O Rome! The city of my soul, the city of wonder, the city of illusions, the city of marble, and the city of permanence. This is how I describe Rome after my solo travel to Rome, Italy.

Yes, Rome is the city of permanence. Italy might have changed, the Morean war might have changed Venice, Naples might have changed after the volcanic eruption, but Rome is always Rome.

How to explore this permanent city of marvel? There are certain things a visitor can do to make their solo travel experience in Rome the opposite of normal, usual, and all of the sorts.

So, this blog is about exploring Rome like a pro on your solo travel to Rome, Italy.

Are you not curious about the “more than ordinary ways” to explore Rome?

If you aren’t, then that’s okay. But, carefully read the article as these wonderful ideas will make you see Rome differently and bring you the rarest attractions of Rome.

So, without any delay, let us start exploring Rome. All the locations on the suggestion are based on my solo trip to Rome, Italy.

The Protestant Cemetery, Testaccio

Admirers of Keats and Shelley must know this historic cemetery in Rome. The protestant cemetery of Rome is where the memorial of the famous poets Keats and Shelley is built. 

I can sense the shocking emotion and disappointment from a few. But it is true. The cemetery of Keats and Shelley is in Rome. I read them a lot but missed out on this factual information. 

And yes, Keats, Shelley, and Antonio Gramsci’s burial grounds are in the non-catholic cemetery in Rome.

So, this historic cemetery being the afterlife home to these popular personalities, is located in the district of Testaccio. That makes Testaccio an important place to visit in Rome that is usually less noticed by most travellers in Rome, but I visited this place on my solo trip to Rome, Italy.

I think visiting the protestant cemetery is the best way to explore Rome like a pro. I didn’t know about this place either, but a fellow traveller from my hostel told me about this place.

St. Peter’s Basilica

St. Peter’s Basilica is the sacred temple sitting in Vatican City, Rome. The holy place can hold up to 20,000 people with its powerful dome raising at 447 feet. It takes at least an hour to scan through the place. With that being said, this place is deadly crowded with visitors always. Don’t be surprised even if you wait for 5 to 6 hours before touring the place.

So, there are many private tours available which lessen the waiting duration. If you are impatient, signing up with a private tour guide is the best option.

Coming to the key feature of the chapel, that is the dome. The viewpoint from the dome features the beautiful city of Rome—especially the widely spread St. Peter’s Square. St. Peter’s Square is the area in and around the Basilica.

To be more accurate, the large open area in front of the chapel with two fountains and 88 pillars with the statues of 140 saints is the St. Peter’s Square. Just wow!

Don’t miss out on this historical and architectural beauty.

Giardino degli Aranci

After exploring the stunning view of Rome from St. Peter’s Basilica, we are heading straight to Giardino Degli Aranci. Giardino degli Aranci is a garden as fresh as green.

Like every garden in the universe, Giardino degli Aranci is rich with varieties of shrubs, climbers, and trees in differing colours.

But, our target spot in the garden is not its elevating flora but its terrace. Yes, go up to the terrace and get yourself a nice seat in your likeable position. You will be already witnessing the rapturous roman skyline and the magnificent St. Peter’s Basilica dome.

Pack some snacks to bite when your eyes are busy glaring at Rome. If you spend a little more time, you can watch the sunset right back at St. Peter’s Basilica dome.

Now, on your way back down, you will notice several orange trees. Giardino degli Aranci is popularly known as Orange Garden because of the number of orange trees it possesses. Your nostrils would sense the orange fragrance while you enter into the garden itself. I am telling you just in case you have not noticed.

Besides viewing the sunset, St. Peter’s Basilica dome, orange trees, and roman skyline, you will encounter couples prattling and newly wedded people arranging photoshoots in the garden.

As a solo traveller, you can peacefully relax amidst all the busy activities going on in the park. Sure, it is a calm and peaceful place to boost up your energy to greet the next destination.

Villa del Priorato di Malta, Aventine Hill

Now, come out and walk till you reach “The Knights of Malta” positioned in the Aventine Hill. 

Truth bombs first. The knights are not residing in their medieval home at present. So, don’t dream of meeting a member of the chivalric family line.

Second, you are not invited. Yep. You can only walk up to the gate to the villa del Priorato di Malta.

Third, the gate is large enough to hide the entirety behind it. Your tricks won’t work there.

So, what else can you do there?

Thanks to Giovanni Battista Piranesi, the designer of the Villa of the Knights of Malta. 

His keyhole design of the gate brings the awe-striking view of the villa garden and the mighty dome of St. Peter’s Basilica. This rare attractive destination is always jammed with people standing in a queue behind the keyhole.

Don’t miss out on this wonderful view. To put it in detail, as you peep through the keyhole, you can see the dome staring back at you. The entire frame is bordered in green, the vineyard garden of the villa. 

This location is attractive not only for its picturesque appeal but also in bringing together the view of three major places of Rome. If you glimpse the history of Rome, Rome has three national capitals-Italy, Vatican City, and the Knights of Malta.

Now, let me point to the positioning. You are near the gate of Villa del Priorato di Malta but, practically, it is in the Aventine hill, which comes under Italy. 

Promptly, through the keyhole, you see the Knights of Malta and the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, which comes in the territory of Vatican City.

Indeed, an amazing view. In short, these places give you a bird sight view of Rome.

After visiting St. Peter’s dome, I had the same thought as you. The sight from the dome was stunning, but I wanted to see St. Peter’s Basilica from a distance admiring its complete beauty unblemished. 

The Gods have answered our query by creating the Aventine Hill and Giardino degli Aranci.

The Vatican City

The next place to visit on your solo travel to Rome is Vatican City. I cannot find words that explain the virtue of this astonishing gallery. Ticket to the Vatican Museum is essential to enter the museum.

Here comes the best part of my exploration in Italy. Keep your head straight. Let us follow this advice in a different way in Rome.

So, what we are going to do in Rome is raise our neck as if it is looking at the sky. Yes! Why are we doing it?

Architectural buildings like churches especially, the Vatican museum, compel you to look at the wonders in the ceiling. The paintings, glasses, engravings, sculptures at the roof of the museum are drop-dead gorgeous.

So, keep your neck high while wandering in the architectural wonders of Rome to enjoy the vision in front of you.

Wandering off in the Roman streets

The busy Roman streets and the jammed house with the narrow alleys welcome you with its jubilant mural and graffiti art. 

Places such as Piazza Santa Maria della Pietà, Museo Condominiale di Tor Marancia, Parco Giulietto Minna, Via Maiolati, Via dei Magazzini Generali, Via del Commercio, Via Capua, Via Bartolomeo Perestrello, Via Antonio Tempesta, Via Lodovico Pavoni and Viale dell’Acquedotto Alessandrino are a feast to your eyes.

Know the history of Rome

The practice of knowing history and Rome go hand in hand. Just take a moment to recap all the places we have discussed. Also, the places we have not, but you are familiar of in Italy.

Most of the tourist destinations in Italy are historical centres. Each building has a history of either its invention or destruction. 

Likewise, the architectural wonders of Italy are designed by world-famous personalities.

For example, Take St. Peter’s Basilica. The dome of the church was designed by Michelangelo, Giacomo Della Porta, and Carlo Maderno.

Not only that, the timeless pieces of art inside the church—the bronze baldachin of St. Peter’s are designed by Bernini, and the statue of Pietà is carved by Michelangelo. This one place reflects a lot about history.

Rome is like a sponge soaked in the water of history. So, knowing their history keeps you on the exciting road.

Solo travel to Rome as a Roman

On your solo trip to Rome, Italy, act like a native. Become one among the native crowd to explore Rome on your beat.

Yeah! Be a Roman and take pride in exploring the enchanting beauty of the country. Be happy while strolling on its streets. More than anything, be happy that you are there.

Participate in their Culture 

On your deal of exploring the Roman empire, cultural experience joins hand without you asking for it. Cultural experience is part and parcel of travelling. 

One way to participate in the culture of other people is by respecting their art and architecture—the thing we have been doing till now.

Another way to explore their culture is by taking part in their customs, food, and learning their language. As the saying goes, “While in Rome be a Roman.” While you are in Rome, give your tastebuds the honour of relishing the Roman cuisine.

As far the customs, wine tasting is an unquenchable custom of the people of Rome. Italy sure will attract you with its never-known tasteful wines.

Yet another way to traverse the Italian culture is visiting the local markets and getting yourself stuffed with their vintage items.

Yeah! Italian markets are known for selling vintage richness and second-hand products.

Is it only me? Their second-hand market products are uncomplainingly fine and nice.

I bought a wooden crave, a small flashlight, and a second-hand cardigan from the Roam flea market.

Best flea markets in Rome

Bike/Hot air ballon/Segway

Further, Rome has several options to solo travel cheerfully. Like, you have Vespa bikes and Segway parked near the tourist locations. You can rent one and stroll through Rome.

Also, Rome begets hot air balloon tours. I have a fear of heights. So, I did not go for it, but the hot air balloon is superb, overlooking the Tiber River.

We are at the end. So, St. Peter’s Basilica, Giardino degli Aranci, Aventine Hill, Knights of Malta, the Vatican Museum are my favourites spots to explore in Rome as a solo traveller in Italy.

Here are five fun things to do on your solo travel to Rome, Italy.