When in Rome: Live like a local

How to Enjoy Rome Like a Local

Rome is one of the world’s most visited cities, yet for many travellers it can feel overwhelming, crowds at the Colosseum, lines at the Vatican, overpriced pizza near the Spanish Steps. To experience the Eternal City the way Romans do, you need to step away from the well-worn tourist routes and lean into the rhythms of local life. This guide will help you discover where to walk, eat, shop, and linger, so you can enjoy Rome not as a visitor, but as if you live there.

Start your day like a Roman

Romans rarely sit down for breakfast. Instead, they stand at the bar of a neighbourhood café, sipping a cappuccino or caffè macchiato and eating a flaky cornetto (the Italian cousin of the croissant). To blend in, order at the cashier first, then present your receipt at the counter. Don’t ask for a latte unless you really want a glass of milk, order a caffè latte if that’s what you’re after.

Favorite local spots include Sant’Eustachio Il Caffè, tucked near the Pantheon, known for its legendary espresso, and Caffè Greco on Via dei Condotti, one of Rome’s oldest coffeehouses. But just as good are the unassuming bars you’ll find on any corner of Trastevere or Testaccio, where locals greet the barista by name.

Explore Neighbourhoods beyond the Monuments

Yes, the Colosseum and St. Peter’s Basilica are essential, but they don’t reveal how Romans actually live. To enjoy Rome like a local, devote time to the neighbourhoods.

Trastevere: This maze of cobbled alleys is postcard-perfect but still retains a neighbourhood feel, especially in the mornings. Visit the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere, then wander until you find a family-run trattoria for lunch.

Testaccio: Once the heart of Rome’s working-class life, Testaccio is famous for its food culture. The Testaccio Market combines modern stalls with old traditions, perfect for sampling street food like trapizzino (pizza pocket with fillings).

Monti: Near the Colosseum but hidden in plain sight, Monti is full of artisan shops, wine bars, and tiny piazzas where locals gather. It’s the best place for vintage shopping and aperitivo.

Garbatella: A lesser-known district with a strong community feel, Garbatella boasts pastel-coloured houses and lush courtyards. It’s authentic Rome, far from the crowds.

Master the Art of the Passeggiata

Every evening before dinner, Romans stroll the streets in a ritual known as the passeggiata. This isn’t exercise, it’s about being part of the community, seeing and being seen. To join in, head to Via del Corso, Piazza Navona, or along the Tiber. Dress neatly, Romans are stylish, even for a casual walk.

Eat on Roman Time

Romans take food seriously, and eating on their schedule makes all the difference. Lunch is typically 1-2:30 pm, while dinner rarely begins before 8 pm. Skip the tourist traps with laminated menus and instead look for trattorie with handwritten boards or full tables of Italians.

Classic Roman dishes to try:

Cacio e Pepe: Pasta with pecorino Romano cheese and black pepper.

Carbonara: Eggs, pecorino, guanciale (cured pork cheek), and pepper. No cream, ever.

Amatriciana: Tomato, guanciale, pecorino.

Saltimbocca alla Romana: Veal with prosciutto and sage.

For pizza, try Pizzeria La Montecarlo near Piazza Navona or Pizzarium Bonci near the Vatican for gourmet slices. For gelato, skip neon coloured displays and head to artisanal shops like Gelateria del Teatro or Fatamorgana.

Shop where Romans shop

Forget the souvenir stalls selling magnets and gladiator helmets. Romans shop at open-air markets and small specialty stores.

Campo de’ Fiori: Bustling daily market (except Sundays) with flowers, produce, and spices.

Mercato Testaccio: Modern food market perfect for picnics or casual bites.

Via del Governo Vecchio: Lined with vintage boutiques and independent shops.

Food shops (alimentari): Stop at a local grocer for cheeses, cured meats, and wine, ideal for a picnic at Villa Borghese.

Take Advantage of the Piazzas

Rome is full of piazzas, and they’re not just for sightseeing, they’re living rooms for the city. Romans gather here for conversation, people-watching, and relaxation. Instead of rushing through, choose one and linger. Order a spritz or glass of wine, sit at an outdoor table, and take your time.

Good spots include:

Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere: Young, lively vibe.

Piazza Farnese: Elegant, quieter, framed by the French Embassy.

Campo de’ Fiori in the evening: Casual, buzzing with locals and students.

Piazza del Popolo: Grand and spacious, especially at sunset.

Discover Rome’s Green Spaces

To live like a local, you need to escape the stone and marble sometimes. Romans cherish their parks and gardens, many of which are free to enter.

Villa Borghese: Rome’s central park, perfect for picnics or bike rides.

Giardino degli Aranci (Orange Garden): Stunning view of St. Peter’s dome from the Aventine Hill.

Appian Way (Via Appia Antica): Rent a bike and ride along one of the oldest Roman roads, past aqueducts, villas, and catacombs. Sundays are best, when traffic is restricted.

Villa Doria Pamphilj: Less touristy, great for jogging or lazy strolls.

Embrace Aperitivo

The Italian tradition of aperitivo is more than just a drink, it’s a social ritual. Between 6 and 8 pm, locals gather at bars for cocktails (Negroni, spritz, or wine) served with small snacks. Some places offer generous buffets, while others keep it light with olives and chips.

Great aperitivo bars include Freni e Frizioni in Trastevere, Il Goccetto near Campo de’ Fiori, and Salotto 42 near Piazza di Pietra.

Nightlife the Roman Way

Romans don’t rush the evening. After dinner, locals enjoy a late stroll, a drink at a wine bar, or gelato. If you’re looking for more energy, head to San Lorenzo, a student district with a bohemian vibe, or Pigneto, known for craft cocktails and street art.
In summer, the banks of the Tiber transform into a night market, with pop-up bars, food stands, and live music.

Learn a Few Words of Italian
You don’t need to be fluent, but locals appreciate the effort. Useful phrases:

Buongiorno (good morning)

Buona sera (good evening)

Un caffè, per favore (a coffee, please)

Il conto, grazie (the bill, please)

Even just saying grazie with a smile will win goodwill.

Slow Down

Perhaps the most important lesson: don’t try to do it all. Romans value leisure and conversation, not rushing from sight to sight. Sit on the steps of Piazza Trilussa with a gelato, linger over a long lunch, or watch kids play soccer in a side street. In Rome, life happens in the pauses.

A Sample “Roman Day” Itinerary

Morning: Quick espresso and cornetto at the bar. Walk through Monti’s streets before crowds arrive.

Midday: Visit a neighbourhood market, grab picnic supplies, and relax at Villa Borghese.

Afternoon: Explore Trastevere’s churches and cobblestones, stop for gelato.

Evening: Join the passeggiata along the Tiber. Aperitivo at Freni e Frizioni.

Dinner: Sit down late for pasta at a trattoria in Testaccio.

Night: Gelato or wine with friends in Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere.

Final Thoughts

To enjoy Rome like a local is to surrender to its rhythm: unhurried, stylish, and deeply social. Yes, visit the monuments, but also sip espresso at the counter, linger in piazzas, and stroll without agenda. The Eternal City reveals itself not in a checklist of sights, but in the everyday rituals that Romans have perfected over centuries.

When you embrace that, you’re no longer just a visitor, you’re part of Rome, if only for a while.