Rome Unveiled: Rebecca Volpetti’s Hidden Gems

Rome's not just the Colosseum and Trevi Fountain, even though those are cool to see once. The thing is, most people see the same places, eat the same pizza, and call it a day. But if you’ve ever wondered what the city feels like to someone who really knows it inside-out—like Rebecca Volpetti—you’re in for a treat. She skips the souvenir lines and slips into spots the guidebooks barely mention.

If you want to do Rome differently, you’ve got to dig beneath the surface. That means knowing the bakeries where nobody speaks English, popping into family-run bars for a quick espresso, and finding little courtyards where you won’t see a single tour group. Rebecca’s picks aren’t fancy—just damn good and definitely Roman.

Ready to see the city from a totally different angle? Keep this list handy; you’ll want it as you wander. Trust me, by the end, you’ll have more stories than photos.

• Beyond the Usual Landmarks
• Eats Rebecca Swears By
• Secret Spots with a View
• Quirky Local Experiences
• Planning Your Own Adventure

Beyond the Usual Landmarks

Everyone does the Colosseum and the Vatican. But according to Rebecca Volpetti, the magic’s in the places most people walk past. One of her go-to spots? The Testaccio neighborhood. It’s old-school Rome without the crowds, and the heart of the local food scene. You’ll still spot bits of ancient walls and mosaics just sitting in the open, and the main attraction—a hill made from pottery shards leftover from Roman times. Seriously.

The Protestant Cemetery, close to the Pyramid of Cestius, isn’t in most travel guides but it’s peaceful, leafy, and full of history. Famous poets like John Keats are buried here. It's way calmer than the packed piazzas and gives you a different slice of Rome.

Ever heard of Quartiere Coppedè? Probably not. It looks like the set of a wild movie—crazy mix of Art Nouveau, medieval details, and modern quirks. Locals hang out here because it’s weird, cool, and yep, you barely see any tourists. Perfect for that offbeat photo nobody else gets.

For Roman ruins without the lines, Rebecca’s secret weapon is the Baths of Caracalla. You won’t need to prebook or push through swarms. The place is wide open, huge, and you get a sense of how wild these old bathhouses used to be. Often, outdoor concerts are held here, so it’s worth checking what’s on before you go.

• Testaccio: Authentic food, ancient pottery hill, local vibe
• Protestant Cemetery: Quiet, historic, unexpected beauty
• Quartiere Coppedè: Funky architecture, hidden gem feel
• Baths of Caracalla: Roman ruins, few crowds, unique events

Here’s a quick rundown comparing how packed these places feel compared to the main tourist spots:

When you’re itching for an escape from the crowds or want to impress friends back home with real hidden gems, skip the usual route. These spots give you bragging rights—and a fresh look at Rome.

Eats Rebecca Swears By

Food in Rome is next-level, but Rebecca Volpetti knows how to steer clear of those tourist traps. Her go-to eats focus on classic Roman spots that haven’t changed their menu in decades. If you want a real local flavor, skip the pizza with weird toppings and hunt down cacio e pepe at Felice a Testaccio. This place makes the sauce right at your table. If you snag a seat, order their tiramisu too—it’s on a whole other level.

Going off Rebecca’s list, you can’t miss Da Enzo al 29 in Trastevere. The line can look nuts, but there’s a reason locals cram in for their carbonara. Cheap, filling, and perfectly Roman. Another tip? Don’t ask for chicken alfredo. That’s not a thing here, and the staff will just roll their eyes. You want the amatriciana with real guanciale—that’s the way the Romans do it.

Rebecca’s breakfast rule is simple—no Starbucks. For a wake-up espresso and a pastry, she’ll hit up Roscioli Caffè. It’s where locals squeeze in, order a quick coffee at the bar, and munch on a maritozzo—basically a cream-filled dream. Their cornetti are less sweet than French croissants, but trust me, they grow on you fast.

"If you want to eat like a Roman, follow the locals—never the crowds." – Katie Parla, Rome food expert

Budget is another reason Rebecca’s picks stand out. You don’t need a reservation at some fancy place to eat well. She likes city markets, especially Mercato Testaccio. There’s a fresh pasta stand (Box 58) where the cooks hand you your meal still steaming. Grab a table nearby and enjoy lunch like you live there.

• Don’t tip big—it’s not the norm. Just round up the bill.
• Order local wines—usually house vino is legit and cheap.
• Avoid spots with laminated menus—they’re for tourists.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what stuff really costs in the city, so you know what’s normal and what’s a rip-off.

Eating well in Rome doesn’t mean spending a fortune. Stick with these tips (and a little bit of Rebecca Volpetti attitude) and you’ll eat like someone who actually lives here. That’s the best kind of travel memory.

Secret Spots with a View

You’ve seen postcard Rome, but there are back-pocket places that even locals guard like gold. These are the spots where Rome unrolls at your feet—without elbows and selfie sticks in your way. If you want city views that feel personal, not crowded, check out Rebecca Volpetti’s go-tos.

First off: The Orange Garden (Giardino degli Aranci) on Aventine Hill. No ticket needed, never stuffed with crowds. Step up just before sunset and you’ll spot St. Peter’s dome glowing in the distance, all framed by orange trees. The air smells sweet, and nobody rushes you with a camera.

Another winner is the Gianicolo Hill, just above Trastevere. locals call it Janiculum. Hike up—yeah, it’s a bit of a climb—or hop a bus, and you reach a terrace with full city views. The bonus? At noon, you’ll hear the canon go off. Not for tourists; it’s just a daily local tradition so folks used to set their watches.

If you’re downtown and want an instant escape, use the elevator inside Monumento Vittoriano (that giant white “wedding cake”). For a few euros, zip up for the best 360-degree view in central Rome. Be warned: the lift is glass, so if you’re queasy with heights, maybe stick to just looking out from the terrace level.

• Pincio Terrace: Above Piazza del Popolo, with benches and snack carts. Rebecca says grab a gelato, chill, and people-watch. At sunset, the city glows and hardly anyone blocks your view.
• Zodiaco: Up by Monte Mario, a bit of a bus ride but you’ll see all of Rome and spot planes landing at Fiumicino. Best kept secret for night views when the city lights go wild.

Quick tip: Weekdays in the morning or around dinnertime are best for each spot. Rebecca avoids weekends—too many Instagram chasers.

Pack a snack, wear comfy shoes, and leave the tripod. The best views of Rome are simple and honestly, just better when you stumble onto them without a crowd behind you.

Quirky Local Experiences

Want to see why locals fall in love with Rome every day? Rebecca Volpetti has a thing for offbeat adventures, and her favorite spots aren’t in any mainstream Rome guide. These are the places that show you a different side of the city—one that’s alive, messy, and full of surprises.

First up, you’ve got the Testaccio Market. It’s not one of those glossy, overpriced tourist traps. Locals do their real grocery shopping here, and you can get fresh fruit, salty olives, and the kind of street food that actually fills you up. Rebecca grabs her panino at Mordi e Vai—think slow-cooked beef in a crusty roll, all for just a few euros.

Have you heard about the Magic Door (Porta Alchemica) in Piazza Vittorio? Most folks walk past without noticing, but this 17th-century monument is covered with weird symbols and Latin riddles. According to legend, it once belonged to an alchemist looking for the secret to eternal life. It’s not open for tours, but it’s free to wander up and snap a photo. You’ll always catch a couple of locals telling wild stories about it.

On Sunday mornings, Rebecca likes to hunt for bargains and oddities at the Porta Portese Flea Market. There’s no telling what you’ll find—vinyl records, vintage clothes, bikes, and old movie posters are all fair game. Get there early if you hate crowds. It’s cash-only and haggling is expected, so don’t be shy. Here’s a useful stat: Over 400 vendors show up every week, making it the biggest flea market in Rome.

If you want something really out there, check out the "Keyhole of the Knights of Malta." It’s a random green door on the Aventine Hill with a perfectly framed view of St. Peter’s Basilica. There’s always a line, but it moves fast. Even locals never get tired of this one. The New York Times said:

“No other peephole in the world can claim to sum up an entire city’s history and beauty in one glance.”

Mix these Rome experiences into your trip and you’ll walk away with stories the tour groups will never hear.

Planning Your Own Adventure

Forget those one-size-fits-all checklists. If you really want to dig into Rome the way Rebecca Volpetti does, you’ve got to put your own spin on things. Here’s how you can nail it without following the crowd—or some boring tour guide holding up an umbrella.

Start by picking one neighborhood you’d usually skip. Trastevere is flooded with people, but areas like Testaccio or Garbatella are where you’ll find that true Roman vibe. Grab a map on your phone, mark a few local spots, and just walk. Rebecca often shares that Rome is a city made for wandering, not rushing. She once joked, “If you’re sweating over a checklist, you’re missing the whole point.”

"The best way to discover Rome is to get lost in it—let the city surprise you instead of sticking to an agenda." – Lonely Planet

Not sure where to start? Here’s a simple list to keep your trip low-stress but still loaded with cool stories:

• Pick one new food each day—order what the locals eat, not what’s on the English menu.
• Visit markets like Mercato Testaccio instead of only the Campo de’ Fiori scene.
• Sneak into a hidden church—there’s usually zero crowds and crazy art inside.
• Time your walks for late afternoon or evening. The city chills out, and the golden light makes everything look downright cinematic.
• Pack light and wear real shoes. Rome’s cobblestones will chew up your feet.

Want to really skip the tourist routine? The Rome tourism board reported that in 2024, nearly 70% of visitors never left the city center. That means if you branch just a little, you’ll have whole piazzas practically to yourself. Check out the numbers below:

Keep a flexible plan, pepper it with a few hidden gems, and don’t get hung up if something’s closed or crowded. Rome rewards the people who go with the flow. That’s how Rebecca pulls it off—and it’s a lot more fun than sticking to a script.