Rome under the stars is a magical experience that allows everyone, tourists and inhabitants, to witness the Eternal City in a whole new light. As the sun sets, the ancient monuments and historical landmarks are illuminated, casting a warm glow over the city, especially during the Summer, maybe the best moment to visit Rome by night, because the temperature is warm but not very hot, therefore you can enjoy the city center sitting in one of the many and characteristic places of the city, enjoying some highlights like:
The Colosseum, with its arches and columns bathed in soft light, the Roman Forum, that with its ruins illuminated, seems to come alive by night, the Trevi Fountain, the Baroque must-see fountain which the popular film “La Dolce Vita” (“The sweet life” or “The good life”) directed by Federico Fellini on 1960, made it a symbol of the city and Piazza Navona, a magical square with its fountains and cafes.
There are many ways to visit Rome by night, from a romantic dinner to a night tour, passing by a simple wandering of the streets, a classical way to discover hidden courtyards and picturesque roads.
As usual, we want to offer some tips to help the tourist make the most of his/her Roman adventure.
Rome under the stars: What are the best ways to see Rome at night?
Rome truly shines at night, offering a magical and unforgettable experience, therefore, take your time, do not rush and appreciate the beauty of the capital.
Visiting the Eternal City after dark allows you to walk when the crowds are smaller and the atmosphere is more intimate, you can plan a night tour strolling through the historic centre or even consider seeing more peculiar places to add a touch of mystery to your Roman visit like the Catacombs, the underground tombs used by Christians before cemeteries have been build in the city.
Catacombs are basically underground cemeteries consisting of tunnels and chambers with recesses for coffins and tombs, you can find them under almost every church in Rome, but not all of them can be visited.
There are other and different night activities in the Italian Capital like catching a movie at an outdoor cinema, the most famous one is in Piazza Vittorio, close to Termini train station, enjoying a gelato in Trastevere district, a delicious way to cool down in a warm summer evening or book a restaurant in the historical centre, and why not, consider a rooftop bar for a drink.
In Rome, there are many of them, mostly located in the historical centre. A rooftop can be a nice alternative to see the most famous landmarks or maybe have a Romantic dinner.
What are some romantic ways to see Rome at night?
Rome is an enchanted city to visit for everyone, especially if you are a couple.
Lovers can stroll through the historic centre losing their-self in the charming, narrow lanes illuminated by warm street lights or visit the Trevi Fountain and toss a coin making a wish or planning a romantic activity different from a dinner in a restaurant or a drink in a rooftop, like attend a music concert at the Auditorium Parco della Musica, a modern music complex designed by architect Renzo Piano.
A hub for a wide range of musical performances, from classical to contemporary. The Auditorium offer a serene setting for visitors to relax and enjoy the outdoors.
Couples can also enjoy a romantic tour guided, for example, why not consider one of our night tour of three or less hour on a Vespa sidecar, where you can visit the main monuments like Piazza Venezia, Castel Sant’Angelo, Circus Maximus and The Pantheon. You will get a professional licensed guide and have the chance to visit Rome in a very alternative way.
What are the best tours for experiencing Rome’s nightlife?
Rome is a vibrant city with a lot to offer to its inhabitants and tourists. If it is your first time in Rome and you like crowdy places go to Trastevere or Testaccio; the Italian capital has different neighbourhoods not only in the city centre and everyone offers different bars, clubs and restaurants. Rome is a safe city, but it is always important to be aware of your surroundings, especially at night, so it is good if you plan your experience in advance, in particular, if you want to move from one district to another and, it can also be helpful, knowing a few words in Italian to experience the real Roman nightlife and communicate with its citizens.
Anyhow, Rome’s nightlife is not only busy places full of people and bubbles, it could be a way to experience the Italian capital in a more relaxed and comfy way, for instance with guided tours to provide a unique perspective of the Eternal City. When during the daylight, you discover the hidden gems of Rome, or maybe you have been walking all day long and want to see the splendid monuments visited during the day in a different light, you could book a golf cart tour by night; a perfect solution for families too.
You can arrange your pick up a the hotel and go to discover Rome with your guide in an open vehicle which gives you the chance to take as many pictures as you want from every fantastic corner of the historical area passing by all the monuments already mentioned above and much more, like The Arch of Constantin and The Monument Dedicated to Victor Emmanuel II.
Remember that until 1946 Italy was a monarchy and in every Italian city you can find streets, squares or monuments which commemorate the memory of the Savoy Family who unified the Country in 1861 and Rome became its capital in 1871.
All these fascinating episodes will be told by your expert guide during your golf cart tour in a fun and thrilling way without losing the intimacy of this magic experience.
Is it possible to tour Rome on a vintage Fiat 500?
The Fiat 500 is an iconic Italian city car known for its distinctive design and retro charm. It has been produced in various generations since the 1950s. Its design is a small, rounded shape with large headlights and a simple and functional interior. As soon as it was released in the market it became a symbol of the Italian post-war economic boom and, until today, it is still beloved by car enthusiasts and not only.
At the beginning of this century, a new Fiat 500 was released, similar to the first edition but obviously more modern and functional, despite it had a certain success, it did not reach the glory of its ancestor.
In light of that, if you are in Rome for your first or second time you can not miss the possibility of having a guided tour in a vintage Fiat 500. It is a unique experience that you will remember for all your life.
The car itself is a photogenic subject and you will have plenty of opportunities to capture memorable moments; the car is smaller than a modern city car, so it gives the possibility to passing through the little mews of the city centre and helps you to connect in a deeply way with the city’s history and culture.
The vintage Fiat 500, because of its measures, can not carry more than three people and, as it is described on our website on the dedicated page, the back seats do not have safety belts (the 1970 models did not have them), therefore, if you arrange a tour with an expert driver it could be another fantastic option for a romantic night tour in Rome.
Rome is a city with plenty of possibilities and options to be explored during the night, just pick up the right one for you!
