I will be traveling to Rome on a business trip. We are doing the usual tourist attractions of Vatican city, Pantheon, steps etc. We will have an afternoon on Sunday and an evening free on Saturday. Are there any recommendations for what to do? Any restaurants that are local and inexpensive that are not to be missed?
Thank you
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16710 posts
We will have an afternoon on Sunday and an evening free on Saturday.
This in addition to time you intend to spend doing the "usual tourist attractions", right?
Other than the Vatican Museums, quite a lot is open on Sundays. What sorts of things are you interested in, and what else of the "usual" attractions do you already have on your list? If you haven't already, I'd add Galleria Borghese for Sunday afternoon but that may not be a must-see for you. That one does require advance reservations, and here's where you do that:
http://www.galleriaborghese.it/en/home_en/borghese-gallery-and-museum
Unless it's really cold, evenings are very good times for walkabouts to take in some of the city architecture and piazzas while they're lit up. You could also plug your dates into "Time Out Rome" to see what may be going on for Saturday evening (although it may be just a little early for that).
Posted by
Washington DC
28453 posts
Da Enzo is a very simple-looking place in Trastevere that specializes in Roman cuisine. It's not at all expensive and is reportedly popular with off-duty chefs. You might need a reservation. Do not expect it to be fancy or charming.
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8362 posts
Check with the front desk at your hotel for local restaurant recommendations.
Posted by
OP
208 posts
HI
Yes in addition to what I am already doing.
Rome city walk
Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona
Vatican City guided walking sightseeing tour with Whisper headsets
Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel visit, St. Peter’s Basilica visit
Rome Ancient City Guided Walking Sightseeing Tour with Whisper headsets
Colosseum visit, Forum Romanum visit, Piazza Venezia
More of an outdoors person. Is it feasible to go see the catacombs and aqueduct? Are there any hiking trails near Rome that would be pretty at that time of year?
thanks for the links and suggestions
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11839 posts
Getting to true hiking trails is a challenge without personal transportation although there is a Rome Meet-up group that does some outings. You might search Meet-ups for it.
I can highly recommend a tromp around Parco degli Acquedotti or the Appia Antica. both accessible by public transportation.
Get a pizza and a suppli at Pizzeria da Remo in Testaccio. You can thank me later.
Posted by
OP
208 posts
great looking suggestion
thanks
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15798 posts
You might enjoy Ostia Antica on Sunday afternoon - get away from the city, visit an ancient seaport. On Saturday evening you could take The Roman Guy's Trastevere food tour. It's a small group tour, with several stops and lots of food and drink. I took it this past February and it was great. (10% discount for RS people - use "ricksteves" promo code).
Posted by
Chicago
2124 posts
Depending on the weather--and it's surprisingly temperate in Rome all winter, 40's, 50's, even 60's--aside from the attractions, it sure would be nice to sit outside at a cafe (they do have those vertical heater things) and watch the world go by with a drink. Rome is wonderful for just chilling. The neighborhoods lend to that--we did it for a week this last March.