From the Colosseum and Roman Forum to St. Peter’s Basilica and Piazza Navona, Rome is home to some of the most beautiful, historical sights in the world. But what do you do when you’ve seen all the showstoppers and want to explore further? Well, you should start by checking out this list of alternative sights in Rome! 

Many visitors to Rome just stay for a couple of days, meaning they typically only see the most famous landmarks. I get that time and budgets are unfortunately limited, but I encourage you to stay as long as you can in Rome, and venture beyond the usual tourist trail because there are so many other amazing places to explore. If you travel even slightly outside the historic centre and typical tourist zones, you will be rewarded with incredible attractions that often fly under the radar. I’m certainly not going to suggest this list is full of “hidden gems”. After all, Rome is one of the most visited cities in the world, so you’d be hard pressed to find genuinely undiscovered sites. Nevertheless, the ones I suggest here are usually far quieter than the most popular sights so you won’t be crammed like sardines next to other visitors.

Without further ado, here are some of my favourite underrated attractions for returning visitors, or those wanting to see a different side of the Eternal City.  

Baths of Caracalla (Terme di Caracalla)

Opened in the 3rd century AD, the Baths of Caracalla (Terme di Caracalla) was the second-largest thermal bath complex in ancient Rome. Today, it stands as one of the most impressive archaeological sites in the city, not just because of its sheer size, but also for how well preserved it is. Though its opulence has faded over the centuries, visitors can still explore various chambers in this mega structure that once brimmed with life. The public baths were once used for bathing (obviously!), spa treatments, sports, as well as studying and socializing. Nowadays you can find beautiful-decorated mosaic floors, crumbling ruins and interesting little details of everyday life too, like games carved into marble slabs. The grounds here are also beautiful and sometimes host concerts, so check the official website out for details.

Admission: €8.00 (concessions available, free entry every first Sunday of the month). Opening times vary depending on the season, so double-check before visiting. To get more of your visit, consider booking a tour of the Caracalla Baths & Circus Maximus (nearby Circo Massimo) led by a local archeologist.

Centrale Montemartini

If you are a fan of ancient sculptures then make your way to Centrale Montemartini in the Ostiense neighbourhood. This former power plant-turned-museum showcases an impressive selection of Greek and Roman statues, busts, frescoes, and spectacular mosaics, which are enhanced by the cool, industrial interior. One of the many highlights here is the colossal statue depicting the Goddess Fortune from roughly 101 BC. You can also find Pope Pius IX’s personal train here (I’m not sure why though?). While not exactly a “hidden gem”, this museum is far quieter and calmer than other museums in the city, despite the fantastic artefacts on display. I suggest visiting before or after lunch in nearby Testaccio, one of Rome’s most beloved foodie neighbourhoods.

Admission: €11 (concessions available, free every first Sunday of the month) Open daily from 9 AM – 7 PM (Closed Mondays)

Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls

If you visit Centrale Montemartini, you may also want to visit the nearby Basilica of Saint Paul Outside The Walls (Basilica Papale di San Paolo Fuori le Mura). Though Rome has a ridiculous number of beautiful churches, I would argue that this is one of the most impressive. In fact, it is the second largest basilica in Rome (after St Peter’s) yet attracts a fraction of the crowds. Dating back to the 4th century, and believed to be where Saint Paul was buried, this magnificent basilica is well worth the detour. There is much to admire here, such as the mosaic-adorned facade, beautifully decorated wood and stucco ceiling, and impressive artwork everywhere you look. You can also visit the tomb of St. Paul the Apostle, which is located beneath the main altar. 

Official website. Free admission. Open daily from 7 AM – 6:30 PM. 

Ancient Appian Way (Via Appia Antica)

The Ancient Romans were known as master road builders, and the oldest, most important road was via Appia Antica. Built in 322 BC, via Appia Antica (known as the Appian Way), spanned more than 350 miles from the Roman Forum to what is now the city of Brindisi. Today, it is a spectacular open-air archaeological park in the southern suburbs of Rome, allowing visitors to walk along its cobblestones in the footsteps of the ancient Romans. Flanked by the most beautiful countryside you can imagine, dotted with villas, tombs, mausoleums, catacombs, and crumbling ruins, via Appia Antica is a really magical place.

The road begins near the imposing Porta San Sebastiano, an ancient city gate attached to the Aurelian walls. The first stretch of the Appian Way is somewhat built up, though still very pleasant to walk down, but it gets noticeably quieter and more rural the further along you go. If you catch the 118 bus from Circo Massimo to the Church of Domine Quo Vadis, there is a bike rental shop nearby. If you don’t fancy cycling, you can travel by bus to the stop at the Catacombs of Saint Sebastian and continue on foot.

Park of the Aqueducts (Parco degli Acquedotti)

Located around 20 km from the centre of Rome is the Park of the Aqueducts (Parco degli Acquedotti), another of my favourite places to escape from the hubbub of the city. Spanning some 240 hectares, this beautiful park is home to the remains of seven ancient Roman aqueducts. These mighty structures against the backdrop of the beautiful Roman countryside, with its iconic pine trees and lush green hills, is truly a sight to behold. There are also the remains of several Roman villas here, as well as medieval towers and parts of Roman roads. Bring a little picnic with you and enjoy a relaxing lunch in stunning surroundings.

To get here take the A Line Metro from Roma Termini to the station Giulio Agricola. From here just walk straight down Viale Giulio Agricola until you get to the park entrance. 

Villa dei Quintili

Step back in time and experience life as part of ancient Rome’s elite at Villa dei Quintili. Located on the outskirts of Rome, this villa was once the largest and most luxurious estate in the Roman suburbs. Originally belonging to the wealthy Quinitil brothers, it was taken from them around 183 AD after they were killed by the bloodthirsty Emperor Commodus for conspiring against him. It then became imperial property and the future residence for a number of emperors.

Complete with a theatre, an opulent bath complex, and even an arena for chariot racing, this monumental estate was so huge that, when it was first excavated, it was assumed to be a town! Oh, how the other half live. There is much to see here, so expect to spend around two hours exploring this fascinating site. You could also combine this with a visit down via Appia Antica, or do a combined tour on e-bikes.

Official website. Admission €8 (concessions available). A full-price ticket includes access to Villa dei Quintili and Santa Maria Nova, Antiquarium of Lucrezia Romana, Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella, and Capo di Bove Complex on the same day. Villa dei Quintili is open Tuesday to Sunday (times vary by season).

National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia

While the Ancient Romans get the majority of attention these days, there were in fact other fascinating civilizations that inhabited what is now Italy. One such civilization was the Etruscans. Thought to be Italy’s first advanced civilization, the Etruscans dominated the land until their eventual conquest by the Romans. To learn about these people and their way of life you should visit the National Etruscan Museum.

Housed in a beautiful 16th century palace, this typically quiet museum has a collection of hundreds of Etruscan artefacts including pottery, ceramics, and jewellery. A couple of highlights are the beautiful terracotta “Sarcophagus of the spouses” from around 530-520 BC, and the “Pyrgi Tablets”, three amazingly preserved golden tablets of which two are inscribed in the Etruscan language, and the third in Phoenician.

Official website. Admission €12 (concessions available). Closed Mondays. Free entry on the first Sunday of the month. 

Ostia Antica

For those of you who don’t have time to visit Pompeii, a trip to Ostia Antica is the perfect alternative. Just 30 minutes away from the centre of Rome by train, this archaeological park was once the main port for ancient Rome. Though not as famous as Pompeii, Ostia Antica is no less impressive. Visitors can walk along well-preserved, cobblestone streets while marvelling at the ruins of theatres, homes, baths, and shops. There are even archaic public toilets here, which – despite being thousands of years old – are sadly in better condition than some I’ve been to this century. There are also plenty of wonderful frescoes and mosaics here that tell the story of an important city lost to time.

As with many of these archaeological sites, there is little to no cover, so take that into account by arriving early to avoid the blistering sun. If you need to cool down afterwards I suggest hopping back on the train for a few stops down to Ostia, where you will have miles of sandy beach to enjoy. 

Full-price adult ticket €18 (concessions available). Opening times vary depending on the season.

National Roman Museum of Palazzo Massimo (Palazzo Massimo alle Terme)

Located just minutes from Termini Central Station, the National Roman Museum of Palazzo Massimo (Palazzo Massimo alle Terme) is massively overlooked by visitors. Their loss is your gain, as this quiet museum is home to some of the most spectacular works of ancient Roman art you could hope to see. Two of my favourites include the “Portonaccio Sarcophagus”, a 2nd-century marble sarcophagus renowned for its incredibly detailed depictions of battle scenes. The other is “Boxer at Rest”, a beautiful, brutal bronze sculpture of a defeated fighter resting, covered in scars and bruises. There are also some jaw-dropping mosaics on the second floor, so be sure to check those out. 

Admission €8 (concessions available). Open Tuesday to Sunday 9.30am – 7.00pm (last admission 6.00pm). Closed Mondays. Free first Sunday of the month. 

Domus Aurea

For a truly memorable experience in Rome, a visit to Domus Aurea (“the Golden Palace”) is highly recommended. Once the extravagant residence of Emperor Nero, the palace was constructed after the Great Fire of 64 AD and spanned over 300 acres, featuring lush gardens, artificial lakes, and lavishly decorated rooms. After Nero’s death, Emperor Trajan buried the site in an effort to erase Nero’s legacy. Hidden for centuries, the palace was rediscovered by chance in the late 1400s.

Although still undergoing excavation, Domus Aurea is open nowadays to visitors who can explore its atmospheric underground chambers. In fact, you can still find graffiti scribbles from those same Renaissance explorers in the ceiling of the Golden Vault. The luxurious complex was decorated by the painter Fabullus (such a great name!). His fabulous (see what I did there?) motifs, ornate frescoes, gilded ceilings and paintings would later become inspiration for many Renaissance artists like Michelangelo and Raphael.

Guided tours are available with virtual reality headsets that recreate the palace’s original splendor. Domus Aurea is a little pricey compared to other attractions in the city, but it is really special. I’ve visited many amazing sights in Rome over the years, but this is definitely one of the coolest, and not just because of the chilly 10°C underground temperatures (don’t forget to bring a jacket!).

Admission €18 or €26 with educational tour and virtual reality headset. Tickets need to be booked well in advance and availability is limited. Due to this, many visitors choose to book guided tours like the Domus Aurea Guided Group Tour or Domus Aurea Tour with Virtual Reality Experience to skip the lines and get guaranteed entry.

Watch a Football Match

For those of you who are sports fans and looking for a more modern activity than exploring ruins and relics, a football game at Stadio Olimpico may be right up your street. The second-largest stadium in Italy, the Stadio Olimpico is the shared ground of two of Italy’s biggest football clubs, AS Roma and their fierce local rivals S.S. Lazio. Known for its fiery and electric atmosphere, watching a game here is a great way to experience some true local culture. You may even learn some of the Italian swear words being flung between the rival teams!

Ticket prices vary, and usually go on sale around 10 days before the game and can be purchased on the clubs’ websites. It is usually more difficult to get tickets for the big games (particularly the local derby) but other games should be a bit easier. Arrive at the stadium about an hour before to soak up the atmosphere, and remember to bring your ID with you.

The Non-Catholic Cemetery

For those looking to escape the crowds and experience a quieter, more reflective side of Rome, the Non-Catholic Cemetery is well worth exploring. Nestled in the shadow of the ancient Pyramid of Cestius, this beautiful cemetery is the final resting place for many poets, artists, and foreigners who died in Rome and were not Catholic (hence the name!). It’s most famous for the graves of English poets John Keats and Percy Bysshe Shelley, whose tombstones attract literary lovers from around the world. The cemetery is also home to stunning sculptures, elaborate gravestones, and a resident population of friendly cats. It’s free to enter, though a small donation is appreciated to help with upkeep.

I hope this blog post has given you lots of ideas about what to see and do in Rome. You might also be interested in my post 10 Amazing Day Trips from Rome (& How to Get There), which includes ten cities and towns all within two hours of Rome. If you want to make sure you’ve covered the city’s top landmarks and highlights during your stay in Rome, don’t miss my 4-day Rome itinerary, specifically tailored for first-time visitors. Lastly, if you have any questions about travelling to Rome, leave them in the comments and I’ll do my best to answer them!

Ciao for now

Izzie, the Curious Sparrow