Things to Do in Rome: 11 Real Tips from Travelers Who Loved It

I never knew I would enjoy Rome as much as I did.

It was one of those beautiful locations where you get a bit desensitized to how amazing it really is since you see it throughout the years. You’re used to seeing images of the Vatican City, the Colosseum, and Trevi Fountain. It looks beautiful, but so do all of the other famous European cities.

And then you finally visited and realized that it completely blew your expectations out of the water.

So if you’re thinking about booking tickets to Italy, or you already have, then here’s my list of things to do in Rome. These are activities that I’ve personally done, and incredible sounding ideas I’ve gathered from others who have visited.

I wanted real ideas from real people. I didn’t want to just create another list telling you to head over to the Spanish steps. Nothing wrong with the Spanish Steps the way! But that’s probably something that’s already on your list, and in a 100 other articles talking about the best things to do in Rome.

And with that said, here are some ideas on what to do in Rome based off of my personal experience and other people’s amazing trips.

Breakfast in the Vatican

For our first morning there, my husband had booked tickets to have breakfast in one of the main spaces in the Vatican City.

It was so nice to wake up, skip the long lines, and head into a large courtyard to enjoy a hot breakfast and hot drinks. Also, it’s such a relaxing way to start your first day in Rome.

And once you’re done, you can either wander the grounds or walk through the Vatican’s art galleries (which is what we did). Just make sure to book tickets for that part as well!

Take Time to Get Lost & Explore

A lot of people on Reddit talked about walking the streets of Rome and exploring, and I couldn’t agree more. While it is nice to have some structured tours on your first trip to Rome, it is nice to just walk the cobblestone streets and find pretty cafes and ancient Roman monuments.

Here’s what others are saying and suggesting:

“leave time open for simply getting lost. Our unplanned time just poking into churches, stores, gelaterias, and places to grab wine, salumi, and cheeses in the riones were the true highlights. Be prepared to walk a lot (this is a plus not a minus).”
– Unknown Reddit User

“Better still, buy a good guide book, look at stuff online and save your money. Don’t buy a guided tour and explore yourself, far more fun and chances are more accurate than the drivel some of these tour guides spout. Walk through the back streets and you will be surprised at how much stuff you will find that isn’t “touristy” but still awesome.

I’ve been to Rome 11 times since 2007 and done it this way myself every time and I will do it this way every time I visit in future.”
– IcemanBrutus

Visit Largo di Argentina

“My suggestion for a site that is not often mentioned on travel sites is Largo di Argentina which has the ruins of various temples where Julius Caesar was assasinated, it was a part of the theatre of Pompey and most importantly its a modern day cat sanctuary, you could visit cats in their clinic during business hours and you’ll see them lounging on a pillar in the sun at most other times.”
– reluctantmugglewrite

I honestly don’t know how this wasn’t on my list of things to see in Rome the last time I visited!

Head Over to Trastevere

“This neighborhood is one of Rome’s hidden gems. It has narrow, cobblestone streets and is perfect for a more laid-back, romantic evening.”
– Kwainsi

“Piazza di Santa Maria in Trastevere also has lots of cute boutiques and artisan shops. For restaurants, try Augustarello for authentic Roman cuisine, or Ai Balestrari for amazing pizza. Definitely hit up Giolitti for the best gelato in the city.”
– flightingale65

“I’d suggest wandering the charming streets, popping into local cafes, and visiting the Santa Maria in Trastevere church.
– flightingale65

“An evening strolling and eating in Trastevere.”
– RomeVacationTips

“One of my favorite places is the Villa Farnesina, in Trastevere. Breathtaking Raphael paintings!”
– crystallyn

Looks like this needs to be on my list of what to see in Rome the next time I visit!

Enjoy Lunch at Baccano (Right by the Trevi Fountain)

If you’re already going to be seeing Trevi fountain, then you might as well have a good place picked out for lunch of dinner. And that place should be Buccano. We’ve been to Rome twice and we’ve always had a good experience there.

It was never overcrowded, the food was good, and the service was great! Also, it’s a nice way to escape the crowds and relax with some good, authentic Italian food.

Explore The Area Around Testaccio

“Visit the Testaccio neighbourhood, have a meal in one the many good restaurants there, see what’s on in the mattatoio (former slaughterhouse, a big late nineteenth century complex, hosting art exhibitions and events and other things; visit (or just look at from outside) the Piramide Cestia, walk past Ostiense and check out the many cool bars and eateries and the street art there, eat or buy food at Eataly; maybe see the Gazometro (former gasometer, now sometimes hosting art exhibitions or installation).”
– mbrevitas

“For shopping, head to the Mercato di Testaccio, a bustling local market with clothes, produce, and street food.”
– flightingale65

While this might not be listed as one of the top sites in Rome on a lot of travel sites, it does sound like a great way to make your trip to this city more memorable! In fact, I’ll probably be doing it the next time I go!

Saint Paul’s Within the Walls Church Performances

This is probably at the top (or near the top) of my favorite things to do in Rome.

Side Note: Sorry for the bad photo! They didn’t allow photos to be taken so I had to covert and take one on the down-low. 🤷‍♀️

My husband had bought tickets to listen to classical pieces being performed in this incredibly atmospheric 145 year old church. So if you want to sit in a dream-like space and listen to beautiful music, then it’s definitely something you’ll wanna consider.

Pro Travel Tip: There’s a really good gelato shop 1 minute walk away called Verde Pistacchio. I highly recommend making a stop after the performance!

Guided Bike Tour

“an e-bike ride on the ancient Via Appia with a guided tour is beyond. You also will ride through regular Rome streets to get there. The tour will be at least 4 hours. Ironically today very wealthy people live along the Appia and every now and then you can catch a glimpse of their villas.”
– Night-Thunder

Take Your Time and Enjoy the Art in the Vatican Museum

I can not emphasize this enough: take time to just take it all in.

So many people rush through it all to get to Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel paintings, but I promise you that you don’t want to do that. You will eventually get to that space, but first take the time to take in the centuries old architecture and art pieces. It’s incredible and an amazing way to spend your time in Rome.

You really do feel like you’re walking through a movie set, and it’s an amazing representation of the layers of history in Rome.

Santa Prassede

“Go see the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. When you’re done, exit, head fwd right, enter Santa Prassede. It’s a hidden gem. Now you know what a pilgrim from the Middle Ages saw when they went before the year 1000.”
– lambdavi

This is just another great example of going out and exploring more!

Capitoline Hill

“I have always thought the best single spot for taking in Rome is the Capitoline Hill. The piazza and facades are beautiful (designed by Michelangelo) and the star in the center is the point from which all distances to Rome are measured. And go around either side of it (I think going around to the right is more interesting and usually less touristy) and you can see the first 1500 years of Roman history laid out in front of you: the Roman Forum, the Palatine Hill, the Colosseum in the distance. Find an article or a map that tells you the context for what you’re looking at — almost everything you’ll see has its own unique tale to tell.”
– EJLRoma