How to Plan a Weekend in Rome

How to Plan a Weekend in Rome 

Rome is an amazing city known for its rich history, architecture, and art. After my weekend trip this February, I have compiled my tips for you to have the best experience! 

Planning Your Trip

From Madrid to Rome

When searching for transportation, I primarily look at Google Flights and Omio for the best deals. These are search engines that look across the web for the cheapest flights, trains, and buses available. 

For my trip to Rome, I used Google Flights to find a flight with Ryanair 

• Friday, February 20, Madrid to Rome: 9:25-12:00
• Sunday, February 22, Rome to Madrid: 22:35-1:10

From the Airport to the City 

The Leonardo Express Train is a non-stop train from the airport to Roma Termini. It costs 14 euros one-way and takes about 30 minutes. Tickets can be purchased at the red Trenitalia kiosks upon arrival or online. I bought my ticket at the station without issues. (Don’t forget to validate your ticket at the green machines before getting on the train, or you could receive a fine.) 

There are multiple buses from 6 to 8 euros one-way. Although it is the cheapest, it will also take around an hour to reach the city from the airport.

Taxis are always an option, and are the most expensive. There is a fixed fee of 55 euros to take you from the airport to the Termini area, and varying fixed rates to get to other parts of the city. 

Where to Stay 

Hostelworld is my go-to site for finding accommodation. If you are looking for a budget-friendly option (like me), I look for the biggest rooms available and prefer an all-girls room.

For this trip, I stayed at Alessandro Palace & Bar in a “Basic 6 Bed Female Dorm.” The staff here was very friendly and helpful! The hostel is located 5 minutes from Termini Station, making travel to and from the airport extremely easy. However, the downside is that this hostel was pretty far from most major sites, so I would keep that in mind if you consider booking at this location. 

In Rome

5 Must-See Places

Obviously, you cannot miss the Colosseum. If you are visiting in the summer, it is recommended to book your ticket about a month in advance. I, however, am a very last-minute person, and I visited in the winter. I booked the Full Experience Ticket with Entry to the Arena of the Colosseum ticket 3 days before my trip. This ticket included a time slot to visit the Colosseum and access to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill on the same day, before, or after. I wish I would have booked a ticket with a guided tour, but for the price, it was more than worth it. 

The Pantheon is an architectural feat that has influenced the world, both in design and in religion. There are multiple ways to book tickets.

• Buy a fast pass ticket in advance, which will be more expensive.
• Buy a ticket at the door for 5 euros, which will have longer lines.
• Do what I did, which was scan the QR code outside and buy my ticket while in line for the normal pre-purchased tickets. I had no issues and was able to enter fairly quickly. 

The Trevi Fountain was truly breathtaking. You can enjoy the fountain from the street for free, or you can pay 2 euros to go down to the base of the fountain, take pictures, and make a wish on a coin. You can pre-purchase a ticket online, but I bought a ticket at the door (card only) and made it through the line in less than 5 minutes. I definitely recommend that you visit the fountain during the day and at night, as it is beautiful at both times. 

The Piazza Venezia at sunset was one of my favorite places. You can buy a ticket to go inside the museum and the upper levels, but I opted out of this and entered for free. Even from the public access areas, it is a great picture opportunity and a chance to take in the skyline of Rome.

The Church of the Gesù was a cathedral unlike most that I have seen. I visited while it was raining, which created a dark, moody, and thought-provoking atmosphere. It was, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful churches and a stop that you should definitely include in your travel plans. 

Where to Eat 

Pane e Salame was my favorite, well-priced meal. There were so many menu options and the nicest staff! I absolutely loved this place, and when I return to Rome, this will be my first stop!

For a huge portion of pasta at an amazing price, go to Pastificio Guerra. The pasta is served in a takeaway box with a wooden fork, but you can enjoy it inside or on the streets. 

After all the walking from exploring the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, Mizio’s Street Food had multiple options of sandwiches and paninis to hit the spot.  I recommend the “Rione Monte,” spicy salami with provolone that I am still dreaming about from Madrid.

Where to Shop

Gran Cafe Marcel was my favorite souvenir shop I have been to in a long time. A friendly and welcoming place, here you can find hand-drawn art of scenes in Rome. The artist himself also works in the shop, and you are able to chat with him! The shop has all types of mementos like postcards, tote bags, and large prints, perfect souvenirs to commemorate your time in Rome. 

If you are on the hunt for a gift or practical souvenir, Emporio Centrale is the place to look. Emporio Centrale has home goods and everyday-use items. I loved this shop, and if I weren’t traveling with only a backpack, I would have bought many souvenirs from here. 

What to Skip

Unfortunately, a weekend in Rome is not enough time to see everything the city has to offer. I think you could spend a whole month in the city and still find new things to explore!  With that being said, on a limited schedule, here is my advice on what I think you can skip. 

Maybe a controversial opinion, but I think you can skip the Spanish Steps. You will likely pass them when exploring the city anyway, but besides a picture opportunity and the Cathedral at the top, there was not much to see here. I suggest prioritizing other sites on your itinerary before this. 

You should visit the Church of Saint Ignatius, just a short walk from the Pantheon. However, you definitely should not stand in line for the TikTok-famous mirror. The purpose of the mirror is to take a picture of yourself with the ceiling fresco that the church is popular for. It costs 1 euro to use the mirror for a limited time, hence the long line. The church is spectacular, but the wait in line for the mirror was truly not worth it. 

Now that you have some tips and advice about how to have the best trip in Rome, it's time to start planning your own perfect weekend adventure!