10 travel tips when visiting Rome

In a sort of mixed bag, we’ve put together 10 very diverse tips that might be useful to you on your trip to Rome.

1. Travel on foot

Whenever possible, walk to places. It’s the best way to get to know a city like Rome, where every corner can hold a surprise. Most of the important monuments are located within the Aurelian Walls , which define the city center and are quite walkable.

The areas that retain their medieval and Renaissance layout are especially pleasant for strolling: around Piazza Navona , the Pantheon, Campo de’ Fiori , the Jewish Quarter, and Trastevere. Once you’re somewhat familiar with the city, spend some time wandering these areas without a map , letting your intuition guide you.

It’s important to wear comfortable shoes (never brand new ones) and be prepared to be exhausted by the end of the day. Some people even train in the days leading up to the trip with long walks to arrive in Rome better prepared.

2. Lunch

If you like to make the most of your time, don’t waste it at lunchtime with a formal meal at a restaurant. Look for one of those places that serves pizza al taglio (pizza by the slice, charged by weight), and in 15 minutes you’ll be ready to continue exploring the city.

At night , on the other hand, you can look for a good restaurant for dinner, a quiet and charming place, in Trastevere, next to Campo de’ Fiori or around Piazza Navona .

3. Roman timetables

In Rome, everything starts up 30-60 minutes earlier than in a Spanish city, and people also eat a little earlier. By mid-afternoon, many monuments are already closed, and it gets dark an hour earlier than in Madrid. So, getting up early is always a good strategy. Try to leave your hotel no later than 8:30 a.m.

The following general guidelines on Rome’s opening hours will help you better plan your trip:

• Some of the main monuments (Colosseum, Roman Forum, Baths of Caracalla…) open around 8:30-9:00, and close early in the afternoon, especially in winter, as the closing time is associated with sunset (in winter at 4:30 pm and in summer at 7:15 pm).
• Public museums , on the other hand, also open early (9:00 or a little earlier) but stay open longer (until 7:30-8:00 pm), and are a good option for the end of the day.
• The four major basilicas (St. Peter’s, St. Mary Major, Lateran, and St. Paul’s) open very early (at 7 a.m.) and close in the mid-afternoon (between 6 and 7 p.m.). They do not close at midday.
• The vast majority of Roman Catholic churches , however, close at midday, from 12:30 to 3:00 or 3:30 pm . Keep this in mind, especially if you plan to visit those located further from the city center, to avoid wasting your time.

4. Beware of Sundays and Mondays

Almost all churches in Rome are open for worship, and some are closed to visitors during liturgical celebrations. During the week, smaller churches usually have one Mass early in the morning and another late in the evening, so they hardly interfere with tourism. But on Sundays, Masses are more frequent . Therefore, if possible, plan other types of visits for Sundays.

On the other hand, Monday is the closing day for the city’s public museums.

5. The History of Rome

Rome is no ordinary destination. The capital of the ancient Empire preserves a significant part of our cultural heritage. In fact, three great Roman emperors (Trajan, Hadrian, and Theodosius) were born in Hispania.

It wouldn’t hurt, therefore, to brush up on some Roman history before your trip. Knowing who Pompey, Julius Caesar, Augustus, or Vespasian were will add depth to your visit to Rome.

Our Rome audio guide contains 11 tracks that provide a concise overview of Rome’s history, from its origins to the mid-20th century. Listen to them while waiting at the airport or during your flight. You’ll arrive in Rome well-prepared and enjoy your trip twice as much.

6. Clothing in sacred places

You need to be careful about what you wear in holy places, especially in summer. Some churches don’t allow entry unless you’re wearing long trousers, have your shoulders covered, and wear a knee-length skirt. They’re particularly strict at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican and St. Mary Major .

7. Alternate visits to churches, ruins, and squares

Rome boasts a rich heritage spanning various historical periods. The ruins of antiquity allow us to reconstruct, in our imaginations, what imperial Rome was like. But after spending three hours in the Roman Forum, seeing broken columns and stones scattered on the ground, you’ll long to enter a building that’s still standing. Similarly, if you visit 20 Baroque churches in a single day, you’ll become so overwhelmed that they’ll all seem the same.

Our advice is to alternate between different types of monuments : ancient ruins, medieval, Renaissance, or Baroque churches, museums, and the city’s lively squares. Rome offers enough variety to avoid monotony.

8. Don’t try to see everything. Leave some things to come back to.

Rome is an inexhaustible city. Romans often say that one lifetime isn’t enough to truly know it . If it’s your first visit, don’t try to see everything. Take the opportunity to get a general overview of the city, to learn what’s there and what you still need to see. Visit places at a leisurely pace, learning their history and significance . Each monument is a world unto itself. Don’t rush off as soon as you arrive to see the next thing. This way, you’ll see fewer things, but you’ll be able to savor them more.

Today, few can afford to travel like the Romantics of the 19th century, who stayed for months or even years in the same destination, immersing themselves in its soul, and returned transformed. But it’s also not about engaging in frantic tourism, rushing around everywhere, just to be able to say “I was here.”

If you savor it slowly, you’ll be captivated by this unique city, and you’ll find yourself returning.

9. Beware of scams and pickpockets

Rome isn’t a dangerous city, but you should still be a little cautious. There are always people looking to take advantage of the large crowds of tourists. Two of the hotspots where you should be careful are:

• The subway , especially during rush hour, is a hotspot for pickpockets. Always keep your wallet safe. Not in your bag, where it can be stolen without you noticing.
• Taxis , especially at airports and Termini station. In our article about Rome taxis , we give you some tips on how to avoid scams.

10. Plan the trip well

It’s a good idea to know in advance what you’re going to do each day of your stay in Rome. Then, based on this general plan, you can make adjustments as you go. All the time you spend planning before you leave will help you get the most out of your trip. Once you’re in Rome, time is precious. Don’t waste it on things you could have planned ahead.

Having a simple city map, with the main monuments marked, will help you plan your daily itinerary. You can use our monument map .

Finally, a tip for your ears. Our audio guide will help you get the most out of your trip. You’ll have complete freedom of movement, and always feel as if you have a personal guide by your side. Our users say so: check out their REVIEWS .