Two (or three) days in Rome: a walking and metro itinerary from Termini

Rome is easy to explore on foot, and from the Termini area the main sights of the historic centre all lie within a radius of about 2 km. Here's a two-day itinerary designed for anyone staying near the station, organised by time of day so you always know where to be and when. Distances and times are approximate.

Day 1 — Morning: Ancient Rome

Start early, right when it opens: the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill are covered by a single combined ticket, and arriving at opening time means shorter queues and less heat, especially in summer. Book your ticket online a few days ahead: in peak season (April–October), same-day slots sell out fast.

Colosseum: from Termini, metro line B, Colosseo stop (about 10 minutes), or a 25-minute walk. Allow 1.5-2 hours for the visit.
Roman Forum and Palatine Hill: included in the same ticket, continuing on foot from the Colosseum. Another 1.5-2 hours, especially if you stop at the Palatine for the view over Rome.

For lunch, the Monti neighbourhood — a short walk from the Colosseum — has trattorias and casual spots: a good balance of quality and convenience before heading out for the afternoon.

Day 1 — Afternoon and evening: the Baroque centre

Piazza Venezia, the Altare della Patria and the Capitoline Hill: about a 15-20 minute walk from Monti, or continuing north from the Forum. From here, a short flight of steps leads up to the Capitoline Hill, the square designed by Michelangelo with a lovely view over the Forums.
Pantheon: another 10-15 minute walk from Piazza Venezia. Check whether an entry ticket is required: Rome has introduced fees for some monuments that used to be free.
Piazza Navona: a short walk from the Pantheon, with Bernini's fountains — a great spot for a coffee break or an aperitivo.
Trevi Fountain: best visited in the early evening, when the light is nicer and it's slightly less crowded; about 18-20 minutes' walk from the guesthouse.
Piazza del Quirinale: a short, roughly 10-minute climb from the Trevi Fountain, up to the official residence of the President of the Republic — the Dioscuri statues, the obelisk, and a great view over Rome.
Piazza di Spagna and Trinità dei Monti: about a 10-minute walk from the Quirinale, a good last stop before heading back for dinner — about 20-22 minutes' walk from the guesthouse, or by metro line A.

Day 2 — Morning: Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel

The Vatican requires a ticket booked online well in advance: in peak season, Vatican Museums slots can sell out even weeks ahead. Arrive with your ticket already purchased and get there as early as possible, to avoid the longest queues of the day. From the guesthouse: metro line A, Ottaviano or Cipro stops.

Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel: allow at least 3 hours, the route is long and often very crowded.

Day 2 — Afternoon: St Peter's, Trastevere and back via Campo de' Fiori

St Peter's Basilica: free entry, connected to the Vatican Museums by an internal route — handy so you don't have to queue again from outside. There can still be queues in the square for security checks.
Castel Sant'Angelo: about a 15-20 minute walk from St Peter's Square, along the Tiber — a quieter stop, with a great view over the city from the top.
Trastevere: continuing along the river, a characterful neighbourhood of narrow streets, small squares and traditional trattorias — a good place for a break or dinner before setting off again.
Ponte Sisto and Via dei Pettinari: for the way back, cross the Tiber on Ponte Sisto, the pedestrian bridge that marks the entrance to Trastevere, and continue along Via dei Pettinari toward the historic centre.
Piazza Farnese and Campo de' Fiori: a few minutes' walk from Via dei Pettinari, two of the most authentic squares in the historic centre — the elegant Piazza Farnese, and the lively Campo de' Fiori, with its market by day and nightlife in the evening. From here you can head back toward Termini on foot (20-25 minutes) or by bus.

Got a third day? Here's what to add

If you're staying an extra day, here's how to round out the itinerary without straying too far from the Termini area — handy too if you need to check out on your last day.

Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore: about a 10-minute walk from the guesthouse, one of Rome's four papal basilicas — a comfortable way to ease into the day.
National Roman Museum, Palazzo Massimo: right next to Termini, one of the city's most important collections of ancient Roman art — a great option on rainy days too.
Piazza della Repubblica: with the Fountain of the Naiads and the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri, which Michelangelo carved out of the ancient Baths of Diocletian.
Villa Borghese: one of Rome's largest parks, for a break outdoors. If you want to visit the Galleria Borghese, book weeks in advance: entries are limited to timed slots and sell out quickly.
Terrazza del Pincio: inside Villa Borghese, one of the most beautiful panoramic views over Rome — ideal at sunset, with Piazza del Popolo and St Peter's dome on the horizon.
Piazza del Popolo: reached by a short staircase down from the terrace — one of the city's most scenic squares, with the Egyptian obelisk at its centre and twin churches.
Via del Corso: from Piazza del Popolo toward Piazza Venezia, Rome's main shopping street, for anyone who wants to end the day browsing the shops.

Practical tips for planning your itinerary

Book in advance: the Colosseum, Vatican Museums and, if you add a third day, the Galleria Borghese all have limited entries — in peak season, same-day tickets can sell out.
Comfortable shoes: most of the itinerary is on foot, and the historic centre is full of sampietrini, the typical cobblestone paving, which isn't comfortable in the wrong shoes.
Free water: around Rome you'll find "nasoni", the historic public drinking fountains with free water — bring a reusable bottle.
Vatican dress code: to enter St Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums, shoulders and knees must be covered, no exceptions.
Mix metro and walking: in the hottest hours, or when you're tired, the metro saves you time and energy.
Luggage: if you arrive or leave outside check-in hours, leave it with us for free and enjoy your day without the extra weight.