‑range budget and romantic vibe):

• Hotel Santa Maria (Trastevere): A serene cloistered courtyard perfect for couples; easy access to nightlife and the Tiber. Check availability
• Kolbe Hotel Rome (by the Forum): Garden views and ancient‑Rome ambiance; a quiet base within walking distance of the Colosseum. See rooms
• The Beehive (Termini): Stylish budget boutique with café vibes; great for saving while staying central. Book a room
• Hotel Mascagni (Repubblica): Classic, comfortable, and well‑located for metro and main sights. View rates
• Splurge option—Hotel de Russie: Secret garden, refined romance near Piazza del Popolo. Explore availability

Compare more stays: Hotels.com Rome or browse apartments on VRBO Rome.

Getting to Rome & getting around:

• Flights: From within Europe, compare fares on Omio (flights in Europe). From North America or Asia, check Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Airports: Fiumicino (FCO) and Ciampino (CIA).
• Trains: High‑speed trains to Roma Termini or Tiburtina—estimate 1 hr 10 min from Naples, ~1 hr 30 min from Florence, ~3 hrs from Milan. Compare on Omio (trains); buses often cost less (see Omio buses).
• Airport to city: FCO’s Leonardo Express to Termini runs ~32 minutes; taxis have a fixed fare zone. The metro (A/B lines) and buses cover the center; walking connects most sights.

Day 1: Arrival, Classic Rome by Cart, and Trastevere at Twilight

Morning: In transit to Rome. If you arrive early, drop bags and fuel up: try Panella (historic bakery for cappuccino and cornetti) or Antico Caffè Greco (near the Spanish Steps; a 250‑year‑old salon for coffee and poetry). For a light bite, grab pizza al taglio at Forno Campo de’ Fiori—the thin, crackly “rossa” is a Roman classic.

Afternoon: Get oriented without overexerting with a breezy city spin: Rome by Golf Cart Private Tour: Beyond the Landmarks—a customizable ride that glides to must‑sees and secret corners, perfect for couples easing into the city.

After the tour, wander to Terrazza del Pincio for a golden‑hour panorama of domes and the Tiber.

Evening: Dive into Rome’s tastiest neighborhood with the award‑winning Winner 2025 Rome Twilight Trastevere Food Tour by Eating Europe.

Expect suppli (fried rice balls), Roman pastas, porchetta, and gelato—plus stories that bring the streets alive. If you’d rather dine à la carte: book Da Enzo al 29 (beloved for amatriciana), Taverna Trilussa (pasta served in pans), then a wine flight at Enoteca Ferrara or il Goccetto. Nightcap: stroll the Tiber Island and listen to street musicians on Ponte Sisto.

Day 2: Vatican Masterpieces, Ancient Rome, and a Wine‑Kissed Finale

Morning: Beat the crowds with early access on Early Morning Vatican, Sistine, St. Peter's Semi or Private Tour—you’ll see the Raphael Rooms and Sistine Chapel at their most serene, then step into St. Peter’s.

Dress modestly, and bring a light scarf for shoulders. Coffee and maritozzi (cream buns) afterward at Sciascia Caffè 1919 or grab a slice at Pizzarium Bonci for lunch-on-the-go.

Afternoon: Walk in the footsteps of emperors with a skip‑the‑line Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill Guided Tour.

Your guide unpacks arena spectacles, imperial palaces, and the birth of Rome. For lunch nearby, try Trattoria Luzzi (hearty, affordable) or wander to Monti for La Taverna dei Fori Imperiali (family‑run pastas). Espresso break: Ciuri Ciuri for a Sicilian sweet fix.

Evening: Toast your last night with a mini wine tasting. Book stools at Rimessa Roscioli for curated flights (think Barolo vs. Brunello) or settle into Enoteca Cavour 313 for an intimate line‑up of Italian regions with small plates. Dinner ideas: Felice a Testaccio (table‑side cacio e pepe), Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina (iconic carbonara; reserve), or Osteria da Fortunata (hand‑rolled pici). Cap it with gelato at Gelateria del Teatro, then a moonlit loop: Piazza Navona → Pantheon → Trevi Fountain → Spanish Steps.

Back‑pocket alternates (in case of closures or rain):

• Vatican regular entry: Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter’s Basilica Guided Tour

  

• Self‑paced ancient Rome: Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill Admission With Audio Guide

  

Food & drink cheat sheet (save these):

• Breakfast/coffee: Marigold (modern café brunch), Panella (historic bakery), Sciascia Caffè 1919 (old‑world espresso).
• Lunch: Pizzarium Bonci (creative pizza al taglio), Trapizzino (stuffed pizza pockets), Forno Roscioli (focaccia, pizza bianca).
• Dinner: Da Enzo al 29 (Trastevere), Felice a Testaccio (cacio e pepe), La Taverna dei Fori Imperiali (Monti), Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina (near Campo de’ Fiori).
• Wine bars: il Goccetto (near Campo), Enoteca Cavour 313 (by the Forum), Rimessa Roscioli (guided tastings).
• Cocktails/nightlife: Drink Kong (world‑class), Salotto 42 (loungey), Jerry Thomas Speakeasy (reservations needed).
• Gelato: Gelateria del Teatro, Fatamorgana, Otaleg.

With two days you’ll savor both headline sights and intimate moments: a hush inside the Sistine Chapel, a hand‑in‑hand stroll through Trastevere, a glass of velvety Barolo in Monti. Rome rewards curiosity and unhurried steps—leave space to wander, and the city will do the rest.