A weekend in Rome: the ultimate itinerary

Rome has two airports: Leonardo da Vinci Airport in Fiumicino (the largest airport) and Roma Ciampino (mostly served by budget airlines). Leonardo da Vinci is connected by the Leonardo Express train line which brings you to Roma Termini train station in 30-minutes. From Roma Ciampino, you can reach Roma Termini with an airport bus. Both airports also have taxi service with fixed fares to reach the city centre if you’re staying ‘within the Aurelian walls’ so double-check this with your hotel. If you’re staying outside the ancient walls, the driver will charge you by taxi meter.

Taxis will be available at both airports but download the itTaxi app in advance just in case. Uber also works in Rome but prices are usually higher. 

You can also arrive in Rome by fast trains from nearby cities in Italy. You can get off at Roma Termini (the central station) or Roma Tiburtina (in a more residential part of town). To book train tickets, visit both Trenitalia and Italo websites – they have slightly different timetables and pricing.

Rome has no shortage of hotels, so there are lots of options to pick from. If you’re looking for an affordable stay, check out the The Beehive hostel near Termini Station or JO&JOE Roma in Monti. Nice four-star hotels include the super central Otivm near Piazza Venezia and Albergo Santa Chiara right behind the Pantheon. Eitch Borromini, located within a 17th-century noble palace, is a surprisingly affordable heritage stay with a rooftop overlooking Piazza Navona. 

If you want to splurge, Villa Agrippina is the best centrally located hotel with an outdoor swimming pool, Palazzo Manfredi has iconic views of the Colosseum and Casa Monti is the newest stylish boutique hotel in the city.

🏨 Discover the best hotels in Rome
🏘️ Where to stay in Rome: the complete guide

Visit the Vatican

Don’t just skip the line at the Vatican Museum to avoid the crowds – enjoy them all to yourself during a special after-hours tour (it’s Friday night, after all). Famed for its extensive collection of ancient sculptures, Renaissance works and the breathtaking Sistine Chapel, the Vatican Museums are the top of everyone’s bucket list for a reason, but experiencing it in a totally different way is well worth it. 

Hang out with the locals

Despite being just a short walk from the Vatican Museums, Il Sorpasso is a refreshingly local bistro and one of the city’s best-kept secrets. With a shabby-chic atmosphere and creative menu, it strikes a perfect balance between cosy and contemporary – and makes the most of seriously good seasonal ingredients. 

Stay up late

End your evening with a craft cocktail at Chorus Café, a sleek bar-bistro-nightclub hybrid located within the auditorium just steps from the Vatican, where you can pretend you’re in La Grande Bellezza.

🍸 Discover more of the best bars in Rome

Visit the Colosseum and Roman Forum

Get up early to visit the world’s largest amphitheatre. Built during the Flavian Dynasty 70–80 AD, the Colosseum (also referred to as the ‘Flavian Amphitheater’) was the site of gladiatorial battles, ceremonies and theatrical re-enactments in ancient Rome. Don’t miss a tour of the underground dungeons and climbing up to the third ring for the full experience. 

After touring the Colosseum, head over to the Roman Forum to admire ruins that remain from ancient Rome. The centre of daily life thousands of years ago, the Roman Forum has several temples, basilicas and monuments; it also comprises Palatine Hill, where the city of Rome is thought to be founded.

For lunch, head to Vivi Bistrot in Piazza Venezia for salads and creative appetizers or Caffè Doria for an upscale meal in a beautiful courtyard. If you’re in the mood for Roman classics, L’Antica Birreria Peroni is a cosy, historic restaurant or Baccano, a contemporary brasserie. 

Wander through the ‘centro storico’

Amazing art and architecture lie around every corner in Rome, so the best way to see the city is on foot. Take a stroll through the Centro Storico, or historic centre, to see iconic sights like the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and Piazza di Spagna – all located within close walking distance from one another.

Don’t miss two of the city’s most famous piazzas, Piazza Navona and Campo de’ Fiori, which are buzzing at all hours of the day. If you need a pick-me-up during your walk, stop by Caffé Roscioli for the city’s best coffee or Günther for artisanal gelato. 

Tuck into Roman cuisine

Rome is famous for its thin-crust pizzas, so you can’t leave the city without trying one. That’s an order. Right in the centre, Emma Pizzeria is a great spot for your first try, serving perfect pizza as well as Rome’s classic pastas. 

🍝 Discover more of the best restaurants in Rome

Art in a park

Enjoy a morning stroll through Villa Borghese, one of Rome’s prettiest parks, as you make your way to Galleria Borghese — don’t miss the Terrazza del Pincio and the Tempio di Esculapio on your way. Built by Cardinal Scipione Borghese in the mid-17th century to house his personal collection of sculptures and paintings, this museum houses some of the city’s most iconic works of art.

Then walk over to the Hoxton hotel for brunch at Elio, a contemporary bistro, or coffee and cake at Cugino, an all-day café.

Experience Rome on two wheels

End your time in Rome like a real Roman: zipping through the charming cobblestone streets and elegant piazzas on the back of a vintage Vespa. Scooteroma offers a variety of Vespa tours through the city that are a real laugh, from a Street Art tour that takes you to local neighbourhoods to a Cinema tour that hits all the top spots from Fellini’s La Dolce Vita.

And if you’re staying one more night… 

If you’re visiting in the summer, don’t miss the chance to swim and sunbathe at one of the best beaches near Rome. Otherwise hop on a train and explore the best day trips from Rome, including charming hilltop towns and ancient ruins.