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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.

Published: 29 May 2023 13:56 CEST
Updated: 9 July 2023 08:25 CEST
Here's where to head if you need a break from the crowds in Rome.
Here's where to head if you need a break from the crowds in Rome. Photo by Giulio Gabrieli on Unsplash

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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RENTING

Five of the most affordable areas to rent in Rome

Renting in Rome has become increasingly expensive over the years, but there are some areas of the city which are more affordable to live in than others.

Published: 26 July 2024 09:05 CEST
Five of the most affordable areas to rent in Rome

The average rental price in Rome will set you back almost €17 per square metre, according to the latest data published by online housing portal Immobiliare.it.

That means that a 50-square-metre apartment would cost around €850 a month on average.

Costs are at an all-time high for Rome, with rental prices per square metre being almost €2 higher than at this time last year.

Experts such as those from estate agency Solo Affitti highlighted in their latest report that the rise of short-term rentals and Rome’s upcoming Jubilee were to blame for the hike in prices.

Silvia Spronelli, CEO of Solo Affitti, said on LinkedIn: “We are facing a new scenario in Rome’s real estate sector. 

“The wait for the Jubilee promises to be a catalyst for the increase in rents in the capital, a phenomenon that is not isolated but which follows a trend already evident in other large Italian metropolises.”

READ ALSO: How can I find an apartment to rent in Rome?

At more than €20 per square metre (that’s around €1,000 for a 50-square-metre flat), the historic centre, along with popular haunts Trastevere, Testaccio, San Giovanni, Re di Roma, Parioli, Flaminio, Aventino, Prati, and Salario are off limits to many.

However, there are still a few places in some of the outer parts of Rome where you can get more bang for your buck.

As the available data does not provide an average monthly rental price, we have calculated a monthly average for a 50-square-metre apartment to give a more tangible idea of the prices you can expect.

Appio Claudio and Capannelle 

The Appio Claudio and Capannelle zone is perfect for those looking to get away from the chaos of the city. Besides the price, other benefits include being close to Rome’s biggest park (Parco degli Acquedotti) and ring road (Grande Raccordo Anulare) should you want to escape the city and explore the wider Lazio region over the weekend. 

Appio Claudio is also near metro stations Subaugusta and Lucio Sestio. Capanelle is a bit further away from the metro stops, but it is served by a rail line transporting residents to Rome’s central station, Termini.

Price per square metre average: €13.45.

Average monthly price for 50 square metres: €672.5

Portuense 

This district has similar rental prices to Appio Claudio and Cappanelle. Unlike them though, it is closer to Rome’s city centre and borders on more expensive districts such as Marconi and Monteverde.

READ ALSO: What are the best Rome neighbourhoods for international residents?

Portunese is not served by a metro stop, but it does have a train station. Highlights of the area include its park, Tevere Magliana, which borders on river Tiber. 

Price per square metre average: €13.65

Average monthly price for 50 square metres: €682.5

Monti Tiburtina and Pietralata

Admittedly, these two neighbourhoods are not the prettiest, but if getting into work and the centre is a top priority, then they’re probably the best out of the most affordable areas to live in Rome. Each is served by a metro stop, with Tiburtina being Rome’s second largest station after Rome Termini.

Price per square metre average: €14.01

Average monthly price for 50 square metres: €700

Talenti, Monti Sacro and Nuovo Salario 

Just north of Monti Tiburtina and Pietralata are the neighbourhoods of Talenti, Monti Sacro and Nuovo Salario. The area is nicer and the slightly higher average price reflects that.

There are metro stops and train stations for commuters, as well as parks and numerous eateries.

READ ALSO: The downsides of Rome you should be aware of before moving there

Price per square metre average: €14.6

Average monthly price for 50 square metres: €730

Appia Pignatelli, Ardeatino and Montagnola

To get the best out of living in these neighbourhoods, getting a car will be necessary as transport is scarce. However, what these quartieri lack in transport, they make up for in greenery as they’re all close to the famous Appia Antica park. There’s also a wealth of things to do if you fancy staying local over the weekend.

Nevertheless, the area is probably best suited to someone with access to a car or working from home. 

Price per square metre average: €14.88

Average monthly price for 50 square metres: €730

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