Two days is not enough time to visit any Italian city, much less Rome, whose many treasures deserve a lifetime of exploration. But for those with limited hours, this 48-hour Rome highlights itinerary for a first-time visitor will offer insight into the best of Rome’s eras, including ancient, baroque, and modern.
The most efficient way to see Rome in two days is to purchase the Roma Pass, a cumulative ticket that offers free or reduced fares for more than 40 attractions and includes free transportation on Rome’s buses, metro and trams. The pass costs € 25 (April 2010).
Day 1: Morning Tour of Ancient Rome
A visit to Rome is not complete without a tour of some of its main ancient sites, including the Colosseum and the Roman Forum.
Start your day at the Colosseum , the sheer size and grandeur of which still impresses nearly 2,000 years later. When it opened in AD 80, the Colosseum could hold up to 70,000 spectators, who flocked to the arena to watch gladiatorial contests and daring animal hunts.
For an additional € 4, you can rent an audio guide of the Colosseum, which provides a concise explanation of the history and construction of the ancient arena.
It would be easy to spend a whole day in the Roman Forum, which was the center of religious, political and commercial life for the ancient Romans. The most famous ruins of the Forum are the Arch of Septimus Severus, the Arch of Titus, the House of the Vestal Virgins and the Temple of Saturn. Some of the excavations in the Forum date from the 8th century BC. C.
Additional Roman Ruins
The Palatine Hill includes ruins of the House of Augustus and the Stadium of Domitian, among other excavations. Entrance to the Palatine is included in the Colosseum / Roman Forum ticket. From the Palatine, you can also see the Circus Maximus, famous for its chariot races.
The Imperial Forums, across Via dei Fori Imperiali from the Roman Forum, contain the remains of the Trajan’s Forum, the Trajan’s Markets, and the Augustus and Julius Caesar Forums. The entrance to the Imperial Forums is € 6.50.
Lunch
Most of the restaurants near the Forum cater to tourists, so the quality of the food is variable and the prices are inflated. So I recommend going to Campo de ‘Fiori for lunch. The lively plaza features a morning farmers market and numerous dining options, including deli, wine bars, and full-service restaurants with seating on or near the plaza.
Afternoon in the Historic Center
After lunch, head to the Pantheon, the oldest intact building in Rome and one of the best-preserved ancient buildings in the world. This is also the burial place of the artist Raphael and the two kings of Italy, Vittorio Emanuele II and Umberto I.
The Pantheon is located on the Piazza Della Rotonda, close to which are some lovely churches, rare shops, and some great cafes. Take a short walk behind the Pantheon to Piazza della Minerva, where you will find the beautiful Santa Maria Sopra Minerva , the only Gothic-style church in Rome. Connected to the Piazza della Minerva is Via dei Cestari , which has served as the main shopping street for religious clothing for centuries. The robes, jewelry, books, and other religious objects in these shops are fun to explore and a particularly unique experience in Rome.
The area near the Pantheon is also known for its coffee shops. Two good ones to try are Caffe Sant’Eustachio , located in Piazza di Sant’Eustachio, a few alleys to the left of the Pantheon, and Caffe Tazza d’Oro, located just off Piazza della Rotonda in Via degli Orfani.
Dinner and drinks.
The pedestrianized square of Piazza Navona is a good base to start your first night in Rome. It is the site of two Baroque Bernini fountains, the massive Sant’Agnese in Agone church, and several restaurants, cafes, and boutiques. As well as being a great place for a relaxed stroll, the Piazza Navona area is one of the nerve centers of Rome’s dining and nightlife scene. I recommend Taverna Parione (Via di Parione) for a casual dinner among the locals and Cul de Sac (73 Piazza Pasquino) for wine and snacks.
Both stores are located on side streets to the west of the plaza.
