Rome in two days
Only two days to visit Rome? Here follows an exciting itinerary for visitors with only a short time to discover the city’s main attractions.
FIRST DAY
From Vatican City to Piazza di Spagna
There is no better way to start your stay in Rome than visiting the beautiful Basilica of St. Peter, one of the major symbol of Christianity. The majestic Basilica, still one of the largest churches in the world, home to extraordinary works of art such as the magnificent 29-meter high bronze baldachin by Bernini, Michelangelo’s Pietà, a work that amazes for technique and emotion, the funerary monument of Clement XIII, created by the great Venetian sculptor Antonio Canova, and the splendid mosaic of the ship, built on a design by Giotto in 1305-1313. Of particular interest is the dome designed by Michelangelo. To reach it, you have to climb over 500 steps, but once achieved the top, you can enjoy a magnificent 360° view over Rome. Remember to wear appropriate clothing, people with pants or short skirts and sleeveless tops are not allowed in the basilica.
With the Basilica at your back, walk Conciliazione street until you get to Castel Sant’Angelo, also known as the Mausoleum of Hadrian, where you can see, in addition to the National Museum, the secret passage Passetto, who joined the Vatican City with the castle, formerly used by the popes to escape from the depredations of the enemy.
Crossing the Tiber, opposite the castle, you come to the overcrowded Piazza Navona, one of the most beautiful and famous squares in Rome, where you can admire: the Fountain of the Four Rivers, designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini; the Fountain of Neptune and Fountain Moro, works of Giacomo della Porta , the Church of St. Agnes in Agony and the Palazzo Pamphili.
From the square, crossed Corso Rinascimento and a series of narrow streets, you reach Piazza della Rotonda and the Pantheon, a temple to all Gods, past, present and future.
From Piazza della Rotonda our route continues to Piazza di Trevi, where you will find the charming Trevi Fountain, one of the most important and famous fountains in the world.
From Piazza di Trevi you can reach in a few minutes the Spanish Steps, the most famous square in Rome with the monumental staircase of Trinità dei Monti.
SECOND DAY
From Colosseum to the Mouth of Truth (Bocca della Verità)
The second day of our tour takes you to the discovery of the “Ancient Rome”.
We start off from the Colosseum, the symbol of Rome par excellence with a history stretching back almost two thousand years.
To the right of the Colosseum, here we are at the Arch of Constantine, Rome’s best-known triumphal arch. While just a stone’s through away we can see the Palatine Hill, where Romulus founded the Eternal City in 753 B.C.
Moving down the Via dei Fori Imperiali we come to the Roman Forum, the political, financial and religious hub of Rome, with the Imperial Forum just across the road.
Leaving Foras and heading towards Piazza Venezia, on one side of the square, you can find a large monument, often hosting major exhibitions: the Vittoriano. You can take the panoramic lifts to get to the top of the monument where you can enjoy a breathtaking view.
A little further on there is Piazza del Campidoglio, which has been centre of city government since the XII century. Michelangelo’s stunning piazza is flanked by the Capitoline Museums, the world’s oldest national museums. Justifiably taking centre stage in the piazza itself is a replica of the bronze statue of the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. The original statue is to be found in the nearby museum.
The Mouth of Truth is located in the Portico of Santa Maria in Cosmedin Church, one of the most famous churches in Rome.
Crossing Ponte Palatino, who can stay in Rome for the evening can reach Trastevere, one of the most characteristic district of Rome, where it is a real pleasure to wander through narrow streets, squares and colors that still maintain an authentically Roman character. In addition, the neighborhood is full of typical Roman restaurants and bars where you can spend your evenings.