2-Day Rome Itinerary with History, Highlights & Timings

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✅ Day 1: Ancient Rome & City Highlights

08:30 – 11:30 | Colosseum (Arena + Forum + Palatine)

• Travel: Nearest Metro: Colosseo (Line B) – right at the entrance.
• History: Built in 80 AD under Emperor Vespasian, the Colosseum was the largest amphitheater in the Roman Empire, hosting gladiator battles and public spectacles.
• Must-see:
  • Arena Floor (where gladiators fought)
  • Outer arches and facade
  • Roman Forum ruins (political center)
• Palatine Hill (birthplace of Rome)

                                                
                                        

11:30 – 12:30 | Piazza Venezia

• Travel:
• Nearest Metro: No direct station; closest is Colosseo (Line B) (12 min walk) or Barberini (Line A) (15 min walk) 
• Next Stop: Pantheon
  Distance: 0.79 km (9 min walk) 
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• History: Dominated by the Altare della Patria, built to honor Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of unified Italy.
• Must-see:
  • Monument’s terraces for panoramic views

 

12:30 – 14:30 | Lunch + Pantheon

• Travel:
• Nearest Metro: Barberini (Line A) – 15–20 min walk [pantheon-tickets.com]
• Next Stop: Piazza Navona
  Distance: 0.35 km (4 min walk)
• History: Built by Emperor Hadrian (118–125 AD), originally a Roman temple, now a church.
• Must-see:
  • Oculus in the dome
  • Raphael’s tomb
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14:30 – 16:00 | Piazza Navona & Trevi Fountain

• Travel:

• Nearest Metro: Barberini (Line A) – 18 min walk 

  Next Stop: Trevi Fountain

  Distance: 1.01 km (12 min walk) 

• Piazza Navona History: Built on an ancient stadium; now a Baroque square.
• Must-see:
  • Fountain of Four Rivers by Bernini
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• Trevi Fountain History: Completed in 1762, symbol of abundance.
• Nearest Metro: Barberini (Line A) – 8 min walk
• Must-see:
  • Central Oceanus statue
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16:00 – 17:30 | Spanish Steps

• Travel:
• Nearest Metro: Spagna (Line A) – right at the steps.
• History: Built in 1725, connecting Piazza di Spagna to Trinità dei Monti church.
• Must-see:
  • Steps and festive lights in December
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✅ Day 2: Vatican & Art

08:30 – 12:00 | Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel

• Travel
• Nearest Metro: Ottaviano (Line A) – 5 min walk.
• Next Stop: St. Peter’s Basilica
  Distance: ~0.5 km (6 min walk).
• History: Home to centuries of art collected by Popes.
• Must-see:
  • Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling
  • Raphael Rooms
  • Gallery of Maps
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12:00 – 13:00 | St. Peter’s Basilica

• Travel
• Nearest Metro: Ottaviano (Line A) – 8 min walk.
• Next Stop: Castel Sant’Angelo
  Distance: ~0.8 km (10 min walk).
• History: Built over St. Peter’s tomb; Renaissance masterpiece.
• Must-see:
  • Michelangelo’s Pietà
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  • Dome climb for views
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14:00 – 15:30 | Castel Sant’Angelo

• Travel
• Nearest Metro: Ottaviano (Line A) – 15 min walk.
• Next Stop: Borghese Gallery
  Distance: ~2.5 km (best by taxi or bus; walking ~30 min).
• History: Originally Emperor Hadrian’s mausoleum; later papal fortress.
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• Must-see:
  • Spiral ramp
  • Terrace views of Rome
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15:30 – 17:00 | Borghese Gallery

• Travel:
• Nearest Metro: Spagna (Line A) – 15 min walk.
• Next Stop: Piazza del Popolo
  Distance: ~0.8 km (10 min walk).
• History: 17th-century villa housing masterpieces.
• Must-see:
  • Bernini’s Apollo and Daphne
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  • Caravaggio’s paintings
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17:00 – 18:00 | Piazza del Popolo

• Travel:
• Nearest Metro: Flaminio (Line A) – right next to the square.
• History: Grand square marking Rome’s northern gate.
• Must-see:
  • Egyptian obelisk
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  • View from Pincio Terrace
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✅ Tickets Recap:

• Colosseum Arena: €18
• Pantheon: €5
• Vatican Museums: €25
• Castel Sant’Angelo: €15
• Borghese Gallery: €13

Total per person: €76