Six places to escape the crowds in Rome
From the Colosseum to the Vatican, Rome's best-known sites attract throngs of sightseers, particularly in the high season. Here are six of the Eternal City's best hidden attractions to escape the tourist crush.
The National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia
Perhaps because of its location - just north of Piazza del Popolo and Villa Borghese park, a little outside the city centre - or its subject matter (the pre-Roman Etruscan civilisation), Villa Giulia is one of the Italian capital's most overlooked attractions.
That's a shame, because many who do pay the museum a visit consider it a highlight of their Rome trip, combining a stroll through a Renaissance villa and grounds with the opportunity to check out one of the world's largest collections of Etruscan artifacts.
READ ALSO: TRAVEL: Nine tips for making the most of a Rome city break
On some days the museum gets so few visitors that some report feeling like the only people there, and numbers tend to be low even on free museum Sundays - perfect for getting a break from the crowds on a busy day.
Villa Giulia, Roma pic.twitter.com/TlNYHO8YNB
— Senay Soydemir (@SenayS10) May 28, 2021
The Non-Catholic Cemetery
Often referred to simply (and incorrectly) as the 'Protestant Cemetery', Rome's non-Catholic Cemetery on the edge of the Testaccio neighbourhood is a verdant haven away from the city's chaos.
Amongst its graves are those of the English poets Keats ('Here lies one whose name was writ in water') and Shelley, as well as the Marxist philosopher Antonio Gramsci and Inspector Montalbano author Andrea Camilleri.
READ ALSO: Eight things you can do in Rome for free
Entrance is free, though visitors are asked to make a small donation of a few euros for the graveyard's upkeep.
Across the street from the non-Catholic cemetery is the Rome war cemetery, which commemorates the soldiers who died liberating Rome during World War II; another peaceful oasis for rest and contemplation.
The non-Catholic cemetery in Rome. One of my favourite places. pic.twitter.com/r5y5yUoCXL
— Ida Östenberg (@IdaOstenberg) July 20, 2015
Santa Cecilia in Trastevere
Its gated entrance and position at the other end of a large courtyard behind an imposing building are probably what keep tourists away from the Basilica of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere; from the outside, you wouldn't necessarily know this was a space open to the public.
Those who do venture within will find a 9th century church containing a statue of the brutally martyred Saint Cecilia, a Roman aristocrat who in the 3rd century was locked up for three days in a steaming caldarium and then (unsuccessfully) beheaded for trying to convert members of her family to Christianity.
READ ALSO: Six essential apps that make life in Rome easier for foreign residents
For a small donation, visitors can descend underground to view the real attraction: the 2,000-year-old Roman ruins and mosaics beneath the church that made up part of the saint's house, as well as a spectacular crypt built in 1899 to house her tomb and those of her husband and brother, as well as two popes.
My all time favourites is Domus Aurea. But the crypt under Santa Cecilia in Trastevere blew my mind. It was so unexpected and beautiful that I almost cried. Actually, I did. Nobody saw me as I was there alone. When in Rome, go there! It is #TRLT pic.twitter.com/927OSPDu7G
— Heli Pekkarinen (@kukkulalta) February 12, 2019
The Baths of Caracalla
Not far from the Colosseum and Circo Massimo chariot racetrack, the Terme di Caracalla is one of ancient Rome's largest public bath complexes, and one of the most intact today.
As well as being off the beaten track, its vast size means any visitors are naturally spread out throughout the grounds. The only time you'll find a crowd here is on summer evenings, when ballets, music concerts and operas are staged amongst the ruins.
If you get the chance, make sure to rent the VR goggles from the ticket office that reveal how the baths would have looked in their original splendour.
It may be pretty chilly today by Rome standards (-2c last night) but just look at that sky! Baths of Caracalla, sculptures are Giuseppe Penone’s “Ideas of Stone” exhibition, which I love. pic.twitter.com/NLmfiLXOw3
— Agnes Crawford (@understandrome) February 8, 2023
The Gardens of Saint Alessio
Visitors to Rome flock to the 'Parco Savallo' orange gardens on the Aventine hill for their romantic terrace with impressive views over the city and St. Peter's basilica and the opportunity for a sunset photoshoot.
But the Giardini di Sant'Alessio, less than a hundred metres up the road, is where locals go. This little park also has orange trees and a nice view, but is far more peaceful - plus you're allowed on the grass.
READ ALSO: Five ways to have the perfect romantic weekend in Rome
If you're in the area, stop by the Sant'Anselmo Benedictine Abbey complex, where on Sunday evenings you can attend an evensong service and hear Gregorian chants sung by the monks who live there.
The #Garden next to the Basilica of Saints Bonifacio and Alessio, on the #Aventine Hill, is a true oasis of peace. Here you can contemplate #Rome and its beauties, from the Tiber to the Janiculum, to the Dome of St. Peter.
👉 https://t.co/MJzOi7UEvs
📷 Turismo Roma#VisitRome pic.twitter.com/OLycW6Pwuf
— Turismo Roma (@Turismoromaweb) September 21, 2021
Rome's Botanical Gardens
Situated at the foot of the Gianicolo ('Janiculum') hill in the Trastevere neighbourhood, Rome's botanical gardens offer an oasis of calm in one of the city's most crowded districts.
The plants themselves may not be anything spectacular and the grounds may be a little run-down, but if you want a quiet stroll to clear your head or a pause on a bench surrounded by palm trees, it'll only set you back a few euros.
#meravigliaitalia
Orto botanico, Roma pic.twitter.com/k7C1Qo5vjE
— Silvia☀️ (@Silvia71848838) April 23, 2023
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See Also
The National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia
Perhaps because of its location - just north of Piazza del Popolo and Villa Borghese park, a little outside the city centre - or its subject matter (the pre-Roman Etruscan civilisation), Villa Giulia is one of the Italian capital's most overlooked attractions.
That's a shame, because many who do pay the museum a visit consider it a highlight of their Rome trip, combining a stroll through a Renaissance villa and grounds with the opportunity to check out one of the world's largest collections of Etruscan artifacts.
READ ALSO: TRAVEL: Nine tips for making the most of a Rome city break
On some days the museum gets so few visitors that some report feeling like the only people there, and numbers tend to be low even on free museum Sundays - perfect for getting a break from the crowds on a busy day.
Villa Giulia, Roma pic.twitter.com/TlNYHO8YNB
— Senay Soydemir (@SenayS10) May 28, 2021
The Non-Catholic Cemetery
Often referred to simply (and incorrectly) as the 'Protestant Cemetery', Rome's non-Catholic Cemetery on the edge of the Testaccio neighbourhood is a verdant haven away from the city's chaos.
Amongst its graves are those of the English poets Keats ('Here lies one whose name was writ in water') and Shelley, as well as the Marxist philosopher Antonio Gramsci and Inspector Montalbano author Andrea Camilleri.
READ ALSO: Eight things you can do in Rome for free
Entrance is free, though visitors are asked to make a small donation of a few euros for the graveyard's upkeep.
Across the street from the non-Catholic cemetery is the Rome war cemetery, which commemorates the soldiers who died liberating Rome during World War II; another peaceful oasis for rest and contemplation.
The non-Catholic cemetery in Rome. One of my favourite places. pic.twitter.com/r5y5yUoCXL
— Ida Östenberg (@IdaOstenberg) July 20, 2015
Santa Cecilia in Trastevere
Its gated entrance and position at the other end of a large courtyard behind an imposing building are probably what keep tourists away from the Basilica of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere; from the outside, you wouldn't necessarily know this was a space open to the public.
Those who do venture within will find a 9th century church containing a statue of the brutally martyred Saint Cecilia, a Roman aristocrat who in the 3rd century was locked up for three days in a steaming caldarium and then (unsuccessfully) beheaded for trying to convert members of her family to Christianity.
READ ALSO: Six essential apps that make life in Rome easier for foreign residents
For a small donation, visitors can descend underground to view the real attraction: the 2,000-year-old Roman ruins and mosaics beneath the church that made up part of the saint's house, as well as a spectacular crypt built in 1899 to house her tomb and those of her husband and brother, as well as two popes.
My all time favourites is Domus Aurea. But the crypt under Santa Cecilia in Trastevere blew my mind. It was so unexpected and beautiful that I almost cried. Actually, I did. Nobody saw me as I was there alone. When in Rome, go there! It is #TRLT pic.twitter.com/927OSPDu7G
— Heli Pekkarinen (@kukkulalta) February 12, 2019
The Baths of Caracalla
Not far from the Colosseum and Circo Massimo chariot racetrack, the Terme di Caracalla is one of ancient Rome's largest public bath complexes, and one of the most intact today.
As well as being off the beaten track, its vast size means any visitors are naturally spread out throughout the grounds. The only time you'll find a crowd here is on summer evenings, when ballets, music concerts and operas are staged amongst the ruins.
If you get the chance, make sure to rent the VR goggles from the ticket office that reveal how the baths would have looked in their original splendour.
It may be pretty chilly today by Rome standards (-2c last night) but just look at that sky! Baths of Caracalla, sculptures are Giuseppe Penone’s “Ideas of Stone” exhibition, which I love. pic.twitter.com/NLmfiLXOw3
— Agnes Crawford (@understandrome) February 8, 2023
The Gardens of Saint Alessio
Visitors to Rome flock to the 'Parco Savallo' orange gardens on the Aventine hill for their romantic terrace with impressive views over the city and St. Peter's basilica and the opportunity for a sunset photoshoot.
But the Giardini di Sant'Alessio, less than a hundred metres up the road, is where locals go. This little park also has orange trees and a nice view, but is far more peaceful - plus you're allowed on the grass.
READ ALSO: Five ways to have the perfect romantic weekend in Rome
If you're in the area, stop by the Sant'Anselmo Benedictine Abbey complex, where on Sunday evenings you can attend an evensong service and hear Gregorian chants sung by the monks who live there.
The #Garden next to the Basilica of Saints Bonifacio and Alessio, on the #Aventine Hill, is a true oasis of peace. Here you can contemplate #Rome and its beauties, from the Tiber to the Janiculum, to the Dome of St. Peter.
— Turismo Roma (@Turismoromaweb) September 21, 2021
👉 https://t.co/MJzOi7UEvs
📷 Turismo Roma#VisitRome pic.twitter.com/OLycW6Pwuf
Rome's Botanical Gardens
Situated at the foot of the Gianicolo ('Janiculum') hill in the Trastevere neighbourhood, Rome's botanical gardens offer an oasis of calm in one of the city's most crowded districts.
The plants themselves may not be anything spectacular and the grounds may be a little run-down, but if you want a quiet stroll to clear your head or a pause on a bench surrounded by palm trees, it'll only set you back a few euros.
#meravigliaitalia
— Silvia☀️ (@Silvia71848838) April 23, 2023
Orto botanico, Roma pic.twitter.com/k7C1Qo5vjE
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