Davide Bertolino, an Italian travel expert who has lived in Rome for 15 years, recommends five underrated spots in the city for visitors, including Rione Monti, Giardino Grande at Palazzo Venezia, and Villa dei Quintili.
Why Rome's people and hidden corners stand out
Bertolino, founder of PR consultancy Press & Pillow, says the two things he loves most about Rome are the people and the city itself. He notes Romans are open, warm, and noisy, and he often ends up in conversations at supermarket checkouts or events because someone comments on his trolley, clothing, or Northern Italian accent.
He knows hidden backstreets leading to tiny squares with small bars where visitors can stop and take in Rome's charm. Even near major tourist sites, he says, there are viewpoints, avenues, and side streets where silence can still be found.
Rione Monti: Rome's first historic district
For wandering and mixing with locals, Bertolino chooses Rione Monti, Rome's first historic district. It sits between the Colosseum, the Imperial Forums, and Termini station, making it easy to reach, yet it feels like stepping back in time. The area features steps, climbing plants, and lanes opening onto small squares.
If the weather is warm, he recommends grabbing a takeaway spritz and drinking it on the steps of the Catecumeni Fountain in Piazza della Madonna dei Monti. From about 7pm, groups of friends, musicians, and workmates gather there, making it a place where Rome comes together.
Peaceful gardens and authentic dining
For a quiet spot in the heart of the city, Bertolino suggests the Giardino Grande at Palazzo Venezia, where Via del Corso meets Piazza Venezia. Despite being one of the busiest areas, the courtyard offers peace, surrounded by the palazzo's architecture, greenery, and a fountain by sculptor Carlo Monaldi.
For dining, he recommends Lo Zozzone on Via del Teatro Pace, a simple restaurant with generous portions of classic Roman dishes like gricia. It is close to Piazza Navona but on a quiet street, and most diners are locals. The restaurant operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no bookings.
Romantic terraces and city escapes
For a romantic after-dinner drink, Bertolino points to Adèle Mixology Lounge on the eighth floor of the Hotel Splendide Royal, calling it his favorite terrace. He advises asking for the corner table facing St Peter's dome, especially at sunset.
He also mentions Forno Campo de' Fiori for pizza bianca filled with mortadella, which must be eaten in the square. For a trip outside the city, he recommends Villa dei Quintili, a well-preserved Roman residential complex dating to 2AD. While the Appian Way attracts crowds, Villa dei Quintili offers a park with villas, cisterns, and nymphaea along paths through wheat fields, often in solitude.
Bertolino says the views are beautiful and the ruins extraordinary, but the quiet is what surprises him most. After nearly two decades in Rome, he is still discovering less-known places, and the ruins remind him that it is always possible to find one's bearings.
