Top 10 Things to do on Your Birthday in Rome

Top 10 Things to do on Your Birthday in Rome

Spending your birthday in Rome is definitely one of the most memorably experiences available to commemorate the arrival of a new year. Even if you don’t get up to anything particularly exciting, just being in the ancient city for the day is a treat enough.

I spent a birthday in Rome recently, and scoured the city for attractions that offer free or discounted entry to anyone celebrating a birthday. Nothing. Not even a free coffee at the local trattoria.

So the Italian capital isn’t the most birthday savvy city; we improvise. Here are a few ideas of things to do on your birthday in Rome.

1. Make a Wish at the Trevi Fountain on Your Birthday in Rome

It seems like a good idea to spend some time on your birthday setting intentions for the year ahead, and possibly inviting some good luck your way.

The Trevi Fountain will be the most crowded and chaotic place regardless of the day of the week, but tossing a coin backwards into the water is said to bring you immense abundance for next good while.

This activity shouldn’t take more than a few minutes of your day; go later in the evening when the fountain is lit up for an even more majestic experience.

by CJ Dayrit – Unsplash

2. Go Shopping Near the Spanish Steps on Your Birthday in Rome

While you’re in Trevi, you’re in walking distance from another iconic attraction: the Spanish Steps in Monti.

This is something worth seeing if you’ve yet to, and surrounding the Spanish Steps is some of Rome’s best shopping.

Spoil yourself and make your way into the many boutiques, shoe stores and concept shops that the area holds. Move further south in the district if you enjoy some vintage shopping options as well.

by Chantal Lim – Unsplash

3. Go Wine Tasting on Your Birthday in Rome

Italian wine is something you’ll experience in abundance the minute you arrive in the country. Italians are very proud of their wine and their exporting of it all over the world.

Wine tasting of authentic, locally made wines is a wonderful birthday activity. You can find many tasting rooms throughout the city, with the most festive of them being housed in the vibrant Trastevere.

You can also look into taking a day trip out to an actual Italian winery, but I’ll get to this in a bit…

by Zachariah Hagy – Unsplash

4. Visit the Colosseum on Your Birthday in Rome

The Colosseum is an attraction I had hoped would offer some sort of birthday incentive to visitors. They don’t, but visiting this phenomenal monument is definitely at the top of most memorable excursions in Rome, and worth considering on your big day.

Treat yourself to the full access ticket, the one that gets you entry into the underground sectors of the arena that were only recently opened to the public. Also be sure to book online so that you can skip the queues on the day. No one should have to queue on their birthday.

by Mathew Schwartz – Unsplash

5. Go Bar Hopping in the Trastevere on Your Birthday in Rome

If celebrating by night is more your vibe, then the Trastevere will treat you very, very well on your day of birth.

Start your evening with a dinner amongst friends or lovers at any of the diverse cuisines options on offer in this neighborhood. After this you’re in prime position to stroll through the narrow alleys and explore the secret bars, nightclubs and wine lounges.

Tell everyone it’s your birthday!

by Fineas Anton – Unsplash

6. Dine in a Michelin Star Restaurant on Your Birthday in Rome

Italy is as known for their Michelin star dining options as they are their wine. In Rome there are a plethora of luxury dining options on offer for you to really treat yourself to on your birthday.

Treat being the operative word; Michelin star dining doesn’t come cheap.

La Pergola in the north of Rome is one of the most renowned. You’ll need to book well in advance for this one; a true once in a lifetime experience.

La Pergola – by La Pergola – Sourced from their website

7. Eat Different Types of Gelato on Your Birthday in Rome

I include this as a birthday idea because a friend of mine had me do this with her in Rome on her birthday. Her goal was to eat all the gelato that called to her throughout the day: vegan, dairy-filled, gluten free… you name it.

We wandered the streets, took photographs of interesting things, bought trinkets off of gypsies, and snacked on every gelato that she felt the need to taste.

After the third spot we found that getting a small cup and sharing it was a far more economical, and personally manageable, experience than having individual cones or cups at every, single, spot. No kidding.

8. Take a Day Trip to the Nearest Beach on Your Birthday in Rome

Back we come to the idea of day tripping out of Rome on your birthday. The wine farms are great options, as are any of the beaches on the west coast, just outside the city.

Ostia is the beach coast nearest to Rome. You can get here quite easily in under 40 minutes, either by train or by car. If the weather permits this as a birthday excursion, you definitely not pass it up.

Ostia – by CAPTAIN RAJU – Wikimedia Commons

9. Spend the Night in a Boutique Hotel on Your Birthday in Rome

Rome’s narrow streets leave little room for full sized hotel resorts, so the city has adapted and thrives off of quaint boutique-style accommodation on both the left and right banks.

It’s sometimes nice to book yourself and your friends into a more upmarket boutique hotel somewhere in the city for a “one night only” birthday experience. If said hotel could offer spa facilities, these are a great start to the day.

Think champagne, room service and a night on the town when you’re ready…

10. Visit the Vatican in Rome

Another very iconic attraction with no concession for birthday people; but seeing the Vatican in the flesh is something you won’t forget for as long as you live, this is a promise.

Queues to get into the Vatican are as notorious as the history itself. If you’re going to make this your birthday excursion, wake up early and get yourself to the gates well before the rest of the city has a chance to do so.

Early in, early out; then the rest of the afternoon for Italian food, Italian food and more Italian food.

by Cristina Gottardi – Unsplash