Italy is where OLEN is rooted. It's the country that first inspired the brand and where every pair of OLEN sneakers is still handcrafted today. After returning to Rome for our recent Explore with OLEN: 48 Hours in Rome, it felt only right that Rome become the next destination in our OLEN City Guide Series—a collection of places that continue to inspire how we design and live.
Rome is a city best explored on foot, where every street has a story and the best discoveries are often unplanned.
Whether you're visiting for the first time or returning again, here are a few of our favourite places in Rome.
Rome Favorites at a Glance
Planning a trip to Rome? These are a few places we never miss.
Café
Sciascia Caffè 1919 — A century-old Roman café celebrated for its historic interiors, exceptional espresso, and signature coffee served with dark chocolate.
Restaurant
CiPASSO — Our founder's favourite restaurant in Rome, known for contemporary Roman cuisine and unforgettable Black Truffle Tagliolini.
Gallery
Galleria Borghese — One of Rome's finest museums, home to masterpieces by Bernini and Caravaggio within the beautiful Villa Borghese.
Walk
Villa Borghese to the Tiber — A leisurely walk through Rome's most beautiful gardens before following the Tiber River into the heart of the city.
The Café
Sciascia Caffè 1919
Photo credit: Sciascia Caffè 1919
Hidden away in Rome's Prati neighbourhood, Sciascia Caffè 1919 has been serving Romans for over a century. Since opening its doors in 1919, the café has become a local institution, celebrated for its historic interiors, carefully crafted coffee blends, and signature espresso served with dark chocolate.
Stepping inside feels like entering another era. Dark wood panelling, vintage details, and the quiet rhythm of locals stopping in for their morning coffee create an atmosphere that has changed remarkably little over the decades.
It's the kind of place that reminds us why tradition endures: when something is made with care, it doesn't need to change.
The Restaurant
CiPASSO
Photo credit: CiPASSO
If our founder could recommend just one dinner in Rome, it would be CiPASSO.
Located just a few steps from the Pantheon, CiPASSO is one of our favourite restaurants in Rome. The restaurant celebrates contemporary Roman cuisine with exceptional seasonal ingredients, all served in a beautifully restored 1930s building that feels both refined and welcoming. The menu is rooted in tradition while offering a fresh, modern perspective, earning CiPASSO a place in the Michelin Guide for six consecutive years.
If there's one dish we recommend ordering, it's the Black Truffle Tagliolini. Rich, comforting, and finished generously with fresh black truffle, it's a perfect expression of the restaurant's philosophy: letting exceptional ingredients speak for themselves. Fresh black truffle is a signature ingredient throughout CiPASSO's menu, making this dish a natural choice for first-time visitors.
Like the best things in Rome, it's a place best enjoyed without watching the clock. You'll likely find yourself recommending it long after you've returned home.
The Gallery
Galleria Borghese
If you're looking for one of the best art museums in Rome, few places combine art, architecture, and gardens quite like Galleria Borghese.
Home to masterpieces by Bernini and Caravaggio, the collection is carefully curated within an elegant villa surrounded by peaceful gardens.
It's a place where craftsmanship, patience, and beauty come together—values that resonate deeply with us.
After exploring the galleries, take some time to wander through Villa Borghese itself. The gardens feel like an extension of the museum—quiet, spacious, and beautifully paced.
The Walk
Villa Borghese to the Tiber
Sometimes the best moments are the ones between destinations. One of our favourite ways to experience Rome is simply to walk.
One of our favourite walks in Rome begins in the peaceful gardens of Villa Borghese, where tree-lined paths, fountains, and shaded avenues offer a welcome escape from the city's pace. Wander without a destination, stop at the Pincian Terrace for panoramic views over Piazza del Popolo, or simply enjoy the quiet rhythm of the park.
From there, continue downhill toward the Tiber River. Following the river on foot reveals another side of Rome—historic bridges, centuries-old buildings, and neighbourhoods that unfold naturally as you walk. As the afternoon turns to evening, the golden light reflecting off the river makes this one of our favourite times to explore the city.
It's a reminder that Rome isn't only experienced through its landmarks, but through the simple act of wandering.
Why Rome Inspires Us
Rome reminds us that longevity is rarely accidental. It's the result of patience, craftsmanship, and a commitment to doing things well.
Whether it's a centuries-old piazza, a family-run café, or a work of art passed down through generations, longevity begins with intention.
At OLEN, that same philosophy guides everything we make. Every pair of OLEN Italian leather sneakers is handcrafted in Italy with the belief that fewer, better things are worth holding onto. Less, but better.
This is another chapter in our OLEN City Guide Series—places around the world that inspire how we design and live.
Follow us as we continue exploring more cities, one thoughtful journey at a time.
Explore more:
→ Women's Italian Leather Sneakers
→ Men's Italian Leather Sneakers
This guide shares some of our favourite places in Rome. For a glimpse into the city's rhythm, watch our Explore with OLEN: 48 Hours in Rome.
