Visit Rome: The Don’ts of Traveling to Italy
Greetings from Rome, Italy! This is one of my favorite cities in the world, so I’m excited to share some Rome travel tips, with these six “don’ts” for visiting Rome. There are many things travelers should do when in Rome, but there are also a few things travelers should not do.
Rome Travel Tip #1: Don’t Forget to Pre-Book Attraction Tickets
For travelers wanting to visit the most popular attractions in Rome, like the Vatican or the Coliseum, it’s critical to book tickets online ahead of time. Lines to get into these places can be extremely long, extending over an hour to get in. The best option is to book a tour that offers early access before the attraction opens to the public, or at the very least, a tour that whisks you through the entry point.
Rome Travel Tip #2: Don’t Forget Comfortable Walking Shoes
Rome is a very compact city, and visitors can walk from site to site, but inevitably a visit to Rome will include a lot of walking. Rome has many cobblestone streets and uneven pavement, which eventually cause your feet to get very tired. A good pair of comfortable walking shoes is a lifesaver in Rome. Even with good shoes, feet will get tired, so give them an advantage with the most comfortable shoes you can find.
Read: Five Rules for What Shoes to Wear in Europe
Rome Travel Tip #3: Don’t Forget About Pickpockets
Another way to say this is, don’t take your hands off your wallet when in major tourist sights, or on the Metro. There are many pickpockets and unsavory characters that prey on the tourists that visit Rome. In crowded areas, it’s not uncommon to be bumped into, and sometimes those bumps are not accidental, but occur from a pickpocket taking advantage of the large crowds. This is especially true on the Metro at major stops like the Coliseum, when the crowds provide cover for pickpockets to pick a pocket and then blend into the crowd. Bag slashing is another way that tourists can be robbed, and special travel bags with metal wiring inside are made specifically for this purpose.
Read: How Pickpockets Rob You
Rome Travel Tip #4: Don’t Eat Near Major Tourist Sights
For the most authentic Italian cuisine, tourists should not eat at the tourist menus. The restaurants immediately surrounding the super touristy sights, like Trevi Fountain or the Vatican, have overpriced and underflavored food. Locals do not eat at these places, so travelers shouldn’t either. Just a three or four block walk will offer many more authentic dishes and the quality will be much better, usually at a better price, too. Travelers will find the best gelato and pasta if they venture off the beaten path, just a bit.
Rome Travel Tip #5: Don’t Forget to Throw a Coin Into Trevi Fountain
Visitors to Rome should not forget to toss a coin over their shoulder into the Trevi Fountain. Legend has it that a coin tossed into Trevi Fountain assured a repeat visit to Rome, which is a good thing! Whether you come for a week or a month, there are so many things to do in Rome, from the Vatican, the Coliseums, the Forums, and the neighborhoods, you’ll need a second (and third!) visit to Rome.
Rome Travel Tip #6: Don’t Miss the Chance to Speak With Locals
Often when traveling, big cities aren’t the best place to find friendly locals to interact with. Here in Rome, that’s not true. The Romans are super friendly, travelers who speak just a little bit of Italian will be overwhelmed by Roman hospitality. Just a few Italian phrases like please and thank you can make a huge difference.
Watch: Survival Italian: Basic Italian Phrases for Travelers
Hopefully these Rome travel tips get you started on planning an amazing vacation in Rome! If you want to learn more, check out some of our other Italy travel articles: