15 Tourist Mistakes to Avoid in Rome
- thereseholland
- Sep 11, 2015
- 6 min read
With so much to see and do in Rome, it's almost certain that you will have an amazing stay in the Eternal City. However, with a few tips, you can guarantee your trip is memorable for all the right reasons.
Rome attracts millions of visitors every year. Let's make sure you avoid the mistakes so many of them make.
1. Getting a hotel or hostel close to Termini station.
This is a kind of rough area, but it's tempting to stay here because it's cheap.
However, it's important to know that Termini is frequented by pickpockets and prostitutes, and generally has a sketchier vibe than the rest of Rome. I felt instantly unsafe here, quite unlike the rest of Rome.
Especially avoid the station at night, as it’s known to be quite unsafe.
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Campitelli is a beautiful and central alternative to Termini
What you should do instead:
Check out rooms in the Roman neighborhood, Campitelli. Here you’ll be in the center of the classic Roman ruins and walking distance to most of the things you’ll want to see. It is a bit touristy, but what can you expect when you’re so close to the sights?
PROTIP: Look for some Airbnb options in this neighborhood, and spend less than you would on a hotel.
Click here to get $20 off your first booking with Airbnb.
2. Visiting in the summer months.
Rome is hot, and because summer is always a time for traveling, there are enormous amounts of tourists. Visit in July and expect long lines in the heat, wasting precious time in Rome.
Not pictured: waiting hours for this view.
What you should do instead:
Springtime and September are perfect, when the weather is nice, but not too hot. There will always be loads of tourists in Rome, but at least there will be less during these times than in summer. .
3. Counting calories.
Get outta here! You’re in Rome! Don’t ruin your trip by being concerned about gaining weight. In 20 years you’ll remember wandering around historical sites with a gelato in your hand, not that your jeans were a bit tight when you got back home.
Clearly my money goes to gelato, and not manicures.
What you should do instead:
Grab a gelato at Gelateria della Palma right near the Pantheon, and focus on which of their 150 gelato flavors you want.
4. Wearing sandals, heels, or other uncomfortable shoes.
When visiting Rome, sandals are a definite no. Why? They’re uncomfortable, and your feet will probably get super dirty. Also avoid flip flops at all costs; Italians think flip flops are only for the beach.
The last time I was in Rome, I didn’t follow my own advice, and did my sightseeing in sandals. My feet hurt for days afterwards. I’ve never been in so much pain so long after sightseeing.
Here’s the thing about Rome: the streets are really hard. There’s a lot of cobblestone streets that put a lot of pressure on your feet after a while.
What you should do instead:
I can’t stress strongly enough the importance of comfortable walking shoes. I mean actual sneakers or some other shoes with a thicker sole.
Girls, you might be able to deal with well-worn flats, but I still recommend sneakers. If you want to wear heels, I advise packing wedges instead, to help you better navigate the cobblestone.
5. Paying for water.
In Rome, and especially in areas with lots of tourists, there will be loads of people selling water on the streets. Buying bottles like this, or in restaurants, is a great way to mindlessly throw money away.
What you should do instead:
There’s loads of free places to fill up your water bottle when you’re wandering through Rome—just make sure to carry a bottle with you.
The water in the free fountains is just that—free! The quality of the water is very good, too.
6. Paying for a cab to and from the airport.
These will be pricey, though cabs within the city center are reasonable.
Walking is always free!
What you should do instead:
Fiumicino (Rome's major airport) has a train called the Leonardo Express that runs every half hour. It takes you to Termini station in the centre of Rome. Just remember to not spend too much time around Termini, so taking a cab might be smart if you’re arriving late at night.
7. Visiting the Colosseum before the Roman Forum.
The colosseum almost always has a longer line because people want to see it first. However, this is not the case for the Roman Forum.
What you should do instead:
Get tickets at the Roman Forum, check it out, and when you’re finished, you can skip the line at the Colosseum, as you already have a ticket for both!
8. Visiting the Vatican between 11 am and 4 pm.
These are peak hours for tourists. There will be long lines, and you might be there all day because of this.
The Pope gives a blessing every Sunday at noon! He's up in one of those little windows.
What you should do instead:
Avoid crowds by getting there before 10 am, or going after 4 pm.
9. Visiting the Sistine chapel and museum on Sunday.
It’s closed then!
An amazing sight to see any other day of the week!
What you should do instead:
The Colosseum is free on Sundays! If you need to do some sightseeing on Sunday, head there.
10. Eating at a restaurant close to a tourist attraction.
“Authentic” Roman places are unlikely anywhere near the Colosseum. Grabbing lunch or eating dinner near major tourists sights are likely to be pricey, and catered to tourists.
What you should do instead:
Zi’mberto has the best carbonara (typical Roman pasta dish) in Rome! Get dinner there, but be prepared to wait. Like any great, historical Italian place, there will be a long line for seating.
11. Drinking too much.
Go out in Rome, if that’s your thing. Just keep in mind that tomorrow, you’ll probably have loads of sightseeing to do.
If you ignored tip #2, and you’re here in Summer, this will be even worse, because you’ll be waiting in line, hungover, in the heat. What I'm saying is, don't make the same mistakes I made!
I know, easier said than done when wine is so delicious and so cheap!
What you should do instead:
Still enjoy the nightlife out! Check out the Roman neighborhood Trastevere, where you can find a mix of local Romans and visitors. Just drink a lot of water before going to sleep.
12. Accepting help in a train station.
Sorry that I keep driving this point home, but at Termini, there will be pickpockets. One of the most common tricks in Rome is to pretend to help a tourist in order to get their money. These people do not work for the station, and are on the lookout for confused looking tourists. If you accept this help, they will either ask for money or take it from you. These people are breaking the law, too.
Be careful anywhere you go, and enjoy the beauty of Rome!
What you should do instead:
Get help from someone who actually works for the station. Look out for uniforms or find someone in the train company’s offices.
13. Visiting the Vatican in the wrong clothes.
You won’t be allowed in the Vatican if you’re revealing your shoulders or knees. This goes for men, women, and children. As you can imagine, this is more strictly enforced for the ladies.
This means no tank tops, no shorts, and no sundresses. Wear any of these, and you’ll have to purchase scarves before entering, costing you money and making you look like this...
What you should do instead:
Ladies: a maxi skirt is your friend. A scarf can also help to quickly throw over your shoulders. Otherwise, tops that cover the shoulders and pants are a good idea.
Guys: you’re all set with a t-shirt and jeans or pants.
14. Leaving a tip.
It’s not Italian custom to leave a large tip (more than 10%). This is an easy way for tourists, especially Americans, to lose money while visiting places like Rome.
Cold coffee and a cornetto at Bar San Teo in Rome, no tips necessary.
What you should do instead:
Round up to the nearest Euro. It may not seem like a good tip, but it is.
Italian tipping explained in Should I Tip in Italy? Hmm... Kind of.
15. Rushing around.
Most importantly, take it slow when you visit Rome. Of course there’s a lot to see, but quickly checking all the sights off your Rome to-do list is the fastest way to miss out on the amazing experience Rome has to offer.
What you should do instead:
Enjoy the laid back Italian culture, and wander from place to place. You’ll likely stumble upon historical monuments and beautiful people along the way. Trust me, this approach is what you should aim for. I promise you’ll remember slowly savoring your cacio e pepe and wine more than you would frantically trying to see a city that wasn’t built, nor is mean to be seen, in a day.
Rome is waiting for you. Go enjoy it, without making these common mistakes!
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