The beauty of a solo trip to Italy

Sometimes seeing a place alone, at your own pace, is the best way to travel

Perspective by Amanda Villarosa

April 16, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. EDT

The Colosseum during a hot September afternoon. (Photos by Amanda Villarosa)

2 min

I started my first morning in Rome on a sunny walk through the Trastevere neighborhood; its charming, narrow streets took me and my camera from one beautiful exterior to another.

As I wandered, I was reminded of the perks of traveling solo: I have daydreamed and planned, and now I have an entire week to move through this city as I please.

A local's guide to Rome

Like many of my previous solo trips, I let food, history and curiosity lead the way. My desire for the perfect Italian meal took me to lunch at Salumeria Roscioli; to local markets for fresh produce and sweets; and even on a day trip to Opera 02 — a winery in the Emilia-Romagna region — for Lambrusco and tortellini en brodo.

Food in Italy is on another level, but so is its history. Rome is a pick-your-own-adventure open-air museum — every turn a lesson on art, architecture and ancient civilization. A 20-minute walk from the Colosseum will take you to the Trevi Fountain, and a short subway ride puts you in Vatican City. And being alone allows you to discover everything on your own schedule.

Deciding to move to Rome was easy. Then came the logistics.

But Rome is more than just its frequented sites. Many locals offer off-the-beaten-path tours, great for solo travelers looking to connect with people. I booked a tour that took me right outside the city center to the town of Castel Gandolfo, where I spent the morning kayaking and swimming in Lake Albano.

I continued my trip both on my own and with the new friends I made, conversing over cacio e pepe and bottles of wine. Creating memories with the company of others is always special, but traveling solo can show you that your own company is more special than you think.

correction

A photo of a statue was misidentified as the Roman Forum. It is Trajan's Forum and Market. The caption has been corrected.

More travel tips

Vacation planning: Start with a strategy to maximize days off by taking PTO around holidays. Experts recommend taking multiple short trips for peak happiness. Want to take an ambitious trip? Here are 12 destinations to try this year — without crowds.

Cheap flights: Follow our best advice for scoring low airfare, including setting flight price alerts and subscribing to deal newsletters. If you’re set on an expensive getaway, here’s a plan to save up without straining your credit limit.

Airport chaos: We’ve got advice for every scenario, from canceled flights to lost luggage. Stuck at the rental car counter? These tips can speed up the process. And following these 52 rules of flying should make the experience better for everyone.

Expert advice: Our By The Way Concierge solves readers’ dilemmas, including whether it’s okay to ditch a partner at security, or what happens if you get caught flying with weed. Submit your question here. Or you could look to the gurus: Lonely Planet and Rick Steves.