When moving to Rome, it is natural to visit the city and do various activities in your free time. Of course, there are parks, museums, bars and restaurants, but there are also some more unusual activities that are best done with family, friends, or as a couple.
Family-friendly activities in Rome
If you have children, there is a museum dedicated to them in the center of Rome called Il Museo dei Bambini di Roma. They can explore through various activities, cook, or even celebrate their birthdays. The Bioparco, Rome's zoological park in Villa Borghese, is also the perfect place for a family day out with its 1,300 animals belonging to 200 different species of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians.
When the weather is fine, have a picnic in one of Rome's many parks, such as Villa Borghese, and take a tour of the park on the little train. Villa Celimontana, Villa Ada, Villa Pamphili, the aqueduct park, Via Appia Antica, are also very pleasant. In the latter, you will find various archaeological sites and a bicycle rental agency for young and old to ride along the road built by the Romans and preserved in its original state.
Children in Rome, but also their parents, will certainly enjoy spending a day at amusement parks such as Rainbow Magicland, located in Valmontone, about an hour from Rome, and open from April to November. The park has attractions for the youngest and adults, and themed shows are organized. Cinecittà World, south of the capital, is also perfect for a family day out and opens in March. There are film-related attractions as well as children's water games and a cinema pool.
Activities for couples in Rome
As an expat couple in Rome, you immediately think of romance, and you will be served in Rome! In addition to the capital's small restaurants for a romantic dinner, Rome's panoramic observation points, open both day and night, are particularly popular and are numerous in the capital, notably the Pincio, the Janiculum (especially at sunset) and the Aventine. On the latter, the view of Rome is spectacular, and you can see the dome of St Peter's through the keyhole of a door leading to the Grand Priory of the Order of Malta. Luxury hotels in the city center give access to their roof terraces to outsiders. So you can sip a glass of wine recommended by the sommelier or your cocktail while admiring the view for two, from late in the day until sunset, for a more memorable experience. Among the memorable rooftops we can mention:
- La Terrazza dei Papi at Mecenate Hotel
- Grand Hotel de la Minerve
- The Stars at the Atlante Hotel
- Aroma at the Hotel Manfredi
- Caffè Capitolino at the Capitoline Museums
- Divinity Terrace
- Zuma
- NH COLLECTION ROMA FORI IMPERIALI
- AcquaRoof Terrazza Molinari
Visiting the city of Rome at night is also a great idea. After dinner, the streets of the historic center gradually empty out. This is when it is time to tour the main points of interest and small streets such as the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, or the very discreet and charming Via Margutta.
Group activities in Rome
There are many things to do with friends in Rome, and having a good time in the Eternal City is easy. You can count on the many bars and nightclubs scattered across the historic center: Testaccio, Pigneto, San Lorenzo, Ponte Milvio and Monti. You can find the secret Speakeasy like The Race Club and The Barber Shop on via Labicana and via Iside, the Jerry Thomas near Campo de' Fiori or the Spirito in Pigneto. It is common in Rome to meet at the end of the day in the squares for a drink or Aperitivo, such as in Monti, Testaccio, Trastevere, Piazza Bologna or San Lorenzo.
For music lovers, many venues and bars host concerts of all genres. The Alexanderplatz in Vatican City is a popular jazz club that holds summer concerts in the gardens of the Villa Celimontana. There is also the Casa del Jazz near the Baths of Caracalla. Blues and rock or indie music can be heard at Teatro India, Monk, Largo Venue, Atlantico, or Live Alcazar. There is also a Black Market in Monti and Angelo Mai near the Baths of Caracalla for smaller venues. PalaLottomatica and Atlantico in EUR, Auditorium Parco della Musica in the Flaminio area, are venues that host larger, sometimes prestigious events.
In summer, especially in June and July, the city comes alive with musical events throughout the capital, including the Baths of Caracalla, Villa Ada, Ippodromo delle Cappannelle, Auditorium Parco della Musica and Piazza del Popolo.
If you are looking for a complete calendar of concerts and other events in Rome, Zero is a useful website.
Skating enthusiasts will be pleased to know that a skating center organizes events and gives lessons: Pincio.
At weekends in summer, take the car or train to one of the beaches of Lazio, such as Sperlonga, San Felice Circeo, Anzio or Gaeta. If you like lakes, don't miss Lake Bolsena or Lake Bracciano. The Castelli Romani are also very popular, both in summer and winter, for their typical villages where you can eat regional dishes such as the porchetta of Ariccia, a pig cooked on a spit with herbs. In October, during the grape harvest, a popular festival for a trip with friends is the Sagra dell'Uva di Marino, where wine is celebrated throughout the weekend.
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