Whether you want to see some of the world’s most famous monuments or relax in a stylish cafe, Rome is a perfect location for spending a Sunday afternoon. This month, we will give you some ideas for what to do in Rome, Italy‘s capital on a Sunday afternoon.
1. Explore Ancient Rome
If you are living in Rome, you’ll soon discover that anywhere you go in the city, you’re surrounded by the past. Rome’s architecture bears the marks of Ancient Roman, Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Neoclassical and Fascist architecture. Rome is probably best known for its ancient Roman monuments, and a relaxing Sunday afternoon is a perfect time to discover some of these architectural wonders. The Colosseum is the largest ampitheatre ever built in the Roman Empire and is considered to be one of the greatest works of Roman architecture. Although partially ruined, the Colosseum is one of Rome’s symbols and is a major tourist attraction. Walking around in Rome, you should also visit the Roman Forum, the Pantheon, the Catacombs, the Circus Maximus and other stunning Roman monuments that will take you back almost 2000 years in time.
2. Visit the Vatican City
If you are living in Rome, you should also visit the Vatican, which is one of the UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites and is home to some of the world’s most famous tourist attractions, including St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums. St. Peter’s Basilica is a stunning late-Renaissance building whose architects include Bramanta, Michelangelo, Giacomo della Porta and Bernini. The Sistine Chapel is famous for its architecture and frescos created by Renaissance artists, such as Michelangelo and Sandro Botticelli. The Vatican Museums display a large collection of sculptures and paintings by some of the most renowned artists in the world, including Caravaggio, Leonardo da Vinci, Titian and Raphael. The Vatican Museums are open to the public for free on the last Sunday of each month. If you don’t mind long queues, a sunny Sunday could be a great time to visit the Vatican and its museums.
3. Discover Rome’s Fountains
Rome is a city famous for its numerous fountains, all representing different styles, from Classical to Baroque and Neoclassical. Fountains have been decorating Rome’s piazzas for over 2000 years, and there are currently around 280 fountains to be found around the city. The Trevi Fountain is probably one of the world’s most famous fountains and is the city’s largest Baroque fountain. Legend holds that if you throw a coin into the fountain, you will return to Rome. Other famous fountains to visit are the Bernini Fountains, the Fontana delle Naiadi and the Fontana delle Tartarughe.
4. Relax in a Cafe
Italian coffee is one of the best in the world, and Rome is a perfect place to enjoy a cup of espresso or any other coffee-based drink. You will find countless stylish cafes on almost any corner in Rome. Although Italians often drink their coffees quickly, standing at the counter and rushing off to some other place, a Sunday afternoon is a perfect time to sit down, and enjoy every sip of your coffee, while watching the city pass by. The most famous cafe in Rome is the Antico Caffe Greco, which is also among the oldest cafes in the world.
5. Take a Walk in the Trastevere
Trastevere is a district of Rome situated on the west bank of the Tiber, south of the Vatican and preserves a uniquely bohemian character to this day that has attracted many artists, tourists and expats. Walking around on the cobbled streets lined with medieval houses is a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon. If you feel hungry, you’ve also come to the right place as Trastevere is probably the best place in the city to get reasonably priced and great Italian food, from one of the numerous quality restaurants in the area.