10 Things to Do Off the Beaten Track in Rome
Interesting Places in Rome Only Locals Know
There are many things to do off the beaten track in Rome, Italy’s great capital and the heart of Christianity. The city is the cradle of an empire that left a lasting impression on the history and culture of the western world. But behind the postcard views and the more touristy facades of the city, Rome hides a quirky, unusual character, full of fun, secrets, originality, and mystery.
From art to industry, Rome is filled with wonders and surprises. These elements come together to form the Eternal City’s unparalleled atmosphere, constantly suspended between past and present, history and legend. Read on to learn more about the city’s quirky scenes and the fun ways to see Rome like a local.
1. Quartiere Coppedè
Peculiar architecture in this eclectic district
Good for: Photo, Budget, Unusual
Quartiere Coppede is a district between Salaria and Nomentana, where you’re bound to stumble upon imaginative architecture. Named after the architect behind its buildings, the region is a place where Art Deco fuses with Gothic, Baroque, and Classical elements. Head to the Palazzo del Ragno (the Spider Palace) with its Assyrian and Babylonian-inspired shapes, or the asymmetrical Villino delle Fate (House of Fairies).
The whole neighborhood has an enchanting and mysterious atmosphere, and it’s no coincidence that Dario Argento shot some of his notable movie scenes here. Start with Fontana delle Rane (Fountain of the Frogs) in Piazza Mincio. Music lovers will recognize it as the spot where the Beatles took a dip after their concert at the Piper Club.
Location: Piazza Mincio, 00100 Roma RM, Italy
Quartiere Coppedè
2. Chiesa Nuova di Santa Maria in Vallicella
Home to a miraculous fresco revealed by a hidden mechanism
Good for: History, Budget, Unusual
Stroll over to Chiesa Nuova di Santa Maria in Vallicella to find one of the most ingenious artworks in Rome. Look for an altarpiece created by Rubens in the oval in the middle, behind the church’s main altar. A mechanical system allows it to go up and down, revealing or hiding what’s behind.
The artwork is a fresco of Mary, which is especially dear to Christians. In the 1600s the image started to deteriorate, so they protected it with an altarpiece. The mechanism allows the fresco to be temporarily shown to worshippers. If you attend evening mass on Saturday or Sunday, you can see this brilliant artwork and the mechanism operated by the parish priest.
Location: Via della Chiesa Nuova, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
Open: Monday–Saturday from 7.30 am to noon and 5 pm to 7.30 pm, Sunday 9 am to noon and 5 pm to 8 pm
Chiesa Nuova di Santa Maria in Vallicella
3. Chiesa di Sant’ Ignazio di Loyola
An optical illusion created by a monk-artist
Good for: History, Photo, Unusual
The Church of St. Ignatius is home to a fascinating false dome. It’s a normal ceiling that looks like a magnificent dome thanks to an extraordinary optical illusion. The talented artist behind the illusion was Jesuit monk Andrea Pozzo, who specialized in trompe-l’oeil, a technique used to create such illusory spaces.
Construction of the church began in the 17th century. They ran out of money for the dome during construction, but that didn’t mean they were short of innovation. The artist-monk painted the ceiling to make the building appear higher, with protruding columns and arches. To see the effect at its best, go to the central nave and look for the golden circle showing you where to stand.
Location: Piazza S. Ignazio, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
Open: Daily from 9 am to 11.30 pm
Phone: +39 06 679 4406
Chiesa di Sant' Ignazio di Loyola
4. Villa Farnesina
Inspiring frescoes by Raphael
Good for: History, Photo
Villa Farnesina is a must-see for art lovers as it’s home to lesser-known masterpiece frescoes created by Raphael. The remarkable renaissance villa beside the River Tiber, near the Ponte Sisto bridge, was built in the early 16th century by wealthy banker Agostino Chigi. Raphael began work there by painting frescoes on part of the Loggia di Galatea.
Some years later, the owner commissioned him to decorate the first floor gallery to impress guests during his wedding celebration. This time the maestro didn’t compose isolated scenes, but a cycle of paintings. To fit the occasion, the subject was determined to be Cupid and Psyche. Raphael painted all the characters, but other artists from his studio helped finish the frescoes.
Location: Via della Lungara, 230, 00165 Roma RM, Italy
Open: Monday–Saturday from 9 am to 2 pm (closed on Sundays)
Phone: +39 06 6802 7268
Villa Farnesina
5. Santa Cecilia in Trastevere
A lost masterpiece by Pietro Cavallini
Good for: History, Photo, Unusual
Santa Cecilia is home to a long-lost masterpiece. Mention The Last Judgement, and you’d easily think of Michelangelo’s artwork at the Sistine Chapel. Until the last century, it was thought to be the only one. Then, while renovating the choir stalls in Santa Cecilia, workers discovered a masterpiece that had been lost for centuries. It was known as the Giudizio Universale, or The Last Judgment, created by Pietro Cavallini (Giotto’s tutor).
The fresco dates to the end of the 13th century, three centuries before the Sistine Chapel. It demonstrates an unprecedented degree of knowledge, artistry, and innovation. It’s also appreciated for the sculptural qualities and expressive faces. Visit the choir to see it, which is open weekdays at specified times.
Location: Piazza di Santa Cecilia, 22, 00153 Roma RM, Italy
Open: Daily from 10 am to 12.30 pm and 4 pm to 6.30 pm
Phone: +39 06 4549 2739
Santa Cecilia in Trastevere
6. Museo e Cripta dei Cappuccini (Capuchin Crypt)
A 500-year-old chapel of bones
Good for: History, Photo, Unusual
The Capuchin Crypt, at the Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini, contains the bones of hundreds of monks. Not many would’ve thought that a stone’s throw from the glamorous Via Veneto region there would be such an obscure spot in stark contrast to its surroundings.
Descend to the crypt under the nave, which leads to a 40-metre-long corridor overlooked by 5 chapels. What’s astonishing is how the bones are arranged: skulls, femurs, and phalanges form a decorative mosaic behind tunicked skeletons. Each room is named after its bones, such as the Cappella delle Tibie, or Chapel of Shinbones. There’s even one filled with pelvises. Find the message of hope in the last chapel, dedicated to the Resurrection.
Location: Via Vittorio Veneto, 27, 00187 Roma RM, Italy
Open: Daily from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm and 2.30 pm to 5.30 pm
Phone: +39 06 8880 3695
Museo e Cripta dei Cappuccini (Capuchin Crypt)
7. Centrale Montemartini
An industrial site converted into a museum
Good for: History, Photo
Centrale Montemartini is a must-see if you’re into art and history. But the place itself had an unlikely history. Musei Capitolini houses archeological treasures (both ancient and modern) that are displayed inside the industrial spaces of a former power station. When the museum’s headquarters needed renovating, they had to find a way to keep the displays visible. Part of the exhibit was temporarily moved to the Centrale Montemartini.
For a sight of stark contrasts, see the brilliant second exhibition area of machines, valves, and pressure gauges that provide a backdrop for ancient busts and sculpted marble. To reach the museum, catch a bus from Via Ostiense or a take a short walk from Garbatella station. Read more
Location: Via Ostiense, 106, 00154 Roma RM, Italy
Open: Tuesday–Sunday from 9 am to 7 pm (closed on Mondays)
Centrale Montemartini
8. Flaminio
A Notting Hill-like neighborhood in Rome
Good for: Photo, Budget, Unusual
Flaminio is home to a well-known road in Rome that’s anything but Roman since the houses, gardens, and entranceways are perfectly English. This road is Via Celentano, nicknamed Piccola Londra, or Little London, thanks to its British touches in the heart of the Eternal City. This road in Flaminio has large buildings obscuring the walkway, so you might easily miss it.
Away from the madness of the city, it feels like a miniature reproduction of Notting Hill. The brains behind this gem were mayor Ernesto Nathan and architect Quadrio Pirani. They dreamed of a modern, cosmopolitan city that measured up to the great European capitals, giving rise to this original experiment. From then on, Flaminio embraced its English styling.
Location: Via Bernardo Celentano, 00196 Rome, Italy
Flaminio
9. Musei di Villa Torlonia
Magnificent Liberty architecture
Good for: History, Photo
Among the good reasons to visit Villa Torlonia, and the Casina delle Civette (House of Owls) are their architecture and unique interiors. What used to be a rustic building with shapes inspired by a swiss lodge, was transformed into a splendid example of Art Nouveau after a set of additions and alterations. Secondly, the furniture, etchings, statues, plaster work, and majolica are sights to behold.
The masterfully crafted windows create a fairy-tale atmosphere. You’ll notice a recurring theme of owls, hence the house’s name. The cottage was built by Prince Alessandro Torlonia as a leisure spot, but his nephew Giovanni is credited for its current aesthetic. Given his love for esoteric symbolism, almost every decoration features owls.
Location: Via Nomentana, 70, 00161 Roma RM, Italy
Open: Tuesday–Sunday from 9 am to 7 pm (closed on Mondays)
Musei di Villa Torlonia
10. Passeggiata del Gelsomino (Jasmine Walk)
A charming promenade near the Vatican
Good for: Budget, Photo, Unusual
Take the Passeggiata del Gelsomino (Jasmine Walk) to see Michelangelo’s iconic dome from an unusual perspective and snap some great photos. Head to San Pietro station and turn right once inside. Continue along platform 1 then enter the Passeggiata del Gelsomino.
This half-mile walk leads to a staircase along the Vatican walls, the Rampa Aurelia. The walk follows the tracks of an old railroad connection between the Vatican City and wider Italy. Once a notable route used by the Pope, it became obsolete with the emergence of new modes of transportation. The platform was therefore decommissioned and turned into a footpath. Look left and you’ll see functioning freight rails, while the right opens to a gorgeous view of the Basilica.
Location: Piazzale Gregorio VII, 00165 Roma RM, Italy
Open: Daily from 7 am to 8 pm
Passeggiata del Gelsomino (Jasmine Walk)
This article includes opinions of the Go Guides editorial team. Hotels.com compensates authors for their writing appearing on this site; such compensation may include travel and other costs.