Edited by Elodi Troskie
Like most major cities in Europe, Rome has an incredible nightlife. What I love most about nights in Rome is how you’ll find something to do at any given time. Whether you want to go clubbing, dine at a restaurant, try street food, relax with drinks and live music, or watch a movie at an open-air cinema, Rome will make sure you stay entertained. Here are my suggestions for the best things to do in Rome at night.
Visit the Colosseum after dark
Kickstart your trip to Rome with a night tour of the ancient Colosseum, one of the world’s greatest architectural wonders. Also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, the Colosseum is the largest amphitheater ever built. As one of the most visited attractions in Italy, you can imagine how busy it gets during the day. But if you visit at night, you’ll have the place almost entirely to yourself. At night, you’ll have unrestricted access to areas like the arena floor and the underground Hypogeum. At 20€ per person, the entrance fee is slightly higher if you want to visit the Colosseum at night, but the experience is definitely worth digging a little deeper in your wallet. Children up to the age of 12 pay 18€ and children younger than six enter for free. Remember to book tickets in advance!
Dine like a local
Italy has some of the most indulgent food in the world. What probably comes to mind when you think about Italian food is pizza, pasta, wine, gelato and more pizza. Felice a Testaccio, situated in via Mastro Giogio in the Testaccio district, is one of the best restaurants in Rome. Serving world-class Italian cuisine since the 1930’s, this family-owned restaurant has become an integral part of Rome’s culinary scene. Lunch is served daily from 12:30 until 15:00 and dinner from 19:00 until 23:00. Another great restaurant in Rome is Da Bucatino, a laid-back eatery serving traditional Roman dishes, top quality meat and seafood, and amazing pizza. Located in via Luca della Robbia, Da Bucatino is open from 12:00 until 15:00 and again from 19:00 until midnight every day except Mondays.
Explore ancient Trastevere
Trastevere is a medieval neighborhood situated on the west bank of the Tiber River, just south of the famous Vatican City. This is one of the most charming areas of Rome, with its Baroque-style architecture, cobblestone streets, and centuries-old churches. By day, Trastevere is a serene haven hidden away from the fast-paced city center. By night, the ancient streets of Trastevere light up with local street performers entertaining the neighborhood’s regular crowd of artists and students sipping on red wine in the many street-side eateries and wine bars. Must-visit sites in this area are the Palazzo Corsini, a palace that now functions as an art gallery, and the Basilica of Santa Maria, one of Rome’s oldest churches. Trastevere has the romantic charm of medieval Rome, yet it has a youthful, energetic atmosphere – one of the coolest places to visit in Rome at night.
Party in San Lorenzo
San Lorenzo is what you can call Rome’s party neighbourhood. If you’re looking for an exciting nightlife scene, San Lorenzo is the place for you. The vibe in this neighbourhood is completely different from what you’ll find in Trastevere. Unlike the latter, San Lorenzo doesn’t have that ancient Roman feel to it. This area is laid-back in a modern, almost careless way. Instead of classy restaurants, museums and art galleries, you’ll find thrift stores, cheap bars and colourful street art. Because this is the student district of Rome, the prices are relatively cheap, tailored to the limited budgets of university students. Bars and clubs stay open until the early morning hours, and after they close, the party continues in the streets of San Lorenzo. This neighbourhood really never sleeps. Since it’s so noisy, it’s not necessarily the best area to stay in Rome, but a night out in San Lorenzo should definitely be on your Rome itinerary!
Shop in via del Corso
As the capital of one of the most fashion-focused countries in the world, it’s no surprise that Rome has an incredible shopping scene. The most dynamic shopping street in Rome is via del Corso, one of the longest streets in the city. Located in the heart of the city center, via del Corso is right in the middle of all the action of Roma Centro. You’ll find international brands like H&M, Zara, and Adidas, luxury boutiques, and designer labels like Gucci, Saint Laurent, and Valentino. The traditional Italian architecture of the buildings will make it difficult to believe they house such modern enterprises. The shops in this avenue are mostly quite high-end, but even if you’re not planning on buying anything, treat yourself to a stroll through this bustling neighborhood. Or have a glass of wine on a terrace cafe while admiring the fashion-forward night-time shoppers and enjoying the music of local street performers.
See a movie at an open air cinema
One of Rome’s coolest night time activities during summer is watching a movie at an open air cinema. Making the most of the warm summer days, Piazza S. Cosimato in the Trastevere neighbourhood transforms into a free open air cinema every summer. Since the project started a few years ago, it has expanded to open two other locations in the Tor Sapienza and Ostia districts. A total of about 190 films are screened over a period of 201 evenings. The films screened vary from Italian classics to international favourites to children’s animations. If you’re looking for free things to do in Rome at night, this is the number one coolest activity! Keep an eye on their website to see the programme.
See a movie at an open air cinema
The trams in Europe are functional, convenient, and affordable, but they also make for an interesting, more alternative way of getting around the city. There is something very romantic and atmospheric about sightseeing in Rome by the city’s vintage trams. You can book a night tram tour of Rome where you’ll be taken to the historical city center and visiting sites like the Basilica di San Giovanni, the Piramide, and Circo Massimo. With food, drinks, and live entertainment on board, you’ll have a sightseeing experience like no other. These tours take place every Saturday night. Tickets can be booked online at 59€ per person.
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