Rome Travel 101
The Eternal City is among the world’s most-visited destinations, home to many of the most historic monuments, art, and architecture of all mankind. But while grand, it is, in fact, easy to explore (you can tour the city centre on foot in 1 day!) Here are our favorite tips that help visitors enjoy Rome to the max.
Visit Rome in Spring or Autumn
Rome retains an especially mild climate throughout the year. Summers are comfortably warm, and winters don’t get too nippy. This means that Rome and its attractions are welcoming year-round.
For your convenience, however, the sweet spot would be in springtime from mid-March to May and in the fall from mid-September to November, when visitors are much fewer.
Always Carry Cash
More shops in the city still accept mainly cash. It’s even better to carry coins or change, or spicci in Italian, especially for paying at small cafes and curio shops.
ATMs, called locally as bancomat, are widely available, mostly accepting cards under the Visa, MasterCard, Cirrus, and Maestro systems. As with any ATM foreign to your card, beware of exchange rates, so best to already have a bundle of money on hand that will last you through your trip.
Dinner Out Isn’t Until 8:30 PM
Restaurants typically start dinner service at 8:30 PM. Last orders are taken at around 11:30 PM.
Should you feel hungry earlier in the evening, that’s an opportunity to grab an aperitivo from an open buffet, just like the locals. Usually already available at 7:00 PM, drinks start at EUR 10.
Beware of People Distracting You
The city is infamous for pickpockets, who loiter all over Rome. Be suspicious of anyone randomly talking to you or being bothersome for no reason, as somebody else might already be picking your bags.
When in the metro or bus, or savoring a gelato, keep your bags and their enclosures in view and hold tight to them.
Mondays are Rest Days
Romans consider Monday their rest day after, hopefully, a fulfilling weekend. Museums and restaurants are closed on Mondays, which is a window for you to head out to the parks or outside the city for the day. Try the volcanic Lake Bracciano, the stunning medieval villages of Calcata and Tivoli, or the wine-producing towns in Castelli Romani.
Re: the Vatican, its museums are closed on Sundays, so they tend to receive big crowds on Saturdays and Mondays.
Opt for a Nasoni or Water Fountain for Your Drinking Water
Especially if on a budget, you should try getting your drinking water from the city’s water fountains or nasoni, a humorous local nickname that means little noses.
You can find them around every other corner, and they pour refreshingly cold water. Water bottles can be very expensive, so just have a bottle or flask on hand and refill at the fountains all around the city.
Order Your Coffee To-Go From the Bar
While cinematic, sipping coffee indulgently at a cafe incurs a hefty service charge, almost double the actual price for the coffee.
When at a cafe, walk to the cashier, pay for your coffee, take your receipt, collect your cup, then walk away to drink. Locals don’t drink coffee aimlessly; in fact, they drink it immediately with purpose. So do as the locals do and down that coffee in one go!
Get the House Wine and You’ll Be Fine
Local house wines are extremely affordable and really tasty. Available in red or white, you can order a quarter, half, or full litre of wine for under EUR 10.
Book All Your Attraction Tickets in Advance
View of St Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican
Bar none, Rome can be inconveniently touristy, so you should do everything you can to shorten your time in queues, especially if you will be visiting the big-hitters like the Colosseum, Vatican, and Catacombs, Pre-purchase all tickets in advance, even for buses. Buy bus tickets at a tabaccheria, which are little shops designated with a large “T”.
Lokal Amico already has diverse local experiences around Rome that you can book for your visit in the city. Not only are these richly informative and hosted by a friendly local expert, such tours are specifically designed to skip the lines and allow ready admission.
Wear Ultra-Comfortable Shoes
The streets of Rome are usually hilly and unevenly paved with ancient cobblestones, so best to leave your heels at home and just wear sports shoes or comfortable flats.
Additionally, don’t bother to ride a bicycle or motorbike around unless you’re expert-level at this kind of terrain.
Daily Spending Start From EUR 110
Per Lonely Planet, the budget traveller in Rome should set aside at least EUR 110 for daily costs, which cover dormitory accommodation or a double room in a budget hotel, pizza, and beer. For midrange, you will stretch up to EUR 250 for a double room in a standard hotel, a local restaurant meal, admission to Vatican Museums, and a Roma Card for other museums and public transport.
Feeling luxurious? Prepare at least EUR 250 for a double room in a 4- or 5-star hotel, with dinner at a top restaurant, an opera (up to EUR 150), and auditorium concert tickets.
