When planning a trip to Rome, it's easy to get swept up in the classics: the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, and St. Peter’s Basilica.
These landmarks deserve their fame, but there’s another side to the Eternal City—one that doesn’t require lining up, elbowing through crowds, or blowing the budget.
Rome’s green spaces and lesser-known museums offer a quieter, richer experience for travellers who want to dig deeper.
As Vogue recently put it, “Rome is a city that rewards wandering”—and its historic parks are the ultimate place to do just that.
Villa Borghese: Green Heart of the City
The most famous of Rome’s gardens, Villa Borghese, sprawls across 100 acres in the city center.
Initially built in the 17th century for Cardinal Scipione Borghese, the estate includes bike paths, views from the Pincio Terrace, and a number of museums.
“Rome is a city that rewards wandering”
According to Lonely Planet, “Among its attractions are the landscaped Giardino del Lago, Piazza di Siena… and a panoramic terrace on the Pincio Hill.”
Visitors can take in a film at Casa del Cinema, or rent a four-seater e-bike for a scenic ride through history.
Vatican Gardens: Behind Sacred Walls
While Vatican City is known for the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica, few tourists know about the Vatican Gardens, which cover roughly one-third of the city-state.
“Fortifications, grottoes, fountains and even the Vatican’s tiny heliport and train station” await those who book a guided tour, according to Lonely Planet.
Entry to the gardens also includes access to the Vatican Museums, home to what The Guardian calls “one of the most awe-inspiring collections of art on the planet."
Small Museums with Big Stories
Vogue suggests ditching the guidebooks and following curiosity instead: “Some of the best experiences in Rome happen by accident—like wandering into a museum you’ve never heard of and being stunned by what’s inside.”
That spontaneity might lead you to the Museo delle Mura, set inside the ancient Aurelian Walls, or the Keats-Shelley House, perched above the Spanish Steps.
Parks with Purpose
For postcard-worthy views, Gianicolo Hill delivers.
Known as one of the best skyline lookouts, it’s also home to summer music festivals and monuments to Garibaldi and his wife, Anita.
“Some of the best experiences in Rome happen by accident—like wandering into a museum you’ve never heard of and being stunned by what’s inside.”
Nearby, the Orto Botanico—Rome’s botanical garden—offers 8,000 species of plants on the steep slope behind Trastevere. “It’s a slightly neglected gem and a great place to unwind,” Lonely Planet wrote.
For Romance, Reflection, or a Run
Whether you're sipping espresso under orange trees at Parco Savello (nicknamed the Orange Garden), picnicking among ancient ruins at Villa Celimontana, or jogging through Villa Doria Pamphilj, Rome’s parks serve every mood.
The Guardian describes Villa Doria Pamphilj as “a place where Romans come to breathe.”
And for those looking to blend fitness with ancient history, Via Appia Antica offers "the most pleasurable way of exploring the Appian Way is by foot and bicycle,” according to Lonely Planet.
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