Planning on spending a weekend in Rome soon and wondering what to do? Well, look no further because I’m here to give you some travel inspiration and loads of helpful tips for your weekend trip to Rome!
Roma, the “Eternal City,” is a destination that I believe captivates every single person who steps foot onto its ancient cobble-stoned streets. I actually studied abroad here during my junior year of college, and it will forever be one of my favorite places in the world.
While I do think you should try and spend more than a weekend in Rome, I’m here to help you plan your visit with some unique things to do, places to check out, awesome tours, accommodation recommendations, and random travel tips. After reading this, you’ll know exactly what to do in Rome for a weekend.
WHY YOU SHOULD CONSIDER A WEEKEND ROME TRIP
There’s simply no other place like the Eternal City, and walking around Rome is basically the same as exploring a massive museum. At every turn, there is a stunning monument, church, or statue that was built centuries ago. Now it really just depends on if this is your first visit to Rome or not because a lot of these touristy things aren’t necessary if you’ve been here before.
While only being in Rome for the weekend might not seem long, it will still provide enough time to explore so many different parts of the city. This is my weekend in Roma guide, and I hope you find it useful.
As always, feel free to shoot me an email with any travel questions. Also, be sure to read through my article on the top 20 music festivals in Italy. It includes some of the best performances to see on a Saturday in Rome or on any day of your Rome weekend trip.
WHERE TO STAY FOR A WEEKEND IN ROME
Now, there are tons of different beautiful neighborhoods to explore when visiting Rome, but I think the smartest move is to stay near the Termini train station. Not only can you access both of the main metro lines in Rome (so you can easily get around the Eternal City), but it’s also the start/endpoint for all the major buses within the city’s public transport.
Plus, if you’re only flying into Rome for a weekend, you’ll want a pretty easy check-in/check-out process. And you want to be able to get to/from the airport really quickly. Here are a few places to stay in that would be a fantastic addition to your Roman adventure.
- The Hive Hotel: With its immaculately clean rooms and luxurious modern design, it’s no surprise that the Hive is consistently reviewed as being a top 4-star luxury hotel in Rome. It boasts an enviable location and serves delicious meals to its guests. It’s definitely the perfect place to stay on your Roman weekend trip.
- Muzio 48 Private Suites: Enjoy your Rome weekend trip at this stunning guest house. You’ll find the rooms blooming with beautiful blue and white furnishings in a soothing atmosphere. This accommodation is less than a mile from the Spanish Steps and other famous attractions. If you’re spending a hot, long weekend in Rome, you can kick back and relax with a cool beverage from your room’s fridge and be refreshed by the cool air in your air-conditioned room.
- Plum Guide in Rome: If you’re looking for a top-rated apartment, I’d recommend checking out some of the incredible apartments in Rome’s city center on Plum Guide. It’s one of my new favorite Airbnb alternatives, and it provides an unforgettable place to stay while spending your weekend in Rome.
FUN THINGS TO DO DURING A WEEKEND TRIP TO ROME
First things first, you need to decide what type of time you want to have on your weekend Rome trip. Do you want to spend your days walking as much as possible and crossing every corner of Rome? Or do you want to focus more on food and culture or maybe even get to know a specific neighborhood?
There are so many important things to see, like the Colosseum, The Vatican / St Peter’s Basilica, Trevi Fountain, Piazza del Popolo, The Pantheon, Piazza de Spagna, Piazza Venezia, Castel Sant’Angelo, etc., the list goes on and on. Rome is teeming with famous attractions.
It is technically possible to see all of these in one weekend in Rome, but it honestly would be very time-consuming. I’m just here to discuss a few things that I think are absolutely essential and super fun.
ENJOY A BOTTLE OF WINE AT THE TREVI FOUNTAIN
There are no open-container laws in Rome, and I’ll never forget my very first time drinking a bottle of delicious (and cheap) Italiano vino on the steps of the Trevi Fountain.
It’s such a classic experience, and you never know who you’ll meet or where the night may lead. This entire area becomes really lively at night and is one of the best places to relax in Rome, allowing you to people-watch and soak up the Italian atmosphere. It’s personally one of my favorite things to do during a weekend trip to Rome, and I guarantee you’ll love the experience.
So pick up a bottle of wine and a couple of glasses, and start your Friday night in Rome the right way by pregaming at one of the world’s most famous fountains.
Oh, and don’t forget to toss a coin into the fountain for good luck (and a return to Rome).
MERCATO CENTRALE
It’s no doubt that Rome is a food lover’s paradise, and I’m sure that the majority of travelers coming to Italy want to try real, authentic, and delicious Italian cuisine. While I could probably write dozens of articles on the best restaurants, cafes, and bars to check out, one of the few places you must visit while in Rome is this new project Mercato Centrale Roma.
Conveniently located inside the Roma Termini train station, it’s an easy and awesome place to visit while you’re spending a weekend in Rome and you’re seeking to enjoy an Italian meal or two.
Okay, so what is this place, and what makes it oh-so-special?
Well, it’s an exciting culinary endeavor that offers its visitors a wide range of traditional Roman dishes from a variety of artisan vendors. It’s similar to a food court in a mall (or a farmer’s market), but you’ll find top-rated cuisine from quality retailers who pour their heart and soul into their craft.
From delicious pizza, pasta, suppli, truffles, tiramisu, gelato, and loads more – they’ve got it all. Mercato Centrale is a one-stop shop for your Italian food bucket list. Check out my article on Italian dishes to feast on while in Rome. I’m guaranteed you’ll find mouthwatering ideas and recommendations on more of their culinary delights.
While here, you’ll discover that there’s weight to their claim that:
“The food artisans and their stores are the stars of Mercato Centrale Roma, presenting and talking about their produce. Mercato Centrale Roma is a unique experience made by people for people, where goodness is elementary because it speaks for itself.”
Talk about a commitment to culinary excellence.
WALK ALONG RIVER TIBER AT DUSK
This Rome itinerary would be incomplete if you didn’t go for a stroll in a gorgeous setting. Rome is a gorgeous city during the day, but it’s actually one of my favorite cities to explore when it gets dark. Each of the monuments lights up in such a beautiful way, and the reflections of the buildings along the river are so stunning.
There’s a really nice walk stretching a few kilometers along River Tiber that is a great way to work off those dinner calories (hey, no judgment here) and fall in love with all the Roman architecture and city at night. Trust me, it’s quite a pleasant stroll. If you’re planning to do Rome in a weekend as a couple, this can be quite a romantic evening walk.
TRY THE GELATO AT CIAMPINI
I’ll honestly never forget when my cousin took me here for the first time. It’s seriously the best gelato I’ve ever tried, and I am always telling people if they visit Rome, they have to check out Ciampini Roma for silky, smooth gelato. It’s such a sweet treat. My favorite flavors are Pistacchio, Crema, and Nocciola. The staff is also really great, and you can sample as many flavors as you’d like.
There’s a restaurant that has a sidewalk terrace for small meals and beverages, and you’ll pay an extra cost to fill your belly a bit. But you can just walk to the side entrance where the gelateria is located. If you make it here, I promise you’ll absolutely love it. It’s located about 5-10 minutes from Piazza di Spagna, right in the heart of the city center.
ENJOY AN APERITIVO IN TRASTEVERE
If you don’t know what an “aperitivo” is, it’s basically an offer where you can try a bunch of different appetizers that are buffet style as long as you purchase a drink (typically a glass of wine or beer). They’re quite popular all over Italy and are one of my favorite ways to start the evening.
Trastevere is my favorite neighborhood in all of Rome, and it definitely needs to be a stop on your Rome itinerary. It’s one of the few parts of the city where you can forget you’re in the busy capital and will fall in love with the charming alleyways, cobblestoned streets, and picturesque piazzas. This is quite a vibrant spot, as it’s filled with bars, cafes, and restaurants. Oh, and if you just walk around, you’ll find several different places that offer a delicious aperitivo to indulge in.
Also read: Get the lowdown on aperitivos and more with this fun happy hour guide.
DRINKS IN CAMPO DI FIORI
What would a weekend trip to Rome be without a little bit of nightlife?
So after you’ve enjoyed a nice aperitivo in Trastevere, walk across the Ponte Sisto bridge. Once you’ve arrived at the bridge, continue straight, and you’ll find yourself in the nightlife hotspot of Campo Di Fiori.
This is one of the main squares in Rome and has a pretty wide selection of bars to grab a drink and mingle with the locals. Naturally, it’s very lively at night, and a lot of people will just bring their own alcohol and hang out in the square.
While the younger crowd may prefer spots like “The Drunken Ship” or “Sloppy Sams”, there are several other more relaxed places for you to grab a drink (and small bite) as well. You can pay a visit to the industrial-chic Chapter Roma or head to 1920s-inspired Jerry Thomas Speakeasy.
TOUR THE INCREDIBLE VATICAN MUSEUMS
Your trip from Rome to the Vatican Museum in Vatican City will take you a little over ten minutes if you’re taking the Rome Metro. Be sure to take Metro line A, as it’ll stop right outside the Vatican’s walls at the Ottaviano-S stop. Once you’ve arrived, you can take a short walk to the museum.
Referenced throughout pop culture, media, and literature, the Vatican Museums hold significant cultural and historical relevance. Not to geek out or anything, but you’ll be blown away by major attractions here, like the Sistine Chapel boasting Michelangelo’s stunning ceiling frescoes and the artwork in the galleries here. Amongst these, you’ll find the Gallery of Tapestries and the Gallery of Maps.
There are plenty more artworks you’ll see in the museums, with impressive marble sculptures collected by the Roman Catholic Church over thousands of years.
For an idea of what you can expect on a tour of the Vatican Museums, check out this short excerpt:
“Take a stirring journey through art and religious history with skip-the-ticket-line entry to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. Avoid the long ticket lines and then enjoy your visit at your own pace.
Wander through the Greek Cross Gallery to see elaborately-carved sarcophagi that might just contain the earthly remains of some of antiquity’s famous kings and queens.
Peek at the Cabinet of the Masks or tour the Sala degli Animali to see a virtual menagerie of fantastic beasts, real and imagined. Walk the Upper Galleries, including the Gallery of Maps, to see how cartographers depicted the world through the ages.”
Price: From $31 USD per person (valid for one day)
Review: “Absolutely amazing day spent at the Vatican. I felt truly overwhelmed at times. Would highly recommend. Please always book your tickets as we did, as the queues for people who hadn’t booked were mikes long. And in the heat. Not a good idea. Truly worth a visit” – Nicola
View Photos, Read Reviews & Check Availability
GET CULTURED AT THE BORGHESE GALLERY AND MUSEUM
As you can tell from the thousands of well-preserved artwork contained in the Vatican Museums, Italy is a powerhouse in the art world. And Borghese Gallery and Museum houses some of these world-renowned pieces of art.
Located in the lush greenery of Villa Borghese Park, Borghese Gallery and Museum is a relatively laidback but delightful place for you to admire art. You’ll find the latter to be spot on, especially since it tends to be less packed and quieter compared to the Vatican Museums that overshadow it.
Some people say that if you were to spend a minute admiring all the artwork in the Vatican Museums, it would take you about 12 years to do so. In contrast, you can take a 2-hour-30-minute tour at Borghese Gallery and Museum and comfortably see everything.
With twenty rooms shared on two floors, you’ll be able to explore the museum at your own pace.
Your tour will take you to the ground floor of the art gallery, which has eight rooms, and the first floor has the remaining twelve. On the ground floor, you’ll witness an impressive collection of sculptures by Bernini, one of which includes Apollo and Daphne. The painting room on the second floor is where you’ll find equally exquisite paintings.
Oh, and remember you read about crowds not being an issue here? Well, you have the gallery’s reservation system to thank for that. But it also means you’ll have to book ahead of time.
Price: From $76 USD per person (2.5 hours)
Review: “Exquisite gallery! Guide was very detailed. Loved it. We decided not to go out to the gardens, it was very warm, and it did not pose a problem. We were told we could stay inside, or sit outside in the shade which we opted to do. After the garden tour, we continued the rest of the tour inside. Magnificent sculptures, and paintings. Loved it.” – Nancy
View Photos, Read Reviews & Check Availability
VISIT THE CHIESA DI SANT’IGNAZIO DI LOYOLA
Have you heard of this church before? Probably not, but it’s absolutely stunning and definitely worth the visit. Chiesa Di Sant’Ignazio Di Loyola (also known as the Church of Saint Ignatius of Loyola) is completely free to enter, and honestly, I think it’s one of the most gorgeous churches I’ve ever stepped foot inside.
It’s just a few minutes walk away from the renowned Pantheon and should be added to your Rome weekend itinerary and sightseeing list. I’m sure there are hundreds of other churches like this in Rome I don’t even know about, but I always enjoy taking people here.
TOUR ANCIENT ROME – COLOSSEUM, ROMAN FORUM, AND PALATINE HILL
There’s no doubt you’ve most likely wondered what past Rome was like. And now, you don’t have to, thanks to this tour of Ancient Rome.
You’ll learn about the festivals the Romans held and marvel at the magnificent structure that is the Colosseum. Once you’ve taken in the grandeur of this place (at your own pace, of course), you’ll head to the Roman Forum.
The Roman Forum was first a marketplace where Ancient Romans could shop, but as time went by, it became an area of social and political significance. It was around 500 B.C. when public events were held here.
On the other hand, Palatine Hill used to be a top neighborhood. Today, it is mostly an archeological site where you can explore the ruins of the Stadium of Domitian and the Flavian Palace.
Here’s a little snippet of what you can look forward to on this otherworldly tour of Ancient Rome:
“Start your tour right outside the monumental Colosseum where you will meet your guide. Here, your expert in Roman history will give you an introduction to the finest arena of the Roman Empire.
Explore the magnificent Colosseum, which had 80 entrances and could accommodate around 65,000 spectators. Hear about the spectacular festivals the Romans held here, which could last up to 100 days.
Price: From $69 USD per person (2.5 to 3 hours)
Review: “This tour was excellent. Our guide was very knowledgeable and also considerate (showing us several places to stop for both water and restrooms). He was able to provide excellent historical background on each of the sites visited. The tour was easy to follow and well worth the price to skip the lines at the forum/palatine hill and the colosseum. The arena entry was definitely worth it too. I would absolutely recommend this to anyone wanting to see historic Roma.” – Jenna
View Photos, Read Reviews & Check Availability
LEARN TO MAKE PASTA FROM SCRATCH
Italy is world-renowned for its delicious cuisine, so why not take the opportunity to join a cooking class on your trip to Rome?
This Pasta and Tiramisu Workshop is the perfect place to meet new people in a laidback environment. Here, you’ll not only learn how to make pasta from scratch, but you’ll get to make fresh tiramisu, too (and enjoy a glass of wine).
A local chef will help you out by demonstrating how to make fresh pasta, and you’ll even get to choose your own pasta shape. You’ll also get to make tiramisu once your pasta is ready and then enjoy a sit-down dinner with other students at the end of your cooking lesson. Choose your very own topping sauce to go with your pasta. Whether it’s alfredo or carbonara you’re interested in, you’ll find your desired sauce here.
Read this snippet to whet your appetite and learn what you can expect on this culinary adventure:
“Uncover the secret to making authentic homemade pasta from a local chef with this cooking class in Rome. Craft your own tasty Tiramisù to compliment your pasta. Feast on your creations paired with a glass of Italian wine.
Greet your chef at the established restaurant in the heart of Rome. Put on your chef hat and your apron, and prepare yourself for an amazing cooking experience.”
Price: From $65 USD per person (2.5 hours)
Review: “We had an Amazing time with Chef Desi! 100% worth it. She took the time to check on us and the food was delicious at the end and served with a glass of wine and was even given a shot of limoncello! Our group also made it great, would do it again, the next time I’m in Rome!” – Rya
View Photos, Read Reviews & Check Availability
I could honestly go on and on when it comes to things to do in Rome, but if you’ve only got a weekend, I don’t want to add everything. I still highly recommend visiting places like Vatican City and/or doing the tour through the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill, but those are pretty time-consuming activities!
GETTING AROUND ROME
Honestly, public transportation isn’t quite the easiest to understand for first-time visitors. There are only two metro lines, but they actually do get you to the majority of major attractions in the city. I always recommend choosing accommodation close to a metro line, as it definitely makes things easier for heading back home after a long day of walking around the city.
When it comes to the buses, I’d recommend checking out this article on “How To Use Public Buses in Rome” To be honest, I very rarely take buses in the city because I find them overcrowded and rarely on time, but sometimes they can be helpful.
Also, you can always ask your hotel/hostel staff for tips on the closest bus stops/route numbers. They are typically really helpful when it comes to local transport.
AM I MISSING ANYTHING FROM MY ROME WEEKEND ITINERARY?
Having just recently visited Rome after several years of being away, I really did re-discover my love for this city. It’s such a unique destination, and I wish I had more time than the 2.5 days I spent here. That’s actually what inspired me to write this article because sometimes a weekend in Rome is all people have time for.
There are so many more incredible things to do in Rome, epic day trips to take, and beautiful places in Italy to continue your travels, but I hope you found this guide helpful.
If you think I need to add anything to this itinerary, feel free to reach out and let me know! I’m hoping to make it back to Europe this summer, and Rome might just have to be a stop on my list.
Have you been to Rome before? What was your experience like? Did you find a favorite spot, places to eat, etc? Is there anything important I’m missing? Let me know in the comments below.
PLANNING A TRIP TO ITALY & EUROPE?
Check out a few of these other articles to help you plan your Italian adventure. It’s truly one of my favorite countries, and I know you’ll love it as much as I do. Keen on visiting another European country instead? No worries. I’ve got all you need for a fantastic trip no matter where in Europe you go.
- The 10 Best Things to Do in Porto Ercole, Italy
- 10 Awesome Things to Do in Florence, Italy
- 5 Must-Try Places to Eat in Florence, Italy
- 2 Days in London Itinerary | How to Spend 48 Hours Exploring London
- The 20 Best Techno Festivals in Europe in 2023
- Top 20 Techno Festivals in Europe To Experience Before You Die
- Top 18 Music Festivals in Scotland to Experience Before You Die
- Top 20 Music Festivals in Ireland to Experience in 2023
- Top 10 Music Festivals in Leeds for Your Bucket List
- Two Days in Madrid | The Ultimate Madrid Travel Itinerary
- 2 Days in Copenhagen | How to Spend 48 Hours Exploring Copenhagen
- Flashpacking Finland | My Bucket-List Crushing Adventure in the Arctic Circle
- The 20 Best Techno Festivals in Europe in 2023
- 2 Days in Budapest | 48 Hours in Budapest Itinerary
- 2 Days in Berlin | How to Spend 48 Hours Exploring Berlin
- 2 Days in Prague Itinerary: What to Do & See in Prague in 48 Hours
- 2 Days in Athens | How to Spend 48 Hours Exploring Athens
Love the photos! I’ve visited a number of countries in Europe and find the architecture one of my favorite things. These images really give us the feel of Rome’s great buildings.
Rome is a really great city. Must surely visit anyone. Thanks.
I’m a tour leader in Italy and Roma is one of my favourite places in the world.
Just to leave my top 3 here if anybody is interested
1. Museum, mine would be Montemartini… arts of the antiquities set in an old power plant. The juxtaposition between marble busts and ‘modern’ machinery is quite something to behold.
2. Church- without a doubt is Basilica di San Paolo fuori le Mura. Home to Paul’s mortal remains, wonderful architecture and portraits of all the Popes that have ever served the Roman Catholic Church. Watch out for the empty spaces after Francis, there is a legend relating to these!
3. Restaurant- Flavio Al Velavevodetto. Ever wanted to eat authentic roman pastas in a mountain made of 2000 year old terracotta pots (basically an ancient Roman dumping ground)? Now is your chance. Food is great and the area of Testaccio is different and wonderful.
Thanks so much for this! More great tips for people visiting Rome :-)
I love rome