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The weather forecast for this weekend is warm and party cloudy with a chance of rain for the rest of this evening. As you well know, weather is unpredictable and if it rains you may have to change your day trip plans around Rome. But don't let the refreshing rain get you down, there is still plenty to do around the Eternal City on a rainy day.
So grab your umbrella and take a rainy day stroll with us.
Vatican Museums
One of the best and most popular things to see in Rome is the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica, both very near to each other. Though on a rainy day, waiting in the lines here can be brutal, so be sure to grab your skip the line ticket with a guided tour through these incredible sights. You won't regret having a guide as well as skipping the lines in the rain as there is always a string of people waiting to get in no matter the weather.
Testaccio Market
Located south of the Trastevere area and across the river, you will find a covered market with over 100 vendors selling various items icnluding pottery, books, Roman food, Sicilian bakery goods, fresh fish, hand-made cannelloni and ravioli as well as clothing and antiques scattered throughout.
Unfortunately the market is only open from 6 am to 3 pm, but close by is the famous Macro Testaccio, which is open until 10 pm.
Macro Testaccio
Two of the buildings are open to the public and were home to a slaughterhouse during the 19th century, giving a view of the transition from classic to modern architecture through the years.
One of the buildings houses multiple exhibits of contemporary art throughout the year and is open Tuesdays to Sundays from 4pm to midnight, a perfect stop after your perusal through the Testaccio Market nearby.
It is particularly suitable as a venue to show important national and international artistic works that represent modern visual art today and the fusion of different languages.
Palazzo Massimo
Close to Termini station, this 19th century palace houses one of the world's most important collections of classical art. There are four floors filled with scultupes, frescoes and mosaics, jewels and an exhibition path showcasing Ancient Roman history, myths and everyday life.
This is the perfect place to get lost for a couple hours and avoid the rain outside, and located just in centre, so easy access to local transportation for your way back to whereever you may be staying in Rome.
Churches
Don't forget that there are a plethora of churches throughout the city to explore in (some recommendations are mentioned in a previous blog post).
So grab your map and mark out a route to visit some churches and spend time inside perusing through beautiful artwork, architecture and feel a bit of the Ancient Roman Catholic atmosphere.
Each one has it's one characteristics and is a gallery of their onw - and most are free, so a very good way to spend an unplanned rainy day in Rome.
Hop On/Hop Off Bus Tours
A Panoramic Bus tour is a perfect example of a way to see the city during a rainy day. You can stay in the cover of a bus, learn about the history of Rome and get off for a coffee or lunch at any time on the route.
The map above gives an idea of the major sights along the route and the stops, which are near for a quick walk and an up close view of the most famous monuments in Rome.
Galleria Borghese
One of the most famous and beautiful galleries in Rome, located in Villa Borghese, a vast park perfect to explore if the rain stops. But for a rainy day, go to this museum to explore sculptures and paintings dating back to Cardinal Scipione's collection, the son of Ortensia Borghese and Francesco Caffarelli.
The gallery includes twenty rooms across 2 floors and is mostly dedicated to classical antiquitities of the 1st-3rd centuries. Many of the scultupes displayed were specifically intended for these spaces making this gallery both a natural and historical experience.
Keep in mind that tickets need to be reserved ahead of time as it's very busy here and getting a ticket last minute can be very difficult.
Shopping
One of Rome's largest Italian department indoor shopping areas is La Rinascente located near Villa Borghese, not far from Repubblica or Termini stations by grabbing a short bus ride or a quick taxi ride.
Here you can have an Italin shopping experience while avoiding the rain for a few hours.
Inside there is stores for men, women and children as well as home and design with restaurants and bars throughout. It tends to be pricey, but it's always great for the avid wondow-shopper interested in seeing the styles of different cultures.
Coffee
You are in Italy, the world capital when it comes to coffee, so make sure to check out some of the best cafes after your tours and visits through the Eternal City city. A few of our suggestions include;
Caffè della Pace near Piazza Navona - this one is open late and has been known to be frequented by artists, locals and even celebrities along with tourists.
Tazza d'Oro near the Pantheon - considered to be by many the best coffee in all of Rome, though you can judge that for yourself by checking out this always bustling venue.
Caffetteria d'Arte al Chiostro del Bramante also near Piazza Navona - stop in for a coffee tea and even a look at some art and photographic exhibitions for those that like a place for a good conversation mixed with a local atmoshpere and art.
Il Caffé Sant’Eustacchio also near the Pantheon - a personal favourite of ours. Here you will find the baristas hiding the way they make the coffee so as not to give away their secret ingredient. It is a tiny, plain and familiar place which is the classic Roman cafe style.
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