--- title: Top Things to Do Around JCU Campus description: Whether you're new to JCU or a returning student looking for new things to do, check out our top favorite things to do around the JCU campus in Rome! image: https://blog.johncabot.edu/hubfs/John%20Cabot%20University_SMPhotos-16-1.jpg --- [![JCULogo1](https://blog.johncabot.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/JCULogo1.png?width=300&height=80&name=JCULogo1.png "JCULogo1")](https://blog.johncabot.edu/blog?hsLang=en) [![JCULogo2](https://blog.johncabot.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/JCULogo2.png?width=300&height=82&name=JCULogo2.png "JCULogo2")](https://blog.johncabot.edu/blog?hsLang=en) - [Undergraduate](https://blog.johncabot.edu/tag/undergraduate) - [Graduate](https://blog.johncabot.edu/tag/graduate) - [Study Abroad](https://blog.johncabot.edu/tag/study-abroad) - [Italian](https://blog.johncabot.edu/it/blog) - [Website](https://www.johncabot.edu/) - Filter By Topics - Scegli Il Topic # Top Things to Do Around JCU Campus September 22, 2017 SHARE [mailto:?body=https://blog.johncabot.edu/student-life/italian-life/rome-events-things-to-do/top-things-around-jcu-campus](mailto:?body=https://blog.johncabot.edu/student-life/italian-life/rome-events-things-to-do/top-things-around-jcu-campus) ![](https://blog.johncabot.edu/hubfs/John%20Cabot%20University_SMPhotos-16-1.jpg) SHARE [mailto:?body=https://blog.johncabot.edu/student-life/italian-life/rome-events-things-to-do/top-things-around-jcu-campus](mailto:?body=https://blog.johncabot.edu/student-life/italian-life/rome-events-things-to-do/top-things-around-jcu-campus) ![Gillian McMurray](https://blog.johncabot.edu/hubfs/gillian.jpg) Written By [Gillian McMurray](https://blog.johncabot.edu/author/gillian-mcmurray) Topic [Student Life](https://blog.johncabot.edu/tag/student-life), [Rome](https://blog.johncabot.edu/tag/rome) ![things to do in Rome, studying abroad in Rome, Gianicolo hill, best places for students in trastevere, rome, ](https://blog.johncabot.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Cannon-Gianicolo-300x169.jpg?width=300&height=169&name=Cannon-Gianicolo-300x169.jpg) **1. See the cannon fire on Gianicolo hill** One of the rituals JCU students find out about soon after arriving in Rome is the Gianicolo hill cannon, which fires blank every day at exactly 12 noon. The firing of a cannon has been tradition since 1847, on the orders of Pope Pius IX, and since 1904 that cannon has been firing from the top of Gianicolo hill. It’s a short and lovely walk to the hill from both JCU campuses; just make sure to find your spot before noon as some days it can get quite crowded! **2. Eat pizza on the steps of Piazza Trilussa**![things to do in Rome, studying abroad in Rome, Gianicolo hill, best places for students in trastevere, rome, piazza trilussa ](https://blog.johncabot.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/FullSizeRender-16-300x225-1.jpg?width=300&height=225&name=FullSizeRender-16-300x225-1.jpg) You don’t have to read this blog to know that [the steps of Piazza Trilussa](https://admissions.johncabot.edu/student-life/italian-life/a-tour-of-trastevere-john-cabot-universitys-neighborhood/) are a popular place to lunch in Trastevere. Students and Romans alike gather on the steps to enjoy the lovely view during their break from work or classes, or just as a place to sit and watch the world go by. Luckily, Trastevere offers plentiful options of places to grab a bite to bring with you to the steps, from Boccaccia to La Renella or, a JCU favorite, Eat Street Food. *Buon appetito*! **3. Visit the Fontana dell’Acqua Paola** Another site to see at the top of Gianicolo hill is the [Fontana dell’Acqua Paola](https://admissions.johncabot.edu/student-life/study-abroad-student-nicole-hellstern-being-a-tourist-in-rome/), a lesser known yet wonderfully beautiful fountain that happens to sit on the edge of the hill overlooking the skyline of Rome. Built in 1612 to mark the ending of the Acqua Paola aqueduct, it was the first fountain on the right bank of the Tiber River. If you’ve seen The Great Beauty (*La Grande Bellezza)* you’ll recognize this fountain from its opening scene. **4. Light up the Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere** Piazza Santa Maria is a place to join the locals, tourists and passersby to sit on the steps of the fountain and get in some good people-watching. The lovely square is dominated by 12th-century Basilica di Santa Maria, which looks more modest on the outside compared to its interior. Inside the basilica you’ll find a coin machine that, once the coin is inserted, lights up the glittering Cavallini mosaics so you can discover the place where, according to myth, a font of oil spouted when Christ was born. **5. Eat at Da Enzo** We almost didn’t include this one on the list because the wait for dinner at this restaurant is always a long one and we don’t want it to get longer. That being said, Da Enzo boasts some of the best authentic Roman pastas around, and is well worth standing in line for. Be ready to get up close and personal with those sitting next to you, as the number of tables are few and close together. You haven’t tasted real *carbonara* until you’ve been to Da Enzo… you’ll thank us later!![italian pasta, italian food, eating in Rome, studying abroad in Rome, Places to go in Trastevere](https://blog.johncabot.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/12983831_1308139009203492_2835300134361091982_o-300x200-1.jpg?width=300&height=200&name=12983831_1308139009203492_2835300134361091982_o-300x200-1.jpg) **6. Have an aperitivo at one of the local haunts** Trastevere is overflowing with places to catch up with friends while enjoying delicious small bites and drinks for a traditional Italian aperitivo. With so many to pick from within walking distance from both JCU campuses, you’ll have to sample them all to find your favorite. Aperitivos are also a great way to make new friends and try [authentic Italian dishes](https://admissions.johncabot.edu/italian-cuisine/) you might not find in traditional sit-down restaurants. **7. Order a suppli (or two) from I Suppli!** Most people don’t hear about suppli until they arrive in Rome. Well, we'll let you in on one of Rome’s [best street foods](https://admissions.johncabot.edu/student-life/italian-life/5-dishes-you-must-try-during-your-stay-in-rome/): balls of rice stuffed with tomato and mozzarella fried to an ooey-gooey goodness that you’ll never want to live without. Luckily, one of the best take-away food shops in Rome is located right in Trastevere on Via di San Francesco a Ripa, and they have some of the best suppli in the Eternal City. [When Rome is your campus](https://admissions.johncabot.edu/academics/first-week-back-to-school-feelings-and-thoughts/), finding great things to do is as easy as [turning down an unknown street](https://admissions.johncabot.edu/student-life/italian-life/walk-everywhere-when-rome-is-your-campus/). Can you think of other staples of the JCU Rome life that are worth including in our list? Email us at marketing@johncabot.edu! [Previous Post](https://blog.johncabot.edu/degree-seeking/life-after-graduation-nicole-luvisotti?hsLang=en) [View all posts](https://blog.johncabot.edu) [Next Post](https://blog.johncabot.edu/student-life/italian-life/student-travel/packing-tips-from-a-study-abroad-alumna?hsLang=en) ### Subscribe Here! ### Recommended Reading [Student Life](https://blog.johncabot.edu/topic/student-life?hsLang=en) [Rome](https://blog.johncabot.edu/topic/rome?hsLang=en) ##### [Explore Italy While You Study in Rome: JCU's Fall 2026 Trips & Cultural Programs](https://blog.johncabot.edu/jcu-cultural-programs?hsLang=en) By [John Cabot University](https://blog.johncabot.edu/author/jcuadmissions) / July 22, 2026 [Continue Reading](https://blog.johncabot.edu/jcu-cultural-programs?hsLang=en) [Student Life](https://blog.johncabot.edu/topic/student-life?hsLang=en) [Rome](https://blog.johncabot.edu/topic/rome?hsLang=en) ##### [Staying Active While Studying Abroad at John Cabot University](https://blog.johncabot.edu/staying-active-studying-rome?hsLang=en) By [Lauren Brondyke](https://blog.johncabot.edu/author/lauren-brondyke) / May 22, 2026 [Continue Reading](https://blog.johncabot.edu/staying-active-studying-rome?hsLang=en) [Student Life](https://blog.johncabot.edu/topic/student-life?hsLang=en) [Rome](https://blog.johncabot.edu/topic/rome?hsLang=en) ##### [Top 3 Student Clubs to Join at John Cabot University in Rome](https://blog.johncabot.edu/student-life-clubs-jcu-rome?hsLang=en) By [Elba Maria Peña](https://blog.johncabot.edu/author/elba-maria-peña) / May 8, 2026 [Continue Reading](https://blog.johncabot.edu/student-life-clubs-jcu-rome?hsLang=en) ### Subscribe and stay up to date ### Subscribe and stay up to date - [Academics](https://www.johncabot.edu/academics/default.aspx) - [Admissions](https://www.johncabot.edu/admissions/default.aspx) - [Student Life](https://www.johncabot.edu/student-life/default.aspx) - [About JCU](https://www.johncabot.edu/about-jcu/default.aspx) - [Studenti Italiani](https://www.johncabot.edu/universita-americana/default.aspx) - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/JohnCabotUniversity) - [Twitter](https://twitter.com/JohnCabotRome) - [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/school/john-cabot-university/) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/JohnCabotUniversity) - [Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/johncabotuniversity) ![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/3067823/phone.svg) [+39066819121](tel:+39066819121) ![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/3067823/email.svg) [admissions@johncabot.edu](mailto:admissions@johncabot.edu) ![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/3067823/address.svg) Via della Lungara 233 00165 Rome, Italy [©](https://a.cms.omniupdate.com/11/?skin=oucampus&account=john-cabot&site=www&action=de&path=/default.pcf) 2025 John Cabot University ### Request Info »