Rome isn’t actually well-known as a biking vacation spot in comparison with different European cities. The very first thing that involves thoughts if you consider exploring Rome on two wheels is driving the long-lasting Vespa slightly than a conventional bicycle. My unique imaginative and prescient of our Roman Vacation concerned whizzing round historic websites and metropolis streets aboard the basic Italian luxurious scooter.
However between renting a Vespa (45 euros) or bicycles (15 euros), bikes received primarily based on practicality and price. Like many vacationer hotspots worldwide, Rome has its share of heavy visitors, slender streets, and considerably chaotic driving circumstances.
Whereas strolling round, we seen that many websites round Rome had been present process main building (forward of the 2025 Roman Catholic Holy Yr) and that parking areas for automobiles 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’ll be able to determine the place you need to go and cease wherever you want. You may go to locations you’re truly excited by with out being sure by a tour or public transport.
Whereas in Rome, we rented bikes from Bici & Baci (Italian for “bike and kisses”), a neighborhood store that gives conventional bicycle leases and scooters. It’s exhausting to not get drawn to their store, with the fleet of colourful Vespas and Kymco Likes tantalizingly displayed for vacationers to admire.
Except for conventional bikes and scooters, in addition they provide electrical bikes, e-scooters, cute Fiat 500 automobiles, Ape Calessin (trikes), and extra, which vacationers can lease 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 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 biggest historic amphitheater ever constructed and the biggest one nonetheless standing on this planet.
Since we already visited many of the foremost sights (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 foremost plan was to bike By way of Appia Antica (the Appian Manner), one of many earliest and strategically most essential Roman roads of the traditional republic. This historic Roman highway was used as a foremost route for navy 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, ideally suited 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 take care of some automobiles, but it surely was a really completely different ambiance from the primary streets in Rome.
Vacationers can stroll or bike the highway’s whole size to go to Roman ruins, tour catacombs, and expertise a quieter facet of town, past the standard historic websites.
From 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 a whole 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 place to begin for vacationers who take the bus. Additionally they provide bike leases right here, so if you happen to favor, you can begin your bike exploration from right here.
If you’d like one thing mild, you’ll be able to 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 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 may be difficult for bikes and automobiles past By way of de Cecilia Metalla, so it is a good endpoint. We didn’t have a strict route plotted out, so I recommended biking to Trastevere, a neighborhood in Rome simply south of the Vatican identified for its craft beer pubs.
Whereas the climate was a bit sizzling, it was a pleasing 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 historic 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 course 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 by Rome and the smallest inhabited island on this planet, measuring simply 300m lengthy and 90m extensive.
Trastevere, which implies “past the Tiber” is situated on the opposite facet of the river to the standard sights, so it’s not as touristy. It might not have ornate fountains or historic ruins, however there’s a gritty vibe right here that provides a definite character to the place.
This former working-class Roman neighborhood is thought for its funky, bohemian ambiance, trattorias, wine bars, boutiques, funds inns, nightlife, and craft beer pubs that cater principally 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 appears to be like a bit intimidating with the graffiti-covered wall. Except for 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 gives an amazing view of the river. We received a bit misplaced within the facet streets and alleyways earlier than we finally reached the primary avenue of By way of 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 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.
With the ability to wander round and uncover locations your self is at all times enjoyable. Whereas the biking infrastructure in Rome’s foremost historic middle isn’t in depth and a few cobblestone streets pose an additional problem, if you happen to get pleasure from bike touring, biking round Rome may be an thrilling strategy to discover town. Biking is much less tiring than strolling and extra enjoyable than taking public transportation (at the least for me).
Our whole experience 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:
- By way of del Viminale 5, close to the Rome Termini Station
- By way of 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 particular person
- Bicycle excursions – 35 euros per particular person
- Fiat 500 – 150 euros per particular person
- A sound ID, which they’ll photocopy and provides straight again to you. This could be a driver’s license if you happen to don’t need to carry round your passport.
- Credit score/debit card as a assure.
- For those who 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 the bikes.
- An Worldwide Driver’s License is required to lease/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 tools 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 clean soles) Pack rainwear or a windbreaker (if it’s wet).
- Carry arm sleeves (it received sizzling biking in direction of midday and early afternoon) and sun shades (to chop out glare and shield 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 overlook your telephone and energy financial institution. Navigation eats up a whole lot of juice.
- Apart out of your bank card, carry 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 depart 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 lease. Bici Pincio gives 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 sights 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
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