Rome is a nearly 3,000-year-old city steeped in history with unforgettable places that are not to be missed! This grand city was the center of one of the greatest empires in history. For centuries, this was the capital of Christianity, and Vatican City remains a holy site within the greater city of Rome. There are sights you would definitely want to see, such as Vatican City, St. Peters Basilica, the Coliseum, and countless others. As an ancient city, Rome has nooks and crannies, fascinating areas that are just as interesting as the regular tourist attractions that the typical tourist might miss. There are things Italians almost take for granted, but seeing some of them would make your trip to Rome even more enjoyable. Featured here are the Quartiere Coppede, Basilical di Santo Sefano, Trastevere, Janiculum Hill, Villa Borghese, Cat Sanctuary, Capuchin Crypt, and Eitch Borromi Rooftop Bar. Read on to find out more about these must-see Rome attractions that are off the beaten path.
The Capachin Crypt is beneath the Church of Santa Maria in the historic district. The chapels contain skeletons of Friars. When the religious order moved to this place they brought the bones of deceased friars with them and made their bones into art. The skeletons are several hundred years old.
The Eitch Borromi Rooftop Bar is not well-known, and it is very small, so you will need a reservation. It gives a romantic and beautiful view of the historic area of Rome. You get a 360-degree view of the ancient city. It is atop an expensive restaurant, and the drinks here are pricey, but the view makes it worth the cost.
There are an estimated 300,000 cats in Rome. Over the past 20 years or so the Torre Argentina excavation site has become a haven for stray cats. Local residents were feeding them, and a cat shelter opened there in the 1990s. You can see an amazing number of cats here, and they are all happy and healthy, running around an archeological site.
If you get tired of exploring all the historic sites and museums, take a hike to Villa Borghese. It is the largest public park in the city, with fountains, trees, benches and lovely places for a stroll. There are also museums and restaurants. It would take a day do go through all of it, but it is a nice place to take a break.
Gianicolo, Janiculum Hill is sometimes called the eighth hill of Rome. This is surprisingly left out of most tour guides. It is just south of Vatican City and can be easily reached on foot, and the hill is not hard to climb. There are views of the city that are striking and as good as you will find anywhere. A cannon fires at noon each day in one of the plazas. Other than that it is a very quiet area. It is not usually crowded and is a great way to enjoy Rome away from the beaten path.
Trastevere is a small area across the Tiber River from the city center. The Plaza Di Santa Maria is well-known to tourists, but the side streets around it are not. In these areas, you can get some of the best food in Rome. It is an outdoor market where you can shop for food the way they did 500 years ago.
The Basilica di Santo Stefano is unique because of its design. It is the oldest centrally planned church in the city. It was built in the fifth century and has many paintings of martyrs. It is not crowded and has a very authentic feel.
The Quartier Coppede is a small district with unique looking buildings. It looks like something out of a fairy tale, with small buildings built next to each other. It is a small area behind the well-known Quartiere Trieste. Most of it was built in the early 1900s and is a combination of many architectural styles.