Gourmet Flyer The best way to explore Rome is by walking, and not just because it is a relatively small and very walkable city, but also because it is so rich in history and architecture that almost every step along the way, you’ll discover plenty of hidden treasures that are not even on your original sightseeing plan. Moreover, many of the city’s major landmarks are located close to each other, and very often, in pedestrians-only zones. Last but not the least, it is often during the walk between attractions that you truly immerse yourself in Roman culture and its way of life.
This two-day itinerary provides a fundamental framework of an extensive walking tour with plenty of optional points of interest or even detours along the way. My daily agenda starts with taking the Metro to get to the first destination (unless you are staying nearby) and then we will travel on foot the rest of the way. However, I will also give you the options to connect some points by Metro to shorten some of the lengthy walks and give your feet a break.
Table of Contents
DAY ONE
Colosseum
To start day one of our journey in Rome, you’ll take Line B of the Metro to Colosseo Station which is literally across the street from the entrance to the Colosseum complex. This can be easily reached from all major parts of the city. Please visit the official Italian public transportation website ATAC for detailed information on fares and options and for a map for the Metro system.
Let me first explain how admissions work. The Parco archeologico del Colosseo only sells one type of ticket online, and that is the 24-hour Colosseum – Roman Forum – Palatine ticket with timed admission to the Colosseum and a 24-hour window to visit the other two places. Since the three landmarks are located next to each other, it is most efficient to visit all of them at the same time. For the purpose of this most efficient walking tour in Rome, it is best if you can secure an early morning entry.
Tickets go online 30 days in advance and the early morning slots get snatched up quickly, especially during peak seasons. Please visit the official website for more information and to purchase your advance tickets. It is very important that you secure your tickets in advance so that you won’t waste a lot of time standing in line only to purchase entry slots that are hours later in the day.
Commissioned by the Emperor Vespasian in 70 AD, it took over ten years to build this massive amphitheater that had a capacity of over 50,000 people. The architecture itself was ingenious and could arguably be a blueprint for today’s modern stadiums. It featured a total of 80 entrances leading to multiple levels of tiered seating areas connected by a complex system of passageways and staircases, as well as a complicated tunnel system underground for the transportation of fighters and beasts.
The gladiator combats which made the Colosseum the prime entertainment venue of the Roman Empire lasted for about 500 years. By the late sixth century, it was no longer used as an amphitheater. Through the years, the structure was damaged by a series of fires, earthquakes, and neglect. Its stones were also taken away and used as building materials for other structures in Rome. Today, only about one-third of the original masterpiece is conserved, but it remains one of the most iconic sites in the Eternal City and attracts millions of visitors a year from around the World.
Palatine Hill
Palatine is the most storied among Rome’s seven hills and is complete with both myths and history. Legend has it that this was where Romulus and Remus, the twin brothers that were the mythical founders of the city, were raised. You start your journey to the ruins in Palatine by climbing up a series of very steep stairs to the top of this structure known as the Temple of Apollo Palatinus, where you will be rewarded with a panoramic view of the area.
From there, you will explore a vast area that was once the site of majestic palaces, opulent residences of the empire’s elites and nobles, as well as lavish botanical gardens, where the grandeur of the past were mostly gone, but some glitters of their glorious days still remain.
Roman Forum
Since around 500BC the Forum has been the center of life in the city for over a thousand years. It was a marketplace for commerce and trade, a venue for civic and cultural activities, and the site of judicial and religious ceremonies. It now exhibits the ruins of many historical and monumental buildings that highlight the grandeur of Roman architecture. Shown above is the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina which was built in 141 A.D. and dedicated to the emperor Antoninus and his wife.
It was later converted to a Catholic church named San Lorenzo in Miranda. While most of the interior was damaged, altered, or renovated, some of the imposing original columns are still left standing and remain some of the most remarkable structures in the ruins.
The Forum also features a pair of triumphal arches. On the west side stands the Arch of Septimius Severus commissioned by the emperor of the same name and features numerous meticulously crafted sculptures, many of which are still well preserved to this day. On the east side, right about where you are about to enter Palatine Hill is the Arch of Titus, shown above.
Our next attraction is about a 20 to 30-minute walk from the Forum area so if you are hungry, there are many eateries in the immediate area. From the Forum area, go across the street then turn left and go down about a block and take a right at either Via Cavour or Via della Madonna dei Monti, and you’ll find about a dozen restaurants there. If you can hold off your hunger, there are plenty of dining opportunities once we get to Trastevere.
Ponte Fabricio
Built in 62BC, this is the oldest bridge in Rome that is still in use in its original form over 2,000 years later – which is truly amazing. An interesting fact is that Ponte Fabricio does not take you all the way across the River Tiber. It takes you halfway across, to the Tiber Island, where it was once the site of a temple dedicated to Aesculapius, the Greek god of medicine. Today, a hospital that was built in the 1500’s is still operating there. While there is not much on the island to see, its serene and peaceful environment makes it feel like an oasis away from the hustles and bustles of a big city.
As we continue onward, it is the Ponte Cestio that will take us from Tiber Island across the river to Trastevere.
Trastevere
Trastevere, unfortunately, is no longer the hidden gem that it once was. It is now so widely talked about in travel forums and extensively written about by travel bloggers (like me 😊) that you will often find the neighborhood completely packed with tourists in the peak seasons. But this is still a great place to visit and absorb a blend of traditional Bohemian atmosphere with a 60’s or 70’s hippies vibes.
There are many eateries, most have their own unique décor, style, and appeal. If you haven’t eaten yet, this is the best spot to savor an authentic Italian meal with plenty of local flavors.
One landmark that is not to be missed is the Basilica di Santa Maria, located in the piazza by the same name (directions). It is one of the oldest basilicas in Rome famed for its stunning mosaics and majestic granite columns. The piazza itself is punctuated by several cafés and bistro-like small restaurants. It also hosts numerous events throughout the year and is also a popular venue for street performers at night. When my wife and I were there in May 2025, we were very fortunate that our visit happened to coincide with a marching band performance.
The maze of narrow and winding cobblestone alleys come alive at night, intertwined with plenty of trattorias and bars, many of which offer live music. Here, locals rub elbows with tourists from around the World and the language barrier dissipates in the air. This is truly a place where beers and wines flow freely, accompanied by delicious local cuisines served Al fresco under the starry night sky. So, it is perfectly fine if you decide to spend the rest of the day right here at Trastevere; otherwise, we will continue our self-guided walking tour in Rome to the next attraction.
Ponte Sant’Angelo
From Trastevere we will go across Ponte Garibaldi in the area that takes us to the other side of the river. Not only because it is a more comfortable and scenic walk, but we also want to cross the Sant’Angelo bridge to get to the castle of the same name. Just like Ponte Fabricio, this is another one of Rome’s ancient bridges that is still in use today, mostly in its original form. Although Sant’Angelo is not quite as old – it was completed in 134AD – it was certainly a lot more storied and famous.
It is best known for the ten sculptures of angels each carrying a symbol of The Passion of Christ that are placed along both sides of the now pedestrian-only bridge. They are namely: Angel with the column, scourge, crown of thorns, veil, tunic and dice, nails, cross, scroll, sponge, and finally, spear. The picture above shows the last pair of angels as we walk toward the end of the bridge, approaching the castle. On the left is the Angel with a Sponge, and on the right, the Angel with a Spear. As you stroll through the bridge, take time to appreciate these magnificent and richly symbolic sculptures and see if you can identify the other eight.
Castel Sant’Angelo
This majestic castle in the shape of an imposing rotunda tower was originally built by the Emperor Hadrian as a mausoleum for himself. It was taken over by the Papal State in the 14th century and converted into a fortress and residence. It was also later used as a prison. The structure is now one of Italy’s most-visited national museums. It houses some of the World’s leading masterpieces in sculptures, such as the renowned Saint Michael Archangel by Raffaello da Montelupo. It is also home to the works of some of the most talented Renaissance painters, including Lorenzo Lotto, Pellegrino Tibaldi, and Dosso Dossi, just to name a few.
Dinner and Lepanto Metro Station
We will conclude day one of our Rome walking itinerary by taking the Metro at Lepanto Station back to where you are staying. It is a 15 to 20-minute walk along Via Tacito which later becomes Via Ezio. Along the way is the prestigious Prati neighborhood which is home to several very nice restaurants that are local favorites and not one bit touristy. My wife and I really enjoyed our meal at Trattoria Memmo (directions), which served excellent pasta, lasagna, meats, and Sicilian style fish. The meatball appetizer was one of the best that we’ve had in Italy.
Another great recommendation is La Fraschetta Romanesca (directions) which cooks up some of the most delicious authentic Roman cuisines and pizzas. The restaurant is quite large but is almost always packed, so sometimes there could be a wait. Su e Giù (directions) is a small, cute, and homey restaurant that feels like the neighborhood gem that locals go for a family dinner. They serve some of the best pastas and comfort foods, just like the way an Italian grandma makes them.
If you are looking for a contemporary wine bar like environment with an elegant and sophisticated setting, check out Pizzeria San Marco – Ristorante Via Tacito (directions). Not only do they make some of the best pizzas in town, but they are also well-known locally for their delicious regional seafood dishes.
DAY TWO
Vatican City
We’ll start day two of our Roman adventure by taking the Metro Line A to Ottaviano S. Pietro Station, which can be quite easily reached from most areas of the Eternal City. As you exit the station, take a left and then go straight down the main road Via Ottaviano for about 10 minutes. This is one place that you can’t get lost – just follow the crowd in front of you and you’ll be fine. You will eventually get to a bottleneck with a long queue and an almost complete stand still.
That’s the security checkpoint to enter St. Peter’s Square. It’s an airport style checkpoint so backpacks and purses go through the x-ray machine, and you need to remove your phone and all metals from your body before going through the metal detector. Water bottles, however, are fine. Depending on the times and seasons, the wait could be long, so patience is needed.
Once you’ve made it past security, you’ll be in the World-famous St. Peter’s Square. Fountains are an integral part of Roman architecture, and they are often highly symbolic historical structures. We will be seeing several of the most famous fountains in Rome today. We’ll first start with the pair that flanks St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. This one on the right while facing the basilica is known as the Maderno Fountain (shown above). It was commissioned by Pope Paul V and built in 1612. It is easily recognizable by its unique mushroom-like top and is widely known as one of the most elegant fountains in Europe.
Entrance to St. Peter’s Basilica is free, subject to appropriate dress codes and other restrictions. Please refer to the Vatican’s official website for detailed information. The beauty and grandeur of the basilica’s interior is beyond what words can describe. Monumental magnificence is an understatement. There is so much to see and appreciate so I will just point out a few things that are not to be missed. First and foremost is the sculptures and artworks that grace the interior of the church, starting with the massive dome by Michelangelo. To get to the top and have an up-close-and-personal perspective of the masterpiece, you’ll need to climb up 320 steps of stairs. Note that advanced admission tickets with timed entry is required to access the dome.
Don’t miss the bronze monument of St. Peter’s Throne by Gian Lorenzo Bernini as well as the Holy Door by Vico Consorti at the atrium in front of the church. Incidentally, the Holy Door is open every jubilee year, which 2025 happens to be one, and you can actually walk through it. Take time to appreciate and be awestruck by the mosaics scattered in various locations throughout the basilica. For most Christians, one of the highlights of their visit is the High Altar, below which lies the tomb of St. Peter.
Musei Vaticani
As you probably know by now, advance purchase timed admission ticket is the way to go in Rome, as in the case here at the Vatican Museum. Again, the most efficient way for our itinerary is to secure an early morning slot. Note that you cannot get to the Museum from St. Peter’s Square. You need to exit the piazza, turn left, and go around the fortress walls to get there.
I personally recommend the guided tour, as the place is so big you probably won’t know your way around it. Moreover, many exhibits are of major religious, historical, or cultural significance, and you really want someone to explain to you what you are seeing. My wife and I enjoyed our tour and really liked our immensely knowledgeable guide who punctuated her history and Christian lectures with plenty of humor. A few places to pay special attention to are the Raphael Rooms where you can see some of Raphael’s most renowned frescoes as well as the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel painted by Michelangelo.
Piazza del Popolo
The next destination of our Rome self-guided walking tour is about a 30-minute stroll away. However, you have the option to take the Metro Line A from Ottaviano S. Pietro to Flaminio Station, which is two stops away, and cut the walking distance by two-thirds. At the Piazza de Popolo we’ll admire our next pair of fountains for the day – Fontana del Nettuno on the west end of the square, and Fontana della Dea di Roma on the east. There are also a pair of Baroque churches to visit – the Basilica di Santa Maria in Montesanto (Church of the Artists, above left) and Chiesa di Santa Maria dei Miracoli (Church of the Lady of Miracles). While the twin churches appear to be identical, they really are not. I’ll leave it up to you to observe their differences on your trip there.
Spanish Steps
We will continue our journey to the Spanish Steps, only a 5-minute walk away, and admire our fifth fountain of the day, the Fontana della Barcaccia at the base of the Spanish Steps. Built in the 17th century by Pietro Bernini, it is a Baroque-style sculptural fountain which bears a peculiar form of a boat-shaped vessel with water flowing out to a larger basin underneath.
The Spanish Steps are probably one of the most-filmed stairways on Earth. It has a special allure that makes it to the scenes of numerous movies and TV episodes: From romantic classic like “Roman Holiday” to TV sitcom like “Everybody Loves Raymond”, to the recent action blockbuster “Mission Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One”.
These 135 steps take you to a small plaza where the elegant Trinità dei Monti church is located. The church is easily recognizable by its twin symmetrical bell towers, which is quite rare in Roman architecture of religious buildings. It is one of very few French speaking Catholic churches in Rome. When my wife and I went inside and prayed, we felt that it had the coziness and comfort of a small local parish but exuded sacred elegance in its interior. An added bonus to climbing up the stairs is that the piazza outside the church offers a panoramic view of the Piazza di Spagna as well as parts of the Eternal City.
Piazza di Spagna
The immediate shopping and dining area that is typically packed with tourists is the famed and upscale Piazza di Spagna where the most luxurious fashion and jewelry brands such as Louis Vuitton and Prada open their stores. This is also where many specialty stores sell locally made leather goods like wallets and purses at competitive prices.
If you hungry you will be delighted to know that there are many restaurants in the area offering a wide spectrum of foods that fit almost every taste and budget. My wife and I were very impressed by the upscale and elegant VIB Frattina (directions) which blended traditional Italian cuisines with contemporary flavors. Shown above are a delicious grilled salmon on creamed cauliflower and a most beautifully presented tiramisu. There are many eateries around and most of the better ones are located on the two streets that run almost perpendicular to the piazza, namely Via Borgognona and Via Frattina.
Trevi Fountain
Our sixth fountain of the day is probably the best known and most visited. It is less than a 10-minute walk away, so you’ll probably spend more time standing in line than the time it takes to get there. This is how it works: If you just want to see this Instagram-worthy landmark and snap a picture of it from outside the roped off area, there is no line and no wait. However, to enter the enclosed area and to go downstairs where you can actually toss a coin into the famed fountain and make a wish, you’ll need to stand in a line that could stretch from 30 minutes to an hour during peak season. This is due to a recent new rule that limits the maximum number of people in the area to 400 at a time.
Made famous probably by the 1954 legendary movie Three Coins in the Fountain, numerous tourists throw coins into the fountain each day. Legend has it that if you throw one coin, you’ll return to Rome; two coins, fall in love with an Italian; and three coins, marry the person that you met. Just in case that you don’t know, the proper way to toss your coin is to stand with your back facing the water and toss the coin with your right hand over your left shoulder.
Pantheon
A short 10-minute walk takes us to the Pantheon, also known as the Basilica of Santa Maria ad Martyres. It is a massively grand temple with spectacular geometric constructions that feature a hemispherical dome with an oculus, which presents one of the most enchanting scenes at certain times of the day when the sunlight shines through it. This basilica is such an ingenious architectural masterpiece that the great Renaissance artist Raphael chose it as his burial place.
Originally built as a temple “dedicated to all the gods” (pan = all, theos = gods), it was converted into a Catholic church in 609AD. The present building is actually the third rendition of the Pantheon – the two structures before it were burnt down in 80AD and again in 110AD. This current basilica, thought by most to have been completed around 126AD, is one of the best-preserved monuments of ancient Rome.
Piazza Navona
Our final destination is Piazza Navona, a vibrant gathering place in an elongated oval shape, where stunning Baroque-style architecture meets majestic monuments. It is the city’s most loved and beautiful public square. It is also the site of our last three fountains of the day. The Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Four Rivers) located at the center of the piazza was built by Bernini in 1651 and symbolizes the rivers through which Christianity has spread to the rest of the World. The Fontana del Moro depicts a Moor taming a dolphin while surrounded by four Tritons. Fontana del Nettuno, or Neptune, features a sculpture of Neptune battling with a sea creature that resembles an octopus.
Take your time to explore all the sights and sounds, enjoy the enchanting atmosphere, and soak in every ounce of Roman energy. The plaza comes alive when night falls with plenty of lively cafés, trattorias, and restaurants ready to serve you dinner. When you are done for the night and ready to catch a subway home, go back to the direction of Trevi Fountain and take Metro Line A at Barberini Station. Another option is to go in the direction of Piazza di Spagna and enjoy the vibrant nightlife there then take Metro Line A at Spagna Station.
CONCLUSION
This two-day self-guided walking tour is compact and fast-paced, but it gets you to most of the major landmarks and attractions in Rome in two engaging and fulfilling days. If you have an extra day, you can slow down the pace and break this up into a three-day itinerary. Also feel free to skip one or two destinations to give yourself time to appreciate all that you see and soak it every ounce of history and culture. Whatever you do, cherish every moment of your adventure and take time to explore, reflect, and connect.
It is an enriching and life-changing experience that makes the Roman Empire from our history textbooks in school come alive in front of our eyes. For Catholics and Christians, it is a pilgrimage to help us make that Biblical connection and rediscover our faith. For art lovers, it is a privilege to be able to appreciate so many masterpieces from some of the most legendary sculptors and painters ever born. Last but not the least, the best pizzas, pastas, seafood, tiramisu, and gelato are eagerly awaiting you!
