Move over Rome! 4 ancient cities with Colosseums and less crowds

Share the article

If you’ve never been to Rome and have a trip to Europe planned for 2026, chances are you have a visit to the Eternal City in mind, and we’re certainly not here to discourage you or downplay the importance of Rome:

We could write at length about its world-class museums, ancient wonders and unparalleled food culture. In fact, we did that several times. Rome really is all that, and we’re certainly not part of the antithetical crowd that calls it “overrated.”

However, what you should know if Rome is on your radar this year that is the case likely to be busier than any other year that preceded it.

Why you should avoid Rome… for now

Italy expects a record increase in visitor numbers in 2026, even though it is already buckling under the weight of mass tourism. Rome is at the helm of this worrying trend.

Rome will always be Rome, but between a cordoned off Trevi Fountain – tossing a coin now costs you more than the coin itself – to new fees waiting for tourists at the entrance to the Pantheon, and the long lines blocking the Colosseum, it’s not exactly the equivalent of dolce vita kind of summer.

What if we told you that? You don’t have to go to Rome specifically to experience all that Roman allure?

The legendary empire stretched far and wide across the Mediterranean and beyond, and as iconic as it may be, the Italian capital isn’t the only thing left.

In fact this one 4 other historic towns pack them own Colosseum-style arenas and a killer, ancient atmosphere, and get this: no traffic jams anywhere in sight!

4 Rome look-alikes without the crazy crowd

Nimes, France

Considered by many to be the most Roman city outside Italy, Nîmes revolves around a virtually intact Roman amphitheater built around 70 AD, a picture-perfect old town dotted with skinny Italian-style mansions (they even have the same green shutters!), and lush city parks.

The Arènes de Nîmestheir local ‘Colosseum’ – we know, we know, there’s only one An Colosseum, but you get the idea: it’s both an open-air museum and a still-functioning entertainment venue:

In the summer of 2024, none other than Dua Lipa performed live in the 2,000-year-old arena in front of approximately 24,000 spectators, so unlike the Roman Colosseum, which still embodies the spirit of panem and circus.

In the heart of Nîmes, La Maison Carrée stands as one of the best preserved Roman temples entering modern times, barely a scratch. This limestone stunner dates from the 1st centuryand in its original state it is rivaled only by the Pantheon at Rome.

A short walk from the temple is the Gardens of Fontaine are yet another must-see: a vast green space filled with graceful fountains, and home to a partially ruined Temple of Diana.

For something Real breathtaking, just half an hour’s drive from the center of Nîmes Pont du Garda three-tiered Roman aqueduct, and UNESCO World Heritage Monument spread over a crystal clear river. It’s built without mortar, with precision-cut stone, and it’s nothing short of an engineering rock star.

Pula, Croatia

You read it here first: Pula is Rome by the sea, and perhaps the most Italian-esque port city in Croatia.

Forget Dubrovnik and its busy city walls, or Split with the drunk British boys: Pula is the much quieter, laid-back alternative where you can breathe in all the ancient history without accidentally inhaling a puff.

Of course, there is a monumental arena close to the harbour, and unlike Rome’s, its elliptical shape has not suffered any significant damage over the centuries.

The interior of the arena did not suffer the same fate, with most of the seats and structure gone, but the nice thing is that, just like in Nîmes, Live events are also organized in Pula’s arena in the summer months.

This also includes Pula Music Week, a multi-day electronic music festival that attracts young people from all over the Balkans. We’re not ones to toot our own horn, but you haven’t truly lived until you’ve experienced a European rave in an ancient Roman arena.

In addition to the beautiful amphitheater, Pula lays claim to the Arch of the Sergii from the first century, the Temple of Augustus, the largest and best preserved temple in a leveled Roman Forum and a richly decorated Hercules Gate.

Did we mention all the beautiful beaches just a stone’s throw from the Roman core of Pula? For a relaxing Croatian beach day away from the urban crowd, head to Gortan Cove: shaded with pine trees, pebble beaches and surrounded by turquoise seas.

Verona, Italy

You don’t have to leave Italy completely to experience a peaceful holiday in Roman style: with a 3h20 train ride from the capital, in the northeast of the Italian peninsula, Verona feels like a miniature Rome with half the usual buzz.

Like every other city on the list, the star of the show is the Arena of Verona, which was built way back in 30 AD. Originally the setting for gladiator fights and other bloodshed spectacles, today the most exciting events are Vivaldi concerts and opera performances by Andrea Bocelli.

Yes, this will also remain in use, and it can accommodate up to 30,000 visitors.

Verona itself is littered with traces of its ancient past, including a series of different city gates, most of which are striking Porta Borsari And Porta Leoniand original Roman bridges over the Adige River.

That said, the city’s greatest claim isn’t some dusty connection to a long-gone empire, but its connection to Shakespeare: it’s the setting of Romeo and Julietthe bard’s blockbuster game.

Those aren’t real characters, of course, but that doesn’t change the fact that Verona’s main tourist trap is Casa di Giulietta: a medieval mansion with a cute balcony and courtyard that local bigwigs have randomly chosen to turn into a Juliet-themed museum.

It attracts thousands of visitors every day, so perhaps stay away if you’re keen to avoid the Rome-like crowds.

Arles, France

Another underrated gem of Provence with an unsung Roman history, Arles sits on the banks of the Rhône and at one point inspired genius interventions by Van Gogh himself.

The famous Dutch painter wasn’t the only notable resident of Arles at one time: the riverside town flourished in ancient times as a Roman settlement, and given the size of its monuments and the existence of an arena, we can be sure it was no small outpost either.

The Arles Amphitheater is one of the most impressive monuments of its kind still standing, and was built around the same time as its sister building in neighboring Nîmes.

The elliptical arena is undoubtedly the pride of the locals, but the smaller Roman theater nearby is just as fascinating: with imposing columns and marble chairsthere were once epic plays and spectacles that attracted audiences from all over Provence, and they still do.

A short 4 minute walk from the arena, the Cryptoportiques d’Arles are a series of underground galleries built by the Romans, which were formerly used for storage and trade.

Of course, to the casual observer it’s nothing more than a bunch of underground chambers, but get an expert guide and it’s suddenly a rare window into Roman city life.​

All this to say that the Roman layer of Arles is just an appetizer. From the city Real The knockout appeal lies in the Van Gogh legacy:

He painted everywhere in Arles, including the famous ones Café terrace at nightonto the riverside promenade Starry night over the Rhoneand the flowery garden of Hospital Saint-Jean. If you’ve ever wondered what it must be like to be in a post-impressionist painting: Arles is probably the closest.

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior head writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60 countries to his name (and is currently weaving stories from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.