Rome Travel Guide: 10 Essential Do’s & Don’ts

Rome can be overwhelming — ancient ruins, delicious carbs, endless crowds. But with a few smart moves, you’ll dodge rookie mistakes and experience the Eternal City like a local. Here’s your 10-point cheat sheet for what not to do… and what to do instead — straight from the latest Rome Travel Guide.

1. Don’t Stay at Termini — Do Pick a Safer Neighborhood

❌ The area around Termini Station is busy and gritty — and a hotspot for pickpockets.

✅ Opt for charming neighborhoods like Trastevere (bohemian & vibrant), Monti (cool & central), Prati (near the Vatican), or Testaccio (foodie haven). You’ll sleep better — and eat better, too.

2. Don’t Just See the Hits — Do Discover the Hidden

❌ Yes, the Colosseum and Vatican are musts — but don’t stop there.

✅ Add lesser-known treasures like Palazzo Colonna, Centrale Montemartini, or the spooky-cool Capuchin Crypt to your list. They’re quieter, often cheaper, and just as wow-worthy. Check out the article below for more hidden gems!

3. Don’t Pay Blindly — Do Check Free Entry Days

❌ Rome’s museums can be pricey.

✅ Many offer free entry on the first Sunday of the month, and the Vatican Museums are free on the last Sunday (until 2 PM). Plan accordingly and save that cash for wine and gelato.

4. Don’t Buy Bottled Water — Do Drink from the 'Nasoni' Fountains

❌ Buying plastic water bottles is unnecessary and wasteful.

✅ Rome has 2,000+ 'nasoni' fountains with clean, cold tap water — free and safe to drink.

5. Don’t Only Eat Pasta — Do Taste Rome’s Street Food

❌ Pasta and gelato are tourist staples.

✅ Locals snack on supplì (fried risotto balls), trapizzino (pizza-sandwich hybrid), and maritozzo (sweet cream bun). Don’t leave without trying at least one.

6. Don’t Buy Plastic Colosseums — Do Shop Artisan Goods

❌ Skip the cheap Colosseum magnets and mass-made trinkets near tourist hotspots.

✅ Instead, shop for handcrafted leather at Sufir Roma in Monti, vintage prints at Mercato delle Stampe on Via dei Coronari, artisan perfumes from Eau d’Italie near the Spanish Steps, or handmade sundials and timepieces from Polvere di Tempo in Trastevere. Real Roman souvenirs are crafted to last — and tell a story.

7. Don’t Just Stay in Rome — Do Take a Day Trip

❌ Rome is amazing — but so are the quieter gems just outside it.

✅ Under an hour away: Tivoli’s Villa d’Este, Ancient Ostia, or Castel Gandolfo. Have more time? Head to Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast, or Civita di Bagnoregio.

8. Don’t Order Cappuccino After Noon — Do Follow Italian Breakfast Rules

❌ Italians don’t do milky coffee after lunch.

✅ Enjoy your cappuccino with a sweet pastry (like a cornetto) before 11AM — that’s the Italian way.

9. Don’t Sit on the Spanish Steps — Do Respect Local Laws

❌ It may look like a place to rest, but it’s not — fines for sitting or eating on historic monuments can hit €400.

✅ Check signs and know the rules — they’re serious about preservation here.

10. Don’t Rush Through It All — Do Embrace 'La Dolce Vita'

❌ Rome isn’t a checklist — don’t treat it like one.

✅ Slow down. Sip espresso. Wander back alleys. Soak in the vibe, not just the sights. Toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain and trust the legend — you’ll be back.

Rome rewards the curious, the respectful, and the relaxed. Take your time, eat well, and let the history — and the carbs — sweep you away!