10 Beautiful Hidden Gems in Rome

Secret spots most travel bloggers don’t tell you about.

Ponte Nomentano, Rome — Photo by Sira Mas

As a good girl from Rome, whenever a friend asks me about some unique things to see in my hometown, I love to recommend some places off the beaten path, where I know most tourists won’t go.

Over the years, I’ve created a list of unique hidden gems in the Eternal City for anyone who wants to avoid crowds. Here are my favorite hidden spots in the city where I was born and grew up.

1. Villa Ada

Villa Ada Park and Lake — Photo by Sira Mas

I chose Villa Ada as first place on this list because I used to go there a lot with my family when I was a kid. Not to mention, I used to hang out a lot there when I was a teenager.

Villa Ada is one of the largest parks in Rome and it’s located in the Trieste-Salario neighborhood, in the northern part of the city. It was home to the Italian royal family’s residence, La Palazzina Reale. In particular, the Savoy family lived there from 1872 to 1878.

Also, king Vittorio Emanuele III and his family used to live there during the first half of the XX century — form 1904 to 1946.

You can visit this park to relax, take long walks, go for a good jog, or even for a romantic picnic. There’s also a nice bar — Lo Scoiattolo (= the squirrel) — where you can take a coffee or a drink.

During the summer, the park hosts events and concerts. For more information, here’s their official website.

Lo Scoiattolo Bar — Photo by Sira Mas

2 The Trieste-Salario Neighborhood

Photo by Sira Mas

This is a beautiful neighborhood in the northern part of Rome. And it’s where you will find Villa Ada.

I often recommend taking a walk in this elegant area of the city. In particular, I recommend this…