If you have the time and desire, this is a visit you could make with the aim of having lunch at the "Circo Massimo" market, via di San Teodoro (Saturday, Sunday), or with the aim of having lunch at the "Testaccio local market" (Monday to Saturday), via Beniamino Franklin.
This is a loop of approximately 10 km.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Br1DJ7Z5Co34VTjm6
You can leave at the end of the morning and cycle towards PYRAMID CESTIA. Usually the Pyramid is closed and it is not possible to visit it inside.
Very close to the Pyramid you will find the NON-CATHOLIC CEMETERY, a fascinating, quiet and evocative place where you can visit many famous and important tombs. It's easy to spend more than an hour here!
NON-CATHOLIC CEMETERY https://cemeteryrome.it/about/about.html - Monday to Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (last entry: 4:30 p.m.) and Sundays and public holidays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (last entry: 12:30 p.m.).
From there you can quickly reach the LOCAL MARKET OF TESTACCIO (closed on Sundays!): it is the market of one of the most authentic Roman neighborhoods, and it is a place not to be missed if you like cuisine of street!
TESTACCIO MARKET via Beniamino Franklin, via Alessandro Volta, via Aldo Manuzio, via Lorenzo Ghiberti. Monday to Saturday from
from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The “Testaccio” district takes its name from MONTE TESTACCIO or Monte dei Cocci, formed by the accumulation of the remains of amphorae (in Latin “testae”) which were brought here from the neighboring river port.
Monte dei Cocci can only be visited with organized groups or on specific dates, info 060608)
You are now ready for AVENTINE HILL. By bike, in 10 minutes you will arrive at the Piazza dei Cavalieri di Malta, where you will see many people lined up with the aim of peeking through the keyhole of the Villa del Priorato di Malta... I let's find out why!
Just over 200 meters from here is the "Giardino degli Aranci" (Piazza Pietro D'Illiria), with a viewpoint from which you can admire part of Rome from above.
It only takes 5 minutes to reach the "CIRCO MAXIMUS": we recommend that you get there by crossing the municipal rose garden (generally open in April - May and October but it depends on the seasons).
The Circus Maximus is today a large grassy area, from which it is possible to admire the marvelous Palatine Hill with its archaeological remains.
From here, the farmer's market is very close in Via di San Teodoro (Saturday and Sunday only): an excellent market to buy excellent quality products and at zero km, it is also possible to have lunch there with prepared dishes with market products.
From the market, following the long side of the Circus Maximus, you will arrive at Viale Aventino. You just have to cross it, continue straight on Piazza di Porta Capena and walk a few minutes along Via delle Terme di Caralla to arrive at the entrance to the “TERMAS OF CARACALLA”: it is the best example of great Roman baths and was one of the largest. thermal complexes in Antiquity. The mosaics inside are magnificent! Temporary exhibitions are often held indoors.
(CARACALLA BATHS https://www.coopculture.it/it/poi/terme-di-caracalla/ Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 52 – Tuesday to Sunday, opening hours vary depending on the season)
Augmented and virtual reality guides are available for the Caracalla Baths and Circus Maximus to make it easier to imagine just how grand they were back in the day.
Now it's time to go home: if you cycle, it will take you less than 20 minutes to get home. If you are not tired, you can return crossing the historic district of San Saba, very suggestive.
VARIANT: “LUNGOTEVERE BED&BIKE”, PYRAMID, NON-CATHOLIC CEMETERY, TESTACCIO MARKET, AVENTINE HILL, CIRCUS MAXIMUS, CAMPIDOGLIO, MUSEI CAPITOLINI E TERRAZZA CAFFARELLI, PIAZZA VENEZIA, “LUNGOTEVERE BED&BIKE”.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/QVp2TuKVn75hGamQ9
Don't miss the “Caffarelli Terrace”!
Idea for a beautiful sunny day: you could think of visiting the Janiculum (don't miss the firing of the cannons at midday!), and then returning home passing through Trastere and the Jewish ghetto. It is a visit that goes well with that of St. Peter's Basilica. it is a circular tour of about 15km. If you don't use bicycles, there is a train from Trastevere Station to San Pietro Station, 1 stop.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/KYh4TLRydgLJrdoYA
From here it is easy to reach St. Peter's Basilica and Sant'Angelo Castle via the cycle path. Pedaling leisurely, it will take about 20 minutes to reach Sant'Angelo Castle.
Both the Castle and the Basilica need no introduction 😊.
If you have booked a ticket for the Vatican Museums, you will hardly be able to do much else in a single day. Otherwise, if you don't go to the museums or will do them another day, from here you can go up to the Gianicolo viewpoint. It is a symbolic place of the Italian Risorgimento, as demonstrated by the numerous busts of illustrious figures of that movement and of that historical period that led to the "Unification of Italy". Every day, at 12.00 am, it is possible to attend the ceremony in which a cannon fires salvos in memory of the battles that were fought here in 1849.
From the Gianicolo it is easy to go down to Trastevere, one of the historic districts of Rome (even if it has now lost much of its authenticity), where you will find many places to eat and drink, but also many tourists... In any case, a walk through its streets is always very pleasant.
From Trastevere you can choose to visit the Isola Tiberina and the Jewish ghetto, before returning home.
In ancient times the Tiber Island allowed you to cross the river on foot during dry periods. The island has hosted spa centers since ancient times: according to tradition, in the 3rd century BC. it welcomed the Temple of Aesculapius, god of medicine, and became a real place of shelter for the sick and dying. It still houses one of the most important hospitals in the capital today.
The Jewish Ghetto was founded in 1555 by will of the Pope, who decided that all the Jews of Rome would have to move there. The ancient ghetto was demolished in 1870, and in its place 4 orthogonally arranged blocks were built, one of which was occupied by the Synagogue, donated to the Jews at the beginning of the 20th century. The ghetto was the scene of some of the saddest episodes of the Second World War. We advise you not to miss the "Turtle Fountain" and the Portico of Ottavia.
At the portico d'Ottavia there are many restaurants, especially with Kosher cuisine obviously. There are solutions for all budgets, from fast food to the most chic restaurant. If you eat here, you can't help but try the artichoke “alla giudia”. We like the cuisine of "Sora Margherita", a small and very little visible place, located in Piazza delle Cinque Scole at number 30. “Giggetto” and “BaGhetto” are also places to recommend.
From here you can return to the Lungotevere Bed and Bike or from the cycle path along the Tiber, or passing through the Circus Maximus.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/kGjzrp8F8izPaMrG9
There are many places in Rome where you can admire the splendor of Caravaggio's paintings, for free!
Church of San Luigi dei Francesi – 2 steps from Piazza Navona, just insert a coin to admire the “Vocation of San Matteo”, the “Martyrdom of San Matteo” and “S. Matthew and the Angel".
Church of Sant'Agostino - at the end of Corso Rinascimento, you will find the work "La Madonna dei pellegrini" in the church
Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo – in Piazza del Popolo, two works: “Conversion of St. Paul” and “Crucifixion of St. Peter”. In this Basilica you can also admire Raphael and Bernini.
Other works by Caravaggio are in galleries and museums in Rome: Galleria Borghese (unmissable!), Galleria Doria Pamphili, Palazzo Barberini, and more.
The works are all located in the centre, so it is possible to visit them on one of the days you spend walking around the streets of Rome.
You can combine the visit of these works with that of the Borghese Gallery, that is located in Villa Borghese, a city park that houses prestigious neoclassical and nineteenth-century buildings. The beauty of the picturesque gardens, wonderful fountains and park attractions make it one of the most attractive green spaces in Europe.
From here it is easy to reach Piazza della Trinità dei Monti, from which you can admire the famous staircase and Piazza di Spagna from above.
The National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art is also located near Villa Borghese.
If you are not tired you can get to the "Coppedè neighbourhood": built in the first half of the 1900s, it is not really a neighborhood but a collection of some buildings with truly singular architecture, often chosen by well-known directors as the setting for their films.
Returning home, you will find 2 very interesting churches, which represent two of the most important examples of the Baroque period in Rome: the church of San Carlino alle Quattro Fontane, built by Francesco Borromini, and the church of Santa Maria della Vittoria, where you will admire a sculptural group depicting the Ecstasy of Saint Teresa of Avila, in marble and gilded bronze, the work of Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
This tour, as described, is 22km.
Circular route from Testaccio passing through:
Ponte Testaccio (1.2 km)
Ponte Sublicio (2.3 km)
Chiesa di San Cesareo de Appia (5.6 km)
Chiesa del ' Quo Vadis ' (7.1 km)
Sepolcro di Annia Regilla (8.2 km)
Tomba Di Marco Servilio Quarto (19.3 km)
Capo di Bove (20.3 km)
Catacombe San Callisto Roma (21.9 km)
Porta San Sebastiano (23.7 km)
· Palazzo Colonna https://www.galleriacolonna.it/ - Bus n. 170 to Piazza Venezia (currently there are works to build the new underground line)
A true historic residence of an aristocratic family. Unlike many other residences we have visited in Europe, it is authentic! The rooms you will visit are the original ones, there is no furniture or fittings brought from who knows where, the rooms are furnished with the original furniture and have the use they had at the time in which they were lived in. We found fresh flowers in the rooms! It is often possible to meet Prince Colonna, who still lives in some rooms of the palace and who enjoys meeting visitors.
Wonderful works from various eras and origins are preserved inside the palace, and the gallery is a triumph of Renaissance and Baroque.
It is possible to book a guided tour of the palace and gallery on Friday and Saturday, we suggest the complete visit, which lasts approximately 2.5 hours
· Palazzo Massimo https://museonazionaleromano.beniculturali.it/palazzo-massimo/ – Metro B to “Termini Station”
Museum of Roman art that is not very popular, unfairly in our opinion, with sculptures, surprising mosaics and amazing bronzes.
· Ostia antica https://www.ostiaantica.beniculturali.it/it/aree-archeologica-e-monumentali/ostia-antica/ – From the San Paolo Metro B station take the “Ostia Lido” line to “Ostia Antica ”
If you love archaeology, it's really worth it. We visited it with a guide and it was very exciting, it is easier to imagine what the city was like at that time with the indications and anecdotes that a guide can tell.