Things to do in Rome this weekend
A locals-first shortlist of what's worth your time in Rome this weekend — from outdoor escapes to standout food and live music.
Top spots in Rome
The Colosseum & Forum
CultureCentro Storico
Book the underground/arena floor combo — skip the hour-long perimeter queue.
Trastevere
Food & DrinkTrastevere
Cobbled lanes, ivy-covered trattorias and Sunday lunch that runs until 5pm.
Villa Borghese
OutdoorsPinciano
Park above the Spanish Steps — rent rowboats on the lake, see the Bernini collection.
Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
CultureVatican City
Book the first 7:30am slot or the Friday night opening — the rest is chaos.
Testaccio Market
Food & DrinkTestaccio
Working-class food market — supplì, trapizzino, fresh pasta.
Aventine Keyhole
OutdoorsAventine Hill
Look through the keyhole at Piazza dei Cavalieri di Malta — three states framed.
Where to eat
Roscioli
$$$Roman · Campo de' Fiori
Salumeria-and-wine-bar with the city's most argued-over carbonara.
Pizzarium Bonci
$Pizza al taglio · Prati
Gabriele Bonci's slab pizza — point at slices, weighed, eat outside.
Da Enzo al 29
$$$Roman · Trastevere
Tiny 25-seat trattoria — cacio e pepe and the carciofi alla giudia.
Salumeria Roscioli — Pasta Tasting
$$$$Pasta · Campo de' Fiori
The dedicated pasta tasting room above the salumeria — five iconic plates.
Giolitti
$Gelato · Pantheon
Open since 1900 — order pistachio and stracciatella.
Live & on stage
Rock in Roma
Ippodromo Capannelle · Jun – Jul · Mixed
Estate Romana
Citywide · Jun – Sep · Free / Mixed
Auditorium Parco della Musica
Flaminio · Year-round · Classical / Mixed
Frequently asked
- Locals' favourites right now: The Colosseum & Forum, Trastevere, Villa Borghese. The full list is curated weekly and balances outdoor, food, culture and live music picks.