Rome isn't just fountains and forums — it's also full of unexpected curiosities. If you've already seen the Colosseum and Vatican, it's time to explore the weirder side of the city. Here are unusual things to do in Rome that will surprise even seasoned travelers.

1. Peek Through the Knights of Malta Keyhole

At the top of Aventine Hill, a small, unassuming keyhole in a green door perfectly frames the dome of St. Peter's Basilica — an oddly magical sight. The line is short, and the moment feels secret.

2. Visit the Underground Mithraeum Beneath a Church

Beneath the Basilica of San Clemente lies a 2,000-year-old pagan temple devoted to the god Mithras. You descend through layers of Rome's history — a dark, mysterious, and seriously unusual thing to do in Rome.

3. Explore the Capuchin Crypt (a.k.a. The Bone Church)

Near Piazza Barberini, this macabre site features the bones of over 3,700 monks, arranged in ornate, artistic displays. Morbid? Yes. But unforgettable.

4. Tour a Pyramid — in Rome

That's right — Rome has its own mini Egyptian-style pyramid. The Pyramid of Cestius dates back to 12 BC and sits next to a cemetery where Keats and Shelley are buried. It's one of the most unusual things to do in Rome simply because... why is there a pyramid here?

5. Drink from the “Nasoni” Water Fountains

Rome has over 1,500 public drinking fountains, and the trick is to block the spout with your finger so the water arcs up like a mini geyser you can sip from. Weird? A little. Iconic? Definitely.

6. Play Vintage Arcade Games at Vigamus

Rome's video game museum lets you play retro consoles, explore game history, and see artifacts like Lara Croft statues or Super Mario timelines. Great for rainy days and gamers.

7. Take a Wine Tour... in an Ancient Aqueduct

Some tours in the countryside near Rome offer tastings inside ancient Roman aqueducts-turned-cellars. The fusion of history and hedonism makes this a very unusual thing to do in Rome.

8. Attend an Opera in a Ruin

In summer, you can catch opera or ballet performances inside ancient Roman baths or open-air ruins. The mix of high culture and old stones is truly surreal.

9. Visit the Museum of Criminology

This little-known museum displays execution devices, counterfeit money, and tools used by famous Italian criminals. It's chilling, fascinating, and undeniably unusual.

10. Hunt Down the “Talking Statues” of Rome

Scattered around the city are ancient statues where, for centuries, locals have anonymously posted poems, complaints, and satire. Pasquino is the most famous — basically the original Roman Twitter.

Final Thoughts: Unusual Things to Do in Rome Take You Into Its Strange, Secret Soul

If you want to say “I saw something in Rome that no one else did,” this list is your passport. These unusual things to do in Rome let you uncover the weird, the witty, and the wonderfully obscure.