20 Exciting Things To in Rome After Dark

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When the sun goes down, Rome takes on an entirely new persona. As a lover of embracing the night, I’ve discovered that the Eternal City truly comes alive after dusk – revealing tantalizing restaurants, exciting nightlife, and sights that are best experienced after dark in Rome.

Trying to decide what to do in Rome at night can be difficult, depending on whether you want to relax, hit the clubs, or just have dinner. 

Deciding where to go and what to do in Rome at night can be overwhelming. I will help you decide which neighborhoods are best for an authentic Italian dinner, which bars are best in Rome, and even which ruins are open at night for tours. 

There are so many things to do in Rome at night so keep reading as I take the guesswork out of what to do in Rome at night.

Things to Do in Rome at Night

Sunset in Rome is magical at night, so Do Not go back to your hotel room. I repeat, Do Not go back to your hotel room. There is nothing like a late-night stroll on a summer evening in the Eternal City.

Once all the museums close, the city becomes quaint, intimate, and sexy, with its charmed narrow cobbled streets, cool Mediterranean climate, and delicious authentic Italian food. 

Rome produces some of the best wine in Italy, making exploring it a one-of-a-kind culinary adventure. 

There are also a ton of free things to do in Rome at night, so no worries. I’ve got you covered, so you won’t have to worry about exceeding your budget.

Once you have checked off the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Trevi Fountain? It’s time to dig deeper into the many layers of Rome’s long and complex history, so here are some of my favorite things to do in Rome at night, including the following:

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• Slow Down with an Aperitivo
• Go Shopping in Monti
• Have Dinner in Trastevere
• Explore Villa Borghese

👉Don’t have time to read the whole article? This is the best Rome Night Tours
👉Rome by Night Tour With Pizza and Gelato 👉 Colosseum by Night Guided Tour

Things to Do in Rome at Night For Couples

If you are traveling to Rome on your honeymoon or anniversary, here are my top picks for the most romantic things to do in Rome at night for couples.  From long strolls holding hands to sightseeing off the beaten path in the neighborhoods of Rome.

The hubby and I have uncovered some of the best things to do in Rome to make the best of your trip to Rome. 

1. Professional Photoshoot In Rome

Celebrate a special occasion with your loved one and take an unforgettable tour of the Eternal City.

This sightseeing tour is designed for couples and visits some of the most romantic places in Rome, including the Milvian Bridge, Trastevere, and the Colosseum at night.

Capture your romantic moments with included photo and video shoots and end your tour with a candlelit dinner complete with sparkling wine.  Read more about the Photoshoot in Rome here. 

2. Take a cruise tour on the Tiber River

Admire Rome from the water on a Tiber River cruise with a 4-course dinner. You’ll glide past landmarks like Castel Sant’Angelo and St Peter’s Basilica, illuminated against the nighttime sky.

Enjoy musical entertainment on board while you feast on Italian dishes like lasagna, gnocchi, and beef with pesto sauce, and finish with dessert and coffee. Read more about a cruise on the Tiber River here. 

3. Take a romantic stroll in Villa Borghese Garden

Take a tour of Rome’s third largest city garden, Villa Borghese, and enjoy a delicious picnic in the park during this half-day tour.

Stroll through the 80-hectare park and admire the pond, the statues, the terraces, and, of course, the beautiful plants.

Visit the Terrazza del Pincio and enjoy a delicious lunch while enjoying the park’s scenery. Read more about the Villa Borghese Gardens.

4. La Traviata The Original Opera with Ballet

Travelers looking for a unique night out in Rome can look no further than this performance of La Traviata at St. Paul Within the Walls Church.

You’ll see one of Italy’s most popular operas performed in a remarkable setting.

For a fully planned evening out, you can also opt for a pre-performance dinner at a nearby restaurant in Piazza della Repubblica. Read more about La Traviata Ballet.

5. Rooftop Cooking Class and Dinner in Rome: Pasta, Gnocchi and Tiramisù

Learn to make fresh pasta and tiramisu, then dine on a private house near the Vatican City rooftop and watch the sun go down.

The relaxed Rome cooking experience includes a glass of prosecco, which you’ll sip as you learn to make classic pasta such as fettuccine and ravioli from scratch.

The class is suitable for all ages and can accommodate vegetarian requests.  Read more about Rooftop Cooking Class and Dinner in Rome: Pasta, Gnocchi and Tiramisù 2019 

6. Rome by Night with Pizza and Gelato

See the Eternal City come to life after dark on a 4-hour, small-group tour of Rome at night. Kick off your evening over pizza in a classic Roman restaurant, then see the ancient sites and monuments with dramatic illumination.

Take in the soaring arches of the Colosseum and the Pantheon’s shadowy pillars, then stroll through Piazza Navona to three picture-perfect fountains.

Pause to throw a coin into the Trevi fountain and savor a cup of local gelato before returning to your hotel. Read more about Rome by Night with Pizza and Gelato 2024

7. Night in Rome on a Vespa

Experience Rome after dark at your own pace on the back of a Vespa. During the 12-hour rental period, take in this ancient city’s sparkling lights and nightlife.

You can follow your itinerary or use the Official Guide to Rome to construct your tour, including Piazza del Popolo, Campo de Fiori, Piazza Navona, and the romantic Gianicolo lookout point.

Make a pit stop to enjoy your included ‘Rome Eat ‘n’ Run’ picnic. All safety equipment, anti-theft devices, and Vespa accessories are provided.  Click here for a Night in Rome on a Vespa 2024.

8. Monte Gelato Waterfalls Tour and Picnic

Discover Monte Gelato waterfalls, one of the fascinating places near Rome, and enjoy your lunch in the beautiful surrounding

The Best Restaurant in Rome After Dark!!

You can’t travel to Italy without indulging in some of the world’s most delicious pasta.  I was in Italy for 10 days and I had some of my best meals in Rome.

The culinary scene in Rome at night is nothing short of amazing.  There are a ton of old favorites you must try if you are visiting Rome, along with a few new cutting-edge restaurants that should also be on your list of restaurants to try in Rome, especially for dinner. 

There’s a new up and coming chefs that are putting a modern twist Italy’s classic dishes at contemporary trattorias all over the capital.

Prepare your taste buds to be blown away by authentic Italian classic dishes on your next trip to Rome.

Restaurants You Need To Try In 2024

1. Altrove

Altrove is a restaurant with a mission to promote inclusivity by working with a multicultural staff and offering not only authentic Italian dishes but also other international dishes. 

Open from morning to night, it boasts a café, a pasticceria, and a restaurant that combines Mediterranean flavors with the native cuisines of its employees – order a buffet plate at lunch or dishes like tempura, ceviche, couscous, and kofta à la carte at dinner.

2. Adesso Vineria-bistrot

Adesso is a small and cozy restaurant run by a motivated team of young people who are fully dedicated to pleasing their customers.

The structure of the menu is different from normal Italian restaurants, which is why an explanation of the concept when handing out the menu would be helpful and a safe time in making your choice.

The food is a mixture of dishes that are quite classical in taste and presentation and more innovative. We basically enjoyed everything that we had but noted that most dishes were a bit on the bland side and would have benefited from a pinch of salt.

They have a nice choice of wines, also by the glass. The staff takes great care in recommending wines to match the selected food.

Prices are reasonable for what is being offered and the service is excellent. Thus, all in all, Adesso is a solid recommendation if you want to have a nice evening with good food in a stylish, lively, and pleasant ambiance.

So, is the No. 1 rating on TA deserved? In most cities, the top spot on TA goes to the place with the highest customer satisfaction, not the place with the best food in town. With Adesso, this is the case, too.

3. Fratelli Mori

Osteria Fratelli Mori is named for Alessandro and Francesco Mori, two brothers who love cooking and serve honest Roman fare in a relaxed environment.

The menu isn’t exactly surprising, but everything is executed to perfection, from the fritti to the desserts.

Classics like Gricia with artichokes and woodfire pizzas that cross between Roman and Neapolitan styles.

Ingredients are sourced from the nearby Testaccio Market and local suppliers and the wine list is primarily focused on the Lazio region.

4. Imàgo

Set within the storied Hotel Hassler at the top of the Spanish Steps, the Michelin-starred Imàgo was the first rooftop restaurant to open in the 1950s and pairs iconic views with high-end dining. 

Imàgo remains one of Rome’s most exclusive restaurants thanks to its innovative cuisine and old-world charm. Try the capellini aglio, olio e peperoncino (olive oil, garlic and red chili pepper) with smoked eel.

5. Moma

Moma is the latest restaurant to receive a Michelin star in Rome and was recognized for its quality ingredients, distinctive flavors and consistently high standards.

It has been a perennial favorite of Rome’s business crowd who flock to its coffee bar at all hours of the day. Located opposite the US Embassy, the restaurant is named after New York City’s Museum of Modern Art and was conceived as a “gastronomic showcase” for artistic dishes and unusual combinations.

Look out for dishes like persimmon with blue cheese and walnuts and grilled calamari with fresh strawberries and foie gras mousse.

6. SantoPalato

One of the buzziest openings of the past year, Santo Palato is a retro trattoria that has become exceedingly popular with the city’s tastemakers who appreciate the nuance that chef Sarah Cicolini brings out of traditional dishes.

The menu appeals to those with more carnivorous appetites; in fact, the restaurant is part of a larger cultural revival that is seeing offal grace menus across the capital.

At Santo Palato, tripe, sweetbread and tongue make an appearance alongside more palatable classics like Amatriciana and Genovese. Book well in advance because it’s a popular spot.

 7.  Faciolaro 

I stumbled upon this little restaurant name of Faciolaro accidentally while waiting on reservations at the restaurant across the street.

I don’t even remember the name of the restaurant we were waiting on, but it was over an hour, and I was starving after a long day sightseeing. So we decided to try Faciolaro, and it was the best decision I ever made while exploring Rome.

From the time we walked up to be seated through the entire meal, I felt nothing but warmth and kindness from the old gentleman, whom I think was the owner.

My husband called him our granddad because he cared for us like his grandchildren. The pasta was so good that it melted in my mouth like butter, and the clams were so tender and juicy that I thought I had died and gone to heaven. 

Simply delicious!! We ate entirely too much pasta, but as the old saying goes, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”

Things Not To Miss In Rome at Night:

• Tossing Coins into the Trevi fountain only!!
• Walk through Ancient Rome
• Enjoy a cup of coffee
• Italian pizza followed by gelato
• Explore Vatican City
• grab a bite to eat or enjoy a bottle of wine outside

When to go to Rome:

Most people travel to Rome in the summer but keep in mind that it gets really hot in the afternoons. Therefore, the best time to travel is either spring or fall. 

March- May or September -November is best for sightseeing in mild temperatures.

Tourist Alert:  Things NOT to do when in Rome:

• Hold on to your stuff!! Do not keep money or electronics easily accessible in your backpacks or pockets because Roman pickpockets love this and will spot you immediately.   Be smart and keep your documents and money in separate bags and check on them once a day. Do not put valuables in an external pocket. Do not leave anything lying around, even for a few minutes. I-phones and iPads are now the most stolen items when traveling because people are preoccupied with sightseeing and don’t realize someone has stolen them until it is too late.
• Fountains are not for washing your feet! Rome is extremely hot in the summer, and you will be tired of walking and your feet will need a break but you cannot dip your feet in any of the fountains because Romans find this very disrespectful.
• Always beware of pickpockets, especially when traveling on buses, metros and public transport, but also when in line for gelato or pizza because pickpockets’ are always waiting and watching.
•   Please do not enter a church or museum in spaghetti straps or skimpy attire.  Save that for a date with your significant other.   It is a good idea to keep a big scarf in your backpack so you can quickly wrap it around your shoulders when entering a church or museum.
•  Do not accept flowers!!! I have never been offered so many flowers and selfie sticks in my life but firmly say No and keep walking.  You will  meet people who will try to scam you by offering you a rose as free gift or because you are so beautiful but when you accept they will ask for money and then harass you for money and or corner you if you refuse so a firm NO and keep walking and make sure you watch your surroundings.

Stay Safe in Rome at Night

With that in mind, here are common sense tips for how to stay safe in Rome (and for just saying safe in general wherever you might be):

1. Italian emergency numbers.
   • General Emergency: 113
   • Police (Carabinieri): 112
   • Fire (Vigili del fuoco): 115
2. Sign up for the US STEP:Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. The Embassy will know how to contact you in case of an emergency. 
3. Don’t travel in unfamiliar areas alone. travel with a friend and keep an eye out for each other.  
4. Don’t accept drinks from people you don’t know and don’t leave your drink unattended. This is true no matter the destination and staying safe while traveling especially for ladies.  
5. Be aware of your surroundings. Rome is notorious for pickpockets who will snatch your panties right off your behind so be very careful.  
6. Don’t leave valuables in plain sight. Practice common sense
7. Have copies of your important documents stored electronically or left with family at home to ensure you can easily replace anything that is stolen and quickly cancel stolen cards.
8. Pick secure accommodation. Make sure the hotel you decide to make home in Rome is safe.  I have a list of my top boutique hotels in Rome.  Book your reservation now for Rome.

Protect what matters most by visiting my Amazon safety store. With a wide range of top-quality safety products, from first aid kits to emergency supplies and diversion products, i’ve got you covered. Don’t wait – ➡️ click the link and stay safe while exploring Rome at night!

The unique charm of the narrow cobbled streets, calming Mediterranean climate and delicious authentic Italian food makes Rome one of the most traveled to destinations in the world.  

Exploring Rome at night is one the most romantic things you will ever do whether it’s an intimate dinner in the square,  holding hands strolling through one of the many neighborhoods, or experiencing local wine there is something for everybody.  

It will only to take you a day to enjoy the food, open-air markets, and astonishing historic sites.  Make sure you toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain, contemplate the Colosseum and the Pantheon, and sample gelato before you leave.

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