Top 10 Things to Know Before Visiting Rome, Italy
#1 - Cash is a Preferred Method of Payment
When I was in Rome several years back, cash was king in the city. Now, post-COVID, many countries in Europe have switched to card-heavy forms of payment. Italy, however, still remains very cash-reliant. That being said, there are more places that shops, restaurants, and museums offer options for payment, but the preferred method is still cash. So, make sure you bring plenty of euros on your trip.
#2 - City Tax Must Be Paid with Every Hotel Stay
Keep in mind that when you stay at a hotel or B&B, city tax will be added to your stay. You’ll typically pay for this at the end of your stay. That great deal you found on Expedia may not actually be that great once you factor in the city tax. The city tax in Rome is around €3-€10 per person per night, so it can add up quite fast.
#3 - Rome is Very Touristy, Even in Off Season
If you’re looking for a nice calm get-away in Italy, don’t go to Rome. Rome is notorious for being noisy, loud, and chaotic. Millions of tourists come each year to Rome, and you can never truly escape the crowds. I’ve been to Rome during several different months of the year, with this most recent being the middle of October. I can tell you that you won’t get a break from tourists no matter what time you go. There truly isn’t an “off season” in Rome. You can absolutely find some breaks from the crowds in certain areas of Rome, but there’s not much going on in those parts of the city anyway. Just be prepared for large crowds of tourists when you arrive.
#4 - Buy Vatican Tickets Well in Advance to Avoid Large Lines
As I mentioned above, there’s really no off season in Rome. The Vatican is a pilgrimage for many Christians around the world, so the Vatican will always be full of visitors. Therefore, to avoid large lines of people visiting the Vatican, we highly recommend buying tickets ahead online. Additionally, unlike what we usually suggest with our trips, we actually recommend you book a later time in the day to see the museum and Sistine Chapel. Many people have the idea (as did I) that booking your tickets for the opening time (8:00 a.m.) will mean less crowds. WRONG. Everybody thinks that, so many people show up early in the morning. Later in the day, it gradually decreases.
Additionally, don’t buy a ticket to St Peter’s Basilica. Entrance is free, but you will usually need to wait in line. However, the line usually moves pretty quickly, so it’s not going to take you that long to get in. Once you’re in, you can stay as long as you like.
#5 - Public Transportation is Not Great
Rome is a megacity. It takes a while to get around from one place to another. One would expect the underground to be expansive and established, but it is not. One of the main reasons why it is not is because of how ancient the city is. There are so many old Roman ruins buried underground that it would be destroyed if expansions with the underground were to take place. That being said, they are working on building more routes for the future to make it easier to get around the city. In the meantime, taxis, buses, or old fashioned walking are going to be the best ways to get around.
#6 - Food in Rome is Not That Impressive
This one may be a bit controversial, but food in Rome is not that exceptional. Italy has some of the best food in the world; but, since Rome is so touristy, many of the restaurants’ quality and authenticity go out the window in many of these cafes and restaurants. In all my time living and visiting in Italy, Rome has consistently been the one place where I have not had great dining experiences. Sure, there are some authentic places sprinkled around, but they are lesser known restaurants. Looking things up via Google usually won’t help as these are typically coming from tourists themselves. To find better places, ask the locals where they go to get a more authentic experience.
#7 - Dinner Starts Late
Another thing to keep in mind when it comes to food is to know that dinner time starts late here in Rome (and Italy in general). You’ll know if it’s authentic by its hours. If it’s open from lunch to late at night, that’s an indicator it’s not going to be authentic. If there’s a gap between opening times and the restaurant re-opens around 7:30, chances are it’ll be a better meal. Romans don’t typically start dinner until around 8/8:30. Dinner is not just a time to reenergise and stuff yourselves; it’s a time for community and the enjoyment of good food.
#8 - Don’t Buy Gelato from Stalls that Pile High
Anywhere in Italy, you’ll find hundreds of gelato shops all around. Some are fantastic, while others are not. One way of finding out if it’s bad or not is seeing how much they pile the gelato. If it seems to be a mile-high clump of gelato together in its tin, it’s NOT worth it. It’s meant to look like that to attract attention to tourists who don’t know any better (many fall for it). They top the new gelato over the old gelato, so you’ll actually see a difference in colour and texture. Instead, stick to ones that are not piled on each other and don’t have a laundry list of flavours. The less options you have, the better it will be. Remember - less is more when it comes to gelato.
#9 - Don’t Dare Order a Cappucchino After Noon
Much like wine, coffee is taken very seriously in Italy. Cappuccino started in Italy and is a ritual every morning for Romans. That being said, don’t order one after noon, unless you want a swift talking to. They will either not serve it to you or think you’re crazy. It’s not just a strange thing that Italians came up with just because - there is an actual biological reason. At one time, as we learned, many Italians (particularly from the southern part) were lactose intolerant. In order for the body to handle and digest lactose, it could really only be consumed during the beginning of the day. After about 11 in the morning, Italians would choose not to drink it for digestive reasons.
#10 - Beware of Pickpockets and Gypsies
Unfortunately, this is just as much a problem today as it was a decade ago. Pickpocketing is especially prevalent in Rome, with many tourists losing their cash, credit cards, passports, and phones each year. There are countless opportunities for these items to be stolen, such as in crowds, on trains, in museums, and even in churches. Also, there are many gypsies roaming around trying to get money out of tourists. They can usually be seen with roses, bunches of bracelets, or holding photos of children (usually coming up with a sob story). These are all scams and you should be on the lookout for any of these situations while holding onto your belongings.
