Why Rome Deserves Multiple Visits: Hidden Gems & Off-the-Beaten-Path Wonders

Should you go to Rome again? Read why one visit is never enough and learn about some hidden gems for your next visit, from ancient sites to lush gardens and local markets

Visiting Rome feels like a once-in-a-lifetime dream, something that can be on a wishlist for years. However, Rome has no shortage of iconic sites, and is meant to be explored over and over again, deeper and deeper. To visit the Eternal City only once in your life would be a shame. There is a reason Rome carries such an endless charm, it is filled with so much history and jaw-dropping beauty, always waiting to be discovered.

Rome Beyond the Usual Tourist Checklist

Unfortunately most tourists visit Rome with a checklist, seeing the main monuments, such as the Vatican, the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, and the Pantheon only. While these sites are bursting with inspiration and wonder, they just scratch the surface of what Rome has to offer. For tourists who have already visited Rome for the first time, or for those who want to delve deeper into the winding alleys of Rome’s more off the beaten path, there is an entire other world just waiting to be admired.

Many tourists travel Italy, rushing from monument to museum, crossing off the must-do activities. However, Italy is full of so much beauty beyond its touristic trails, and Rome is no exception. From underground catacombs to brilliant galleries, local markets, and more, Rome boasts an entirely undiscovered scene, with hidden corners, quiet neighborhoods, and more intimate glimpses into Roman life. If you know where to look, Rome rewards its curious travelers.

Art Beyond Vatican Walls

Rome is waiting for you to explore its best-kept secrets, one of the largest private art collections, housed in the Palazzo Doria Pamphilij. The palace is a melding of art, history, nobility, politics, and a union of some of the most grand Italian noble families. People instantly associate Rome’s greatest art collection with the Vatican, when in reality Rome is filled with a multitude of brilliant art museums. The Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Antica or the National Gallery of Ancient Art is also a must-visit if you’ve done the main path of Rome already. It is the principal national collection of paintings, mostly from before 1800, in Rome, located at two sites, the Palazzo Barberini and the Palazzo Corsini, where you can admire masterpieces from Caravaggio or Rafaello, just to name a few.

Green Retreats Amidst Urban Life

Rome is also much less known for its abundance of lush green gardens and peaceful spaces. The Villa Doria Pamphilij, not to be confused with the gallery, also provides a lovely oasis to escape the bustle of city life and instead, relax in Rome’s largest landscaped park for a stroll or picnic, away from the masses. Nestled in the residential suburbs of Rome, this was one of the many countryside residences of the noble Pamphilij family.

Or if you’re looking for a quiet stroll, with a historical feel, consider exploring the Appian Way, an ancient Roman road that is over 2,300 years old, and was a major trade route and key connection for military movements. Walking or biking along the ancient historic route, lined with cypress trees, catacombs, and Roman aqueducts, will bring you to a past life. The ruins and tombs evoke a sense of wonder and are a must-visit for any history lovers who want to be transformed back in time. The Appian Way is also home to some of the most famous early Christian burials around the world, including the Catacombs of San Calisto and you can rent a bike near the Porta San Sebastiano area to enjoy a serene ride past ruins and grazing sheep.

You don’t even need to wander far out of Rome’s city center to find these hidden gems. Just minutes from many popular monuments, is the botanic gardens of Rome, in the Trastevere district. It covers around 12 hectares and is a magical way to walk and see beautiful views of Rome, offering shade, peace, and stunning greenery. After a lovely stroll, if hunger begins trickling in, one of the greatest ways to see the heart of Rome’s best-kept secrets lies in its food markets. Testaccio is a wonderful neighborhood, known for its ancient Roman cuisine and especially the Testaccio Market. Instead of waiting in line at viral restaurants, try Rome’s seasonal produce, be enamoured by the street food, or even join a cooking class, learning from a local chef.

Ancient Rome beyond the Colosseum, with no crowds

There is so much more to explore in Rome beyond the iconic Colosseum and the fascinating Roman fora. The Baths of Caracalla and the Baths of Diocletian are two incredible highlights of ancient Rome that are equally interesting and can be enjoyed without the crowds of the more famous sites. Built centuries ago, these huge thermal baths were like ancient wellness centers, where Romans relaxed, exercised, and socialized. The Baths of Caracalla, with its impressive ruins and stunning mosaics, still give a sense of the luxury and scale of Roman life. Just around the corner, the Baths of Diocletian are even more massive, once accommodating thousands of bathers in grand halls and beautiful brickwork.