Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we visit Rome, Italy! Rome is one of my favorite cities in Europe, I would move there in a heartbeat! As you know, here at Wolters World, we like to prepare travelers with the good, and the bad, of visiting a new travel destination. So these are the five things you’ll love, and the five things you’ll hate on your Rome vacation.
Hate #1: Tourist Crowds
Rome is such a popular travel destination, that it’s pretty much swamped with tourists all the time. Whether you want to visit the Colosseum, the Villa Borghesi or any other major Rome attractions, plan to wait in line or book advance tickets. You can also try to arrive at each attraction first thing in the morning and you’ll avoid some of the afternoon tour groups. Along with crowds of tourists, you’ll get the usual tourist traps: touristy restaurants, tacky souvenir shops, and tourist scams.
Hate #2: Rome Accommodation Prices
Finding affordable Rome accommodation is nearly impossible. Plan to spend at least 100 Euros per night on a room, but for just a little bit more, you can get a nicer room with a better location. There are a few hostel options, but in general, Rome accommodation is expensive compared to other similar cities. With so many tourists who visit Rome, there is no shortage of demand, so they are able to charge more for a hotel in Rome.
How to Cut Costs While Traveling
Hate #3: Lines for the Best Rome Attractions
Along with tourist crowds, you can expect long lines at many Rome attractions. Especially if you want to visit the Colosseum or the Vatican Museum. If you don’t book your ticket in advance, or join an early admission tour group, plan to spend several hours waiting in line at these two attractions. We have seen lines over a kilometer long at the Vatican. The crowds and lines make it really hard to “wing it” in Rome, so you really need to sit down and map out a plan for your trip to Rome.
Hate #4: Pickpockets & Thieves in Rome
Another downside of visiting such a popular tourist destination is that there are also many pickpockets targeting tourists. You need to be very aware of your surroundings at all times, but especially so in the train stations, on a crowded Metro car or bus. It’s not just pickpockets, but there are bag snatchers and bag slashers as well. They make anti-theft bags that are harder to cut through if you are worried. Money belts are also a good idea. We have several videos and posts about tourist scams and how to avoid being pickpocketed so you can be better prepared.
The Most Common Pickpocket Techniques
Hate #5: Public Toilets in Rome
There are very few public toilets in Rome and when you do find one, they are pretty nasty. Sometimes, it’s even just a hole in the ground! So, keep this in mind throughout the day and try to use the restroom at the hotel, restaurant or museum before hitting the streets and walking around. Especially if you are visiting Rome with kids!
Love #1: Rome Attractions
There’s a reason Rome is so popular. There are so many things to see in Rome. There’s the Colosseum, the Vatican, the Forum, plus dozens of museums and churches that you’ll want to visit. The art, architecture, and atmosphere of Rome make it one of the most popular cities in Europe for travelers.
Love #2: Compactness of Rome Attractions
Although Rome is a large city, most of the main attractions are concentrated in a small area, so it’s easy to get around. There are just two Metro lines, but they go to pretty much all of the sights you will during your Rome trip. It’s also really easy to see everything on foot if you aren’t limited by mobility. Everything is very walkable in Rome.
Love #3: Rome Accommodation Availability
Although it’s not always easy to find cheap hotels in Rome, it’s pretty easy to find available hotels in Rome. Hotel rooms are plentiful since there are so many visitors throughout the year. With so many hotels in Rome, it’s never difficult to find a room. There are agencies at the train station that will help you find a room upon your arrival in Rome. Availability is a big issue in smaller cities like Florence or Siena, but it’s not a problem in Rome.
Love #4: Restaurants in Rome
What’s nice about eating out in Rome is that you don’t have to go far to find affordable, authentic Italian food in Rome. Avoid the restaurants closest to the main tourist attractions, as they will be overpriced and not as good. Go just one or two blocks from the main square, and you’ll find amazing food for a great price.
Love #5: Quiet Pockets of Rome
Once you get away from the Colosseum or the Vatican, it’s easy to find a quiet spot to enjoy Rome. We love to find a local park where our kids can run, watch soccer games and just enjoy the local atmosphere. There are so many small neighborhoods and back streets of Rome to enjoy, and it’s really easy to get away from those crowds of tourists.
Rome really is an amazing city and a must-see destination for anyone who appreciates art, architecture, and atmosphere. If you can’t tell, the “hates” aren’t really “hates” at all, just a few things to keep a head’s up on rather than a reason not to take a Rome vacation. Want more tips for traveling in Italy? Check out these other blog posts: