Fun Things to Do In Rome: Your Ultimate Guide

Fun things to do in Rome can mean different things to different people and our guide will lead you towards more than just art, historical sites and food.

Fun Things To Do In Rome - Sports And Entertainment

Rome, also known as the Eternal City, is one of the most vibrant and historically rich destinations in the world. Whether you’re a history buff eager to walk in the footsteps of emperors, a lover of great food looking to indulge in authentic Italian cuisine, or a sports fan searching for the best place to catch a game, Rome has something for everyone.

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But beyond its famous landmarks, Rome also offers unique cultural experiences, fascinating traditions, and unexpected adventures. This guide explores all the fun things you can do in Rome while addressing practical travel tips to make your visit unforgettable.

Cultural Experiences You Can’t Miss in Rome

Italian Culture And Traditions Are An Obsession For Many

It should come as no surprise to you that Italian culture is loved around the world. If it is the cinema, music or fashion that come from Italy there is a definite obsession with people around the world that want to be a part of it.

Italy’s culture is world-renowned and for much of it, Rome is at the heart of it all. Tourists often become fascinated by the Italian way of life, its deep-rooted traditions, the pace and rhythms of the Italian lifestyle and emphasis on quality over quantity.

Fun Things To Do In Rome - Relaxed Dining

Some of the more familiar cultural experiences that many from outside of Rome come to appreciate are:

Aperitivo & Passeggiata: Enjoying an aperitivo (pre-dinner drink with snacks) in order to open your palate for dinner and strolling in a passeggiata (leisurely evening walk) are cherished Italian traditions. In Rome, Piazza Navona, via del Corso and all around Trastevere are perfect for this.
Relaxed Dining: Italian meals are a slow-paced experience. Instead of rushing through a quick dinner and barely tasting your food, Italians embrace multi-course feasts that are completed with wine, desserts and espresso, sometimes lasting hours.
Festivals & Cultural Events: There is no shortage of Festivals or Cultural events in Rome and across Italy. Depending on when you visit, you might catch festivals like Carnevale in Venice, “The Battle Of The Oranges” in Ivrea, Ferragosto across Italy in August or Christmas markets.

The Drinking Age In Italy Is Only Part Of The Culture

Alcohol, like: wine, beer, spirits and amari are part of everyday life in Italy. The legal drinking age here is 18, but alcohol consumption is very different than in other countries, like the US or the UK.

Unlike those countries where drinking is often associated with partying, bad behavior and drunk driving, Italians view alcohol, especially wine, as an integral part of meals and social gatherings. Overindulging and binge drinking are not part of the culture and viewed as “brutta figura” or Bad Form.

Fun Things To Do In Rome - Enjoying A Beer

Some expectations in Italy include:

Responsible Drinking: Most Italians start drinking wine with meals at a young age in a responsible, family-oriented setting. Even though it can include an aperitivo, wine with dinner, and an amaro (bitter) after dinner, there is no overdoing it. Each drink has a purpose that serves to highlight the food above all else.
Where to Enjoy a Drink in Rome: There are restaurants, enotecas, traditional Irish pubs, rooftop bars and authentic wine bars all offer an incredible experience. The goal isn’t inebriation, but conviviality and social lubrication.
Traditional Roman Drinks: Some Prosecco, wine or an Aperol/Campari Spritz are available everywhere at a reasonable price. They are an aperitivo, which is a single drink, paired with a light snack, that is used to open up your palate and prepare for an amazing dinner experience. After the meal, a shot of Limoncello or Amaro are believed to aid in digestion so that the great experiences of the meal settle nicely in your stomach.

Do Italians Drink Beer More Than Wine With Dinner?

In southern Europe, the most popular drink is usually wine and the countries that make up this region are called the Wine Belt of Europe. The countries include Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, France and many others across southern Europe.

Fun Things To Do In Rome - Enjoying A Beer Outside

When you go further north you encounter the Beer Belt, which includes England, Ireland, Germany, the Czech Republic and others that are around the same latitude. These belts have been crossing as beers, traditional and craft, continue to grow in popularity in Italy. Some popular brands include:

Peroni – Peroni is the most popular beer producer in Italy, but it includes many variations. It was founded in 1846 in a small town, Vigevano, outside of Milan. This was before the unification and a very tumultuous time in Italy. Almost 20 years later, they opened a second brewery in Rome, near the Spanish Steps.
Birra Moretti – In 1859, Luigi Moretti opened the Beer and Ice Factory in Udine, which is in the northeast corner of the country, back when Friuli was still part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Today, Birra Moretti Original Recipe is the best-selling Lager in Italy.
Ichnusa – More than a century ago, in 1912, the company acquired the Cagliari plant, in Sardinia, and relaunched the brewery and the Ichnusa brand.

Sports And Entertainment In Rome

If you are like me, you’ll need to keep up on your local sports team, even if you are on vacation in Rome. If you prefer soccer (calcio) or rugby, there shouldn’t be any problem. I saw a TV set up in a food court in a mall just so some fans could stay to watch the soccer game.

Fun Things To Do In Rome - Sports Bar Food

Are you concerned about missing your favorite NFL team’s game while in Rome? No problem! Here’s where to catch the action, depending on your preferences:

Best Sports Bars: In Rome, and in other major cities in Italy, there are proper Irish Pubs that double as sports bars like you would see in the US. TV lining the walls with multiple concurrent games playing for every fan.
Streaming Options: If you prefer to watch from your hotel, on your phone or Airbnb, local Italian services like DAZN and Sky Italia may have coverage that you need. This is more involved and probably more appropriate for someone staying here a little longer. For a short stay, check out the Irish pubs.
Pro Tip: Time Zone: Don’t forget about the time zone differences. NFL games are 6 hours later, and if it is a night game, like Thursdays, Saturdays or Mondays, you should plan to be up late. Fortunately, I did see that for the Superbowl, the local pub was open all night serving until the game finished.

Local Sports: Experience the Passion for Italian Soccer (Calcio)

Soccer (calcio) is a religion in Italy and Rome’s clubs, AS Roma and Lazio, have a passionate fan base. If you want to try the most authentic experience you can in Rome, you might consider attending a soccer match and experience the electric atmosphere at Stadio Olimpico. During the season, it is possible to purchase tickets online at a fairly reasonable price, depending on the opponent. You can also watch these games at the same pubs as you could for Football. Watch your cheering, however. Italian fans, known as “tifosi,” create an unmatched energy with their chants, flares and occasional violence.

Fun Things To Do In Rome - Drones In Rome

Drone Exploration In Rome

If you are traveling with a drone to Italy, you should be aware of the governing law, but don’t worry, it is simple. If you are bringing a drone to Rome, here’s what you need to know:

Packing Tips: Ensure your drone and batteries are stored properly for flights.
Best Places for Drone Shots: Though drones are heavily restricted in the historical center of Rome, areas like Villa Doria Pamphili and outside the city offer stunning aerial views. If drone usage is restricted in the area you are most interested in, opt for viewpoints like Gianicolo Hill or Pincio Terrace.

It is important to understand the Drone laws in Italy and I’ll link below to a guide with much more information. In short, Italy has specific drone regulations, so be sure to follow them:

Registration: For drones over 250g, registration with ENAC (Italy’s aviation authority) may be required.
No-Fly Zones: Drones are banned over most of Rome’s historic sites.
Legal Alternatives: Consider hiring a local drone pilot if you want professional aerial footage.

Practical Travel Tips For Tourists

As you might imagine, I am not a lawyer and this is not legal advice. What I hope is that you consider these opinions as you plan your trip to Italy and be safe and on the right side of legal.

Marijuana laws in Italy are strict and tourists should be aware of the legal landscape:

Legality: Recreational cannabis is illegal, but low-dose CBD products are available all around the city.
Penalties: Possession can lead to fines or legal trouble. You really don’t want to ruin your vacation by stepping over the line.
Alternative Legal Products: Some stores sell “cannabis light” (low-THC cannabis), but it won’t have the same effects.

Fun Things To Do In Rome - Cannabis Stores

More Fun Things To Do In Rome

Rome is a city that offers something for everyone: history lovers, sports fans, adventurers, and food lovers alike. Whether you’re sipping an Aperol Spritz on a rooftop bar before dinner or cheering on your favorite NFL team in an Irish pub, your time in Rome will be unforgettable.

Here are some articles that expand on the topics we’ve discussed: