Are you planning to visit Rome in two days? Whether you’re just in Italy for the weekend or Rome is a stop on a more extended vacation, two days are enough to hit many of the must-see spots. We did it as the first stop in a weeklong trip and had a blast. This Rome two-day itinerary includes ancient history, fun walking tours, fantastic food, and kid-friendly experiences that won’t leave you feeling rushed.
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Rome in Two Days (Day 1): Ancient Rome, Food, and Fountains
Asking yourself, is 2 days in Rome enough? With the right plan, it can be! Start your adventure by stepping back in time.
1. Colosseum and Roman Forum
These two ancient sights are the top things to see in Rome in 2 days. We booked a kid-friendly guided tour of the Colosseum and Roman Forum, and I highly recommend it. Our tour guide turned the experience into a competition for the kids and made Ancient Rome come alive with stories. Your tour guide will handle the tickets and entry, and you will avoid the often very long lines. A guided tour will also help you maximize your time if you’re traveling with teens or adults only. If you’re planning to visit on your own, book your tickets in advance, especially during busy seasons.
2. Palatine Hill
Right next to the Forum is Palatine Hill, one of the oldest parts of the city. It’s great for letting kids run around a bit while adults take in the views and ruins.
3. Pizza and Gelato Stop
After all that walking, stop for pizza at La Nuova Piazzetta near the Colosseum. Then head to Fatamorgana or Gelateria dell’angeletto for creamy, dreamy gelato. Trust me, you’ll want gelato at least twice a day in Rome!
4. Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps
Later in the afternoon, walk to two of Rome’s most iconic landmarks. The Trevi Fountain is always packed, but tossing a coin over your shoulder is a must-do. A short walk away are the Spanish Steps, which are great for people-watching and burning off some energy.
5. Family Food Tour
In the evening, book a food tour in the Trastevere neighborhood. When we took the tour, we tasted suppli (fried rice snacks) and Roman pasta favorites like amatriciana and cacio e pepe. Best of all, our kids loved it just as much as we did! The guides keep things light and fun, with stories about Roman food traditions.
This was one of our favorite things to do in Rome in 2 days—and an easy way to enjoy dinner without the stress of picking just one spot.
📍Read more about our favorite kid-friendly activities in Rome.
Rome in Two Days (Day 2): Vatican City, Castles, and Parks
Your second day mixes culture, views, and playtime.
1. Visit the Vatican
The Vatican City is a must on your Rome two-day itinerary, but it can be a bore for young kids. Fortunately, a kid-friendly guided tour of Vatican City can make all the difference. Our tour included the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica. A good guide makes a huge difference here—ours had games and stories that kept the kids engaged. Plus, we avoided the shockingly long lines thanks to skip-the-line tickets. Short on time and traveling with teens or adults only? Consider a fast-track tour to hit just the highlights.
2. Cooking Class
Immerse yourself in Italian cuisine with a pizza and tiramisu cooking class. My kids absolutely adored the classes we took in Italy and talked about it long after the trip.
Here are some additional cooking classes to consider:
3. Piazza Navona and Santa Maria della Pace
Stroll over to Piazza Navona to see street artists and fountains. Just around the corner is Santa Maria della Pace, a peaceful church worth a quick peek. This area has a relaxed vibe and is great for families.
4. Villa Borghese Park
End your day with some playtime at Villa Borghese, one of Rome’s biggest parks. There are bikes, boats, and even a small zoo. After a full day of sightseeing, the kids will love this chance to just play.
5. Dinner at Mimi & Coco
Grab dinner at Mimì & Cocò, a lively restaurant in the heart of Rome. It’s perfect for families looking to experience authentic Italian cuisine in a warm, friendly setting. Enjoy some carbonara and tiramisu.
📍Read more about our favorite family-friendly restaurants in Rome.
Where to Stay in Rome
For a short trip to Rome, location matters. Consider:
- Hotel Martis Palace (family suite available)
- Smeraldo Townhouse (2-bedroom apartment)
- Relais Donna Lucrezia (Deluxe Room or Junior Suite).
All are close to the big sights and spacious enough for families.
📍Find more Rome hotel tips here
Pro Tip: When you’re only in Rome for two days, pick a hotel in the Centro Historico so you can walk more and ride less.
Is Two Days in Rome Enough?
So, is two days in Rome enough? Honestly, no. You could spend weeks here and still have more to see. But if two days is all you have, it’s enough time to get a feel for the city’s history, food, and beauty. Our kids had fun and didn’t feel overwhelmed. We saw the highlights and ate well—what more can you ask?
If you’re looking for the best things to see in Rome, Italy, in 2 days, this plan covers the best of the best.
Final Tips for Visiting Rome in Two Days
- Book tours and tickets in advance, especially for the Colosseum and Vatican.
- Choose a central hotel so you’re close to the action.
- Pack comfy shoes—Ubers are hard to come by, so you’ll walk a lot.
- Say yes to gelato. Always.
This two-day Rome itinerary works well for families but also fits adult travelers who want to enjoy Rome without cramming in too much. It’s a great balance of history, food, and fun.
Planning more Rome family travel? Check out our full Rome with Kids guide for even more tips! If you have even more time to explore Italy, check out our full Tuscany with kids guide and our best hotels in Tuscany guide.
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Such a great guide, Rome is such a magical city. Next time I would definitely be doing a food tour
Love it – Thank you for sharing. Rome is amazing!
I definitely agree that the right hotel location is key to enjoying Rome. No one needs to spend their time trying to navigate the rest of the city!
Would you go back and stay for longer?
We’ve been a number of times so we’re more likely to explore other parts of Italy at this point. Ideally I’d give Rome at least 4 days to avoid feeling rushed but you can hit at least the highlights in two days.