Over 70 Masterpieces Bring Colour, Geometry and Sound to Life at Kandinsky’s Exhibition at Palazzo Bonaparte
From September 15, 2026 to February 14, 2027, Rome’s Palazzo Bonaparte hosts one of the year’s most significant cultural exhibitions dedicated to Vassily Kandinsky, the father of abstract art. Produced and organized by Arthemisia in collaboration with Paris’s Centre Pompidou and curated by Angela Lampe, the exhibition brings over 70 iconic works to Rome for his first major retrospective in the city in over 25 years. With the Centre Pompidou preparing for a temporary closure for restoration, Rome offers visitors a rare chance to view masterpieces that rarely leave Paris.
Divided into five sections across two floors, the exhibition traces Kandinsky’s complete human and artistic transformation through different political climates, theoretical breakthroughs, and personal relationships.
The first section covers his formative years from 1866 to 1907. Born in Moscow, Kandinsky was not originally on a path toward art. He pursued a career in law and political economics at the University of Moscow before making the radical decision at age 30 to abandon academia and move to Munich to study painting.
This section reveals how two decisive experiences were the reason for this shift: seeing Claude Monet’s Haystacks, where he realized colors could evoke emotion without representing tangible objects, and hearing Richard Wagner’s Lohengrin at the Bolshoi Theatre, suggested that painting could function like music. On display here are early paintings like Old Town II (1902) and Schwabing, Winter Sun (1901), alongside folklore-inspired pieces such as Song (Song of the Volga) (1906), which blends Slavic costumes and viking ships against an Ottoman-esque backdrop.
The next section explores his breakthrough period in Murnau and the founding of Der Blaue Reiter. Settling in the Bavarian Alps, Kandinsky’s natural style turned into broad brushstrokes and vibrant hues of color. A major highlight of this section – and one of the exhibition’s most significant achievements – is a dedicated focus on Gabriele Münter. Long overshadowed in art history as simply Kandinsky’s partner, Münter is presented here as an extraordinary, independent artist of German Expressionism. Exhibited in Italy for the first time, her work reveals a voice defined by simple forms, bold black outlines, and saturated colors because Münter painted what she felt, not what she saw.
The exhibition showcases their joint travel sketchbooks from Holland, Tunisia, and Rapallo, where both artists observed scenes side-by-side yet developed very different visual styles. A standout piece by Münter on display is Dragon Fight (1913), adapted from a small Russian folk sculpture kept in the Munich apartment she shared with Kandinsky. Through intense colors and heavy contours, Münter transformed the scene into a powerful symbol for the struggles faced by avant-garde artists. The section also details her legacy during the Nazi regime, when she secretly hid many Der Blaue Reiter masterpieces from being destroyed. Beside her works, visitors experience Kandinsky’s dialogue with composer Arnold Schönberg, illustrating how musical dissonance inspired his early abstract masterpieces like The Black Arch (1912) and Picture with a Red Spot (1914).
Continuing on, the third section documents his return to Revolutionary Russia. Forced to flee Germany at the outbreak of World War I, his paintings were strictly limited to abstract graphic prints in 1915. Following his marriage to Nina Andreievskaia in 1917, he briefly returned to figurative work as seen in Nina and Tatiana on the Veranda (1917). Exposure to Suprematist and Constructivist artists pushed his art toward geometric styles and primary palettes, with In Grey (1919) as a prime example.
Concluding the first floor, the exhibition transitions into his years teaching at the Bauhaus in Weimar and Dessau (1922–1933). As the director of the mural painting workshop, Kandinsky embraced what he termed his “cold phase”. Hanging near the end of the first floor is the centerpiece of this era, Yellow-Red-Blue (1925), a composition in which shapes and primary colors are arranged according to an almost musical logic.
Moving up to the second floor, visitors are able to explore the interactive stations and his late years in exile. The floor begins with an interactive wall dedicated to Bauhaus theory, where visitors can physically arrange primary-colored blocks (yellow, red, blue) into geometric shapes (triangle, square, circle) based on their personal perception. Just next to this wall is a listening display featuring a selection of the 95 preserved gramophone records from Vassily and Nina’s personal collection. Putting on the provided headphones lets visitors sample the couple’s musical taste, spanning Russian folk songs, Bach, Handel, Stravinsky, and 1920s foxtrots.
The final section covers his exile in Paris following the closure of the Bauhaus under Nazi pressure. Living in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Kandinsky’s style shifted from rigid geometry to biomorphic forms inspired by the microscopic world, showcased in late paintings like Composition IX (1936) and Sky Blue (1940). Near the end of the second-floor gallery is a floor-to-ceiling mirrored room projecting geometric shapes, lines, and colors that allow guests to step directly inside a living Kandinsky composition. The exhibition concludes as the path guides you into a gift shop filled with art prints, mini-books, candles, and souvenirs before leading back down to the first floor.
Plan to spend roughly 60 to 90 minutes exploring the galleries, audio stations, and interactive sections. Running through February 14, 2027, this immersive experience is a must-see on Rome’s cultural calendar.
The OperAffinity Festival returns to Todi from 14 to 26 September 2026 for its most international edition yet, bringing together a world-class faculty, new international partnerships, and artists from Italy, Europe, the US, Africa and Australia.
After two editions of rapid growth, the festival is back in the historic hilltop town of Todi, now with a firm place on the international cultural calendar. This year’s programme is its most expansive so far: an international artistic residency built around opera and extending into contemporary composition and the visual arts.
Founded and directed by British-Australian soprano Breana Stillman, OperAffinity has grown from a weekend of concerts into a sustained programme of residency, education and international partnership, based at the Convento San Giacomo, the thirteenth-century convent overlooking Todi. Beyond its public performances, the festival works as a platform for residency, mentorship and international collaboration for emerging artists.
“My role is to oversee the festival’s artistic direction, build our international partnerships and faculty, and protect the overall vision of the project,” says Stillman. “We are creating real opportunities for young performers while developing cultural projects that leave a lasting mark on Umbria.”
While the first two editions introduced OperAffinity to Todi, the 2026 festival marks a new stage, with the residency model now at the centre of the programme. For two weeks, artists live and work together at the Convento San Giacomo, where singers, pianists, composers and internationally renowned faculty rehearse, collaborate and develop new work side by side.
World-Class Faculty
The 2026 edition brings together an international faculty that includes soprano Marie McLaughlin, bass-baritone Luca Pisaroni, Italian opera director Stefano Vizioli, conductor and vocal coach Audrey Saint-Gil, pianist and répétiteur Laetitia Ruccolo, and opera coach and répétiteur Felice Venanzoni. Between them, they have performed, directed and taught at many of the world’s leading opera houses and festivals, among them the Royal Opera House, the Metropolitan Opera, Teatro alla Scala, the Vienna State Opera, the Salzburg Festival, the Opéra National de Paris, Glyndebourne and the Bavarian State Opera.
New International Partnerships
This year’s programme also opens new international collaborations with some of the most respected institutions in classical music. OperAffinity launches its first partnership with the Aspen Music Festival and School, one of the world’s foremost training programmes, welcoming singers and pianists from Aspen’s summer programme to Todi and strengthening cultural ties between Italy and the United States.
A new partnership with the National Opera Studio in London, one of Britain’s most respected training grounds for young singers, brings a recent graduate to this year’s residency, the first step in what is intended to become a long-term relationship. The collaboration reflects OperAffinity’s longstanding ties to Britain, from Stillman’s own British-Australian heritage to British faculty such as Marie McLaughlin and the young British artists in this year’s residency.
These new partnerships sit alongside OperAffinity’s established relationship with the Accademia Musicale Chigiana, which continues to bring outstanding young musicians to Todi.
The Composition Residency with Alan Fletcher
Among the festival’s new initiatives is the Composition Residency, developed with American composer Alan Fletcher, President and CEO of the Aspen Music Festival and School. As part of the programme, Fletcher mentors young Italian composer Riccardo Palomes, selected from the Accademia Musicale Chigiana’s composition course, led by Salvatore Sciarrino.
The residency culminates in a concert of contemporary music on 24 September at Todi Arts Studio, the former studio and home of sculptor Beverly Pepper. The evening opens with a talk by the Beverly Pepper Foundation on her life and work, followed by a performance of music by Fletcher and by OperAffinity’s Composer-in-Residence, in the very space where she once lived and worked.
Art and Music in Dialogue
Interdisciplinary collaboration continues to shape the 2026 programme. This year, artist Austin Young creates a temporary immersive installation for Todi, transforming the Teatro Comunale into an intimate setting for opera and music. The installation is accompanied by a series of surprise opera flash mobs that animate the town throughout the festival.
Africa: Artist Development and Cultural Exchange
OperAffinity’s international artist development programme this year welcomes two young singers from Tunisia and Kenya, who join the residency alongside artists from across the world. Their participation reflects the festival’s ongoing commitment to emerging talent, creating opportunities for artists both internationally and within their own communities through mentorship, training and long-term professional relationships.
Festival Programme
19 September – Opera Aperitivo, Cantina Todini, Collevalenza (Todi), 19:00. A celebration of opera, fine wine and local cuisine in the surroundings of Cantina Todini.
20 September – Guido Calori Museum Concert, Museo Guido Calori, San Gemini, 18:00. An intimate concert with the Museo dell’Opera di Guido Calori, with a presentation by FAI Umbria.
23 September – Educational Concert & Workshop, Scuola Media Cocchi-Aosta (Todi), 11:00 & 13:00. A community project introducing local students to opera through performance and storytelling.
23 September – Immersive Installation by Austin Young & Opera Flashmobs, Teatro Comunale di Todi, Foyer, 18:30. An installation by Austin Young and surprise opera performances across the town.
24 September – Contemporary Music Concert & Composer Residency, Todi Arts Studio (former studio of Beverly Pepper), 18:30. A talk by the Beverly Pepper Foundation followed by a concert with Alan Fletcher and OperAffinity’s Composer-in-Residence.
25 September – Final Gala Concert, Teatro Comunale di Todi, 19:00. Directed by Stefano Vizioli and featuring the festival’s emerging artists.
A Festival for the Whole Town
As in previous editions, Todi comes alive throughout the festival with pop-up performances and flash mob opera in the town’s piazzas. The education programme returns with a dedicated concert and workshop for local schools, giving students direct contact with the festival’s international artists and faculty.
About OperAffinity
OperAffinity is a cultural organization committed to artistic excellence, inclusion, and international cooperation in classical music and opera. Through its festivals, educational programs, and global partnerships, it aims to redefine how opera connects with the world, starting from a small Umbrian town with a big cultural heart.
For more information, visitwww.operaffinity.com or contact info@operaffinity.com
Rome’s independent fashion and design market returns to Mediterraneo, inside the MAXXI complex, with a curated line-up of emerging brands, DJ sets and a real community feel.
Unconventional Market is a Rome-based format dedicated to independent fashion, craft, design and creativity. Launched in Rome in 2024, with eighteen editions behind it, it has become one of the go-to appointments for discovering independent talent in the city. The idea is straightforward: give emerging brands, artisans and creatives a real showcase and a place to sell.
Through the end of the year the market is resident at Mediterraneo, the restaurant and garden inside the MAXXI complex on Via Guido Reni. Each edition turns the space into a creative hub where shopping meets entertainment, in a relaxed, contemporary setting.
The heart of the event is its selection of exhibitors: contemporary craft, forward-looking fashion, design, illustration and collectibles. It is a chance to spot new trends early and take home one-off pieces you won’t find in mainstream shops.
There is more to it than shopping. Continuous DJ sets run from late morning to aperitivo hour, setting the mood as visitors browse. The format also introduces a new music strand created with DJ Martina Alegra Tirone, designed to give young DJs from the Roman scene their own space and visibility.
The wider goal is to build a series of recurring, recognisable dates across the year, bringing together exhibitors, creative projects, music and entertainment. More than a market, it is meant to be a regular meeting point for the city’s community.
Next edition
When: Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September 2026 Hours: 11:00 to 20:00 Where: Mediterraneo al MAXXI, Via Guido Reni 4A, Rome
At La Vaccheria in Rome’s EUR district, from 10 September 2026 to 28 March 2027, over 50 works spanning canvases, photographs and documents trace the story behind the Pop Art myth. Free entry.
Andy Warhol – Forever Love is the retrospective that, from 10 September 2026 to 28 March 2027, turns the La Vaccheria exhibition centre in Rome’s EUR district into the Home of Pop Art, with a tribute to the undisputed master of the movement.
Curated by Gianfranco Rosini, who met the artist in Rome in 1975, the show grows out of a personal and privileged account of Warhol’s world. It is not only a selection of iconic works, but a journey through the art, encounters, friendships, photographs, documents, travels and memories that reveal the American artist in his human dimension as much as his creative one. Rosini built a close relationship with Warhol and his circle, one that stayed with him throughout his own personal and artistic path.
Andy Warhol – Forever Love takes an unusual angle: it tells the Warhol “myth” through his most celebrated works, but also through the material that brings us closer to the man, to the people around him and to the remarkable artistic and cultural season he helped define in those years of ferment for both the economy and the arts.
On display are 51 works by Andy Warhol, more than 60 documents on his life and 37 works by other leading Pop artists, alongside canvases, photographs, objects, books and assorted memorabilia. The documents trace Warhol’s life from childhood and school diplomas to his correspondence with figures such as Mick Jagger, Truman Capote and Elizabeth Taylor, down to personal papers and materials tied to his practice.
Among the pieces on show are the celebrated portrait of Regina Schrecker, painted by Warhol in 1983, portraits of Liza Minnelli, works dedicated to Marilyn Monroe, the Campbell’s Soup cans, the Dollar Sign, the Candy Box (Heart) and the Kiku, as well as portraits of international art figures such as Joseph Beuys and Man Ray.
Particularly telling is the homage to Paolo Uccello, a Warholian reworking of a detail from Saint George and the Dragon: an ideal meeting between the Renaissance and Pop Art, between images of the past and contemporary icons, and a nod to the history of Italian art.
Photography also plays a central role, through the work of Dino Pedriali, the artist and photographer who was Warhol’s main assistant and documented key moments of his Italian and European years. The show presents 28 original photographs linked to the Roman season of Ladies and Gentlemen and Drag Queen, and to the professional and personal bond between Pedriali and Warhol.
Rounding out the exhibition, in the Mirror Room, is the video work Female Beauty – Warhol and the Feminine Universe, curated by Giuliano Gasparotti and Francesco Mazzei, with an original score by Maestro Furio Valitutti for KIF Italia.
Practical information
Entry is free. Opening hours are Tuesday to Thursday from 9am to 1pm, and Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 7pm, closed on Mondays. La Vaccheria is in the EUR district, at Via Giovanni L’Eltore 35. By public transport, take metro line B to Laurentina or EUR Palasport and continue by bus, or take bus lines 070, 700 and 709 to the Colombo/Pacifico stop.
Beach, seafood lunch, sunset aperitivo and dinner by the water, all in one spot a short train ride from Rome.
Rome doesn’t let go of summer easily. Well into September the sea stays warm and the light holds, so an easy escape from Rome for a day by the sea still makes complete sense. Marechiaro Ostia is a good place to spend one: beach club, seafood restaurant, bar and Roman-style pizzeria in a single spot, which means you can arrive in the morning and stay through to dinner without moving.
It’s one of the historic establishments on the Ostia seafront, and it reopened in July 2026 under new management. The space between the promenade and the beach has been opened up, and this is its first full season under the new team, so it’s a good moment to catch it.
Getting there is simple and fast. Take the Metromare (the old Roma-Lido line) from Piramide to Lido Centro, around 35 to 40 minutes, then it’s about an eight-minute walk to the beach. There’s also a cycle path running right past the entrance. One thing worth knowing: on weekdays the last evening trains are often replaced by buses while track works continue, so if you’re staying for dinner, check the return times.
The day here can start early, with breakfast served by the sea from 9am. I arrived later and headed straight for the beach, which was calm and rarely overcrowded. The sand is kept clean, and the umbrellas and sunbeds are set well apart, so you have room to yourself instead of being packed in next to strangers. It’s an easy place to spend a few hours swimming, reading or doing nothing at all. Private cabins are available for €70, including one umbrella and two sunbeds.
Lunch runs from midday to 4pm and leans on seafood, with pizza and Italian classics alongside. I had the spaghetti with lupini (small clams), the seafood salad, which stood out, and a classic Margherita. The kitchen also does paccheri with tuna puttanesca, fried calamari and prawns, and tuna tartare, so there’s plenty to come back for.
As the afternoon slides into evening the mood shifts. From 6pm aperitivo is served right on the sand, and you can choose a cocktail with the house fried starters or one with a board of cheeses and cured meats, easily enough for two. Sunset is the high point, with tourists, families and locals out for birthdays all sharing the same unhurried setting.
The service is worth a mention too. The owner was on the floor through the day, checking in with guests and making sure everyone was comfortable.
Dinner starts at 7pm, with a fuller seafood menu: fried baby octopus, red prawns with pacchero, scampi risotto, grilled swordfish and roasted octopus, plus the Roman pizzeria for anyone who wants something simpler. Some tables are set directly on the sand, which is the reason to stay on past sunset. It gets busy in the evening, so book ahead. The team also handles private events, from birthdays to group dinners.
For anyone flying out of Rome, Marechiaro sits about 15 minutes by car from Fiumicino airport, which makes it an easy last stop before a flight. The menu is available in English and staff can help in English over WhatsApp, so it’s straightforward for international visitors.
Quiet beach day, sunset aperitivo or dinner by the water: Marechiaro is a simple way to spend more time by the sea without going far from Rome.
MAGEÍA is a new three-day festival running from 17 to 19 September 2026 at Palazzo Esposizioni in Rome, pairing a free daytime art installation with three nights of DJ sets and live music. Created and produced by Lux Entertainment, the format brings together visual art, sound experimentation and new technology inside one of the landmark venues on via Nazionale.
For three days the building’s monumental architecture becomes part of the work, as light, material and sound play against the volumes of the exhibition halls in a composition that shifts through the day. The name comes from the Greek magheía, evoking transformation and wonder, the guiding idea behind a project designed to bring different audiences and generations together.
The visual side is led by Quiet Ensemble, a studio known for its research into light, technology and perception. For MAGEÍA they present a site-specific piece that reworks some of their best-known installations in dialogue with the spaces of the Palazzo. From 10am to 4pm the halls are open free of charge, a chance to walk through the transformed building without a ticket.
Three nights of music
From 6pm to 2am the focus turns to music, with a different lineup each evening.
Thursday 17 September, No Limits Party. The opening night celebrates Rome’s own scene, with Gemitaiz, Sine, Gengis, Frenetik and Whtrtrsh behind the decks.
Friday 18 September, Club Culture. A night built around the dancefloor, mixing Italian and international names: a live set from Elasi, a DJ set by Korean artist Shubostar, Whitesquare, and clubbing heavyweight Alex Neri, with more special guests.
Saturday 19 September, French Touch. The closing night pays tribute to the movement that shaped European electronic music, with Breakbot & Irfane among the headliners.
The evening programme is for over-18s only. Info and tickets at mageia.it.
Artisanal goods from famous island of Murano in Rome
Founded in 1997 by the Guetta family, Glassy Venezia is a Murano glass boutique offering a variety of handmade interior decorations, tableware, stemware, artworks, and jewelry. Recently renovated, the shop now boasts a refreshed look.
Stepping inside, you will find elegant vases, tasteful glass ornaments, and stalls filled with colorful mosaics of glazen rings, bracelets, earrings, and necklaces that could make a unique travel souvenir.
The inventory is produced by Venetian artisans using exclusive Vetro Artistico® Murano glass. Intricate design with many small details, vibrant colors, light weight, and clean and translucent glass are all the signature characteristics of the authenticMurano trademark that ensures high quality, using traditional techniques and methods dating back to the 13th century.
Why is Murano Glass so special?
Production of Murano glass is considered an art form of its kind. Practiced in Venice at least from the 8th century, it evolved from the craft performed by highly skilled masters into a bold way of experimenting with glass and expressing a creative vision of the artisans. The technique allows masters to yield and experiment with texture, form, size and color saturation of the glass, thus making the process very personalized and artistic.
Murano glass symbolized luxurious status and elegant taste. Murano glass artists famous worldwide include names like Guido Cadorin, Alfredo Barbini, and Umberto Bellotto. For the longest time the craft technology was kept a mysterious secret passed through generations of artisans of the Murano island. Even nowaday, authentic Murano glass pieces are highly valued among many knock-offs in the market.
Unique pieces at Glassy Venezia
All the products at the Glassy store are 100% Made in Italy. Apart from more simple and customary accessories, there’s also a wide selection of murrine veneziane pieces created with mosaic flower patterns, as well as Murano glass versions of iconic works of art, depicting masterpieces by artists like Van Gogh and Monet. The boutique sells glass figures of different animals in various sizes, religious icons, as well as Christmas tree decorations.
Located a few minutes from Termini station, the shop remains popular among tourists in Rome. To avoid standing in line during the peak of the tourist season, we suggest you visit the store in the morning or in the evening (it’s open till 11pm!).
Witness a hidden world of whimsical and strange beauty in the smallest district in Rome, Quartiere Coppedè.
Forget the secret garden, this is the secretneighborhood of Rome. Tucked behind the main streets of Quartiere Trieste between piazza Buenos Aires and via Tagliamento, is the bizarre and elaborate district ofCoppedè. I was shown this magical place by my Roman man, obscured from the view of daily passers-by I was unaware it existed. Ok, so Rome is full of stunningly majestic monuments anyway. But this architecture is a wholly ‘other’ and wonderfully odd thing.
Off the tourist trail, the Coppedè district is a corner of Rome with unexpected and bizarre features, a fantastic mixture of Art Nouveau or Liberty, Art Decò, with influences of Greek, Gothic, Baroque and even medieval art.
Coppedè, brainchild of Florentine architect Gino Coppedè (built 1913-1927), is a jumble of historic style all whipped together in a dramatic frenzy. Nature is the principal inspiration; daring and eccentric curved lines seek freedom from tradition, coexisting with modern sensuous ironwork. Coppedè is Rome’s answer to the Gaudì structures of Barcelona.
There are no cafes or restaurants in the area – Quartiere Coppedè is simply for exploring. There are no metro stations close by, the easiest public transport would be to catch a tram or bus to the stop Buenos Aires.
Although small, Quartiere Coppedè is packed with architectural details and unique landmarks. Here are the main spots you shouldn’t miss during your walk.
The Monumental Arch Entrance to Quartiere Coppedè
The dramatic arched entranceway (pictured in the photos) is the main entrance to the quarter on Via Dora. A hanging iron chandelier of floral twisted tendrils and seahorse motifs beckons the eye into a hidden world.
Piazza Mincio and The Fountain of the Frogs
The heart of Quartiere Coppedè is Piazza Mincio, where the famous Fontana delle Rane (Fountain of the Frogs) stands. Designed by architect Gino Coppedè in the 1920s, the fountain became legendary when the Beatles jumped into it after a concert at the renowned nearby club Piper. The work was intended to be a tribute to Bernini’s turtle fountain and the low level of the pond and the well-structured lively composition are features that remind us of his work.
The Spider Palace
The Palazzo del Ragno (Spider Palace), built between 1916 and 1926, is an intriguing building located at Piazza Mincio 4. It gets its name from the large spider decoration above the wooden doorway. From a distance, visitors can observe many other fascinating decorations, including a large face, lion heads, griffins, a variety of columns, and a balcony on a higher level with a loggia, along with frescoes adorning the façade.
The Fairy House
The Villino delle Fate (Fairy House) actually consists of three houses located at Via Aterno 4, Piazza Mincio 3, and Via Brenta 7-11. These three buildings, with their exquisite decorations, turrets, and small loggias, pay homage to Florence, Rome, and Venice through symbols and characters reminiscent of the three cities. They feature a fusion of various materials, including marble, brick, travertine, terracotta, and glass.
Wandering through the inner streets, one can glimpse other buildings that add further charm to the area. The Quartiere Coppedè is a fairy-tale and romantic part of Rome, distinct from the more famous and crowded attractions.
Quartiere Coppedè is one of Rome’s most unusual and fascinating neighborhoods. Designed in the early 20th century by architect Gino Coppedè, this small district blends Art Nouveau, medieval, baroque and mythological elements into a surreal architectural mix. Unlike the city’s famous landmarks, Coppedè feels almost hidden, making it a perfect stop for travelers looking to discover a lesser-known side of Rome. With whimsical buildings, intricate decorations and the iconic Fountain of the Frogs in Piazza Mincio, a walk through Quartiere Coppedè feels like stepping into a fantasy set in the heart of the Eternal City.
Quartiere Coppedè:
Between Piazza Buenos Aries and Via Tagliamento
Getting There:
Take trams 3 or 19 to Piazza Buenos Aires.
Enter under a big arch on Via Tagliamento (in front of Piper Club) on the corner with Via Dora.
Looking for the best exhibitions in Rome this autumn 2026? Rome is preparing to welcome art lovers with a full season of exhibitions, featuring some of the biggest names in art history alongside modern and contemporary masters. From Kandinsky‘s leap into abstraction to Keith Haring‘s street-born visual language, by way of Pontormo‘s Mannerist genius, Rembrandt‘s revolutionary etchings and the Mediterranean colour of Guttuso, the autumn scene promises a journey through time, borders, culture and artistic expression.
Palazzo Bonaparte opens the season with a major retrospective on Vassily Kandinsky, bringing together around seventy works that trace the artist’s entire path across Russia, Germany and France. The show follows his early figurative years, the birth of abstraction in Munich, his return to Russia during the revolutionary period, the Bauhaus years and his final Parisian phase. A significant part of the works comes from the collections of the Centre Pompidou. The exhibition is curated by Angela Lampe.
The Historical Museum of the Infantry pays tribute to one of the greatest printmakers of all time with a show devoted to Rembrandt’s graphic work. Curated by Patrizia Foglia, it brings together around fifty works on loan from public and private collections, including the etching Self-Portrait with Saskia featured on the exhibition poster. The selection captures the revolutionary force of his prints: light and shadow, the sacred and the everyday, self-portraits and scenes of daily life, all used to probe the depth of the human soul.
Rembrandt: Absolute Black. The Revolution of Etching
Palazzo Braschi presents more than 140 works and documents, drawn largely from the Nakamura Keith Haring Collection. The path runs across the artist’s whole career, from his early New York pieces to the celebrated Subway Drawings, alongside political posters, sculptures, paintings and works from his final years. The show reconstructs the visual language with which Haring turned the line into an immediate, instantly recognizable public sign. New York and the urban culture of the 1980s form the essential backdrop, where art, music, the street, activism and pop culture all enter the same visual system.
Keith Haring
Museo di Roma at Palazzo Braschi
October 6, 2026 to April 11, 2027
Read More
The Scuderie del Quirinale stage the first major monographic exhibition ever dedicated to Pontormo. Produced in partnership with the Uffizi Galleries, it brings together the artist’s key masterpieces and presents him as one of the most original figures in sixteenth-century Florentine painting, at the turning point between the High Renaissance and Mannerism. The show follows how the classical language is transformed into a deeply personal style, with works on loan from the Uffizi and from major Italian and international institutions. Curated by Cristina Acidini with a team of specialists in the Florentine Cinquecento.
Pontormo
Scuderie del Quirinale
October 9, 2026 to February 7, 2027
Read More
The Historical Museum of the Infantry also hosts a tribute to the Sicilian master Renato Guttuso, one of the leading figures of twentieth-century Italian painting. Curated by Vittorio Sgarbi with Marina Giordano, the show gathers around sixty works spanning the 1930s to the 1980s, including the oil Ritratto di Mimise con il cappello rosso, together with drawings and prints. The selection highlights the visual, symbolic and chromatic elements rooted in Mediterranean culture and reworked by the painter from Bagheria.
Rome’s biggest wine event returns to Villa Borghese from September 7 to 13
The 23rd edition of Vinòforum returns to Rome from September 7 to 13, 2026, once again in the stunning setting of Piazza di Siena in Villa Borghese. Over seven evenings, visitors can taste their way through 3,200 labels from 800 wineries, alongside a line-up of acclaimed chefs, restaurants and producers.
Beyond the tasting stands, the program features guided tastings, show cooking sessions and signature dinners bringing together top chefs, master pizzaioli and industry experts to celebrate the flavors and terroirs of Italian and international food and wine.
What’s on the program
At the heart of the event are the Wine Top Tastings, twice-nightly masterclasses guiding the public through some of the most prestigious wineries and surprising terroirs in Italy and beyond.
Back by popular demand are the Casa Barolo tastings, dedicated to one of Italy’s noblest wines: Barolo and the wines of the Langhe.
This year’s edition also welcomes the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium as a special partner, with guided tastings and events marking the Rome launch of the first Parmigiano Reggiano Tasters Course, starting in October. Olive oil lovers can join Unaprol and Evooschool for guided tastings of Italian extra virgin olive oil, exploring different cultivars and food pairings.
The gastronomic highlight of the week is The Night Dinner series, organized in collaboration with La Molisana. This year’s theme, Human Factor. Past. Present. Future, pays tribute to the human touch in the culinary arts. Each dinner unfolds in several acts (memory, gesture, vision), accompanied by images and music, turning the evening into an immersive experience paired with great wines.
Alongside the dinners, the Temporary Restaurants return with the theme Rome: Roots and Future, weaving the city’s culinary traditions together with their most contemporary interpretations: over 20 restaurants and 40 dishes across 7 days.
Pizza lovers are in for a treat with Pizza d’Autore, co-produced with Molino Caputo: six exclusive dinners hosted by some of Italy’s most respected masters of the craft, exploring unexpected pairings of doughs, flours and premium ingredients.
Vinòforum will also host the final of La Città della Pizza, the national competition dedicated to discovering Italy’s emerging pizza talent. On Sunday, September 13, seven finalists will compete for the title of best up-and-coming pizzaiolo of the year.
Talks, workshops and exhibitions on innovation: over 400 events across more than 150 venues
After a record-breaking edition with more than 75,000 participants, Rome Future Week returns: the city-wide event will take over more than 150 locations across Rome with over 400 events, running from 21 to 27 September 2026.
Historic palaces, parks, event spaces, university halls, labs, offices and coworking spaces will set the stage for hundreds of talks, workshops, exhibitions, immersive experiences and networking moments, organized by companies, startups, institutions, universities, public bodies and professionals.
“Materia Prima” (Raw Material) is the theme of this new edition of Rome Future Week, an invitation to recognize what comes before and makes every visible innovation possible.
The week is also about work. Rome Future Week 2026 will be a place to look for new opportunities, professional and personal: where companies meet talent and talent discovers who’s looking for them. A thread that runs through the whole event and has its own dedicated moments in the programme.
Cinema takes center stage this year. Corti Futuri returns, the contest dedicated to new audiovisual languages, now in its second edition and produced in collaboration with Rai Cinema and RUFA. Filmmakers and videomakers under 30 will tell the story of the city and its possible futures, shooting original short films over the days of the event, and the winning work will be made available on Rai Cinema’s channels.
And then there’s a neighborhood getting ready for a special week. Ostiense, with ROAD – Rome Advanced District as the edition’s main partner, will be one of the symbolic districts of Rome Future Week 2026: where the industrial archaeology of the Gazometro meets the Rome of tomorrow.
Participation is free. To explore all the available events, visit the official RFW website.
The climb toward elegance, and a first impression suspended in the air
The La Griffe experience begins before you even reach the top of the hotel, part of the BZAR hotels group, at Via Nazionale 13.
Step inside and the pace of the city falls away, replaced by a modern, low-lit elegance and a welcome that feels attentive from the front desk on. The elevator carries you up to the 9th floor, and the ride alone marks the shift from the noise of the street to the mood of the restaurant and American bar. The design gets your senses ready for what waits at the top.
Rome takes center stage: the skyline
Once you reach the 9th floor, the city opens up in full: one of the most complete and captivating views over the Eternal City, a visual embrace of Roman history. Your eye travels from the solemn white of the Vittoriano to the bell tower of St. Paul’s Within the Walls, before settling on the perfect curve of St. Peter’s dome.
It is striking at sunset, but the real magic happens during the blue hour, when the sun has dropped and Rome becomes pure visual bliss.
Aperitivo: signature mixology with a zero-waste approach
Aperitivo at La Griffe is not a quick stop, but a slow ritual meant to be enjoyed without rushing. The generous spacing between tables creates a rare sense of privacy, ideal for couples or families looking for a more exclusive setting.
While you wait, the soft rock of Elton John or the Red Hot Chili Peppers plays in the background, and the bartender turns mixology into storytelling. His experimental, zero-waste approach comes through in creations like the signature cocktail that reworks the pairing of butter and sage, an immediate hit of surprise and pleasure for any kind of guest.
Dinner: tradition and research
The kitchen on the 9th floor lifts Italian cooking, now a UNESCO heritage, into a balance of tradition and innovation. Each course is designed as a sensory and aromatic journey, and we let the restaurant manager guide us through it. We were won over by the freshness of the beef tartare with peach and purple potato, the crunch of the cod with an anchovy-and-vinegar mayonnaise, and the creaminess of the fettuccine Alfredo with a touch of truffle.
The service is attentive and warm, a lead role in its own right, turning dishes like the seared octopus or the dessert of fresh ricotta and ripe mango into lasting memories for the palate.
Celebrations above the clouds: private events and weddings with a view
Beyond the everyday experience, La Griffe makes an ideal setting for turning private evenings and milestones into something memorable. On the 9th floor, the wide, light-filled spaces can be booked in full for corporate events and, above all, for elegant weddings with a panoramic view of Rome, backed by a dedicated menu that reflects the best of Italian cuisine.
For those who want to reach even higher, the panoramic terrace on the 10th floor, among the tallest and most spectacular in Rome, is available for more dynamic private events, complete with DJ sets and a lighter, more convivial menu. What stands out is the venue’s versatility: the upper terrace is not just for large events. Any guest can simply order a signature drink and head up to the 10th floor to take in the Roman skyline with friends or family, surrounded by one of the most captivating views over the city.
The emotional legacy: feeling expected, not just served
What stays with you after an evening at La Griffe is not only the wonder of the skyline, but a deeper sense of having been expected, not simply served. It is an experience that confirms the strength of the brand through effortless refinement and a staff that knows how to guide you with attentive, thoughtful gestures.
This is where Rome stops being a postcard and becomes an experience to live in, even for a single special evening. You head back down to the city with a genuine wish to return.
Exploring the Appian Way, one of the most ancient and well-preserved Roman roads.
Rome might be a bustling capital, with trafficked streets and packed attractions, but it also offers opportunities to unwind in nature, while breathing in ancient Roman history.
The Appia Antica, or the Appian Way, is what could be considered the first ancient highway, connecting Rome to Brindisi in Puglia. This historic road was once referred to as the Regina viarum or queen of the streets, a testament to its significance in ancient times.
The Appian Way owes its name to Appius Claudius Caecus, a Roman censor who oversaw the construction of the first part of the road, built as a military path to the south in 312 BC. Yes, it’s that old!
In July 2024, the Via Appia was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, becoming Italy’s 60th listing and cementing its status as one of the most significant cultural routes in the world.
Today, the road is a remarkable relic of Rome’s past. It’s an essential stop on any Rome itinerary!
The first 16 kilometers of the Appian Way are now part of the Parco dell’Appia Antica regional park. This stretch of the road begins from Porta San Sebastiano and is lined with many ancient monuments on both sides. The road is remarkably well-preserved, constructed from large, flat stones known as basoli.
Some of the sites that have stood the test of time along the path include the Catacombs of San Sebastiano and the Catacombs of San Callisto. These catacombs served as burial sites for Christian martyrs. They are a fascinating and unique attraction to visit in Rome.
Further along is the Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella, built in honor of Cecilia Metella, daughter-in-law of Marcus Crassus, who was a prominent figure under Julius Caesar.
Another highlight is the Circus and Villa of Maxentius, a grand arena where chariot races were once held, situated next to the remains of Emperor Maxentius’ vast villa.
Next up is the Villa of the Quintili. It stands as Rome’s most extensive suburban villa, once owned by the two brothers Sesto Quintilio Condiano and Sesto Quintilio Valerio Massimo, notable figures during the era of Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius.
Each monument/museum has its own opening times and prices, some being free. Or if you’re just looking for a daytime refuge from busy Roman life, bring a picnic and enjoy the sun on the park’s grounds!
The Appia Antica offers a perfect blend of history, sightseeing, and physical activity, especially if you opt to explore it by bike.
How to explore the Appian Way
The Appia Antica Regional Park is not far from the centre. To arrive directly at the official entrance of the park, take bus 218 from the San Giovanni area, bus 118 from Circo Massimo, or bus 660 from Metro A stops Colli Albani/Arco di Travertino.
This tour offers the opportunity to glide along the 2300-year-old Roman road effortlessly, passing by ancient ruins and monuments. Departing from the Ancient Appian Way, you’ll journey towards the ancient Roman aqueducts rising over the fields on the horizon and follow them on their way back to Rome.
Bike Tour of the Ancient Appian Way
4 hour off-the-beaten-path guided bike tour of Rome with quality electric-assist mountain bike.
For a different kind of adventure, consider a golf cart tourof the Appian Way & Roman Catacombs. This 3-hour excursion ensures a comfortable ride aboard an electric golf cart, with stops to admire highlights like the Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella, the Circus and Villa of Maxentius, and the Roman catacombs.
Golf Cart Tour of the Appian Way & Roman Catacombs
Jump on a golf cart, and combine the allure of the Appian Way and the mysterious depths of the catacombs hidden in a stunning protected area.
An excursion to the Appia Antica is perfect for the tourist who is tired of being squeezed into the capital’s most-visited sites, or for the Rome resident who is looking for something fun and different.
Either way, don’t forget to bring a hat, sunscreen, and plenty of water!
A personal guide on navigating your Roman solo adventure and finding community
A year ago, I packed a 32-kilogram backpack and set off for Italy. It was a disaster of a packing job, but this decision changed the way I see travelling. My first stop, and my first solo trip to Rome, was the obvious one: the Eternal City.
As a solo traveller, I was very nervous about being completely on my own. After all, for me solo travelling didn’t just mean wandering around the city with headphones on. It’s about the connections and the experiences you get to live outside of your comfort zone.
In my case, my stay in Rome lasted a month, so just imagine how scared I was. Maybe for you it’s a week, or just a few days in the city. It doesn’t matter how long you stay, it matters how special you make each moment.
I don’t have the magic formula to make your solo travelling experience perfect, but I can share the secrets of my own, in the hope of helping you with yours.
Is Rome safe for solo travellers?
Short answer: yes. Rome is a big, busy capital, and like any big city it asks for a bit of common sense, but I never felt unsafe walking around on my own, even at night in the central and lively areas. The main thing to watch is pickpocketing on crowded buses, around the metro and near the busiest monuments, so keep your bag closed and your phone somewhere secure. If you’re travelling solo as a woman, the usual precautions apply, but the historic centre, Monti, Trastevere and Prati are all comfortable areas to base yourself and move around in. Stick to well-lit streets at night, trust your instincts, and you’ll be fine.
Where to stay in Rome as a solo traveler: hostels are a cheat code
When I was planning my trip, I knew I wanted to experience the city in a fun way: making friends and doing more than just the traditional tours.
Coming to Rome was my first time ever in a hostel, but I’m glad I gave it a chance. A shared room in a hostel is one of the most culturally rich places you’ll ever walk into, and you leave with all the memories that come after a simple “Where are you from?”.
Hostels are truly a cheat code for friendship.
I stayed in one for a whole month as a volunteer, an arrangement where you help out a few hours a day in exchange for a bed, and I got to meet people from all over the world. We explored the city, visited an actual underground site, dipped our toes into Rome’s nightlife and even celebrated a traditional Cinco de Mayo party, piñata included.
There’s no match for the hostel feeling: everyone there is open to meeting people and having fun.
There are plenty of hostels in the city, so you can find one that matches your needs. Maybe you’re after a calm vibe, or maybe you want more of a party place: there’s one for every traveller.
And don’t worry if a shared dorm isn’t your style. Many hostels welcome non-guests to their evenings and events, so feel free to pop by and meet other travellers like yourself.
How to meet people in Rome: activities and free events
Beyond hostels, you’ll come across plenty of activities where you can meet people and learn something new.
The Eternal City has a lot to offer, from the classic sightseeing tours to unique experiences like making a mosaic from scratch. Whatever you’re into, there’s always something to do. From cooking classes to sketching in front of the Colosseum, you can find your tribe here.
During my stay, I stumbled upon a philosophy and literature club held in Spanish and open to anyone. We spent three hours talking about books at a bar in Pigneto. Needless to say, it was the best aperitivo hour I’ve had!
While tours and museums often require a ticket, many cultural activities around the city are free, like the outdoor cinema in summer. Even now that I live here, whenever I’m out of ideas I check Romeing’s activities calendar to stay updated on events and other happenings.
Rome can be home
Solo travelling, or travelling in general, is more than just seeing a place and taking good pictures. Even if only for a few days, it can lead you to experiences you never imagined and to people from across the globe you’d never have met otherwise.
Rome is beautiful, loud, chaotic and full of life. My biggest tip? Be open, lose the headphones, and don’t be afraid to start a conversation. You’ll find that Rome has a way of bringing people together.
See you around Rome!
Quick tips for your solo trip to Rome
Stay in a hostel for at least part of your trip: it’s the easiest way to meet people.
Join free or low-cost activities, from language clubs to outdoor cinema.
Base yourself in a central, walkable area like Monti, Trastevere or Prati.
Keep an eye on your belongings on public transport and in crowds.
Check Romeing’s events calendar to see what’s on while you’re in town.
Lose the headphones and start the conversation. Rome does the rest.
Guide to using buses in Rome: how to pay for public transport and where to buy bus tickets in Rome
In Rome you’ll walk a lot, and walking is never a bad option here. When the distances or the heat make it less appealing, the metro is the fastest way to cross the city, but there are only three lines (the newest, line C, is still expanding, with recent stops at Colosseo and Fori Imperiali), and they leave out a good part of Rome: Trastevere, Monteverde, the Pantheon and Piazza Navona all sit well away from a metro stop. That’s where buses and trams take over, and where you’ll end up spending most of your rides. The good news is that paying has become much simpler: tap a contactless card straight onto the reader and you’re done, no ticket needed. A standard ticket costs €1.50, lasts 100 minutes and works on all three.
Bus tickets cost €1.50 and are valid for 100 minutes from first activation. Remember, as soon as you get on the bus you must validate your ticket in the machine found near the doors. Not validating your ticket is the same as not having one and you are risking a fine from €100 to €500, reduced to €50 if you pay within five days. If the ticket validation machine isn’t working, use a pen and write the date and time you got on the bus, this way you won’t risk any fine.
How the ticket works and what it covers
One ticket covers everything: buses, trams and the metro all use the same BIT, which costs €1.50 and lasts 100 minutes from the moment you validate it. Within those 100 minutes you can take as many buses and trams as you like, changing as often as you need, but only one metro journey.
You can change between metro lines on the same ticket, though you can’t go back through the turnstiles between lines A, B, B1 and C. The only exception is the change between line A and line C.
What’s not covered by Rome public transport tickets
While the same ticket will allow you to travel on buses, trams and metros, they aren’t valid for other means of transportation. These include:
private airport shuttle buses to and from Rome’s Ciampino airport (though the standard €1.50 ticket does work on city bus lines 520 and 720)
the Leonardo Express train
How to pay for buses in Rome
There’s no buying a ticket from the driver in Rome (except on a few lines). The quickest way to pay is simply to tap a contactless card as you board, but if you’d rather have a physical ticket there are plenty of places to get one. Here are all the options.
Tap & Go
You can skip the ticket machines entirely and use Tap & Go: just tap your contactless card, or your phone or smartwatch, at the metro turnstiles or on the readers on board buses and trams. It charges you a standard €1.50 BIT, valid 100 minutes, with no ticket to buy in advance and nothing to validate. The clever part is the daily cap: if you tap more than five times in 24 hours with the same card, the system automatically switches you to the €8.50 daily fare, so you never pay more than a ROMA 24H ticket.
Two rules to remember: one card per person, so everyone travelling with you needs their own card or device, and always use the same card all day, because if you alternate between phone and card the cap doesn’t add up. If an inspector boards, just show the card or the wallet you tapped with.
Tap & Go works on all ATAC and Roma TPL buses and trams, across the whole metro network and on the urban stretches of the Roma-Lido and Roma-Viterbo lines. It does not work on the Leonardo Express, Cotral regional buses or Trenitalia regional trains.
Tabacchi Shops
In Italy, Tabacchi shops are the go-to shops for many different purposes: buying cigarettes, buying public transportation tickets and paying your bills, to name a few. Just go to any Tabacchi in Rome (the shops with the black and white T sign) to purchase your bus ticket. If you’re staying in Rome for a while and are planning on using the public transportation system often, we recommend you get a monthly pass, which you can top up at most Tabacchi shops.
Edicola (newsstands)
The newsstands you see spread around the city are called edicole. In addition to purchasing magazines and newspapers, they also sell bus tickets.
Ticketing Apps
If you’d rather buy on your phone, the main option is MooneyGo, the app formerly known as myCicero, which sells ATAC tickets and passes and works with more than 140 transport operators across Italy, so it’s useful well beyond Rome. You need to add a payment method or top up your wallet before buying, so set it up before you travel rather than at the bus stop. ATAC also accepts tickets bought through other partner apps, including Telepass, Wetaxi and Urbi, and all of them display a digital ticket you show to inspectors.
Metro Stations
Buses, trams and the metro all use the same tickets, so the self-service machines in every metro station are one of the easiest places to buy. You’ll find the €1.50 single ticket, the MULTIBIT with ten rides for €15, the ROMA 24, 48 and 72-hour tickets and the weekly CIS card. The machines take cards and cash and switch to English. The queues at Termini can be long in high season, so if you have a contactless card, tapping straight at the turnstile saves you the wait.
Roma Pass
If you’re in Rome for a few days and plan to visit museums, the Roma Pass combines unlimited public transport with free or reduced entry to the city’s cultural sites. It’s sold in 48 and 72-hour versions and can be bought online before you arrive.
Beyond the single BIT, there are tickets for unlimited travel. The ROMA tourist tickets cost €8.50 for 24 hours, €15 for 48 hours and €22 for 72 hours, each valid from first validation. If you’ll be taking several rides a day without needing a full pass, a MULTIBIT gives you ten single tickets for €15. For a longer stay, the weekly CIS card costs €29 and runs until midnight on the seventh day, while a monthly pass is €35, or €53 for the transferable version that more than one person can use. Children up to the age of 10 travel free when accompanied by a paying adult.
Worth knowing: if you use Tap & Go, you don’t need to work any of this out. Tap more than five times in 24 hours with the same card and the system charges you €8.50, the price of the daily ticket, automatically.
Rome Becomes the Capital of World Mixology on September 14-15 under the motto Mix is our business.
For two days this September, Rome turns into the meeting point for the international cocktail world. Roma Bar Show returns on 14 and 15 September 2026, and for the first time it moves into La Nuvola, the striking Fuksas-designed venue in the EUR district. It is the sixth edition of the only Italian event dedicated entirely to mixology and the beverage industry, and this year it comes with more space, a bigger international line-up and a few genuinely new ideas.
The move to La Nuvola is not just cosmetic. The larger, more functional halls give room to hundreds of exhibitors and buyers from more than thirty countries, which is exactly the crowd that has turned Roma Bar Show into a fixture on the global circuit since it launched in 2019. The September dates also give Rome a strategic spot at the front of the international calendar, ahead of events like London Cocktail Week.
A new space for no and low alcohol
The headline addition this year is Future Drinking, an area built entirely around no and low alcohol drinks. Once a niche, alcohol-free and low-ABV cocktails have become one of the fastest-growing parts of the global drinks market, and the new space brings together tastings, products and talks for anyone curious about where the category is heading. Alongside it, two of the show’s most loved formats return: the Mexican Village, a deep dive into Mexican culture and spirits, and the Educational Program, the technical heart of the event.
The big names behind the bar
The Auditorium, Tasting Room and Academy host the masterclasses and seminars, with some of the most influential bartenders in the world sharing not only their drinks but the thinking and the business vision behind their venues. This year’s guests include Faye Chen of the multi-award-winning Double Chicken Please in New York, Jonathan Gabbay of Argo in Hong Kong, Marco Corallo of Saikindō in Abu Dhabi and Alex Frezza of L’Antiquario in Naples, among many others.
Beyond the bar counter
Roma Bar Show 2026 leans harder into the business side of hospitality with the Business Room, a new program of seminars on leadership, management, brand building, data and career development for professionals who want to grow beyond the bar. On the trade side, the Buyer Program, run with ICE and Fiere di Parma, connects exhibitors with importers, distributors and decision makers, supported by a new app for booking B2B meetings before and during the event.
The city joins in
As always, the show spills out into Rome itself. A packed program of off-site events, guest shifts, tastings and appearances by international bartenders takes over cocktail bars across the city, so even visitors without a trade pass can catch a piece of the action in their evening out.
Tickets: available through the official Roma Bar Show ticketing site
If you are in Rome that weekend and love a good cocktail, it is worth planning your evenings around the fuori salone events, when the city’s best bars put on their most interesting shifts of the year.
Looking for the best gelato in Rome? From historic gelaterias in the city center to creative artisan shops in Trastevere, Prati, Monti and beyond, Rome is home to some of Italy’s finest gelato. Whether you’re craving classic flavours like pistachio, hazelnut and stracciatella, refreshing fruit sorbets, vegan gelato or bold gourmet combinations, the Eternal City offers endless spots for an unforgettable cone or cup. Here’sour guide to the best gelato shops in Rome, including must-try addresses loved by locals and visitors alike.
How to spot real gelato in Rome
Not all gelato in Rome is made the same. A few signs give away the industrial stuff: gelato piled high in fluffy mountains, unnaturally bright colours (banana should be greyish, pistachio dull green, not neon), and metal tins covered with lids rather than open display. Real artisan gelato is stored flat in covered pozzetti or low in the tray, changes with the seasons, and the shop will happily tell you where the pistachio or hazelnut comes from. Expect to pay around €3 to €4 for a small cone, more in the centre.
Top Location: Via Tiburtina, 6 (San Lorenzo); Circonvallazione Nomentana 282-286; Via Gargano, 6/8 (Piazza Sempione); Piazza Alessandria, 19 (Porta Pia); Kiosk at Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, 106 (Gatsby Cafè)
Why: The main focus of owners Maurizio and Flavia of Gelato San Lorenzo is to create a model of pure gelato in Rome, with 100% natural ingredients, free of the added, unnatural substitutes that are often used to give gelato its taste, sweetness and consistency. In place of the usual thickeners, natural plant fibers bring out the creaminess you look for in a good gelato, with less sugar and less fat, keeping the full intensity of the taste. Every flavor is made fresh in-house each day, and there’s a wide vegan and no-added-sugar selection too.
Romeing recommends: raspberry and basil; the vegan avocado with lime, black pepper and sea salt; and sorbets like lemon and Roman mint or passion fruit with dark chocolate shavings.
Location: Via di Grotta Perfetta, 125 (Montagnola)
Why: Giuseppe Bassanelli is a “gelato maker by chance”: after a serious accident, he embraced the sweet world of gelato and opened I Mannari in 2001, now one of Rome’s most beloved artisan gelaterias. His recipes are made with high-quality fresh milk, cream, carob seed flour and guar gum, with a constant focus on fresh ingredients. Recently featured by CN Traveler’s “Where Chefs Eat” format.
Romeing Recommends: its many shades of chocolate, pistachio and, above all, its cremolati, to be enjoyed with whipped cream, yogurt, gelato or granita
Since 2014, Grezzo has been winning awards for its vegan and raw pastries, chocolates, and ice cream. Here, the ice cream contains no eggs or milk, and all ingredients are processed at temperatures never exceeding 42°C. The base is made from dried fruit, organic coconut sugar, and whole grains. Try the pistachio, hazelnut, almond, and chocolate flavors. There are several locations in Monti, Ghetto, and Parioli.
Romeing Recommends: Go for the traditional: chocolate and pistachio!
Why: Cremilla tells us a story of local farmers and food artisans committed to creating a product where taste and quality meet naturally. Besides a great selection of ice cream, Cremilla offers fresh seasonal juices, crepes – either plain or chocolate, flavoured waffles, pancakes, smoothies, milkshakes and organic yoghurt.
Romeing Recommends: try yogurt, figs and nuts, and their tiramisu.
Top Locations: Piazza degli Zingari, 5 (Monti), Via Roma Libera, 11 (Trastevere), Via della Croce, 46 (Via del Corso), Via dei Chiavari, 37 (centro Storico), Via Aosta 3 (Re di Roma), Via Lago di Lesina, 9/11 (Nemorense)
Why: Each visit to Fatamorgana is a new adventure for your taste buds. They change their selection frequently and their more creative flavors range from black rice and rose petal, to avocado, white wine, and lime, to their bestseller, basil, walnuts, and honey. Gelati made without sugar and dairy are available, as are gluten-free cones. For a lighter option opt for their yummy cialda-cono.
Romeing Recommends: The zaniest flavor they offer! Go wild!
Top locations: Piazza di Sant’Eustachio, 47 (Pantheon); Via dei Pettinari, 43 (Campo de’ Fiori)
Why: With two gelato shops in the historic centre of Rome, one near the Pantheon and one in Trastevere, there’s no excuse not to try Günther’s gelato. Top-notch ingredients, seasonality and fresh fruit are at the base of Günther Rohregger’s philosophy: the milk is exclusively micro-filtered and organic, the water for the sorbets is Plose spring water, and the flavors are genuinely unique. No wonder it was named one of the world’s 22 best gelaterie by the Financial Times.
Romeing Recommends: You can’t leave Günther without trying their extra dark chocolate, pino mugo and strawberry sorbet.
Why: This new gelato spot in the Portuense area has a goal to make “gelato per tutti” – gelato for all. Their gelato is 100% gluten-free, including their cones, with minimal added sugars, no emulsifiers, hydrogenated fats, or artificial flavors. Everything is handmade daily in their small lab, and the flavors change with the seasons. They also offer a wide variety of vegan options.
Romeing Recommends: their popcorn flavor, a unique mix of salty and sweet.
Freddo Gelato
Top Locations: Piazza Tuscolo 7/8/9 (San Giovanni / Re di Roma)
Why: Their concept is based on simplicity and quality – all gelatos are prepared daily in their exposed laboratory and are 100% homemade. That means no preservatives or dyes – something I was able to spot right away from the metal tins they use. Like their name, their concept is simple, but the flavors are anything but. With unique options ranging from pineapple and curcuma, raspberry and basil, the options are extremely unique but always seasonal.
Top Locations: Via dei Gracchi, 272 (Prati), Via di Ripetta, 261 (Piazza del Popolo), Viale delle Province, 30 (Piazza Bologna)
Why: Skip the tourist traps around St.Peter’s Basilica and Piazza del Popolo, and make a beeline for Gelateria dei Gracchi, consistently rated as one of the best gelato in Rome. Gracchi’s flavors faithfully follow the seasons, and range from apple and mint, to rum spiked chocolate, to sweet melone, or cantaloupe.
Romeing Recommends: Pear and caramel. Sweet, sharp, and smooth all at the same time, and the pistachio, laced with toasted, Bronte nuts.
Want all these gelaterie on your phone? Our Rome Google Maps Guide pins every spot we recommend, gelato included, straight into Google Maps and sorted by neighbourhood.
Top location: Via Felice Cavallotti 36/B (Monteverde)
Why: La Gourmandise mixes exotic ingredients like lavender, saffron, ginger, and rose water with natural ingredients often sourced at the open-air market on the parallel street. For the lactose intolerant, there are water-based flavors such as honey mango, as well as gluten-free options. And guess what… only Maltese goat’s milk is used, which makes ice cream lighter and easily digestible. This gluten-free gelateria has also been awarded three cones by Gambero Rosso, a prestigious recognition in the world of Italian gelato.
Romeing Recommends: Combine their Roman mint and lemon zestes to their caramel meringue parfait, you won’t regret it.
Top Location: Via Principe Eugenio, 65 (Esquilino)
Why: Established in 1880, this family-run gelateria is said to be the oldest in Rome! Over 100 years later, with ample seating and an even bigger array of flavours, Il Palazzo del Freddo is still as popular as ever. Gelato is freshly made daily and to this day remains faithful to the original recipes of founder Giovanni Fassi. Seeking authentic gelato in Rome? Why not start where it all began!
Romeing Recommends: The rice flavour seems an odd choice but is surprisingly delicious! Plain and simple and brought to life when coupled with a decadent hazelnut chocolate. Or, try their signature sampietrini, little squares of gelato coated in chocolate which are meant to resemble Rome’s cobblestones.
Top Locations: Via San Simone, 70 (Navona), Lungotevere dei Vallati, 25 (Campo dei Fiori/Lungotevere)
Why: Conveniently located a short walk from Piazza Navona, Gelateria del Teatro concocts its gelato with high-quality ingredients like Avola almonds from Sicily and lemons from the Amalfi Coast. Flavors range from classics like strawberry and coffee, to wildcards like lavender with white peach, dark chocolate infused with red wine, and sage with raspberry.
Romeing Recommends: Rosemary, honey, and lemon, a refreshing and unique treat for the palate.
Top Location: Via Uffici del Vicario, 40 (Pantheon)
Why: Established in 1900 and still a family run business to this day, Giolitti is arguably one of the most famous gelateria in Rome. Their location near the Pantheon is the original store, and is hands down the most elegant place to devour a gelato in Rome. They also have other sweets, such as ice cream cakes, pastries, and chocolates.
Romeing Recommends: The Coppa Giolitti, a gelato “sundae” with custard, chocolate, zabaione, cream, and hazelnut shavings.
The Monteforte bakery is expanding not only with Mons cocktail bar and La Quercia tavern, but also with Pellegrino Gelateria Monteforte. A small shop with a counter between Regola and Parione Pellegrino districts, offering a small but high-quality selection of delicious ice creams such as amarena cherry, bacio, coconut, peanut butter, and caramel. Ice cream cakes and ice cream bars are also available.
Romeing recommends: panè, their artisanal brioche, obviously filled with ice cream.
Top Location: Via Silvio Spaventa, 24 (Repubblica/Barberini)
Why: Come il Latte is dedicated to quality, and create their flavors with seasonal ingredients. If the richness of the gelato isn’t enough, you can add swirls of chocolate or flavored cream topping.
Romeing Recommends: Their summer fruit flavours, or, if you like something richer, their salted caramel.
Top Location: Via di San Cosimato 14/a (Trastevere), Viale dei Quattro Venti, 70 (Monteverde)
Why: To understand Otaleg’s approach to gelato, just step into the store. Marco Radicioni is the most famous unconventional ice cream maker in Rome. In his Otaleg! shops in Trastevere and Monteverde, he offers classic evergreen flavors alongside more daring creations like guacamole, spicy ketchup, or salmon.
Romeing Recommends: A must-try is the Croccante Totale, made with fior di latte, toasted nuts, honey, and sesame.
Top location: Via Giuseppe Bagnera, 59 (Portuense)
Criollo is Simona Papagno’s ice cream bistro, opened in the Portuense area after she studied at the Italian School of Gelato in Perugia. Not only ice cream but also aperitifs and food tastings enrich the offer. The flavors can also be tasted inside a brioche or on a waffle.
Romeing recommends: Try their sugar-free flavors, which are every bit as good as traditional gelatos.
Top Location: Via della Lungaretta, 96 (Trastevere)
Why: Fior di Luna is composed of true, certified organic and fair trade gelato artisans. They source most of their ingredients locally, and sometimes offer gelato making courses.
Romeing Recommends: Fior di Luna prides itself on their sorbets – only fresh, seasonal fruit is used, and they serve as a perfect pick-me-up after a long day of sightseeing in the heat.
Top Locations: Via Ostiense 48, (Ostiense), Via Cola Di Rienzo 2 (Prati), Via Venti Settembre, 60 (Repubblica), Via Magna Grecia 47A (San Giovanni), Viale Europa 121 (EUR), Piazza Sant’Andrea della Valle, 1 (Centro storico)
Why: Established in 1947 as a family run gelateria, La Romana have now expanded all over Italy. They have strict production rules, eco-friendly packaging and they publish a full list of ingredients on their website. Creative artisan gelato with a conscience.
Romeing Recommends: Mascarpone, raspberry and toasted pine nuts, or cream scented with vanilla and lemon rind, or nougat with hazelnuts and chocolate….
Alberto Zezza, a former economist who opened Zelato in the San Lorenzo area, changed his life and started making ice cream, ethical and high quality, prepared with seasonal ingredients. Try the pistachio, also available in a vegan version, and the coffee flavor, made with beans from the Lazzarelle roastery inside the women’s prison in Pozzuoli.
Romeing recommends:Latte d’Oro, a turmeric, cinnamon, and honey ice cream flavor described as special and delicious.
Top Locations: Via del Governo Vecchio, 112 (Navona)
Why: Frigidarium is an artisanal gelateria that blends ancient and modern techniques to create intensive flavors. The balanced combination of quality ingredients – cherry-picked by the owners each day – creates a special tasting experience. Don’t expect your typical flavors at Frigidarium.
Romeing Recommends: Their pistachio and cream are a must-try! Don’t leave without having their chocolate sauce poured over your gelato, as to form a chocolate shell …
Top Locations: Via Luigi Poletti, 6 (Flaminio), Via Federico Cesi, 1 (Prati), Via Nomentana, 335f, Via Veneto, 112 (Barberini), Via dei Banchi Vecchi, 140 (Centro Storico), Piazza Carlo Alberto Scotti, 12 (Colli Portuensi)
Why: Neve di Latte offers delicate, genuine and light flavors created through the use of organic products. From DOC and DOP hazelnuts, pistachios and peanuts to biodynamic milk from Upper Bavaria and strictly seasonal fruits, you can be sure that at this gelateria you’ll taste some creamy and intensive flavors. All flavors are absolutely free of dyes, refined sugars and chemical preservatives.
Romeing Recommends: Their dark chocolate with orange, pistachio, fig sorbet and basil sorbet are just some of their amazing flavors!
Top locations: Viale Regina Margherita, 95-99 (Nomentana)
Why: beautiful and bright space with outdoor seating for the people watchers amongst us. They offer cakes, ice cream and savoury options, all with thoughtful and fresh ingredients. Marta Boccanera and Felice Venanzi’s lifelong love of pastry led them to create this meeting point where you can enjoy 100% artisan gelato and pastries. Summer is all about their semifreddi.
Romeing Recommends: The semifreddi are impressive: the mango alphonso and the raspberry with coconut praline
Why: Found in various locations just outside of the city center, Il Gelato di Claudio Torcè offers a selection of flavors to fit anyone’s fancy. Boasting an impressive 13 different chocolate combinations alone, they also head in a savory direction, going as far as a spicy jalapeno or bold gorgonzola!
Romeing Recommends: Strange as it seems, celery is an ever-popular choice. Or why not take advantage of the endless chocolate combinations such as the chocolate and Himalayan salt?
Formaessenza di Stefano Ferrara
Top Location: Via Enrico Fermi, 102/104 (Marconi)
Why: Formaessenza is a unique gelateria with an industrial style, featuring earth-colored bricks and an open-view laboratory. It offers a new vision of gelato through innovative techniques and product lines, including Kelato®, completely sugar-free, ideal for those following specific diets such as people with obesity, type 1 and 2 diabetes, cancer patients, and those with cardiovascular diseases.
Romeing Recommends: Try their gelato in jars, on sticks, and in single servings.
Giuffrè
Top location: Viale Trastevere, 255 (Trastevere)
Why: the Giuffrè family has made gelato for over a century, starting with Giovanni Giuffrè in Sicily, continuing with his son Stellario and his son Giuseppe opening their first gelateria in Roma in 2018. Their gelato is fresh and genuine, obtained with local milk, delicious pistachio, sheep ricotta, Slow-Food honey, Valhrona chocolate and so forth.
Romeing Recommends: Try the Trasteverino flavor with salt cookies and gianduia, or Porta Portese with hazelnuts and toasted almonds and gianduia, or Portonovo with caramel chocolate and salty peanuts.
If tasting isn’t enough, you can learn to make it. Our gelato-making experience takes you into a Roman gelateria to make your own batch from scratch with a professional gelatiere, while the pasta and gelato cooking class combines fresh pasta and gelato in one afternoon in the historic centre. Both end with eating what you’ve made.
From May 28 to July 12, 2026, Rome’s piazzas will be transformed into open-air movie theaters as the free outdoor film festival “Il Cinema in Piazza” returns.
Minutes from the centre, an oasis of calm between nature, good food and days by the pool
Who says you have to leave Rome for a full day of relaxation? Set in the green of the Appian Way Regional Park, just minutes from the city centre, Adoro Hotel is the ideal retreat to step away from the daily rush. And this summer there’s one more reason to treat yourself: the new outdoor pool, set in the hotel garden and open to non-guests as well since last July.
It’s the first pool by the BZAR hotels group in Rome, another addition that reinforces the wellness character of this address overlooking the timeless charm of the Regina Viarum: a true urban oasis where you can spend the day between water and greenery, far from the traffic running just a few kilometres away.
The pool: day pass
A day pass for non-guests costs €40 per person and includes a sunbed, pool towel and flip-flops (parasol subject to availability). Access is by reservation only (and while spaces last) by writing to info@adorohotel.it, with confirmation within 24 hours. Good to know: outside food and drink are not allowed, and entry is reserved for adults.
Dinner at Ristorante Elisia
After a day by the pool, the break can continue at the table. Elisia, the restaurant of Adoro Hotel, is open for dinner every day, including for non-guests, from 7.30pm to 11pm. The kitchen follows traditional Roman cuisine, built on fresh, seasonal, zero-mile ingredients from local producers, with aromatic herbs grown in the garden next to the restaurant. Every dish is a tribute to the land: respect for tradition and a love of quality. Those who prefer to be guided can choose Il Percorso Elisia, the four-course tasting menu at €35 per person (full menu here).
And for those who stay the night
Guests at Adoro Hotel also have access to the wellness area: the Urban SPA, with whirlpool, Finnish sauna, Turkish bath and sensory shower, plus a well-equipped fitness centre. The hotel also offers dedicated wellness packages, turning a stay into a genuine restorative break steps from the Appian Way.
Adoro Hotel – Pool & Urban SPA
Via delle Sette Chiese 280b
Pool: from 18 July, day pass €40 (open 8am–6.30pm, adults only, by reservation)
Italy’s digital nomad visa lets non-EU remote workers and freelancers live in Italy for a year, with the option to renew.
But there’s a catch…
The application is paperwork-heavy, and the requirements are quite specific. A missing document (or the wrong type of health insurance) is the most common reason applications get refused.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
Who qualifies for Italy’s digital nomad visa
The 2026 requirements
Why the health insurance requirement can trip up applicants
How to apply
What the visa costs
But if you’re looking for the short version, here’s how to get the DNS visa:
Before applying: Check you meet the income, qualification, and experience requirements.
While preparing your file: Secure accommodation in Italy and a health insurance policy that covers the full 12 months.
At your consulate: Book an appointment, submit your documents, and allow 30 to 90 days for a decision.
Within 8 working days of arriving in Italy: Apply for your residence permit (permesso di soggiorno).
Now, let’s get into the details.
Does Italy have a digital nomad visa?
Yes. Italy introduced its digital nomad visa in April 2024, and it’s open to non-EU citizens who work remotely using digital tools. The visa covers two groups: freelancers and business owners (the “digital nomads”) and employees of companies based outside Italy (the “remote workers”).
The visa is valid for one year and renewable annually, as long as you still meet the requirements. It also sits outside Italy’s regular work-permit quotas, so there’s no cap on how many can be issued each year.
That makes it one of the most accessible routes into Italy for remote workers right now.
Italy’s digital nomad visa requirements
To qualify, you’ll need to show:
Non-EU citizenship. EU and EEA citizens don’t need a visa to live and work in Italy.
Remote work. Your clients or employer must be based outside Italy, and your work must be doable with digital tools.
“Highly qualified” status. A university degree, a professional accreditation, or at least five years of documented professional experience (three years for IT professionals).
Six months of experience. You need a track record of at least six months in remote work or in your professional field.
Minimum income. Roughly €25,000 to €28,000 per year, depending on how your consulate applies the rule (the law sets it at three times the minimum threshold for exemption from Italian healthcare charges). Check your consulate’s exact figure before applying.
Accommodation in Italy. A registered lease or property deed. Hotel bookings and short-term rentals usually don’t count.
A clean criminal record.
Health insurance that covers your entire stay. A policy covering sickness and hospitalization, valid for the full 12 months of the visa. More on this below, because it catches a lot of people out.
Health insurance requirements
Italian consulates want proof of health insurance that covers you for the whole visa period (meaning a full year).
That rules out travel insurance. Rolling monthly policies and short-term travel plans get applications refused, because they don’t guarantee coverage for the entire stay. And most policies that do run for 12 months ask you to pay the whole year upfront, before you even know if your visa is approved.
There’s a middle path: Feather’s expat health insurance is a 12-month policy that meets the visa criteria, and you pay monthly. You get the year-long coverage the consulate wants to see, without the year-long bill. The policy and support are in English, and you can cancel anytime if your plans change.
Whichever insurer you choose, check three things before you buy:
The policy lasts 12 months (or more)
It covers sickness and hospitalization in Italy
You can get a certificate of coverage in English or Italian for your application
How to apply, step by step
Gather your documents: Passport, visa application form, proof of income (tax returns or payslips), proof of remote work (contracts or client agreements), proof of qualifications or experience, accommodation documents, criminal record certificate, and your insurance certificate.
Book an appointment at your Italian consulate: Jurisdiction depends on where you legally live, and appointment slots can take a while, so book early.
Attend your appointment: Bring your file organized and complete. The visa fee is around €116.
Wait for the decision: Most applications take 30 to 90 days. Complex freelance cases can take longer.
Travel to Italy and apply for your residence permit: You have 8 working days after arrival to request your permesso di soggiorno at the local immigration office (the permit costs roughly another €116 to €126).
Get your codice fiscale: You’ll need this tax ID for almost everything: renting, banking, and healthcare included.
Costs & taxes with the DNV
Item
What to expect
Visa fee
~€116
Residence permit
~€116–€126
Health insurance
Varies by age and coverage; paid monthly with Feather
Minimum income
~€25,000–€28,000 per year
Visa length
1 year, renewable annually
Planning for taxes
If you spend more than 183 days a year in Italy, you’ll generally become an Italian tax resident, which means Italy taxes your worldwide income.
Depending on your situation, regimes like the flat-rate scheme for freelancers (forfettario) or the impatriate regime can lower the bill considerably.
This is one area where we’d point you to a professional: a good commercialista (Italian tax accountant) will pay for themselves.
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring my family?
Yes. Your spouse or legally recognized partner and your minor children can join you through family reunification. Expect higher income and housing requirements if they do.
Can I renew the visa?
Yes, annually, as long as you still meet the income, insurance, and remote-work requirements and keep a clean record.
What’s the minimum income in 2026?
The legal baseline works out to roughly €25,000 per year, but some consulates ask for more (often €28,000 or above). Always confirm with the consulate handling your application.
Do I need an Italian bank account?
Not for the application itself. But once you’re in Italy, a local account (and your codice fiscale) makes daily life much easier.
Connexion
