Rome in 48 hours
Rome layers nearly three thousand years of history in one walkable centre: ancient ruins, Renaissance churches, baroque fountains and everyday trattorias, all within a short stroll of one another.
Best time to visit. April, May, October and early November. July and August are hot and crowded.
Where to base yourself
- Tridente and the Spanish Steps. Elegant streets between Piazza del Popolo and the Spanish Steps, with Villa Borghese above.
- Centro Storico. The Pantheon, Piazza Navona and Campo de' Fiori in a maze of lanes.
- Monti. Rome's first neighbourhood, now full of boutiques, wine bars and small restaurants.
- Trastevere. Ivy-covered lanes across the river, best in the evening.
- Prati. Calm streets near the Vatican, good for food shopping.
Two perfect days
Day one · Ancient Rome
- Morning
- Colosseum and the Roman Forum at opening
- Afternoon
- Lunch in Monti
- Evening
- Pantheon, Piazza Navona and dinner in the centro
Day two · Papal Rome
- Morning
- Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel
- Afternoon
- St Peter's Basilica and the dome
- Evening
- Sunset from the Gianicolo hill, then Trastevere
Getting around
Walking is best. The metro has only a few lines; buses and taxis fill the gaps. From Fiumicino, the Leonardo Express reaches Termini in about 32 minutes, and taxis charge a fixed fare to the centre.
Local tips
- Book the Vatican Museums, Colosseum and Galleria Borghese in advance
- Cover shoulders and knees in churches
- Drink from the public 'nasoni' fountains
- Lunch is around 1pm and dinner after 8pm