5 Must-See Cat–tractions Plus 3 Optional Detour Suggestions!
Step-by-Step Google Maps Directions: https://goo.gl/maps/mifwdBHpkuYHkuDS7
A Purrfect Cat-urday in Rome:
😺 1. The (Cat) Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill
😺 2. Torre Argentina Cat Sanctuary
DETOUR: Flying Tiger Copenhagen (Corso Vittorio Emanuele II)
DETOUR: al42 by Pasta Chef Rione Monti
😺 3. Cats of the Pyramid
DETOUR: Coop Grocery Store (Prospero Alpino)
😺 4. Romeow Cat Bistrot
😺 5. Bioparco di Roma
(P.S. You can split these activities up into 2 separate days for a more laid-back vacation!)
😺 1. The (Cat) Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill
Colosseum, Piazza del Colosseo, 1, 00184
⏰ Suggested Start Time: 9 AM
Estimated Activity Duration: 2.5 hours
Link to Website
Price: €18
When in Rome – do as the cats do! Start your cat-themed day in Rome with one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. The Colosseum is a must-see for every Rome tourist – regardless of affinity towards cats. This impressive ancient amphitheater is a glimpse into what entertainment was like during the Roman Empire almost 2,000 years ago. Over 1 million wild animals lost their lives during battles with gladiators in the Colosseum centuries ago. The dark spectator sport that used to take place is a stark contrast to the Colosseum ruins that are now home to over 200 stray cats. You may find many lazy felines lounging about sunbathing on the Colosseum stones. If you’re interested, you’ll also find ‘Cats of the Colosseum’ souvenirs at any of the hundreds of Roman gift shops in the area.
Your ticket to the Colosseum includes same-day entry to more stunning sights next door – the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. This walkable outdoor museum includes stunning ruins including the Arch of Titus which you can walk right up to. Additionally don’t leave without walking through Parco Archeologico del Colosseo, a modern, recently renovated indoor museum that provides more insights into archeological discoveries of the surrounding ruins.
🐾 A PAW-SOME TIP: I recommend that you book the earliest entry possible for the colosseum as families with children and cruise tourists tend to flock to the destination by noon – making your visit less about exploration and more about navigating a sea of human bodies.
(source) Reddit: u/crisjmm090
😺 2. Torre Argentina Cat Sanctuary
Largo di Torre Argentina, 00186
⏰ Suggested Start Time: 12:00PM (open 12-4PM)
Estimated Activity Duration: 1 hour
Link to Website
Price: Free! (optional donation)
The Torre Argentina Cat Sanctuary is a well-known cat destination located in the heart of Rome’s ancient ruins. Here you will find street cats wandering around, being cared for by the generous volunteers and selfless Gattare (a.k.a. cat ladies of Rome). This is a local animal shelter freely open to visitors who are interested in making some feline friends and learning more about their mission of protecting the cats of Rome. Ask about their spay and neuter programs and the history of cats in Rome.
🐾 A PAW-SOME TIP: I highly recommend you check out this video of the Largo di Torre Argentina Cat Sanctuary by YouTuber Half-Asleep Chris. In under 5 minutes, Chris provides some great insight into Rome’s ancient cat sanctuary and its history.
Also, consider sponsoring a cat or making a donation – in exchange you can get some unique cat souvenirs such as this paws-itivly amazing Torre Argentina Cat Sanctuary calendar.
Optional Detour Suggestion: Flying Tiger Copenhagen
Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, 46/52, 00186
⏰Suggested Start Time: 1:00PM (open 9:30AM – 8:00PM)
Estimated Activity Duration: 30 minutes
Link to Website
Price: low-price gifts and accessories (including cat mugs that I bought!)
Optional Detour Suggestion: al42 by Pasta Chef Rione Monti
Via Baccina, 42, 00184
⏰Suggested Start Time: 1:30PM (open 12:30-3:30PM)
Estimated Activity Duration: 1 hour
Link to Website
Price: ~€13 per meal
😺 3. Cats of the Pyramid
V.le del Campo Boario, 00154
⏰Suggested Starting Time: 2:00 PM (visiting hours are usually 2:00-4:00 PM every day)
Estimated Activity Duration: 1.5 hours
Link to Website
Price: Free! (optional donation)
The second cat sanctuary of your cat-filled Rome visit is Cats of the Pyramid – a sanctuary located next to the Pyramid of Caius Cestius and a non-catholic cemetery. I Gatti della Piramide or Cats of the Pyramid is run by a team of volunteers and is open to visitors during the hours of 2 PM to 4 PM every day. During this window of opportunity, you may enter the grounds of the enclosed cemetery to admire the beautifully crafted gravestones and statues that adorn the area. If you’re observant and lucky you’ll find cats lounging about the grounds either around the paths or under the shade. These adorable kitties are very friendly and some particular felines intentionally block the path as to receive more pets and neck scritches.
🐾 A PAW-SOME TIP: You are not allowed to feed any cats you find on your trip to Rome (and I strongly recommend you do not as well) – treats from strangers can make tracking food intake very difficult for volunteers and can be dangerous to the cats’ health. However, cat food and treat donations are welcomed by any of the sanctuaries in Rome. Please present any donations to a volunteer and if you have a water dish, you can offer to hydrate kitties parched by the hot Roman sun.
Optional Detour Suggestion: Coop Grocery Store
Via Prospero Alpino, 16, 00154
⏰Suggested Start Time: 3:30 PM (open 8 AM-9PM every day)
Activity Duration: 30 minutes
Link to Website
Price: Great prices – as it is a coop grocery for locals (try the single-serve mozzarella!)
😺 4. Romeow Cat Bistrot
Via Francesco Negri, 15, 00154
⏰Suggested Start Time: 4:00 PM (open 4-6:30 PM for mid-day snack)
Activity Duration: 1 hour
Link to Website
Price: ~€8 for a snack, ~€16 for a main dish
Next is Romeow Cat Bistrot, a cat café with charming decor and a brood of cats to play with as you enjoy an array of artistic vegan food options. This fine dining experience is one you definitely do not want to miss as it is the purr-fect follow-up to the prior cat-tractions. Keep in mind that there are lunch, dinner, and two ‘snack’ time periods for this café. I recommend you visit during whichever period best fits into your schedule, but in order to fit everything into one day, the mid-day snack works best. After ordering your food, feel free to get up from your seat to explore and take in the small cat-themed items in every corner.
🐾 A PAW-SOME TIP: If possible, I strongly suggest you make a reservation for a table at Romeow Cat Bistrot prior to your trip to Rome. Tables fill up fast and aren’t plentiful in this homestyle café. If you arrive without a reservation you may end up on the second floor which is well decorated but has no windows and less visibility to the cats. If the café is really full you may not be able to enter at all due to the fact that the café opens and closes between mealtimes. I recommend trying their White Cake, a no-cheese cheesecake!
😺 5. Bioparco di Roma
V.le del Giardino Zoologico, 1, 00197
⏰Suggested Start Time: 5:30 PM (open 9:30 AM-7 PM in the summer)
Activity Duration: 1.5 hours
Link to Website
Price: €17 for an entrance ticket
To end off the paws-itively amazing catur-day, we’ll head to the Bioparco di Roma – Rome’s premier outdoor/indoor zoo! Big cats need love too and that is why I’m highlighting this cat-traction as a must-visit for the Roman cat-lover tourist. In this zoo, you’ll find the White Bengal Tiger, Sumatran Tiger, Caucasus Leopard, Eurasian Lynx, and Asiatic lion. Depending on where you originate from, it can be rare to see these wild cats up close and personal. Surprisingly, you’ll find these cats’ behaviour mimics our housecat companions and you may be able to see a lynx playing with a cardboard box as I had. Be sure to check opening hours during non-summer dates in case they close early. Don’t forget to visit all the areas, including the indoor bird and reptile building, to make the most out of your entrance ticket.
🐾 A PAW-SOME TIP: The €3.50 cost of the Bioparco Train is worth every cent! This lengthy train ride is not just for kids, it provides a quick and effortless view of multiple species in the zoo without a single step. After a long day of walking, your feet will thank you for remembering this paw-some tip!
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