Planning To Visit Rome?
The Colosseum, Roman Forum, Pantheon, Vatican Museum… Such classic sights of Rome are able to dazzle with their beauty, rich history, and they since long have gained international fame. But did you know that Rome has also many other secret places which are hidden from the majority of people, and millions of tourists don’t even guess about them? Unlike the “standard” Rome’s places of interest, these sights are incredibly interesting and provide a unique experience with lots of positive emotions.
7 Cool Places To Visit In Rome
#1. Palazzo del Freddo Ice-Cream Parlor
This is not just a cafe, but a real “palazzo” with the area of 700 square meters, where the famous Fassi family for over 100 years produces and sells one of the most delicious and unusual ice cream in Rome. In addition to many natural ice-cream flavors (by the way, the Italians consider it not just a dessert, but also a full meal) you can order there such sorts as “semifreddo”, “granite”, different sweets, ice cream cakes, and other chilled desserts, which are known only by Fassi family.
Working hours: Monday-Saturday 12.00pm-12.00am, Sunday 10.00am-12.00am
Coordinates: 41.893622, 12.508083
#2. Sant’ Eustachio Coffee House
Located on the small square between Piazza Navona and Pantheon, Sant’ Eustachio is one of the most popular coffee houses in Rome. Its baristas use a special type of coffee, which is brewed according to the original recipe, and as a result – you get strong, invigorative and delicious coffee. Among the most interesting hot drinks are “moretto” (espresso with a small amount of milk foam, densely sprinkled with cocoa), “frappe” and “granita” (espresso mixed with ice and cream). You can also taste a local bakery and the unique sweets there – coffee beans in dark chocolate. By the way, Sant’ Eustachio provides lovely views of the nearby squares which is excellent for a romantic dinner.
Working hours: Sunday-Friday 8.00am-1.00am, Saturday 8.00am-2.00pm
Coordinates: 41.898324, 12.475436
#3. Il Gergo Shoe Store
Il Gergo is a little shop selling exclusive Italian shoes which are produced at the local factory. This is one of the famous spots of the Italian fashionistas, and not in vain! Il Gergo shoes are elegant, easy, convenient, of exceptional quality and allow your feet to breathe even in the heat. Moreover, the price for all the shoes is very affordable. The only drawback is that the range of the men’s collection is several times richer than the female one…
Working hours: Monday-Sunday 10.00am-7.30pm
Coordinates: 41.907467, 12.478655
#4. The Peperita Shop
If you want to bring away from your trip something exclusive, just visit the Peperita shop. It sells the original souvenirs made from hot peppers: beautiful bouquets, garlands, decorations for home and even natural pepper bushes in clay pots. The original store will be also very interesting for culinary experts, cooks and just for those who like spicy dishes. Peperita offers them many kinds of pepper salt, pepper oil and a unique spicy jam with pepper in different variations and combinations.
Working hours: Sunday-Friday 10.30am-8.00pm, Saturday 10.30am-2.00am
Coordinates: 41.893763, 12.477460
#5. Largo di Torre Argentina
Do you like cats? If your answer is “yes”, then a trip to Rome is really what you need. In fact, there are about 300 thousand cats living in the city, and many of them you can find in Largo di Torre Argentina – a shelter for more than 500 pets. Few years ago the area of Torre di Argentina was the archaeological site, but now a vast area is empty and completely at cats’ disposal. So, you can visit them, but don’t forget to take a delicious “gift” for the beautiful four-legged inhabitants. The souvenir shop is also available on the cats’ territory.
Working hours: Monday-Sunday 9.00am-6.00pm
Coordinates: 41.895834, 12.476873
#6. Sora Lella Trattoria
Sora Lella is an elegant, not the cheapest one, but very nice family restaurant offering the amazing Roman cuisine, impressive selection of wines and unforgettable homemade ice cream. Located on the Tiberina Island, it provides fantastic panoramas of the Tiber River. As the establishment is very popular among the locals, it’s recommended to reserve a table in advance.
Working hours: Monday-Sunday 12.30pm-3.00pm, 7.30pm-11.00pm
Coordinates: 41.890594, 12.477948
#7. Via Piccolomini Street
Via Piccolomini is a very unusual street, and its unique feature is known only to a few travelers. From this street you can admire a fascinating panoramic view of the St. Peter’s Basilica. But the main feature is not the views – while walking down the street you can see an incredibly spectacular and fantastic optical illusion. When you try to approach the dome of the cathedral – an architectural monument is rapidly moving away. But when you try to look at the cathedral from a greater distance – it seems much larger.
Coordinates: 41.807312, 12.682538
As you see, Rome is quite a versatile city which offers both classic attractions and extraordinary entertainments. So, if you like the second ones, you can easily reach them by using the appropriate coordinates and a rental car.
Well, wish you a memorable weekend in Rome!
Author bio:
Lily Berns tries to provide readers with useful travel info, especially about travelling by car. She likes to find special places for pleasant vacation in Italy.
Image source: https://flic.kr/p/jGw8mx, https://flic.kr/p/6Zwqfg, https://flic.kr/p/5Azn74
