Rome is one of those places that’s even more magical in person than it is online. Its ancient ruins, delectable cuisine, and irresistible ambiance attract visitors from all over the globe. But that’s where the problems begin. Rome’s immense popularity often translates to bustling crowds and unwanted noise, distracting you from the city’s inherent charm. But it doesn’t have to be this way!
Spend your time exploring the hidden gems in Rome and you’ll get to experience a side of the Eternal City that transcends the typical tourist haunts like the Colosseum and Vatican City. While I certainly don’t advocate skipping the city’s iconic attractions entirely, seeking out a few more unique things to do in Rome provides a refreshing alternative.
To help you make the most of your time in Rome, I’ve rounded up the city’s best-kept secrets and off-the-beaten-path experiences. As an added bonus, I’ve included some insider tips on navigating the crowds at Rome’s most popular sites, too!
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The 9 Best Non-Touristy Things to Do in Rome
1. Have an Amazing Foodie Experience at Mercato Trionfale
Just a short walk away from the Vatican lies one of my favorite non-touristy things to do in Rome. Head along Via Andrea Doria and you’ll soon stumble upon Mercato Trionfale. This remarkable foodie hotspot is home to 200+ stalls that sell fresh vegetables, seasonal fruit, local cheeses, cured meats, and amazing wine.
Lots of stalls offer free samples of their goods and I absolutely recommend you take full advantage! It’s a great place to stop if you’re hungry enough for a snack but not hungry enough for lunch. The prices are superb here, so consider stocking up if you want to avoid eating out.
2. Make a New Furry Friend at the Torre Argentina
Despite being the scene of an incredibly important part of history, Torre Argentina remains one of the many hidden gems in Rome. This ancient site was the spot where Julius Caesar was assassinated more than 2,000 years ago. While it’s a fascinating spot for anyone interested in history, I always recommend it to my friends who love animals.
Torre Argentina is home to hundreds of stray cats who are looked after by local volunteers. These hard-working people make sure the cats are fed, regularly taken to the vet, and neutered to keep the population in check. The cats are incredibly friendly – especially if you take some cat food with you!
3. Walk on the Appian Way
If you love doing activities you genuinely can’t do anywhere else in the world, you need to seek out the Appian Way (Via Appia Antica). This road is one of the oldest and most important in the Roman Empire and is where the phrase “All roads lead to Rome” came from. Although it’s little more than an ancient ruin now, in its heyday, it was a bustling thoroughfare that connected the city to the southern parts of Italy.
When it comes to non-touristy things to do in Rome, a fun activity is to take a walk along this iconic path. Feel the original cobblestones below your feet, admire the dazzling Roman landscape on either side of you, and imagine what it must have been like to live here millennia ago.
4. Take a Break at Cafe Canova Tadolini
When you’re visiting the Spanish Steps, you’ll be just a short walk away from one of my favorite hidden secrets of Rome. Cafe Canova Tadolini is an eclectic place that’s a restaurant, bar, cafe, museum, and artist workshop all at the same time! Located along Via del Babuino, this must-visit place is easily recognizable, thanks to its impressive sculptures that spill out the door onto the street.
Not only is this place excellent for one-of-a-kind photo ops, but it’s also a great spot to relax and reenergize. Despite its prestigious location, the prices are surprisingly reasonable. Beef carpaccio with raspberries is my favorite dish, although it’s only served in summer.
5. Lose Yourself in Monti
If you’re looking for somewhere unique to stretch your legs, I suggest you head for the Monti neighborhood. Tucked in between the Roman Forum and the Colosseum, this extraordinary place is bursting with vintage stores, art galleries, cool boutiques, and artisan craft shops. It’s the perfect place to pick up a meaningful souvenir or special gifts for friends and family back home.
Le Gallinelle is an amazing place to pick up beautiful clothes handmade by the store’s owner. If you’re visiting on a weekend, I also recommend you check out Mercato Monti inside the Grand Hotel Palatino. Here you’ll find all kinds of artists, craftspeople, designers, and innovators selling wonderful things.
6. Take a Breath of Fresh Air in Villa Sciarra
When you need a break from the city, stay away from Villa Borghese and head for Villa Sciarra instead. One of the most beautiful hidden gems in Rome, this stunning park is tucked away in the Trastevere neighborhood and is bursting with secrets to discover. I love walking along the winding paths lined by trees and seeking out new areas I haven’t come across yet.
Explore the entire park and you’ll discover amazing statues, bubbling fountains, and dreamy gazebos. Fontana dei Putti è Biscione is one of the most impressive fountains in the park. It also frequently attracts brightly-colored green and yellow birds, which are fun to watch.
7. Be Inspired to Make Your Own Water Clock
Visiting a water clock is one of the most unique things to do in Rome that I always recommend to people who think they’ve seen everything. There are two water clocks in the city – one in Palazzo Berardi and one at the Terrazza del Pincio in the Villa Borghese Gardens. The second one is my favorite.
This rare type of clock was created in 1867 and promptly won several awards for the creativity and ingenuity that went into making it. It keeps an accurate time by regulating the flow of water into and out of a container within the clock base. It’s an astonishing thing to see!
8. Feel the Spray of the Fontana dell’Acqua Paola
While everyone is crowding around the Trevi Fountain, I suggest you enjoy one of the coolest non-touristy things to do in Rome and check out the Fontana dell’Acqua Paola instead. Set in a peaceful location on Janiculum Hill, this gorgeous fountain was commissioned in 1610 and was designed to transport fresh water from Lake Bracciano to the Roman residents who lived on the hill.
Today the fountain is simply a work of art. It boasts a huge marble mask through which water flows into a large basin at the bottom. And although it has a rather minimalist design, that’s all part of its charm.
9. Feel Like Royalty at the Palazzo Colonna
If you’re planning to be in the city on Saturday morning, make time for another one of the most unique things to do in Rome. The Palazzo Colonna remains a private home for the Colonna family. But every Saturday morning between 9:30 am and 1:30 pm, the family opens the doors of the palace and invites everyone lucky enough to grab a ticket inside to explore.
You can visit the palace on your own with a ticket, but you won’t get to see the most impressive parts. Because of this, I suggest you pay a little extra and sign up for a guided tour. There’s a short itinerary, which includes the gallery, Pio Apartment, and the gardens, as well as a longer itinerary, which adds on the Princess Isabelle Apartment.
5 Tips on How to Avoid the Crowds in Rome
- Visit the Colosseum first thing in the morning before everyone else. Buy tickets well in advance for the first slot – 8:30 am. Avoid the first Sunday of the month when admission is free and the crowds are intense.
- Book your tickets online in advance and visit the Vatican in the evening. The final entry time is 5 pm Monday-Saturday for most of the year. During summer, the final entry time is 6 pm Monday-Saturday. Avoid the last Sunday of each month when entrance is free.
- Embrace early mornings. Get out of your accommodation as early as you can each day. The streets will be emptier than later in the morning and you’ll capture beautiful pictures.
- Travel during shoulder seasons. The quietest months to visit Rome are January, February, and March. You’ll find some great deals for July and August, too, but the heat can be unbearable at this time of year.
- Visit the most popular attractions during the week. This is when most locals are busy working and there will be fewer crowds.
