I’ve been to Rome a lot. 7 times at least. So I’ve had the opportunity to see much of the eternal city and it is one of my favourite places ever! Here are some of my favourite things to do in Rome as a tourist:
[ctt template=”7″ link=”aT3WF” via=”yes” ]”When in Rome, do as the Romans do” -Ambrose Bierce[/ctt]
Riding a segway around Castel St Angelo
I don’t know what could be better than riding a segway around a cylindrical tower that was once a mausoleum, then a fortress and castle, and now a museum. The Castel is one of my favourite buildings in rome – I never get sick of seeing it!
On one of my trips to Rome, whilst walking past the Castel, a man asked if my friend and I would like to ride a segway. Naturally the response was “Hell Yeah we do!” and with that (and a quick payment of 10 Euros), we were racing around the moat of the Castel, making selfie videos, doing a bit of shopping at the market stalls nearby and generally having a ton of laughs.
I know it looks a bit dorky to be doing, but let your inner child run free and hop on a segway!
Being Silenced in the Sistine Chapel
SILEEEEENCIO! SILENCE PLEASE! This is what you hear constantly whilst within the Sistine Chapel. I’m pretty sure the constant noise from the people telling you to be quiet kind of defeats the purpose of the order. But in any case, being told to be quiet within the Sistine Chapel has always brought me such joy. For one, it means you’ve made it inside the Sistine Chapel!
It was painted by Michaelangelo between 1508 and 1512 – in just 4 years! My favourite parts to gaze at (I have been inside th Sistine chapel 4 times) are the scene of God giving life to Adam, and also the large scene on the back wall depicting the rise to heaven or fall to hell.
Don’t even think about getting your camera out – the camera police will stop you. Though as long as you are not using flash, I personally don’t see the problem!
Having a cocktail in a Piazza
Does it get more Italian than this? It is surely a sin to go to Rome and not stop to enjoy life by resting those weary tourist feet and sipping on something delicious!
It is also the law to serve some kind of food to patrons who purchase alcohol so while you sip on your aperol spritz, you’ll also get a light snack – now that’s a win.
Some great piazzas for people watching are Piazza Campo de Fiori and Piazza Navona.
Gazing at Rome atop of the Vittorio Emmanuel Monument
I’ve written about this place in another post here, but in short, the view from the top is pretty bloody good! It costs 6 Euros to ride the elevator behind the monument to the top. The line can sometimes be long but it moves pretty quickly.
Viewing St Peter’s Basilica from the Keyhole to Rome
This has got to be one of the coolest destinations in Rome. My cab driver called it “The BEST hole in Rome!” And he wasn’t wrong.
If you can find the keyhole (just get a cab driver to take you!), your reward when you look through it is a unobstructed view of the dome of St Peters Basilica like none other.
Again, the line can look long depending on the time of day and the season that you visit – but it is well worth it! Make sure you don’t feel the pressure of the people behind you in the line to rush through your ‘turn’.
All roads lead to Rome, so get on that road and enjoy this fun vibrant and historic city!
Experiencing the Trevi Fountain when the tourists are in bed
The Trevi Fountain is a hot pocket of tourist action, ALL DAY. You cannot view the fountain in all its beauty without hundreds of people getting in the way.
Your chance of an unobstructed view? Midnight, or even later! I think I encountered around 10 people by the fountain after midnight. As such a big fountain and area, 10 people might as well be none – cos it was ours!
Having an Iced Coffee at Caffe Tazza d’Oro
Right by the Pantheon is this historic cafe which will more than likely be crowded with locals and tourists alike. It was both times I’ve been here.
Why should you go? The famous frozen iced coffee, the staff, the aroma. I love this place. Oh, and they even have a coffee vending machine which featured an actual coffee making pot – wild!
Find out more yummy Italian food and drink in this post!
Chocolate Shots in Trastevere
There is a wonderful little bar down a cobbled Trastevere street called Rivendita Libri Cioccalata e Vino, where you can take shots of liqueur from shot glasses made of chocolate! The staff are so joyful and enjoy having a laugh with clientèle, while they instruct you to “take your 69 from behind!”
All of the chocolate liqueur shots have sexual names, for example Orgasm, Quickie, G Spot, One Night Stand. You then must place the chocolate shot into your mouth ‘chocolate first, liqueur second’ to avoid embarrassing squirts of liqueur back out of your mouth, and onto the staff.
It’s a LOT of fun, and the more chocolate shots you have, the more of them you’ll want! A definite favourite place of my time in Rome.
Have you got a favourite thing to do when in Rome?
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Australian expat, married to a Dutch guy, living in Amsterdam. Previously lived in London for 3 years, too! Lover of travel, coffee, brunch, beaches, fresh flowers, and family. Now a new mum, navigating life with a baby!
