The main activities in Rome not to be missed
Rome, the Eternal City, is an open-air museum that enchants visitors from around the world with its millennial historical heritage, sublime art, and extraordinary culinary tradition. To fully enjoy the Roman experience, it’s essential to plan your visit including both unmissable attractions and the most authentic experiences, like a true Roman.
The historic heart of the city houses some of the world’s most iconic monuments to include in your Roman activities during your trip. The Colosseum, the eternal symbol of Rome’s greatness, deserves a thorough visit, preferably in the early morning hours to avoid crowds. In the immediate vicinity, the Imperial Forums tell the story of ancient Rome through majestic ruins that still take your breath away today. The Palatine Hill, with its gardens and remains of imperial palaces, offers a unique perspective on the city’s history.
Moving towards the center, Piazza Navona enchants with its baroque fountains and lively atmosphere, Campo de’ Fiori offers authentic emotions of Popular Rome, while the Pantheon, with its perfect dome, remains one of the best-preserved ancient monuments in the world. The Trevi Fountain, especially at sunset, offers magical moments, and according to tradition, throwing a coin ensures your return to the Eternal City.
We suggest you participate, for example, in our food tour of Rome’s center, discovering food and wine excellences in restaurants and food shops that are chosen every day by true Romans.
Vatican City deserves at least a full day. The Vatican Museums, with the Sistine Chapel, represent one of the most important museum complexes in the world. St. Peter’s Basilica, with its imposing dome designed by Michelangelo, offers a breathtaking view of the city for those who have the courage to climb its 551 steps. If you’re in Rome for the Jubilee, for example, you can visit Christianity’s most important Basilicas and learn their secrets. Starting from the Vatican and Castel Sant’Angelo, you’ll also discover the Passetto di Borgo and other locations from Dan Brown’s famous novel: Angels and Demons. Insideat accompanies you with its tour to the places mentioned and described in the book and in Ron Howard’s film. Book it now!
Activities in Rome between excellent food and signature wine
Regarding gastronomy, Rome offers an unforgettable culinary experience. Roman cuisine is based on simple but high-quality ingredients, transformed into iconic dishes. Authentic carbonara, prepared with guanciale (cured pork cheek), eggs, pecorino romano, and black pepper, is an absolute must. Amatriciana, gricia, and cacio e pepe complete the quartet of traditional Roman pasta dishes. For main courses, you shouldn’t miss the Roman-style tripe, saltimbocca, and Roman-style lamb.
Lunch breaks can be an opportunity to taste Roman street food: supplì, a rice croquette with a mozzarella heart, is perfect as a snack, while pizza al taglio, especially the white one with mortadella, is a timeless classic. For a quick lunch, a sandwich with Ariccia’s porchetta is an excellent choice. To finish, try a real artisanal Italian gelato or an excellent tiramisu.
Regarding drinks, wine from Castelli Romani is the ideal accompaniment for meals, but there are also many other Lazio wines worth careful tasting, from Bellone to Nero Buono from the hills south of Rome. During aperitivo, Aperol Spritz or Campari Spritz are very popular.
What to do in Trastevere, Prati, and Testaccio
During day and night, the neighborhoods of Trastevere and Testaccio offer a unique atmosphere with their characteristic alleys, traditional restaurants, and lively bars. Here you can experience the true Roman dolce vita, socializing with locals and enjoying artisanal gelato to end the day. The entire historic center offers thousands of alleys, squares, pubs, and restaurants to visit. Insideat offers you a very tasty idea: booking and participating in the best Food tour of Trastevere. With Insideat’s guides, you can immerse yourself in the neighborhood’s alleys and discover aromas, stories, and curiosities.
To discover a more authentic and genuine Roman life, we recommend visiting the Testaccio district. Insideat offers you a gastronomic tour of Testaccio to discover the hidden culinary treasures in this picturesque neighborhood. Exploring the neighborhood with Insideat, you can try local street food like supplì, as well as samples of local cured meats and cheeses, pasta with typical sauces, a local dessert, and much more. Our guide will accompany you to discover the Pyramid of Cestius and the Testaccio Market where real Romans shop and eat at lunchtime. Step out of the classic tourist routes, experience a true local experience with Insideat. Book the Testaccio food tour now for an unforgettable experience with Insideat!
In Prati, near the Vatican, you’ll also find excellent high-level restaurants and pizzerias. For an authentic experience, it’s advisable to avoid overly touristy restaurants and instead follow locals to neighborhood trattorias, where prices are more reasonable and often the quality of cuisine is superior. Right in the Prati neighborhood, just a few steps from the Vatican, Insideat has its location where it conducts its cooking classes most appreciated by travelers from around the world. For your Roman vacation, we recommend one of these fantastic experiences. For example, you can:
- participate in the best pizza lesson in Rome with the 1-hour pizza class;
- learn to make fresh pasta with Insideat’s 1-hour pasta class;
- learn to make real traditional Italian gelato with your own hands, prepared with genuine ingredients;
- learn to make tiramisu, either combined with a complete lesson of fettuccine and ravioli, or with just fettuccine.
We at Insideat recommend seeking out these more hidden venues in various neighborhoods because that’s where real Romans eat and spend their evenings. Reservations are often necessary at more renowned establishments, especially on weekends.
Finally, remember that Rome shouldn’t be visited in a hurry. Take time to get lost in the alleys, have a coffee break in a historic bar, and enjoy the relaxed rhythm of Roman life. Only then can you truly appreciate all that this wonderful city has to offer.
