Two days in Rome. Sounds ambitious? Maybe. But what is Rome if not a city built on grand ambitions? So, grab your most comfortable walking shoes (seriously, those cobblestones are merciless), stretch your stomach for an unreasonable amount of carbs, and let’s get lost in the chaos, beauty, and sheer theatricality of the Eternal City. It won’t be a leisurely affair, but it will be an adventure.
Start the day as the Romans do: with a cornetto and an espresso, preferably consumed standing up at the bar while making dramatic hand gestures at no one in particular. Sant’Eustachio Il Caffè is a solid bet if you like your coffee with a side of history. Now that the caffeine is coursing through your veins, wander over to the Colosseum before the crowds reach peak hysteria. Stare at it, marvel at the fact that it’s still standing despite centuries of earthquakes, tourists, and general Roman disregard for maintenance. If you’re feeling cultural, pop inside; if you’d rather keep moving, take a leisurely stroll past the Roman Forum—where democracy, backstabbing, and toga fashion all reached their peak. Take your time here because every single ruin has a story to tell, and half the fun is imagining all the political scheming that must have taken place over the centuries.
At this point, lunch is not so much a suggestion as a necessity. Head to Testaccio, the neighbourhood that truly understands the art of eating. Trattoria Pennestri is a no-nonsense kind of place that serves up plates of carbonara that will make you reconsider every life decision you’ve made up until this point. If you have room (and let’s be real, you should), order some supplì—fried rice balls stuffed with gooey mozzarella, because Rome insists on deep-frying happiness. Walk it off by meandering towards the Tiber, taking in the sight of laundry fluttering from the balconies, Vespas squeezing through impossible gaps, and nonnas giving unsolicited life advice to anyone who will listen. Stop for a gelato at Fatamorgana and pretend like you’re just having it because it’s hot, not because you could happily live off gelato forever.
As the sun starts its slow descent, there’s really only one place to be: atop the Pincian Hill, overlooking Piazza del Popolo. The light is golden, the city is sprawling beneath you, and for a brief moment, everything is perfect. But nostalgia can wait because you have an aperitivo to attend to. Piazza della Madonna dei Monti is buzzing with locals balancing glasses of Aperol Spritz and existential debates about football. Find a perch, order something bitter and bubbly, and embrace the art of doing absolutely nothing. If you’re in the mood for a longer evening, hop over to Trastevere, where the nightlife kicks in with dimly lit wine bars and impromptu street performances. Freni e Frizioni is the kind of place where you could spend hours sipping cocktails and losing track of time.
Morning in Rome means one thing: markets. Campo de’ Fiori is great for a wander, but Testaccio Market is where the real magic happens. Grab a panino from Mordi e Vai, an establishment so committed to sandwich perfection that it will ruin all future sandwiches for you. If you need a break from all the eating, stroll towards the Aventine Keyhole—a tiny peephole that offers a perfectly framed view of St. Peter’s Basilica. It’s oddly satisfying and strangely secret for something so breathtaking.
Fuelled and ready, set your sights on the Vatican. Even if you have no interest in religion, Michelangelo’s handiwork in the Sistine Chapel is worth every minute of queue-induced suffering. Spend some time wandering through St. Peter’s Basilica, and if you have the stamina, climb to the top of the dome for a view that will make you forget all the stairs you just conquered.
No Roman adventure is complete without the city’s most famous wishing well: the Trevi Fountain. Chuck a coin over your shoulder, pretend for a moment that you’re in a classic film, and then flee before someone in a gladiator costume tries to charge you for a photo. If your legs haven’t staged a rebellion yet, take a slow stroll through the charming streets leading to the Pantheon, because no one ever regrets staring up at that impossibly perfect dome. With the day slipping away, there’s only one thing left to do: pasta. Trastevere is your best bet for a final feast, with its ivy-draped trattorias and menus that haven’t changed in decades. Da Enzo al 29 is worth the wait for a plate of cacio e pepe that will haunt your dreams in the best possible way. If you need a final drink to toast your Roman holiday, swing by Jerry Thomas Speakeasy for a cocktail that feels as timeless as the city itself.
Two days might not be enough to conquer Rome, but let’s be honest, no one ever really does. The city doesn’t exist to be ticked off a list—it exists to be felt, to be wandered, to be eaten. And with that, it’s arrivederci—for now.
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