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Which are the important attractions in Rome if you just have 48 hours? There are so many landmarks, sights and historical buildings to visit. However, if you make smart choices you can manage at least 10!
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On our 2 days trip to Rome, with my kids Niki and Niko, earlier this June, we managed to see a lot. We walked all day but we really enjoyed it.
Check out our tips on how you can manage to see the best of the eternal city in just 2 days.
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Stay in a central location
I booked through airbnb.com for the first time and I was pleasantly surprised. We stayed in the old town in the beautiful Suite Farina that offered all the small luxuries of a 5 star hotel. We were strategically located a few minutes from all the main attractions. Our one bedroom flat was near the Largo di Torre Argentina.
10 Important Attractions in Rome
1. Largo di Torre Argentina
On our way to our suite we passed from Largo di Torre Argentina, which is the Archaeological site close to where Julius Caesar was killed.
2. Trastevere
Trastevere is the 13th rione of Rome, on the west bank of the Tiber, south of Vatican City. On Thursday afternoon when we arrived, we walked from our flat along the river and to Trastevere, which means “beyond the Tiber”. Definitely worth spending a few hour at night in this lively typically Roman, part of the city with narrow cobbled streets, medieval houses, many pubs and Italian restaurants.
3. Colosseum Ancient Rome
On Friday morning we walked to the Roman Forum in Ancient Rome and admired incredible ruins and panoramic views of the Colosseum. Important tip, wear athletic comfortable shoes. We had to buy flip flops at the end of the day.
4. Il Vittoriano Rooftop
It is worth stopping by on your way to the Pantheon or the Colosseum to see the view from the rooftop. Take the elevator up and enjoy a 360 degrees breathtaking view of Rome.
The Altare della Patria also known as the Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II or “Il Vittoriano” is a monument built in honour of Victor Emmanuel, the first king of a unified Italy, located in Rome, Italy.
View of Rome from the rooftop of the Il Vittoriano (video)
5. Pantheon
Pantheon (meaning all Gods) in Rome, Italy, is one of the best-preserved Ancient Roman buildings. The Pantheon has been used as a church dedicated to “St. Mary and the Martyrs” and is informally known as Santa Maria Rotonda. Very impressive. It was the inspiration for Agia Sophia, in Istanbul.
6. Piazza Navona
It was 5 minutes walking from the apartment, and it’s one of the places that best represents the Baroque, with its three fountains and the central one designed by Bernini.
Opposite of the fontain you can see the church of Sant’Agnese in Agone whose façade is one of the most famous masterpieces of Borromini. Not far from Piazza Navona you can visit also the churches of Sant’Agostino and San Luigi dei Francesi that are famous also for housing the paintings of the master Caravaggio.
We loved the amazing Italian ice cream at the Caffe “Ai Tre Tartufi”, since 1896.
7. Fontana di Trevi
One of the most famous fountains in the world, Fontana di Trevi, designed by Nicola Salvi and completed in 1762, with sculpted figures. It is worth seeing, even now that it’s under renovation. This incredible piece of art appeared also in La dolce vita of Federico Fellini.
8. Campo de’ fiori market
This is one of the oldest market in Rome, here you will find flowers, fresh vegetables and attractively-piled fruit, and spices.
Shhh we never saw the flowers… You have to arrive there in the morning when the market is open but even so it’s worth seeing.
9. Vatican
The most important tip regarding the Vatican is buy your tickets online!!! The line is extremely long and it would take you ages. My kids were ecstatic we could skip the line at the Vatican and go straight in to our meeting point to meet our guide.
I bought ours from the tickets official Vatican site
A guided tour of the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel and a visit at St. Paul’s Cathedral were included in the price.
Regarding the dress code, you should cover your knees and shoulders. So for men it means no bermudas and for women no tank tops.
St Paul’s Cathedral (video)
10. Villa Borghese
Even though we didn’t visit the Villa Borghese gallery, because you need to book in advance, we enjoyed the gardens and walking down the famous Spanish steps. Stay tuned this is coming up tomorrow, along with an amazing professional photography service called Flytographer by a Canadian company.
On Saturday when we checked out from the apartment we stowed our luggage very near our suite, see for the address and pricing details of the luggage storage in central Rome, at stowyourbags.com.
If you have more tips about Rome, please, share them in the comments below.
Photos- Nina P, Nikos S, Niki S
Have a lovely Day!!!
