Introduction : Visit Rome Day 2
In December 2021 we made a 5 days trip to Rome, the Italian capital. With this we had quite enough time to visit most of the main landmarks of Rome and got to do more than enough things to do in Rome.
In 5 days, we actually spent 4 nights there and had a total of 4 days of visiting as we needed one day to travel there. We arrived in the late afternoon the first day and left in the evening the last day. We stayed in the city center near Campo de’ Fiori which was perfect as we could reach everything walking. Vatican was up north 25min, Coliseum was south, 20min and so on.
This day, we will visit the Vatican City and the north of Rome
We tried making sense of this itinerary in order to avoid going back and forth. This guide is based mostly on how we did it with a few corrections to improve it.
If you need more detail about Rome, you can read our ultimate guide.
Table of Contents
Mapping the day
How to Visit Rome Day 2
St. Angelo Bridge
Let’s start by going toward the St. Angelo Bridge. This will give you a top view of the Castel Sant’Angelo. And in the morning, it won’t be crowded at all.
The Vatican
From there head toward the Vatican and St. Peter’s Square which is 5min walking distance from St. Angelo Bridge. On your way you will get one super famous picture of the Vatican.
St. Peter’s Square
At the end of the street, you just step in the Vatican and St. Peter’s Square. You just changed country. At the centre of the square is an ancient Egyptian obelisk, erected at the current site in 1586. Early morning the square shouldn’t be too crowded and from it you can admire the from façade of St Peter’s cathedral. This is the spot where all believers gather when the pope is talking from the small balcony on St. Peter’s Cathedral.
Vatican Museums
From there head out from the left (with St Peter’s Cathedral behind you) and walk around the Vatican wall until the museum.
There are a total of 13 museums and the collections in them are just amazing. There is an order to follow within the museum, but you can go as you want as well.
Here we would recommend that you also go into the smaller museums where much less people are. Even though at the time we were there, it was apparently not crowded.
Sistine Chapel
At the end of the museum, you will visit the Sistine Chapel where Cardinals unite to elect the new pope. From there keep toward the exist, make a small stop at on the small garden before going out on the square.
Vatican Step
At the end and on your way out, you will use the famous Vatican Step. A Picture that became famous lately.
St Peter’s dome
Now, you can line up to enter St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest church in the world.
But before entering the huge Basilica, you can get to its dome to get the best view of St Peter’s square. To access the rooftop, you can either take the stairs or an elevator and then walk some stairs. While going up, it gets pretty tight in there.
St. Peter’s Basilica entrance is free, but the dome is 8 or 10€.
St. Peter's Basilica
At the exist of the dome, you will be in the Basilica. This one is the largest on earth and is quite beautiful.
Swiss Guard
While in Vatican, try to stop the Swiss Guards which are a minor armed force and honour guard unit maintained by the Holy See that protects the pope and the Apostolic Palace within the territory of the Vatican City. Established in 1506 under Pope Julius II, the Pontifical Swiss Guard is among the oldest military units in continuous operation.
Castel Sant'Angelo
Time to walk back the Fortress. On your way, you could grab a pizza from a smaller street near the Vatican and then go eat it in the park around the Castel Sant’Angelo.
Then, you can visit the Castel Sant’Angelo. The entry is not free but it’s an impressive monument to visit as it was The Mausoleum of Hadrian, and then used by the popes as a fortress and castle and is now a museum.
Flea Market
On your way toward the modern city center, walk along the river where you will find a small flea market after Castel Sant’Angelo. On your way, you will also get to see amazing buildings.
Modern city center
You are now int the modern part of Rome with shopping streets. Simply stroll around those streets, stop a Venchi for the best Icecream and then head to Piazza Del Popolo
Piazza del Popolo
Piazza del Popolo or people’s square is the end of all the main streets of the area. Famous for its obelisk and churches.
You can get to a small viewpoint on the right side of the square.
Spanish Steps
Then walk back to Piazza di Spagna where the Spanish Steps are located. A 135 steps stairway built in Rococo style between 1723 and 1726. There are 135 steps and three different terraces, referring to the Holy Trinity and was actually made by the French and are famous for being a place to chill and relax in Rome.
Finish your day with a sunset there.
Where to Stay
Ai Mali Estremi, Estremi Rimedi – “Desperate Times Call for Drastic Measures”
