Rome is a very important destination for millions of tourists every year, a lifelong dream to visit at least once. With the biggest historical city center in the world and a history that began in 753 B.C., Rome has a huge cultural heritage to explore, with some of the most famous monuments known worldwide. This also means that Rome is a very touristy city, with crowded areas, long lines, and tourist traps. A vacation in Rome requires careful planning to avoid mistakes and fully enjoy the incredible atmosphere that only the majesty of the Eternal City can offer. From tips on organization, public transport, and tickets, follow our guide on what not to do in Rome during your vacation.
What avoid to do in Rome as tourist
The key to enjoying a great vacation in Rome is planning your time wisely to discover the most beautiful attractions while avoiding the tourist traps that characterize every major destination. A great travel companion for your trip to Rome is the Visit Rome Pass, a card that allows you to explore the city easily, with access to the most famous attractions, skip-the-line benefits, and unlimited public transport. Let’s find out together what to avoid and what not to do during a vacation in Rome.
1. Not using public transport
Rome is the largest city in Italy and one of the most important metropolises in Europe, with a high number of locals and tourists moving around every day. For this reason, it is essential not to use private cars or taxis but instead rely on public transport. The city center is well connected with numerous bus, tram, and subway lines, with stops just 2-5 minutes’ walk from the main monuments and attractions.
2. Eating at overly touristy restaurants
Because Rome is a top tourist destination, its historical center has many tourist-trap restaurants and bars that offer poor versions of authentic Italian cuisine. Restaurants displaying plastic food models in their windows, menus with more than 100 types of pizza or pasta, or waiters standing outside trying to lure customers in are best avoided. Instead, look for characteristic local restaurants that serve genuine Italian recipes—if a place looks overly touristy, it probably is.
3. Disrespecting religious places
As the center of Christianity and home to the Vatican City, Rome is considered the capital of Christianity. Many of its attractions are inside religious sites, so it is important to follow the proper dress code when visiting churches in Rome and the Vatican. Shorts and hot pants are not allowed, nor are tops with bare shoulders, out of respect for these sacred places, even if you are not a Christian. Additionally, food and beverages are not allowed inside churches and museums.
4. Not drinking public free water
“When in Rome, do as the Romans do”—and that includes drinking free public water from the nasoni, the small fountains located throughout the streets and alleys of the city center. These fountains provide fresh, drinkable water, perfect for refilling reusable water bottle, especially during the summer. They are found on almost every corner and using them regularly, as locals do, helps reduce plastic waste.
5. Only admiring monuments from the outside
One of the biggest mistakes tourists make in Rome is only admiring monuments from the outside. While the city has the largest historical center in the world, and there’s never enough time to see everything, it would be a shame to see the Colosseum, St. Peter’s Basilica, or the Pantheon only from the outside without exploring their interiors. Don’t miss the chance to admire the masterpieces inside St. Peter’s Basilica or discover the secrets of the Colosseum’s underground areas, included in Visit Rome Pass. Many of Rome’s monuments are stunning from the outside but reveal their full majesty from within.
6. Not planning your vacation
Planning is key to enjoying a trip to Rome. With one of the highest concentrations of world-famous monuments and attractions, organizing your time and balancing activities in advance is essential. Booking tickets to major attractions before your trip helps avoid missing out on important sites or wasting time in long entrance queues. There are many skip-the-line ticket options and guided tours available. Our suggestion is to buy just one pass that includes Rome’s main monuments and attractions to save both time and money.
7. Not being aware of pickpockets
Rome is a large city with many people walking through its streets every day. As any major city, it has pickpockets, especially in crowded tourist areas. Their targets include wallets, credit and debit cards, mobile phones, and cameras. To stay safe during the trip, keep your belongings secure and leave unnecessary valuables in the hotel room or a safety deposit box. Rome is as safe as other major European cities, but tourists can be easy targets, so it’s always best to stay cautious.
