Rome: the city of ruins, romance and ridiculous amounts of carbs. Italy’s capital crams in more history than a Year 9 textbook and more bars than you’ll ever make it through in one night (trust us, we’ve tried). But beyond the hordes at the Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum queues, and the Vatican stampedes lies a city bursting with weird, wonderful, and well-tasty experiences.
If you want to get the most out of Rome, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s our list of 15 actually fun things to do in Rome—for people who like their culture with a cocktail and their pasta with a side of partying.
Things to Do During the Day
Learn to Cook Like a Roman
Aperol in one hand, pasta dough in the other. Welcome to the Spritz & Spaghetti experience, where you’ll perfect the art of concocting your own Roman feast while knocking back drinks and bonding with strangers who’ll feel like mates by the end.
It’s equal parts cooking class and pre-drinks, and frankly, it’s bellissimo.
👉 Secure your spot on the Spritz & Spaghetti Class
Cycle – or indeed Wobble – the Appian Way
The Appian Way is one of Rome’s oldest roads—the OG of all roads that lead to Rome—and renting a bike from Ecobike is the most fun way to see it (and burn off last night’s carbonara). Cycling down the Appian Way takes you past catacombs, mausoleums, even fields of grazing sheep, and the occasional stray cat with a serious attitude.
Just watch out for the cobblestones: they have no mercy for how hungover you are.
There are a few restaurants where you can stop off and grab a sandwich or a plate of pasta, but since these places are nothing special, you’re better off getting something to eat before or after.
Get Purposefully Lost in Monti
Once the seedy, shady Suburra district of ancient Rome, Monti is now one of Rome’s most picturesque central neighbourhoods, home to Indie boutiques, artsy cafés, and Roman ruins just casually lying around like they own the place or something.
Monti is great for a lazy afternoon, a spontaneous shopping spree at its vintage clothing markets, or a cheeky aperitivo at golden hour. Grab a quick, delicious Neapolitan street food lunch at Ce Stamo a Pensà or linger over a longer lunch at La Carbonara.
Oh, and Monti is also where we start our Rome Tipsy Tour 😉
See Rome by Vespa (Helmet Hair Included)
If you dream of emulating the style of Audrey Hepburn with the balance of an Uber Eats delivery driver, try a Vespa tour through Rome. Zip through Rome’s streets, dart around the Colosseum and cross the River Tiber with the wind in your hair and your guide in the lead.
Without wanting to dent the magic, do make sure you book this tour outside rush hour. Sitting stuck in Roman traffic, inhaling car and coach fumes, is not so bellissimo.
If you don’t want the pressure of driving or plan to sip a spritz or two beforehand, consider a Vespa Sidecar Tour. Or if you’re ready to test your mettle among the madness of Roman traffic, check out Bici e Baci’s Vespa Tours.
Feast Through Trastevere on a Proper Roman Food Tour
If you’re the sort of person who plans holidays around meals (same, reader; same), then this Rome Food Tour through Trastevere is just for you. It’s an evening packed with street food, wine, handmade pasta, secret spots, and all the indulgent bites locals actually eat.
Warning: may cause a lifelong addiction to deep-fried Roman street food.
Into the Evening
Catch the Sunset from Gianicolo Hill (Bring a Bottle)
Most people will tell you that Rome’s Orange Garden is the place to be for stunning sunset views over the Eternal City. Well, it was until earlier this year, when the authorities decided to obstruct the view with a giant wall of scaffolding, set to stay until September 2025.
Now the Gianicolo Hill serves up the best view of Rome, minus the crowds and selfie sticks. It’s a bit of a hike (or ride on the 115 or 870 bus), but it’s totally worth it. Bring a bottle or grab a beer or mini prosecco from the food truck on the square and enjoy golden hour like a Roman.
Sip, Stagger and Snigger on the Rome Tipsy Tour
This is not your average walking tour. Forget dry facts (“Oh, this palace was built for that spoiled Roman prince, how deeply fascinating – please go on”) and jaded guides. This boozy adventure pairs scandalous Roman history with local drinks, top-notch banter, and fun-loving travellers from all around the world.
Think Roman emperors gone rogue (Nero, *cough, cough*), wild popes (Leo X, you naughty boy), and juicy tales that would make your nan blush. All while you sip local drinks like Carpano, Aperol, wine and Limoncello, and explore the Eternal City at night.
History has never been this fun.
Sip Spritz in Style in Prati
Stretching out just north of the Vatican, Prati is sleek, stylish, and full of locals sipping cocktails like it’s their job (given the dire state of the Italian economy, who’s to say it’s not).
Prati is perfect for pre-dinner drinks (or three), with some lovely rooftop spots and wine bars hidden in plain sight. Come for the Aperol, stay for the vibe, then jump on the Metro A line to the centre or walk south along the river to Trastevere.
Join the Madness in Campo de’ Fiori
At night, Campo de’ Fiori becomes a lively hub of dodgy cocktail deals, street performers, and people drinking directly from plastic cups with zero shame. It’s a little chaotic, a bit messy, and somehow always a great time. Your inner uni student will thrive here.
Go where the Locals Go: Bar-Hop Through Pigneto
Imagine New York’s Brooklyn or London’s Shoreditch, but with fewer ironic moustaches and better beer, and you have Rome’s coolest localsy neighbourhood: Pigneto.
Pigneto is packed with grungy bars, fairy lights, vinyl shops and enough natural wine to sink a Caesar. It’s where the cool kids go—and you absolutely should too.
To get there, take the Metro C line from San Giovanni (€1.50 per ride) or hop into an Uber.
Fun Things to Do in Rome Late at Night
Dance ‘til Dawn in Testaccio or Ostiense
When the sun goes down, Testaccio and Ostiense come alive with music, madness, and moves. Built into a manmade mountain made of ancient pottery shards, Testaccio’s clubs are legendary—dark, sweaty, and full of a younger studenty crowd.
Ostiense, just to the south, has a more industrial vibe, perfect for techno heads who flock to Circolo degli Illuminati and Goa from 11 pm onwards.
🕺💃 Check out our guide to Rome’s Nightlife
Party with Locals at Forte Prenestino
Forte Prenestino is… something else. A 19th-century fortress turned anarchist social centre, Forte Prenestino is where the cool, weird, and wonderfully chaotic side of Rome shines. It’s a little far out from the centre, reachable most easily from Pigneto and the Metro C line, but if live techno or metal gigs or last-minute raves sound like your thing, believe us — it’s worth it.
It’s gritty, it’s grungy, and it’s gloriously Roman.
Download the ‘Dice’ App and Find a Concert
Dice is by far the best app for finding live music concerts, DJ sets, and other cool stuff going on around Rome. Just download, pop in your location, and browse the list of events. You can buy tickets for events directly through the app or just pray and turn up on the day. 🙏
Seek out Rome’s Secret Speakeasies
Rome hides some seriously cool cocktail dens behind closed doors. Want to feel like James Bond Giacomo Bondino with a Negroni? You’ll need a bit of insider knowledge—and lucky you, we’ve got just the thing.
🍸 Read our guide to Rome’s best speakeasies
Grab a Late-Night Gelato or Sweet Treat
Coming from the UK, I was raised on a diet of post-night-out kebabs and cheesy chips. Not in Italy, though. Here, sweet treats are the food of choice to soak up the booze.
One fantastic place is Il Pangocciolaio in Ostiense (open til 2 am / 4 am at weekends only), which serves sweet buns (pangoccioli) filled with cream, Nutella, Ferrero Rocher, white chocolate, and assorted other indulgences. If you have more of a savoury tooth, they also do montanare (deep-fried pizza, Neapolitan style), pizza slices, and plenty else besides.
Open late and always worth the queue, Frigidarium near Piazza Navona is the kind of gelato spot that makes you question your life choices up to this point. Check this place out if you’re around the centre, and prepare to enter a state of sugary bliss.
Ready to Enjoy Rome to the Max?
If all this talk of pasta, parties, and prosecco has you itching for an adventure, come join us on a Tipsy Tour! Whether you’re in it for the food, the fun, or the fabulous cocktails, the Tipsy Tours Team is ready to show you the Rome that doesn’t make it into the guidebooks.
🍷 Book the Rome Tipsy Tour
🍝 Join the Spritz & Spaghetti Class
🍕 Feast with us in Trastevere
