Rome Castel San Angelo

A Roman Holiday: 5 Unmissable Places to See in Rome in 48 Hours

Coliseum in Rome Italy with text overlay Bridge and Castle of Angels in Rome Italy with text overlay The Coliseum in Rome Italy with text overlay The Pantheon at night in Rome Italy with text overlay

Don’t miss these 5 landmarks in the Eternal City, especially if it is your first time in Rome!

Rome is a wonderful destination and a place everyone should visit at least once, if only to see all the monuments and landmarks frozen in time as the city develops around it.

The city itself is beautiful, but definitely feels overrun with tourists and people on every street corner selling selfie sticks and other crappy knick-knacks. The streets, especially around the main train station, can be quite sketchy at night, but as long as you exercise common sense you should be fine.

Piazza Navona in Rome Italy

I’ve now traveled to Rome more than half a dozen times as it’s an easy city to fly into from Asia before venturing on to other parts of Europe, and while the hordes or people are extremely off-putting, Rome will always hold a special place in my heart.

There are beautiful buildings and churches on every corner that aren’t even considered “tourist landmarks”, which is incredulous, and it isn’t hard to get off the beaten track. If it’s your first time to Rome, here are a few landmarks that I loved visiting and would consider must-sees. But before we get to that, here are a few quick travel tips for traveling to Rome, especially if it’s your first-ever time in the eternal city!

How to get around Rome

Leonardo Da Vinci airport train in Rome
  • Most international flights land at Fiumicino, and from here it is an easy 30-minute ride on the Leonardo Express straight to Roma Termini, the main train station in the city centre. Tickets cost 14 Euros per person and trains depart every 30 minutes. There are also plenty of buses that travel between the airport and the city.
  • The city itself is extremely walkable and public transport is fairly decent – if there’s a group of three to four people, I would highly recommend hopping into a taxi if you have a long way to go as taxis are reasonably priced. Otherwise, strolling down the streets of Rome is a great way to explore the city.
  • Buses are a great way to get around Rome, just make sure you buy a ticket from a “Tabaccheria” (look for a sign with a “T” hanging outside news stands and shops) or train station ahead of time, and validate your ticket once you’re on board. There are single trip, daily and multi-day tickets available, and the bus network will get you to most of the major landmarks around Rome.
Rome bus ticket

Did you know that not all Italian trains are created equal? Click here for 14 things you should know before you go to Italy!

The best places to stay in Rome

If you don’t have a lot of time in Rome and want to book centrally-located and convenient hotels, look for hotels around Spagna, Trevi, the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Repubblica or Termini. All these places are tried-and-tested by yours truly – read on for my recommendations for some of the best places to stay in Rome, or click here to see even more highly rated hotel options in the city.

Temple View Hotel in Rome Italy

Temple View Hotel: wonderful hotel right by Piazza Largo Argentina, large windows open up and offer an amazing view onto the forum where Julius Caesar was supposedly stabbed. Today, the forum ruins are home to a colony of stray cats – random, right? This hotel is just a 5-minute walk away from the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain, 10 minutes from the Spanish Steps and 15 minutes from the Castle of Angels. Click here to book your stay at Temple View Hotel!

Smooth Hotel Rome Repubblica in Rome Italy

The Republic (former Smooth Hotel Rome Repubblica): This hotel is a relatively new addition to Rome and is in a fantastic location just steps from Rome Termini station. The rooms and facilities are new, the service is excellent and the breakfast spread is decent.

Smooth Hotel Rome Repubblica in Rome Italy

The hotel also provides a free smartphone for you to use to help you find your way around Rome. Click here to book your stay at Smooth Hotel Rome Repubblica!

Hotel Royal Santina: Royal Santina is right next to Rome Termini train station as well as the bus depot. The hotel is modern and the rooms are comfortable. If you love high pressure, hot water showers then you’re going to love it here. Not necessarily a negative, just something to be aware of – breakfast is an additional 3 Euros (which is extremely reasonable). Click here to book your stay at Hotel Royal Santina!

Casa Wally: Spacious apartments a stone’s throw away from the Pantheon and Piazza Navona. We stayed in a cute little split-level flat and its location made it perfect for exploring Rome. Click here to book your stay at Casa Wally!

Abitazione Pigneto B&B: If you are on a slightly tighter budget and don’t mind taking the tram into the city centre, then look into staying in Pigneto. Abitazione Pigneto is clean and good value for money, and the apartment only has a few rooms so you’re guaranteed a quiet stay. Click here to book your stay at Abitazione Pigneto!

Planning your perfect trip to Rome? Click here for even more Italy hotel booking tips and recommendations!

How many days to spend in Rome

Largo di Torre Argentina in Rome Italy

You can easily visit the main historic landmarks in Rome within 2 to 3 full days. Rome is not the cheapest of cities to stay in, and if you spend much more than 3 days in Rome you may feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of people. In fact, after my last visit to Rome in 2017 I actually decided to head for a day trip to Orvieto in Umbria just for a change of scenery and some peace and quiet.

The best time of year to visit Rome

Roman Forum in Rome Italy

In my opinion, the best time to visit Rome (or Italy, for that matter) is during the shoulder season from April to around mid-June, and mid-September to November. The summer months from July to August can be suffocating in terms of weather as well as crowds of people, whereas the shoulder season tends to still be beautiful (albeit with a little more rain) and warm, but with somewhat fewer visitors.

If you are visiting in October onwards, you should know that Italy can get quite chilly, and most cities (especially Rome) are not built for rainy days. Make sure you wear layers and bring a scarf and warm jacket, and you will probably want to bring a small umbrella just in case so that you don’t end up buying an umbrella from a street vendor for 20 Euros.

5 top places to see if you only have 48 hours in Rome

There are dozens of incredible sights to see in Rome, but you might not be able to cover every top Rome attraction if you’re short on time. You can always save some of the lesser-visited landmarks for a repeat visit in the future! Here are some places to see in Rome in 2 days.

1. The Colosseum

Coliseum in Rome Italy

The largest amphitheater of the Roman Empire, construction of the Colosseum (or Coliseum) began in 72 A.D. and hosted gladiator fights and animal hunts to entertain the masses. It’s said that the giant arena could seat around 70,000 people!

Iconic and quite probably one of the most famous places in Rome, you’ll want to visit first thing in the morning to avoid the ridiculous lines. The colosseum opens at 8:30 AM. Alternatively, book your ticket online or visit the Roman Forum or Palatine first – the ticket covers all three locations.

2. The Pantheon

Pantheon at Night in Rome Italy

A pagan temple dedicated to all the gods (pan = all, theos = god), the Pantheon is one of the best preserved landmarks in Rome and is thought to have been completed in around 128 A.D. during the reign of Emperor Hadrian, though it sits on an earlier-constructed structure dating as far back as 25 B.C.

It is by far my favorite landmark in Rome, and there’s no entrance fee either! (Update: As of July 2023 there is an entrance fee of 5 Euros for adults). The lines to get in can be outrageous, so time your visit properly and avoid visiting when the tour groups are there.

Pantheon in Rome Italy

The stream of light that shines through the oculus during the day is incredible, but seeing the Pantheon at night is also absolutely breathtaking so stop by after dinner as well. On a rainy day in Rome, head into the Pantheon to check out the rain as it flows through the oculus and is drained out through 22 holes in the floor of the structure.

Ready for your Rome trip? We loved our stay at the cozy Temple View Hotel with views of Piazza Largo Argentina, or head to Hotel Royal Santina or The Republic if you want a clean and modern place to stay that is right next to Rome Termini train station.

3. Trevi Fountain

Millions of people visit this fountain every year – and for good reason. The Trevi Fountain took 3 decades to built and was completed in the 18th century. It features a towering statue of the god Ocean, the “father of waters”, as well as Tritons and horses. Trevi gets seriously crowded as it is one of the top places to visit in Rome so try to visit early in the morning.

Crowds at Trevi Fountain in Rome Italy

The fountain does regularly undergo restoration work – check out this live webcam to make sure the fountain is open before your trip and make sure you toss a coin in to make sure you return to Italy again!

4. Ponte Sant’Angelo and Castel Sant’Angelo (Bridge of Angels and Castle of Angels)

Once a fortress, tomb and prison, the Castle of Angels dates back to approximately 130 A.D. and was built by the Emperor Hadrian as a tomb for him and his family. It has since been converted into a museum and gallery. A towering statue of the archangel Michael sits atop of the castle, and the fortress is well worth exploring – make sure you climb the stairs to the roof, where you get a panoramic view across Rome.

View of Rome from the Castle of Angels

The castle is open from 9 AM to 7:30 PM and entry costs approximately €15.5 for adults.

5. The Vatican Museum

Spiral staircase at the Vatican Museum

If you only visit one museum in Rome, make it this one. The entrance to the Vatican Museum is a 15 minute walk from St. Peter’s Square, and it is absolutely sprawling with treasures from around the world – exploring the musem is a must do in Rome.

As with most landmarks in Rome, there are a million and one tourists: skip the line by booking your ticket online ahead of time, and follow the dress code to get into the Sistine Chapel (no sleeveless tops and no exposed knees. Ladies – bring a scarf to cover your shoulders).

Heading to other destinations in Italy and need some travel tips and recommendations? Head on over here!

Bonus: Roman rooftops at sunset

Rooftops in Rome Italy

In addition to visiting some of the top sights in Rome I highly recommend seeing the city from above. I love rooftop bars. Who doesn’t? Quite possibly one of the most beautiful sunset-viewing locations right next to the Pantheon. The Minerva Roof Garden is a great place to stop for drinks and watch the sun go down. Prices for drinks are expensive and that is to be expected of a place like this, but the view is worth it, I swear.

Hotel Minerva rooftop bar in Rome

Much like other popular tourist destinations around the world, the food isn’t necessarily tasty everywhere you go (but if you do your research ahead of time it can be out-of-this-world). Read on for 14 things you should know before you go to Italy!

A minor caveat regarding Rome: if you’re expecting real Italian fare, chances are you’ll be hard pressed to find it in Rome, and you aren’t likely to find it at any of the restaurants close to the major sights. One exception is this authentic and delicious restaurant near the Pantheon – Ristorante Trattoria Antonio al Pantheon. The staff are extremely friendly and not pushy in the slightest, and the dishes were incredibly tasty.

The good news for foodies is that we had some of the best Italian food down the coast in Sorrento and the Amalfi coast (Capri, Positano, Amalfi, Maiori). In the meantime, check out my Instagram and this photo journal for more photos of my travels in Italy!

Ready to book your trip to Rome? We enjoyed our stay at the cozy Temple View Hotel with views of Piazza Largo Argentina, or head to Hotel Royal Santina or The Republic if you want a clean and modern place to stay that is right next to Rome Termini train station. Click here to check rates and availability of highly rated hotel options in the city!

There’s no shortage of beautiful places in Rome: what are some of the other must-see places in Rome? Comment and tell me all about it below!

Headed to Italy? You might also enjoy these guides:

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Video music credit: Nick Petrov – Infinite Landscape / HookSounds

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9 Comments

  1. A hipster/gangster/mostly gangster neighbourhood sounds super interesting Flo…a little scary too! I’ve been to the fake Trevi fountain in Vegas, I can’t wait to visit the real one, one day! The Minerva roof garden sounds amazing, thanks for sharing your recommendations 🙂

    1. Have so much fun Kathi! It’s truly a spectacular place. If you’re looking for a good restaurant check out ParmAroma close to the Pantheon!

    1. There’s so much to do and see in Rome, it’s truly an amazing city! The rooftop bar is pretty spectacular – I hope you make it there soon!

    1. I’m so excited for you! Rome is so rich with history and culture – you’re going to have a blast!

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