Rome is one of my all-time favorite cities. It is also the capital of Italy, known as the Eternal City, and one of the most famous tourist destinations for art, history, and delicious food.
There is so much to see in Rome that you could spend years there and still not see everything. If you’re taking a weekend trip to Rome, though, you’ll have plenty of time to see all of the major sights.
This two-day Rome itinerary will show you how. In our Rome weekend guide, we’ll outline all of the greatest activities to do and places to see if you just have a weekend in the city.
The Colosseum
The Colosseum is perhaps Rome’s most well-known and frequented monument.
The Colosseum, which was made between 70 and 80 AD, is a massive oval amphitheater that could house between 50,000 and 80,000 spectators for public shows such as gladiator battles and tragedies.
The Fori Romani
A succession of monumental “foro,” or public squares, are located in the heart of Rome. Every foro served a different duty in ancient Rome’s public life, and they were the core of the Roman Empire.
There are light shows that depict what each foro used to look like back in the day if you visit them at night.
The Trevi Fountain
According to legend, if you want to return to Rome one day, you must toss a penny into the Trevi Fountain.
Campo de’ Flori
The cool kids hang around in Campo dei Fiori. It has become the place where all the students and young people hang out in the evenings, thanks to its homey eateries, hipster bars, cobblestone side streets, and exciting attitude.
It’s a fun spot to visit during the day, too, because the architecture is stunning.
Piazza di Spagna & Trinità
The exquisite late Renaissance church Trinità dei Monti is famed for its location overlooking the Spanish Steps and Piazza di Spagna.
Street painters frequently congregate beneath the church, offering to draw your portrait or attempting to sell you their Rome landscape paintings. You can also get a wonderful view of Rome’s roofs from here.
Piazza del Popolo
It is a big square in Rome that is known for its symmetrical architecture and Egyptian obelisk in the centre.
Piazza del Popolo, which translates to “People’s Square,” was once a site of public executions or demonstrations.
Today, you’ll often see street performers there, or people dancing and rejoicing during large festivals, such as Carnival.
Trastevere
The Vatican
The Vatican Museums, arguably one of Rome’s most recognized attractions, receive around six million visitors each year. Many visitors come to view Michelangelo’s masterwork, the Cappella Sistina.
If you’re planning a weekend vacation to Rome, make sure you purchase tickets for the Vatican Museum in advance.
For a little charge, we advise purchasing a queue jump ticket, which will guarantee you don’t waste any time. Given that you’ll only be in Rome for a weekend, we believe it’s well worth the extra money.