Rome is not only the centre

Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana - Colosseo Quadrato ("Square Colosseum")

Usually, when we visit a city, we see its beauties enclosed in the centre. Many guidebooks show us everything there is to see in the centre, even the smallest pebble, but little is said about the fantastic things that populate the more peripheral parts of a city. Rome is no exception, because just a few kilometres from its famous historic centre you can discover hidden gems. If this is not your first visit to Rome, or if you are a tourist who likes to explore the city, then this article is for you!

Rome is a huge city, so there are lots of cool things to do in the suburbs! Below I suggest a few of them, and also include a bonus spot outside the city.

E.U.R. neighbourhood - Universal Exposition of Rome 

This district is located on the site of the 1942 EXPO, which was never held due to the war. However, you can still find monumental white marble buildings here, including the famous "Colosseo Quadrato" (Palazzo della Civiltà Romana). Yes, that's right, Rome not only has the Colosseum, but also its more modern version, the Colosseo Quadrato! Getting to the E.U.R. is very easy thanks to the Metro line B, which has a stop called EUR Fermi.

Coppedè neighbourhood.

This is not really a neighbourhood, but rather a complex of stunningly beautiful buildings built between 1915 and 1927. Its name comes from its architect, Coppedè, who designed the aforementioned Art Nouveau buildings. The Coppedè district is not far from the city centre and there are plenty of buses to take you there. Once you reach your destination, get ready to admire some real works of art!

Appia Antica 

The Appia is a Roman road built in the 4th century BC that connected Rome to Capua. The most famous part is called the Appia Antica, which stretches from Piazzale Numa Pompilio to Località Frattocchie/Santa Maria delle Mole for about 16 km. Walking along this road, you will feel as if you are in the past because it is surrounded by greenery and on the ground we find the famous sanpietrini. Along and near the road there are many ruins, churches and catacombs, such as those of San Callisto and San Sebastiano.

I Castelli Romani

Just outside Rome, but within easy reach, are the Castelli Romani. This is a complex of small towns to the south-west of Rome. Among the most beautiful and well known are Frascati and Castel Gandolfo, the former for its ancient village and fraschette (typical restaurants), while Castel Gandolfo is situated on the lake of the same name, also called Lake Albano, and right there is the Papal summer residence!

These are just a few of the many wonders to be found outside the Roman centre, but this is true of any metropolis. The outskirts are always full of interesting things, not always beautiful, sometimes of great historical value, or simply cool!

I'll leave you now, go explore and good-bye for now from Viaggio Fico 🙂