10 Sports To Try When in Rome

10 Sports To Try When in Rome

Italians may appreciate the sweetness of doing nothing, but believe it or not they also enjoy getting up and active every so often.

Your Roman vacation doesn’t have to be a lazy one; there are many sports to be enjoyed throughout the city. And no, you don’t have to commit to joining a team or pay outrageous fees just to be part of them.

Here’s everything you need to know about the 10 sports you can try in Rome.

1. Football

What not to do in Rome: insult or mock the game of football or the national team. Simple.

Italians take their football incredibly seriously. It is the pride and joy of the nation, and one of the most unifying events for the people.

The Italians are four-time world champs in this sport. Unsurprisingly, it is the national sport of the country, with almost four and a half million people practicing it on a regular basis.

1965 Italian Football Team – by Danyele – Wikimedia Commons

You don’t have to go very far to enjoy some European soccer while in Rome. All of the football sporting complexes around the city will have open practices in which all are welcome. Football is also played in the streets and public parks by people of all ages & is incredibly social; don’t be shy to join in!

2. Swimming

Swimming in Rome is nowhere near as popular as football is, but even so the city is abundant with swimming facilities should locals or tourists want to make use of them.

The public pools around Rome and usually indoors and open year round. For a small fee you’ll get full access to the interior and can swim at your leisure.

Swimming is a popular after school activity for Roman school children, so you might encounter groups of them practicing their skills in the afternoons. For a more detail breakdown of where to swim in Rome, click here.

Swimming – by Schwimmschule Steiner – Wikimedia Commons

3. Basketball

I was shocked to learn that Italy is actually one of Europe’s main contributors to basketball. This had never crossed my mind prior to my arrival in the city, and seeing so many youth groups on the courts in their spare time.

Italy has actually competed in basketball in the Olympics multiple times. Another very sociable street sport where you’re welcome to join in if you see others playing!

4. Cycling

Romans being a cycling region came as less of a surprise. They have actually won numerous global cycling championships, more so than any other region.

The natural terrain of the ancient city makes for the perfect cycling grounds on which to practice. The parks of Rome are also constructed to host cyclists through the natural land.

Cycling groups are available to all newcomers in Rome, you need only find them on Facebook and request to join in at their next ride.

by Christopher Michel – Wikimedia Commons

5. Running

Like cycling, running takes place beautifully through the natural hills that make up Rome. And like cyclists, runners can make their way through the public parks using the carefully carved pathways.

Like cycling groups, running groups are open to all and are a great way to safely navigate the streets you might not know too well yet. There are also athletics clubs all over the city where travelers are welcome.

by Peter van der Sluijs – Wikimedia Commons

6. Skating

If you enjoy skating, bring your board or roller skates along to Rome if you can! Public skate parks make a up a large part of Roman infrastructure, and skating is considered a relevant sport here!

The old, cobblestone streets of Rome aren’t really ideal for gliding over in wheels, so you’ll have to keep this activity to the parks.

7. Tennis

If you like tennis, then you probably already know that Italy has a high ratio of professional tennis players competing at world champion level.

Bring your racket along to Rome and make your way to the Roman tennis clubs. They are open to the public and few of them have an entrance fee. If traveling with your own racket isn’t practical then you’ll be able to rent one from the facilities.

by Patrice Bon – Wikimedia Commons

8. Skiing

The Italian climate makes for suitable skiing conditions when the winter is at its peak. While you won’t be able to ski in Rome itself, you can take very fun day trips out of the city to practice this sport for a day (or weekend away).

The Apennines in Lazio and Abruzzo are just a short drive from the city and offer resorts, ski clubs, schools for adults and children & rental for all the gear and equipment you might need.

Apennines Skiing – by Innocenti.rob – Wikimedia Commons

9. Yoga

Yoga in Rome is a thriving community, one that has been continuously growing with western trends settling in the European countries.

Travelers who practice regularly while in their home country can easily join in at the yoga studio nearest to their hotel or Airbnb while in Rome. One need not carry their yoga mat around on their travels, all studios have mats available for newcomers.

For more about yoga in Rome click here.

10. Combat Spots

Rome is big on fencing; a sport that was never around when I was growing up and would only ever see on TV. This is considered one of the country’s combat sports and is practiced regularly amongst school children.

Alongside fencing, Rome is also big on boxing, martial arts, kickboxing, mixed martial arts, and amateur wrestling. These are usually all offered at community centers or mixed sporting complexes where the space is used for a varsity of sports instead of just one.

by Rama – Wikimedia Commons

When it comes to trying sports in Rome, social networking forums can be a big help! This is where you’ll connect easily with likeminded individuals of similar interest, and can easily join in to the sport of your interest. Just something worth noting!