Where to Relax in Rome City Center: 6 Green Spaces to Escape the Crowds
Since the main goal of my blog is to help people, my inspiration often comes from questions I get asked. When someone asked me, “Where can I relax in and around the city center of Rome?”, I knew I had to write an article about it.
It just so happens that I am someone who needs quite a lot of me time, away from the crowds of Rome. Over time, I have collected places where you can go to unwind and relax, not too far from Rome's famous sights, but quiet and peaceful enough to take a little break. If you are looking to relax after a busy day of sightseeing, I have just the six spots for you!
Giardini di Palazzo Venezia
First on the list is the Giardini di Palazzo Venezia, an oasis that is literally a stone's throw from Piazza Venezia, one of the busiest spots in Rome. While you can also find the Museo Nazionale di Palazzo Venezia here, the garden itself is public and free to visit.
The moment you step inside, you are welcomed by beautiful plants and impressive palm trees, making it easy to forget that you are right in the middle of the busy city center. You have to get a little lucky, but there are plenty of benches where you can sit down, read, chat, or even eat your packed lunch.
The Giardini di Palazzo Venezia is also very close to Via del Corso, the main shopping street in Rome, which I talked about in my last article. If you have been on a shopping spree, I think this garden is the perfect place to unwind after an overstimulating shopping experience.
Parco fluviale di Lungotevere delle Navi
The next spot is a recent addition to the city of Rome, and I was introduced to it by a friend. Parco fluviale di Lungotevere delle Navi (quite a mouthful) is definitely more on the outside of the city center than right in it, but I felt it was worth mentioning. Just a 15-minute walk from Flaminio metro station and Piazza del Popolo, you will find this park alongside the river, where you can almost forget you are in Rome.
The combination of the river and the greenery right next to it makes this a lovely spot if you want to relax and take a moment to unwind. There are plenty of benches around, and if you visit on a random Wednesday, like I often do, you will find that there is hardly anyone around.
You might feel like it is a little too far away, but I can really recommend making the trip, as I promise it won't disappoint you!
Villa Borghese
If you are not in the mood to walk 15 minutes from Piazza del Popolo to the park mentioned above, you can find Rome's most famous park, Villa Borghese, literally right next to it. While Villa Borghese is also quite touristy, it is so huge that you can always find a quiet spot, especially towards the back of the park, closer to the Bioparco, Rome's zoo.
Tip: Never knew Rome had a zoo? I wrote an article about my experience at the Bioparco, so if you are looking for some inspiration for things to do in Rome, I can highly recommend giving it a read!
Since Villa Borghese is an enormous park, there are plenty of things to do. If you are curious, I also wrote an article about all the activities and sights in Villa Borghese, so feel free to have a look for some inspiration. But of course, simply lying down in the grass counts as an activity too.
The path along the Tiber and Isola Tiberina
When you need an immediate spot to relax, I always recommend the path alongside the Tiber River. Of all the spots on this list, this one is the most accessible, since the path stretches for kilometers. If you are not familiar with it, the Tiber runs right through Rome, and you can access its banks via staircases near many of the bridges.
For me, simply walking down those stairs brings a sense of calm, as the busy city literally disappears above you. Along the riverbanks, you will find a bike lane and walking path, but you can also simply sit down by the water and watch it flow past.
If you are near Isola Tiberina, the little island in the middle of the Tiber, this is also a lovely spot to head down to the river. Especially on summer evenings, you will find a cozy atmosphere here, and there is something about the sound of flowing water that does wonders for your brain.
Keep in mind that sometimes, especially in winter, the river level rises too high, meaning you cannot access the riverbanks.
Piazza Cavour
Piazza Cavour is one of my favorite spots in Rome, and to be honest, I come here almost every day. I have written about this piazza before, even in one of my first articles about my favorite places to read in Rome. Just minutes away from the Vatican, this piazza is often overlooked, which is a shame because it is one of the most beautiful ones Rome has to offer.
As with the other spots, there are plenty of benches here. And while there is a lot happening around the piazza (think traffic), the piazza itself feels calm, making it a great spot to people-watch and relax.
Tip: In winter, you can often go ice skating at Piazza Cavour, so if you are visiting in December, keep this in mind! You can read more about ice skating in Rome in this article.
Gianicolo (Janiculum Hill)
Last but not least is the Gianicolo, one of the most famous viewpoints in Rome. While writing this, I find it funny that the places that make you feel more relaxed are either above or below the city, making either you or the city itself feel small. I don't know if Rome feels smaller from Janiculum Hill, but it definitely feels more accessible, and I have many memories here.
From the Vatican or Trastevere, Janiculum Hill is not far, but it is a bit of a climb, so keep this in mind, especially in summer. I think a little sweat is totally worth it, though, since it is one of the most stunning viewpoints Rome has to offer. If you are a viewpoint junkie like me, I recommend reading my article about the best viewpoints in Rome, so you can hopefully check them off one by one!
At and around the Gianicolo viewpoint, it can get a little busy, but there are also plenty of places to sit and lots of greenery. For me, it is the perfect spot to end this article with.
Conclusion
I know that the city center of Rome can be very crowded and overwhelming, and that is exactly what this article is for. I hope I could help you find the perfect spot to unwind and relax, whether you are on vacation or living in Rome. If I missed your favorite calm spot in Rome, away from the crowds, please let me know in the comments, as I am always open to new inspiration!
With much love,
Juliette
