Dedicate your second day in Rome to exploring the most ancient part of the city, the part of Rome I fell in love with.
Before you start reading this guide make sure you have read my guide for Day 1 in Rome.
Here is a quick recap of Day 1 in Rome:
🏛️ Visit Pantheon, the former Roman Temple (tickets here)
⛲️ Embark on a guided tour to Fontana di Trevi and the ancient ruins hidden beneath it
🌿 Take a stroll through Villa Borghese and don’t forget to visit Galleria Borghese (and the oldest Italian Zoo)
🍕 End your day with a Food Tour to eat like a local
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DAY 2 HIGHLIGHTS
🚎 Reach Rome by skip-the-line shuttle bus tickets to/from Roma Fiumicino Airport
🏛️ Visit Colosseo, Palatine Hill, and the Roman Forum with a discounted combined ticket
🍊 Admire the sunset in one of the most Romantic places in Rome (read further)
💸 If you are struggling to find a budget-friendly stay in Rome, book your stay in Trastevere
the ultimate rome travel itinerary
DAY 2: THE ANCIENT CITY OF ROME
(Colosseo, Palatine Hill, Roman Forum, The “Wedding Cake”, Bocca della Verità, Circo Massimo, Trastevere, Giardino degli Aranci)
1. THE COLOSSEO, PALATINE HILL & THE ROMAN FORUM
Your first stop of the day will be no other but the ancient trio of Colosseo – Palatine Hill – Roman Forum. I suggest first visiting the Colosseo (since the paths are narrow and it gets rather crowded later on) and then heading to the Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum where the spaces are larger. Save at least 3 hours for the attractions.
My suggestion is to purchase tickets in advance online, mostly as you can enter the attractions only at certain times. Otherwise, you can miss a valuable time slot, or tickets simply sell out.
Are you between 18 and 25 years old? Make sure to ask at the Colosseo entrance for the reduced-price ticket (4eur).
BOOK YOUR STAY WITH A VIEW ON THE COLOSSEO: View Colosseo From Jacuzzi Apartment
- 4 stars
- 9.0/10 Booking rating
- FREE Cancellation
APARTMENTS WITH TERRACE BY THE COLOSSEO: Royal House, Rome
- 4 stars
- 8.3/10 Booking rating
- 10% Genius Discount
You will find combined tickets for Colosseo, Palatine Hill, and Roman Forum on GetYourGuide. You can choose between:
- Entry tickets to Colosseo, Palatine Hill and Roman Forum (free cancelation and Arena included) – TICKETS HERE
- Guided tours (travelers’ top pick) to Colosseo, Palatine Hill, and Roman Forum with skip-the-line tickets – TICKETS HERE
Colosseo, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill views
2. THE "WEDDING CAKE" - ALTARE DELLA PATRIA
Distance: 5min walk from the Roman Forum
From the exit of the Roman Forum head towards your next stop – Altare della Patria (Altar of the Fatherland), a historical landmark, dedicated to the first king of the unified Italy, Victor Emmanuel II. Fun fact, the building has many nicknames, the most famous of them being “the wedding cake” based on how it looks like.
You can head to the top of the Roman wedding cake with a panoramic glass elevator to admire one of the best views of Rome.
Altare Della Patria – “The Wedding Cake”
3. BOCCA DELLA VERITÀ
Distance: 10min walk from Altare della Patria
Bocca della Verità (The Mouth of Truth) is a monument in form of a marble mask, standing by the Santa Maria in Cosmedin church. Legend says the statue will bite the hand off any liar who dares to place their hand in the mouth. Up to today many visitors still try placing their hands in the mask.
If you want to read other interesting legends about Bocca della Verità, RomeHints wrote an awesome summary of the stories!
Bocca Della Verità (Source: Wikipedia)
4. CIRCO MASSIMO
Distance: Right behind Bocca della Verità
Circo Massimo (Circus Maximus), the largest stadium used for races in the Roman Empire, is your next stop. Today, the stadium is a massive entertainment space, often used as concerts and events venue. Some big names performing this year at the Circo Massimo include Guns’n’Roses and Imagine Dragons.
Check here to find out if you’re in Rome on a day of a concert or another event you can join.
Circo Massimo (Source: Wikipedia)
5. TRASTEVERE
Distance: 10min walk from Circo Massimo
When in Rome, you must not miss a walk through the centuries-old Trastevere neighborhood. It’s here where its work-class roots meet the new bohemian style, it’s here where you will find the unique bars, restaurants, and antique shops together with cool on-budget hotels. Trastevere is one of the best budget-friendly areas for tourists. If you want to stay in a central area and do not want to spend hundreds on accommodation, Trastevere is the place to be.
Postcards from Trastevere
What to see in Trastevere, Rome?
- Piazza di Santa Maria di Trastevere, the heart of the neighborhood. This square makes the most popular gathering area in the evenings.
- Basilica di Santa Maria di Trastevere. Entry to the Basilica is free of charge.
- Basilica di Santa Cecilia in Trastevere, one of the oldest churches of Rome with free entry.
- Villa Farnesina, a stunning suburban villa, today transformed into an art museum (open all days 10 am – 5 pm, closed on Mondays).
6. giardino degli aranCI
Distance: 15min walk from Trastevere (up a small hill)
Giardino degli Aranci (The Orange Trees Garden) is a large public park on top of Aventino Hill (one of Rome’s famous 7 hills) with magnificent views of Rome and the Vatican. The panoramic balcony at the end of the park allows you to actually see the cupola of Basilica di San Pietro in the Vatican. Giardino degli Aranci is a perfect place for an afternoon walk or sunset watching. Not to mention it’s one of the most romantic places in Rome.
There is a hidden spot in Rome you might not know about right by Giardino degli Aranci. Next to the garden, by the Maltese Embassy, there is a church called Chiesa Santa Maria del Priorato. The church as such is closed to visitors, but it hides a secret – a mysterious keyhole through which you can see the cupola of Basilica di San Pietro. The spot is known as the Knights of Malta Keyhole. It’s easy to find – simply follow a long queue of tourists trying to peek through the keyhole.
Giardino degli Aranci – Knights of Malta Keyhole
WHERE TO STAY IN ROME?
Monti neighborhood is the perfect area to stay in Rome as a tourist. Not only is the area tourist-friendly and right by the city center of Rome, but it’s also close to Roma Termini train station and the shuttle bus stop to the airport. Moreover, you will find some great on-a-budget accommodation in Monti.
If you’re looking for a stay in Rome on a budget, have a look at these deals in Trastevere.
Book your stay in rome
I had my room booked with DoubleTree by Hilton Rome Monti Hotel. Super comfortable and amazingly looking hotel with 4 stars, a 24/7 desk, and an amazing rooftop cocktail terrace. The hotel is perfect for business or leisure travel and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys great comfort when traveling.
CHECK AVAILABILITIES AT DOUBLETREE BY HILTON ROME MONTI
Please mind that I traveled for work and if I went to Rome for leisure travel I would have chosen something cheaper. If you’re looking for something more on a budget, I would recommend the following accommodations in Monti, Rome:
BEST DEAL: Rione Monti Suites
- 4 stars
- 8.9/10 Booking rating
- FREE Cancellation on all rooms
- Optional breakfast 3eur
BEST LOCATION: Fauno Urban Resort, Rome
- 4 stars
- 8.6/10 Booking rating
- FREE Cancellation on all rooms
- 10% Genius discount included
BEST TRADITIONAL STAY: The Britannia Hotel, Rome
- 4 stars
- 8.5/10 Booking rating
- FREE Cancellation
- Breakfast included
You can find a list of all hotels available in Rome for your dates of stay HERE.
HOW TO REACH ROME?
From Rome Fiumicino Airport book either a shuttle bus or train to Roma Termini train station.
Book the shuttle but tickets here. No worries if you need to cancel the trip, the tickets include free cancelation
Book the train tickets to/from Roma Termini to Fiumicino Airport here.
DAY 2 IN ROME TRAVEL GUIDE RECAP
9 am: Start your day early and head to the entrance to The Colosseo
9.30 am – 1 pm: Visit the ancient trio of the Colosseo – Palatine Hill – Roman Forum. Purchase the tickets in advance to avoid missing your spot.
1.30 pm: Pass by Altare della Patria and take the panoramic glass elevator to admire the views
2.30 pm: Head to Bocca della Verità to discover the legend of this monument
3.00 pm: Walk around Circo Massimo
3.30 pm – 7.00 pm: Explore the old area of Trastevere, stop for sightseeing, aperitivo, or a food tour
7.30 pm: Enjoy the sunset from Giardino degli Aranci and peek through the Knights of Malta Keyhole
8.00 pm: Enjoy the rest of the evening and take some well-deserved rest before your day 3 in Rome
Hi, it's Neja
I am an expat from Slovenia,
living in Milan since 2021 and writing a travel blog for all of you who are curious about life in Italy or traveling in Europe.
Follow me on my journey and learn everything about Italy and the European destinations.
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