Things to do in Rome - Online Guide
Holidays in Rome - more in this category > Short Breaks > Sightseeing > Things to do > Tourist Info > ToursThings to see and do in Rome - live like a local
Irresistibly alluring in its antiquity, Rome attracts millions of tourists every year, making it Europe's third most visited city behind London and Paris. However, its popularity also means long queues to visit Rome's finest; if you're looking for things to do in Rome, head away from the beaten track and sign on to live the life of a local.
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One of the most common things to do in Rome is to pay a visit to the open food market. Good Italian food is prepared from simple ingredients that are extraordinarily fresh; many times the ingredients for that night's dinner are bought only hours earlier. Visit the daily market in the Campo de' Fiori for the best in fruit and vegetables; the square is ringed with bakers and butchers so browse the fresh prosciutto, mozzarella and friutti del mare (seafood).
If you're looking for some 'insider' things to do in Rome, try viewing the city from the Pincio, strolling through the Roseto Communale and peeking through a keyhole.
For the best view of the city, take a tip from the Romans and head up to the Pincio in Villa Borghese. To escape the tourists, follow Viale Trinita dei Monti, a small, steep road that leads up from Piazza del Popolo. From the Pincio, all of Rome spreads before you. If you prefer to dine with a view, the famed restaurant La Pergola at the Rome Cavalieri Hilton offers a superb panoramic view of the city dominated by the dome of St Peter's Basilica.
Stroll through the city's public rose garden known as the Roseto Comunale. Located on the slopes of the Aventino above Circo Massimo, the Roseto was a Jewish cemetery for centuries; today it is filled with thousands of roses that let locals enjoy the quieter side of Rome. The garden is accessible from May to August; take Metro Linea B to the Circo Massimo stop to get there. Open everyday, it costs €5 to enter the Roseto after 7 PM.
As long as you're near Circo Massimo, follow Via di Santa Sabina from the Roseto to the Piazza dei Cavalieri di Malta. A gate bars entry to what is the Priory of the Knights of Malta; peek through the ornate keyhole for a peaceful Roman view of the Vatican.
One of the most typical Italian things to do in Rome is to break, often, for coffee. Italians pride themselves on their espresso, caffé Americano and cappuccino. For a truly Roman experience, order caffé corretto (coffee laced with grappa/brandy). Stay away from the tourist-swamped areas around the Vatican and instead head for where the locals sip on the side streets off Piazza Navona and Campo de' Fiori.
Romans don't start thinking about dinner until 8 PM at the earliest; instead, they head to an enoteca, or wine bar, to enjoy a glass of rich Chianti or sweet Frascati. Most enoteca offer small snacks such as cheese, olives and sliced salami so you can whet your appetite while planning dinner. For inexpensive meals, head to trattorias rather than full restaurants; the Trastevere and Testaccio areas are wonderful for great meals at good prices. Avoid the terrible, overpriced restaurants around the Stazione Termini at all costs.
Rome Breaks
