NOT many people know it, but one of Europe’s most popular city break destinations is home to a huge theme park, with 40 different rides and attractions.
Rome is one of the most-visited cities in the continent, behind London, Paris and Istanbul, according to figures released by Euromonitor.
However, few people head there specifically to visit its huge theme park, Cinecitta World, which is said to be a celebration of cinema and television.
It has 40 different attractions, all spread out across seven different themed lands, as well as live shows and special seasonal events.
Its themed areas include Roma, Spaceland, Far West, Adventure Land, Aqua World, an indoor snow park called Il Regno del Ghiaccio and Cinecitta, “where the world of cinema meets the world of TV”.
The lands are all inspired by different film genres, providing guests with plenty of movie-related fun throughout.
That includes the new “Hotel Transylvania” experience, inspired by the Adam Sandler animated movies, which has opened this summer.
The new haunted house attraction invites guests to “step through the hotel’s entrance gate, accompanied by Count Dracula”.
There they will “explore each room, and meet the strange hotel guests: Frankenstein, zombies, Mavis, and Johnny, the only human guest”.
More traditional theme park rides are also on offer, including the likes of the Altair rollercoaster, which has more inversions than any other ride in Europe.
Its 10 twists that each take riders upside down, make it a ride that’s only suitable “for the bravest, and true adrenaline lovers” according to the park’s website.
The coaster travels 108ft off the ground at its highest point, at speeds of 56mph.
However, Cinecitta is also known for its unique rides as well, including the Volarium, a “flying cinema” which is described as one of the most popular attractions at the park.
Far from being a simple indoor movie theatre, it consists of a large simulator containing special effects that suspends guests over 30ft high, offering “a realistic flight experience”.
There are other special screens as well, including the world’s first cinema pool, titled Cinepiscina.
It has a large outdoor summer pool and beach area, surrounded by hundreds of free umbrellas and sunbeds, and contains a giant screen showing movies and TV shows to those having a swim.
It’s part of the Aqua Land waterpark section of Cinecitta, which also has a lazy river and hosts special events during the summer, such as movie premieres, themed parties and DJ sets.
Slides like Vortex and Boomerang mean it’s always worth packing swimwear on a visit, to make the most of the full range of attractions.
The best rides and attractions at Cinecitta
With so much to see and do at Cinecitta, it’s difficult to know where to begin, but luckily for visitors, Parchiamo has rounded up its top 10
Attractions for thrill-seekers
Altair – “The most daring roller coaster at Cinecittà World”
Indiana Adventure – A 197ft high tower, unique in Italy with three different fall systems: seated, inclined and standing.
Horror House – A journey with real actors on the film sets of the scariest horror films: from The Ring to Nightmare on Elm Street, The Exorcist and Friday the 13th.
The Labyrinth – Guests wearing virtual reality goggles have to cross the labyrinth, avoiding skeletons until they find the exit.
Family attractions
Aktium – This attraction, inspired by Ancient Rome, takes visitors inside a naval battle.
War of the Worlds – Another virtual reality attraction, this time inspired by the science fiction film, with guests having to repel an attack by an army of alien spaceships with lasers.
Aquila IV – Takes guests inside the real set of the film U-571, a film starring Matthew McConaughey from 2000 set on a German submarine.
Ben Hur – Described as offering “40 minutes of pure adrenaline”, it shows up close how ancient chariot battles took place inside the set of the film Ben Hur.
Children’s attractions
iScooter – A fun ride aboard hoverkarts that are even suitable for small kids.
Splash Battle – A waterfight with guests sitting aboard large boats equipped with water cannons.
Away from the waterpark, there are also snow slides to be found as part of the indoor snow park – the first in Italy.
Among its four attractions are a bobsleigh style ride called Kamikice, a skating rink, a snow area to play in and another long ice slide, where families sit in inflatable tubes.
There are hundreds of five star reviews on TripAdvisor for the park, with plenty of people describing it as an “amazing” day out.
One wrote: “The rides here are amazing. All of them are hectic and fun for us.”
Another said: “What a wonderful experience, I suggest you to finish your visit to Rome with this park, I am pretty sure the kids wouldn’t have so much fun any other way.”
A third added: “A great day to spend in Rome with family! Although it was mid August there were no big lines! Enjoyed the shows and the rides.”
Meanwhile, here are five European alternatives to going to Disneyland.
And this brand new theme park with 25 attractions has opened in Europe.