I have just returned from a two week trip to Italy that took me from the Eternal City of Rome down to the Salento region in Puglia, and then back up to Northern Italy, where our trip ended with a beautiful wedding in Turin.

It was so nice to return to the city where my husband and I started our honeymoon five years ago, and as we had already seen most of the must-see sites on our previous trip, we were able to spend our 48 hours in Rome strolling through the city by foot, turning down whichever streets and alleyways that piqued our interest with no real destination in mind other than the bakery we hoped to try or the restaurant that we had lunch or dinner reservations for. We nurtured our jet lag with a lot of espresso and equal amounts of gelato. It was an ideal two days in Rome and perfect start to our time in Italy.

Keep reading for a few of our favorite places to eat, shop, see and sleep in Rome.

cafe in rome

woman at cafe in rome

pasta in rome

 

gelato

 

street in rome

couple walking on street

 

green door in rome

bistro in rome

woman in polka dot dress

 

clothing store

green car on street

cafe in rome

gelato

restaurant sign

stacks of boxes

street in rome

Continue scrolling for our recommendations for where to stay, where to eat and drink, what to see, and where to shop in Rome.

hotel in rome

Where to Stay

Palazzo Dama Hotel

cafe in rome

Where to Eat and Drink

Trattoria Da Teo
La Campana
Pesce Fritto E Baccala
Suppli
Bar San Calisto

Neve di Latte

church ceiling in rome

What to See

Piazza del Popolo

The Colosseum at night.

clothing store in rome

Where to Shop

Almost Corner Bookshop
Antica Libreria Cascianeli

Schostal

Read more Elsie Green travel guides

Sepi Shokouh
Tagged: travel journal