{"id":23021,"date":"2017-10-27T08:24:56","date_gmt":"2017-10-26T21:24:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/?p=23021"},"modified":"2025-03-25T21:50:42","modified_gmt":"2025-03-25T10:50:42","slug":"rome-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/rome-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"How to get off the beaten path in Rome"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

There\u2019s no doubt about it \u2013 Rome is one of the best cities in the world to be a traveller.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is there any site more iconic than the Colosseum? Any spot more awe-inspiring than St. Peter\u2019s Square? Any view more thrilling than the one from the top of the Spanish Steps?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, like in most of the world\u2019s greatest cities, so many incredible sights equals so many tourists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Pantheon<\/a>
An Intrepid group at the Pantheon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Luckily, it\u2019s easy to experience a more local side of Italy<\/a><\/strong>‘s capital: here are our top tips for how to enjoy the Eternal City away from the crowds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Neighbourhood hotspot 1: Trastevere<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Home to some of the city\u2019s best bars and restaurants and one of its oldest churches, Trastevere is definitely not undiscovered. But this district, which manages to be both the most traditional and the funkiest in Rome, has room for everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Trastevere<\/a>
Charming Trastevere<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

With colourful, crumbling old buildings, cobbled lanes with ivy climbing the walls, it\u2019s quintessential Rome and a photographer\u2019s dream. Browse the tiny shops (look out for one of the best second-hand bookshops in the city), have an aperitivo or just sit at a caf\u00e9 and enjoy the local life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One must-visit is Trattoria Da Enzo, a tucked away restaurant so good that even locals wait up to 90 minutes for a table. Serving Roman classics such as fried artichoke, and boasting incredibly charming sidewalk seating, it’s bound to make for a memorable meal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Trastevere<\/a>
Trattoria Da Enzo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

SUBSCRIBE TO INTREPID’S NEWSLETTER FOR TRAVEL TIPS, COMPETITIONS, GIVEAWAYS & MORE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Neighbourhood hotspot 2: <\/span>Testaccio<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Oozing with the atmosphere of street art and student bars, Testaccio \u2013 just across the river from Trastevere \u2013 is Rome\u2019s coolest, most undiscovered neighbourhood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here you\u2019ll find three of the city\u2019s quirkiest sites: a perfectly-preserved pyramid that\u2019s a century older than the Colosseum; the non-Catholic Cemetery where English poets Percy Shelley and John Keats are buried; and the Centrale Montemartini Museum, where antiquity-era sculptures are displayed in the industrial ambiance of a former power plant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With two of the best food markets in the city (Testaccio Market and the original Eataly), Testaccio is also one of the best places to try authentic Roman cuisine. We’re talking not just pizza and pasta, but real <\/em>Roman treats, like suppli (rice balls with tomato sauce) and tripe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/a>
Cacio e Pepe, a simple but delicious Italian spaghetti dish<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In fact, Testaccio was literally built on the remnants of its foodie past: the hill that serves as its 100-foot high backdrop is composed of the fragments of millions of ancient olive oil containers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SEE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF ITALY ON THIS AMAZING 8-DAY TRIP<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Neighbourhood hotspot 3: Monti<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Would you believe us if we told you that one of Rome\u2019s best-kept secrets is right beside the Colosseum?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Rome<\/a>An artsy neighbourhood full of local restaurants and buzzing bars, independent boutiques, craft fairs and antique markets, quiet streets strewn with ivy and hardly any tourists around? Well, believe us, it exists: it\u2019s called Monti, and you should make a beeline here when you\u2019re finished sightseeing for the day. Look out for Alle Carrette, this writer\u2019s favourite pizzeria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

READ MORE: 7 UNIQUE ITALIAN DISHES TO TRY BY REGION<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finding the best gelato in Rome<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This tip isn\u2019t exactly about how to avoid the tourists, but rather how to avoid the tourist traps because when in Rome, there\u2019s no time to waste on bad gelato.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Part of the fun is finding your own personal favourite, but keep an eye out for gelaterias where you can sample the experimental, seasonal flavours \u2013 like raspberry basil or Sicilian lemon curd \u2013 that make Italian ice cream so exciting. Local favourites such as Fatamorgana, La Romana or Gracchi are always a good choice, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/a>
An Intrepid traveller tucking into authentic gelato<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

There are three simple rules to follow to make sure you\u2019re eating ice cream like a Roman:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. If the colours look too artificial, they probably are. A good litmus test is that the banana flavour should be the colour of a real banana, not bright yellow.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. If you see people lining up outside a gelateria, get in that line immediately.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Whipped cream topping is always free, so when they ask if you want panna<\/em> say \u201csi!\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Tips for visiting the Vatican Museum<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The Vatican Museum is one of the busiest sites in the world and not exactly the first place you go to get away from it all. But it also has the world\u2019s largest concentration of art and will take your breath away at every turn, so it\u2019s crucial to know how to beat the crowds here. (It’s also a must if you have just 24 hours in the city.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"VaticanIf you have time (whether solo or on a group tour<\/strong>), we recommend heading in on your own with a great guidebook and a skip-the-line pass. That way you can see more than just the main sites, spend time in the areas you like best, have a coffee break in the quiet garden and visit the areas where the tour groups never go (including the amazing Pinacoteca where you\u2019ll likely have Caravaggio and Bernini art all to yourself).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Top tip: stick around until later in the afternoon, an hour or so before the museum closes and the groups trickle out. You\u2019ll likely find yourself alone in one of the Raffaele rooms, and it will be the most magical moment of your trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    After a long day of sightseeing, you\u2019ll be ready to head for the hills: luckily Rome was built on seven hills so there are plenty to choose from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The Capitoline and Palatine Hills rise right in the center of town with amazing views over the Roman Forum. Aventine Hill has the quirkiest viewpoint in the city: look through a secret keyhole in the Maltese Embassy for a perfectly framed view of St. Peter\u2019s Basilica.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Our favourite is Janiculum Hill, just above Trastevere. It\u2019s a great place to spread out a picnic, relax in the shade and enjoy the view, and some peace and quiet, over this magnificent city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Inspired to visit this iconic city? Check out Intrepid’s range of small group adventures in Italy.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Like in most of the world\u2019s greatest cities, so many incredible sights equals so many tourists. But this Rome guide will help you beat the crowds.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16003,"featured_media":23031,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[1313],"tags":[1286,46,19,890],"class_list":["post-23021","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-guides","tag-city-guide","tag-europe","tag-italy","tag-rome","ipf_region-italy"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nRome Guide: How to Get Off The Beaten Path | Intrepid Travel Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Like in most of the world\u2019s greatest cities, so many incredible sights equals so many tourists. 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