Return to Rome: What to Do on Your Second Trip

Hang Out in the Parks

Rome has so many parks to sit and relax in. Here's just some of the highlights.

• Villa Borghese

At the top of the Spanish steps, turn left and take a walk through the Villa Borghese, a park in the city center. You can row a boat on the laghetto, visit the zoo and admire the city's view from the hill.

• Villa Doria Pamphilj

Enjoy a bottle of wine and a picnic in Rome's largest park while escaping the bustle of the city. You can also visit the gardens and meander around the villa's property. It's not as busy a place for tourists like Villa Borghese might be, making it the perfect place to de-stress and relax after a busy day.

• Via Appia Antica

Ride bikes through Roman ruins and learn the dark history of the area. Perfect for those who are active, enjoy nature and love history! Afterwards, head to the Catacombs and ascend into the tunnels, most famous for Christian burials in early AD.

Walk Through Rome's Many Galleries

Both the Galleria Borghese and Galleria Doria Pamphilj (in their respective parks) have a collection of pieces from famous Italian artists like Bernini and Caravaggio. MAXXI is a contemporary art museum in the north of Rome that is worth checking out. Near the Piazza Venezia, the Palazzo Colonna is a great alternative to the Vatican to see 14th to 18th-century art and sculpture essential to Rome's deep history.

Visit the Capuchin Crypts

You can tour the Capuchin crypts in a church just a few blocks from the Trevi Fountain. This is the perfect spot for people fascinated with the macabre, as at the end of the tour you are led through rooms filled with the bones of capuchin friars. This spot serves as a haunting medium for intricate designs on walls, alter-pieces and ceilings - you'll even see a chandelier completely made of bones.

Watch the Sunset at Gianicolo

This viewpoint offers gorgeous panoramic views of the eternal city. With it being on the highest hill in Rome, it makes for a perfect spot to watch the sunset.

Disconnect in the Orto Botantico

Another lovely place to escape the chaos is this beautiful botanical garden a few minutes away from Piazza Trilussa in Trastevere. Climb through the bamboo forest and admire rare plants, or head into the seasonal butterfly house. This is an especially great place for families, as they usually hold several activities for little ones.

Spend a Sunday at Porta Portese

The largest market in Rome sits in the Trastevere neighborhood, and you can find everything from antiques and old electronics to vintage fashion. It is only open on Sundays until 2:00 pm, so plan accordingly!

See the Pyramid... of Rome?

That's right, the city has its own pyramid. Like the ones in Egypt, Piramide Cestia is also a tomb. Basically, Gaius Cestius was a religious magistrate who wanted to die in Pharaoh fashion: in a huge pyramid built just for him.

Check Out the Square Colosseum

Hoping to make this the new city center of Fascist Rome in the 1930s, Mussolini and his regime began the construction of the EUR district, 5.5 miles south of Rome's city center. Here lies the Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana, aka the Square Colosseum. It might be a bit of a trek on the metro, but it's worth checking out for its 20th-century Roman architecture, its lakefront park and the many national museums around the district.

Marvel at Circus Maximus and Surrounding Sites

You may have seen the Circus Maximus, the site of Roman chariot races, on your first visit to Rome. If not, it's worth seeing along with two others within a 10-minute walking distance - the Mouth of Truth and the Knights of Malta Keyhole, which offers a gorgeous, unobstructed view of St. Peter's Basilica. You may have to wait in a line here, but it moves quickly.

Day Trips:

Train It to Tivoli

Just an hour train ride from Roma Termini Station is the small town of Tivoli. Villa Gregoriana is home to many waterfalls, footpaths, grottoes and lush greenery. Bring your walking shoes as paths tend to be challenging in some areas. Afterward, enjoy a lunch in the town center and perhaps even visit the Villa D'Este for Italian Renaissance architecture and the Villa Adriana for archeological findings.

Relax in a Thermal Bath

If you want to live like a true ancient Roman, pay a visit to one of the many thermal baths beyond the city limits of Rome. Most are around an hour away by car or train. You can visit the one in Tivoli if you plan to stay a while or check out others like Terme di Papi to the north, or the QC Termeroma to the east near the coastal town of Ostia.

Visit Ostia Antica and the Beach

This ancient Roman city lies close to the coastline and is now a tour-able archeological site with well-preserved mosaics and frescoes. Afterwards, take a metro ride to Lido di Ostia and spend some time on the Mediterranean during Italy's sweltering summer months.

Lake Day at Albano

If you are looking to visit Rome in the warmer months, you may want to include a trip to the lake. The easiest and most accessible lake from the city is Lago Albano. From Roma Termini, you can take a 45-minute train ride to the village of Castel Gandolfo. Enjoy some swimming, boating, fishing or just relaxing on the beach. Then head into town for delicious food - maybe even tour the Papal Palace Museum and gardens while you're at it. Just prepare to be walking on an incline at points!

Nonna Betta

Via del Portico d'Ottavia, 16 – Roma

Situated in the Jewish Quarter of Rome, this kosher restaurant cooks up Roman-Jewish fare. Their carciofi alla Guidia, or Jewish-style artichokes, are some of the best in the city. New York Times even wrote about them and featured their signature dish, Zucchini Carbonara.

Ginger Sapori E Salute

Piazza Sant'Eustachio, 54-55 | Via Borgognona 43-46 | Via del Corso 173, Roma

Ginger focuses on organic and sustainable dining, often changing their menu with the seasons. In the mornings, choose from smoothies, juices, breakfast fare (uncommon for Rome!) or their famously massive fruit platters. The lunch and dinner menu features tons of sandwiches, salads, pasta and special dishes. Selections usually vary by location, so I recommend the one closest to Piazza di Spagna!

Ai Tre Scalini

Via Panisperna, 251 – 00184 Roma

Situated on a cobblestone block veiled by gently swaying vines, Ai Tre Scalini is a Monti neighborhood staple. This wine bar opened in 1895 and serves classic Roman fare that isn't pasta or pizza, along with wines from all over Italy. Enjoy a bottle of Pecorino and their insanely delicious Porchetta di Ariccia - just make sure to ask for mustard, or 'senape'!

Rifugio Romano

Via Volturno, 39/41 — 00185 Roma

There is something for everyone here! Situated right near Roma Termini, it is an absolute MUST for vegans still looking to try some traditional Roman dishes; like pasta carbonara and all'Amatriciana, and even saltimbocca.

Trattoria Vecchia Roma

Via Ferruccio, 12/b/c — 00185 Roma

Iconic Roman in Monti with reasonably priced and delicious pasta dishes. A cavern-like ambiance and cozy decor make you feel like you’ve been transported back in time. Usually very busy for lunch and dinner, so make sure to call ahead.

Il Salumaio

Via della Croce, 28 — 00187 Roma

Incredible Roman sandwich shop steps from Piazza Di Spagna. Skip the crowds at All'Antico Vinaio (it's better in Florence anyways) and head here for delicious sandwiches from Lazio - it sits not far from the Spanish Steps. Try something from their skillfully crafted menu or build your own.

Drink Kong

Piazza di S. Martino Ai Monti, 8, 00154 Roma

There is a reason this is on the list of best bars in the world. Enjoy innovative and adventurous cocktails from a fascinating menu.

La Zanzara

Via Crescenzio, 84 — 00195 Roma

Steps away from the Vatican walls is La Zanzara, this Italian bistro in Prati offers everything from simple coffee to sophisticated dishes for lunch and dinner. Often changing their menu with the season, in the spring you can find roman-style artichokes and many truffle-forward dishes in the winter.