Are You Vacationing in Rome?

Rome is a wonderful city—a standout amongst the most amazing urban communities on the planet, really. I regularly 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, each building breathes history. It's a city like no other and one everybody should visit, at any rate once in their lifetime.

Sadly, it feels as though everybody is really visiting Rome at the same time as you seem to be… Rome is extremely crowded. Visiting the Trevi wellspring amidst the day is extremely not a good time. It's busy to the point that it makes numerous other prominent destinations resemble a fairly calm affair…

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, the Vatican. You will rapidly understand that you are not alone. There are colossal groups at every one of the most well-known points of interest. It's busy to the point that it's hard to genuinely value the magnificence of the place and appreciate it.

1. Skip some places or get "skip the line" tickets.

You sure don’t want to spend your entire day waiting in the queue just to enter the Colosseum. Like most tourists, you probably have around three to four days to enjoy your visit in Rome. So, it’s ideal that you don’t waste your time waiting in the line. Wouldn’t it be better if you skipped the Colosseum and explored it from the outside?

If you really want to check it out from the inside, buying a "skip the line" ticket would cost you a couple of extra euros. It’s convenient, too. After all, visiting Rome costs a lot, so it’s better to take an extra bunch of money to make the most out of it.

If not possible, you can try going during the quieter times such as early in the morning.

2. Visit the lesser-known places.

Some 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 mere meters away from where the crowd is headed to.

A wonderful place to visit is Quartiere Coppedè, the hidden gem of Rome. The district is beautifully built in a way that resembles something you’d see in a fantasy movie. Sure, Rome is filled with stunning monuments, but you should take the time to appreciate the smaller ones, too.

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, sheltered by Roman pillars and fed by locals.

3. Get a Roma Pass.

It costs around 20-something euros, but it really pays off. You’ll be able to experience Rome much better, too! It’s valid for three days and covers public transportation and free or discounted admission to major sights. In those three 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 can enjoy the place without being crowded. 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 just before they kick everyone out. At this time they shut off the artificial lighting blasting the ceiling. You’ll have about 15-30 minutes to view the ceiling just as it was intended, in natural light. The paintings almost leap off the ceiling and into a 3D appearance.

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. 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.

Some great advice is to stand to drink your coffee. It’ll only cost you 1–2 euro, but it’ll cost you more than five 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 are known for ripping off tourists. A taxi from Ciampino Airport into Rome is fixed at €30. 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 €6). Make sure to do your research for alternatives and find out what’s the actual price.

7. Free Museum Entrance

On the first Sunday of each month, numerous 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 just 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 result 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 weathers, I recommend that you visit during early Spring. There are many fewer people at that time.

10. Get supportive flats.

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.

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? Of course, you should plan out your trip thoroughly to enjoy it even more. By taking our tips into consideration, I can guarantee that you’ll have an amazing time there!