Rome isn’t actually well-known as a biking vacation spot in comparison with different European cities. The very first thing that involves thoughts once you consider exploring Rome on two wheels is driving the long-lasting Vespa slightly than a standard bicycle. My unique imaginative and prescient of our Roman Vacation concerned whizzing round historical websites and metropolis streets aboard the traditional Italian luxurious scooter.
However between renting a Vespa (45 euros) or bicycles (15 euros), bikes received based mostly on practicality and price. Like many vacationer hotspots worldwide, Rome has its share of heavy visitors, slim streets, and considerably chaotic driving circumstances.
Whereas strolling round, we observed that many websites round Rome had been present process main building (forward of the 2025 Roman Catholic Holy 12 months) and that parking areas for vehicles and scooters had been restricted, which made exploring on bikes appear extra interesting. Many streets within the historic middle of Rome have been pedestrianized.
Navigating round a brand new metropolis by yourself all the time feels satisfying. The wonderful thing about biking is you may determine the place you wish to go and cease wherever you want. You may go to locations you’re really fascinated with with out being certain by a tour or public transport.
Whereas in Rome, we rented bikes from Bici & Baci (Italian for “bike and kisses”), an area store that provides conventional bicycle leases and scooters. It’s exhausting to not get interested in their store, with the fleet of colourful Vespas and Kymco Likes tantalizingly displayed for vacationers to admire.
Other than conventional bikes and scooters, additionally they supply electrical bikes, e-scooters, cute Fiat 500 vehicles, Ape Calessin (trikes), and extra, which vacationers can hire for self-drive excursions. Those that need the companies of an area professional can ebook guided bicycle excursions or Vespa excursions with sidecars.
Bici & Baci has a number of branches round Rome together with one close to the Rome Termini Station, one close to the Colosseum (which incorporates the Vespa Museum) and one other subsequent to the Metro Spain station. We rented bikes from the department close to the Rome Termini Station, simply 5 minutes from our resort.
From the bike rental store, we headed first to The Colosseum. This theater within the middle of town of Rome that lies east of the Roman Discussion board is the most important historical amphitheater ever constructed and the most important one nonetheless standing on this planet.
Since we already visited a lot of the fundamental points of interest (Trevi Fountain, The Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Spanish Steps) on foot, we determined to bike to the outskirts to get away from the crowded metropolis middle.
Our fundamental plan was to bike Through Appia Antica (the Appian Manner), one of many earliest and strategically most vital Roman roads of the traditional republic. This historical Roman highway was used as a fundamental route for army provides for its conquest of southern Italy in 312 BC.
Sections of the unique highway past Rome’s environs have been preserved. The closest stretch close to Rome is now a nature and archaeological park, perfect for biking and nature strolls, particularly on Sundays when the highway is closed to vehicular visitors. We rode right here on a weekday and needed to deal with some vehicles, but it surely was a really completely different ambiance from the principle streets in Rome.
Vacationers can stroll or bike the highway’s total size to go to Roman ruins, tour catacombs, and expertise a quieter aspect of town, past the standard historic websites.
From town middle, we adopted the bike paths and ultimately discovered Porta Appia, the gate of the Aurelian Partitions. Alongside the route, we handed the Saint Sebastian on the Catacombs, a minor basilica in Rome, which was one of many Seven Pilgrim Church buildings of Rome historically visited by pilgrims.
A lot of the route is paved with cobblestones, which isn’t precisely the flattest floor to bike on. Anticipate quite a lot of vibrations in your experience. The unique sections of the Appian Manner are made from bigger stones, which made the experience much more bumpy.
After reaching the Mausoleo de Cecilia Metella, we got here throughout Appia Antica Caffe, an enthralling cafe that serves as the start line for vacationers who take the bus. Additionally they supply bike leases right here, so in the event you favor, you can begin your bike exploration from right here.
If you need one thing gentle, you may seize a espresso or cappuccino, cookies, desserts, ice cream, croissants, and extra of their al fresco space up entrance. The cafe’s counter takes inspiration from the road with handmade bricks and inlaid with small archaeological finds.
We stayed within the cafe’s shady backyard within the again. They serve breakfast dishes, selfmade sandwiches, chilly pasta, pizza, salads, chilly cuts, cheese plates, craft beer, and extra.
The cafe has a small lending library, a shaded veranda, and clear loos (no price to make use of for company). We loved a leisurely lunch of chilly pasta salad and parmigiana, earlier than backtracking to town.
Whilst you can nonetheless discover or bike additional into the countryside, locals say that route will be difficult for bikes and automobiles past Through de Cecilia Metalla, so it is a good endpoint. We didn’t have a strict route plotted out, so I instructed biking to Trastevere, a neighborhood in Rome simply south of the Vatican recognized for its craft beer pubs.
Whereas the climate was a bit sizzling, it was a nice drive again via uncrowded streets. I appreciated the designated bike lanes, tree-lined residential areas, and pocket parks.
Alongside the route, we handed Circo Maximus, as soon as an historical Roman chariot-racing stadium and mass leisure venue in Rome, transformed right into a public park.
Crossing the bridge to Trastevere, we noticed Tiber Island, an island in the midst of a river close to Vatican Metropolis that beforehand housed the stays of St. Bartholomew.
Enjoyable reality: This “sacred island” is the one river island that via Rome and the smallest inhabited island on this planet, measuring simply 300m lengthy and 90m large.
Trastevere, which suggests “past the Tiber” is situated on the opposite aspect of the river to the standard sights, so it’s not as touristy. It might not have ornate fountains or historical ruins, however there’s a gritty vibe right here that provides a definite character to the place.
This former working-class Roman neighborhood is understood for its funky, bohemian ambiance, trattorias, wine bars, boutiques, price range resorts, nightlife, and craft beer pubs that cater largely to locals.
I examine Ma Che Siete Venuti a Fa (actually “What the hell are you doing right here?”) in a Beer Bucket Listing ebook I got here throughout throughout our airport layover.
From the skin, it appears a bit intimidating with the graffiti-covered wall. Other than a few seats on the counter, the pub has a bigger house inside together with a consuming den in a basement space for bigger teams.
The bar is claimed to be “the godfather of the craft beer scene within the metropolis” and is a must-visit for beer lovers in Italy. They serve craft beer from throughout Europe, together with visitor brews from Belgium and Germany.
From Trastevere, we headed again via Ponte Sisto, a late Fifteenth-century pedestrian footbridge that provides an excellent view of the river. We obtained a bit misplaced within the aspect streets and alleyways earlier than we ultimately reached the principle avenue of Through Cavour.
Whereas heading again, I observed one other department of Bici & Baci which contained the Vespa Museum), so we needed to test it out for the reason that entrance was free.
The Vespa Museum is situated within the basement of the bike rental store and has a cool show of classic Vespas from completely different many years. Additionally they promote good high quality merch for Vespa fans.
Having the ability to wander round and uncover locations your self is all the time enjoyable. Whereas the biking infrastructure in Rome’s fundamental historic middle isn’t in depth and a few cobblestone streets pose an additional problem, in the event you get pleasure from bike touring, biking round Rome will be an thrilling approach to discover town. Biking is much less tiring than strolling and extra enjoyable than taking public transportation (not less than for me).
Our whole experience wasn’t that lengthy at simply 23 kilometers, however I’m glad to have skilled a special aspect of Rome.
Bici & Baci has a number of branches round Rome within the following places:
- Through del Viminale 5, close to the Rome Termini Station
- Through Cavour 302, close to the Colosseum – This department incorporates the Vespa Museum
- Vicolo del Bottino 8, subsequent to the Metro Spain
Costs begin from:
- Bicycle – 12.50 euros/day
- E-bikes – 25.00 euros/day
- E-scooter – 32.00 euros/day
- Vespa – 45.00 euros (for two pax)/day
- Vespa excursions – 125.00 euros per individual
- Bicycle excursions – 35 euros per individual
- Fiat 500 – 150 euros per individual
- A legitimate ID, which they may photocopy and provides straight again to you. This generally is a driver’s license in the event you don’t wish to carry round your passport.
- Credit score/debit card as a assure.
- In case you don’t have a credit score/debit card, you’ll be requested to go away a €100 deposit for every pedal bike and from €300 as much as €500 for electrical bikes.
- You don’t must pay rental charges upfront and can be charged as soon as you come back the bikes.
- An Worldwide Driver’s License is required to hire/drive Vespas and bikes in Rome.
- Watch out of moist cobblestones and potholes on the highway.
- You don’t must put on sports activities or technical gear to bike in Rome. A lot of the roads are flat.
- Put on comfy and layered clothes, relying on the season and cozy sneakers for pedaling (not with easy soles) Pack rainwear or a windbreaker (if it’s wet).
- Carry arm sleeves (it obtained sizzling biking in the direction of midday and early afternoon) and sun shades (to chop out glare and shield you in opposition to bugs).
- Carry a bandana or cap for shade. Helmets will not be required to bike in Rome.
- Carry a pitcher or flask and refill water from fountains in all places. There’s no want to purchase bottled water.
- Carry snacks/power bars/picnic meals.
- Don’t neglect your telephone and energy financial institution. Navigation eats up quite a lot of juice.
- Apart out of your bank card, convey money and small cash. Some institutions cost 1-2 euros to make use of restrooms.
- All the time lock bikes whereas parking and don’t depart unlocked bikes unattended.
In case you’re touring with smaller youngsters and need a safer place to bike round, Villa Borghese, the third-largest public park in Rome, additionally has bikes for hire. Bici Pincio gives conventional bikes and rickshaw-type pedal bikes for households with youngsters.
We rented bikes for five euros for one hour one other afternoon in Rome. You may go to points of interest and museums across the landscaped backyard, together with a pond for boating.
Charges:
- Conventional Bikes – 5 euros per hour, 15 euros per day
- Mountain Bike – 7 euros per hour, 25 euros per day
- Riscio – 12 euros per hour
- Riscio Max – 20 euros per hour
