In need of inspiration?
Once you have visited the Coliseum, the Vatican, St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel, where will you go to get away from the crowds? Because Rome limits car travel in the city, here are a few places to see away from the downtown area. Have you ever heard of the Casino Ludovisi? The locals know this place well. It is a villa dating to the 1620's and the ceiling was painted entirely by the great Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio. What a great piece of Italian history!
Other than St Peter's Basilica, there are many other churches that are worth a visit, such as the Papal Basilica of St. Paul. This absolutely magnificent structure is often free of crowds in spite of its incredible medieval mosaics and arch dating from the 5th century. Tourists also tend to ignore the Baroque-style Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola and the Santa Maria della Pace church, both located near Piazza Navona; however, it is a detour you will not regret.
If you want to unwind, have a picnic at the Giardino Deli Aranci, near Circus Maximus. There, you can watch the breathtaking sunset while enjoying a bird's-eye view of Rome, far from the tourists. If you are a cat lover, don't miss the Torre Argentina Roman Cat Sanctuary, not far from the place Caesar took his last breath. Hundreds of felines roam the site thanks to the attentive care of volunteers.
Who says Rome says fine dining. Enjoy the best gelato at Gelateria Oldbridge, or true Italian pasta at the famous La Carbonnara restaurant, a small family-owned business open since 1906 offering traditional Roman dishes. It's the perfect place to rub shoulders with celebrities trying to go unnoticed. Finally, head to the Trastevere fashion district where you can find a multitude of bars to fully enjoy Rome's nightlife.
A word of advice: As with most touristic cities, it is preferable to visit popular sites on weekdays to avoid the weekend crowds.
Here are a few other nearby places that may interest you:
- Appia Antica
- Protestant cemetery
- Villa Doria Pamphili
- Porta Portese flea market
- Roman Catacombs