8 Things to Do in Rome to Avoid the Crowds

Birdseye View of Rome

Birdseye View of Rome

You’ve been dreaming of visiting Rome for years. However, the idea of being surrounded by a swarm of tourists queuing up to see what the city has to offer makes you wonder what you'll realistically be able to experience. No need to worry! We've compiled a list of useful tips of things to do in Rome that will help you enjoy the highlights while avoiding the crowds as much as possible, and explore some of our favorite lesser-known sites. If you are looking to prepare for a future trip to Rome, check out our online, expert-led Rome tours and seminars at Context Learning.


1. See the Vatican Without the Crowds

The Vatican Museums attract over 6 million visitors annually, making this the most visited tourist attraction in Rome. To avoid getting crushed amongst the hordes there are a couple of museum hacks that we recommend: On Fridays from April to November, the Vatican stays open until 11 pm on Fridays with the last entrance at 9:30 pm. In general, the crowds are lighter the later one visits. We run a Vatican Night Tour every Friday evening during this period, and it’s a great way to see the Museums. (Note, St. Peter’s Basilica is not open at this time.) For morning people, trying to hit the Vatican super early is another tactic. The museums open at 9 am Monday-Saturday. If you’re going on your own you’ll want to arrive at 8 am and get in line. (Tip: Buy your tickets in advance online.) The Vatican opens the museums early for tour operators, so taking an early morning tour is a way to get into the Museums ahead of even the early-risers who just bought tickets online. At Context we run our four hour Vatican Tour with Skip-the-Line Tickets at 8 am. This gets us in ahead of the general public. Far and away the best way to visit the Vatican and one of the most sublime experiences on the planet is to go after hours when the Museums are closed. There’s nothing like this. Some tour operators run a tour like this, including us. Our After Hours Vatican Tour takes place several times a year and opens up the Museums for a select group of visitors. Imagine the Sistine Chapel with no one else there.

2. Visit the Colosseum Early in the Morning

The Colosseum is also quite crowded. It’s also hot. During the summer we recommend visiting early in the morning, right at the start of the day, to breeze through security and beat the crowds. Ticket reservations can be tricky, so while you can book ahead, it is our (admittedly biased) opinion that a visit with an expert guide and pre-scheduled tickets adds value to this site visit. Maximize your time with the three-in-one admission to the best of ancient Rome, which we offer through our skip the line Roma Antica tour.

3. Get Underground

Diving underground in Rome is one of our favorite things to do. It all started back in 2007 when Context co-founder Paul Bennett wrote an article about underground Rome for National Geographic and then continued when many of our expert guides appeared in the History Channel’s "Cities of the Underworld" special on Rome. Although interest in underground Rome has grown, we still find that many of these sites are quiet and uncrowded. For example, the Crypta Balbi in central Rome, which most people pass by without a second look. Yet, this is one of the most fascinating archaeological sites in the city, and a place where some of our guides have actually dug. (We also visit it as part of our Underground Rome Tour.) The Basilica of Saint Clement, which sits on an older, buried church, and is one of the best Mithraic sites in Rome, is becoming very popular. It’s definitely one our favorite things to do in Rome—so much so that we run a San Clemente Tour. But, a less-crowded alternative is to visit the Mithraeum under the Circus Maximus, which is only open by appointment.

4. Visit Smaller Sites

This is our mantra for travel in general: go more in-depth. By this we mean to find those edge sites that aren’t in the guidebooks and not on everyone’s radar. They usually offer unique insights into a destination, shorter lines, and your patronage helps keep them available and operating as a historic site. In Rome, there’s a wealth of these edge sites. One of our favorites is Centrale Montemartini, a former power plant that the city converted into a museum many years ago. It’s a fantastic example of industrial archaeology and tells the story of ancient and modern Rome side-by-side.

5. Go Outside

Since the weather is so fabulous, one of the best things to do in Rome is to get outside. Topping our list is a day trip to Ostia Antica, the ancient harbor of Rome that was buried, Pompeii-style, by two millennia of mud. Unlike Pompeii, though, it’s close to Rome and makes for a much more feasible day trip. Another option is to head northeast to Tivoli, where the ruins of emperor Hadrian’s villa, paired with the frescoes and gardens of villa d’Este, will allow you to explore the evolution of the aristocratic suburban settlements throughout the centuries, from ancient times to the Renaissance.

6. Explore Hidden Churches

There are hundreds of churches in Rome-- take the time to scout some lesser-known chapels, which, sometimes, are just a few steps from the most popular attractions, like the Basilica of St. Stephen in the Round on the Celian Hill or the church of the church of the Santi Quattro Coronati. Churches formed the center of social and spiritual life in ancient Rome and many of the builders of the most famous basilicas also built hometown parishes.

7. Wander Gorgeous Gardens

Rome’s Botanical Garden is a great place for a stroll in the greenery, away from the chaos of the city just a few blocks away, where you can see thousands of rare and interesting species of plants. Alternatively, the park of Villa Borghese will also offer lots of nice opportunities for a stroll with some great views of the city (by the Pincian Hill), without the need for tickets or lines.

8. Coffee on a Terrace

Stop for a coffee at one of Rome’s gorgeous terraces, and observe the city spread below and in front of you. Among our favorite is the Terrazza Caffarelli at the Capitoline Museums, and you don’t need a museum ticket to access the cafe. Nota bene: coffee shops in Rome are called "Bars", lest you think the frivolity begins at 8 a.m. in the city.


10. Discover a Local Market

Savor the city like a local! One of the tastiest things to do in Rome is eat a meal at a local market. Depending on where you are, you may want to try either the Mercato Trionfale or the Testaccio market. In both places, you’ll find such delicious food as juicy “porchetta” and buffalo mozzarella, fragrant bread, and sapid pecorino cheese. You’ll also find quite a crowd there – but most of them will very likely be Romans shopping for supper.


Bonus: Immerse Yourself in Rome's History and Culture Online

You can also enjoy an immersive Rome experience from the comfort of your own home by joining our virtual Context Learning courses and seminars. Connecting with our local experts and Italy enthusiasts before, during, and after your trip is the perfect way to extend your vacation. You'll be able to enjoy Rome's highlights with a dedicated scholar without having to worry about busy crowds or bustling tourist sites. Spend your Italy trip soaking it all in, and return home to learn more about your favorite museums, artists, and landmarks with us! 

Want to learn with a true expert? Get a comprehensive view with one of Context's private or small group tours in Rome!