A Bike Ride Through Rome’s Ancient Green Heart

Exploring the Appian Way and Parco degli Acquedotti — where history and nature meet on two wheels

Rome is undoubtedly famous for its glorious landmarks — the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, and St. Peter’s Basilica just to name a few. But beyond the grandeur of its historic center, the Eternal City also hides unexpected treasures where nature and ancient history coexist in perfect harmony. If you're a curious traveler or a local looking for a different way to experience Rome, let me take you on a little journey — the one I made on May 1st, riding a bike into the city's ancient green heart.

For Labor Day, I decided to swap crowded piazzas for open fields and old stones. My destination? A bicycle adventure starting from Parco degli Acquedotti, a place that never fails to stir the imagination. This stunning park is part of the larger Appia Antica Regional Park and takes its name from the grand aqueducts that slice through the landscape like timeless stone giants.

The park is vast and open, dotted with pine trees and wildflowers in spring — and there's something truly magical about cycling under these colossal arches, imagining the water that once flowed through them to supply ancient Rome.

From here, it’s an easy and beautiful ride to the Via Appia Antica, one of the oldest roads in the world — often referred to as the "Queen of Roads". This stretch is a dream for cyclists and walkers alike.

Picture a cobblestone path flanked by Roman ruins, mausoleums, and towering cypress trees.

The birdsong, the sun peeking through the leaves, and the silence only broken by your tires — it’s an almost surreal mix of peace and grandeur.

How to Access Parco degli Acquedotti:

The park is located in the southeast quadrant of Rome, in the Cinecittà area. A convenient entrance is from Via Lemonia, just a short walk from the Giulio Agricola metro station (Line A). It’s an easy spot to begin your journey with a rental bike or even on foot.

Reaching the Appia Antica's Most Scenic Stretch:

From the park, head toward Via Appia Nuova and enter Via Appia Antica near Cecilia Metella’s Mausoleum — this section is closed to most traffic on weekends and holidays, making it perfect for a relaxing, immersive ride or stroll.

Rome is full of stories, and not all of them are told in museums or piazzas. Sometimes, you just need a bike and a free afternoon to ride straight into its living, breathing past.

Stay curious and keep exploring!

As always, if you want to use any of the photos from my visit, please remember to give credit to the author. Happy exploring!