The Best Classic Cinemas in Rome

Piazza della Repubblica in Rome, home to the The Warner Village Space Cinema Moderno Roma
Piazza della Repubblica in Rome, home to the The Warner Village Space Cinema Moderno Roma | Stuart Robertson / Alamy Stock Photo
Marianna Hunt

A jewel of a city: Rome is known by many as the cultural capital of Europe, exhibiting the best of literature, art, photography, and film that Italy has to offer. The site of numerous film festivals, and home to many of the world’s most famous actors, screenwriters, and filmmakers, a visit to Rome is a truly unmissable opportunity for any film fanatic; and nowhere is Rome’s fantastic cultural scene more evident that in its superb cinemas.

1. Casa del Cinema

Cinema, Park, Theater

Casina dellOrologio, a famous building in Villa Borghese park in Rome
© Cristiano Fronteddu / Alamy Stock Photo
No trip to this Mecca of cinema is complete without a visit to Casa del Cinema. This arthouse cinema is housed in a pavilion inside the grounds of Rome’s iconic Villa Borghese Park. The lush green leaves make for a perfectly shady canopy for the outdoor theater, which shows open-air screenings in the garden during the summer months. The indoor screen is equally breathtaking, inside the elegant pavilion which also contains an exhibition space, bookshop, and café. Films are chosen based on a themed event schedule for the different days of the week, and many of the international films are screened in their original language.

2. Nuovo Sacher

Cinema, Theater, Movie Theater

Nuovo Sacher Cinema
© Emma Law
The cult following behind celebrated Roman director Nanni Moretti, who founded the cinema, ensured the popularity of Nuovo Sacher with Rome’s hipster crowds from the very beginning. A small setting and the crimson velvet of the seats give Nuovo Sacher the feel of a truly authentic arthouse cinema, and have made it a firm favorite with Rome’s young and trendy population. This is the place to experience the best of modern arthouse cinema and to discover the up-and-coming talents of European film.

3. Alcazar Cinema

Cinema

Cinema Alcazar, Trastevere neighborhood, Rome, Italy.
© Maxime Bessieres / Alamy Stock Photo
As soon as you cross the entrance of the Alcazar Cinema, it will feel as though time has stopped. The plush red interior and old-fashioned décor of this vintage cinema make for a perfect pairing to the timeless classics and cinematic adventures into the past that are screened here. Many international films are hosted here in their original language, as are the Italian masterpieces. Alcazar Cinema’s location, among the cobbled backstreets of Trastevere, Rome’s Jewish quarter, means that the surrounding area bursts with the same fascinating cultural feel as the cinema itself, and is a fantastic place to explore by night.
2AK51DF Tiberinsel: Sommerfestival Open Air Kino “L_ Isola del Cinema”, Rom

During the summer months, Rome’s river bank is transformed into a buzzing hive of activity. The area is taken over by gourmet Italian street food sellers, stylish pop-up bars, artisan craft stalls, vintage markets, live music events, exhibition spaces, and the temporary cinema space: Isola del Cinema. These all form part of the Lungo Il Tevere Festival which runs for most of June, July, and August. The pop-up cinema hosts a wide range of films, from shorts to world films, to indie favorites and world-famous classics that’ll make you fall in love with Italy. Soak up the best of the vibrant, multi-cultural atmosphere at a screening of one of the many international films shows at the Isola del Cinema.

4. Cinema dei Piccoli

Cinema, Park, Movie Theater

The Cinema dei Piccoli, Borghese Gardens. The worlds smallest cinema Rome, Italy.
© Bailey-Cooper Photography / Alamy Stock Photo
A true curiosity of the cinematic world. For those seeking a very unique film experience in Rome: make a beeline for the Cinema dei Piccoli. This cinema, located just by the southern entrance to the Villa Borghese Park, is the world’s smallest. The bizarre chalet-style of the cinema, as well as its tiny size, lend it a wonderfully intimate atmosphere. Visit in the daytime for one of the screenings of world-class children’s films, or come in the evening to snuggle up in the cinema’s comfortable chairs for a night of great movies.

5. Warner Village Space Cinema Moderno Roma

Cinema

Fountain of the Naiads, Piazza della Repubblica, Rome, Italy
© Nikreates / Alamy Stock Photo
One of the most stylish and modern cinema complexes in the city, Warner Village Space Cinema Moderno Roma is the best place in Rome to catch the latest Hollywood releases and major blockbusters from around the world. At this five screen complex can be found one of the widest choices of English language films in Italy. The cinema’s location, amongst the superb architecture of the stunning Piazza della Repubblica, makes for a highly chic setting. The cinema is also incredibly central and very accessible from all areas of Rome.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

Culture Trip Spring Sale

Save up to $1,100 on our unique small-group trips! Limited spots.

X
Edit article