Colonna

While opulent churches are plentiful here, and you should definitely take the opportunity to pop into any you come by, Sant’Ignazio deserves a designated visit. Built in the 1650’s, this Baroque church’s elaborate trompe l’oeil frescos took painter Andrea Pozzo years to complete—most labor intensive of all being the faux dome, which looks incredibly real from the right angle, and the beautifully restored vaulted ceilings.

From trendy to classic to downright avant-garde, the eyewear at this tiny, son-and-mom operated shop is—for lack of a better term—a sight to see: The frames are divided into themed collections and come in a rainbow of colors (the ombre and neon sunglasses are favorites) and prints. Ask them to see the vintage collection if you stop in.

Tucked into the Piazza di Pietra and looking out at the stunning columns of Tempio di Adriano, Salatto 42 is the quintessential Roman bar: mellow and loungey for aperitivo (get the spritz—sure you can’t go wrong, but it tastes especially good here), which comes with a constant procession of passed snacks, then progressively rowdier the later it gets. Keep in mind that it tends to get a bit packed and loud inside, with the crowd often spilling out into the square.