What are the first images that come into my mind when I think of the vacation in Rome? Besides sightseeing itself (painting and sculpture galleries, impressive churches and cathedrals), I think about enjoying a sunny day at Piazza di Spagna, about pigeons sitting on S’Angelo castle walls waiting to be photographed, the feeling of broken legs after a tour of Bernoulli`sculptures; these details and sensations turn a vacation in a living and exploring feeling.
But what about a rainy vacantion day? Are you going to stay in your hotel and miss all the fascinating places and memories that Rome has to offer? Well, in this case, I will help with some solutions and show you what to do in a rainy day in Rome. You will surely love a rainy day in Rome.
Here are some things to do and see in a rainy day in Rome. Enjoy Eternal City on a lovely rainy day!
1. Visit the Roman catacombs
The city founded by the twins Romulus and Remus, is hiding underground remains of early Christian period, which can be visited today. Christian Catacombs are one of the most interesting and popular sights in Rome. The Christian community was born there. For two centuries, those galleries were the place where Saint Sacrifice was celebrated. Those walls heard crying the prayers who have found hope in eternal life. For three centuries it have been the tomb of Roman Christendom.
The catacombs, situated putside the city walls, are the places where ancient Christians were buried and where they met to pray in secret. Because these tombs are situated underground, the rain will not be a problem.
Catacombs of St. Sebastian
Here is buried St. Sebastian, who died during the persecution of Dicoletian.
Adress: Via Appia Antica 136
Tel (0039) 06 78 50 350
Open between 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 / 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (5:30 p.m. summer). Closed Sunday
Entrance fee: Euro 5
Catacombs of St. Callixtus
Here were built St. Callixtus catacombs, the most beautiful cemetery of the Christian community.
Adress: Via Appia Antica 110
Tel (0039) 06 51 30 15 80
Open between 9:00 to 12:00 / 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (17 ’30 summer) Closed on Wednesdays and in February
Entrance fee: Euro 5 and 3 with discount
Website: www.catacombe.roma.it
Catacombs of Priscilla
They were built on the Via Salaria, along with 3 other catacombs. These are among the largest and oldest catacombs in Rome. Priscilla was the founder of the cemetery and a member of the patrician family ACLI Glabiones.
Address: Via Salaria 430
Tel (0039) 06 86 20 62 72
Open between 8:30 to 12:00 / 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.. Closed on Mondays and in January
Entrance fee: Euro 5.
Website: www.romecity.it/Catacombedipriscilla.htm
Catacombs of Domitilla
Flavia Domitilla was a member of the imperial family, who owned the land on which the cementery was built. Domitilla catacomb was also known as Saint Nereus and Achilleus. The cemetery is one of the oldest and largest complex of catacombs in Rome.
Address: Via delle Sette Chiese 282
Tel (0039) 06 51 10 342
Open between 8:30 to 12:00 / 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Closed Mondays and in January
Entrance fee: 5 euro
Website: www.domitilla.it/Catacombe
Catacombs of St. Agnese
Are placed on Via Nomentana and are some of the most important catacombs of Rome.
Address: Via Nomentana 349
Tel: June 86 October 84
Open between: 9:00 to 12:00 / 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.; closed Monday afternoon, Sunday and holidays
Entrance fee: Euro 4.
Website: www.santagnese.org
2. Eat Penne pasta in a fresh lobster and tomato sauce
After visiting the catacoms, you shall stop and take yout lunch at the Hostaria Antica Roma restaurant. It if one of the most famous restaurants in Rome. It is located on Via Appia Antica, near catacombs, and built in one of the former temple of Rome. The place is very cozy, ideal for romantics. Here you will find traditional dished prepared with fresh ingredients and a fabulous list of wines.
3. Visit Vatican Museums
One of the most interesting things about visiting the city of Rome is that it offers the opportunity that besides Italy, you can visit also a totally different country, without exceeding the boundaries of the city. It’s of course the Vatican, the smallest country in the world. Even if you are not Catholic (or Christian in general), a day spent here is one win and also one of the most exciting days of your life. This is the perfect place you can enjoy a rainy day in Rome.
In Vatican Museums you will find paintings, tapestries, ceramics, mosaics and sculptures from every era and every corner of the earth.There are frescoes of famous Raphael and Michelangelo. The ceiling ofthe Sistine Chapel and the wall of the altar represents the end point of the tour through the Vatican Museum. But obviously you must not miss the rest of the museum.
Schedule: In general, the museum doors open in the morning, around 8:30 am and the last visitors are accepted between 13.45 and 17.30 depending on the day, but last tickets are sold one hour before closing. Museums are closed on Sundays (except last Sunday of the month), Easter, on June 29 and December 25 to 26, among other holidays throughout the year.
Entrance Fees: € 15 for adults, 8 euro reduced ticket (for organized groups of tourists, students under 26, children under 14 years). On the last Sunday of every month and on World Tourism Day (September 27th), museums have free admission for everyone.
How to get there: There are several buses that stop in near the Vatican. From the center of Rome you can take one of the buses 40, 62 and 64. Also, you can get the metro to the Octaviano station.
4. Visit ancient Panteon
It is centrally located, and from here you can easily reach other sights.
Emperor Hadrian completed the construction in 128- probably after his own sketches – replacing much of a temple built on this place in the year 27, by Marcus Agrippa, son in law of Emperor Augustus. Hadrian kept impressive inscription on the building facade attributed to Agrippa: Latin text says “Marcus Agrippa, son of Lucius, consul for the third time, built this.”
Visit this grandiose temple in a rainy day. You will have the chance to see the raining inside. The dome is a masterpiece of Roman engineering. Ocuilus, the eye of the dome, a middle hole that opens to the sky, was a key element of Hadrian’s original plan. The purpose was both practical – help illuminate the interior – as well as spiritual, allowing those being inside to contemplate direclty with the heaven.
5. Go shopping at the mall
There are several malls and outlets in and around Rome but the nearest is Euroma2. The commercial complex is located in the south of the city.
To get there you must take the blue B metro in Laurentina direction, get off at EUR Fermi station and from there take one of the buses 070, 700 or 709 and get off at Colombo / Pacific. The rain would not stop you make some shopping and buy some souvenirs for your loved once. However, do not dedicate your entire day for this.
6. See Rome from a Tram
A rainy day should not stop you from seeing and exploring fabulous Rome. Take the 19 Tram that takes you to Vatican and Borghese Villa. In this way, you can see Rome in a rainy day and relax your legs.
7. Find shelter in Rome`s marvellous Churches
Cradle of Christianity, Rome has over 900 churches and cathedrals. It are not just places of pray. Their rich treasure consists in paintings, sculptures, mosaics and relics of great value.
In a rainy day, a church is a perfect place to rest yourself, find shelter and peace. Even if not all churches are large and impressive, each one has its charm. Even the tiny ones, hidden and unknown neighborhoods are beautifully crafted with remarkable paintings and sculptures. Churches and cathedrals of Rome are small museums full of unique attractions related to the spiritual world.
Beautiful post and wonderful photos. Rome is unique!