Relaxing Things To Do in Rome, Italy

Last Updated on May 19, 2024 by Tori Pines

The Eternal City, and Italy’s capital, is packed to the brim with things to do, sights to see and food to eat. However, after a busy few days exploring all the city offers on the “Top things to do” list, you’ll probably be left exhausted and wanting to find some relaxing things to do in Rome.

Or maybe this is your second (or fifth) time in the city and you have already experienced the typical activities. So instead, try out some of the most relaxing things to do in Rome using my list below!

While the city is definitely a bustling one, you are still in Italy, and Italian culture is slow-paced and focused on enjoying La Dolce Vita, the sweet life. So take a break, slow down and experience these relaxing things to do in Rome instead.

The term “relaxing” can mean totally different things to everyone. For some that means a peaceful bike ride, while the thought of working out in any capacity might be the opposite of relaxing to others. So I was sure to include a wide variety of activities, and there should be something for everyone!

Before you head off to relaxing, be sure to read through my super in-depth Rome city guide, and my Italy packing list to help you prepare for your trip! You can also read through my Italy journals to get my perspective of everything we did during out ten days!

_{This post may contain affiliate links for activities, destinations and products that I love, and think you will too!}

1. Bike the Appian Way

During the Roman Empire, many roads were built to and from Rome, hence the term “all roads lead to Rome”.  The Appian Way was one of the longest and most important roads that was built back in the day as it played a crucial role in the conquest of southern Italy.

Since then, the road has been restored, and today it remains one of the best free tourist attractions in Rome.  Along the road are additional attractions like the catacombs and a historic church to check out too!

Does this sound like one of the most relaxing things to do in Rome that you might enjoy? Visit on a Sunday when the road is completely closed to car traffic, but note that the catacombs are closed this day each week. So if that’s important to you, be sure to pick a different day of the week.

There’s a few ways you can go about planning your bike outing. The easiest, most stress-free and informational way is to book a tour where they supply the bikes, a guide and some great education along the way. This makes things incredibly easy so you can just show up. Also, doing this definitely helps this be one of the most relaxing things to do in Rome.

Alternatively, you can rent an ebike in downtown Rome, and bike all the way to the Appian Way. It’s about a 30 minute ride, but you’ll have the assistance since it’s an ebike so it will remain one of the most relaxing things to do in Rome.

Finally, you can take the bus to the start of the Appian Way, and close by you will find several bike rentals to choose from.

All three options are great just depending on the exact type of experience that you prefer!

2. Eat Your Way Through a Food Market

For many, eating delicious food is one of the most relaxing and enjoyable activities that you could do. Especially in Italy, of all places!

For the next suggestion on relaxing things to do in Rome, considering planning an afternoon at one of Rome’s amazing food markets. There’s a few to choose from that I will suggest below. But no matter which you select, they’re all going to offer a wide variety of delicious, authentic Roman cuisine.

These can definitely be explored on your own, but if you prefer to book a tour through the markets you can definitely book a Roman Market Food Tour instead!

Mercato Testaccio

For the most local, authentic experience, with arguably the best food, you’ll want to head slightly south of the tourist districts down to the neighborhood of Testaccio. If you’re going where the locals go, then you can be confident in knowing the best food will be found there. It’s open Monday through Saturday from 7am to 3:30pm. All of the food here is amazing, but you must try the pizza at Casa Manco; it’s my favorite place for pizza, and a priority on my 3 Days in Rome Itinerary!

Mercato Centrale

The most commonly visited by tourists, Mercato Centrale is located closer to the tourist areas and is quite large. Located right next to the train station, Roma Termini, it’s easy to get to, and you’ll likely be hopping on or off a train from there at some point in your stay, so you might as well stop in. It’s open all day long, from 8am to midnight. There’s a variety of produce and grocery-type stalls along with a wide variety of street food to taste. This market is definitely more touristy, and you won’t find as many locals hanging out here. But, you must stop by Trapizzino while you’re here, more on that below!

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Campo de’ Fiori

Honestly, this place is deserving of its own spot on the list of the most relaxing things to do in Rome, but since it is a market I decided to include it here. It’s located in one of the best areas in Rome, right between the Centro Storico and Trastevere (across the river). So chances are, you’ll be walking near this area a few times during your trip. It’s an open piazza where they set up a market Monday through Saturday from 7am to 2pm. They sell mostly groceries like produce, oils, spices, etc., along with a little prepared food and touristy gifts as well. They also sell beautiful fresh flowers which just makes the market that much cuter.

Mercato Trionfale

This market is in a good location for those visiting before or after the Vatican, as it’s not far away.  It is, however, strictly a grocery market and you won’t find prepared food to snack on here.

Wondering what food you must try while in these markets? I recommend you try some of the things the city is known for. When in Rome, am I right?

Roman Street Pizza

Italy is obviously known for its pizza, but did you know that the style of pizza is totally different all throughout the country? Rome is known for its street pizza, also called pizza al taglio. Baked in long rectangular trays, then laid out in the case, they typically offer a wide variety of flavors for you to choose from. You’ll make your selection, they’ll cut it off using scissors, heat it up then charge you by the weight. All of the flavors are delicious and there’s something for everyone. However, I think you must try the potato pizza and the one with just red sauce. Those are super traditional (and delicious) options that the city is known for! The potato is my favorite…carbs on top of carbs? Yes please!

Trapizzino

Believe it or not, this was probably the best thing I ate during my time in Rome. It is a modern invention thanks to a local pizza chef who invented the delicious masterpiece. So what is it? A triangle-shaped pizza pocket filled with different traditional Italian recipes. From meatball and red sauce, to eggplant parm to chicken cacciatore and more. But the pizza dough is incredibly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside… it is the perfect pizza creation. You won’t be able to find it at any market in the city, but they do have a stall at Mercato Centrale, another close-ish to the Testaccio Market and then a third in Trastevere. Pro-tip, they also have them in a variety of other cities now including Turin, Milan and even now in New York City!

Suppli

Simply, they are breaded, deep fried, rice balls. However, they come in a variety of flavors to choose from! The most traditional would be a rice similar to risotto, with red sauce and mozzarella inside. However most places offer different flavors, and many will make fun and unique options. You can usually find a cacio e pepe version too! They’re a great, quick snack and good for sharing too!

Artichokes

Rome is known for their artichoke dishes and while there are a variety of styles, the option you’ll likely find in a market is called Carciofi alla giudia. This dish was originally found in the Jewish ghetto, and still is, but now can be found in markets all over the city. They’re basically whole artichokes, flattened and deep fried. The outside layers taste kind of like potato chips and the inside is soft and flavorful.

Porchetta

This is the most popular sandwich you’ll find in the city. It’s very simple, pork stuffed with garlic, rosemary and fennel on a soft roll.

Gelato

Need I say more? You’ll likely be eating gelato every day on your trip (or several times a day) so you might as well grab a cone at the market! As always, be sure to look for stalls that have gelato in muted colors and that are not piled high. If they’re covered with a lid, even better!! Bad gelato does exist in Italy, and is not worth your money, calories or time. So ALWAYS be sure to find good gelato.

Obviously you’ll find plenty of other options to try at the markets, so follow your nose and try a variety of things! I always recommend you step out of your box a bit, try something new and unique. A market is the best place to do that because you can try several things, so even if something new isn’t your favorite, you can move onto the next thing!

3. Act Like a Local in Trastevere

The neighborhood of Trastevere is known for being the “locals” area of town. It is not home to any of the big sights, but is home to the most beautiful, quaint cobblestone streets you imagine when picturing Rome. But more importantly, Trastevere is home to the best and most authentic food. This is a great area to stay in while you’re in town, but even if you don’t stay here, be sure to plan at least a few hours wandering the streets.

Consider downloading the Rick Steves app on your phone and take the free audio tour of the neighborhood while you’re here. It will give you a good lay of the land, and teach you some history of the area!

There are many beautiful churches located here. Pop in a few to check them out. Just make sure you are dressed appropriately, as all churches in Italy expect your knees and shoulders to be covered.

And finally, enjoy some of their delicious food. Not all of the restaurants in central Rome are touristy, but so many are. So avoid those and spend as many meals as possible in Trastevere.

I recommend you check out Trapizzino and Suppli for street food, aka lunch or a snack. For Aperitivo, visit Freni e Frizioni for a drink and an unlimited buffet of appetizers. For dinner try Da Enzo al 29 or Mimi e Coco Trast.

P.S. If you want to try to fit in with the locals, you should learn some Italian before your trip. I’m teaching my little girl how to say I love you in Italian before we head there!

4. Wander Through Villa Borghese

Located in the heart of the city, just north of all the major sights, sits Villa Borghese. For all you Lizzie McGuire fans, you’ll definitely recognize this place from the movie.

It’s a huge park with beautiful greenery tucked away amongst the busy streets and cement that is Rome. Come here for one of the most relaxing things to do in Rome for some beauty and peace and quiet.

You can definitely plan to just wander and enjoy the scenery, but there’s much more to do here as well!  The Borghese Gallery is located within the park and is probably the most well-known thing to do here. But the Rome Zoo called the Bioparco is located here as well.

However, I think the best things to do here are to rent a rowboat and go for a ride in the pond, or rent bikes (or better yet quad bikes) and explore the grounds. Both options can be rented inside the park for a pretty small fee and is totally worth the money.

And of course while you’re here, bring a towel or blanket and a bag of meats, cheeses, bread and wine and enjoy the most perfect picnic in a beautiful shaded spot. Does it even get more relaxing than that? It must be top of the list for most relaxing things to do in Rome.

5. Walk along the Tiber River

Another option for relaxing things to do in Rome includes walking along the Tiber River. It’s the river that passes straight through the city, so it’s super easy to get to. A lot of tourists use this as a spot to go for a morning run…not necessarily my idea of a relaxing thing to do in Rome, but for some it is!

If not, a stroll along the river is always a good idea as it’s absolutely beautiful with the water on one side and the stunning ancient buildings on the other.

And best of all, each summer night they set up a market along the river! There will be live music, delicious food, shopping, and more. It needs to be on your Italy itinerary if you’re visiting during the summer months!

6. Watch the Sunset from a Rooftop Bar

One of the relaxing things to do in Rome that is perfect for any group visiting the city is to watch the sunset from a rooftop bar. There are plenty to choose from around the city depending on where you’re staying and what vibe you are looking for. Most will have comfy lounge furniture, snacks or full meals and always offering drinks.

There’s honestly no better way to unwind after a long day of walking and sightseeing than sitting back with your favorite people, watching the city around you with a glass of wine in your hand.

One of the best and most popular rooftop bars is called The Court Bar. It’s located on the top of a swanky hotel and overlooks the Colosseum. It’s no wonder it’s so popular. The view is out of this world.  Drink prices are not cheap, but they come with snacks. Just be sure to make reservations several months in advance if you want a chance at having aperitivo there!

Some other places to consider are Divinity Restaurant and Lounge, Oro Bistro and Garden Roof Trevi. But there are tons more so check out this thorough list of rooftop bars and find one close to where you’re staying if you just want to hop in one night!

7. Take a Cooking Class

Obviously, Italy is known for its food. It’s probably the reason many people visit to begin with. So while you’re here, consider learning how to cook the traditional Italian way so you can bring the skills home with you to cook for years to come.

Taking a cooking class would definitely be considered one of the most relaxing things to do in Rome for some visitors. It’s definitely at the top of the list for me!

There’s tons of different cooking classes to choose from at a variety of price points. Larger group classes that typically learn more basic dishes will be your cheapest option. Instead you could do small or even private classes where you might learn how to make more unique or difficult dishes. And then there’s always the desserts to consider as well, like learning to make tiramisu!

Whatever you are looking for, make sure to read lots of reviews before you book and find one that sounds the best to you. Personally, we chose a class that made two pastas, two sauces and tiramisu. It also came with unlimited wine and delicious appetizers prepared for us. It was possibly one of the best experiences from our entire trip!

8. So Many More Relaxing Things to do in Rome

These are some of my favorite relaxing things to do in Rome, but honestly there are SO many more options depending on what you like to do! You could do a food tour or gelato tour throughout the city.

Alternatively, you could wander the halls of an art gallery, or spend the day at one of the many spas in downtown Rome. Maybe you prefer to get out of the city. So rent a car or book a tour to explore the surrounding region of Lazio. Honestly, you can’t go wrong.

But whatever you do, if you’re looking to relax, don’t book a million things during your time here. It is definitely the way to go for some travelers, but those looking to relax should plan for a slower pace and less reservations.

Read through the rest of my Rome guides to plan out the rest of your time in this amazing city!