Federica Tommasi’s Rome: Art, Stories, and Local Secrets

Rome has art in its bones, but it’s easy to get lost in the crowds and miss what locals like Federica Tommasi swear by. Ever wonder how artists actually experience this city? Federica’s Rome isn’t a postcard—she skips the long lines at the Colosseum and heads for places where Roman stories breathe through rough walls and quiet courtyards.

If you want to avoid tourist traps and actually feel the city the way a creative local does, you’re in for something different. Federica’s favorite spots aren’t just for looking—they’re about seeing, meeting, and even tasting. You’ll leave with more than snapshots—you’ll take away memories and new ideas for your next adventure.

• How Federica Sees Rome
• Favorite Artistic Haunts
• Quirky Art Finds Off the Beaten Path
• Dining Where Art Meets Food
• Day-to-Night Rome: Federica’s Flow
• Quick Tips for Visitors

How Federica Sees Rome

Federica Tommasi’s Rome is about mixing the old with the new and ignoring the classic tourist route. She rarely spends time at the common selfie spots. Instead, she walks through Trastevere’s alleys, uses public transit to hop between exhibitions, and follows local artists on Instagram to find the latest pop-ups. She swears that the city’s real art lives outside the museums and iconic ruins. For Federica, Rome art isn’t locked behind glass—it’s written on the walls, found in tiny galleries, and even inside quirky coffee shops.

Her trick? She plans most days around neighborhood festivals, gallery openings, or local events you won't see in hotel brochures. According to Federica, the best way in is to check notice boards at university campuses or browse city event calendars online. She also swears by picking up local newspapers for last-minute discoveries.

• Always walk with good shoes; cobblestones chew up sneakers fast.
• Eat lunch late like a Roman. That’s when many artists gather in small restaurants or parks.
• Skip morning crowds—Federica prefers seeing museums in the last hour before closing, when it’s quieter.

Federica points out that while almost 18 million tourists hit Rome in 2023, the neighborhoods where she spends her afternoons see just a trickle. She likes the odds.

You won’t see Rome the same way after a day in Federica’s shoes. You’ll pick up local habits and probably end up chatting art over coffee with real Romans.

Favorite Artistic Haunts

Ask Federica Tommasi where to catch the real pulse of Rome’s art scene, and you won’t end up at just the Vatican Museums. She has her own hit list, mixing classic powerhouses with modern spaces you’d miss if you didn’t know who to ask.

Her number one? The MAXXI, Rome’s National Museum of 21st Century Arts. Designed by Zaha Hadid, it’s a wild slice of modern architecture in a city known for ancient ruins. Federico talks about how exhibitions here flip your idea of what art is supposed to be—think video installations, edgy photography, and even design workshops. In 2024, MAXXI pulled in nearly 340,000 visitors, but most were locals and insiders. That tells you something.

She’s also a big fan of the Galleria Borghese, but not just for the Berninis or Caravaggios. Federica suggests booking tickets for late afternoon—the last slot—when it’s quieter. You actually get space to appreciate those works instead of battling crowds. She swears the air feels different, less frantic and more like you’re discovering these pieces for the first time.

Another regular haunt: the contemporary art gallery, Lorcan O’Neill. It’s tucked away near Campo de’ Fiori, and you probably wouldn’t even spot it if you weren’t looking. This spot is all about new talent and surprise pop-ups. Federico likes dropping by for opening nights since you can meet artists in person—sometimes with a glass of cheap prosecco in hand.

If you lean more toward street art, she points to Ostiense. Murals here aren’t just pretty—they cover entire buildings, tell stories, and sometimes even spark local debates. The neighborhood is basically an open-air gallery, with new works appearing every few months.

• Rome art is more than old statues—it’s about living culture.
• Book the Galleria Borghese in advance; last-minute tickets are rare.
• Follow MAXXI and Lorcan O’Neill on social media—pop-up events are announced there first.

Here’s a quick look at how these spots stack up:

Federica’s picks prove you don’t need a PhD or a fancy tour guide to experience real Roman culture. Just curiosity—and maybe a little advice from someone who lives and breathes it.

Quirky Art Finds Off the Beaten Path

If you’re tired of the same museums everyone posts on Instagram, Federica Tommasi is your kind of guide. She skips the Vatican crowds and takes you to corners where art is part of daily life, often for free and sometimes hidden in plain sight.

One top pick: Quartiere Coppedè, a weird and wonderful neighborhood bursting with Art Nouveau buildings, mosaic-tiled archways, and fountain statues that look straight out of a fever dream. Tourists hardly know it exists, but photos here always pop.

Federica also raves about the street art scene in Pigneto and Ostiense. These neighborhoods feel gritty, real, and full of murals bigger than most apartments. The Ostiense district alone has over 30 public artworks, and it’s grown into a living gallery without the entry fee. The city actually tracked this—more than 70% of visitors claim the murals made their trip more memorable, according to Rome’s local tourism office. You might spot a map-wielding tourist or two, but most people here are just grabbing coffee or chatting about their day.

For something even weirder, head to the Non-Catholic Cemetery in Testaccio. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but artists and writers love how tombstones mingle with wild cats and centuries-old pines, giving the place an oddly peaceful feel. Big names like Keats and Shelley are buried here—fans still leave fresh flowers on their graves.

• If you want hands-on art, seek out pasticceria shops that do edible masterpieces. In Trastevere, Biscottificio Innocenti has cookies that are as creative as any statue.
• Some of Rome’s bus stops double as mini-galleries, showing pop-up exhibitions from local artists—watch for these near Termini or at Piazza Bologna.
• On the last Sunday of most months, MAAM (Museo dell’Altro e dell’Altrove) throws open its doors. Housed in a former factory, this place is wild—think performance art, murals, and installations where you can talk to the artists while you wander around.

Here’s a handy rundown of some spots and what makes them cool:

Big takeaway: if you’re after Rome art that regular tourists never find, let Federica Tommasi lead the way. These hidden spots turn a regular stroll into a real adventure—with stories you won’t get anywhere else.

Dining Where Art Meets Food

Rome isn’t short on trattorias and gelato shops, but Federica Tommasi prefers places that feel more like an exhibition than a regular restaurant. A few blocks from Piazza Navona, you’ll find Caffè Propaganda. It’s hard to miss the vintage tiles, but look closer and you’ll notice rotating art installations on the walls. Local students hang out here alongside writers and designers, and it’s OK to spend an hour sipping just one espresso.

Another spot on her shortlist is Pianostrada in Trastevere. The open kitchen sits right beside black-and-white photography from up-and-coming Roman artists. The staff welcomes questions, and if you ask, they’ll point out the best time to grab the house focaccia or the daily changing tarts. Some ingredients come from rooftop gardens nearby, supporting the ‘farm-to-table’ vibe Rome is trying to promote.

Looking for a deep dive into art and food together? Head to Mercato Centrale. Half market, half art show, this building packs in food stalls run by young chefs and classic bakers, with graffiti and murals from local street artists everywhere you turn. It’s not just for tourists—on Fridays, you might catch a live painting demo between bites of Roman pizza.

Here’s a quick rundown of Tommasi’s personal picks for food and art:

• Federica Tommasi says to book ahead at Osteria delle Coppelle, where each room is decorated differently and dinner sometimes comes with surprise live music.
• Roscioli: Part deli, part gallery, and always busy. Nab a spot early or hit it off-hours for their carbonara.
• Pastificio San Lorenzo: Former pasta factory with an art gallery. Great for a lunch where you can check out modern art before ordering.

Most of these spots are open until at least midnight, so you can linger over a plate or wander through an art corner even after dark. Skip the plastic tourist menus and try what the locals order—the simple stuff, like cacio e pepe or a glass of house red, usually holds up best.

Day-to-Night Rome: Federica’s Flow

Federica Tommasi doesn’t do Rome like everyone else. Her typical day is all about balancing the city’s ancient side with modern vibes, squeezing creativity out of every corner. If you want to follow her lead, it helps to know how she paces herself and where she gets her energy.

She kicks off her mornings away from the big-name tourist spots. Instead, she might start with an espresso at Roscioli Caffè in the Jewish Ghetto, a favorite spot among locals for its pastries and no-nonsense coffee. It’s the perfect way to charge up before exploring the lesser-known galleries around Via Giulia, where local artists showcase work you won’t find in any guidebook.

Afternoons are her time for creativity. Federica often checks out exhibitions at MACRO—the city’s museum of contemporary art—where the atmosphere feels young and experimental. She squeezes in sketching sessions at Villa Borghese park when the weather’s good, since the light is perfect and it’s easy to stay inspired by the mix of sculptures and street performers.

Here's how she usually divides her day, and you can try this rhythm too:

• Rome art fix in the morning — check out hidden or niche galleries before crowds hit.
• Lunch at a neighborhood trattoria, never near the big piazzas (think Trattoria Pennestri in Ostiense for modern Roman dishes).
• Quiet time in a garden or park, notebook in hand for drawing or people watching.
• An afternoon pop-in at a creative hotspot like MAXXI, the National Museum of 21st Century Arts, for a very different take on Roman culture.
• Evenings in the Testaccio area, grabbing aperitivo (aperitif) or joining friends for artist talks or small events organized in old warehouses turned creative spaces.

By night, Federica’s go-to is the Trastevere district. She recommends spots like Bar San Calisto for classic, cheap drinks or Spirito for something a little trendier. Trastevere’s small galleries also sometimes stay open late, and streets fill up with live music, making it the top spot for soaking up local nightlife.

If you’re worried about fitting all this in, check out this practical breakdown of activities with average times the locals spend per day:

Federica’s flow keeps things relaxed and flexible—no cramming, no checklist-jumping. Try this pace, and Rome feels a lot less rushed and way more inspiring.

Quick Tips for Visitors

Want to get the most out of Rome, especially if you're following in Federica Tommasi’s footsteps? You need the inside scoop. Here it is, straight—from locals’ habits to must-know hacks:

• Go early or late. Skip crowds by hitting museums and big sites like the Vatican Museums or Galleria Borghese right when they open or just before closing. Less waiting, better views.
• Book ahead whenever possible. Popular spots like Palazzo Massimo or MAXXI museum can sell out, especially on weekends. Get tickets online to save your spot and your sanity.
• Don’t just eat in the tourist zones. Head to Rome’s Testaccio or San Lorenzo neighborhoods for local trattorias with food that’s tastier and usually cheaper. Federica loves Da Felice in Testaccio for a classic cacio e pepe.
• Mind the Mondays. Lots of museums close on Mondays, so plan your art days on other weekdays. Many galleries, especially smaller independent ones, keep odd hours—double-check their websites.
• Carry cash (but not too much). Many small cafes and shops still prefer cash for small amounts. But only take what you need each day since pickpockets do target busy metro lines and touristy streets.
• Public transport hacks. Rome’s buses and trams are cheap and go everywhere, but they can run late. Download the ATAC app for real-time updates, or just walk—it’s usually faster in the city center.
• Pack comfortable shoes. Roman streets are mostly cobblestone. Platforms or thin soles? Forget about it—your feet will thank you later.
• If you love art, check temporary exhibits. Federica often finds inspiration in pop-up shows at Palazzo delle Esposizioni and smaller galleries around Monti. Look up "Rome art exhibitions" for what’s on during your stay.

Small details make a massive difference in Rome. Go beyond just ticking off landmarks—follow these tips for a trip that feels local, not just touristy.