This was the beginning of Muccino’s international career. In 2005, he directed The Pursuit of Happiness, in which Will Smith was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor. In 2018, he marked his return to Italy with A casa tutti bene (There’s No Place Like Home), with a star-studded cast that included many leading Italian actors. His latest film Fino alla fine (Here Now), an adrenaline-fueled movie set in Sicily, debuts on October 31, 2024, and will be presented at the Rome Film Festival.
Below, the film director generously shares some of his favorite secret gems in Rome.
1. Cinema Troisi, Roma
“With its excellent program of films and its historic architecture, this cinema offers movie and culture enthusiasts a unique experience in Rome.”
It should come as no surprise that one of the choices on the film director’s shortlist is a cinema. This beautiful, historic cinema with 300 seats is situated in the heart of Trastevere and is also home to a studio-cum-library that is open 24 hours a day, a bar, an outdoor terrace, and a space for exhibitions and events.
2. Parco del Sorbo
“This enchanting natural region with breathtaking scenery and a network of footpaths offers visitors the chance to immerse themselves in the beauty of the Roman countryside.”
Between Formello and Campagnano di Roma, about 40km north of Rome and not far from Lake Bracciano, discover the beautiful Roman countryside at its most iconic, with its streams, woodlands, and flocks of grazing sheep.
3. Hotel Eden La Terrazza restaurant, Rome
“Luxury and elegance go hand-in-hand at this luxury hotel, which is home to a panoramic restaurant serving superb cuisine and boasting incomparable views of the city.”
Situated in the heart of Rome’s dolce vita district between the Villa Borghese and Via Veneto, this hotel, which opened in 1889, continues to attract visitors today. When it was first opened, the One Michelin Key Hotel Eden was the first in Rome to boast a lift, electricity, heat, and running water, and the press made much of its views of the city and surrounding countryside. Nowadays, the countryside is a little farther away but the views from the hotel – especially from its La Terrazza restaurant – are as magnificent as they ever were.
4. Ristorante Antica Pesa, Roma
“Tradition and modernity come together at this historic restaurant, which is renowned for its authentic Roman cuisine and its impeccable service.”
Boasting a century of gastronomic tradition, this historic restaurant, now run by the fourth generation of the Panella family, occupies a former grain warehouse in the shadow of the Janiculum hill that once belonged to the nearby Vatican City. Renowned across the globe (also thanks to its spin-off restaurants in Brooklyn and Doha), this elegant and welcoming restaurant boasts an open fire that adds to its cozy ambience in winter. The cuisine here is traditionally Roman with a modern, attractive twist that manages to avoid any unnecessary frills.
5. Olgiata Tennis Club, Rome
“An excellent club for tennis enthusiasts with a truly fantastic coach, Marzio.”
Game, set and match!
6. Isola Tiberina, Rome
“A historic gem in the middle of the Tiber, this small island offers a unique combination of natural beauty and cultural heritage with its Ancient Roman bridges, panoramic views, and a tranquil atmosphere that will enchant all visitors.”
This unique destination, often ignored by visitors to the city, boasts a truly unspoiled and authentic ambience.
Notes
Cinema Troisi, via Girolamo Induno 1, Roma
Hotel Eden and La Terrazza restaurant
Ristorante Antica Pesa
Cover photo: Gabriele Muccino, © Joseph Cardo
