I have not gone mad and it is not a mistake, the title of this article is indeed “what to see in Rome in 2 ½ hours”! If you are wondering what it is possible to see in Rome in such a short space of time, well now I will tell you!

Imagine finding yourself in transit in Rome and having to wait for your train or plane to leave only several hours later. How to cheat the time? Simple: by taking a walk in the heart of the eternal city which is a true open-air museum and will have stories to tell wherever you turn your eyes.

In my case, after arriving in Rome in the morning and finishing my commitments earlier than planned, I had almost four hours left before the train back to Naples. I didn’t lose heart and those who know me know that I would never be able to stand by and do nothing. So, I began a short but intense tour among the things to see in Rome and now I tell you about my stops.

What to do or see in Rome in 2½ hours

My tour starts at the Colosseum because it is at this stop of the metro B that I get off, after finishing my business. I take a few classic photos in front of the Flavian Amphitheatre, there is not even too much of a queue and I might as well go in, but after all I have already been there at least five times and so I continue my journey along the Imperial Forum.

see in Rome

I always look out and remain speechless before such wonder. On the opposite side of Via dei Fori Imperiali, here are the Mercati di Traiano with the column of the same name placed not far away. A few steps and here I am in Piazza Venezia, one of my favourites, where I stop for a few minutes to contemplate the majesty of the Altare della Patria.

I then enter Via delle Botteghe Oscure and, between one alley and another, I come out into the heart of the Jewish quarter where the great Synagogue of Rome is also located. I have been here several times as well, time for a stroll and I head back towards Piazza Venezia along Via del Plebiscito.

see in Rome

From here, I take Via del Corso, the shopping street, pass by Palazzo Doria Pamphili and arrive at the palaces of Italian power: Palazzo Chigi, seat of the government, and Montecitorio, seat of the Chamber of Deputies.

I go back to Via del Corso and throw myself into a small side street called Via delle Muratte that leads directly to the Trevi Fountain. Customary photos here too, among thousands of tourists of all nationalities, and then off up the slope leading to the Palazzo del Quirinale, seat of the Presidency of the Republic.

see in Rome

After a few minutes, I head down Via Nazionale where I stop to enjoy an ice cream on the steps of the Palazzo delle Esposizioni. I then continue walking along Via Nazionale and arrive at Piazza della Repubblica where the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli and the Baths of Diocletian are located.

If you want, a 5/10 minute walk away is also the famous Via Vittorio Veneto, but I give it up because of the heat. I enter once more the gigantic Basilica that has been the site of weddings and funerals of famous people and then head for Termini Station where I arrive well in advance to wait for my train to Naples.

So, to recap, here are my stops:

  • Colosseum
  • Imperial Forums
  • Trajan’s Markets
  • Piazza Venezia
  • Altar of the Fatherland
  • Jewish Quarter
  • Via del Corso
  • Government Buildings: Montecitorio and Palazzo Chigi
  • Trevi Fountain
  • Quirinale Palace
  • Palace of Exhibitions
  • Piazza della Repubblica
  • Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli
  • Baths of Diocletian

With this article I wanted to show you that after all, there is never too little time to visit and discover something new when you are out of your city. It is clear that it will not be possible to visit everything in depth but, especially if you are just passing through, even just a few hours will be enriching!