Rome off the beaten track?

[Pansykavalier]

We have done all the usual tourist things in Rome and would be grateful for any suggestions of other things we might want to try. Art, exhibitions, churches, interesting districts, walks, day trips out of Rome…

Thanks!!

Take the train from Porta San Paolo to Ostia Antica. On a par (IMO) with Pompeii without the crowds. Superb day out. Only takes 30 minutes.

Then you can take the same train for ten minutes from the Roman site to Ostia Lido, or do that another day. A lovely seaside spot with gorgeous little streets, a huge seafront, tons of restaurants and a very nice vibe, without being a Benidorm on wheels kind of place. Very nice I found.

Tivoli.

Appian Way - think you can hire bikes or take a tour if bus/walk not an option. Tivoli, Ostia Antica and Portus worth a trip.

Villa d'Este at Tivoli is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It's a 45 min, £2.70 train ride away.
While you are in Tivoli, you can also visit Villa Gregoriana (if you have time!) for free if you are a NT member.

We did Ostia and Tivoli years ago but they may be worth another trip. Will check out the other suggestions.

Thanks!!

Anything off the beaten track or a bit quirky in Rome itself?

Any small art galleries that exhibit contemporary painters that are usually interesting?

Or art dealers where I might pick up a minor/affordable (pre-) Renaissance painting… Don’t laugh, I once knew someone who bought a gorgeous painting for about $5000!

We did a fabulous food walking tour, everyone loved it!

Bocca della verita where you put your hand in a sculpture to see if you're telling the truth.
The view through the keyhole at Piazza dei cavalieri di Malta - really cool!
Crypt of Santa Maria della concezione with skeletons of monks.
Sant'ignazio do Loyola church with lots of illusions.

San Clemente, with an early Christian Church underneath and a 1st century street beneath that.

Ponte Fabrizio- an original 2000 year old bridge going over to the island in the Tiber.

Following as I'm in Rome this weekend. The Atlas Obscura usually has some more unusual things in it