Rome is one of those cities I keep coming back to—three times now, and each time I’ve stayed for weeks, not days.
With so much layered history and charm, it’s easy to get swept up in the main sights. But I always make it a point to slow down and seek out non-touristy things to do in Rome.
I wanted to experience the city more like a local than a visitor. So, I’m sharing the places, moments, and small discoveries that often go unnoticed but offer a deeper connection to Rome—beyond the postcard version.
No matter how many days you are spending in Rome, I recommend you try and sneak a few of these into your itinerary, especially if this is a repeat visit.
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Hidden Neighbourhoods to Wander
One of my favourite ways to experience Rome is to get out of the historical center and explore the quieter, local neighbourhoods—the ones where you see locals going about their every day life.
If you’re someone who enjoys walking without a plan and noticing the small things—like laundry strung across balconies or kids playing soccer in a piazza—these neighbourhoods are worth your time.
Testaccio
This is Rome’s old working-class district, and you can feel its roots in the food. It’s known for cucina romana—with many of the best restaurants locals love can be found like Taverna Volpetti.
Testaccio feels lived-in. The main market, Mercato Testaccio, is a must-stop for grabbing a fresh panino or sampling Roman street food like supplì.
Walk around Monte dei Cocci, an ancient hill made entirely of broken amphorae from Roman times. There’s also a strong local pride here, especially on match days when AS Roma flags hang from windows.
Quartiere Coppedè
This tiny district is one of Rome’s quirkiest architectural pockets. It’s not even officially a neighbourhood, more like a whimsical cluster of buildings tucked between Parioli and Trieste. Designed by architect Gino Coppedè in the early 20th century, the style is a mix of Art Nouveau, Baroque, and a dash of fantasy.
You’ll see chandeliers hanging over streets, frog fountains, and fairy-tale towers. It’s a great spot for photos or simply to marvel at how weird and wonderful Rome can be.
Monteverde Vecchio
This residential area sits on a hill above Trastevere and is rarely visited by travellers. It’s quiet, leafy, and elegant—ideal if you like long walks and good views. Warning, if walking to reach it you have to climb hundreds of stairs to reach it.
One of my favourite places here is Villa Doria Pamphili, the largest landscaped park in Rome. It’s perfect for a stroll or sitting on a bench under the umbrella pines with a gelato. The surrounding streets are lined with grand villas and quiet cafés. It feels like the kind of place you could actually live in.
Under-the-Radar Museums
Rome is full of museums, but many travellers stick to the big names like the Vatican Museums and the Capitoline. Don’t get me wrong—they’re incredible. But on my longer visits, I’ve found that the smaller, lesser-known museums offer something the big ones often can’t: quiet.
Space to think. Time to linger in front of a painting without someone elbowing you for a photo. If you want to explore Rome’s artistic soul beyond the crowds, these are the places I’d return to again.
Museo di Roma in Trastevere
Tucked into a quiet piazza, this museum shows the daily life of Romans through paintings, photos, and folk traditions. I found it especially moving because it highlights the ordinary—family rituals, festivals, and neighbourhoods now lost to time.
I recommend you grab lunch nearby at one of the restaurants in Trastevere.
Museo delle Mura
This place feels like a secret. It’s housed inside Porta San Sebastiano, one of the best-preserved gates of the Aurelian Walls. You can actually walk along the ancient walls and get a rare perspective of the city. It’s usually empty, and I had the surreal experience of walking the corridor in total silence, imagining how it once guarded the city.
I recommend you combine this with a walk or bike ride along the Appian Way, one of the most famous streets in Rome.
Galleria Doria Pamphilj
If you love art but hate crowds, this privately owned palace is a fine arts dream. The collection includes works by Caravaggio, Velázquez, and Titian, displayed in lavish rooms with creaky floors and golden mirrors. You walk through halls that still feel lived-in, like time paused sometime in the 18th century. It’s opulent without being overwhelming.
I recommend you use the audio guide as it’s narrated by a member of the Pamphilj family and adds personal stories that bring the place to life.
Casino Massimo Lancellotti (Villa Giustiniani Massimo)
This one really feels like a hidden gem—so much so, you’ll need to book in advance to visit. The Casino Massimo Lancellotti is a small, fresco-filled villa located near the Lateran. Inside are stunning early 17th-century frescoes by the Nazarene artists, inspired by Dante and Ariosto.
I was recommended to visit here by my server at a nearby restaurant (Trattoria Da Danilo), only to find out that visits are by appointment only through the Italian cultural heritage office (MiC), and this requires planning a few weeks.
Museo Barracco
This tiny museum is entirely free and located just steps from Piazza Navona, yet most people walk right past it. It houses a small but lovely collection of ancient sculpture—from Egypt, Greece, and Mesopotamia. It’s a great quick stop if you’re in the area and want a little slice of the ancient world without the usual chaos.
I recommend this as a perfect 30-minute visit when you’re already nearby and need a breather from the crowds.
Villa Torlonia & Casina delle Civette
This villa was once Mussolini’s residence (a strange historical detail), but the real reason to visit is Casina delle Civette—the House of Owls. It’s a whimsical little building filled with stained glass, decorated tiles, and unexpected artistic touches.
The surrounding gardens are quiet, especially on weekdays. I recommend you combine this when you visit Quartiere Coppedè.
Lesser-Known Landmarks and Cultural Sites
These cultural and historical sites might not be on every tour itinerary, but they are likely to be far less crowded.
Aventine Keyhole & Orange Garden
I still remember peeking through the keyhole of the Knights of Malta on the Aventine Hill. Perfectly framed in that tiny circle is the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, far off in the distance.
Just a short walk away is the Orange Garden, a peaceful park with sweeping views over Rome’s rooftops. At sunset, it’s golden and often crowded.
Basilica di San Pietro in Vincoli
This modest-looking church hides one of Michelangelo’s most powerful sculptures—Moses, carved with such detail and emotion that it’s unforgettable. The church is usually calm, and I had the luxury of sitting there alone for nearly twenty minutes. It’s also home to the chains believed to have held Saint Peter.
Jewish Ghetto
The Jewish Quarter is one of my favourite areas in Rome—quiet streets, layered history, and amazing food (try the fried artichokes). The Portico of Octavia sits right in the middle, blending ancient ruins into everyday life. History isn’t cordoned off here—it’s alive, lived in, and deeply moving.
A fascinating structure often mistaken for a mini-Colosseum is Teatro di Marcello which continues to host concerts today.
Pyramid of Cestius & Non-Catholic Cemetery
Yes, Rome has a pyramid. And it’s not just a quirky Roman copy of an Egyptian style—it’s a real tomb from the 1st century BC. It’s important to note that the pyramid is rarely open.
Right next to it is the Non-Catholic Cemetery, a surprisingly peaceful spot where poets Keats and Shelley are buried. I would add these two non-touristy places in Rome if you were to explore the Testaccio neighbourhood.
St. Clement Basilica
This multi-layered site is easy to miss and unforgettable once discovered. From a 12th-century basilica, you descend into a 4th-century church and then further into a 1st-century Roman house and temple. The air shifts, the sound quiets, and each layer takes you deeper into Rome’s spiritual and architectural evolution.
Cat Sanctuary at Largo di Torre Argentina
Among ancient temples is a sanctuary for stray cats, lounging atop columns and sunbathing on fallen stones. The contrast of Julius Caesar’s assassination site turned feline refuge, is uniquely Roman.
Lateranense Palace (Palazzo Laterano)
Overshadowed by the adjacent Basilica of St. John Lateran, this palace was once the Pope’s main residence. The frescoes, sweeping staircases, and Hall of Mirrors are unexpectedly grand. If you like history tied to place, this quiet corner will fascinate you.
I recommend you wander to the nearby Viale Carlo Felice, a garden featuring an ancient Roman wall and aqueduct.
Baths of Caracalla
Massive and majestic, these ancient baths are far less crowded than the Colosseum but just as awe-inspiring.
Walking among the towering ruins, I imagined what this place must have felt like in its prime—a communal hub for relaxation, fitness, and social life. Today, it’s often blissfully empty and perfect for a slow wander.
Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini & the Capuchin Crypt
This isn’t your typical church visit. Beneath Santa Maria della Concezione lies a small but unforgettable crypt where the bones of over 3,700 Capuchin monks have been arranged into intricate, macabre displays—chandeliers, altars, and arches, all made from human remains.
It’s eerie, yes. There’s a small museum before the crypt that provides context and history—it’s worth taking your time before descending. If you’ve seen catacombs in Paris or Evora, I don’t recommend you visit these too unless you really enjoy seeing them.
Local Experiences and Markets
One of the best ways I’ve found to feel the real rhythm of Rome is by stepping into the everyday—where Romans shop, stroll, or meet friends.
Janiculum Hill – Piazzale Garibaldi
It’s not technically one of Rome’s famous seven hills, but Janiculum (Gianicolo) is my go-to when I want a sweeping view with a local crowd. From Piazzale Garibaldi, you get a panoramic overlook of the city’s domes and rooftops—especially stunning at golden hour. There’s also a daily cannon firing at noon, a tradition that’s oddly charming and very Roman.
Pair your visit with a walk through the nearby Fontana dell’Acqua Paola or the shady paths of Villa Doria Pamphili.
Vatican Gardens
Hidden behind the walls of Vatican City, the Vatican Gardens feel a world away from the busy crowds of St. Peter’s Square. These beautifully landscaped gardens are peaceful, spacious, and surprisingly varied—with Italian, English, and French styles, ancient fountains, grottoes, and sculptures scattered throughout.
Access is limited and only available via a guided tour, which keeps the experience unique and a real hidden gem. The tour includes skip-the-line entry to the museums afterward.
Porta Portese Flea Market
On Sunday mornings, Trastevere transforms as hundreds of stalls take over the streets for the Porta Portese flea market. It’s chaotic, colourful, and a total treasure hunt. You’ll find everything from vintage clothes and vinyl records to everyday household items and oddball antiques.
I love the energy here, Italian being shouted, locals bargaining with the vendors. I recommend you go early (before 10am) to beat the rush and bring small bills—many vendors don’t take cards.
Trionfale Market (Mercato Trionfale)
If you want to shop like a Roman, skip Campo de’ Fiori and head to Trionfale, just north of the Vatican. It’s a covered market packed with fresh produce, cheese counters, butchers, fishmongers, and more.
I’ve wandered here for hours sampling pecorino, asking for tips on olive oil, and watching locals greet their favourite vendors by name.
Final Thoughts
Exploring the non touristy things to do in Rome is always a fun way to explore this highly visited city. If you’re craving a slower, more authentic Roman adventure, these spots are a perfect place to start.
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