48 hours in Rome | practical itinerary

Without a doubt, Rome is one of the most fascinating cities in the world! Walking through the streets of the Italian capital feels like stepping into a 4D book. Since it’s a big city with plenty to see and do, I decided to share with you this practical itinerary: “48 hours in Rome.” This way, you’ll enjoy the best the city has to offer!

First of all, I want to let you know that 48 hours in Rome won’t be enough to see everything, just the basics. So, if you have a few more days, I recommend staying an extra 2 or 3 days, okay?

By the way, if you're thinking about doing day trips from the city, check out the post: “DAY TRIPS FROM ROME: 5 AMAZING SUGGESTIONS!”

How to get to Rome

The city has two airports. Fiumicino airport is the one that receives international flights, so if you're coming from Brazil, you'll land there. The other airport is Ciampino, which receives flights from other European cities.

Besides flying, there are trains and buses arriving in the city daily. If you choose the train, you'll most likely arrive at Termini Station, which is the main one in the city.

Lastly, you can get to Rome by car. However, I don’t recommend driving around the city since traffic tends to be heavy and chaotic.

48 hours in Rome

Before diving into the itinerary, I want to let you know that many of the tourist attractions can be visited on foot. Another important thing to keep in mind is that the city has three metro lines (one still under construction), and they are not very efficient.

Colosseum

Of course, the 48 hours in Rome itinerary has to start with the Colosseum. Without a doubt, it is the city’s postcard and one of the most visited attractions in the world.

You can admire and take photos from outside the monument or go in for a guided tour. My tip is to enter and soak in all the history that happened there, but if you're on a tight budget, just enjoy it from the outside.

Ticket price: €18

 Opening hours: These may vary depending on the season, but in general, it's open from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.ity.

After the visit, take some time to walk around the Colosseum area, there are other interesting monuments nearby, like the Arch of Constantine and Palatine Hill.

Trevi Fountain

This is one of those places to see and then stay a while just admiring all the beauty. It’s an open-air masterpiece and completely free. Legend has it that if you toss a coin into the fountain, you’ll return to Rome someday…

It’s located relatively close to the Colosseum, just a 1.5 km walk. If you’re not a big fan of walking, you might think that’s a lot, right?! But trust me, you’ll see so many interesting things along the way that you won’t even notice you’ve walked that far. Believe me!

Entrance fee: Free.

Opening hours: You can visit at any time of the day or night.

Via del Corso

This is Rome’s main shopping street! If you're into fashion, it’s definitely worth strolling down, even if you’re not planning to buy anything. Admire the displays at Levi’s, H&M, GAP, Pandora, Apple, Zara, Nike, Mango, and many others.

Piazza Navona

One of the most famous squares in the city, so it has to be on your 48-hour Rome itinerary. Around it, you’ll find restaurants and snack options. A great tip is to sit for a while, watch the people go by, enjoy the street artists, and take a break.

Vatican

If you’re Catholic or simply enjoy architecture and history, it’s worth setting aside 4 to 5 hours to visit St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums (home to the Sistine Chapel).

Ticket: Entry to the museum costs €17 (if you buy online, there's an extra €4 fee). The audio guide is an additional €7. Note: Admission is free on the last Sunday of every month.

Opening hours: 9 AM to 6 PM.

Castel Sant’Angelo

Since you’ll already be near the Vatican, take the chance to visit this castle, which is located in Rome, less than 1 km from St. Peter’s Square.

Ticket: €12

Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, from 9 AM to 6 PM.

Bridges of Rome

The city is crossed by the Tiber River, which means there are many bridges connecting different neighborhoods. Right next to Castel Sant’Angelo, there’s a beautiful bridge that’s worth a photo, and a few minutes of admiration.

Piazza di Spagna

Another stunning square that definitely deserves a spot on your 48-hour Rome itinerary. It features the city’s most famous staircase, often filled with people resting and soaking in the architecture.

Noticed how Rome is a very “democratic” city, offering both free and paid attractions?

Roman forum

This was the main commercial center of Rome during the imperial period. Today, it’s a place full of ruins and ancient history.

Ticket: Included with the Colosseum ticket.

Opening hours: Open daily from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

That’s it for now! Did you enjoy these tips on how to make the most of 48 hours in Rome? The city is truly incredible, and walking through its streets feels like flipping through the pages of a history book! If you have any questions, drop them in the comments, I’d love to help.

Kisses and see you around the world!