Piazza di Spagna
DuVine Guide Tom Coppock is a Vermont native who fell in love with Italy during a semester abroad in Rome while at Darmouth College. He has been with DuVine for 3 years and divides his time between the Boston office and living in Tuscany, where he leads many different bike tours in Italy. As a part of our DuVine Apres Velo blog posts, Tom has created a nice summary of how to visit and explore Rome, a perfect extension to many of our DuVine European bicycle tours.
On the Beaten Track There is so much worth seeing in Rome, that the real danger, if you have only a few days, is in spreading yourself too thin. You need to prioritize based on what interests you and make sure not to try to see more than one or two major sites in a day, as ‘museum fatigue’ will drastically reduce what you get out of it. Luckily, most of Rome’s most popular sites can be divided between the city’s two heydays: Ancient Rome and the Renaissance/Baroque. So, if you are going to see a couple major sites in one day, a combination of the two (i.e. Forum and Villa Borghese) will break up the experience nicely.
The Coliseum
Ancient sites The Forum/Palatine/Coliseum: I studied ancient Roman history, but even I find that more than a few hours amidst fallen marble columns and crumbling brick buildings is enough. Without some background and a lot of imagination this area can seem over-hyped. A guide can really bring this to life. Also, I don’t think it is worth waiting an hour in line to get inside the Coliseum. If the line is short, make the trip. Otherwise, spend your time elsewhere.
Renaissance/Baroque The Vatican: the museum here has famously long lines that snake around multiple city blocks. Once inside, the sheer size of the place is overwhelming. Again, a guide is very helpful, as they can cut the line (saving you hours) and will lead you directly from masterpiece to masterpiece, cutting out the fluff along the way so you won’t be burned out by the time you reach the Sistine chapel at the end. If you don’t get a guide, my personal favorites are the Raphael rooms (painted by Raphael) and the map-room (the walls are painted with detailed maps representing the entire known world at the time).
St. Peter's
St. Peter’s: If you are not a museum person or don’t have time to wait in the lines, the Basilica is a much quicker visit. Entrance is free and the lines are short. The interior is worth seeing, as you are in the largest church in the world, and Michelangelo’s statue Pieta near the entrance is one of my personal favorites.
Galleria Borghese: If you like sculpture, this gallery is a must. The work of Bernini (the most important Baroque sculptor) is incredible. The museum is located in a park in the northeastern section of the city. Ask your hotel to make a reservation for you, as you need one to get in.
Off the Beaten Track
Here are my favorite lesser-known places to visit in the city :
Basilica di San Clemente: Located near the Coliseum this 12th century church would be interesting but not worth the visit if not for the excavations below. Upon entering, buy a ticket and proceed underground and back in time in Roman history. The church is built right on top of an early Christian church from the 4th century which was in turn built on top of an earlier temple to the mystery-cult of Mithras and ancient city streets. You can go visit each level and I think this is a must-see for anyone visiting Rome to understand the development of the city.
Church of St. Ignatius
Church of St. Ignatius: Located in the heart of the historical center the nondescript exterior (by Roman standards) hides a fascinating interior. The ceiling is a masterpiece of trompe l’oeil (optical illusion) painting. I’ll say no more, you have to check it out.
Janiculum Hill- If you are tired of the crowds, a walk up the Janiculum is a great escape. Just cross the Tiber into Trastevere and walk uphill (a map is helpful). As the quiet cobbled streets give way to a park, try not to look at the view too soon. From the top, next to the equestrian statue of Garibaldi, you will find the best view out over the city. Walking back down, the restaurants in Trastevere are where the Romans go, so poke your head into a place where everyone is speaking Italian and you will be assured of a good meal.
Trevi fountain
Walking Tour: Rome is a great walking city, and a day (or days) spent walking the streets can be every bit as rewarding as visiting a museum. I would suggest making your way from the Tiber River Island through the Jewish neighborhood around the theater of Marcelo before heading through Campo dei Fiori, and Piazza Navona on your way to the Pantheon. From here, double back to see the huge monument to Italy’s first King, Vittorio Emanuele II, dominating Piazza Venezia and then walk up Rome’s main street, Via del Corso. This is a great place to people-watch, so find a café or bench and watch Rome go by. Leaving Via del Corso, turn right, following signs, to visit the Trevi fountain and make sure not to miss what is in my opinion, the world’s best gelato at the nearby gelateria, San Crispino, 42 Via Della Panetteria (follow Via del Lavatore from the fountain and turn left onto Via Della Panetteria). From here, continue on to the Spanish steps. If you want to see the Bernini statue of the Agony of Saint Theresa, made famous by Angels and Demons, take a detour to the Church of Santa Maria Della Vittoria. Otherwise, continue along via del Babuino, through one of Rome’s most chic neighborhoods to Piazza del Popolo, another great spot to people-watch and drink a glass of wine or visit another Angels and Demons church, Santa Maria del Popolo, with its famous demon hole.
So, whether you visit Rome before or after your bicycle tour in Italy I hope this helps you out with some ideas on how to have a great experience in one of the most famous cities in all the world. See you soon!
