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Everyone knows the Colosseum and the Vatican — but what about the secret keyhole on Aventine Hill? Or an art-filled crypt beneath a church? If you’re looking for hidden gems in Rome and unusual things to do, this guide reveals the city’s best-kept secrets for curious travelers who want to go beyond the tourist trail.
🗝️ 1. Aventine Keyhole (Buco della Serratura)
- Peer through a nondescript keyhole on Aventine Hill to see a perfectly framed view of St. Peter’s Basilica
- Free and magical — especially early morning or sunset
- Located at Piazza dei Cavalieri di Malta
🌳 2. The Orange Garden (Giardino degli Aranci)
- Peaceful garden with citrus trees and a stunning panoramic view of the city
- Great picnic spot near the Aventine Keyhole
- Free and usually quiet
⛪ 3. Basilica of San Clemente
- A church layered over a 4th-century church and a 1st-century Roman house
- Descend through 2,000 years of history in one site
- Entry: ~€10 — totally worth it
💀 4. Capuchin Crypt (The Bone Church)
- A series of small chapels decorated with the bones of over 3,700 monks
- Eerie, artistic, and unforgettable
- Located under the Church of Santa Maria della Concezione
- Entry: ~€8.50
🖼️ 5. Galleria Doria Pamphilj
- A private art gallery inside a lavish historic palace
- Houses Caravaggio, Titian, and Velázquez in a quiet setting
- Feels like stepping into someone’s royal home
🏛️ 6. Quartiere Coppedè
- A surreal mix of Art Nouveau, Baroque, and medieval architecture
- Located in the Trieste neighborhood — very few tourists
- Great for photography and design lovers
🍷 7. Testaccio Neighborhood
- Local Roman life, great food, and zero tourist traps
- Visit the Testaccio Market, sample Roman street food, and climb Monte Testaccio (a hill made of broken pottery)
🕍 8. Jewish Ghetto + Portico of Octavia
- Rich in history and home to some of the best food in Rome
- Visit the beautiful Synagogue, eat fried artichokes, and wander historic backstreets
- Much quieter than Trastevere or Centro Storico
🎭 9. Teatro di Marcello
- Often mistaken for the Colosseum, this ancient theater predates it
- Surrounded by ruins and still used for concerts today
- Quiet, atmospheric, and free to view
⛲ 10. Fontana dell’Acqua Paola (Il Fontanone)
- A massive fountain overlooking Trastevere from Gianicolo Hill
- Far less crowded than Trevi, with stunning views and photo ops
- Come at golden hour for a perfect shot
📌 Final Tip
Want to find more hidden gems? Wander side streets without a map, chat with locals, or take a walking tour focused on underground or secret Rome. The best discoveries are often the ones you stumble upon.