How to Spend a Weekend in Rome
If you only have a few days away, you can still enjoy a fun time sightseeing in the Eternal City and experiencing the best the city has to offer. This guide will show you the ideal itinerary for an enchanting weekend in Rome.
Friday Evening
Friday night starts your 72 hours in Rome. After checking into your hotel, head out into the city to enjoy a fine-dining experience in one of Rome’s excellent restaurants. You’ll find everything from authentic Italian cuisine to ethnic fare, so you’ll have no shortage of choice.
After dinner, you can explore some of the city’s most notable attractions. The Trevi Fountain is one of Rome’s most popular sights, but it can get crowded during the day. Most of the tourists have disappeared by evening, so it’s a great time to stop by this landmark and experience its beauty under the night sky. As the legend goes, you can toss a traditional coin in to ensure you return to Rome at a later date.
Saturday Morning
On Saturday morning, start your day by visiting a local cafe or coffee shop for breakfast or brunch. Italy is known for its spectacular cuisine, so you’re sure to find plenty of excellent breakfast options near your hotel that boast hearty dishes like maritozzi and Italian cheese.
After breakfast, you have the whole day to visit Rome’s many landmarks, such as St Peter’s Basilica, the Roman Forum and the Pantheon. This is also a great time to visit the Sistine Chapel to see Michelangelo’s spectacular painted ceiling or climb the iconic Spanish Steps.
You’ll find plenty of restaurants and cafes near the main attractions as well, so you can grab a quick lunch before heading back to the hotel to get ready for the evening.
Saturday Evening
Saturday night is when the city really heats up. Rome has no shortage of options for what to do when the sun goes down, whether you want to enjoy live music at a bar or take twilight tours of famous landmarks.
Start by enjoying a delicious dinner at one of the restaurants near the city centre. From there, you can visit the Colosseum for a night tour to view the stars from inside, or you can check out a show at Teatro dell’Opera for an exciting cultural experience. Even if you don’t speak Italian, attending an opera is a great way to take in the unique flavour of the city.
If you prefer more of a party atmosphere, Trastevere is the ideal place. The neighbourhood is a prime nightspot with bars and restaurants on every corner. You’ll also like Testaccio and Pigneto, which have a more local nightlife feel.
Sunday Morning
Sunday morning marks your remaining 24 hours in Rome. After enjoying an early breakfast or brunch at a local restaurant, it’s time to venture into the city to visit the must-see attractions.
This is a good opportunity to visit any of the sights you may have missed, such as the Vatican Museums, which hold some of Europe’s greatest art collections from the masters. You should also stop by Santa Maria della Vittoria, a baroque chapel with spectacular artwork.
Around lunch, visit Piazza Navona to see the lovely fountain, street performers and artists and do a little window shopping. You’ll find plenty of cafes and restaurants with delicious food options.
Sunday Evening
Sunday night is the end of the trip, but there’s still a lot left to do. You can choose between a traditional sit-down dining experience in a restaurant you’ve been dying to try, or you can opt for something a little offbeat. Food tours are an excellent way to experience a new city, and Rome’s food tours take you on a culinary adventure through the best restaurants and bars around.
After dinner, you’ll be ready to enjoy a night out. Rome is filled with rooftop bars that serve fine wine and small plates or full dinners, all overlooking the sparkling cityscape at night.
If you prefer something a little different, you can tour Rome’s Catacombs at night. The experience is even spookier in darkness, and you’ll have fewer crowds fighting to see the fascinating ossuary of the Capuchin Crypt. You may also like the ghost tours, which take you into historic parts of the city that are often overlooked in the day.
If you’re ready to enjoy a weekend in Rome, visit Expedia to explore excellent flight and accommodation options to help you make the most of your experience.
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