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 moderately than a standard bicycle. My authentic 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 primarily based on practicality and value. Like many vacationer hotspots worldwide, Rome has its share of heavy site visitors, slim streets, and considerably chaotic driving situations.
Whereas strolling round, we seen 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 at all times feels satisfying. The wonderful thing about biking is you may resolve the place you need to go and cease wherever you want. You may go to locations you’re really considering with out being certain by a tour or public transport.
Whereas in Rome, we rented bikes from Bici & Baci (Italian for “bike and kisses”), a neighborhood store that provides conventional bicycle leases and scooters. It’s onerous to not get drawn to their store, with the fleet of colourful Vespas and Kymco Likes tantalizingly displayed for vacationers to admire.
Apart from conventional bikes and scooters, additionally they provide 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 providers of a neighborhood professional can e-book 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 accommodates 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 lodge.
From the bike rental store, we headed first to The Colosseum. This theater within the middle of the 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 many of the primary 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 primary plan was to bike Through Appia Antica (the Appian Method), one of many earliest and strategically most essential Roman roads of the traditional republic. This historical Roman street was used as a primary route for army provides for its conquest of southern Italy in 312 BC.
Sections of the unique street past Rome’s environs have been preserved. The closest stretch close to Rome is now a nature and archaeological park, ultimate for biking and nature strolls, particularly on Sundays when the street is closed to vehicular site visitors. We rode right here on a weekday and needed to cope with some vehicles, but it surely was a really completely different environment from the principle streets in Rome.
Vacationers can stroll or bike the street’s complete size to go to Roman ruins, tour catacombs, and expertise a quieter facet of the town, past the everyday historic websites.
From the town middle, we adopted the bike paths and finally 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.
Many of the route is paved with cobblestones, which isn’t precisely the flattest floor to bike on. Anticipate lots of vibrations in your trip. The unique sections of the Appian Method are manufactured from bigger stones, which made the trip much more bumpy.
After reaching the Mausoleo de Cecilia Metella, we got here throughout Appia Antica Caffe, a captivating cafe that serves as the start line for vacationers who take the bus. In addition they provide bike leases right here, so for those who favor, you can begin your bike exploration from right here.
If you would like one thing mild, you may seize a espresso or cappuccino, cookies, truffles, 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, home made 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 bogs (no charge to make use of for friends). We loved a leisurely lunch of chilly pasta salad and parmigiana, earlier than backtracking to the town.
Whilst you can nonetheless discover or bike additional into the countryside, locals say that route might be difficult for bikes and autos past Through de Cecilia Metalla, so this can be a good endpoint. We didn’t have a strict route plotted out, so I urged 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 by 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 truth: This “sacred island” is the one river island that by Rome and the smallest inhabited island on this planet, measuring simply 300m lengthy and 90m extensive.
Trastevere, which implies “past the Tiber” is positioned on the opposite facet of the river to the everyday sights, so it’s not as touristy. It could 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 environment, trattorias, wine bars, boutiques, funds lodges, 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 Record e-book I got here throughout throughout our airport layover.
From the skin, it seems to be a bit intimidating with the graffiti-covered wall. Apart from a few seats on the counter, the pub has a bigger house inside together with a ingesting 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 by Ponte Sisto, a late Fifteenth-century pedestrian footbridge that provides an incredible view of the river. We acquired a bit misplaced within the facet streets and alleyways earlier than we finally reached the principle road of Through Cavour.
Whereas heading again, I seen 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 positioned within the basement of the bike rental store and has a cool show of classic Vespas from completely different a long time. In addition they promote good high quality merch for Vespa lovers.
Having the ability to wander round and uncover locations your self is at all times enjoyable. Whereas the biking infrastructure in Rome’s primary historic middle isn’t intensive and a few cobblestone streets pose an additional problem, for those who take pleasure in bike touring, biking round Rome might be an thrilling strategy to discover the town. Biking is much less tiring than strolling and extra enjoyable than taking public transportation (a minimum of for me).
Our whole trip wasn’t that lengthy at simply 23 kilometers, however I’m glad to have skilled a unique facet of Rome.
Bici & Baci has a number of branches round Rome within the following areas:
- Through del Viminale 5, close to the Rome Termini Station
- Through Cavour 302, close to the Colosseum – This department accommodates 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 sound ID, which they may photocopy and provides straight again to you. This generally is a driver’s license for those who don’t need to carry round your passport.
- Credit score/debit card as a assure.
- If you happen to don’t have a credit score/debit card, you’ll be requested to depart 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 will probably 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 street.
- You don’t must put on sports activities or technical gear to bike in Rome. Many of the roads are flat.
- Put on snug and layered clothes, relying on the season and comfy footwear for pedaling (not with easy soles) Pack rainwear or a windbreaker (if it’s wet).
- Carry arm sleeves (it acquired sizzling biking in direction of midday and early afternoon) and sun shades (to chop out glare and defend you towards bugs).
- Carry a bandana or cap for shade. Helmets are usually not required to bike in Rome.
- Carry a pitcher or flask and refill water from fountains in every single place. There’s no want to purchase bottled water.
- Carry snacks/power bars/picnic meals.
- Don’t neglect your cellphone and energy financial institution. Navigation eats up lots of juice.
- Apart out of your bank card, convey money and small cash. Some institutions cost 1-2 euros to make use of restrooms.
- At all times lock bikes whereas parking and don’t go away unlocked bikes unattended.
In case you’re touring with smaller children and need a safer place to bike round, Villa Borghese, the third-largest public park in Rome, additionally has bikes for hire. Bici Pincio provides conventional bikes and rickshaw-type pedal bikes for households with children.
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
