Rome travel tips are a must if you want to make the most of your visit to the Eternal City. I’ve been to Rome several times, and even now I always discover something new. But I’ll be honest: the first time I visited, I made plenty of rookie mistakes that cost me time, money, and unforgettable experiences.
In this guide, I’m sharing my best Rome travel tips based on real mistakes I made—so you can avoid them and enjoy your trip to Rome stress-free. From planning your itinerary and picking the right area to stay, to food, transport, and hidden gems, here’s everything you need to know.
👉 Before diving in, check out my Rome travel guide and these must-reads:
📌 Essential Rome Guides
Rome travel tips based on my mistakes
🚦 1. Don’t just show up at the Colosseum without tickets
Biggest rookie move: I showed up at the Colosseum thinking I could just buy a ticket at the entrance. Result? Two hours in line under the blazing sun. One of my top tips for visiting Rome Italy: book all major tickets online in advance—Colosseum, Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Basilica dome, Borghese Gallery. They sell out fast and you’ll save hours.
🎧 2. Skipping guided tours
I visited the Colosseum and Vatican Museums without a guide the first time. Sure, they were beautiful, but I missed so much history. Guided tours changed the experience completely.
💡 The good ones give you headsets so you can wander around at your own pace without being glued to the guide.
The 3 tours worth booking ahead are:
🚶 3. Not doing a free walking tour
The first day I explored on my own and got lost. Later I discovered free walking tours in Rome and realized they’re the best way to get oriented, learn fun facts, and meet other travelers. Plus, they’re free (though tipping the guide is expected).
🗓️ 4. No daily itinerary
My first trip, I wandered aimlessly and ended up retracing steps and missing key sites. Rome is huge—you need a day-by-day plan. You can follow my ready-made itineraries here:
🚌 5. Skipping day trips
Rome is amazing, but I regret not leaving the city at least once. Pompeii blew my mind when I finally went. My advice: save a day for a side trip. Pompeii, Tivoli, or Florence by train are all great options.
📅 6. Visiting on the first Sunday of the month
Sounds great—many museums are free. But it means insane crowds and endless lines. Honestly, I lost more time than money. My tip: pay the entry fee and enjoy the sites calmly.
🌞 7. Not waking up early
If you want photos at Trevi Fountain or the Spanish Steps without hundreds of people, you need to be there at sunrise. Rome is magical in the early morning—do it at least once.
👕 8. Not dressing for churches
In August I wore sleeveless tops and couldn’t enter several churches. Ended up buying a scarf for way too much money. Always carry a light scarf or wear something with sleeves if you plan to visit religious sites. This scarf on Amazon is perfect because it takes up no space.
💧 9. Buying bottled water
Rome has free public fountains (“nasoni”) with safe drinking water everywhere. Bring a reusable bottle and save a fortune.
Bring a reusable bottle like this one and get a free refill.
🍝 10. Eating in touristy squares
I sat down at a terrace in Piazza Navona thinking it would be amazing. It was overpriced and average. Walk two or three streets away from the big attractions and you’ll find authentic trattorias. In this article you can find the best places to eat in Rome.
💶 11. Exchanging money at the airport
Terrible rates. Instead, use a no-fee travel card or withdraw cash at local ATMs. Pro tip: in Rome you can pay for almost everything with card, so you don’t need much cash.
🕰️ 12. Underestimating distances
Rome looks walkable on a map, but it’s bigger than you think. Mix walking with metro, buses, or trams. Plan sites by area to avoid backtracking.
🛍️ 13. Not reserving tours in advance
I once tried to book a Vatican tour the same day—completely sold out. Book online ahead for popular tours like the St. Peter’s dome climb or food tours.
🏨 14. Choosing the wrong area to stay
I stayed far from the center to save money, but wasted hours commuting. Best neighborhoods: Centro Storico, Trastevere, or Monti. Here’s my guide on where to stay in Rome.
📸 15. Only chasing “must-sees”
I obsessed over ticking off landmarks and forgot to enjoy wandering. Some of my best memories are from strolling through Trastevere or the Jewish Quarter.
🛩️ 16. Ignoring the best time to visit
I went in August—huge mistake. It was brutally hot and packed. The best months? April, May, September, and October. Here’s my guide to the best time to travel to Rome.
💸 17. Confused about tipping
One of the most common questions: do you tip in Rome?
Answer: tipping isn’t mandatory in Italy like in the US. Locals usually just round up the bill or leave small change. If you had exceptional service, 5–10% is appreciated, but it’s not expected.
🚖 18. Hailing random taxis
At Termini Station I grabbed a random cab and got overcharged. Use official white taxis with meters, or apps like Uber/Bolt. For peace of mind, pre-book a private transfer online.
🛍️ 19. Explore local markets and artisan shops
Rome isn’t just about monuments: some of my most memorable souvenirs came from local markets and artisan shops. For example, the Campo de’ Fiori Market is a great place to see fresh products, original souvenirs, and to get a glimpse of everyday Roman life. I also love wandering into small ceramic shops, artisan bakeries, and hidden boutiques in side streets — that’s where you’ll find authentic treasures you won’t see in traditional guides.
🌅 20. Watch the sunset from unique spots
One of my favorite moments in Rome was watching the sunset from a quiet spot along the Tiber River. From there, you get incredible views with a bridge in the background and the golden light covering the city. You don’t always need to go to the most famous viewpoints; sometimes just wandering around and finding your own corner makes the experience much more authentic and peaceful. I recommend keeping your camera ready and enjoying the moment without rushing.
🎁 Extra Rome travel tips most tourists miss
✨ Pinocchio Bartolucci shop
📍 Via dei Pastini, near the Pantheon
A magical wooden toy shop full of handmade marionettes. A unique souvenir you won’t find in the tourist stalls.
🔑 The Keyhole of the Knights of Malta
📍 Aventine Hill
Peek through the famous keyhole for a perfectly framed view of St. Peter’s dome. Free and unforgettable.
🍨 Gelato at Giolitti
📍 Near the Pantheon
One of Rome’s oldest gelato shops. Pistachio and chocolate are legendary—totally worth the line.
💦 Hidden fountain near Bocca della Verità
Everyone queues for a photo at the “Mouth of Truth,” but few notice the free water fountain right beside it—perfect for refilling your bottle.
✅ That’s my list of Rome travel tips!
I hope my mistakes and lessons help you plan better and enjoy your trip to Rome without stress. If you’ve been before and have more tips for visiting Rome Italy, drop them in the comments—I’d love to hear them.
👉 Ready to keep planning? Check out these guides:
- 🏛️ Things to do in Rome
- ⛪ 2 days in Rome
- 🏺 3 days in Rome
- 🖼️ 4 days in Rome
- 🏟️ 5 days in Rome
- 🚆 Day trips from Rome
- 🎟️ Vatican museums
- ✈️ Trip to Rome
- 🏨 Best hotels in Rome
- 🏨 Hotels in central Rome
- 🏨 Cheap hotels in Rome
- 🛌 Where to stay in Rome
- 🍝 Where to eat in Rome
- 🌸 Best time to travel to Rome
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