Live like a local

Reasons to visit Rome in summer 2022

May 24, 2022

With its ancient architecture, beautiful gardens and steaming plates of pasta, there’s a lot to love about Rome. Visit this summer and take in an intriguing photography exhibition or an opera show as only the Italians know how to deliver.

Roma Summer Fest

Designed by architect Renzo Piano, Auditorium Parco della Musica near the Olympic Village is a trio of concert halls with curved roofs set around a grand amphitheatre with capacity for 2,800. After a two-year hiatus, Rome Summer Fest returns to the venue. This year, listen to folk rock by Londoner Michael Kiwanuka – winner of the 2020 Mercury Award and a Brit, Grammy and Mobo Award nominee – on July 16. The following night, rock band Simple Minds takes to the stage while the Grammy Award-nominated Patti Smith Quartet, best known for their ‘Because the Night’ hit, perform on July 24.

June 10 – August 6

30 Via Pietro de Coubertin, 00196 Rome

Drusilla Foer exhibition at Roma Summer Fest

Image ©Serena Gallorini/Roma Summer Fest

Rock in Roma

This annual music event takes place in venues across Rome, from Capannelle Racecourse in the south-east of the city to Ostia Theatre, a Roman amphitheatre near Leonardo da Vinci International Airport. In previous years, Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters and Red Hot Chilli Peppers have performed. After a two-year hiatus, the event is back in full force with a lineup that includes Queen at the Opera on June 25, Paul Weller on September 11 and American jazz pianist Herbie Hancock on July 13.

June 10 – September 11

Capannelle Racecourse, 1245 Via Appia Nuova, 00178 Rome
Ostia Theatre, 717 Viale dei Romagnoli, 00119 Rome

Maxxi: The eye as vocation

Italian photographer Gianni Berengo Gardin, best known for documenting Venice in black and white in the 1950s, has worked for publications such as Le Figaro and Time and published more than 250 books. The latest exhibition at Maxxi – National Museum of 21^st Century Art, features 150 of his photographs, including his first images of Venice and snapshots of intellectuals in Milan, psychiatric hospitals and Maxxi under construction in 2009. After browsing the works, linger in Mediterraneo, where local dishes and pastries are created by Irene Tolomei, a finalist in the TV show Bake Off Italia.

Until September 18

4a Via Guido Reni, 00196 Rome

Image © Guido Caltabiano

Image © C.M. Falsini

Opera at Baths of Caracalla

At sunset, the ruins of the Baths of Caracalla are bathed in a golden glow – an idyllic setting for an open-air opera. Rome’s second largest Roman public baths host concerts each summer, which make for a romantic night out. This year’s highlights include Italian singer Claudio Baglioni. In July, listen to German violinist David Garrett or watch ballet dancer Roberto Bolle and his energetic troupe. Roland Petit’s ballet Notre-Dame de Paris, based on Victor Hugo’s eponymous novel, will also grace the stage. Gioachino Rossini’s The Barber of Seville ends the season under the baton of Stefano Montanari.

June 3 – August 9

Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00153 Rome

Santa Severa Castle

Dubbed the pearl of the Tyrrhenian Sea, Santa Severa is known for its 14^th century castle, named after the Christian martyr Severa. Nestled by the sea, the fort’s walls drop onto a beach which makes for a picturesque stroll. The fortress belonged to Roman families in 1482 and was the resting place of popes during the 16^th century before it was used as a German military post in 1943. It’s an hour’s train ride north of Rome, although the journey is part of the experience as the railway hugs the coast, which is lined with Art Nouveau summer residences.

Via del Castello, 00058 Santa Severa

Beyond Rome’s stunning viewpoints and rising contemporary art scene, there are more fascinating places to discover within easy reach of Hotel Eden. While you’re in Italy, take a road trip from Rome to Milan and explore Milan’s contemporary art galleries.

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