Twelve Things That Will Shock You in Rome, Italy
Ciao from Rome, Italy! We love to help travelers prepare for their vacations, and other than telling you the best things to do, we love to share the things that will shock you upon arriving in a new destination. Today we’re sharing the top ten travel shocks of Roman culture.
Roman Culture Shock #1: How Far a Little Italian Language Will Go
You will be shocked at how much the Romans will open up to you if you speak even just a little bit of Italian. The Romans are some of the nicest people that we’ve met anywhere in the world. They treat the tourists pretty well, which is shocking if you’ve been to other cities like Venice or Barcelona.
Roman Culture Shock #2: You Don’t Share Your Pizza
Rome is the best place to eat pizza, but it’s not part of the culture to share a pizza. Everyone gets their own pizza, which is pretty awesome!
Roman Culture Shock #3: Pickpockets
You really have to pay attention at major tourist sites in Rome, as well as getting on and off the Metro, or anywhere in crowds. There are lots of pickpockets working in Rome, and even those who will slash a bag or purse to get inside. Even inside of the museums, don’t let your guard down.
Read: 13 Most Common Methods for Pickpockets
Roman Culture Shock #4: Water Quality in Public Fountains
You’ll see a lot of drinking fountains around Rome and you can actually drink the water from these fountains. The water quality in Rome is fantastic, and that’s part of why the pizza is so good! This also means you can just bring a reusable water bottle and refill it throughout your Rome vacation.
Roman Culture Shock #5: Lines for Major Sights
Rome is a popular place, so don’t be shocked when you see how long some of the lines are to get into an attraction. The Coliseum and the Vatican are the longest lines, and it can take up to three hours just to reach the front of the line. The best option is to pre-book your tickets ahead of time, either for an early morning tour or a skip-the-line option.
Roman Culture Shock #6: How Easy It Is To Get Away from Tourist Traps
With so many travelers visiting Rome every day, there are lots of super touristy attractions, including overpriced restaurants targeted to travelers. However, you only have to go a few blocks away to find authentic, local places that cater more to the local residents of Rome. By doing this, you’ll get better food, better prices and friendly locals.
Roman Culture Shock #7: Dress Codes at Churches
Many of the religious sites in Rome have a dress code and someone wearing skimpy clothing might not be let in. If you plan to visit any churches in Rome, plan ahead with appropriate clothing. Generally, you want to cover your knees and your shoulders, and a lightweight scarf can be a great item to improvise with! Romans are a very stylish bunch, so it’s pretty common to feel underdressed around them.
Roman Culture Shock #8: Number of Tourist Sights
The sheer number of tourist sights in Rome is shocking. From the Coliseum, the Vatican, the Sistine Chapel, Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps and so much more! Don’t be shocked if you don’t get to see all of them in one trip. To see as much as possible, you really want to do some upfront planning so that you’re efficient with your time.
Watch: Top Ten Tourist Sights in Rome
Roman Culture Shock #9: Number of Tourists
Along with a shocking number of tourist sights in Rome, there are a shocking number of tourists visiting at any given time. No matter what time of year you visit Rome, there are tourists. Expect to wait in lines, pay high prices and just generally be surrounded by other tourists.
Roman Culture Shock #10: How Compact Rome Is
The historic area of Rome is actually super compact. For all that there is to see in Rome, there are only three Metro lines, and you don’t really need to use them because everything is close together. Staying in the center of Rome will make everything so easy when you are sightseeing. (Bonus: you can avoid the Metro and the pickpockets this way!) With all of this walking, bring comfortable shoes.
Read: Five Rules For Shoes to Bring to Europe
Roman Culture Shock #11: The Public Toilet Experience
The public toilets in Rome are not that easy to come by. When you do find one, they can be shockingly dirty. Be sure to use the restroom at your hotel before you leave, and then try to find a restaurant for lunch with a clean restroom you can use.
Roman Culture Shock #12: How Much You Will Love Rome
Rome is one of those iconic destinations that you have heard about since grammar school. But visiting Rome is such an amazing experience, you can’t help but fall in love with it. I’ve been to Rome over 20 times; that’s how great it is! Don’t be shocked if you start planning your return to Rome before you leave!
We hope these ten tips help you better understand Roman culture, and lessen the shocks you have when arriving in Rome. Have you been to Rome? We’d love to hear what shocked you; just leave a comment below! For more Wolters World travel tips, check out these blog posts and videos: