Your personal guide to experiencing Rome like a true local. Discover our handpicked tips to make your trip unique.
Museums & Galleries
GNAM – National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art
Housed in a grand neoclassical building near Villa Borghese, GNAM holds Italy’s largest collection of modern and contemporary art (19th century to present). Features works by Italian masters like Canova, Modigliani, Balla, De Chirico, as well as international artists.
MAXXI – National Museum of 21st Century Arts
Located in the Flaminio district, MAXXI is Italy’s national museum dedicated to contemporary creativity. Designed by renowned architect Zaha Hadid, the building itself is a stunning piece of modern architecture worth seeing. It hosts exhibitions of 21st-century art, architecture, design, and photography.
Centrale Montemartini
A fascinating museum belonging to the Capitoline Museums system, located in the Ostiense district. It offers a unique juxtaposition of classical Roman sculptures displayed amongst the preserved industrial machinery of a former thermoelectric power plant. A striking blend of archaeology and industrial architecture.
Borghese Gallery and Museum
Housed in the beautiful Villa Borghese Pinciana, this gallery contains masterpieces by Bernini (like Apollo and Daphne, David), Canova (Pauline Bonaparte), Caravaggio, Raphael, and Titian. The collection is displayed in its original setting, making the visit incredibly immersive. The surrounding Villa Borghese park is also worth exploring.
Cafes & Bars
Magazzino Scipioni
Enjoy excellent dining at this simple, modern wine bar. Discover high-quality wines with great-value, pick-your-own three-glass tastings from an ever-changing list.
Casadante
A cafe/bistrot located in Piazza Dante (Esquilino district). Likely offers a cozy, perhaps home-like (‘casa’) atmosphere for coffee, pastries, lunch, or aperitivo. Situated on a large piazza.
Caffè Letterario
Located in the Ostiense district, often within a larger library/cultural center complex, Caffè Letterario serves as both a cafe/bar and a space for events. Hosts book presentations, readings, live music, and discussions in a relaxed atmosphere popular with students and locals. Check their schedule for events.
Parks & Viewpoints
Villa Mazzanti (Monte Mario Access)
This public park on Monte Mario serves as a primary access point to reach the top of Rome’s highest hill. While the villa itself may not be visitable, the park provides pathways leading to the ‘Zodiaco’ viewpoint, offering stunning panoramic vistas across Rome, including St. Peter’s Basilica.
Ozio Restaurant
Located in the Prati district, Ozio Restaurant is known for having a rooftop terrace offering pleasant views. Likely serves modern Italian or Mediterranean cuisine, suitable for dinner or possibly an aperitivo with a view.
Parco degli Acquedotti (Aqueduct Park)
Part of the larger Appian Way Regional Park (Parco Regionale dell’Appia Antica), this vast park is characterized by the impressive ruins of ancient Roman aqueducts stretching across the landscape, including the Aqua Felix and Aqua Claudia. Ideal for long walks, cycling, photography, and escaping the city.
Villa Doria Pamphili Park
Rome’s largest landscaped public park. Perfect for walking, jogging, cycling (bike rentals available), picnics, or just relaxing away from the city bustle. It features gardens, fountains, ancient ruins, and the elegant Casino del Bel Respiro (usually not open inside). Also home to Vivi Bistrot for organic food and drinks.
Brunch Spots
Il Desiderio Preso per la Coda
A cozy bistrot/restaurant tucked away in the historic center near Via Giulia. Often recommended for its creative brunch options, but also serves lunch and dinner. May focus on organic or locally sourced ingredients. Intimate atmosphere.
Necci dal 1924
A historic spot in the heart of the trendy Pigneto neighborhood, famous for being a haunt of filmmaker Pier Paolo Pasolini. Opened in 1924, it retains a retro charm combined with modern touches. Features a lovely outdoor garden/patio. Serves food all day, from breakfast and coffee to lunch, aperitivo, and dinner, often featuring revisited traditional dishes.
Coromandel
A charming and cozy spot near Piazza Navona, famous for its international-style brunch. Offers delicious pancakes, French toast, eggs Benedict, bagels, and more in a vintage-chic atmosphere. Also great for lunch or an afternoon tea break.
Eggs
Located in Trastevere, Eggs is a modern bistrot specializing in creative dishes centered around eggs. They are particularly famous for their various takes on Carbonara, including versions with truffle or their signature ‘Strappazzo di Carbonara’ (scrambled Carbonara). A great spot for brunch or a unique pasta experience.
Restaurants
Magazzino Scipioni
Enjoy excellent dining at this simple, modern wine bar. Discover high-quality wines with great-value, pick-your-own three-glass tastings from an ever-changing list.
Casadante
A cafe/bistrot located in Piazza Dante (Esquilino district). Likely offers a cozy, perhaps home-like (‘casa’) atmosphere for coffee, pastries, lunch, or aperitivo. Situated on a large piazza.
Casetta Rossa
Located in Garbatella, Casetta Rossa is a community-focused social space (‘spazio sociale’) often hosting cultural events and workshops. It includes a simple, popular osteria offering traditional Roman dishes at fair prices, usually with outdoor seating. Very informal atmosphere.
Il Desiderio Preso per la Coda
A cozy bistrot/restaurant tucked away in the historic center near Via Giulia. Often recommended for its creative brunch options, but also serves lunch and dinner. May focus on organic or locally sourced ingredients. Intimate atmosphere.
Gianfornaio
A high-quality bakery (‘forno’) with multiple locations across Rome. Offers a wide selection of breads, pastries (like cornetti for breakfast), cakes, and excellent ‘pizza al taglio’ with various toppings, perfect for a quick and tasty lunch or snack.
Ozio Restaurant
Located in the Prati district, Ozio Restaurant is known for having a rooftop terrace offering pleasant views. Likely serves modern Italian or Mediterranean cuisine, suitable for dinner or possibly an aperitivo with a view.
Pizzerias
Gianfornaio
A high-quality bakery (‘forno’) with multiple locations across Rome. Offers a wide selection of breads, pastries (like cornetti for breakfast), cakes, and excellent ‘pizza al taglio’ with various toppings, perfect for a quick and tasty lunch or snack.
Antico Forno Roscioli
Located in the Flaminio district, MAXXI is Italy’s national museum dedicated to contemporary creativity. Designed by renowned architect Zaha Hadid, the building itself is a stunning piece of modern architecture worth seeing. It hosts exhibitions of 21st-century art, architecture, design, and photography.
Bonci Pizzarium
Often called the “Michelangelo of Pizza,” Gabriele Bonci’s Pizzarium near the Vatican is a must-visit for ‘pizza al taglio’ (pizza by the slice, sold by weight). Expect creative, high-quality toppings that change frequently, served on a distinctive airy crust. It can get very crowded, but it’s worth the wait.
Gelato / Ice Cream
Gelateria dei Gracchi
One of Rome’s most celebrated artisanal gelaterias, with multiple locations (the original is in Prati). Known for using high-quality, natural ingredients and mastering classic flavours like Pistachio, Hazelnut, and Chocolate. Also offers excellent seasonal fruit sorbets.
Il Gelato di San Crispino
A renowned artisanal gelateria near the Trevi Fountain, considered one of Rome’s classics. Focuses on pure, high-quality, seasonal flavours with no artificial additives. Famously serves only in cups (no cones) to maintain flavour integrity. Try their namesake honey ‘San Crispino’ flavour.
Main Attractions
Biblioteca Casanatense (Casanatense Library)
Another magnificent historic public library located near the Pantheon (adjacent to Santa Maria sopra Minerva church). Founded in the early 18th century, it holds important collections and features beautiful historic reading rooms. As with Biblioteca Angelica, it’s primarily for research; check visitor access policies on their official website.
Biblioteca Storica (Biblioteca Angelica)
Located near Piazza Navona, this is one of Europe’s oldest public libraries, opened in 1604. It boasts a stunning historic reading room with antique wooden shelves and a vast collection of manuscripts and books. Primarily a research library; visitor access to the main hall might be restricted or require permission – check official website for visiting rules.
Via Giulia
An elegant and remarkably straight street in the historic center, running parallel to the Tiber river. Commissioned by Pope Julius II and designed by Bramante in the early 16th century, it’s lined with Renaissance palaces, antique shops, art galleries, and quiet courtyards. Look for the Farnese Arch, part of Michelangelo’s unfinished bridge project. Ideal for an atmospheric walk.
Parco degli Acquedotti (Aqueduct Park)
Part of the larger Appian Way Regional Park (Parco Regionale dell’Appia Antica), this vast park is characterized by the impressive ruins of ancient Roman aqueducts stretching across the landscape, including the Aqua Felix and Aqua Claudia. Ideal for long walks, cycling, photography, and escaping the city.
Borghese Gallery and Museum
Housed in the beautiful Villa Borghese Pinciana, this gallery contains masterpieces by Bernini (like Apollo and Daphne, David), Canova (Pauline Bonaparte), Caravaggio, Raphael, and Titian. The collection is displayed in its original setting, making the visit incredibly immersive. The surrounding Villa Borghese park is also worth exploring.
Bookshops
Libri Necessari
An independent bookstore in Trastevere specializing in second-hand and used books (‘libri d’occasione’). A great place for treasure hunting among shelves packed with finds across various genres. Perfect for Browse.
Il Seme Bookstore
An independent bookstore located in the Prati district. Often described by locals as having a well-curated selection, perhaps focusing on quality literature, essays, or specific genres. A good place to browse for a non-mainstream read.
Tuba Bookstore & Bar
Located in the lively Pigneto neighborhood, Tuba is more than just a bookshop. It’s a feminist and LGBTQ+ friendly space, focusing on gender studies, narrative, comics, and children’s literature. They also host events, readings, and have a bar area for coffee or aperitivo.
Festivals
Romaeuropa Festival (REF)
A major annual international arts festival held in Rome, typically during the autumn months (September-November). Features a diverse program of contemporary theatre, dance, music, digital arts, and circus performances from around the world, hosted in various venues across the city (e.g., Auditorium Parco della Musica, Mattatoio).
Cinemas
Nuovo Cinema Aquila
Located in the heart of the vibrant Pigneto neighborhood, Nuovo Cinema Aquila focuses on independent, art-house, and quality mainstream films. Frequently screens movies in their original language (V.O. – Versione Originale). Check their schedule for current screenings.
Cinema Azzurro Scipioni
A historic art-house cinema (‘Cinema d’Essai’) in the Prati district, managed by filmmaker Silvano Agosti. Known for its unique and often retrospective programming, featuring classic films, auteur cinema, and Agosti’s own works in an intimate setting.
Cinema Nuovo Olimpia
Located centrally on Via in Lucina (off Via del Corso), Nuovo Olimpia is well-known for primarily screening films in their original language with Italian subtitles (V.O.S.). A great option for seeing current international releases without dubbing.
Cinema Nuovo Sacher
Filmmaker Nanni Moretti’s iconic cinema located in Trastevere. It’s known for its high-quality programming, focusing on auteur cinema, independent films, and often showing movies in their original language (look for ‘V.O.’ – versione originale). Features an outdoor arena (‘arena estiva’) during the summer months.
Theaters
Teatro India
A large, contemporary theatre space located in the Ostiense/Marconi area, part of the Teatro di Roma foundation. Housed in a former factory complex near the Gazometro, it focuses on contemporary and experimental theatre, dance, performance art, workshops, and artist residencies.
Romaeuropa Festival (REF)
A major annual international arts festival held in Rome, typically during the autumn months (September-November). Features a diverse program of contemporary theatre, dance, music, digital arts, and circus performances from around the world, hosted in various venues across the city (e.g., Auditorium Parco della Musica, Mattatoio).
Teatro Stanze Segrete
An intimate and experimental theatre space located in Trastevere, often housed in a basement or cellar-like venue (‘stanze segrete’ means secret rooms). Known for its ‘off-circuit’ productions, contemporary dramaturgy, and creating a close connection between performers and the audience. Check their schedule for current shows.
Teatro Ambra Jovinelli
A historic theatre in the Esquilino neighborhood, near Termini station. Today it’s primarily known for hosting popular contemporary Italian plays, especially comedies, often featuring well-known Italian actors and stand-up comedians. Check their official website for the current season’s schedule and tickets.
Music Venues & Clubs
Caffè Letterario
Located in the Ostiense district, often within a larger library/cultural center complex, Caffè Letterario serves as both a cafe/bar and a space for events. Hosts book presentations, readings, live music, and discussions in a relaxed atmosphere popular with students and locals. Check their schedule for events.
Romaeuropa Festival (REF)
A major annual international arts festival held in Rome, typically during the autumn months (September-November). Features a diverse program of contemporary theatre, dance, music, digital arts, and circus performances from around the world, hosted in various venues across the city (e.g., Auditorium Parco della Musica, Mattatoio).
CSOA Forte Prenestino
Located in the Centocelle district, this is a large historic fort transformed into a CSOA (Self-managed Occupied Social Center). It’s a major hub for Rome’s underground and alternative culture, hosting concerts (punk, reggae, electronic, etc.), festivals (like Crack! Fumetti Dirompenti), markets, workshops, and political events. Check their website/social media for the specific event calendar.
Lanificio 159
A former wool mill in the Pietralata area (more peripheral) transformed into a dynamic multi-purpose cultural venue. It hosts a diverse range of events including concerts (indie, electronic), DJ sets, markets, and exhibitions. Often features a restaurant/bar area and a terrace overlooking the Aniene river. Check their website or social media for the current event schedule.
Gregory’s Jazz Club
An intimate and renowned jazz club located near the Spanish Steps, often considered one of the best in Rome. It regularly hosts talented Italian and international jazz musicians. There’s also a whisky bar and restaurant upstairs. Check their official schedule and book tickets in advance.
Beautiful Streets
Via della Lungara
A long street running alongside the Tiber River in Trastevere, connecting Ponte Sisto towards the Vatican/Borgo district. It passes notable sites like Villa Farnesina (with Raphael’s frescoes) and Palazzo Corsini (National Gallery of Ancient Art). Offers access points to climb the Janiculum Hill (Gianicolo) and is generally quieter than central Trastevere.
Via del Governo Vecchio
A charming, bustling street running parallel to Corso Vittorio Emanuele II near Piazza Navona. It’s famous for its many vintage clothing stores, quirky independent boutiques, used bookshops, artisan shops, and inviting bars and restaurants. Perfect for Browse, shopping, and soaking up the atmosphere.
Via Giulia
An elegant and remarkably straight street in the historic center, running parallel to the Tiber river. Commissioned by Pope Julius II and designed by Bramante in the early 16th century, it’s lined with Renaissance palaces, antique shops, art galleries, and quiet courtyards. Look for the Farnese Arch, part of Michelangelo’s unfinished bridge project. Ideal for an atmospheric walk.
Via Margutta
quiet, charming street near Piazza di Spagna, historically known as the artists’ street. It’s famous for its ivy-covered buildings, art galleries, artisan shops, and antique stores. Perfect for a peaceful stroll away from the crowds. Featured in the movie “Roman Holiday”.
We carefully selected each spot, hoping you enjoy your Roman journey
Gianluca Cozzolino
Hospitality Curator | The Italian Stay Collection
