This guide to the best things to do after dinner in Rome will help you discover the best late-night activities the city has to offer. While the capital of Italy attracts millions of visitors every year with its incredible architecture and historical buildings, it’s often best to leave some of your sightseeing until night has fallen.

The city’s many attractions can often be crowded during the day, with the cooler nights offering a much quieter time to enjoy places like the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps. However, it’s not just the wonderful history that makes the Italian city an attractive place to visit. You can also find beautiful rooftop bars, vibrant piazzas full of life and LGBTQ+-friendly clubs.

  • 1

    Teatro dell’Opera di Roma

    Enjoy live opera at this 19th-century theatre

    Teatro dell’Opera di Roma
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    Teatro dell’Opera di Roma is one of the best-known opera theatres in Italy. Opened in 1880, the venue was financed by Domenico Costanzi and boast Neo-Renaissance-style architecture. It’s seen quite a few remodellings and improvements, including in 1926 and 1958 by Marcello Piacentini. Teatro dell’Opera di Roma can accommodate around 1,600 people in a stunning interior that's almost as nice to admire as the exterior.

    The opera theatre showcases some of the world’s finest live opera and ballet performances. It has hosted renowned performers like Caruso, Pavarotti, Domingo, Maria Callas and Renata Tebaldi. Besides opera, its year-round programme consists of various classical and contemporary performances.

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    Adresse: Piazza Beniamino Gigli, 00184 Roma RM, Italy

    Telefon: +39 06 481601

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    Billede taget af Carlo Dani (CC BY-SA 4.0) Redigeret

  • 2

    Piazza Navona

    Spend the evening people-watching in the famous square

    Piazza Navona
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    Piazza Navona is a famous public square dating back to the 1st century AD. It played an important part in Rome’s history, being the site of a stadium built during Emperor Domitian’s rule. Today, the square is renowned for its stunning, Baroque-style buildings and the classic Fiumi Fountain.

    While Piazza Navona is often crowded with people during the day, it's an excellent spot to sit and relax in the evening. The buildings around the square are lit up at night, resulting in a lovely atmosphere. It’s known as one of the best meeting places in the city, thanks to the bars surrounding its perimeter.

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    Adresse: Piazza Navona, 00186 Roma RM, Italy

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  • 3

    Trevi Fountain

    See the famous fountain lit up at night

    Trevi Fountain
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    The Trevi Fountain is one of the most famous water features in the world. The aqueduct-fed fountain was designed by Nicola Salvi and completed by Giuseppe Pannini in 1762. It stands over 26 metres tall and is nearly 50 metres wide, with numerous intricately carved statues of ancient gods.

    While the fountain and surrounding piazza can see thousands of visitors per day in summer, it's much quieter at night. It's also the best time to see it completely lit up – you'll more easily get to find a spot to throw your coin over your shoulder. There are some nice gelaterias around the Trevi Fountain for your post-dinner dessert.

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    Adresse: Piazza di Trevi, 00187 Roma RM, Italy

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  • 4

    Catacombs night tours

    See Rome’s ancient burial sites in the dark

    Catacombs night tours
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    For a completely different after-dinner excursion in Rome, there are catacomb night tours that offer after-hours access with a guide. The city has many catacombs and crypts dating back to the Roman Empire. The catacombs were built and decorated by the first Christians who buried their dead in underground chambers to avoid persecution by the Roman rulers. Today, the catacombs scattered throughout the city are still very well preserved and a popular tourist attraction.

    Rome’s catacomb night tours include a visit to the Capuchin Crypts, Catacombs of Priscilla, and Catacombs of St Agnes. Although it may sound spooky, the tours are informative visits, where you can learn about the ancient burial practices and admire Roman-era frescoes.

    Adresse: Via Vittorio Veneto, 27, 00187 Roma RM, Italy

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  • 5

    Castel Sant'Angelo

    Enjoy a different perspective of the ancient castle and bridge

    Castel Sant'Angelo
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    Castel Sant’Angelo is a circular fortress also known as Hadrian’s Tomb. The distinctive circular structure was built AD 135 as a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian and his family. It was later converted into a military fortress and then used by the Pope as a castle and refuge during the 16th century.

    The building stands on the right bank of the Tiber River across the Ponte Sant’Angelo, which is one of the more impressive Roman bridges in the city. Today, Castel Sant’Angelo is a museum displaying beautiful old furniture and paintings. The fortress is especially beautiful at night – you can enjoy the best view from the bridge.

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    Adresse: Adrian Park, Lungotevere Castello, 50, 00193 Roma RM, Italy

    Åbningstider: Daily from 9 am to 7.30 pm

    Telefon: +39 06 6819111

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  • 6

    Rome rooftop bars

    Have a drink while enjoying a wonderful view over the city

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    Rome has many great rooftop bars to enjoy late-night drinks and beautiful views over the city. While some of these rooftop lounges and bars tend to be a bit on the pricey side, they can be worth it for a special occasion or first-time visit to Rome.

    Popular rooftop bars offer views across some of the city's landmarks. Tiziano Terrace has an open-air terrace overlooking the iconic Colosseum, while La Limonaia’s outdoor and indoor sections offer views across the Baths of Diocletian.

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    Vatican Museums

    Check out Michelangelo’s iconic Sistine Chapel ceiling

    Vatican Museums
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    The Vatican Museums are a series of galleries inside Vatican City. The idea for the museums began in the 16th century with Pope Julius II. The collection has now grown to over 70,000 pieces of art, with 20,000 on display. The most famous part of the museums is the Sistine Chapel, which displays the famous ceiling work by Michelangelo.

    The Vatican Museums open late at night on Fridays and Saturdays. You can visit the galleries after dark until 10.30 pm, with the chance of seeing priceless artwork without the huge crowds that usually congregate during the day.

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    Adresse: 00120 Vatican City

    Åbningstider: Monday–Thursday from 8.30 am to 6.30 pm, Friday–Saturday from 8.30 am to 10.30 pm (closed on Sundays)

    Telefon: +39 06 6988 4676

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  • 8

    Trastevere

    A pretty neighbourhood with excellent nightlife

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    Trastevere is known as Rome's charming bohemian neighbourhood. It was once a working-class district but is now popular for its vibrant nightlife scene and beautiful streets. The cobblestone sideroads throughout the neighbourhood are picturesque any time of the day, but they are particularly atmospheric at night, with pretty lights and a young crowd.

    You’ll find traditional trattorias, craft beer pubs and buzzing piazzas in Trastevere. The centre of the action is around Piazza di Santa Maria, where you can see the beautiful Basilica of Our Lady lit up at night. From there, it’s easy to explore streets leading off from the square to find excellent bars and restaurants.

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    Adresse: Trastevere, 00153 Roma RM, Italy

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  • 9

    Via San Giovanni

    A lively pedestrian area known as Gay Street

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    Via San Giovanni is a 300-metre-long shopping and nightlife street leading to the eastern edge of the Colosseum in Rome. Since the 1960s, it has been the meeting place of the LGBTQ+ community. It was officially designated as Rome’s Gay Street in 2007. This is also one of the main centres of activity and events during the Rome Gay Pride event each year.

    The main stretch of road is a pedestrian area with shops, gay-friendly bars, and restaurants. Via San Giovanni is one of the best parts of Rome to head to for a night out. Famous bars and clubs in the neighbourhood include La Botticella, Coming Out, and The Race Club.

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    Adresse: Via di San Giovanni in Laterano, 00184 Roma RM, Italy

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  • 10

    Spanish Steps

    Visit the popular attraction without the crowds

    Spanish Steps
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    The Spanish Steps were built in the 18th century between the Piazza di Spagna and the Piazza Trinita dei Monti. The steep staircase was designed by Francesco De Sanctis and funded by a French diplomat, Stefano Gueffier, in 1723. The area has been well-known over the years for attracting artists, painters and poets.

    While the 135 steps form one of the most popular tourist attractions in Rome, it’s much better to visit the steps at night as there are generally fewer people there. The steps, church at the top, and piazza at the base are also all illuminated in beautiful lights. They offer a wonderful people-watching spot to sit back and enjoy the atmosphere of the city in the cooler evenings.

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    Adresse: Piazza di Spagna, 00187 Roma RM, Italy

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Elisha Donkin | Freelanceforfatter