15 Unique & Non-Touristy Things to Do in Rome
Rome isn’t just about the Colosseum and Vatican Museums. While the masses queue for selfies at the Trevi Fountain, you can discover a different side of the Eternal City.
These lesser-known spots offer authentic Roman charm without the crushing crowds. Here’s your guide to the road less traveled!
View this post on Instagram
1. Explore the Terme di Caracalla
Forget the packed corridors of the Vatican – the Baths of Caracalla deliver ancient Roman grandeur without the shoulder-to-shoulder shuffling.
These sprawling ruins once accommodated 1,600 bathers simultaneously across 27 acres of opulent bathing halls, libraries, and exercise yards.
The remarkably preserved mosaics depicting athletes and mythical figures will stop you in your tracks.
In summer, the baths transform into a magical open-air opera venue, where world-class performances unfold against 1,800-year-old walls under starlit skies.
2. Climb Belvedere del Gianicolo
The Spanish Steps might have the Instagram fame, but locals know Gianicolo Hill holds Rome’s most breathtaking panorama.
This peaceful perch on Rome’s “eighth hill” rewards visitors with a postcard-worthy vista spanning terracotta rooftops, church domes, and ancient ruins.
Time your visit for noon to witness a quirky Roman tradition – the daily cannon firing that once synchronized watches across the city.
View this post on Instagram
3. Visit Basilica San Clemente
While tourists flock to St. Peter’s, this archaeological site sits quietly just five minutes from the Colosseum.
Descend beneath the 12th-century basilica to discover a perfectly preserved 4th-century church adorned with medieval frescoes.
Go deeper still to the 1st century level where a Mithraic temple and ancient Roman streets await, complete with still-flowing underground springs.
The present basilica dazzles with golden mosaics and a Cosmatesque marble floor that will leave your jaw on the ground.
4. Discover Isola Tiberina
Cross the ancient Ponte Fabricio bridge to this boat-shaped island that feels worlds away from Rome’s urban bustle.
In summer, the riverbanks buzz with pop-up bars and outdoor cinema, while the island itself maintains a village-like tranquility.
Wander past the medieval church of San Bartolomeo, built on the ruins of an ancient temple to Aesculapius, god of medicine.
Grab a gelato and find a spot along the water’s edge where locals lounge on summer evenings.
View this post on Instagram
5. Tour Castel Sant’Angelo
The Vatican crowds thin dramatically just across the river at this cylindrical fortress.
What began as Emperor Hadrian’s mausoleum in 139 AD evolved into a papal stronghold, prison, and refuge connected to the Vatican by a secret elevated passageway.
Wind your way up the spiral ramp to discover lavishly decorated papal apartments with frescoed ceilings and Renaissance furnishings.
The rooftop terrace delivers knockout views across Rome, which are particularly magical at sunset.
6. Explore the Jewish Quarter
Wander through Rome’s Jewish Quarter, a tiny neighborhood bursting with archaeological treasures and culinary delights.
The magnificent Great Synagogue dominates the skyline with its distinctive square aluminum dome, while the Jewish Museum beneath houses centuries of artifacts telling the 22-century story of Rome’s Jewish community.
Don’t miss the enchanting Turtle Fountain with its bronze figures, or Piazza delle Cinque Scole, the perfect spot to people-watch while sampling Jewish-Roman delicacies like artichokes alla giudia.
View this post on Instagram
7. Stroll Through Giardino degli Aranci
Escape the city’s chaos at the Orange Garden, a verdant oasis perched atop the Aventine Hill.
This 7,800-square-meter park, designed in 1932 by Raffaele De Vico, offers Rome’s most breathtaking panorama without tourist crowds.
Follow the central avenue lined with fragrant bitter orange trees, supposedly first planted by Saint Dominic himself.
The garden’s crowning glory is its terrace viewpoint, where St. Peter’s dome appears perfectly framed by pine trees.
8. Take an E-Bike Tour to the Catacombs
Trade Rome’s bustling center for the scenic countryside on an electric bike along the ancient Appian Way.
The tour’s highlight is exploring the fascinating Catacombs of Saint Callixtus, Rome’s underground burial chambers.
The e-bikes make the journey accessible to all fitness levels, while small group sizes ensure personalized attention from your knowledgeable guide.
View this post on Instagram
9. Visit the Basilica of Santa Sabina
Perched atop the Aventine Hill, this 5th-century basilica stands as Rome’s finest example of early Christian architecture.
Built between 422-432 AD by Peter of Illyria, it occupies the site where Roman matron Sabina was martyred under Emperor Hadrian.
The basilica’s crowning jewel is its entrance portal – the oldest carved wooden door in Christian art, dating from 432 AD.
Eighteen exquisitely preserved cedar panels depict biblical scenes with remarkable sensitivity and expressive energy, offering a rare glimpse into early Christian artistry.
10. See the Pyramid of Caius Cestius
Rising 37 meters from a busy Roman intersection, this striking white marble pyramid stops first-time visitors in their tracks.
Built between 18-12 BC as the tomb of wealthy magistrate Caius Cestius, it stands as Rome’s only surviving example of Egyptian-inspired architecture.
For the best view, slip into the adjacent Protestant Cemetery where you can admire the pyramid among peaceful greenery rather than traffic.
View this post on Instagram
11. Tour Teatro Marcello
Skip the Colosseum crowds and beeline for Teatro Marcello, Rome’s original amphitheater that predates its famous cousin.
Commissioned by Julius Caesar and completed by Emperor Augustus in 13 BC, this architectural marvel once hosted theatrical performances for 20,000 spectators.
The theater’s elegant Doric and Ionic columns directly inspired the Colosseum’s design, making it the architectural grandfather of Rome’s most famous monument.
12. Relax in Park Caffarella
Ditch the tourist-packed Villa Borghese for this sprawling green oasis just minutes from the city center.
This vast natural park stretches across 190 hectares of pristine Roman countryside, offering a breath of fresh air from urban chaos.
Follow winding paths past ancient ruins, bubbling springs, and open meadows where locals picnic on weekends.
The park houses fascinating archaeological treasures including the Nymphaeum of Egeria, the Tomb of Servili, and even the Palace-Villa of Emperor Maxentius.
View this post on Instagram
13. Visit Casa Romane del Celio
Descend beneath the Basilica of Saints John and Paul for a mind-blowing journey through Rome’s archaeological layers.
This underground treasure reveals luxurious Roman homes dating from the 2nd to 4th centuries, offering a rare glimpse into domestic life during the Empire.
The remarkably preserved frescoes will stop you in your tracks – vibrant scenes of myths, nature, and daily Roman life pop from walls painted nearly two millennia ago.
14. Marvel at Galleria Sciarra
Duck through an unassuming doorway near the Trevi Fountain to discover this hidden Art Nouveau masterpiece.
Built between 1885-1888 by architect Giulio de Angelis, this stunning covered courtyard was originally intended as a shopping arcade for Prince Mafio Barberini-Colonna di Sciarra.
Look up to be dazzled by Giuseppe Cellini’s spectacular frescoes celebrating women in all their virtuous forms – these elegant ladies were a heartfelt tribute to Carolina Colonna Sciarra, the prince’s mother.
Despite its beauty, the galleria ultimately failed as a commercial venture, contributing to the prince’s financial ruin.
View this post on Instagram
15. Visit the Feral Feline Torre Argentina
Ancient ruins meet adorable rescue cats at this unique sanctuary in the heart of Rome.
The archaeological site where Julius Caesar met his famous end in 44 BCE now houses over 130 feline residents who lounge regally atop fallen columns and ancient temple foundations.
The ruins include four Roman Republic temples and the remains of Pompey’s Theater, but the real stars are the cats who’ve claimed this historic site as their domain.
Visit the sanctuary to meet the cats, browse handmade souvenirs, or even adopt one as the ultimate Roman souvenir.
