Non-Touristy Things to Do in Rome in Winter That Locals Love!

Winter in Rome

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Visiting Rome in the winter may not be popular, but it is worth every second of it. Crisp winter sunlight, a festive vibe, and fewer to no crowds all come together to reveal a part of Rome you will love. And the locals know it! Want proof? Here are some great non-touristy things to do in Rome in winter.


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Incredibly Things to Do in Rome in Winter

Things to do in Rome in Winter

RESOURCES TO PLAN YOUR TRIP TO ITALY!

Book your flight: I use Skyscanner to compare prices before booking a plane ticket.

Book your accommodation: I’ve tried many different platforms for accommodation, but none of them beats the advantages of Booking.com.

Book your car: The best way to find an affordable car to rent is to use a powerful search engine that compares all the rental companies in the market. I use Discover Cars.

Book your tours: Live unforgettable adventures and cultural experiences with Get Your Guide. For instance, you can visit the Colosseum, discover Milan’s Duomo, explore Pompeii, or wander the streets of Florence.

Don’t forget travel insurance: Things can go wrong at times, but travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. I recommend Safety Wing for peace of mind.

How to Get to Rome?

rome in winter
Fiumicino Airport train station.

Being the capital of the country, it is quite easy to land in Rome no matter from where in the world you arrive. The city is well connected to the rest of the country as well through buses and an extensive train network.

Rome has two airports, Roma Fiumicino (Leonardo da Vinci Airport – FCO) and Roma Ciampino which is smaller and serves Europe’s most popular low-cost airline (which does not fly to Fiumicino), Ryanair.

To get from Fiumicino airport to the city center you can rely on the train, bus transfers, and taxis. Leonardo Express is a fast, direct train that takes you to Roma Termini in about half an hour.

rome in winter
Taxis at Roma Termini station.

Traveling from other cities in Rome allows you to get there by train, which is quite fast and affordable.

For instance, a train journey from Florence lasts between 90 minutes and 2 hours, depending on the train you choose, while the traveling time from Venice is about 4 hours.

How to Move Around in Rome?

rome in winter
Metro, Rome.

The basic means of transport in town are the metro, bus, and tram. However, you will want to rely on buses, and sometimes the tram, more, the metro reach is quite limited and won’t get you everywhere… Well, if every time you excavate you find archaeological rests, you might never have a very extensive metro line, right?

Rely on your fee too. Walking around the historic center is a good way to see how life goes about in town, plus many areas are closed to the traffic, so walking makes it easier and even faster at times.

Keep in mind, though, that some attractions, including the popular Vatican City, are not really in the historic district, getting there by metro or a taxi makes more sense.

There are metro stops for the Vatican, the Colosseum, and the Roma Termini train station. So, in a way, the metro, tram, and buses have you covered if you’re on a budget.

>> This Rome City Card is a pass that might look a bit expensive at first glance, but, it includes access to attractions such as Colosseum, the Vatican Museums, and the Sistine Chapel plus free transport access. So, it might be worth considering. It is also valid for 3-day hop-on hop-off bus tour.
Click here for more information and to purchase the card.

Where to Stay in Rome?

rome in winter

If you’re trying to see the best of the city in a short period of time, or if this is your first visit, then it is a good idea to stay around the historic center.

If you prefer a more off-the-beaten-track feel or if your stay is a bit longer, nothing would beat the quiet atmosphere of Trastevere.

Finally, if you’re traveling from Rome to another Italian town by train early in the morning, it will really pay off to stay close to the Termini Station area.

No matter what is your case, keep in mind that this is one of the most visited cities in the world, so booking well in advance is key to finding good fees! Check out these mid-range places to stay in the three areas mentioned before.

Rome Top Tours for Winter

Check out these very affordable tours that will show you the best of the city at a minimum expense:

Top Things to Do in Rome in Winter

rome in winter

Let’s now discuss these interesting and original things to do in Rome when the temperatures drop and fewer tourists visit the Eternal City. Check out this list!

Take Long Peaceful Walks through the Famous Roman Streets

rome in winter
Beautiful alleys in Trastevere.

Romans love their city, but the spring and summer crowds mean there is less room for everyone. After all, nobody likes walking shoulder-to-shoulder with strangers.

Thankfully, winter in Rome is here to offer a solution. So, are you ready to explore the beautiful winding streets of Centro Storico and Trastevere all by yourself?

Walking the streets of Rome and tasting the local food at the same time? You’ll love it!
>> Check out this Rome food walking tour which provides interesting info about the city and its history plus delicious bites. The walking tour with a local guide takes you to all the right places in the center of Rome.

Click here for more details and to book the tour.

Ice Skate with Locals at Auditorium Parco della Musica

rome in winter
Parco della Musica, Rome.

Although snow rarely appears in Rome, ice skating is possible for about a month between December and January.

Since they stopped organizing the ice rink at Castel Sant’Angelo, the locals prefer to visit the Auditorium Parco in northern Rome.

If you are lucky, as you walk through this cultural complex, you may also come across special events like Christmas concerts.

Attend a Christmas Concert at the Methodist Church  

rome in winter
Sant’Angelo Bridge and the Sanit Peter’s Basilica behind.

Speaking of events, Romans like to celebrate the Christmas holidays by attending a themed concert. A popular venue to experience such a show is the Methodist Church on Piazza di Ponte Sant’Angelo.

Here, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a 75-minute concert centered around Christmas festivities, including famous carols and opera hits. Click here for more information. The church is known as a year-round venue for musical performances that also holds services in English each Sunday morning.

Known as the Pope’s closest Protestant neighbor, the church is in the heart of Rome’s historic center, across from Castel Sant’Angelo, only steps from the Vatican.

Go Crazy About Rome’s Pizza

rome in winter

There’s no way you visit Rome and not indulge in one of the most delicious treats in town: An authentic wood-oven baked pizza! Go for classic toppings, such as Margherita or Quattro Formaggi (four cheese), or experiment with more unusual toppings.

Best pizza in Rome? Try Piccolo Buco. The place serves wood-fired pizzas and pasta with a focus on protected origin ingredients. It’s located in Via del Lavatore, 91, two minutes from the Trevi Fountain.

PIZETTIQUETTE: Remember, when in other countries you might be used to sharing your pizza, in Italy you won’t! Most pizzerias expect everyone to order their own pizza. And even when this might seem too much, it’s not! Usually, pizza is light, the dough quite thin, and it’s not a hard task to eat the whole of it!

If a whole pizza still seems like a lot, you can also try pizza on the go (pizza al trancio), perfect if you want to taste different topping varieties. This is often available as street food to go and you can find it all over the city. I’ve eaten the best pizza al trancio close to La Sapienza University, near San Lorenzo Basilica.

Watch a Show at Teatro dell’Opera in Palazzo Santa Chiara

rome in winter
(Photo Courtesy Opera di Roma)

If you are not visiting Rome near Christmas and still fancy watching a show, you can’t go wrong at Teatro dell’Opera. The concerts take place in the magnificent Theater Palazzo Santa Chiara, in the center of Rome, only 100 meters from the Pantheon.

It has anything you can think of, from operas and musicals to ballets or full-blown concerts. Just imagine yourself in the middle of about 1600 more guests, all dressed up and enjoying a classy show. You can book your tickets here.

Enjoy a Night Out in the Trastevere District

rome in winter

After watching a show, you may feel like going out. In that case, think nothing else than Trastevere.

This popular district comes to mind of almost every local when they think of things to do in Rome at night.

rome in winter

Aperitivo spots and fabulous eateries spread around cobblestone alleys? Check.

Fancy bars and a vibrant nightlife within and between old buildings mixed with greenery? Check again. 

Watch a Football Game and Cheer with the Locals

rome in winter

Romans love football. Or soccer, if you prefer, but don’t use that word over here. For Italians, it’s football. And you couldn’t be in a better place to see how much Italians are proud of their football teams.

So, if you’re a fan, book a home game ticket for a Lazio or Roma team and witness for yourself.

Go for a Short Run along the Tiber River

rome in winter

If you prefer doing to watching sports, then you’ll love running along the Tiber River. Okay, not the entire 250 miles of it. Just any short section you fancy, and you are nearby.

You’ll see many locals do the same, especially in winter when the summer heat is not there.

Enjoy a Picnic at Villa Borghese

rome in winter

Rome in winter still enjoys a lot of sunlight, which means you are in for a treat. When you see the Italian sun is finding its way to the city, head outside at the Villa Borghese park.

It’s the place to gather when you want to enjoy the sunshine or have a picnic with friends.

Pretty fountains, old statues, bust-lined paths, ancient temples, and an artificial lake will make the perfect setting to enjoy sunny Rome in winter.

Explore the Indoor Market in Testaccio

rome in winter
(Courtesy of Get Your Guide).

If the sun doesn’t comply, worry not. You can still enjoy the beauty of the Italian vibe and cuisine in the Indoor Testaccio Market.

It is about a local food market full of Italian producers who have come here daily for generations.

The moment you step into the market, you will come across quality produce of every kind, from fruits and vegetables to bread, cheese, or meat. 

You can explore the market better with a local:

Taste the Local Seasonal Cuisine Like the Romans Do

Rome in winter

Locals don’t really hang out in the touristy and central eateries. When they don’t cook for themselves, they visit lesser-known cafes and restaurants spread around the residential neighborhoods, the typical trattoria.

Follow their example, and go to places where you hear lots of Italian.

When you do, catch the opportunity and order the local winter specialties, such as Ribollita soup, potato gnocchi, or baccalà (salted cod fish). 

Try the Two Local Versions of Artichokes

rome in winter
Romanesco artichoke.

Artichokes are a seasonal winter food that Romans absolutely love! You can try it in two ways, one more delicious than the other.

But you have to decide for yourself which you like more. Artichokes Alla Romana, fried with olive oil, fresh garlic, mint, and oregano and served with meat, or Artichokes Alla Giuda, made with a two-stage cooking process?

Sip a Glass of Wine at a Roman Wine Bar

rome in winter

Apart from traditional food, Italian wine is another local produce you must try while in Rome. Thankfully, the city is packed with wine bars, which come by the name of Enoteca in Italian.

Whether you want to try something light or go all the way with a wine tour, Rome has you covered.

>> Looking for a special wine experience? This 4-Hour Food Tour by Night includes both local food and local wine tasting in Rome!
Click here for more information and to book the food and wine tour.

Take a Thermal Bath with a Trip to the Countryside

rome in winter

As beautiful a city as Rome is, a trip to the countryside is always a welcoming break from the traffic of the Italian capital – especially when you get the chance to enjoy a thermal bath (locally known as terme) on a cold day, like the locals like it.

For even better news, you won’t be more than an hour away from a hot spring in whichever direction you head.

But if you have to choose, Acqua Albule Terme di Roma (more info here) and the Terme Sabine di Cretone (more info here) are two of Rome’s most visited and renowned thermal baths.

Rome in winter

All in all, the Eternal City is a fabulous winter destination, as these local tips show. But they are only the tip of the iceberg.

Now it’s your turn to dig deeper into the Roman way of life by talking and interacting with locals. Soon, you will realize how much Rome is worth visiting in winter. 


Are you planning to visit Rome in winter?
Let me know in the comments below!

You might also want to read these articles:

rome in winter

Written by Dimitrios Tsevremes
Passionate about travel, spirituality, and sports, I have lived in five countries and traveled to more places than I can count. Writing is a way for me to express myself and my creativity. You can find out more about me and my work here.

Don’t Live Without Pinning the Guide to Rome in Winter!

Things to do in Rome in Winter

About me:

Gabi Ancarola | The Tiny Book

Gabi Ancarola

I moved to Crete in 2016. During these years, I learned so much about the island! In Crete, I juggle being a solo mom, hosting culinary tours, and writing for several travel media. I’ve written for Greek Reporter, published travel guides about Greece, co-authored DK Eyewitness Top 10 Crete, and had more glasses of frappe than any regular person could ever handle.

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