Nature in Rome: Best Places to Read and Relax
Giardini di Palazzo Venezia
For those who follow me on Instagram, this won’t come as a surprise, but I’m a passionate book lover. Ever since I was little, I’ve loved to read, and to this day, reading is still one of my favourite hobbies. If you spot me around Rome, there’s a 99% chance I’m carrying a book with me, especially since waiting for things (looking at you, public transport) is just part of daily life here.
Over time, I’ve discovered the best places in Rome to read and relax, and in this blog post, I’ll share my top reading spots with you! Some of these are right in the city centre, making them ideal if you want to add a bit of peace and quiet to your Rome itinerary. These reading spots are perfect for anyone who loves books, nature, and a quiet escape in the middle of Rome.
Piazza Cavour
Located close to Castel Sant’Angelo in the Prati district, Piazza Cavour is one of my favourite spots in Rome. What makes it such a great reading spot? First, it’s the number of benches all around the square, there are plenty of places to sit and enjoy a book. Second, the vibe here just feels relaxed, and you’ll often see locals hanging out, reading, or just enjoying the space.
That being said, it’s not the quietest place, especially in the afternoons when kids love to come and play. So, if you’re after total silence, this might not be the spot for you. But what I love about Piazza Cavour is how lively it is, it’s surrounded by beautiful buildings, including a theatre, so there’s always something happening nearby.
Another plus? There’s a supermarket nearby, so you can grab a quick snack or budget-friendly lunch on the go if you start to feel like you need some food. Piazza Cavour is also close to one of my favourite walking routes in Rome, so I always sneak in a visit whenever I can. If you want to know more about the history of the square, check out this link to the official tourist website!
Giardini di Palazzo Venezia
When my friend told me she knew a calm place to chat near Piazza Venezia, I almost thought she was joking. Turns out, she wasn’t, and I found a new favourite reading spot! Giardini di Palazzo Venezia is a green oasis in the heart of Rome, open to visitors every day, free of charge.
Just like Piazza Cavour, I love this spot for its many benches. While this garden is located in one of the busiest areas of Rome, it’s still more peaceful than you'd expect. It does tend to attract more tourists than Piazza Cavour, but the atmosphere remains calm and relaxed.
One thing to note: if you’re thinking about having lunch or a snack here, I wouldn’t recommend it. The last time I visited, there were huge seagulls around, terrorizing anyone with food!
If you want to read more about this stunning garden, you can click this link for more details.
Villa Sciarra
Moving a bit outside the centre, my next reading spot is Villa Sciarra. This park is tucked between the neighbourhoods of Trastevere, Gianicolo, and Monteverde Vecchio, located on a hill. If you’re coming from Trastevere, the entrance can be quite a climb, but in my opinion, it’s totally worth it.
Villa Sciarra is quiet and peaceful, with few tourists and plenty of locals walking their dogs (a big plus for me because I love dogs!). The atmosphere here is calm, and whenever I visit, I get the feeling of being in a very fancy, elegant garden. With its higher location, it honestly feels like you’re spending your day away from Rome.
For the best entrance, I’d recommend using Via Calandrelli, as the one at Via Dandolo was closed the last time I visited.
Villa Ada
My last reading spot is the one furthest from the centre, but it’s my favourite. In fact, it might be one of my favourite spots in all of Rome. Villa Ada is the city’s second-largest park (after Villa Doria Pamphili) and is located in the northeastern part of the city.
Though it’s a bit farther out, Villa Ada is easy to reach via the Sant ’Agnese–Annibaliano metro station on Line B.
As you’ll see on a map, this park is huge, and that’s part of what I love about it. You can easily find quiet spots to read with no one around, which, as an introvert, I sometimes really appreciate. The park is also perfect for picnics! You can bring a blanket and spend the entire day here, with bathrooms available as well.
In contrast to Villa Sciarra, which has more of a ‘garden’ vibe, Villa Ada truly feels like a nature park, with enormous trees and wide, open spaces. As someone who loves the outdoors, I find this park absolutely stunning, and I always recommend it to anyone visiting Rome.
Conclusion
As a reader, you can easily find plenty of spots in Rome to enjoy your book, but some places just hit differently, you know? I hope you’ll enjoy these reading spots as much as I do, and I’d love to hear about your own favourite places to read in the comments.
I’m always on the lookout for great book recommendations, so if you have a must-read, feel free to share! You can also follow me on Instagram to keep up with both my reading and my Rome journey. Happy reading!
