How to spend a Weekend in Rome & the Vatican City.
Do you know you can visit one of the most historical cities in Italy and a whole new country all in a weekend?
If you live in Europe, making this weekend trip should be on your list for 2024!
You can also make this trip as a layover when flying internationally. I will highlight for you how to spend 2 days in Rome assuming you fly into Rome on Friday evening and will be flying out on Sunday evening. Nevertheless, you can also use this itinierary even if you are travelling during the week days.
This 48-hour trip is ideal for a budget get-away, to celebrate a milestone e.g., a birthday, wedding anniversary etc. or just to surprise a loved one or spend quality time.
The Itinerary
Day 1. - Vatican City
The Vatican city is the smallest country in the world. It is a city-state surrounded by Rome, Italy. It is also the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church and where the Pope lives.
You can find more information about the Vatican city here: https://www.vatican.va/content/vatican/en.html
- Visit St. Peters Basilica
- I recommend visiting very early in the morning when it opens at 7:00 am to beat the crowds and long queues.
- The entrance to the St. Peters Basilica is free.
- After your visit to the church and the Grottoes, walk around the St. Peter Square and enjoy the feeling of being in the smallest country in the world.
- You can also get a stamp on your passport from the Vatican city post office.
- Walk back to the city to have lunch at the famous Osteria da Fortunata in Rome.
- This restaurant is a chain and are known for their freshly made Pasta live in their restaurants and their delicious Pasta recipes.
- https://www.osteriadafortunata.it/en/
Part 2: Afternoon (3pm – 6pm)
- Visit the Vatican Museums and Sestine Chapel
- Please ensure to pre-book your entrance tickets weeks before you arrive to ensure you get access to the museums at the specific times you desire.
- You can get your tickets here: https://tickets.museivaticani.va/home/calendar/visit/Biglietti-Musei
- You can also get tickets at the museum entrance, but you would have to queue a long time for this.
- I highly recommend booking tickets with a guided tour as the Vatican Museums are massive and you will surely need a guide to tell you about the many artworks and craft displayed in the museums.
- For a choice of guided tours, i recommend this Get Your Guide tour: https://www.getyourguide.com/rome-l33/skip-the-line-vatican-museums-sistine-chapel-stpeter-s-t9241/?ranking_uuid=99f9a23e-082f-4c5e-8a76-eb1167ea626a
Part 3: Night (from 9pm)
- Go for dinner at Trastevere.
- Trastevere is a funky Bohemien neighborhood in Rome known for its traditional and innovative trattorias, craft beer pubs and artisan shops.
Day 2. – Rome
- Start your morning at the Trevi Fountains to beat the crowds.
- I recommend starting between 7:00 and 8:00 am:
- Walk from the Trevi fountain to the Roman Forum and then continue to the Colosseum.
- This walk should take you about 15 - 20mins.
- From the Colosseum, take a bus to Piazza Navona. Here you can have a coffee break, an aperol spritz or Lunch.
- After your break, walk to the Pantheon.
- End your walk at the Spanish Steps before heading back to your hotel.
Best time to visit.
Rome is an all-year-round destination. If you are like me and you hate crowded streets, hot and overpriced summer days, visiting Rome in May/June or September/October would be your best bet.
How to get to Rome
By Flight.
There are many budget airlines flying into one of the 2 airports in Rome. Fiumicino airport is slightly better connected to the city than Ciampino.
You can check flight deals directly from the airline's website such as
https://www.ryanair.com/gb/en,
or Use flight portals such as :
https://www.google.com/travel/flights
https://www.booking.com/flights
By Bus
Buses are a great way to travel to Rome too especially if you are on a budget.
https://www.thetrainline.com/en/stations/eu
By Train
- https://www.thetrainline.com/en/stations/eu
- https://www.trenitalia.com/en.html
- https://www.interrail.eu/en
Where to stay and what to eat?
- You can make a choice from countless of great accomodations on Booking.com
- What to eat in Rome can never be an issue because on every street you walk by, there is restaurant.
- But whatever you do, don't forget to have an Italian Gelato/Icecream.
I truly believe you would enjoy your visit to Rome as much as I have, both times I have visited:
Enjoy!