While staying in a central city hotel Rome you will, of course, want to visit some of the most famous sites and attractions; but there is more to Rome than these. Exploring some of the smaller and hidden away sites can be just as satisfying and will give you a broader and more authentic Roman experience overall.

There is no doubt that Rome offers one of the most historically fascinating and romantic holidays in all of Europe. There is so much to see and do that it can be hard to pack it all in, but it is worth taking the time away from the most famous (and crowded) attractions and landmarks to uncover some of the city’s hidden gems.

Lesser Known Michelangelo at Via Liberiana

First gem on the list is Michelangelo’s Sforza Chapel in Santa Maria Maggiore. The chapel is not within the main church itself, but rather off to the side and it is a charming and tranquil place to take in some of the original Renaissance architectural brilliance. A little down the road is the Basilica di Santa Prassede, which boasts exquisitely intricate 9th century mosaic murals. You can easily reach these sites by heading for the Via Liberiana by bus from your city hotel. Rome also offers an all-day bus pass that makes getting to these, and other, sites around the city both easy and affordable. Additionally there is the Hop-On-Hop-Off Guided Coach Tour, where you can stop at sites that interest you along the way.

Vespers at the Church of Sant’Anselmo

If you are in Rome on a Sunday evening and at a bit of a loss as to what to do, then you must head to the church of Sant'Anselmo on the Aventine Hill for vespers with the Benedictine Monks. The monks enter and leave in complete silence, but sing remarkable hymns dating back to the Middle Ages as part of the service. Religious or not, there is something decidedly celestial and sublime about this experience. The service begins at 7:15 and you can access the church from Via di Porta Lavernate.

Sip on a Little Liquid History

Before heading back to your city hotel, Rome offers some incredible coffee drinking experiences, and one place that has to be experienced during your time in the city is the Antico Café Grecco. Romans have a long standing love affair with coffee, and this is one of the most famous cafes in the city, as well as being one of the world’s oldest. Opened in 1760, the café is located on a busy and prestigious shopping street, and has been graced by such famous historic and literary figures as Casanova, Goethe, Keats and Lord Byron.

Trot around Trastevere

Leave the tourist traps and head to one of the city’s oldest neighbourhoods, Trastevere, located just over the Tiber River from your city hotel. Rome’s quaintest medieval streets and alleys are located here and you will find many hidden gems of your own by wandering through its narrow streets. There are plenty of places to grab affordable Roman food and drink the way that the Romans really eat. The Church of Santa Cecilia here is one of the city’s most fascinating, where the body of the patron saint of music, Saint Cecilia, was exhumed undecayed in the 16th century.