Tourist itineraries – Visit Rome in 2 days!

Visit Rome in two daysRome is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, certainly two days are not enough to see and appreciate all of its inestimable archaeological, historical and architectural beauties.

However, with our itinerary to visit Rome in two days even those who have only two days available can also be enveloped by the unique atmosphere of the Eternal City.

We divide our route into two days this way:
– First day, discovery of Ancient Rome and Imperial Rome
– Second day, visit the Vatican City and Papal Rome

Visit Rome in 2 days – Ancient Rome and Imperial Rome

– Colosseo
There is no better way to begin your stay in Rome than to explore the “Ancient Rome”. It starts from the Colosseo, or the Flavian Amphitheater, the symbol of Rome par excellence and the world’s largest amphitheater – could contain over 50,000 viewers – entered in the World Heritage List by UNESCO in 1980, and then in 2007 among the New Seven wonders of the world. The amphitheater was built in the Flavia era on an area at the Eastern limit of the Roman Forum. Its construction was begun by Vespasian in 72 bC., was then inaugurated by Tito in the 80 aC., and further changes were made during the empire of Domiziano. It is well worth a photograph of the adjacent Arch of Constantine.

– Fori Imperiali
Continuing on Via dei Fori Imperiali, you arrive at the Roman Forum and on the other side of the road you can appreciate the area of the Imperial Forums, a set of monumental squares built by Roman emperors between 46 bC. and 113 aC., brought to light by archaeological excavations by Mussolini in the 1930s.

– Campidoglio
From Fori our itinerary continues to Piazza Venezia. In the square there is the “Altare della Patria” or “Vittoriano”, because it was originally thought of as a national monument to Vittorio Emanuele II. Since in 1921 it received the remains of the Unknown Soldier, the monument assumed a new symbolic value and became a celebration of the unity of Italy. Inside, often important exhibitions are hosted.
Behind the Altare della Patria you find the Campidoglio, one of the seven hills on which Rome was founded, theater at the time of Gallic invasion of 390 bC. one of the most famous episodes, that of the capitoline geese kept in the sacred temple enclosure of Juno, who with their fever revealed the attempt of night gunnings of the Gauls. The floor of the square is decorated with the famous twelve-pointed star Michelangelo, and in the center of the square you can admire a copy of the famous equestrian statue of Marco Aurelio (the original is in the Palazzo dei Conservatori). The Campidoglio is also the seat of the Municipality of Rome.

– Circo Massimo
As you descend from the Campidoglio, turn left towards the Teatro di Marcello, an ancient Rome theater still well preserved, and proceed to the Mouth of Truth, preserved in the pronaos of the Church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin. Try to put a hand in his mouth, if you have courage!
Turn left after the Church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, you will arrive at Circo Massimo, an ancient Roman circus dedicated to horse racing, but also to the battles between galleys, located in the valley between the Palatine and the Aventine. The Circo Massimo is remembered as a venue for games since the beginnings of the city’s history: about 600 meters long and about 140 meters wide, 250,000 spectators could be accommodated on its stairs.

– Terme di Caracalla
The last stop of our itinerary is the Terme di Caracalla, located a few hundred meters from the Circo Massimo, which constitute one of the most grandiose examples of imperial baths in Rome, still preserved for much of their structure. They were built by Emperor Caracalla between 212 and 216 aC., and since 1937 the central part of the baths is used for outdoor concerts and plays, and in particular for the summer season of the Rome Opera.

Visit Rome in 2 days – Vatican City and Papal Rome

– Basilica di San Pietro
You think of Rome and, after the Colosseum, you think of the Basilica di San Pietro, a symbol of Christianity par excellence. The majestic Basilica is home to extraordinary works of art, from the great Bernini bronze canopy to Michelangelo’s Pietà, from Clemente XIII’s Funebre Monument made by Canova to the splendid Mosaico della navicella, made by Giotto in 1305-1313, without forgetting the dome designed by Michelangelo, accessible thanks to the visit to the dome: the climb is quite hard – over 500 steps – but from there you can enjoy a magnificent 360 ° view over Rome.

– Cappella Sistina
Not far from St. Peter’s Basilica you will find the Vatican Museums with the famous Cappella Sistina (Sistine Chapel) and the papal apartments painted by Michelangelo and Raffaello. The museums have wonderful collections of artwork among the most prestigious in the world. To visit them you will be welcome to book online your visit and be patient enough: the entry queues are inevitable!

– Castel Sant’Angelo
Going back from the Basilica, you walk all via della Conciliazione until you reach Castel Sant’Angelo, also known as the Hadrian Mausoleum, where you can admire, in addition to the National Museum of the same name and wonderful frescoes, also the Passetto, the secret passage which united the Vatican City with the castle, used in the past by the popes to escape the looting of the enemies.

– Piazza Navona
Crossing the Tiber on Sant’Angelo Bridge, right in front of the Castle, you can not miss the statues depicting Angels bringing the instruments of the Passion, designed by Bernini. Continuing straight ahead, you reach Piazza Navona, one of the most beautiful and famous squares of Rome, where you will find the “Fountain of the Four Rivers” created by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, the “Fountain of Neptune” and the “Fountain of the Moro”, works by Giacomo della Porta, the “Church of Santa Agnese in Agone” by Francesco Borromini and “Palazzo Pamphilj”, realized by Girolamo Rainaldi in the mid-sixteenth century, when Giovanni Battista Pamphilj became Pope named Innocent X.

– Pantheon
From the square, through the Renaissance course and a series of characteristic alleys (we recommend a stop for a coffee at Sant’Eustacchio bar!), You reach Piazza della Rotonda and the Pantheon, an ancient Roman building built as a temple devoted to all the gods, and later transformed into a Christian basilica with the name of Sancta Maria ad Martyres. The dome, the largest in the world with its 43.44m, has a central oculy that, by letting pass the rays of sunshine, represents a point of contact between gods and men. Inside, absolutelyto visit, you find the tomb of Raffaello and many kings of Italy.

– Fontana di Trevi
From Piazza della Rotonda, our itinerary goes up to Piazza di Trevi, where you can find the suggestive Fontana di Trevi (Trevi Fountain), one of the most famous and important fountains in the world, designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, which begins in the mid-sixteenth century, “transformed” and extended by Nicola Salvi 60 years later, and completed in 1762 by the sculptor Pietro Bracci. Tradition wants that throwing a coin into the fountain with eyes closed, turning its back on it, would propose a future return to the city.

– Piazza di Spagna
From Fontana di Trevi in 5 minutes you reach Piazza di Spagna, the most famous square in Rome with the monumental staircase of Trinità dei Monti. It has its name in the palace of Spain, home of the embassy of the Iberian State at the Holy See. At the base of the staircase you can admire the Barcaccia fountain, commissioned by Pope Urbano VIII to Pietro Bernini in 1626 (assisted by his son Gianlorenzo), at the top of the staircase is worth visiting the Church of Santissima Trinità dei Monti.

Do you still have time?
You are not far from the Quirinal, the residence of the President, reachable from Trevi Fountain and climbing via the stairway of Via della Dataria.