Do you plan on visiting Rome? Don’t immediately rush to the Pantheon and Colosseum! Before you go, know these Rome traveling tips, including where to eat and off-the-beaten-path sights.
Vacation in Rome? Rome is a wonderful city. A standout amongst the most amazing urban communities on the planet. I often allude to it as the city-historical center since it feels as though you are strolling through a gigantic historical museum. Each road, each congregation, and each building breaths history. There must be a ton of items on your Rome traveling agenda. It’s a city like no other and one everybody should visit, at any rate once in their lifetime. Unfortunately, Rome can get crowded. Visiting the Trevi Fountain during the day can get hectic at times. It’s busy to the point that it makes other prominent destinations look like a walk in the park. But what if there was a way of making the most out of your visit? Let’s find out how!
How to Get the Most out of Your Visit — 10 Useful Tips
If you were planning to go to Rome, you most likely have an idea or a plan of what you need to see. The Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, and the Vatican. You’re not alone. There are colossal groups at every one of the most well-known points of interest. With the huge crowds, it can be hard to appreciate the full majesty of each location. Here are some of our tips to get the most out of your visit.
1. Skip Some Places or Get ‘Skip the Line Tickets
You don’t want to spend your entire day waiting in line to enter the Colosseum. Like most tourists, you probably have around three to four days to enjoy your visit to Rome. So, it’s ideal that you don’t waste your time waiting in line. Wouldn’t it be better if you skipped the Colosseum and explored it from the outside? If you’re short on time, take a quick gander from the outside. If you want to check it out from the inside, you can buy a ‘skip-the-line ticket. It costs a few extra euros but it’s worth it. It’s convenient too. After all, visiting Rome costs a lot, so it’s better to take some extra cash to make the most out of it. If you’re dead set on going, you can try going as early as possible during opening hours.
2. Visit the Lesser-Known Places
Great advice on how to avoid huge crowds is to go in the opposite direction! Try walking on the side, exploring the place, entering narrow passages, and so on. You can discover great places that are unknown to the masses. A wonderful place to visit is Quartiere Coppede, the hidden gem of Rome. The district is beautifully built in a way that resembles something you’d see in a fantasy movie. Rome consists of a huge variety of gorgeous monuments. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t appreciate the lesser-known spots. If you have the time, take a visit to the Torre Argentina Roman Cat Sanctuary. Roman cats have always found shelters in the ancient ruins of Rome. After the excavation of the temple ruins in 1929, feral cats moved into the area. They sheltered near the Roman pillars and locals fed them.
3. Get a Roma Pass
It costs around 20-something euros, but it pays off. You’ll be able to experience Rome much better too! It’s valid for 3 days and covers public transportation. It also gives free or discounted admission to major sights. In those 3 days, the first two sights are free, so choose the priciest ones to see first.
4. Outsmart People
You should know which hours are the best to visit the major monuments. For example, if you visit the Pantheon half an hour before it closes, you’re less likely to hit the crowds. Some people were able to explore it without a single person there! It’s better if you visit the Trevi Fountain late at night rather than during the day. It’ll still be crowded but not as much as it is in the morning. You should also visit the Sistine Chapel at the very end of the day before they kick everyone out. They turn off the artificial lighting that illuminates the ceiling. You’ll have about 15-30 minutes to view the ceiling in natural light. This makes for a life-changing experience.
5. Don’t Eat in ‘Tourist’ Restaurants
Just because Italy is known for having one of the best cuisines in the world doesn’t mean that every restaurant is good. You should eat where the locals eat. Don’t be shy to ask them for advice about it. You can ask the ones in your hotel if you don’t know where to eat. They’ll most likely point out to a nearby restaurant that isn’t too expensive or fancy but very delicious. However, it’s better if you make reservations beforehand. It’s much more respectful to do so. A great piece of advice is to stand to drink your coffee. It’ll only cost you 1-2 euro, but it’ll cost you more than 5 if you sit. Also, asking for milk past the afternoon will only get you weird looks. It’s because it’s considered a part of the breakfast menu (which ends at ~11 am).
6. Avoid Taking the Taxi
You should know what you’re paying for before taking the taxi, especially after a long flight. Some taxi drivers will rip off tourists. A taxi from Ciampino Airport to Rome has a fixed cost of EUR30. This includes all passengers, their bags, and one stop in the center. It’s illegal for drivers to charge more. A cheaper alternative is to take the airport shuttle bus (45 minutes; around EUR6). Make sure to do your research for alternatives and what’s the actual price.
7. Free Museum Entrance
On the first Sunday of each month, various museums are free to enter and wouldn’t cost you a single euro. This includes the Colosseum, Baths of Caracalla, and Galleria Borghese. This isn’t restricted to Rome, either. It applies to all regions in Italy!
8. Don’t Pay for Water
Instead, have a reusable bottle to refill from the fountains. Rome is filled with fountains that are accessible to the public, especially during summer. The water is cold and refreshing too.
9. When to Visit
It’s very important to know when to go to Rome as it could either make or break your vacation. Summers can be unbearably hot and often results in blisters and sunburns. Not only that, but it’s also the busiest time of the year. If you’re used to the cold and chilly weather, I recommend that you visit during early Spring. There are much fewer people at that time.
10. Get Comfortable Shoes
Rome’s streets are unevenly paved, so it’s ideal if you get supportive flats/shoes rather than heels or anything fancy. Getting around is often done by walking too. You’ll thank me later if you ditched your fancy shoes and wore something comfortable.
Rome Traveling Doesn’t Have to Be Difficult
The most important tip of them all is to have a great time and enjoy every single thing there. You might not be able to visit again, so why not make the most out of it? With our Rome traveling tips, you should be able to comfortably enjoy all that Rome has to offer. Of course, you should plan your trip thoroughly to enjoy it even more. By considering our tips, we can guarantee that you’ll have an amazing time there!
