10 Unusual Things to Do in Rome: 2024 Updated Edition!
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Crazy Things to Do in Rome

Visit the Marcello Theater, Discover the Roman catacombs, See the skull of St Valentine, Enjoy a movie on Tiber Island, Visit Pons Aemilius, See Michelangelo’s Last Judgment at the Vatican Museums, Witness the Optical Illusion of St Peter’s Dome, Walk through the age-old Thermal Baths at the Baths of Caracalla, Indulge in wine tasting in the Frascati region and Explore the conditions at Mamertine Prison.

Rome is a city that is full of history, culture, and charm where there is something for everyone – from the classic tourist sights to the more Unusual things to do in Rome. When it comes to choosing a vacation destination, few cities can rival Rome. The ‘Eternal City’ is brimming with history, art, culture, and food. It’s no wonder that it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.

There are also plenty of lesser-known things to see and do in the city, especially if you are looking to avoid the crowds and experience the city in a new and unique way. Some of the top Crazy things to do in Rome Italy include discovering the Roman Catacombs, which are a series of underground tunnels that were used to bury the dead. You can also witness the skull of St Valentine when you are in the city, if you are someone who likes unusual things. Or you can plan your escape at Mamertine Prison, which is one of the oldest prisons in the world. If you are looking for something a little bit different to do on your trip to Rome, then keep reading on to find out the top 10 unusual things to do in rome!
Explore Rome's hidden gems with an Italy holiday package that includes unique experiences like visiting the Roman catacombs, witnessing St. Valentine’s skull, and indulging in wine tasting in the scenic Frascati region for a truly extraordinary adventure and a Rome tour package offers an unforgettable journey through ancient history, stunning architecture, and vibrant culture, all in the heart of Italy's Eternal City.

Here are some of the best Crazy Things to Do in Rome:

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01

Visit The Marcello Theater

  • Visiting the Marcello Theater is surely one of the most Unusual things to do in Rome
  • It is one of the most famous and well-known theatres in the city, located near the Pantheon and the Forum
  • The theatre was used for plays, musical performances, and other entertainment in the bygone eras
  • As of today, you can walk through the ruins of this famous theatre, or even enjoy a play, concert, or opera here 

Location: Via del Teatro di Marcello, 00186 Roma RM, Italy

Also Checkout: Places To Visit In Rome

Book Now: National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia Tickets
02

Discover The Roman catacombs

  • Consisted to be one of the Crazy things to do in rome Italy, visiting the Roman Catacombs surely is something quite intriguing to have in your travel itinerary
  • The Roman Catacombs are a network of underground burial chambers in the city, and date back to the 2nd century AD
  • It is here where you can get a chance to witness how the early Christians used to bury their dead
  • They are a complex labyrinth of tunnels and chambers, and are a fascinating glimpse into the early history of Christianity in Rome
  • Today, you can visit the catacombs and see the ancient graves here, while also learning about the early persecution of Christians in Rome

Location: Via Appia Antica, 110/126, 00179 Roma RM, Italy

Opening Hours: 09:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon & 04:00 p.m. to 06:00 p.m.

Also Checkout: Things To Do In Rome

Book Now: Galleria Corsini Tickets
03

See The Skull of St Valentine

  • Seeing the skull of St. Valentine at the Basilica of Santa Maria in Cosmedin is arguably amongst the top 10 unusual things to do in rome
  • The skull is real, and is said to be that of the saint himself
  • It is encased in a glass case in the Basilica, and is crowned with flowers
  • Witnessing the skull is definitely not for the faint-hearted, and gives off an eerie appeal, especially since it is said to have been exhumed from a graveyard in Rome in the 19th century
  • The skull is said to have been used in a healing ritual by a priest in the 19th century

Location: Piazza della Bocca della Verità, 18, 00186 Roma RM, Italy

Opening Hours: 09:30 a.m. to 06:30 p.m.

Also Checkout: Rome Monuments

Book Now: Capitoline Museum Tickets
04

Enjoy a Movie on Tiber Island

  • Tiber Island is the home of the L'Isola del Cinema's annual film festival, wherein you can watch movies outdoors, whilst being surrounded by the gushing Tiber River
  • Ranked as one of the most Unusual things to do in Rome, this experience is surely something not many people indulge in during their visit to the city
  • The island is also home to a small church, the Church of San Bartolomeo all'Isola, which was built in the 16th century, which you can explore for an even better experience

Location: Rome, Italy

Also Checkout: Churches In Rome

Book Now: Accademia Gallery Tickets
05

Visit Pons Aemilius

  • When looking for Unusual things to do in Rome, try exploring Pons Aemilius, or Ponte Rotto, the oldest roman stone bridge in the city
  • The bridge is built over the Tiber River, and is said to be the first bridge built over the river, dating all the way back to 62 BCE
  • The bridge is 624 meters long and had 24 arches, and was destroyed by floods in 1598
  • Pons Aemilius was also used by the Roman army to cross the river and was the site of many battles

Location: Via di Ponte Rotto, 00186 Roma RM, Italy

Also Checkout: Day Trips From Rome

Book Now: Boboli Gardens Tickets
06

See Michelangelo’s Last Judgment at The Vatican Museums

  • Take some time out to see Michelangelo’s Last Judgement at the Vatican Museums, which is surely amongst the Crazy things to do in rome Italy
  • The Last Judgement is a painting by Michelangelo that can be found at the Vatican Museums in the city depicting the final judgement of all humanity by God, and is over 12 meters wide and more than 6 meters tall
  • It is also one of the largest paintings in the world, which took Michelangelo four years to complete
  • The painting is a highly detailed and complex work of art, and is full of symbolism and religious iconography

Location: 00120 Vatican City

Opening Hours: 08:30 a.m. to 06:30 p.m.

Also Checkout: Rome Nightlife

Book Now: Galileo Museum Tickets
07

Witness The Optical Illusion of St Peter’s Dome

  • If you are in search of Unusual things to do in Rome, try witnessing the magical optical illusion of the Dome of St. Peter’s Basilica
  • Head to Via Niccolò Piccolomini, which offers the best views of the dome and is perfectly aligned with it as well
  • When you look at the dome from a distance, it appears to be much larger than it actually is, almost as if the dome is looming over you but as you get closer, you realize that the dome is actually quite small

Location: Piazza San Pietro, 00120 Città del Vaticano, Vatican City

Opening Hours: 07:30 a.m. to 05:00 p.m.

Also Checkout: Things To Do In Florence

Book Now: Pitti Palace Tickets
08

Walk Through The Age-Old Thermal Baths At The Baths of Caracalla

  • Another one of the most off-the-beaten paths and Crazy things to do in rome Italy is to wander through the ancient thermal baths at the Baths of Caracalla
  • The Baths of Caracalla are the largest surviving ruins of an ancient bath complex in the city
  • Today, you can witness an entire complex of brick walls, archways as well as the remains of floor mosaics in the ruins that lie here

Location: Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00153 Roma RM, Italy

Opening Hours: 09:00 a.m. to 04:30 p.m. (Closed on Monday)

Also Checkout: Places To Visit In Florence

Book Now: Medici Chapel Tickets
09

Indulge in Wine Tasting in The Frascati Region

  • Head off to the unexplored region of Frascati and try wine tasting there when you are in Rome
  • Ranked amongst the top Unusual things to do in Rome, a wine tasting session in the Frascati region is a truly unique experience
  • The region is home to some of the best wines in the world, and is home to many vineyards and wineries
  • It is particularly known for its white wines, which are some of the best in the world

Location: Rome, Italy

Opening Hours: Open 24 hours

Also Checkout: Museums In Florence

Book Now: Palazzo Vecchio Tickets
10

Explore The Conditions At Mamertine Prison

  • For those who wish to try Crazy things to do in rome Italy, explore the ancient Mamertine Prison in the city
  • The prison was used to house criminals and prisoners of war, the most famous of which included Julius Caesar
  • The Mamertine Prison was not a very pleasant place to be, as the conditions were very cramped and the air was filled with the smell of sewage
  • The prisoners were also constantly pestered by rats and other vermin
  • On a visit to the prison, you can actually experience the feeling of being suffocated like the prisoners

Location: Clivo Argentario, 1, 00186 Roma RM, Italy

Opening Hours: 09:00 a.m. to 05:00 p.m.

Also Checkout: Day Trips From Florence

Book Now: Florence Cathedral Tickets

People Also Ask About Rome

  1. What are the crazy things to do in Rome?

    • Discover the Roman catacombs
    The Roman Catacombs are a network of underground burial chambers that date back to the 2nd century AD. Discovering them is amongst the top Crazy things to do in Rome Italy, especially since they are so well preserved and because of the vastness of the network.

    • Plan your escape at Mamertine Prison
    When looking for Unusual things to do in Rome, you can also head to the Mamertine Prison. The prison is located in the heart of Rome, near the forum and was used to detain some of Rome's most famous prisoners, including Julius Caesar and St. Peter. Today, the prison is open to the public, and visitors can explore the prison's dark and atmospheric chambers.

    • See the skull of St Valentine
    Seeing the Skull of St Valentine is definitely one of the more Unusual things to do in Rome! It's located in the Basilica of Santa Maria in Cosmedin and is said to be that of the saint himself and it's on display for all to see.

    • Taste wine in the Frascati region
    Another one of the most offbeat and Unusual things to do in Rome is to head to the Frascati region to taste the wine there. With its numerous vineyards and wineries, it's a great place to explore the world of wine. There are plenty of wine tastings and tours available, so you can learn about the different types of wines produced in the region.

    You Must Checkout: Italy Travel Packages
  2. What are the best places to visit in Rome?

    Some of the best places to visit in Rome include:
    • Porta Portese Market

    Also Checkout: Italy Honeymoon Packages
                               Vatican Museums and Sistine chapel Tickets
  3. What are the most haunted places in Rome?

    Some of the most haunted places in Rome are:
    • The Catacombs of Rome
    • Palazzo de Cupis
    • Ponte Sant’Angelo
    • Ponte Sisto
    • Via del Governo Vecchio
    • Ponte Salario

    Must Checkout: Greece And Italy Tour Package
  4. Is the Colosseum of Rome worth visiting?

    Yes, the Colosseum of Rome is definitely worth visiting. While visiting the Colosseum is not one of the Unusual things to do in Rome, it is surely a place that has a history of many years. The Colosseum was erstwhile used for gladiatorial races, and other events, including public execution, so it does have that unusually eerie appeal to it.

    Also Checkout & Book: Luxury Italy Tour Packages
  5. Which are the popular attraction tickets in Italy that you can book via Thrillophilia?

    Here is the list of the famous Italy attraction tickets that you can book via Thrillophilia:

    1. Tickets for Roman Forum
    2. Milan Cathedral tickets
    3. Uffizi Gallery Florence tickets
    4. Borghese Gallery museum tickets
    5. Colosseum Tickets
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