Italy: Top 4 hidden gems of Rome
25 July 2024
During your stay in a hotel in the center of Rome, you definitely want to visit some of the most famous sites and attractions, but not just Rome. Exploring smaller, more hidden places can be just as satisfying and will give you a bigger, more authentic Roman experience. There is no doubt that from a historical perspective, Rome is one of the most charming and romantic accommodations in Europe. There’s so much to see and do that it’s hard to pack it all into one bag, but it’s worth taking the time to leave the most famous (and busiest) sites and attractions to explore some of the city’s hidden towns. Gems.
Michelangelo, lesser known on the Via Liberiana
The first gem on the list is Michelangelo’s Sforza Church in Santa Maria Maggiore. The church is not inside the main church, but on one side. It is a charming and peaceful place where you can admire some original Renaissance buildings. A little further away is the Basilica of Saint-Placide, which contains stunning wall mosaics from the 9th century. You can easily reach these places by taking the bus on Liberia Street from City Hall. Rome also offers an all-day bus pass, which allows you to easily and affordably visit these and other attractions in the city. Additionally, there are hop-on hop-off tours where you can stop at sites of interest along the way.
Vespers, at the church of Sant’Anselmo
If you are in Rome on Sunday evening and don’t know what to do, you should go to the Church of Sant’Anselmo on the Aventine Hill to quarrel with the monks of Benedict. The monks entered and left completely silent, but sang hymns dating back to the Middle Ages as part of this service. Whether you believe in religion or not, this experience is absolutely heavenly sublime. This service starts at 7:15 a.m. and you can enter the church from Via di Porta Lavernate.
Have a drink at the Antico Café Grecco
Before heading back to City Hall, Rome offers an incredible coffee drinking experience, and one of the places you absolutely must check out during your city vacation is Antico Café Grecco. The Romans have a long history of love for coffee, as well as being one of the oldest coffee shops in the world, it is also one of the most famous cafes in the city. The cafe opened in 1760 and is located on a busy and famous shopping street. Praise.
Walking around Trastevere
Leave the tourist trap behind and head to Trastevere, one of the oldest parts of the city just above the Tiber River in the city hall. It is the ideal place to discover the most beautiful medieval streets and alleys of Rome. As you wander through the narrow streets you will find many hidden gems. In many places you can treat yourself to Roman food and drinks like the Romans do. The Church of St. Cecilia is one of the most fascinating churches in the city, and the remains of the music keeper Cecilia were intact in the 16th century.
