There is a persistent myth about Rome and contemporary art , this idea that the city is so thoroughly dominated by its ancient, Renaissance, and Baroque heritage that anything made after, say, 1600 struggles to find air. It’s an understandable misconception. After all, even a stroll through the alleys of the city center fuels it – no new buildings in sight, no contemporary monuments, just… landmarks.

To the surprise of many first-time visitors, Rome has, however, a serious, active contemporary art scene, with institutions of genuine international standing. If you want the full picture, the short version is: the infrastructure exists, it’s good, and right now it’s hosting one of the strongest exhibition seasons in recent memory.

Our guests ask us regularly about things to do in Rome that aren’t about ancient history or food. in 2026, we have more answers than usual. What follows is a selection of a few events that are sure to attract any travelers’ attention.

Keith Haring — Art Without Borders

Museo di Roma, Palazzo Braschi (Piazza San Pantaleo 10 / Piazza Navona — Piazza Navona area)
Until April 11, 2027

The famed street artist and painter is celebrated through 140 works — paintings, drawings, sculptures, posters, and documents — that document his entire career. Much has been said lately about Haring’s stay in Rome and how none of his works in the city has survived – the most famous ones being a piece outside Palazzo delle Esposizioni and one on the Ponte Nenni bridge. Luckily, other masterpieces have survived, for example the Yamaha motorcycle painted by Haring in the city in 1984. This is a reminder that Haring’s relationship with this city was more than passing.

Richard Avedon — In the American West, 1979–1984

Palazzo Esposizioni Roma (Via Nazionale, 194 — Quirinale area)
Until January 31, 2027

The complete series of 110 portraits from Richard Avedon’s In the American West are exhibited for the first time in Italy. One of the greatest photographers of the twentieth century, Avedon focused on miners, farm workers, collecting portraits that were deemed controversial when first released in 1985.

Marina Abramović — Historical Works and Transforming Energy

Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea — GNAMC (Viale delle Belle Arti 131 — Villa Borghese / Flaminio area)
November 18, 2026 – April 4, 2027

Launching in mid-November of 2026, the GNAMC presents what Abramović herself has called “the most complete exhibition about Marina Abramović that the public can see”: more than 150 works, from her first performances in 1974 to her most recent pieces, spanning almost 65 years of research. The exhibition arrives in Rome after an exceptional run in Venice, and proposes a significantly expanded version of the project.

A useful practical note: every Thursday, from September 10 to December 17, the GNAMC opens for an evening session from 7pm to 11pm, with a €10 ticket. An excellent option for anyone whose days are already full.

Terme di Caracalla (Viale delle Terme di Caracalla 52 — Celio / Aventino area)
Until January 10, 2027

Rome’s autumn photography season includes Frank Horvat, the anti-conformist master who moved fluently between fashion, reportage, portraiture, and travel photography. The setting in the ruins of one of the largest bathing complexes in the ancient world is itself worth the visit.

Fireworks — Ileana Sonnabend e il Boom dell’Arte Contemporanea

Palazzo Esposizioni Roma (Via Nazionale, 194 — Quirinale area)
November 3, 2026 – April 4, 2027

Running alongside the Avedon show at Palazzo Esposizioni, this exhibition tells a story that sits at the heart of how contemporary art became what it is today. Ileana Sonnabend was one of the most important gallerists of the twentieth century, instrumental in launching Rauschenberg, Johns, Warhol, and many more. An event about the art market and the people who shaped it is an unusual proposition.

It would be overstating things to say that Rome has suddenly reinvented itself as a contemporary art capital. What is true is that the city has a permanent infrastructure. On top of what already mentioned here, the MACRO Museum, the MAXXI, the Chiostro del Bramante, Villa Medici, Palazzo Bonaparte are other institutions worth visiting if you are looking into doing something different while visiting Rome. You’ll find none of the queues of the Vatican Museums or Colosseum, and the visits will be equally rewarding.

From Home to Rome manages apartments throughout central Rome, and our team regularly points guests toward the city’s less obvious cultural offerings — the ones that don’t require booking six months in advance and that you’re unlikely to find in a standard itinerary. If you’re planning a stay and want to be well placed for the museums and galleries mentioned here, — most of them are within easy reach of at least half the venues on this list.

Last updated: October 2026