5 Lesser-Known Rome Attractions
The Colosseum, the Vatican, the Borghese—these are some of Rome’s most popular attractions, and I understand why. But, there are so many sites in the Eternal City that are worth exploring, and you will not be fighting crowds or waiting in seemingly endless lines for tickets. Here are some of my favorites.
Villa Farnesina
Fresco lovers, you will be in heaven! Villa Farnesina, nestled in the Trastevere neighborhood, is a captivating testament to Renaissance art and architecture. If you are walking to Trastevere from the Vatican or vice versa, or coming from Piazza Navona or Campo di Fiori across the river, build this into your itinerary and allow a couple of hours for the visit.
Built between 1506 and 1510, the villa was commissioned by the wealthy Sienese banker Agostino Chigi, who served as a banker to the Pope. If you are a fellow fresco fan, you must visit Villa Farenesina to see the works of Raphael, Sebastiano del Piombo, and Giovanni Antonio Bazzi (a.k.a. Sodoma). Particularly famous are the frescoes that depict the story of Cupid and Psyche by Raphael.
Domus Romane di Palazzo Valentini (and Trajan’s Column)
I believe you cannot fully appreciate Rome until you’ve gone underground. To understand Rome you must spend some time below the modern-day streets. Le Domus Romane is one of my favorite places to go. Thanks to an immersive multimedia experience using projections, lights, and audio, the ruins come to life so that you can see how these Roman houses would have looked thousands of years ago.
The houses date back to the second century and were renovated in the 4th century, which is when the impressive floors were laid. You will discover preserved pieces of history that the excavations have uncovered like mosaics, frescoes, and the Romans’ sophisticated heating system. Thanks to projections, ancient Rome comes to life so that you can visualize how life would have been lived in these spaces.
As of July 2024, tours start every half hour at 11, with the last tour at 5:30 PM.
Twice each day, you can combine your tour of the Domus Romane with Trajan’s column.
The entrance is Foro Traiano 84, just steps off Piazza Venezia near the Monument to Victor Emmanuel II, a.k.a. the iconic Wedding Cake Building.
You’re also near the Roman Forum, Colosseum, and Capitoline Hill.
Stadium of Domitian (Stadio di Domiziono)
I have no doubt that on your visit to Rome you will stroll through Piazza Navona and admire Bernini’s Four Rivers Fountain and the Church of Saint Agnes in Agony. And you will notice that the piazza is not, in fact, a square but rather an oval. That is because it was built on top of the Stadium of Domitian. Domitian was a Greek-obsessed emperor who wanted a stadium similar to the one in Olympia. Sports competitions such as running, wrestling, and javelin-throwing were held at Domitian’s stadium, events far less gruesome than the gladiator games held at the Colosseum.
The Stadium of Domitian was completed in 86 AD, could hold 30,000 people, and is the only masonry stadium outside of Greece. You can visit the remains of the stadium under Piazza Navona with a self-guided audio tour.
You will find the entrance to the stadium at Via di Tor Sanguigna 3; allow about an hour to do the audio-guided tour of the Stadium on either side of your visit to Piazza Navona.
Quartiere Coppede & Fountain of the Frogs
A 15-minute walk from the Borghese Gallery is a whimsical neighborhood that escapes many visitors to Rome, the Coppede District.
Quartiere Coppedè, located within the Trieste neighborhood, is an enchanting little escape into a fairytale-like atmosphere. You’ll find architectural surprises nestled within a few blocks around the Fountain of the Frogs, a fusion of Art Nouveau, Baroque, and Medieval architecture with Renaissance influences. It’s a delightful escape from the hustle and bustle of the city center.
Just 15 minutes away is Pro Loco Pinciano, a great pizza place, and then a 7-minute walk further to Gelateria I Caruso (Via Collina, 15), one of my favorites in Rome. If you forego dessert at Pro Loco Pinciano (or decide you deserve double dessert, which you do!).
Pyramid of Cestius
Rome was going through a bit of an obsession with Egypt after conquering it in 30 B.C. You will likely notice the obelisks around Rome as well. The pyramid was built around 18-12 B.C. to serve as the tomb of Cestius, a Roman magistrate. It’s located near Porta San Paolo and Piramide metro.
The pyramid was integrated into the Aurelian Walls in the 270s A.D., which contributed to the preservation of the structure. Tours of the interior are conducted in Italian on designated Saturdays. I have not tried, but this is the official contact information I have found.
Once you are at the pyramid, you’re in one of the best neighborhoods to eat in Rome, Testaccio. Take a short walk to the Testaccio Market and make a meal out of samples from the various stalls selling local dishes. Or head to my favorite spot in Rome, Piatto Romano.
Consider sprinkling in some lesser-known sites in Rome during your visit and let me know which ones you enjoy.