Secret Rome: Unique Neighborhoods and Sites in the City

written by INSIDR Team October 14, 2022

Also available in: 日本語 Español

Secret Rome spots can be hard to find. The city is the ultimate destination for history, food, and culture. However, like many cities in Europe, there is some difficulty in finding those more quaint places in the city. Especially when it comes to the areas near the tourist attractions. Rome actually has a few alternative spots for you to go to that aren’t on the normal tourist path. So here are some of our favorite secret gems in Rome for both neighborhoods and sites!

Rome’s Secret Neighbourhood: Monti

Monti is actually very centrally located in Rome. It sits just between Piazza Venezia and the Colosseum and is home to the cities most trendy shops. It is surprisingly hard to miss if you are jumping from one attraction to the other. However, it is definitely worth a visit. Its streets have some of the coolest coffee shops, bookshops and vintage shops in the city. It’s a great place to go get a coffee and stroll around between visiting sites. We recommend going to the Mercato Monti, which is an indoor market with all sorts of clothes, jewelry, art and more! A lot of there stuff is also vintage!

Photo Credit: Instagram: @_lilianarodrigues_

Rome’s Secret Sites: Domus Aurea

The Domus Aurea was a palace built by Emperor Nero. In its day it was an architectural marvel that had high domes, gold and beautiful wall paintings. The “Golden House” (as it’s known in English) was one of the most opulent places of its time. A perfect example of this is the fact that it had a 120-foot sculpture of Nero himself. In the years after his death, it got changed by emperors after him, damaged in another fire and built on top of.

It remained underground for a long time until the 15th century. Today though it remains in restoration after years of damage, specifically water damage. Despite not being open to the public for some time it is now open on Saturday’s and Sunday’s with guided tours for people to see the restoration efforts. The tour includes a virtual reality headset to help show visitors what it was like before. Make sure to book tickets online before visiting!

Photo Credit: Instagram – @hide2k5

Rome’s Secret Neighbourhood: EUR

For something really different in Rome, try EUR. It is definitely not on the typical tourist path but its fascinating history and incredible architecture make it a district worth a visit. The area was built for the world’s fair in Rome in 1942 under Mussolini and his administration. It was meant to be showcase a more modern Rome that was pushing the boundaries of modernity while staying true to the city’s history. However, the original plan was never finished due to the beginning of World War II. Today though it is a business district that sits right on the edge of Rome, close to its historical center. The architecture alone is worth a visit but there are also great restaurants and bars here too! Some of the must-see sites are: the Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana and the Santi Pietro e Paolo a Via Ostiense church.

Photo Credit: Instagram – @lisabshne

Rome’s Secret Sites: Villa Doria Pamphili

Villa Doris Pamphili is the ultimate break from the hustle and bustle of Rome! Rome can be very busy so this place is a haven for some peace and greenery in the city! These huge and beautiful gardens have tons of stone pine trees, various paths to walk on, a lake, fountains, sculptures and a maze. It is a spot that is mainly used by locals and residents of the area, so it is never too crowded. You can take a walk or have a picnic here, either way, it will be a really relaxing moment on your trip!