The eternal city has plenty of things to offer to its visitors. However, Rome is not only fountains and piazzas. There are some must-have experiences in Rome away from the tourist attractions that you and everyone else should go for.
Interested?
Without any doubt, Rome is one of those cities that you will always want to come back to, no matter how many times you’ve been there already.
With beautiful architecture, history, delicious food, atmosphere, you will fall in love with Rome right away. I think everyone does, right?
Don’t get me wrong, all of the touristy things that you can do in Rome are great, they are! Some of them are even things everyone should do in Rome, touristy or not.
Rome, though, is not just the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, or the Vatican.
The must-have experiences in Rome away from the tourist attractions are the things that I loved and enjoyed the most in this wonderful city.
As you know, the Italian capital as one of the most popular and visited cities in the world can be very expensive. Of course, there are many free things to do in Rome as well. Those experiences, though, are priceless.
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Must-have experiences in Rome away from the tourist attractions #1
Bring someone you love and enjoy the smile on their face
I have been to Rome twice already. The first time I was there, I was backpacking Italy solo. The second time I went there, just less than a month ago, I was with my brother.
Everything started when I started planning my trip to Georgia. I started finding cheap flights from one place to another and the last one was from Prague to Naples. Wondering either to go home or to go somewhere else after Naples, I decided to visit Rome again. Because Rome is always a good idea and whether you have a few days or 2 weeks in Italy, you should always plan a visit to the eternal city.
After I made that choice, I immediately decided that this time I want to take my brother with me.
I knew that he’s going to love the city, so I book flights for him, our accommodation, etc, all before even telling him.
If you don’t know that, me and my brother, we’re twins. Our birthday is at the beginning of September, a month after our trip together to Rome and I thought that this will be an amazing early birthday present. It was!
Fast forward and we were already in Rome.
We were there for 3 nights. Every day, we were getting up early, so we can explore the city before it gets too hot and also so we can avoid the crowds. We were staying up until late, eating lots of pasta, pizza, and gelato.
But what was the best thing about it? The best thing was that we were together, in Rome. He was happy and enjoying it and I was happy that I made him happy!
That’s why this is my favorite from all the must-have experiences in Rome away from the tourists’ attractions. After all, my brother is my favorite person in the world.
Who is the first person that comes to your mind when you think of someone you would take to Rome?
Must-have experiences in Rome away from the tourist attractions #2
Meet locals and let them show you the city through their eyes
The locals, of course, are the best way to experience the city not as a tourist but as a local.
When I was in Rome the first time, I was using Couchsurfing. My host was kind enough to spend some time with me, cook for me, to take me to some of his favorite places, etc.
However, I met another local then, that I spent most of my time with.
I will always remember my first time in Rome with Andreas. Andreas showed me parts of the city that you probably haven’t even heard of. He told me all about the history (I forgot everything). Besides that, we just hang out, relax in the Orange Garden (one of my favorite places in Rome!), relaxed in another park that name I don’t remember (it was away from the tourist attractions too), and enjoyed drinking beers with a view of the Colosseum.
”But during that time you could have visited the Capitoline Museums (let’s say)”. Well, yes, I could have but this is not what this post is about, isn’t it? Also, I would always prefer the first.
So, if you wondering what must-have experiences in Rome away from the tourist attractions you can have, or actually anywhere else, meeting and hanging out with locals is always the best bet!
Must-have experiences in Rome away from the tourist attractions #3
Feel at home, stay at The Beehive Hostel
As mentioned above, the first time when I was in Rome I was using Couchsurfing. The second time, though, I choose not to, and then I found The Beehive Hostel.
Why I put a hostel on the list of must-have experiences in Rome away from the tourists’ attractions?
Because The Beehive is not like any other hostel.
Of course, in Rome, you have numerous accommodation options to choose from and The Beehive is not the only hostel in the eternal city.
However, I believe that The Beehive is one of a kind.
The Beehive is a family-owned hostel by a wonderful and warm couple. The hostel is very well located (less than 5 minutes from Termini and 20 minutes to the Colosseum), clean, tidy, and cozy.
They use only ecological cleaning supplies and recycled paper products. They support all things organic and local, from the ingredients they use in their cafe to the bath products (the shampoo and the soap smell like honey <3).
What’s the best about The Beehive Hostel is that they don’t only give you accommodation, they share with you their company, their knowledge and they also have a wonderful wine!
They organize storytelling evenings, wine tastings, and cooking classes. The hostel is also sociable, solo travelers love it.
Staying at The Beehive is definitely one of the must-have experiences in Rome away from the tourists’ attractions!
Grazie The Beehive for your hospitality!
I love their wall of family photos. <3
Must-have experiences in Rome away from the tourist attractions #4
Love pasta? Learn how to make it yourself
Everyone knows that pasta is a traditional Italian dish and that eating pasta in Italy is something everyone should try.
Great(!), but the homemade pasta is way better than the one you will find at the restaurants. So, why not learning to make your own pasta?
There are many cooking classes in Rome, that’s for sure. I went to the one at The Beehive Hostel.
The pasta cooking class was so much fun and such a cool experience.
I’ve learned how to make my own pasta step by step from scratch. The final result? The final result was amazing! This pasta was one of the bests I have ever eaten, fresh and self-made.
After that we all had dinner together, eating our pasta, drinking wine, and talking about different topics.
Rome! Maybe it’s true that when you throw a coin in the Trevi fountain one day you’ll be back. Maybe it’s just Rome and everything about it that simply makes you want to be back. I don’t know. What I know, though, is that I would go again one day.
You know what? I still haven’t been inside the Colosseum and I still haven’t been to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. And although I haven’t, I’ve had all of those must-have experiences in Rome away from the tourists’ attractions that worth times more traveling there for (at least in my opinion).
Now ask yourself. What are you travel for? For the sights or for the experiences?
Thanks for reading,
Bilyana
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