Do as the Romans do: Uncover the city’s secrets with a local

On a recent trip to Rome, I drove as the Romans do: on the back of a Vespa behind a ruggedly handsome local who, despite the heat, stayed impeccably chic in loafers and a salmon-coloured linen shirt.

For the next four hours, Riccardo, my private tour guide with Scooteroma, would weave through the narrow streets and bustling piazzas of the Eternal City, bringing its rich past to life in ways no guidebook ever could.

As a fourth-generation Roman, his effortless charm and deep knowledge of the city’s hidden gems offered a new perspective on its timeless allure. As he constantly greeted other locals along the way — as one does when one’s family roots stretch back over centuries — I felt immersed in the authentic rhythms of the city and grateful for the chance to see through the eyes of those who know it best.

For those who take the time to look, Rome still holds many undiscovered secrets. Forget the usual crowded suspects — the Eternal City is so much more than just a stopover for the Colosseum and the Vatican. Here are six off-the-beaten-path experiences you should put on your itinerary to see the city in a way few ever do.

1. If braving winding lines and chaos at museums sounds dreadful, consider a bespoke experience instead. Ultra-luxury agency Olympia Waters arranges private access to the Vatican Museums, where you can marvel at papal apartments frescoed by Michelangelo and Raphael and unlock the secrets of more than 300 doors along a seven-kilometre route. Starting your day at 5:30 a.m. with the museums’ chief custodian, you’ll get to capture this journey with a renowned lifestyle photographer and conclude with breakfast in a luxurious setting.

Can’t bring yourself to wake up at the crack of dawn? Opt for a guided private night tour of the Sistine Chapel, capped with an aperitif or light dinner inside the museums. While the price tag is substantially more than the cost of regular admission, life’s too short to spend it waiting in line. Spend the most finite resource we have — time — immersed in art instead.

2. Not many people know the infamous English Romantic poets John Keats and Percy Bysshe Shelley are buried in Rome. Visit their graves in the non-Catholic cemetery for foreigners, established in 1738 in the neighbourhood of Testaccio. Covered in stunning cypress trees, colourful wildflowers, and gorgeous sculptures, it’s as beautifully manicured as it is wonderfully silent, making it a great place to walk, daydream, and escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

It’s also home to a well-kept colony of friendly cats and great views of Rome’s only surviving ancient Egyptian-style pyramid. Built in the first century B.C. as a tomb for Roman magistrate Caius Cestius, it opens for public tours several times a month.

3. As noted above, a four-hour Vespa tour with Scooteroma is an unforgettable way to capture the essence of the city. My tour included stunning gardens, farmers’ markets, a break at a 90-year-old pasticceria for an iced espresso laced with almond syrup, and multiple spots with a breathtaking view of the city skyline for the perfect Instagram shot. I also received an extensive list of local-approved restaurant and bar recommendations.

But if you’d rather spend your time tasting authentic street food, visiting iconic locations from Federico Fellini movies, or zipping by Castel Gandolfo, home to the Pope’s summer residence, you’ll find a tour for that, too.

4. For a unique way to unwind after exploring the city, attend a SPArkling Night at the spa at Six Senses Rome. Nestled in a UNESCO-listed, 18th-century building on shopping street Via del Corso, this urban oasis offers a modern take on ancient Roman bathing rituals.

You don’t have to be a hotel guest to enjoy the bath circuit here, which involves moving through a series of plunge pools to warm up, cool down, and soothe the day’s tension. Thursday evenings are particularly lively, offering live music, sound healing rituals, Roman-inspired bites and signature drinks in a social setting.

While you’re there, don’t miss the panoramic views and herb gardens at NOTOS rooftop bar, the 600-year-old marble columns at the hotel entrance, and Rome’s oldest baptismal font dating back to the 4th century. It’s visible through a glass porthole or up close on a guided tour — just ask the staff.

5. Live a day in the life of silver screen icon Sophia Loren at the Anantara Palazzo Naiadi. Stay in the presidential suite, frequented by this legendary Italian actress, and enjoy access to a dedicated butler, luxury car service, and spa access. And what a spa it is — since it’s suspended over the remains of the Diocletian Bath complex, Rome’s largest public bathhouse, it’s only fitting their signature treatment recreated a 4th-century Roman experience, using locally foraged sea salt, regionally produced olive oil, laurel, sage, and lavender.

Take the elevator to the basement to view the ruins of this ancient bathhouse, which once accommodated up to 3,000 people. For a deeper dive, visit the main ruins at the Rome National Museum across the piazza.

Then, end your day with dinner at Ineo, the hotel’s fine dining restaurant. Be sure to try executive chef Heros De Agostinis’s take on an 18th-century Roman Jewish dessert of ricotta and wild sour cherries, originally created to bypass a Vatican ban prohibiting Jews from trading dairy products.

6. Take an easy day trip to Nemi, a pastel pink-coloured town 30 kilometres outside of Rome. It’s famous for fragoline, teeny-tiny wild strawberries that taste like candy popping in your mouth. While these delicate peanut-sized morsels are in season only in May and June, this charming town is worth a visit year-round.

Here you can catch a glimpse of ancient maritime engineering at the Museum of Roman Ships. It houses artifacts from two massive ships built by Emperor Caligula that remained submerged at the bottom of Lake Nemi for centuries before they were recovered, only to be destroyed during the Second World War.

The lake itself, formed in a volcanic crater, is the perfect setting for a stroll. Pick up a crispy porchetta sandwich, one of the region’s specialties, and unwrap it bite by bite as you take in breathtaking views.