Rome is a dreamy destination for solo travel. It’s fun, safe, and packed full of enough history, culture, and cuisine to keep any traveller coming back for more.
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But Italy’s capital can also be daunting — as is any metropolis of 496 square miles and more than 4.5 million residents. Having a few ideas for things to do in mind before arriving in Rome can save stress when you’re there and make sure you get to explore the Eternal City entirely on your own terms.
Here are some of my favourite experiences as a solo female traveller in Rome — plus some ideas to sprinkle in between the big tourist spots so you leave feeling fabulous, (often) full, and in love with la dolce vita.
Savour a sunset from the Orange Garden or Pincian Terrace
Nowhere does cityscapes quite like Rome. Around sunset, the city is bathed in beautiful golden light, against which its unique skyline is silhouetted, dotted with the domes of the Pantheon and St Peter’s Basilica.
There are many places where you can sit and drink in a Roman sunset, but my favourites are the Orange Garden on the Aventine Hill and the Pincian Terrace above the Spanish Steps.
The Orange Garden is perched just above the eastern banks of the River Tiber and boasts stunning views over St Peter’s Basilica, Trastevere, and the historic centre to the north. Further north, the Pincian Terrace, within the gardens of Villa Borghese, grants an even better view over the historic centre, especially the Pantheon’s dome which rises like a flying saucer above the medieval skyline.
Sip spritz & socialise on a Tipsy Tour of Rome
One of the best ways to meet people in a new city is over a drink. But just rocking up at a bar can be daunting, and you don’t always want to hang out with the same people at the hostel.
Rome’s Tipsy Tour is the perfect way to meet fun, like-minded travellers and get your Roman night out going. The Tipsy Tour is not just a generic bar crawl, it’s a stylish, cheeky nighttime wander through one of Rome’s coolest districts: Monti — once the ancient red-light district, now full of artsy bars and cobbled charm.
You’ll start with a glass of wine (naturally), then sip your way through iconic Italian drinks like vermouth, spritz, and limoncello, all while hearing the spicy stories of emperors and their escapades that the guidebooks don’t dare print!
Tipsy Tours deliver the perfect blend of culture and cocktails, with trained guides making sure the experience is as safe as it is fun for solo female travellers. The tour wraps near the Colosseum with views you’ll want to soak in forever — but the party doesn’t stop there.
Your new besties and buzz will carry you into the Roman night for whatever adventures come next. Non-drinkers are totally welcome too — it’s more about vibes than vino.
Save your spot on the Rome Tipsy Tour
Explore the big sites of the historic centre
Many of Rome’s most iconic landmarks are just minutes apart on foot, and can comfortably be explored in half a day. I’d suggest starting just west of the historic centre, across the River Tiber at Castel Sant’Angelo, a brooding riverside fortress with a dramatic past.
From there, cross the Ponte Sant’Angelo and head to Piazza Navona, one of Rome’s prettiest squares, buzzing with artists and street performers. Just around the corner is the Church of San Luigi dei Francesi, where you’ll find three jaw-dropping Caravaggio masterpieces (and a peaceful moment if you need one).
Next, stroll over to the Pantheon — Rome’s best-preserved ancient temple, still looking incredible 2,000 years later. Just past it is the Temple of Hadrian, a hidden gem now housing the Italian stock exchange (but you can still admire the massive columns outside).
From here, cross Via del Corso, Rome’s main shopping street, and you’ll hit two crowd-pleasers: the Trevi Fountain (don’t forget to toss a coin!) and the Spanish Steps, perfect for an aperitivo break and some people-watching.
Solo travel tip: Early mornings or early evenings are the best time to do this route — fewer crowds, better photos, and a more relaxed pace to take it all in. Also make sure to bring a refillable water bottle with you as Rome has more than 2,000 drinking fountains.
Eat your heart out on a Rome food tour
Recently voted the world’s best food destination by TasteAtlas, Rome’s food scene is unmatched anywhere else on Earth. Everyone has heard of at least a few Roman dishes.
Creamy fettuccine alla carbonara with a glossy golden sauce, thin Roman-style pizza with a crunchy, charred crust, layers of indulgent tiramisù with a subtle boozy kick. But these just scratch the surface of Rome’s best-known culinary staples, beloved (and often botched!) in kitchens around the world.
There’s no better way to get to the heart of Roman culture than through its food, and Carpe Diem’s Rome Food Tour delivers just that. This multi-award-winning food tour treats you to more than 10 tastings of local food and drink as you explore the charming medieval neighbourhood of Trastevere with a foodie guide.
You’ll visit the local trattorias and hole-in-the-wall street food spots the locals keep to themselves, enjoying priority access as part of a small group.
As a solo traveller, a Rome food tour is the perfect way to meet fellow foodies, try delicious dishes most tourists miss, and discover corners of Trastevere you’d never find alone.
Book your spot on this award-winning Rome food tour
Join a spritz & spaghetti cooking class
Nothing tastes as good as food you’ve made yourself, and few international cuisines are better than Italian. So what better solo activity than joining a fun, hands-on cooking class and mastering the techniques behind real Roman recipes?
Take Chef’s Spritz & Spaghetti Class like a local, make your own sauce, and sip a spritz (or two) while you do it. Nothing says “I conquered Rome” more than mastering carbonara or amatriciana in a cosy kitchen, surrounded by fellow travellers or locals.
It’s social, it’s delicious, and when you return home, you’ll have a recipe and a story that no postcard can compete with.
Book your spot on the Spritz & Spaghetti cooking class
Shop for Italian brands at friendly prices
If you’re a solo traveller who loves Italian fashion but not the price tags that usually come with it — don’t stress. While the boutiques near Piazza di Spagna and Via del Corso are stunning, they’re also where your budget goes to die.
For something way more wallet-friendly (without sacrificing your style goals), head about an hour south of Rome to the Castel Romano Designer Outlet. With over 150 stores and plenty of cafés and restaurants, it’s basically a designer village — but with discounts up to 70% off.
Think: Valentino, Armani, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, and global faves like Nike, Karl Lagerfeld, and Jimmy Choo. You’ll find everything from glam pieces to athleisure for your next travel day.
Getting there solo is a breeze. Just catch the outlet shuttle bus from Via Giovanni Giolitti 48, just beside Termini Station.
It runs at 9:30am, 10:30am, 11:30am and 12:30pm. Return trips leave Castel Romano at 4:30pm, 5:30pm, 7:00pm and 8:05pm.
Tickets cost around €18 round trip — much cheaper (and safer) than a solo taxi ride.
Go cycling on the Appian Way
Craving a break from the crowds but still want something uniquely Roman? The Via Appia Antica (Old Appian Way) is one of the most atmospheric places in Rome — and the perfect escape for solo travellers seeking beauty, history, and a breath of fresh air.
Built in the 4th century BC, the Appian Way was Rome’s first major road and the very route that inspired the saying “All roads lead to Rome.”
Today, it’s a serene, cobblestone path stretching southeast from the city — a UNESCO World Heritage site where you’ll wander past ancient tombs, ruined villas, catacombs, aqueducts, and even a Roman chariot-racing track. Think peaceful countryside vibes… with a two-thousand-year-old twist.
Getting there is easy: take the 118 bus to the Basilica of St. Sebastian and walk from there or rent a bike at EcoBike, near the beginning of the Appian Way. While cycling solo is an unforgettable experience, the best way to explore it is a guide who knows the stories behind the ruins, the most photogenic detours, and where to avoid uneven cobbles that’ll ruin your sandals.
Book a small-group Appian Way tour
Tips for Solo Travel in Rome
- Most travellers will also visit one or both of Rome’s two main attractions: the Colosseum and the Vatican. The Colosseum is best visited on a tour, most of which also include guided visits to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. The Vatican Museums, on the other hand, is best explored with an audioguide as the Vatican’s headsets mean your guide will be unintelligible!
- Travelling on a budget but concerned about having to share a hostel room with others? Consider staying in a monastery. There are plenty of religious guesthouses in Rome that offer cheaper nightly rates than hotels and B&Bs.
- Public transport is usually the best way to get around Rome during the day (especially if you’ve overdone it with walking). Rome’s bus, metro, and tram system keeps the city connected 24/7. But if you’re travelling alone at night, it’s better to get a taxi. Solo female travellers get a 15% discount when using official white, licensed taxis late at night.
