If you want to know what are the best fun things to do in Rome for young adults, here you are served up some local knowledge.
If you are already familiar with this travel blog, then you will know that I was born and raised in Rome. Rest assured that the city offers plenty of entertainment opportunities, especially in and around the historic center.
So mark some of these places and activities that I suggest. From evenings in the Trastevere district, to shopping in vintage stores, from street art to nature walks. But there is also more.
After reading this post you will already have enough elements to complete the drafting of your itinerary in Rome.
Most fun things to do in Rome for young adults
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1. Discover Roman street art
At the top of the list of the most fun things to do in Rome, in my opinion it has to be admiring street art (and photographing it).
Brilliant murals by local and international artists are scattered throughout the city, but I’ll let you in on a secret.
There is one area near the historic center of Rome where you can see some of the city’s most beautiful street artworks all at once: the Tor Marancia neighborhood.
Here, concentrated in a block of buildings that host public housing, there are 22 huge murals that cover the entire walls of the buildings from ground to sky.
This street art initiative in Rome is unparalleled in its scope and impact.
Dubbed “Big City Life,” the Tor Marancia Residential Museum came into existence in 2015, significantly altering the local landscape for its inhabitants, who are its de facto proprietors.
The museum, accessible to all without charge from the street, showcases the talents of internationally acclaimed artists. This project also made its mark at the Venice Biennale.
Directions to the Tor Marancia open-air museum: Depart from Stazione Termini on subway line B heading towards Laurentina. Exit at Garbatella and embark on a roughly 20-minute walk to Viale di Tor Marancia, 63.
2. Discover Rome’s darkest secrets
Even though I was born and raised in this city, I have participated in several guided tours of Rome that would usually be geared toward travelers. You never stop discovering the sights and history of this wonderful city!
Such is the case with the “haunted tour” of Rome’s historic center, which allowed me to learn information about Rome’s history that I had never heard of.
Imagine walking through monuments, beautiful squares, and bridges, and at the same time learning creepy details about the history of the places. And there are so many of them!
But the most chilling knowledge was of immoral and inhumane historical figures, none of whom I had learned about sitting at school desks and in history books.
These include popes, torturers, and unscrupulous ladies.
All this you discover through an evening tour of about 1 1/2 hours that I highly recommend, whether this is your first or second time in Rome.
There will be you, an experienced local guide, and a small group of others thirsty to learn about Rome’s most reprehensible history.
You can find the haunted tour here, and it's affordable too!
3. Visit (and enjoy!) the skate park
If you love reckless sports, or just want to enjoy the tricks of skateboarding wizards, the Skate Park under the bridge “Ponte della Musica” is the place to be. Let’s start with the location.
The pedestrian bridge was created in 2000 by one of London’s most prestigious architectural firms, joined later by several Italian firms.
It can be crossed either by bike or on foot and connects, overlapping the Tiber, the area’s most innovative centers, such as the Auditorium della Musica and the MAXXI museum.
Just under the bridge, it is possible to see, during the day and in the evening, a lot of young people grappling with their acrobatics.
If you want to have fun trying to imitate them, I recommend that you equip yourself with a helmet and knee pads.
How to get there
From Roma Termini take the metro A direction Battistini and get off at Ottaviano. From there get on bus 32 direction Saxa Rubra and get off at Cadorna/Giardino. Then a very short walk to Skate Park.
TIP: If the Flaminio district seems too far away, then I recommend heading to the Skate Park Colosseo, where you can pirouette with none other than the colosseum in the background!
4. Get around the city by rickshaw
Let’s start with a cult of yesteryear: the rickshaw (risciò in Italian). Although the origin of this particular vehicle is found overseas, it is still a big hit in Italy.
Get around the city by pedaling in comfort and enjoy a fun activity with your loved one or family.
You can rent your rickshaw by the hour. We recommend you do so from Bici Pincio, on Viale Goethe S/N, a great central area and easily accessible by transportation.
Here, for the lazy ones, there is also the possibility of renting pedal-assisted rickshaws! (Not a bad idea, considering the ups and downs that characterize the city).
5. Go hiking in the Parco del Pineto Regional Park
One of the most extraordinary features of Rome is that the urban area alternates with unique natural areas. This is the case with the many public parks such as Villa Borghese and Villa Ada but there is more.
The Parco del Pineto stretches in the northwest part of the city between Via Trionfale and Via Pineta Sacchetti.
It is a wilderness area that features creeks, ravines, ancient ruins, and ancient fountains. The valley where the park develops has the evocative name “Valle dell’Inferno” or Hell’s Valley.
To explore the park equip yourself with shoes with a good grip (or a mountain bike!) and head to the starting point of the hike, the Fornaciari Park along Via delle Ceramiche.
From here head into the forest in the direction of the ancient fountain. Enjoy the discovery until you reach the majestic pine forest bordering Via della Pineta Sacchetti.
From here you can enjoy a panorama that includes an unprecedented view of St. Peter’s Dome.
Close to the pine forest, you will find two old farmhouses. The renovated one is home to the Municipal Library “Casa del Parco.” Here you will find restrooms.
Crossing Via Pineta Sacchetti you will also find a supermarket.
About a 20-minute walk away is the Cornelia Metro A stop. You can take it to return to the historic center. You will see that one of the most beautiful hikes in Rome is also accessible within a short distance of the historic center.
How to get to the starting point of the walk
Take metro line A towards Battistini and get off at Valle Aurelia, then walk a short distance to the Parco dei Fornaciari public park.
6. Go Dancing
If you have wondered if there are any discos in Rome, the answer is yes. There are many, impossible to list them all, but I will point out the ones that are easy to reach and offer different types of music.
Goa Club, in the Ostiense district, is one of the city’s most popular discos. Open Thursday through Saturday, it has hosted some well-known international Italian DJs.
The Qube located outside the historic center, is a fairly alternative club. It has three floors and is frequented by young people from all walks of life. The busiest night is on Fridays, dedicated to LGBTQ people.
Near Borghese Gardens, right in the historic center, is perhaps the chicest disco in Rome, also frequented by celebrities. It is the Art Café, which requires dark dress and has a strict selection at the entrance.
7. Listen to live music
One of the most fun things to do in Rome for young adults is a dinner topped with great live music.
You may think the city is full of such activities, but you’ll have to think again. In years past there was no shortage of restaurants with live music in Rome, but now they can be counted on the fingers of one hand!
Pandemic containment policies have forced many businesses to close for good. So mark down these few places where you can still enjoy concerts over a glass of wine in the Eternal City.
Riverside
The venue is located near the banks of the Aniene River, which bathes the Montesacro neighborhood.
The name was inspired by a song by Louis Armstrong. The designers who conceived the venue were inspired by American music halls.
In addition to an appealing atmosphere, the founders wanted to focus on three excellences: food, drinks, and music.
Reservations by phone at +390686890760 are mandatory. | Address: Viale Gottardo, 12 | You get there by bus 90 from Termini.
L’Asino che Vola
The name of the club is friendly and attractive, meaning “the flying donkey.” It expresses well the casual and imaginative character of the place.
The club has earned many loyal customers because of the quality of the food and its affordability.
Here the chefs specialize on Calabrian dishes such as tonnarelli alla ‘nduja and straccetti alla tropeana.
Also definitely worth trying is the “pitta,” a typical Calabrian pizza bread that comes with delicious toppings of your choice.
To reserve a table and learn about the concert schedule call +393382751028 | Address: Via Antonio Coppi, 12
Alexanderplatz
This venue found in a basement of the elegant Prati district is considered one of the top 100 jazz music clubs in the world.
The cuisine is refined. You can also order a cheese and charcuterie board and a bottle of wine.
Concerts are held here every night.
Reservations are required to attend. Find info on the venue’s page or email prenotazioni.alexanderplatz@gmail.com or call +39 06 8678 1296. Closest metro stop: Ottaviano. Address: Via Ostia, 9
8. Immerse yourself in the scent gallery
Everyone knows, though, how important it is for such a dinner to select the right scent. Not to worry, Rome has the right answer for every need.
At the Tonatto scent gallery, you can create the perfect scent for you by testing dozens of fragrances.
A fragrance expert will guide you in this unique experience, wrapped in the aura of this very exclusive world.
Profumeria Essenzialmente Laura by Laura Bosetti Tonatto is known all over the world as the excellence of Italian perfumeries, so rest assured that it will truly be an incredible experience.
No dyes or mineral oils are used in the creation of the fragrances and no animal testing is done.
Address | The gallery is located at Via dei Coronari 57, in the heart of the historic center.
9. Ride around the city on the tramjazz
Live music can make a dinner truly unique, and if we add to it an out-of-the-ordinary location, the experience to be drawn from it will be truly unforgettable.
Such is the case with Tramjazz, which will take you on a discovery of Rome, giving you an evening enhanced by fine Roman cuisine and world-famous jazz artists.
Hosting it all is a vehicle of the type Stanga 1947 -, the first historic registered streetcar in the eternal city.
All along the way, the city’s most beautiful sights and main monuments can be admired. For example:
- the aqueducts of Ancient Rome
- Villa Borghese
- Cathedrals
- Colosseum
- Neighborhoods such as Salario, Parioli, Trieste and San Lorenzo
The tour begins at Piazza di Porta Maggiore, whose underground hides a Neo-Pythagorean basilica dating back to the 1st century BC.
The tour starts at 9 p.m. and ends at midnight at with a return to the starting point.
Reservations are required (I recommend making them well in advance) by phone at +393420720089.
This unusual way of getting around Rome will make you feel like you are living in a dream.
10. Shop vintage
This alternative guide to Rome cannot fail to include a visit to the Pifebo shop!
This vintage project, branded with the cute snout of a French bulldog, began as a stall on the banks of the Tiber.
Over the years it has gained such credibility and visibility that it has been able to open two shops in the capital: one in the Monti neighborhood and the other in San Giovanni.
The Monti neighborhood is adjacent to the Colosseum full of clubs, stores, and trattorias. Its main street, Via del Boschetto, is known for being the street in Rome with the highest number of restaurants per square meter.
At Pifebo’s you can play with colors, with unique garments that come from a refined and careful selection through what fashion has been in the last 40 years.
There really is something for everyone, and if you are looking for the perfect gift to take to friends as a souvenir, this is the place to be.
You certainly won’t be judged for lack of originality!
If you are in the center of Rome, you can reach the Monti shop comfortably on foot; it is located on Via dei Serpenti, one of the historic streets of the neighborhood. Nearest subway stop is Cavour, line B.
11. Escape game on a lake!
The success that escape rooms have experienced in recent years is truly remarkable, and Rome seems to be the real capital of this game as well, which is now driving everyone crazy.
Have you ever wondered what could happen if the room became a lake? Well, there are those who have thought about it and created an escape game in the wonderful setting of the Borghese Gardens!
That’s right, you will get to discover every nook and cranny, even the most hidden ones, of the wonderful green lung of Rome, while playing and having fun.
Villa Borghese was built in the early 17th century at the behest of the family of the same name, then enriched to this day with ever-improving structural and floral details.
To check the availability and book the tour, look here.
12. Enjoy the sunset at Janiculum Hill
For a romantic or reflective end to your day, make your way to Gianicolo Hill just before dusk. It offers one of the best views of the Eternal City.
With the panoramic vista of Rome spread before you and the sky painted in hues of pink and orange, it’s a moment of pure magic. It’s a favorite spot among young Romans, perfect for capturing stunning photos or simply soaking in the beauty of Rome.
13. Explore the Trastevere Nightlife
Trastevere is one of the 3 best areas for nightlife in Rome. As the sun sets, Trastevere awakens with an infectious energy. This neighborhood, with its bohemian vibe, is the go-to spot for young adults.
Start your evening with an aperitivo at one of the quaint bars, then dive into the vibrant nightlife, hopping from one venue to another, enjoying live music, craft cocktails, and meeting fellow travelers and locals alike.
Each corner of Trastevere offers something unique, making it an unforgettable night out.
For a fun night out in Trastevere, I recommend you visit one or all of these venues:
- Public Trastevere
- The Rox
- Chakra Café
If you want to be outdoors instead, stop at Piazza Trilussa and Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere.
14. Attend a Cooking Class
When in Rome, why not dive into its culinary world? Engage in a hands-on cooking class where you’ll learn to make traditional Italian dishes from scratch.
Whether it’s mastering the art of pasta making or creating the perfect pizza, you’ll enjoy the fruits of your labor with new friends, accompanied by fine Italian wine. It’s not just a meal; it’s an experience that you’ll carry home with you.
Wrap-up
Concluding a journey through Rome’s vibrant landscape for young adults is no small feat. Yet, as we’ve explored the city’s diverse offerings, from the striking murals of Tor Marancia to the eerie tales of haunted tours, the exhilarating flips at Skate Park Colosseo, and the unique experiences of rickshaw rides, it’s clear that Rome is a city that never ceases to amaze. The Parco del Pineto offers a natural escape, while live music venues like Alexanderplatz and Riverside bring soulful nights to life.
Rome, with its endless exploration opportunities, awaits your footsteps, ready to unveil its secrets to those eager to dive into its rich tapestry of history, culture, and vibrant modern life.
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