Night Attractions in Rome: 10 Things to Do After Dark

Exploring Rome at night is a must for any traveler, whether to escape the summer heat of central Italy or simply see the splendor of the Eternal City from a new perspective. That is where these night attractions in Rome come in.

It’s no secret that Rome is one of Italy’s main attractions, from the Baroque beauty of Trevi Fountain to ancient Roman ruins and everything in between. When visiting Rome for a short period, you’ll want to get the most out of your trip, which means continuing your exploration after sunset.

Apart from seeing a different side of the city, discovering Rome in the evening has the added benefit of avoiding the massive tourist crowds. If that sounds inviting, keep reading to find the best night tours and attractions that this ancient city has to offer.

Top Things to Do at Night in Rome

While there are many things to do in Rome at night, the following are simply the best of the best – in our opinion. From capturing the lights on an ancient amphitheater to grabbing some amazing food on a food tour or at a rooftop bar, these activities perfectly round up an unforgettable vacation.

View Main Monuments at Night

Most people who visit are aware of the most famous attractions in Rome, like Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and so on. While brilliant during the day, these monuments truly light up – literally – when the sun goes down. Plus, most come at no extra cost to explore from the outside.

A walk through the city reveals bright lights beaming up across the intricate details of St. Peter’s Basilica or the Spanish Steps. The same goes for the local piazzas, like Piazza Navona and St. Peter’s Square.

Other impressive monuments to see include the fountains in Rome, like Trevi Fountain, Fontana della Barcaccia, or Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi. These are lit up beautifully throughout the night.

Even just a short walk along the Tiber River can offer some stunning sights without spending a cent. A night stroll to the terrace at the top of the Pincio Gardens, for example, allows you to admire the city landscape as far as the eye can see. It’s even more remarkable as the sun sets.

Tour Suggestion: Consider this private golf cart tour of Rome. It includes many must-see spots, from the exterior of the Colosseum and Pantheon at night to the Roman Jewish Ghetto. The tour ends at the top of the Spanish Steps, with an unforgettable view of the city below. You’ll also enjoy some aperitivo (a pre-meal drink) along the way.

Eat at Restaurants or Rooftop Bars With a View

Italian cuisine is, rightfully so, a massive talking point among food connoisseurs. So, after a long day of discovering the city, why not enjoy a well-deserved late-night meal with a view? And you’ve guessed it, night time is best to take advantage of the rooftop wine bars and restaurants across Rome.

Most of the popular rooftop bars and restaurants are within local hotels and require some kind of booking beforehand since they get so busy. However, they have breathtaking views of the top sites in Rome and are well worth the extra effort. Here are a couple of fabulous restaurants to try.

• Aroma – Aroma is a one-star Michelin restaurant set on the top floor of Palazzo Manfredi with a magical view of the Colosseum. Guests can enjoy Mediterranean-style meals curated by Chef Giuseppe Di Iorio, while the lit-up amphitheater looms across the street.
• Mater Terrae – Another stellar option is Mater Terrae. This restaurant is in the Hotel Raphael, just behind Piazza Navona, and offers a unique take on vegan and vegetarian cuisine. The food is delicious, and the views of Vatican City and the historic city skyline are also brilliant.
• Rooftop Garden Hotel Forum – The Roof Garden Restaurant of Hotel Forum is award-winning for its classic, elevated cuisine, tasty cocktails, and panoramic city views. In the distance, you can see everything from the Roman Forum to the King Victor Emanuel Monument and even the Colosseum.

Wander Through the Trastevere Neighborhood

Continue your sightseeing in the historic neighborhood of Trastevere-undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in Rome. Wander through narrow cobblestone streets filled with lively bars and eateries and embrace the nightlife and joyous atmosphere.

Piazza Trilussa is the highlight of the neighborhood, for sure. The square was dedicated to a Roman satirical poet, Carlo Alberto Salustri – but everyone called him Trilussa. 

The piazza is one of those cool places to support local talent, with people watching, street performers, musicians, and artists showing off their creativity. If you’re up for it, perhaps a performer will let you have a go at some karaoke in front of the crowds. It’s definitely a memorable experience.

Trastevere has other piazzas and places to see, notably Piazza Santa Maria. It’s in the heart of the neighborhood, and it houses the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore and the 17th-century Palazzo San Callisto, both brilliantly lit at night.

If you want to simply take in the views, head up to the top of Gianicolo or Janiculum Hill. Gianicolo has an unmissable viewpoint for watching the sun set across the city skyline before the nightlights start to come to life. Then, at the top of Janiculum, you’ll find the Fontana dell’Acqua Paola – a monumental fountain that happens to be one of the most romantic spots in Rome.

Get Spooked in the Catacombs

The ancient catacombs are underground burial places in Rome dating between the second and fifth centuries. More than 50 catacombs sit beneath Rome in a complicated and extensive network that’s almost 100 miles long.

They were primarily used for Jewish and Christian burials at a time when Christianity was highly persecuted. While a little morbid, it’s a significant part of Roman history, and visiting the catacombs will give you more insight into it.

Only a few of the catacombs are still around and open to the public. Among those are the Catacombs of San Sebastiano, San Callisto, Priscilla, Domitilla, and Sant’Agnese. The best way to see them is through the various nighttime tours across the city offered by local guides.

Tour Suggestion: Try this Rome Catacombs night tour by Walks of Italy. This is a VIP after-hours tour that allows you to avoid larger tourist crowds after the catacombs close. It starts in the St. Mary of Eulogies and the Dead Church, decorated with skulls and inscriptions. You’ll see a bone crypt and then travel via a private bus to the catacombs.

Take an Evening Food Tour

Rome has a vibrant street food culture, ranging from sweet treats to savory snacks. Locals are just waiting to share their joy and recommendations with you. That’s why booking tours with a Roman guide should be at the top of your list of things to do in Rome at night.

These tours take you to local favorite restaurants or bars, providing samples of popular dishes in Rome, like Carbonara, Maritozzi pastries, or Trippa alla Romana. And like most activities at night, it comes with the added benefit of fewer crowds.

It also doesn’t have to end with food. There’s the possibility of enjoying a brilliant evening tour of Rome’s best wine bars to sample and gain expert knowledge from a master sommelier. There are plenty of evening tours, but these are some of our top picks. 

Tour Suggestions:

• Trastevere at Sunset: Rome Food and Wine Tour – This food and wine tour offers a full dinner at five of the best restaurants in the neighborhood and insight into Roman food culture. Along with that, you’ll sample regional wines, meats, and cheeses, like classic Prosciutto or Parmigiano Reggiano.
• Food Tour with Unlimited Food and Barolo Wine – This Rome food tour is similar but focuses on nibbles and snacks. You’ll enjoy delicious samples of meat and cheese, Roman street foods, and wines, then finish with dinner and some gelato for dessert.

Enjoy La Passegiata With Gelato in the Centro Storico

First of all, what is la passegiata? La Passegiata literally translates to “the walk or stroll”, is a late afternoon or evening stroll to enjoy the sights, people-watch, and engage in conversation. This long-held tradition allows locals to socialize, too, so there’s no reason you can’t get out there and be a part of it.

A leisurely walk through the city streets of central Rome should definitely be accompanied by a serving of gelato. It’s one of Italy’s most famous sweet treats and comes in different varieties, from a tart berry or classic vanilla and chocolate to a nutty chestnut flavor. The combinations are endless, yum!

You can get these almost anywhere, but if you need a recommendation for some tasty gelato, stop at places like Gelateria del Teatro or Gelateria La Romana.

Take a Cooking Class

A nice alternative to food tours is cooking classes. These are a memorable way to embrace Rome’s food culture while getting your hands dirty and meeting new people. Learn authentic recipes from Italian maestros so that you always have a taste of Rome, even back home.

Cooking classes usually take place in private kitchens that host a small group, so you can meet like-minded travelers from all around the world. Want to learn how to toss pizza dough? Or how to shape the perfect tonnarelli pasta? These classes will show you all of that and more to help you prepare a five-star meal.

Tour Suggestions:

• Pizza-Making Class in Trastevere – This special class includes more than just a brief cook. Indulge in a full dinner prepared by your instructor, consisting of pizza with unlimited wine and beer. Learn from a professional chef how to create the perfect pizza, then end the evening class with a sweet gelato treat.
• Pasta and Tiramisu Class – Pasta-making is an art that not many have had the chance to master. That’s where this evening cooking class comes in. A professional chef will go through the basics of making handmade pasta and tiramisu. With your meal, you can sip on as much wine and prosecco as you need.
• Traditional Cooking Class in the Jewish Ghetto – Take a trip down to the Jewish District and see a whole new side of Italian cooking. A local chef will teach you how to prepare a traditional three-course meal, including pasta or gnocchi and a dessert. Wine and drinks are included, and you get prints of each recipe at the end of the class.

See a Classical or Opera Concert

Rome is home to some of the world’s most famous opera houses and theatres. The Teatro dell’Opera di Roma and Teatro Olimpico are just a few places that thousands of art and music lovers flock to each year. So, if classical performances and opera are up your alley, you’ll want to catch one of these spectacular shows.

Roman nightlife is brimming with options, from orchestra compositions to ballet performances. You can purchase tickets and watch a show like the Madame Butterfly opera or La Traviata at Teatro dell’Opera di Roma.

However, if you want something more unique, try catching an opera at the Baths of Caracalla or a concert, like Rock in Roma, at Circus Maximus. These are both sites of ruins that date back to the Roman Empire. They may seem an unlikely spot for a musical performance, but they are by far the most special places to watch one. Who wouldn’t want to embrace some theatre amongst ancient ruins?

Remember that the events at Baths of Caracalla and Circus Maximus usually only take place in the summer months.

Try Evening Visits to the Colosseum and Vatican Museums

When thinking about Rome’s attractions, two often stand up above the rest – the Vatican Museums and the Colosseum. They are two of the most visited tourist attractions in Rome, summing up over 12 million visitors every year. Unsurprisingly, that means you need to contend with a boatload of visitors every day. That’s why night visits can come in handy.

General entry to the Colosseum only includes access to the main sections. Guided tours are a better option since they take you into areas that general tickets won’t, such as the Colosseum underground area and arena floor. Note that exclusive night tours occur during select months, typically between April and October.

Then, if you visit St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City in the summer, you can enjoy the rare opportunity to explore the Vatican Museums at night. Booking an evening tour allows you to visit the opulent museums and the Sistine Chapel with a much smaller group.

Tour Suggestions:

• A Night at the Colosseum – This tour, offered by the official Colosseum staff, lasts about an hour and gives access to the underground level, the arena floor, and the first tier. An expert guide will also provide an invaluable and detailed narration of the history of each section and how it operated in ancient Rome.
• Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel Guided Tour – Explore the museums, chapel, and Raphael Rooms on this three-hour night tour. This tour is only available on select Friday nights between April and October but offers a unique experience that is well worth the wait.

Watch a Film at an Open-Air Cinema

Open-air cinemas are a summertime favorite, and it’s no different for Rome in the hotter months. Throughout the summer, you’ll find piazzas, villas, and outdoor attractions transformed into outdoor cinemas with large-screen projectors and speakers.

These cinemas are spread across the city and screen a variety of films, both local and international, with subtitles always available. Check beforehand which movies are being screened at your chosen location. Some popular screenings include Cinema Nights at Piazza Vittorio, the Casa del Cinema in Villa Borghese Park, and Il Cinema in Piazza.

When it comes to seating, some programs, like Casa del Cinema, have seats set up for a more formal experience. Others, like that in Parco di Monte Ciocci, require you to bring your own chairs or cushions.

You can purchase popcorn, gelato, and other snacks from stands at each venue or even order takeout from local restaurants. Either way, an outdoor cinema is a nighttime experience in Rome that you don’t want to miss out on.

Note: While most screenings are free, some venues and festivals still require reservations, so always double-check before you go.

Rome Attractions at Night – Wrapped Up

There you have it – the best attractions and reasons to explore Rome by night.

It’s clear that Rome has so much to offer any traveler looking to get the most out of their trip to Italy. And whether you’re there for a few days or a few weeks, the best way to maximize your time is to take advantage of the nighttime hours.

Rome’s tourist attractions are always good to visit. The Roman Forum, the Colosseum, the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Piazza di Spagna – you name it, and it’s worth seeing in the evening. If the bright lights illuminating these sights don’t suffice, then enjoy fantastic classical performances or some food tours.

Either way, Rome is waiting. So, while planning a trip to Italy, don’t forget to add the Eternal City to the list.

For more guide for your trip to Rome, check out these guides:

• Best Places to Stay in Rome
• Hidden Gems in Rome
• 3 Days in Rome Itinerary

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