So you’ve toured the Colosseum, walked through the Pantheon, and explored the vast Vatican Museum. Now what do you do with the rest of your time in Rome?
Rome has over 121 museums, from huge art galleries like the Galleria Borghese to rotating San Giovanni metro station art exhibits. There are thousands of restaurants, historical monuments, churches, galleries, and more to explore in Rome Italy.
With such a sprawling location, historically and physically, you can live in Rome for years and still not explore everything the city offers. So if you have some spare free time in the Eternal City, here are some unique things to do:
1. Bike the Appian Way
Appius Claudius Caecus was one of the most important Roman politicians in the history of Rome, but he is often overshadowed by more popular historical figures like Julius Ceasar.
One of the main reasons he was so important was that he played a critical role in ancient Rome’s infrastructure, which we still see today. He was responsible for building the Aqua Appia, the first aqueduct to bring water to the city, and, importantly, built the first road.
Initially, this 315-mile road started at the foot of the Roman Forum and made its way all the way to the heel of Italy, to Brindisi. Now, thousands of years later, these ancient architectural feats, the Aqua Appia Park and the Appian Road, are great places to visit.
Just a short bus ride away from Rome, and you’re transported to a different time. There are several options to rent bikes, including guided tours. The Appia Antica Cafe offers sandwiches, salads, drinks, and inexpensive bike rentals.
They’ll give you a map and suggest a route, but wandering through the area is an amazing experience. You can bike on the same cobblestones the ancient Roman armies used to move quickly from city to city, past falling stone ruins and sheep snacking on weeds.
Sunday is a great day to go to the Appian Way, as the road is closed to vehicles, but that also comes with the downside of less frequent buses.
2. Tour the macabre Cappuchin Crypts
Image credit: Il Museo dei Cappuccini
Touring the Cappuchin Crypts in Rome is a captivating experience that delves into the macabre yet meaningful aspects of history, religion, and art.
The Cappuccini order of friars represent a stereotypical picture of medieval monks, with long brown hooded robes and leather sandals. If you’re into something a little less fantastical and a lot more spooky, you can find a monk from the 1600 standing in the creepy crypts of the Cappuchins.
Nestled beneath the Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini church, these crypts offer a rare, and unusual glimpse into the past. Within the underground chambers, over 3,700 Cappuchin friar skulls are arranged in intricate and artistic patterns.
Image credit: Il Museo dei Cappuccini
This distinctive setting provides a unique historical perspective on the practices and beliefs of the Cappuchin order. The artistic arrangements of bones, such as chandeliers, arches, and even full skeletons, prompt visitors to contemplate the deeper questions of existence and mortality.
The museum and crypts are open to the public. You can choose from a regular ticket price which includes an audio guide or private evening tour if you’re looking for a genuinely spooky experience.
3. Visit Villa Torlonia and the House of the Owls
Villa Torlonia is definitely a unique park in Rome, as the area is a mix of English gardens, a German mansion, and Roman architecture throughout the years. Like many villas or homes of the rich and powerful, Torlonia passed through many different families, and a visit to the villa is a walk through different eras, from neoclassical architecture to its art nouveau elements.
Equally captivating is the Casino Nobile, the main villa, showcasing opulent rooms that have hosted royalty and dignitaries. The Torlonia family originally built this mansion, which includes beautifully painted ceilings and elaborate furnishings, and now houses the Mesuo della Scuola Romana, full of paintings, drawings, and sculptures.
The Mussolini family eventually rented out the villa, and the family had a gas chamber and air-raid bunker built into the basement of the villa. The Mussolini Bunker provides a strikingly different experience, delving into the villa’s role during Fascist rule.
Perhaps an even bigger contrast than the bunker in the classic mansion is the Casina delle Civette, or the House of the Owls, a charming Swiss-style house.
The home is adorned with whimsical stained glass windows featuring butterflies, birds, and, most famously, owls. Casina delle Civette’s presence among the classic Roman architecture is so strange it’s definitely worth visiting.
4. Eat dinner and listen to jazz on a classic-style tram
Image credit: Tramjazz
Eating dinner and listening to jazz on the Tramjazz in Rome offers a truly unique and enchanting experience that combines the city’s rich cultural heritage with the joy of music and fine dining.
Rome is a city steeped in history and culture, and the Tramjazz offers a chance to immerse yourself in Rome’s history and culture. You’ll ride through the ancient streets of Rome on a fully restored Stanga 1947 in a carriage that is like a classic carriage from the Orient Express.
As you traverse the ancient streets of Rome, you’ll be surrounded by the city’s iconic architecture and landmarks like Piazza di Porta Maggiore, where eight ancient Roman aqueducts converged.
The train goes through San Lorenzo Quarter, Sapienza University, and the neighborhoods of Triste and Salario. You’ll see iconic Roman sites like the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and more.
The Tramjazz provides an unconventional tour of Rome, with rotating jazz musicians and an excellent gourmet meal in the intimate setting of a streetcar.
5. Sunset at Giardini degli Aranci
Translated to “the garden of the oranges,” Giardini degli Aranci is in a tiny park overlooking the Tiber River. This garden sits on top of the Aventine Hill and was part of the Savelli Castle, of which the walls only remain.
This hidden gem offers stunning views of the Eternal City, punctuated by the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica and following the Tiber River.
The garden is a tranquil oasis adorned with rows of fragrant orange trees. What sets Giardino degli Aranci apart is its lush greenery and vibrant blooms and the prominent keyhole view at the Piazza dei Cavalieri di Malta.
Peering through this keyhole presents a breathtaking and perfectly framed view of St. Peter’s Basilica, creating a magical and unexpected perspective.
Unfortunately, this keyhole has become rather popular due to social media, but you can skip the for an even more amazing view of the entire city.
The best part is the park is public property, so entry is free. If you’re interested in a sunset stroll, it is located close to Cireco Maximo and the City’s rose gardens, too.
6. Take a “Walks in Rome” Tour with Rick Steves
You might know Rick Steves from his travel TV show, books, or his stickers on buildings claiming he has visited stores, restaurants, or other locations. But Rick Steves also has a phone application called “Rick Steves: Audio Europe.”
On the app, you can download amazing tours of places throughout Europe. Rome is one of Steves’ favorite places, so he has ten tours and interviews with locals that you can listen to. For larger walking tours, the app includes convenient maps and photos of what you should be looking at, too.
The best part about this app is that everything is free! All you need is headphones and your good walking shoes.
One of the best tours on the app is “The Heart of Rome,” a 72-minute guided walk through some of the oldest parts of Rome, giving you interesting tidbits, important historical context, and plenty of cheesy jokes. There are also shorter tours of places like the Pantheon, the Colosseum, St. Peter’s Basilica, and much more.
With this audio app, you can pause and stop at any point, allowing you to explore popular and off-the-beaten trail locations throughout Rome’s neighborhoods at your own pace.
7. Sunday shopping at Porta Portese market
Named after the arches at the start of the market near the city center, Porta Portese is a Sunday market that twists its way through Trastevere streets.
This vibrant open-air flea market features a treasure trove of eclectic goods like antiques, vintage clothes, and handmade crafts. Home to over 1000 traders, this is Rome’s most popular Sunday market and one of the busiest throughout Italy.
What sets Porta Portese apart is its sheer diversity of items. You can find everything from secondhand books, vinyl records, leather jackets, handmade jewelry, and more. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Roman market without food stands and restaurants, so you can sample a slice of pizza while perusing goods.
This market is a great place to stop if you want souvenirs. Outside of vintage items, you can also find new clothes and kitchen gadgets at much lower prices than what you would buy at official stores, and you can haggle with the shop owners to get reasonable prices.
If you have a Sunday morning free, wandering through the Porta Portese market will give you an authentic glimpse into the daily life of Romans, from young students searching for cheap vintage fashion to older Romans looking to replace their moka pots. You may even find a hidden gem or a bargain for yourself!
Other ideas of unique things to do in Rome
For fashionistas: A private custom shopping tour of Rome’s secret boutiques and chic shops
For foodies: Farmer’s market shopping and meal cooking with a local, including pasta making
For history geeks: Day-trip in style to the lost city of Pompeii
