PARKS
Villa Borghese
The Villa Borghese gardens are landscaped in the naturalistic English manner and contain numerous statues, lakes, fountains and smaller museums within them. Major attractions that shouldn’t be missed include the Piazza di Siena horsetrack, a little laghetto (lake) with an Ionic temple and boat rentals, and the Pincio terrace with a panoramic vista onto Piazza del Popolo and Rome’s domes.
Villa Doria Pamphili
Located in the Monteverde neighborhood of Rome, Villa Doria Pamphili is the largest landscaped park in the city. Like all of Rome’s villa parks, it began as a suburban villa with garden and originally belonged to the papal Pamphili family. The large park was split in two when a thoroughfare was built for the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome but pedestrians can cross over on a raised road that was put in place for the Jubilee Year in 2000.
Botanical Garden
The oft-overlooked Botanical Garden of Rome is a wonderful natural retreat in the middle of Trastevere, overlooking the 17th-century Palazzo Corsini. The garden was established in 1883 and today contains more than 3,000 plant species, including a Japanese garden, bamboo forest and rose garden, as well as numerous greenhouses housing cacti, bonsai, orchids and other flora.
Vatican Gardens
A well-kept secret in Rome, the Vatican Gardens are a delightful way to spend an afternoon, free of the crowds of St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums. The gardens date back to 1279 when Pope Nicholas III relocated the papal residence from the Lateran Palace to the Vatican. The gardens contain multiple landscaped terraces, fountains and glimpses of Michelangelo’s dome. Note that the Vatican Gardens are only open to the public during the months of June, July and August.
Orange Garden
The Orange Garden located on the top of Aventine Hill is not only one of the loveliest oases in the city, it also has one of the most beautiful views over the city of Rome. This little gated garden is named for its eponymous orange trees though it has a fair number of umbrella pines framing a view onto St. Peter’s dome. The orange trees were planted as an homage to St. Domenico who founded a monastery next door, the Basilica of Saint Sabina, and is said to have planted a bitter orange tree in its garden in 1222.
Parco degli Acquedotti
Few images are as illustrative of Rome as that of Roman pines juxtaposed with ancient aqueducts. The expansive Park of the Aqueducts in the south of the city is located near the ancient Appian Way and contains part of the Acqua Claudia, constructed between 38 -52 AD and considered one of the four great aqueducts of ancient Rome.
MUSEUMS
Vatican Museums
Housing one of the most famous and extensive art collections in the world, the Vatican Museums are the uncontested most important museum to see in Rome. Laid out across hundreds of rooms, galleries and halls, the museums contain thousands of treasures ranging from antiquity to the present day, including sculptures, paintings, tapestries and frescoes.
Galleria Borghese
Nestled within the verdant Villa Borghese park, Galleria Borghese is one of Rome’s most noteworthy museums. The garden villa was commissioned in 1613 by Cardinal Scipione Borghese, an avid art collector, to house his impressive collection of Roman, Renaissance, and Baroque art.
Capitoline Museums
Located on Rome’s Capitoline Hill, the Capitoline Museums are considered the world’s first public museum. The collection dates back to 1471 when Pope Sixtus IV donated a collection of important bronze statues to the people of Rome. They contain an incredible collection of ancient Roman bronze and marble statues, medieval and Renaissance art, and elaborate frescoes – not to mention one of the best views of the Roman Forum.
Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna
Rome’s National Gallery of Modern Art, founded in 1883, lies adjacent to the Villa Borghese Park and is an expansive space in the capital dedicated to modern and contemporary art. Located within the neoclassical Palace of Fine Arts, the museum’s works of art are complemented and enhanced by the building’s monumental architecture. It also has a collection of works by international artists such as Kandinsky, Pollock, Calder and Van Gogh.
Palazzo Doria Pamphili
The sumptuous Galleria Doria Pamphili has a prime location on the city’s bustling Via del Corso and yet it feels like an undiscovered secret: you’d never tell this palazzo houses such regal treasures within it. The gallery contains one of the largest private art collections in Rome and includes important works by Raphael, Bernini, Caravaggio, Guercino and Domenichino.
Palazzo Massimo
Palazzo Massimo is one branch of the National Museum of Rome, a collection of four museums that exhibit works from pre- and early Roman history, along with numerous archaeological finds unearthed in the city. The museum is famous for contained the frescoes of the Villa di Livia, depicting an exotic garden with colorful flora and fauna.
MARKETS
Borghetto Flaminio Market
This flea market, held on a weekly basis, is a must-visit for anyone in the area surrounding the Piazza del Popolo on a Sunday. The Borghetto Flaminio Market is the place to pick up rare antiques, designer clothing, and the fine cast-offs of Rome’s elite. Armani sunglasses, Gucci handbags, and fur coats are just a few of the treats in store from 10am to 7pm every Sunday.
Porta Portese Market
Rome’s largest and most famous market, the Porta Portese Market, is around a mile long and spills over into the surrounding backstreets. Endless stalls and traders in carpets, materials, antique goods, clothing and even pets, ensure no end of browsing in this fabulous flea market. Every Sunday from 5am to 2pm, the market transforms this corner of Rome’s Trastevere region into a buzzing hive of activity.
Fontanella Borghese Market
A trip to the Fontanella Borghese Market is an unmissable opportunity for literature and art lovers to peruse ancient etchings and prints as well as bargain books. From 9am to 7pm from Monday through to Saturday, local sellers set up shop with their fascinating collections of items. The market is the perfect place to pick up unique gifts, a far cry from cheaply manufactured tourist items in many other places.
La Soffitta Sotto I Portici Market
This flea market is a hot-spot with Rome’s young and trendy population, who come to browse the bric-a-brac and vintage wares available from 7am to 7pm on the first and third Sundays of the month. Come and rifle through the second-hand jewelry and clothing here at La Soffitta Sotto I Portici Market to grab a real bargain. The items here exhibit some of the best vintage styles in Rome, with silk scarves, crystal beads, antique lace, and everything a true fashion lover’s heart could desire.
Campo de Fiori
Rome’s historic market place, the Campo de Fiori has existed for over 400 years. The site is a must-visit in any Rome travel guide, and this farmers’ market provides a wonderfully authentic taste of Rome. The name translates as ‘field of flowers’, and an incredible range of products are available to buy here, including beautiful flowers, fresh fruit and vegetables, artisan Italian meats and cheese, and local delicacies such as truffles and homemade olive oils.
Campagna Amica Market
This covered market is a perfect spot for foodies. Campagna Amica Market only trades in food sourced from local Lazio farmers and the region surrounding Rome. The freshest fruit and vegetables in the city are to be found here. On Saturdays and Sundays from 10.30am to 7pm, this farmers’ market by Rome’s iconic Circus Maximus spills over with the best seasonal produce that Rome can offer. Honey almost straight from the hive and olives practically just fallen off the trees: Campagna Amica exhibits the best of Rome’s farm-to-table produce and is the perfect way for visitors to support regional farmers and the local environment.
San Cosimato Market
Trastevere is one of Rome’s most fascinating areas, with its cobbled backstreets, tranquil hideaways, and many hidden gems. The San Cosimato Market of Trastevere is the best way to gain a taste of this area’s eclectic, historic and cultural feel. The origins of the market date back to the early 20th century and many of the vendors are the descendants of the market’s very first traders. These family-run stalls exhibit the best food produce that Europe has to offer.
