9 Unusual & Quirky Things to do in Rome

Looking for unusual things to do in Rome? You probably already know about the famous sites in Rome like the Colosseum, Pantheon, Roman Forum and Vatican city, but do you know the lesser-known sites?

Here’s my eclectic list of quirky and unusual things to do in Rome when you’ve already visited the main attractions:

1. Enter the creepy Capuchin Crypt

Don’t be scared, step inside Capuchin Crypt and into the world of the dead. However, it’s believed by many that life continues after death in one form or another and the Capuchin Friars who lived in Rome from the 16th Century were no exception.

These friars belonged to a Roman Catholic religious order of brothers and priests, inspired by the ideals of St. Francis. Such ideals place emphasis on living as simply as possible whilst possessing a passion for peace, honesty and charity.

This all seems normal enough, so that’s why the existence of Capuchin Crypt – aka the Bone Cemetery – appears even more surprising and bizarre. What you can find beneath the church of Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini is a small space of six chamber like chapels containing nearly 4000 bodies and thousands upon thousands of bones belonging to the Capuchin Friars.

Address: Via Vittorio Veneto, 27.

Opens:  Friday – Wednesday 09:00 – 14:00 and 15:00 – 18:00

2. Visit Torre Argentina Cat Sanctuary

Did you know Rome is home to more than 300,000 cats, most of whom live outdoors? Over the last twenty-five years many of these strays have taken refuge in the Torre Argentina excavation site, being fed by local residents in the area.

The cat shelter opened in the early 1990s housing more than 400 cats, pampered daily by volunteers. If you love cats in all shapes and sizes, this is not to be missed. You can read more about my trip to this sanctuary here.

Address: Largo di Torre Argentina.

Opens: Daily, noon – 18:00.

3. Keep your eyes peeled for the Stumbling Stones in the Jewish Ghetto (Stolpersteine)

This unusual activity hits both a somber and uplifting tone.

During WWII, more than 2000 Jews were deported from Rome and tragically sent to Auschwitz, of which only 102 of the Jews deported from Rome survived.

Today, Rome’s Jewish community is thriving and due respect is now being paid to those who perished under the Nazi regime.

Beginning in Cologne in the mid 1990’s, German artist Gunter Demnig had an idea to commemorate victims of the Holocaust. He has thoughtfully placed stolpersteine stones (stumbling blocks or stepping stones) in front of the last place the victims lived to remember their lives.

Each stone is a way of symbolically returning that person to their home. The project is ongoing and today there are over 40,000 commemorative stepping stones across Europe.

4. Rent a rickshaw in Villa Borghese, Rome

Looking for a fun activity to do with your friends, family or lover? Head up to the beautiful region of Villa Borghese where you can explore the grounds of this grandiose landscape on a rather less elegant rickshaw.

They are affordable to rent for an hour and offer a great way to burn some calories after all the food that you will no doubt be consuming. It’s oodles of fun and just trying to cycle the darn thing is a challenge in itself!

Whilst you’re there, don’t forget to visit Galleria Borghese, one of the finest collections of classical art in Europe.

Note: You can’t by tickets on the day and must book in advance which you can do here.

Address: Piazzale del Museo Borghese 5.

Opens: Tuesday – Sunday 8:30 – 19:30.

You might also like: Villa Borghese – Finding Tranquillity in Rome

5. Marvel at the Monster doorway in Palazzo Zuccari

Located near the Spanish Steps, make a brief trip to see this fabulous building noted for its door and window frames shaped into screaming mouths of Grotesque ogres.

The owners, a pair of Renaissance painters and brothers, Taddeo and Frederico Zuccari, were inspired by the monster park in Gardens of Bomarzo, not too far from Rome.

It is now the Biblioteca Hertziana Max Plank Institute for Art History. Although it is not open to the public, it is worth the detour just to see its devilish facade.

Address: Via Gregoriana, 28.

6. Capture artistic contrasts at Centrale Montemartini

This interesting museum is a striking example of how contrasts can work together to make something rather quite exciting. Housed in one of Rome’s first power stations, the museum displays some of Rome’s huge collection of Greek and Roman statues, tombs, two large mosaic floors and artefacts set amongst the now defunct turbines and boilers and the halls that still smell of oil.

Address: Via Ostiense 106.

Opens: Tuesday – Sunday 9:00 – 19:00.

7. Keats-Shelley Memorial House

Nestled in a corner at the foot of the Spanish Steps, the Keats-Shelley Memorial House is a place for literature lovers away from from the busy crowds.

The museum commemorates the Romantic poets John Keats and Percy Bysshe Shelley, and houses a plethora of beautiful first edition books and handwritten letters by Keats, Borges (who adored Keats), Byron, Shelley, Wordsworth, Oscar Wilde and more.

This small museum is a beautiful homage to two of literature’s most treasured writers, known also as the place where Keats sadly passed away. Inside you will find a lock of the writer’s hair, and his death mask among other interesting memorabilia. 

Address: Piazza di Spagna, 26 

Opens: Monday – Saturday 10:00 – 13:00 and 14:00 – 18:00.

You might also like: Inside the Keats-Shelley Memorial House in Rome

8. Visit the Roman Protestant Cemetery

To carry on the literary theme, I end this list with the Roman Protestant Cemetery, where Keats and Shelley are buried. It’s a haven of peace away from the commotion of the Roman streets. In case you go to look for Keats’ tomb, it’s important to note it doesn’t refer to him by name, instead look for the epitaph ‘Young English Poet’. And Shelley? Well he died at sea and upon his tomb lies a quote from Shakespeare’s The Tempest,

Nothing of him that doth fade
But doth suffer a sea change,
Into something rich and strange.

Address: Located halfway down Caio Cestio.

Opens: Daily 9:00 – 17:00, Sundays 9:00 – 13:00.

9. Park of the Aqueducts

If you want to escape the crowds, Park of the Aqueducts (or il Parco degli Acquedotti) is the perfect place to retreat. When you’ve already visited the Colosseum, the Spanish Steps and the Pantheon, this place will certainly feel like a hidden gem in Rome.

This architectural marvel is part of the Appian Way Regional Park and showcases a vast number of aqueducts built by the ancient Romans. They represent construction over hundreds of years of varying degrees of ruin and preservation.

It deserves its place in Roman history. Once upon a time supplying Ancient Rome with water that sustained private and public means, including the immense patrician villas, the baths and the beautiful piazza fountains.

How to get there: The easiest and fastest way to get to the area is to take Metro A to Lucio Sestio or Giulio Agricola stations – both are located nearby from the park entrance. Alternatively, you can hop in a taxi which shouldn’t take more than 20 minutes from the centre of Rome.

Rome planning list

Accommodation: If you’re looking for character, style and comfort, look no further than G-Rough. This boutique hotel describes its ethos as ‘rough-luxe’, showcasing original, vintage pieces by leading Italian designers against a stripped-back historic building catering for only 10 rooms. Located on the doorstep of Piazza Navona, there are a wealth of architectural marvels and museums on your doorstep.

For more accommodation options browse Booking.com.

Tours and activities: To see and book a full range of tours in Rome click here.

How to get there: Depending on your departure location, you can either fly, drive, or travel by train or bus to Rome.

Flights: Compare flight times and departure dates on Skyscanner.

Train: Check times, dates, and book in advance via the Trainline.

Drive: If you wish to hire a car, I recommend using RentalCars.

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