Rome After 5:00 pm

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Rome is the capital city of Italy, one of the most visited countries in the world. Once the heart of the Roman Empire that conquered and influenced different cultures and people in Europe and beyond, in Rome you will find plenty of iconic classical architecture, as well as monuments from the Medieval and Renaissance periods. Roman urban architects are famous for their amphitheaters, temples, and aqueducts. However, the number of Christian churches from any age is impressive too: Rome has hosted the seat of the Pope, highest charge of the Catholic church for centuries on the Vatican Hill. Besides being a city generous with historical landmarks, Rome is a big multicultural metropolis that attracts citizens from the other cities of Italy and from all over the globe.

Rome’s historical center is listed as a UNESCO Heritage site and spreads over 20 square kilometers. The Colosseum with the Roman Forum, which you can visit with the same ticket and over 2 days, are considered the top attractions. The other places you shouldn’t miss in the open-air museum that the city represents are: the Pantheon, the Capitoline Hill, St. Peter’s Square, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, People’s Square, and Navona Square.

How to Get to Rome, Italy

Where to Eat in Rome for Dinner

Tonnarello | Address: Via Della PAglia, 1 // At the heart of the Trastevere neighborhood, which is one of the top areas for dining and nightlife in Rome, the trattoria “Tonnarello” has prepared the typical Rome’s delicacies since 1876. The name of the restaurants refers to a traditional homemade kind of pasta, that you will find here together with many other Italian and Roman dishes.

Pierluigi Restaurant | Address: Piazza Dei Ricci, 144 // One of the most elegant restaurants in the city, perfect for a date and for the ones who want to have a drink with their dinner, as it has a cocktail bar and a wine cellar with sommelier. They serve traditional dishes with seafood, meat, and cheese, together with vegan and gluten-free options.

Felice a Testaccio | Address: Via Mastro Giorgio 29 // Felice is a well-known trattorias in one of the foodie districts of Rome: Testaccio. Come here for some traditional Roman food and to enjoy the nightlife in this lively area bordering the historical center.

Momart Restaurant Cafè | Address: Viale XXI Aprile, 19 // Come here for a trendy environment and to enjoy the buffet aperitivo in the North Italian style.

Ristorante Alessio | Address: Via del Viminale 2/g // If you know a bit about Rome’s neighborhoods you’ve probably heard that the area around the Termini Train Station is better to be avoided at night, to prevent encounters with beggars and drunkards. After the opening of the Mercato Centrale food court at the side of the station, the situation has improved, even if common sense and caution apply as in many other contemporary metropolises. However, if you find yourself in the area of the central train station, you must try Ristorante Alessio, which offers delicious Italian and Roman cuisine along with wines from their own cellar at a reasonable price.

Things to See in Rome at Night

Explore Rome’s historical center // Sightseeing in Rome’s historical center is one of the most fulfilling travel experiences you can have in Europe. If you only have time after 5 PM, even better! The monuments are lit up at night with a romantic, warm light perfect for photos. Walk from St. Peter to the Colosseum though the St. Angel’s Castle, the Navona Square, and the Venezia Square to see the most fascinating part of the city at night.

Enjoy a panoramic view on the Gianicolo Terrace // If you love a walk off-the-tourist-tracks, you should go from Piazza Trilussa in the Trastevere neighborhood to the Gianicolo Terrace to enjoy the sunset while you admire the most spectacular panoramic view in Rome.

Visit the Trastevere neighborhood // There are a few neighborhoods in Rome that are particularly alive at night and the most popular among travelers is Trastevere. There are plenty of pubs, restaurants, and shops to explore in the area which is also nice because it borders the River Tiber with its charming bridges and reflections.

Try the Italian “aperitivo” experience. // Italians usually eat dinner from 8 PM to 9:30 PM, which can be a bit late for visitors from other countries. A perfect compromise is met with the aperitivo-style dinner, that most of the workers choose during weekdays as a way to relax after work and before going back home. Starting 6 PM up to 9 PM, cafes and pubs in the city fill up with groups of people having a drink (which is usually a spritz, a glass of wine, or a soft drink) and eating finger foods. The trendiest cafes like the Momart and the Sacco, offer a buffet aperitivo and a drink for €10.

Check out the Monti neighborhood near the Colosseum // One more trendy area that you can visit just around the Colosseum is the Monti neighborhood, that thrives at night with locals and expats. A lively community reunites near the Catecumeni Fountain at the center of Piazza Della Madonna dei Monti at the aperitivo hour. The evening continues with a dinner at one of the countless restaurants in the neighborhood, followed by a live jazz session at the Charity Cafè, an essay movie at the Cine Detour, and gelato at the incredible shop “Fatamorgana”.

Guide and Photos by Annalisa Franceschini | Travel Connect Experience | Facebook | Instagram

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