New Roman holidays: 9 unknown places of the Italian capital

In the minds of ordinary people, many things are associated with the Eternal City: the Colosseum, the Vatican and St. Peter's Cathedral, the Sistine Chapel and the Pantheon come to mind, but there is no point even talking about pizza, pasta and wine. But behind all its famous monuments, galleries and churches, this world city hides very favorite gourmet cafeterias with delicious ice cream, cozy restaurants and small markets.

We have found for you a list of little-known places in the heart of Rome, where you definitely need to look.

Trattoria "Monti"

In order to confidently take a place in a modest-sized restaurant with only 12 tables, it is better to book a table in advance. I must say, the menu will change your idea of traditional Roman prices for dishes of the cuisine of the Marche region. You will like rabbit stuffed with stewed radicchio (Italian chicory), salted circles of red onion with gorgonzola and homemade tortelloni recipe of simply huge size. The dishes are perfectly combined with a glass of homemade red or white wine of one of the local varieties. And if you have enough for dessert, then pear pies, melon sherbet and sabayon will be an excellent result of the visit. Attention: this is not one of those restaurants that you can easily get to at any time — it is open only during the day, from one to three, and in the evening, from 8 to 11.

Flea market at the Port of Portese

Nowhere else in Rome will you find such a flea market as at the Porta Portese. It is the largest in Rome, and here you can buy anything from vintage dresses and antiques to old cameras and posters. Spend Sunday morning looking for a one-of-a-kind souvenir, which you will then be happy to bring home and proudly put on the shelf.

Volpetti 's Gastronomy

Volpetti's small gastronomy in the Testaccio area is simply bursting with dozens of varieties of olive oils, cheeses, dried fruits, dried meat and bread — classic examples of Italian products. Gourmet or not, endless offers to try all sorts of sandwiches, prosciutto and other local delicacies are very captivating. Next door, by the way, there is a pizzeria of the same owners, and you will be delighted with casertana with mozzarella, cherry tomatoes and fragrant basil.

Scooterim!

Ever since Audrey Hepburn rode around Rome on a scooter, we have been patiently waiting in the wings. With any of the numerous motorcycle tours, you can create your own unique two-wheeled route. Fascinating excursions with stops for coffee, pizza, gelato and street food — yes, okay, we get it. What about a jaunt to lesser-known cafeterias and museums? The scooter literally expands the space for tourist maneuvers around the city.

Palazzo Massimo alle Terme (National Roman Museum)

This Neo-Renaissance museum, which often does not get into the guidebooks, houses many of the world's greatest masterpieces of art. Take a look at the bronze statues "Fist Fighter" and "Sleeping Hermaphrodite" (Greece, I century BC), and then climb to the second floor to see the pride of the collection: stunning colored frescoes that decorated the houses of noble families of Ancient Rome.

Appia Antica Regional Park

If you like to get out of the city, pay attention to the Appia Antica Regional Park, whose vast green expanses stretch from the ancient walls of Rome to the Alban Mountains, a volcanic ridge southeast of the city. Among the archaeological excavations and green fields, quiet places like the Cafarella Park, where hilly pastures are completely dotted with fluffy sheep, hide. Spend at least half a day here and you will feel how well your strength has recovered.

Gelateria del Teatro

In no city in the world will you find gelato tastier than in Rome. But how to choose the best ice cream shop when there is a charming gelateria on almost every corner? Just stand next to this place for a minute, and you'll figure it out for yourself. Through the huge windows, you can see how Stefano Marcotulli, the owner of the establishment, and his entire team are wholeheartedly making ice cream for visitors. Here a wide expanse of tastes reveals itself in all its glory. And although white peach and lavender, ricotta and cherry, raspberry and sage occupy the central place in the showcase, we would do you a disservice if we did not mention truffles and citrus candied fruits.

Montemartini Power Station

The former Montemartini power plant is a vivid example of how the old and modern merge into something stunning. Combining different historical eras, the museum demonstrates ancient sculptures and mosaics among the clumsy elements of factory decor, creating a certain drama in this lively comparison. Just imagine: white marble statues stand against the background of harsh industrial equipment.

Flaminio district

Fans of architectural modernism are unlikely to refuse to visit the Flaminio district (just west of Villa Borghese Park). In the northern part of the district there is a series of buildings created by outstanding architects of the XX and XXI centuries. Here are the MAXXI — the Museum of Modern Art designed by Zaha Hadid; the Palazzo dello Sport — the former basketball stadium built by Luigi Nervi for the XVII Summer Olympic Games of 1960; a group of concert halls of the Parco della Musica by architect Renzo Piano, piled around an open amphitheater.