Rome Tour Guide's Top 10 list in Rome

We at When in Rome recently polled some of our most savvy Rome tour guides about their favorite off the beaten path places in Rome. Here’s what we came up with.

Romy: For one, I don't think many tourists really know much about the gianicolo hill.  this is a MUCH better view of Rome than from the dome of St. Peter's at the vatican and there are no huge lines and it's free!! Great place for a coffee along with a scenic view or even for an evening of romance... i've done wine and cheese picnics there before.
 
From the Vatican (behind gianicolo bus station), take the 115 bus which takes you directly there.

Abby: I like the pasticceria near Ottaviano, Dolce Maniera,  It smells deeeeelicious any time of the day you walk past but the best thing is that it's open all night long too. Next door to the army store and the “sexy shop”. The street name is Via Barletta... if you are walking towards the metro from Via Ottaviano, keep going across Via Giulio Cesare and it's that street, on the left hand side. Walk a little way down and follow your nose!

Oh, and also La Casa Di Supplì, (located in Piazza Re di Roma next to the Sma supermarket). mmmmm the BEST suppli I've tasted in Rome. Better than Il Delfino, which is also fabulous but the Re Di Roma place tops it. 

Sofia: Ristorante Le Naumachie – Via Celimontana, 7

Run by brothers Alfredo and Roberto Micheli, this restaurant takes its name from the Naumachie, the naval battles which took place when the Romans flooded the nearby colosseum. The menu is short and simple, and just about everything on it is fantastic. Amazing mozzarella di bufala appetizer, the pizzas have a fantastic crust, and the meats are top quality. The dessert called “cestino le Naumachie” is probably going to be the highlight of your visit, so leave room!

Aoife: Il Chiostro del Bramante: Home to art exhibits, conferences, libraries and a fantastic cafe, this space is a haven in the middle of a chaotic Rome. The space was designed by Bramante and is attached to the church of Santa Maria della Pace along Via Della Pace (not far from piazza Navona) The café is an indoor/outdoor space in the courtyard that serves lovely salads and light fare as well as coffee and aperitifs. There is free wireless access (which is hard to come by in Rome)! You won’t find this in many of the Rome guide books, so enjoy it while it is still a hidden jewel!

Kimberly:  The Ecstasy of St. Teresa sculpture by Bernini located inside the church of Santa Maria della Vittoria church at Largo Santa Susanna. This piece is one of the sculptural masterpieces of the high Roman baroque period, and is only a short walk from Rome’s central train station, Termini. Few tourists actually get over to see her, but those who do will have a lasting impression of the grandeur of Maestro Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s work in Rome.

Anna Maria: The lake at CastelGandolfo. Just a 30 minute train ride from Termini Station, and it is where the Pope’s summer residence is located. The volcanic lake is always a serene and relaxing place to spend a cool day away from the chaos of Rome. There are places to rent bicycles, boats, etc, and several excellent restaurants serving up local Porchetta from nearby Ariccia and wine from the Castelli Romani. My favorite is Da Agnese, which is along the lake (just after the tunnel, turn left. Da Agnese is about ½ Kilometer up on the right side).

 We hope you'll enjoy these hidden jewels provided by some of our Rome Tour Guides as much as we did!

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