Wandering Rome on Foot Toward the Tiber

This is post 14 of our Greek Isles Cruise and Rome Adventure series. After days at sea and island hopping, Rome gave us something different. A slower pace and the simple pleasure of wandering Rome on foot. No strict agenda. No rushing from landmark to landmark. Just a day to wander and see where the streets would take us. This is our second day in Rome, but our first full day.

If you haven’t read previous posts in this series, you can start from the beginning here.

Breakfast at the Hotel

Our second day started with breakfast at the Hotel Nazionale Roma.

And what a breakfast it is.

Everything is self-serve: pastries, croissants, breads, cereals, yogurts, cakes, eggs, cheeses, jellies…and of course salami and ham. I’m sure I’m forgetting something. Coffee, cappuccino, tea, fresh juices, pretty much anything you could want to ease into the morning.

One of those spreads where you say you’ll keep it light and then somehow end up going back for seconds anyway.

A great way to start the day.

Piazza Navona

Our loose plan was to walk toward the Tiber River, stopping along the way wherever something caught our interest. First up was Piazza Navona, just a short walk from the hotel.

As we got closer, we could hear music drifting through the streets, something between a harpsichord and a xylophone. I couldn’t quite place the instrument. When we stepped into the piazza, we saw a man playing under an umbrella, his music echoing across the open square. It instantly added to the atmosphere, giving everything an old-world feel.

The fountains here, like so many in Rome, are incredibly ornate and full of detail. There are three of them: the Fountain of the Four Rivers, the Fountain of the Moor, and the Fountain of Neptune. It’s hard to wrap your head around their age. These sculptures have been here for centuries, quietly watching the city change around them.

We lingered for a bit, then kept walking.

Meandering Toward Castel Sant’Angelo

We set out toward the river, using Castel Sant’Angelo as a rough guide. It was more about heading in that direction than reaching a specific destination.

The recommended route from the hotel is only about 1.5 km. From Piazza Navona, even shorter. But of course, we didn’t walk in a straight line.

We wandered down side streets and back roads, eventually reaching Corso Vittorio Emanuele II. We made the walk longer on purpose, just to see more of this part of the city.

At one point, we heard the familiar sound of a European ambulance or police siren in the distance. I loved that sound as a kid, and I still do. Honestly, I think it sounds better than the sirens back home in the U.S.

Rome definitely feels alive. There’s traffic humming along, scooters weaving through gaps, tourists everywhere, and conversations echoing off the stone streets.

Along the Tiber River

When we reached the river, we could see the castle on the opposite bank.

We heard those sirens again, and this time it was the police. They stopped near the bridge to the castle and seemed to be searching for something. Soon, a police boat arrived and started scanning the water below.

We never figured out what had happened, but it added a bit of unexpected intrigue to our otherwise relaxed stroll.

From our vantage point, we could also see the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, which made tomorrow’s Vatican tour feel a bit more exciting than it already was. Technically, we could have walked to the Vatican the next day, but we decided to save our energy, knowing there would be plenty of walking ahead. Looking the other way down the Tiber with a wide view, we could see more of the river and another dome, but we were unsure what basilica it might be.

Nearby was the Palace of Justice (Palazzo di Giustizia), considered one of the “newer” buildings in the city since it was built between 1889 and 1911. It still feels odd to call it new in such an ancient city. This is the seat of the Supreme Court of Cassation and the Judicial Public Library of Italy.

Getting Lost (On Purpose), Still Wandering Rome

By lunchtime, we were ready for a bite and a glass of water (more like a bottle!), so we stopped at a small trattoria to refuel.

Afterward, we took a completely different route back and let ourselves wander Rome’s narrow streets. Before long, we found ourselves at Galleria Alberto Sordi, a beautiful Art Nouveau shopping gallery that turned out to be just a few minutes from our hotel.

Inside, there were shops, cafés, and, to our surprise, a huge Hamleys toy store. We’d never heard of it, but it looked too fun to skip. We explored the multi-level store, and I bought a small Carabinieri toy car for my grandson.

It’s one of those small, random souvenirs that feels more personal than anything expensive.

A Familiar Scene

Later, we came across a protest related to the situation in Gaza. The police allowed the protesters to do their thing without disturbing the surrounding area.

Having worked in Washington, D.C. for more than 30 years and taken almost daily walks near the White House, the scene felt surprisingly familiar. Different country, same energy.

Dinner and a Quiet Night

By dinner time, about 5pm or so, which is considered early in Rome, we were ready to sit down.

We wandered into La Locanda del Tempio. Demi wasn’t really in the mood for pizza, but I was. I ordered the fungi pizza while she had sausage ravioli.

Her ravioli was rich and flavorful with a great sauce. My pizza was loaded with mushrooms, had a thin, crispy crust, and just the right amount of char. It was exactly what I wanted.

After dinner, we stopped at a nearby Coop to pick up drinks and snacks and headed back to the hotel.

It had been a long day of walking, the kind that leaves you pleasantly tired, and a quiet evening seemed like the perfect idea. Our idea of wandering Rome on foot never came into question. It was a great day.

Until Next Time

Thanks for following along. Our next entry continues with our third day in Rome. We take a last-minute taxi to the Vatican for our long-awaited tour.

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