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The Colosseum in Rome
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How to spend the perfect 48 hours in Rome

When you’ve got just 48 hours in Rome, planning is vital. These are the restaurants, attractions and things to seek out

Livia Hengel
Written by
Livia Hengel
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You know the drill. Once you’ve been to Rome once, you’ll want to go over and over again. Rome is the kind of city where even if your days spent there are packed full to the brim, you’ll always feel like there’s more to experience.

The truth is, there is always more to see, do and eat in the Italian capital. But if you’re just here for 48 hours, there are a few things you absolutely must do. And just to make life that bit easier, we’ve designed a flawless 48-hour trip in the city, from where to grab coffee to how to spend your Saturday night. Here is how to smash the perfect weekend in Rome. 

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This guide was written by Livia Hengel, a writer based in Rome. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

48 hours in Rome

  • Museums
  • Art and design
  • price 3 of 4

Don’t just skip the line at the Vatican Museum to avoid the crowds... enjoy them all to yourself! With a little planning, you can arrange to visit the Vatican Museum and see one of the world’s most important art collections after dark, making for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The Vatican Museums are famed for their extensive collection of ancient sculptures, Renaissance works and the breathtaking Sistine Chapel. Many tour companies offer after-hour tours of the museums or book directly through the Musei Vaticani website.

  • Restaurants
  • Italian
  • price 2 of 4

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 seasonal ingredients. Start with local wine and a platter of cold cuts and cheeses before moving on to the daily specials that include flavourful salads, fresh pasta dishes and expertly prepared meats.

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  • Attractions
  • Historic buildings and sites
  • price 1 of 4

While in Rome, you can’t miss visiting 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 to experience all 360 degrees of this iconic structure. 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.

  • Restaurants
  • Italian
  • price 3 of 4

The all-female squad of Pianostrada Laboratorio di Cucina left their cramped premises in Trastevere for this larger location over the river, complete with a pretty interior garden and large open kitchen. Freshly baked bread and focaccia are used to make excellent panini (such as the signature burger of salt cod served in a squid-ink bun,) creative salads, pasta and secondi, as well as home-made desserts and cakes.

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Saturday afternoon
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Saturday afternoon

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 the nearby Forno Roscioli for some pizza al taglio (by the slice) and a selection of freshly baked pastries.

  • Restaurants
  • Pizza
  • price 2 of 4

Rome is famous for its thin-crust pizzas, so you can’t leave the city without trying one of these delicious pies. Conveniently located in the heart of Rome, Emma Pizzeria is an excellent pizzeria and an upscale Roman restaurant that serves classic dishes like carbonara and amatriciana, so it’s a great bet if you want to try an array of foods. Start with traditional fritti like suppli (fried rice balls) and fiore di zucca (fried zucchini flower with mozzarella) before enjoying a pizza topped with buffalo milk mozzarella.

 

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Saturday late night
  • Things to do
  • Concerts
  • price 2 of 4

Alcazar Live in Trastevere is one of Rome's liveliest hubs for cultural activities and nightlife, including live music, theatre, cinema and drinks. This dynamic space was formerly a movie theatre and still features red velvet theatre seats and a wide stage area to accommodate a wide range of shows each evening. Upstairs, the original area that housed the movie projector contains a trendy but low-key restaurant, so you can also stop by for food before the show. A full line-up is available on the Alcazar Live website.

  • Museums
  • Art and design
  • price 1 of 4

Some of Rome’s most breathtaking works of art lie inside the opulent Galleria Borghese, so you’ll want to add this gem of a museum to your list. Located within the verdant Villa Borghese Park, Galleria Borghese was built by Cardinal Scipione Borghese in the mid-17th century to house his personal collection of sculptures and paintings. Galleria Borghese contains masterpieces by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Caravaggio, Canova and many other notable artists. Tickets must be purchased in advance.

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  • Things to do
  • Markets and fairs
  • price 1 of 4

After immersing yourself in a weekend filled with art and culture, head to the Mercato Centrale to treat yourself to a wide array of Rome’s most celebrated street foods. The first and only veritable dining hall in the Eternal City, this gourmet paradise is a collection of some of Rome’s finest eateries, including Bonci Pizza, Trapizzino pizza pockets, truffles, fresh pasta, wines by the glass, gelato and much more. Come hungry because you’ll want to try all the tantalising options!

  • Things to do
  • Walks and tours
  • price 2 of 4

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, being chauffeured through the Eternal City by your own personal Vespista. Scooteroma offers a variety of Vespa tours through the city that are unique, exhilarating and fun, from a Street Art tour that takes you to the more local neighbourhoods to a Cinema tour that explores iconic locations from Fellini's La Dolce Vita. If you’re looking for something more bespoke, Scooteroma can also create customised itineraries to suit your tastes and preferences. This is the perfect way to bid arrivederci to the city of Rome.

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