20 Best Things To Do In Rome At Night
Looking for the best things to do in Rome at night? You’re in the right place as this post will show you how to enjoy Rome nightlife in the best way possible!
Rome at night is spectacular. Many of the buildings are illuminated, giving the city a magical glow. It is a wonderful place to take a nighttime stroll before or after dinner, but is there more to do in the evening?
The simple answer is yes. There are many things to do in Rome at night. You may be surprised to learn that some of the attractions like the Colosseum and the Vatican Museums are open on certain evenings of the week.
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What can be better than visiting these places without the crowds? There are also night city tours, dinner locations with fantastic views, and a vibrant music scene.
I have put together 20 things to do in Rome in the evening and I am sure you will find at least a few that you will enjoy, if not more.
Before You Go, Here’s How To Plan Your Visit To Rome Quickly
Rome is a popular city which means that good hotels and tours book out fast, so before you go, make sure that you make your reservations in time to avoid disappointments! Below are my expert recommendations!
⏩ WHERE TO STAY IN ROME
Best Colosseum view: Hotel Palazzo Manfredi (8.8/10)
Luxury stay: H10 Palazzo Galla (9.2)
Mid-range stay: Barberini Dream (9.5/10)
Budget stay: Like Family House (9.4)
Apartment rental/Airbnb: Apartment Julia Guesthouse (8.4)
⏩ GUIDES TOURS AND TICKETS YOU SHOULD BOOK IN ADVANCE
Guided tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill (4.6/5). This is the exact tour I took, and I couldn’t have been happier. We had a knowledgeable and fun tour guide.
Skip-the-line ticket to the Sistine Chapel And The Vatican Museums with an audio guide (4.5/5). This ticket saved me a whopping 3 hours. You’ll pass in a dedicated Getyourguide line with it. It’s a true skip-the-line ticket.
Borghese Gallery guided tour (4.7/5). This is my favorite museum in Rome, and this tour made me fall in love with it even more.
Street food walking tour of Rome (4.8/5). If you want to taste Rome’s delicacies while exploring its popular neighborhood of Trastevere, then this is the food tour I recommend!
20 Best Things to Do in Rome at Night
From escaping the crowds in the Vatican museums to cruising around in a Segway, here are all the fun things to do in Rome at night.
1. Visit the Colosseum at Night
During the summer months, the Colosseum is crowded during the day. However, you don’t have to suffer with both the heat and crowds as it is one of the many places to visit in Rome at night.
This Colosseum night tour is more expensive than the day tour but it’s worth the little extra.
The outside of the Colosseum is impressive enough at night since it’s illuminated, but this pales into insignificance when you go inside.
You’ll get exclusive access to the underground dungeons and the arena floor while your guide shares stories about the gladiators who fought here for their lives, and you will be brought into their world as you tour the dark and dingy dungeons.
Spots for this night tour are usually limited so book early, ideally before you come to Rome.
✅ Click here to book your Colosseum night tour!
2. Take a Guided Tour of the Catacombs
The original uploader was Stanthejeep at English Wikipedia., CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons
The Catacombs are high on my list of the best places to visit in Rome at night, and rightly so!
They are eerie at any time of the day, but they seem to emit an unearthly and sinister atmosphere at night. Only small groups are allowed in during the evenings, and this lack of people increases the chilling and ghostly atmosphere.
The many Catacombs were built between the 2nd and 5th centuries AD, and while most of the bodies are now gone, there is one burial site, the Capuchin Crypt, which is decorated with the remains of around 4,000 monks.
You will not only see the bones but the mummified bodies of these monks, intricately arranged in six rooms. Some would call this macabre; others would be fascinated. I will leave it up to you to decide.
✅ Book your guided visit to the Catacombs from here!
3. Chill at the Trevi Fountain at Night
The Trevi Fountain is famous the world over. It is said that if you throw a coin in the fountain with your right hand over your left shoulder, you will return to Rome.
If you throw in two coins, you will find your love in the city, and if you throw in three coins, you will get married. Try it and see if your wish comes true.
The Trevi Fountain gets crowded during the day, and in the height of summer, you will struggle to get close enough to throw a coin or two into the water.
However, if you come in the evening, it is much more peaceful as most people are busy having aperitivos and dinner.
And at sunset, the fountain is illuminated and looks even more beautiful than it does during the day. It is worth spending some time here as it is magical and is a worthy photo opportunity.
4. Take an Evening Tour of the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums
One of the best places to go in Rome at night is the Sistine Chapel, which is one of the most beautiful Roman churches and the other Vatican Museums.
As one of the most crowded Rome tourist attractions during the day, if you want to escape the crowds — I am talking queues that last anywhere from 2-4 hours, visiting at night is a pretty good choice!
Not all the museums are open in the evening but there are enough to keep you enthralled, especially since the Sistine Chapel is open to admire the magnificent ceiling painted by Michelangelo.
Other evening highlights include Raphael’s Rooms and the Gallery of Maps. You’ll have to take this guided tour to access them, and since tickets are limited, be sure to book before you come to Rome.
Another highlight of this tour besides learning a whole bunch of interesting stuff about the museum and getting some background about the frescoes and the artists themselves from a knowledgeable guide, is walking through St. Peter’s Square and seeing the Basilica illuminated.
Please note that these evening tours are available only on Fridays and Saturdays from April until October.
✅ Click here to book your night tour of the Sistine Chappel and Vatican museums.
5. Have Dinner at a Rooftop Restaurant
One of the best ways to see Rome by night is from a rooftop restaurant to enjoy spectacular views of the city. They can be expensive, but they are worth it thanks to the excellent food and stunning views they offer.
One of the best rooftop restaurants in Rome is the Roof Garden Restaurant at the Hotel Forum. It offers a spectacular view of the Roman Forum, the Piazza Venezia, and the church of Saint Quirico and Giulitta and its bell tower.
Another one worth checking out is The Mater Terrae at Hotel Raphael which serves organic, vegan, and vegetarian food and has a view of a floodlit St Peter’s Dome. It is located just steps away from Piazza Navona, which is one of the famous Piazza in Rome.
6. Explore Rome at Night in a Golf Cart
If you are looking for an alternative way to see Rome at night, why not book this tour in a golf cart? It is one of the fun things to do in Rome at night and, because you are not enclosed, you will get excellent views of the attractions.
On this tour, you’ll pass by famous places like the Pantheon, the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, and many others while your knowledgeable tour guide/driver gives you interesting facts and history about them!
You’ll even go through smaller hidden streets that you’d otherwise miss on your own!
Since this is a guided tour plus drinks, you’ll make stops at three bars, one offering Italian sparkling wine, Prosecco, another, artisanal beer, and another a traditional aperitivo accompanied by snacks such as olives and nuts.
And the best part is that the tour can accommodate only 6 people, so one will feel left out!
✅ Book your golf Kart tour of Rome from here!
7. Attend an Opera
Italy is the birthplace of Opera, originating in the 16th century. If you enjoy this music genre, attending an opera is the perfect way to spend a night in Rome.
The Teatro dell‘Opera di Roma is the place to go for the best performances. They hold operas and ballets from November until June and it is best to book tickets well in advance. I would advise booking before you come out for your vacation.
During the summer months, when the theater is closed, the company puts on outdoor performances at the ancient ruins of the Roman Baths of Caracalla which provide a spectacular backdrop for the shows.
If you don’t manage to snag a ticket for the show at Teatro dell‘Opera di Roma, you can check out other available Opera shows in Rome from the widget below.
8. Explore Rome at Night on a Segway Tour
If you are keen to take a Rome at night tour, why not do this on a segway? Don’t worry if you haven’t ridden one before as your guide will give you an orientation session before you start the tour.
The tour generally lasts between 2.5 hours and 3 hours, and it is fully guided. Your guide will tell you about the history of Rome and give you interesting anecdotes about the attractions you pass.
This particular segway tour will take you to Capitoline Hill for great views of the city before it gets dark.
Then, to Piazza Navona, which will be buzzing with life as locals and tourists alike enjoy aperitivos or watch street performers.
You will also pass the temple of Hadrian and the Pantheon and if you’re lucky, you might see the light show at the temple of Hadrian.
If you don’t, the Pantheon is beautifully illuminated all night and you can always return to the Temple of Hadrian another night.
Cruise to the Spanish Steps and then end the tour at the Trevi Fountain which is also lit at night.
✅ Explore Rome at night on a segway by booking this tour!
9. Enjoy a Cocktail at The Court with a View of the Colosseum
The Court is the bar in the Palazzo Manfredi Hotel and is directly opposite the Colosseum, so you’ll be able to enjoy the incredible views.
The Colosseum is impressive enough during the day but in the evening, when it is lit up, it’s even more spectacular.
Besides beautiful views, the bar serves delicious cocktails prepared by experienced bartenders.
The drinks can be quite expensive but since they are crafted and made with only the best ingredients, in my opinion, they’re worth the price. Plus, you get complimentary snacks with your drinks.
And if you get hungry, you can make a night of it and have dinner at the hotel’s restaurant, Aroma. The food is excellent, and the restaurant is Michelin-starred.
One thing you should note before your visit is that the dress code is monitored at The Court, so come in your smart casual attire!
Men have to wear collared shirts and pants — not shorts. It is also important to make a reservation as the bar is very popular.
So, if you’re looking for top things to do in Rome at night, this is definitely one of them!
10. Take a Night Walking Tour of Rome’s Historical Centre
One of the many things to do at night in Rome is to take this guided walking tour.
The advantage is that there won’t be crowds you find during the day and the city and its many attractions are lit up to create a beautiful ambience.
The tour will take you to the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, the Trevi Fountain, and a visit to the Piazza Venezia to admire the beautiful palace.
You’ll then visit the ruins of the Roman Forum and finally admire the Colosseum from the outside, all while your friendly and knowledgeable guide gives you all the information you need to know about them.
This tour is a great introduction to Rome and will help you to decide which places you want to explore in more detail during your stay.
✅ Click here to book your night walking tour of Rome!
11. Watch a Movie in an Open-Air Cinema
Rome has several outdoor cinemas that can be enjoyed during the summer months, and most movies are shown in their original language with Italian subtitles.
In June and the first half of July, the free outside movie festival, Il Cinema in Piazza, takes place. During this time, many of Rome’s piazzas become movie theaters.
The Teatro Ettore Scola, a large open-air area on the grounds of the Villa Borghese, also hosts the Casa del Cinema, a free movie every evening at 9.30 pm.
From mid-June until early September, Isola del Cinema festival is held on Tiber Island, and in Monteverde, the open-air cinema shows recent successful international movies.
12. Take a Nighttime Tour in an Open-Top Bus
Another one of the night activities in Rome is to take a tour in an open-top bus. The tour takes an hour and it will allow you to familiarize yourself with the city.
While on this tour, you’ll be able to see beautifully illuminated buildings such as the Colosseum and the Vatican, and being on top of a double-decker bus, you’ll be able to get unobstructed views of the city.
Your journey will be enhanced by an audio commentary that will teach you about the history of the city and the landmarks you pass by.
The best part is that it comes in five languages, Italian, English, French, German, and Spanish, so you can choose whichever you’re most comfortable with.
✅ Click here to check rates & availability for a big-bus night tour of Rome!
13. Spend the Evening at a Speakeasy
Photo via The Race Club Speakeasy
Prohibition occurred between 1920 and 1933 in the United States. During this time, the sale of alcohol was prohibited.
However, illicit bars called speakeasies sprang up and Rome has recreated this idea.
Generally, you have to make a reservation online, then get a password, and finally pay a 5-euro membership fee on your first visit.
One of the best speakeasies in Rome is The Jerry Thomas Speakeasy, which was the first to appear in Rome.
Another one is The Race Club Speakeasy which is very close to the Colosseum. The drinks are quite expensive in both, but the bartenders are experienced, and the cocktails are unique.
14. Get Goosebumps on a Haunted Walking Tour
One of the best Rome evening activities is a haunted walking tour. If you like spooky tales, this ghost tour will suit you down to the ground.
Your guide will take you around the city and tell you about the folklore and legends surrounding different buildings.
You will learn about the dark side of Rome, and believe me, there is one. The tour takes place after dark making it all the scarier.
You’ll find out about the ghosts that have been seen in the city, murders committed, and executions that have taken place over the years.
Rome had its fair share of evil Emperors and Popes, and you will hear about the worst of them. The tour will give you a different and fascinating insight into The Eternal City.
✅ Book Your Haunted Walking Tour of Rome here!
15. Watch the Light Show at the Temple of Hadrian
Emperor Hadrian ruled Rome from 117 – 138 AD. He was deified and his successor, Antoninus Pius, had a temple built in his honor close to the Pantheon.
Each evening, at dusk, a 12-minute light show is projected onto the temple. The show was created by Paco Lanciano, physicist, scientist, and creator of many multimedia shows in the city, such as “Welcome to Rome”.
The show uses 6 synchronized projectors and describes the history of the temple and the legacy of Hadrian through both light and sound.
You will learn about the birth of the temple, its destruction, and its rebuilding until it became the Chamber of Commerce in the 19th century.
This light show, which is called Luci sul Tempio di Adriano or Lights on the Temple of Hadrian, is completely free to watch.
16. Go Dancing in a Roman Nightclub
If you are still looking for things to do in Rome at night, a nightclub might be a good choice!
In Italy, they are not only for the young and carefree but people of all ages are welcome as is common in many Mediterranean countries.
Different styles of music can be found in various clubs, such as techno, disco, and salsa, and many have top international DJs playing the music.
Most of the nightclubs also have dinner menus so you can enjoy a meal before dancing. The clubs, however, don’t come alive with music until around 11 p.m. and the party goes on until dawn.
The nightlife scene is centered around Rome’s historic center which makes it easy for you to club-hop.
Not sure where to go? The best bottle service club is Room 26 which is open on Friday and Saturday nights. It has a state-of-the-art sound system and a beautiful marble interior.
There are two rooms, the Purple Room which plays music from the 1990s and 2000s, and the Global Room which focuses on electronic music.
If you are looking for mainstream music, head to the Profumo Spazio Sensoriale which has a summer garden and indoor rooms for the winter.
Other nightclubs in Rome to check out include; Alcazar live, Jackie O’, and Sharivari.
17 Take a Night Food Tour in Trastevere
Trastevere is a busy and buzzing area of Rome both night and day. It has a lively nightclub scene, fantastic restaurants, and authentic street food. So, if you are thinking about what to do in Rome at night, head to Trastevere.
On this guided night food tour of Trastevere, you will taste typical Italian food such as cured meats, cheeses, pasta, pizza, and gelato.
The tour lasts around 3 hours and the amount of food you will eat is equivalent to a full meal, so you don’t need to search for a restaurant afterward. Plus, your food will be accompanied by delicious local wines.
The tour is led by an experienced guide who will tell you more about the food and wine of Rome and you will have the opportunity to meet some of the local food producers.
By the end of the tour, you will know why Italian food is considered one of the best cuisines in the world.
Alternatively, if you prefer tasting Italian street food, then you can opt for this Trastevere food tour instead!
✅ Click here to book your Trastevere food walking tour!
18. Listen to Jazz in One of Rome’s Jazz Venues
If jazz is one of your favorite genres of music, you will be in your element in Rome. Jazz music is very popular in the city, and there is an excellent choice of venues.
One of the best jazz clubs is The Cotton Club which is close to the Spanish Steps. It plays jazz from the 1920s to the 1960s, has tribute evenings to some of the top jazz musicians and singers, and jam sessions.
When it comes to drinks, they believe that whiskey and jazz are a match made in heaven and they have a separate whiskey bar. There is also a fusion sushi menu on offer.
You can also check out Elegance Cafe, a restaurant with live jazz music. Their cocktail bar is inspired by both the Golden Era of Jazz, the 1920s and 1930s, and Prohibition.
They make innovative cocktails such as the Pink Provence, a mix of gin, Saint German, rose syrup, red grapefruit juice, and champagne.
19. Enjoy an Aperitivo in One of the Piazzas
Aperitivo is a way of life for Italians. It starts around 7 p.m. and lasts for a couple of hours before dinner. Italians eat late as do most people in Mediterranean countries, meaning that dinner can be at around 9 p.m. or even 10 p.m.
If you’re not sure what an aperitivo is, it is a drink or two enjoyed before the evening meal but you’ll also get complimentary snacks to accompany your drinks. It could be salami, cheese, or even nuts and olives.
The most popular aperitivo is a spritzer like Aperol or Campari and soda, though they’re now becoming popular all over the Western world.
In the summer, many bars have terraces or spill onto the street in the piazzas so you can enjoy the night air and people-watch.
If you like a lively atmosphere, head to Piazza Navona which is one of the most famous piazzas in Rome but if you want a more intimate setting, Piazza Mattei is perfect. They both have a number of bars to enjoy an aperitivo!
Having an aperitivo is no doubt one of the best Rome things to do at night.
20. Watch A Sunset from Castel Sant’Angelo
My last choice of things to see in Rome at night is the sunset from Castel Sant’Angelo.
Located on the right bank of the river Tiber, it was built as a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian, but today, it’s one of the top museums in Rome!
It had various other uses over the centuries including being a fortress, a place of sanctuary for popes, and even a prison.
It can be reached by crossing Ponte Sant’Angelo, a magnificent bridge lined with statues of angels.
Once you get to the castle, head to the upper terrace where you will get magnificent sunset views and views of Rome’s highlights such as the Pantheon and St Peter’s Basilica.
The castle closes at 7.30 p.m. so you won’t be able to see the sunset in the height of summer, but in the spring and late summer/early autumn, you will experience a fantastic sunset.
Final Thoughts on What to Do in Rome at Night
Hopefully, you are now keen to explore the Eternal City after dark. I have given you 20 things to do in Rome at night and I am sure that you will find activities to suit you.
For those who are interested in the history and culture of Rome, there are evening tours which you can enjoy without crowds of people.
You can enjoy an aperitivo, cocktail, or meal with wonderful views. You also have the opportunity of being entertained at the cinema, theater, or at a music venue.
The opportunities are endless and there is no need for you to stay in your hotel in the evenings. Get out and explore the Eternal City at night.
Check out these posts to help you plan your trip to Rome
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