1. Taste the Gelato at Giolitti
Best-known as Rome's oldest ice cream parlor, Giolitti's ice cream is famed across the world. Serving hungry customers since the 1900’s, Giolitti’s gelato is favoured by both locals and tourists. Try the bests, from cones, to ice cream cakes to sundaes- this parlor has it all. Apart from its delectable cold items, Giolitti is also known for its confectionary products such as pastries or cassatas that you can gobble down.
Location: Via degli Uffici del Vicario, 40, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
Timings: Open between 07.00AM-01.00AM on all days of the week.
2. Explore Modern Art in MAXXI
Despite the high historical value of the places here, Rome also pays tribute to its contemporary wonders. MAXXI, also known as the National Museum of the 21st century Arts, is a museum of modern art and architecture.
Explore the architectural history of the city as you walk along the displays of unique structures, documents and photographs taken and designed by renowned architects and photographers such as Carlo Scarpa, Pier Luigi Nervi, Enrico Del Debbio and Olivo Barberi.
Do not, however, miss out on the separate section on art, which features paintings, sculptures, video arts, produced between the 1960’s and 2000, by Italian and foreign artists such as Alighiero Boetti, Francesco Clemente, William Kentridge, and Mario Merz.
Location: Via Guido Reni, 4, 00196 Roma RM, Italy
Timings: The Museum remains closed on Mondays. It remains open between 11.00AM-07.00PM on all days of the week.
Entry fee: 12 euros.
3. Take a day trip to the nearby beaches
Although Rome isn’t exactly on the seaside, one doesn’t have to travel too far to visit some of the best nearby beaches. If you want to escape the bustle of the capital, you can take a short drive to the nearby cities of Santa Marinella, Fregene, and Cerveteri, and spend a morning picnicking on the white sands there.
Best time to visit: Between April to May, or September to November.
4. Take a Vespa tour around the city
Among the many tours available in Rome, one of the most popular is the Scooterama’s scooter tour of the city. The tour takes you across some of the most popular destinations in Rome. There are multiple packages offered by the company, such as the classic tour, the cinema lovers’ tour or the street art tour. Scooterama also provides customized tour packages, catering to your tastes or time frame.
Location: Vicolo dei Soldati, 34, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
Timings: 10.00AM-07.00PM on all days of the week.
Price: Depends on the tour availed.
5. Explore the Hidden treasures of the city with Imago Artis
Rome is a city known for its artistic and historical splendor. With Imago Artis tours, one can dig deeper than just the surface of its wonders, and explore the hidden beauty of these monumental places. The tour provides access to places that are generally off-limits for the public, such as the basements of ancient noble houses, a museum of ancient ruins and the gardens of the Knight of Malta. So, if a private exploration of the city’s hidden gems sounds fun then do opt for the tour.
Location: Via Paolo Emilio, 28, 00192 Roma RM, Italy
Timings: 08.30AM-08.30PM on all days of the week.
Cost: Depends on the tour availed.
6. Explore the Cinematic History of Rome
Home to the Italian Neorealist movement in cinema, the streets of Rome are teeming with the cinematic spirit. The best way to experience the cinematic legacy of Rome is to walk the cobblestoned Via Margutta on foot. The Via Margutta was home to the renowned Italian director, Frederico Fellini, who had spent most of his life here.
This picturesque little place was also featured in Gregory Peck’s Roman Holiday. Walking a little further down, one would come across the Piazza di Spagna, which were featured in films like The Talented Mr. Ripley and Roman Holiday.
Best time to visit: The Via Margutta can be visited throughout the year.
7. Witness ancient sculptures in a former power plant
Rejecting the traditional design of an art museum, the Museum of Centrale Montemartini presents its wonderfully crafted sculptures against the backdrop of machines. Take a stroll through the marble-clad floors as you explore the Museum’s magnificent collection of a number of Greek and Roman statues, busts and friezes. Among its most popular exhibits include the bust of the Hera Borghese, and the sculpture of Orpheus with his animals.
Location: Via Ostiense, 106, 00154 Roma RM, Italy
Timings: The Museum remains closed on Mondays. It remains open between 09.00AM-07.00PM on all days of the week.
Entry Fee:
Entry is free for everyone on the first Sunday of each month.
- General Entry fee: 17 euros.
- For locals: 16 euros.
8. Visit the Cat Sanctuary at the spot of Caesar’s murder
Rome’s Largo di Torre Argentina is known for hosting the historical murder of Julius Cease in the Ides of March. Owing to its cultural significance, the site has been sealed and kept-off limits for the general public. However, for some years now, the area has been home to a colony of felines.
The southwest corner of the Largo di Torre has now been converted to a sanctuary for the strays of Rome, who are fed, cared for and then eventually given up for adoption from here. The plaza houses nearly 150 strays at the moment and all the animal lovers must add this to their Rome itinerary.
Location: Central Rome, Largo di Torre Argentina, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
Best time to visit: The Cat Sanctuary can be visited throughout the year.
9. Take a stroll along the Appian Antica
Widely considered to be the most important road in Rome, the Appian Way or the Appian Antica, is often referred to as the Queen of Roads. Constructed as early as 312 BC, it connected Ancient Rome to the rest of Italy, and was a vitally important network for trade and transportation.
Now, the Appian Antica is a beautiful promenade surrounded by greenery. As you walk along the scenic road, explore the history of its making through the wonderful sculptures that dot its sides, such as the Catacombs of St Sebastian, the Vigna Randanini, Jewish catacombs, the Circus of Maxentius or the Tomb of Caecilia Metella.
Location: Roman Forum, Rome to Brindisi
10. Discover the secret escape route for Popes
Housed in the city of Borgo, the Passetto di Borgo is a secret escape passage linking the Vatican City to Castel Sant’Angelo. The route served as an escape route for several Popes in the past. As you make your way through the narrow halls, discover the secret of the passage used by Pope Alexander to escape the Roman Invasion in 1494.
Location: Viale Giuseppe Ceccarelli, 00193 Roma RM, Italy
Timings: The passage is only open during the summer, at the time when the event of Notti d’Estate a Castel Sant’Angelo is held, which is between July to September.
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