Rome isn't just a city—it's a rhythm. If you want to do more than just “see the sights,” this list focuses on what to do in Rome to feel it, taste it, and live it like a Roman, even if only for a few days.
1. Start Your Day With Espresso at the Bar
Forget hotel breakfasts. Walk into any neighborhood café, stand at the counter, and order an espresso like a local. This daily ritual is as essential to Roman life as the Colosseum is to its skyline.
2. Ride on the Back of a Vespa
When considering what to do in Rome, few things are more cinematic than zipping through traffic on a vintage Vespa. Book a guided scooter tour or, if you're feeling brave and licensed, rent your own.
3. Shop Local at a Morning Market
Skip the tourist shops. Head to Campo de' Fiori or Mercato Testaccio and mingle with residents buying fresh produce, cheese, and flowers. It's real life, in real time.
4. Take a Street-Level Archeology Walk
Rome's layers are endless. Join a walking tour that skips the major attractions and instead shows you aqueducts tucked into alleyways, pagan temples inside churches, or ruins below modern shops.
5. Go to a Rooftop Cinema or Pop-Up Concert
Wondering what to do in Rome at night? During summer, Romans love open-air events. Catch an indie film under the stars or a jazz concert near the Baths of Caracalla.
6. Watch the Sunset from a Quiet Terrace
Skip the crowded lookouts. Find your way to Piazza dei Cavalieri di Malta or Parco degli Aranci. Bring gelato or a cold Peroni, and just be. That's what Romans do.
7. Visit Churches That Feel Like Art Galleries
Everyone goes to St. Peter's. But Rome has over 900 churches, and many are jaw-droppingly beautiful—and empty. Try Santa Maria della Vittoria (with Bernini's Ecstasy of Saint Teresa) or San Pietro in Vincoli (housing Michelangelo's Moses).
8. Learn the Roman Siesta
If you're wondering what to do in Rome between 1 and 4 p.m. — the answer is: not much. Businesses close. Locals rest. Join them. Slow down. Sip wine. Read on a terrace. Rome is best enjoyed unhurried.
9. Visit an Artisan Studio in Monti or Rione Regola
Skip souvenir stands and step into artisan workshops. Leather journals, handmade jewelry, hand-pulled prints—you'll find unique, authentic pieces and meet the people behind them.
10. End Your Day With a Passeggiata
The evening stroll—la passeggiata—isn't just a tradition, it's therapy. Walk from Piazza Farnese to Campo de' Fiori, or down Via del Governo Vecchio. It's the pulse of Rome after dinner, full of laughter, chatter, and style.
Final Thoughts: What to Do in Rome That You'll Actually Remember
The best answer to what to do in Rome is often: whatever you stumble upon. Say yes to a stranger's recommendation. Wander down the road less photographed. Eat the thing you can't pronounce. Because in Rome, spontaneity is part of the magic.
