Living in Rome often means dividing your days between the traffic jungle and the frenzy of commitments, with the risk of ending up with hundreds of virtual contacts but few real friends with whom to share a Saturday night or a passion.
If you’ve realized that your social circle needs a refresh or if you’ve just landed in the capital and don’t know where to start, figuring out what to do in Rome to make friends becomes your main mission.
In this guide, you will find 15 concrete and original suggestions for finding new friends, designed for those who want to get back in the game and bring like-minded people together.
Let off steam and get together at the Anger Games Rage Room
Sometimes you don’t need to meditate, slow down, or “breathe deeply.” Sometimes you just need to let off steam to release tension and energy in a direct and controlled way. WeMeet brings an experience to Rome designed just for this: a session in the Rage Room, a soundproof space where you can break objects and let go of accumulated stress. The activity lasts 15 minutes and includes personal protective equipment and your favorite music at full volume.
At the end of the session, for those who wish, the evening continues with a drink at a nearby bar in Via Nomentana 1018. It’s an unconventional way to make friends by sharing a liberating moment.
Here you will find all the information and how to sign up for the next meeting.
Solve urban mysteries with an Urban Escape Room
You will take part in a multi-stage adventure where logic and team spirit are essential to solve puzzles and clues scattered throughout the urban space. It is the perfect opportunity to find new friends in Rome because collaboration becomes natural in order to win the challenge. This activity offers a different way to explore the city, transforming streets and squares into a real open-air escape room.
At the end of the experience, the group usually moves to a local bar to chat and share their experiences during the game, making socializing fluid and spontaneous.
Here is the information and how to sign up for the next meeting.
Paint and Sip: art, wine, and zero stress
If you’re looking for original activities to meet people in Rome, Crown Tours’ “Paint and Sip” is the answer. For two and a half hours, you’ll paint your masterpiece guided by an instructor while tasting fine Italian wines and local finger food.
You don’t need to be an expert: the goal is to have fun and unleash your creativity. Wine helps break the ice, making it natural to exchange comments on your paintings with your easel neighbors. It’s a relaxed way to make friends and take home a nice memory.
Panoramic trek to Monte Catillo and aperitif at the end
If you love nature, this is the ideal activity for meeting people in Rome away from the chaos of the city. It is a circular trek that starts in Tivoli and reaches the summit of Monte Catillo, offering breathtaking views of the plain and the Sughereta di Sirividola. The route includes a stop for a packed lunch and ends with a relaxed aperitif in Tivoli.
Walking together facilitates authentic and deep conversations, making it very easy to make friends while breathing fresh air and discovering little-known but incredibly beautiful natural spots.
Roma in Rosa: networking and fun for women
This community is the go-to place for women who want to experience Rome in a more relational way. They organize curated events such as “Connect&Talk, “ a tour of Garbatella focusing on street art and tradition (divided by age group, so it’s easier to find people like you), or the famous Carnival Party in collaboration with WeMeet.
Whether you want to take a guided tour of Caravaggio’s masterpieces or attend a costume party with DJ sets in the heart of Rome, you’ll always find a welcoming environment here. It’s the perfect place to make new friends in the city with other women who share your interests and desire to form authentic bonds.
Aperitivo Meeters in Rome Ponte Milvio
If you’re looking for a light-hearted way to shake up your weekly routine, the Meeters aperitif at Ponte Milvio is a must. For a symbolic contribution of €5 for members, you can spend about three hours chatting and smiling in carefully selected locations.
The exact location is communicated via text message 72 hours before the event, adding a bit of spice to the organization. It’s a great strategy for making friends in Rome in an informal setting. Often, the group’s camaraderie leads to the evening lasting much longer than expected over a delicious pizza.
Rafting Beer-Stop: adrenaline and craft beer
For those looking for activities that combine sport and conviviality, the Rafting Beer-Stop along the Aniene River is unbeatable. Paddling for 5 km on a raft, the crew must coordinate to overcome the currents, creating an immediate bond.
The icing on the cake? A stop at the Aimara craft brewery in Subiaco, right on the waterfront, for a snack and a cold beer with friends.
The event, organized by Vivere l’Aniene, includes all technical equipment and transportation, ensuring a perfect mix of adventure and new acquaintances.
Events and Social Apps
Digital platforms are powerful tools for finding events where you can meet people in Rome. Meetup, in particular, allows you to join groups based on specific interests such as hiking, cinema, or foreign languages.
Using filters by area and category, you can connect with like-minded people who regularly organize live meetings. Whether you’re a technology or photography enthusiast, you’ll always find an event near you. It’s the fastest way to make friends in Rome, starting from an already solid and shared common ground.
Running Club
Are you a runner or want to start? Joining a club is a great way to find people who share your passion while keeping fit. The Roma Road Runners Club offers free training sessions at Parco degli Acquedotti, whilethe Amor Run Club organizes weekly runs in the most beautiful locations, followed by social events with music and food.
If you’re looking for something more cultural, Runners of Rome offers routes among iconic monuments such as the Colosseum. Shared effort and post-run euphoria are the best glue for lasting and sincere friendships.
Volunteering: making friends while doing good
Finding friends as an adult is often difficult, but it becomes easier when you share strong values. Romaltruista offers the opportunity to participate in activities such as “Cena con amore” (Dinner with Love ) at Ostiense station, where meals are prepared and distributed to those in need. If you prefer sports, you can support instructors in integrated judo or beach volleyball courses for children with disabilities.
Participating in these projects allows you to meet people in Rome who have a big heart, creating deep connections while offering concrete help to the community and enjoying touching human experiences.
International Language Exchange and Pub Crawl
If you want an international atmosphere, Language Exchange groups are perfect for making new friends in Rome. They usually organize aperitifs and trips outside the city where Romans and foreigners mix to practice languages. For party animals, Pub Crawls between Trastevere and San Lorenzo are the social activity par excellence: guided tours of local bars with free shots and discounts.
It’s the ideal option for those who want to break out of isolation immediately and find themselves in a diverse group of people ready to party and get to know each other without filters or too many formalities.
The right places for those looking to meet new people
Sometimes the location does all the work, especially if you’re alone. To meet people in Rome, head to the right places: Zuma’s panoramic sushi, the chic atmosphere of Salotto 42, or the lively Freni e Frizioni in Trastevere. If you love greenery, try Treebar in northern Rome, while for a dip into the past, there’s the historic wine shop Ai Tre Scalini in Monti.
In summer, don’t miss the exotic charm of the Voodoo Bar or the breathtaking view from Masa Rooftop. In these places, between cocktails, the atmosphere is always right for striking up a conversation and sparking a connection.
Cooking class: knead, bake, and socialize
What brings people together more than food? So why not sign up for a cooking class like the one organized by InRome Cooking to make new friends? Not only will you step out of your comfort zone and open yourself up to new acquaintances, but you’ll also learn how to make pizza, pasta, and homemade gelato while sipping prosecco.
A professional chef creates an interactive environment where it is impossible not to interact with the other ‘students’. The lesson ends with everyone eating what they have prepared together.
It’s a unique and fun experience, perfect for those who want to meet people in Rome in a creative and informal way.
Guided day trips
Joining an organized trip to Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast, beautiful Tuscany, or the wonders of Umbria (Assisi and Orvieto) is a strategic way to make friends. Spending a whole day on a bus and visiting UNESCO sites facilitates spontaneous conversation.
Between a guided tour and a tasting of typical products, you’ll have plenty of time to get to know your fellow travelers. It’s the ideal adventure for those who want to get away from the city and share their amazement at Italian beauty with new potential friends.
Social Hostel: Board Games and Theme Nights
Designer hostels in Rome are incredible social hubs even for those who live in the city. Many organize beer pong tournaments, movie nights, or board game sessions open to outsiders. Places like YellowSquare are perfect for finding an informal environment where you can make new friends without any pretensions.
The goal is pure interaction: sitting down at a table for a game of Risk is the easiest way to start talking to someone. Take advantage of these opportunities to warm up before diving into the real nightlife.