- Book the Colosseum (from €18) as soon as slots open, 30 days ahead
- Vatican Museums are closed on most Sundays, so plan around it
- The Trevi Fountain basin now costs €2, but the view from the piazza is free
- Base yourself near the centre to walk between sights
You can't see all of Rome in two days. Nobody can. But with a bit of planning, 48 hours is enough for the Colosseum, the Vatican, the great piazzas and a long evening in Trastevere. The trick is to book timed tickets before you fly and walk between sights rather than relying on taxis.
Flights from London take about two and a half hours. The Leonardo Express train from Fiumicino reaches Termini station in about 32 minutes. Expect to pay around €14 each way, but check the current fare.
Before you go: the bookings that matter
- Colosseum: The standard ticket costs €18 and covers the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill. The "Full Experience" ticket, which adds the arena floor and the underground, costs €24. You have to choose a time slot, and slots are released 30 days ahead on the official site. Tickets are in your name, so bring ID that matches.
- Vatican Museums: €20 at the door or €25 booked online with a timed entry. Always book. The museums are closed on Sundays, except the last Sunday of the month, when entry is free and the queues are huge.
- Trevi Fountain: Since February 2026, non-residents pay €2 to go down to the basin. That's where you toss the coin. The view from the piazza above is still free, and access is free for everyone after 10pm.
- Pantheon: A small fee (a few euros) applies. Book online in busy months.
- City tax: Rome charges a per-person, per-night tax that depends on the hotel's star rating. It is paid at the hotel.
Day 1: ancient Rome and the centro storico
8.30am, Colosseum. Take the first slot of the day, when it's cooler and the crowds are thinner. Allow about an hour and a quarter inside. See our Colosseum guide for tips on ticket types.
10am, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. Your ticket includes both. Walk the Via Sacra past temples and triumphal arches. Then climb the Palatine for views over the Circus Maximus. Bring water, because there is very little shade.
1pm, lunch in Monti. This neighbourhood just north of the Colosseum has good-value trattorias.
3pm, Piazza Venezia to the Pantheon. Pass the white Vittoriano monument, then walk to the Pantheon. Its 2,000-year-old dome is still the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world.
5pm, Piazza Navona and the Trevi Fountain. Have a gelato in Piazza Navona, then visit the Trevi at dusk. Finish at the Spanish Steps. Sitting on the steps is not allowed and can get you fined.
Evening. Have dinner near Campo de' Fiori or the Jewish Ghetto. Try carciofi alla giudia (fried artichokes) in season.
Day 2: the Vatican and Trastevere
8am, Vatican Museums. Book the earliest slot you can. Go straight to the Sistine Chapel before the corridors fill up, then work backwards through the Raphael Rooms and the map gallery. Allow at least three hours. Our Vatican Museums guide covers routes and the dress code: cover your shoulders and knees.
12pm, St Peter's Basilica. Entry is free, but there's a security queue. Climbing the dome costs extra, and the views over St Peter's Square are worth it.
2pm, lunch in Prati. This area is calmer and better value than the streets right next to the Vatican.
4pm, Castel Sant'Angelo and the Tiber. Walk past the castle and along the river towards Trastevere.
6pm, Trastevere. Climb the Gianicolo hill for sunset over the domes. Then head down for dinner in Trastevere's cobbled lanes, and see Santa Maria in Trastevere and its glittering mosaics lit up at night.
Two-day overview
| Time | Day 1 | Day 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | Colosseum, Forum, Palatine | Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel |
| Midday | Lunch in Monti | St Peter's Basilica |
| Afternoon | Pantheon, Piazza Navona | Castel Sant'Angelo, Tiber walk |
| Evening | Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps | Gianicolo sunset, Trastevere dinner |
Tips to save time and money
- Visit on the first Sunday of the month for free entry to state sites, including the Colosseum. Expect big crowds, and note the Vatican Museums are not included.
- Use the free fountains (nasoni) to refill water bottles.
- Drink your coffee standing at the bar, as Romans do. Sitting at a table costs more.
- Avoid restaurants with touts and picture menus near the big sights.
When is the best time to go? April to early June and late September to October bring warm days without the worst of the summer heat. For more ideas, read our Italy guide. If you're comparing city breaks, see Lisbon in 3 days, the Amsterdam weekend itinerary or our Istanbul first-timer's guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is 48 hours enough for Rome?
It's enough for the main sights if you book ahead and keep moving. You won't see the Borghese Gallery, the catacombs or the Appian Way, so save those for another trip.
How far ahead should I book Colosseum tickets?
Book as soon as slots are released, 30 days before your visit, especially from spring to autumn. Full Experience tickets with underground access sell out first.
Do you have to pay for the Trevi Fountain now?
Since 2 February 2026, tourists pay €2 to enter the area beside the basin during daytime opening hours. Viewing from the piazza is free, and so is access after 10pm.
What should I wear to the Vatican?
Cover your shoulders and knees for both the Vatican Museums and St Peter's Basilica. Staff do turn people away.
Written by
Emma City breaks & deals editor
Emma plans city breaks the way other people plan the weekly shop: on a budget, with a spreadsheet and a backup plan. She covers city guides and deal-hunting.
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