WHAT TO DO IN ROME?
You're in Rome and have already seen the major bucket list items like the Colosseum, Vatican, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, and Spanish Steps...now what? Or maybe you're just looking for something off the beaten path. We've compiled a list of 10 unique experiences in Rome that you may not have heard about.
1. GALLERIA DORIA PAMPHILJ
Galleria Doria Pamphilj is such a hidden gem. This is so much more than just your average art gallery. Every inch of this place is STUNNING. I was in awe the entire time I was there.
The Gallery is open Mon, Tues, and Thurs from 9am to 7pm with the last entrance at 6pm and on Fri, Sat and Sun from 10am to 8pm with the last entrance at 7pm. It is closed on Wednesday's. Tickets are €16 and I didn't need to buy mine ahead of time.
I walked in at 6:30pm on a Sunday and immediately got a ticket and went off exploring. However, you can purchase tickets for an additional €1 online here.
2. Chiesa di Sant’Ignazio di Loyola
Just a 5 minute walk from Galleria Doria Pamphilj is my favorite church in Rome, Chiesa di Sant'Ignazio di Loyola.
This one has been gaining popularity lately since the church installed a mirror where you can take a mirror selfie for a fee. So you may see a long line at the entrance of the church but if you are like us, and don't want to take a selfie in the mirror, you can just walk right in and wander the church for free.
The ceiling of this church is more impressive than the Sistine Chapel in my opinion. It is a masterpiece that needs to be on everyone's Rome itinerary.
3. Ristorante Pancrazio dal 1922
The placement of Ristorante Pancrazio dal 1922 has quite the past. It sits on the ruins of the Theater of Pompey, which is the place where Julius Caesar was assassinated.
They have outside seating but they also have seating inside down in the caves where the remains of the theater can be seen. We would advise to make a reservation if you want to dine in the caves. However, if you don't get a seat downstairs, you can still walk downstairs are admire the history at any point throughout your meal.
We didn't make a reservation so we dined al fresco and I ordered the burrata ravioli with pistachio cream and stracchiatella which was so delicious. Craig ordered the pasta with ragu and truffle and we capped our meal off with the pistachio cheesecake.
For some reason I didn't take any photos down in the caves when I went off exploring so you'll just have to go there yourself to see the ruins.
4. Baths of Caracalla
The Baths of Caracalla or Terme di Caracalla is so much larger than I thought it would be. This site is essentially an ancient spa. The grounds are quite expansive and they have a garden and fountain out front where you can relax on the provided chairs.
You can buy tickets in advance here for €8 per person; however, you can also buy tickets the day of at the site. I walked up at 11am on a Thursday and there was only a small line of about 3 people in front of me.
Additionally, the site offers free admission every 1st Sunday of the month. The site is closed on Mondays and operates Tues - Sun from 9am to 5:30pm (or longer depending on the season).
5. CANOVA TADOLINI
Canova Tadolini is more than just a cafe/restaurant, it's also a museum where you can have a bite to eat or drink surrounded by statues, literally.
I had never heard of this place but Craig randomly stumbled upon it on a previous trip to Rome and said we had to go back here because it was such a unique place. We stopped in here for a glass of wine and admired the art while sipping our wine.
This place does have a museum attached which you can visit for an extra cost but it was closed when we were there.
6. CAPUCHIN CRYPT AND MUSEUM
Capuchin Crypt and Museum reminded me of the Paris Catacombs with how they bring a sense of beauty to death through the hauntingly beautiful displays of the human bones.
The museum before entering the crypt is relatively small but the crypt makes up for that. It contains the skeletal remains of 3,700 bodies believed to be Capuchin friars. The order insists that the display is not meant to be macabre, but instead, a silent reminder of the swift passage of life on Earth and mortality.
Tickets cost €10 per person and include an audio guide. This is another place where you shouldn't have to buy tickets in advance; however, if you want, you can purchase them online here. It's open every day from 9:30am - 1:30pm (last entrance at 12:30pm) and from 2:30pm - 6:30pm (with the last entrance at 5:30pm).
7. Chiostro del Bramante
Chiostro del Bramante is a beautiful rotating art exhibit with an attached cafe which is equally as beautiful.
Tickets to the exhibit were more than I was anticipating, costing €19 per person but the art work was so immersive and beautiful so I thought it was well worth it.
If you don't want to pay for the exhibit, the cafe is free to enter and is unique and colorfully painted. I'm noticing a theme with the experiences on this list, as this is another one where I didn't have to buy tickets in advance or wait in a line the day of. I walked in and bought my ticket without any line or wait.
You can buy tickets in advance here, if you like.
8. Castel Sant’Angelo
Castel Sant' Angelo is probably the most well known place on this list but I feel like a lot of people overlook this gem.
This is one of my favorite experiences in Rome. It's open Tues - Sun from 9am-7:30pm (last entrance at 6:30pm) and closed on Mondays. Tickets cost €16 per person and can be purchased here in advance.
This is one I recommend purchasing tickets in advance for; however, I believe the line to buy them on-site usually isn't very long. The views from the top are worth the entrance price alone in my opinion. The roof offers unparalleled views of Rome and the Vatican.
This is a MUST SEE in my opinion.
9. Jerry Thomas Speakeasy
Jerry Thomas Speakeasy is Rome's first speakeasy.
It's very unassuming from the outside (as it should be) but once you enter, you are transported to the 1920's. A €5 membership is required to enter (lasts one year), and usually you need to make a reservation pretty far in advance.
However, we didn't make a reservation, and just walked up and were lucky enough to get a seat at the bar. The bartenders here are phenomenal and serve up some of the best cocktails.
Definitely a cool experience in Rome.
10. Terrazza del Pincio
Terrazza del Pincio is a place I accidentally stumbled upon.
I was at Piazza del Popolo waiting to meet up with Craig. I heard music and saw a bunch of people walking up the hillside so naturally, I followed. And what I found amazed me!
There was a free Carl Brave concert going on at the terrazzo and not only that but I was in awe of the sunset view that greeted me once I arrived at the top.
This is definitely a great sunset spot and who knows, maybe you'll even get lucky with a free concert!
BONUS
Domus Aurea is a place I've had on my list but haven't been lucky enough to snag tickets to yet.
This is next to the Colosseum and is only open on Fr, Sat, and Sun from 9:15am - 5pm. Tickets cost €18 for entry or €26 for entry, tour, and virtual reality. You must buy tickets in advance for this here.
What this is, is Nero's palace which was destroyed and buried by his successor. However, that is why it is preserved so well today. They also offer VR to help see what it actually looked like in its heyday.
I am determined to visit here on my next trip to Rome!
Let us know in the comments if you plan on going to any of these places on your next trip to Rome ☺️
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If you would like to see more things to do in Rome, check out our YouTube video ↓
If you got this far, thanks for reading and remember to STAY CLASSLESS 😉
