Planning a Trip to Rome: Tips & Tricks for Better Experience in 2025
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Planning a trip to Italy and looking for travel tips for Rome? Read on! In this article, I share simple but very important tips for visiting Rome for the first time. Not only will these tips help you have a more enjoyable trip, but they will also help you make the most of your trip. Find out!
In this post, I share experience-based advice for a more enjoyable travel experience in the Eternal City and useful tips on how to get the most out of your time in Rome.
From where and when to go, to where to eat and where to stay, to what shoes to wear – find out all you need to know when planning a trip to Rome so that you can get the most out of your visit and truly enjoy it.
Good to know: This blog with Rome travel tips has been updated after our most recent trips to Rome. We do our best to keep it up-to-date with experience-based tips and insights. I hope that it will help you plan a fun and truly memorable visit to the Eternal City!
2025 is a Jubilee Year in Rome. It’s the Vatican’s Holy Year which is celebrated once every 25 years and attracts lots of pilgrims from all over the world. So the city will be busier than ever before. Planning ahead is absolutely essential if visiting Rome in 2025!
Top 4 Tickets You Should Book in Advance:
- Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel.
- Colosseum & Roman Forum.
- The Pantheon (yes, nowadays you need a ticket here too!).
- Airport Transfer.
Rome is a beautiful place! One of the most beautiful cities in Italy and one of the most impressive cities in the world! I often refer to it as the city-museum because it really feels as if you are walking through a huge museum.
Every street, every church, every building breaths history. There’s so much to see in do in Rome and it’s a city like no other, a place everyone should visit, at least once in their lifetime.
Unfortunately, it feels as if everyone is actually visiting Rome at the same time as you are… Rome is crowded. It’s certainly the case for the main tourist sights. Visiting the Trevi Fountain in the middle of the day is really no fun. It’s so busy that it makes many other popular destinations look like a rather quiet experience…
Despite the crowds, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the city. Below are some top tips that should help you make the most of your trip to Rome and have a more enjoyable visit. Read on!
READ ALSO: Best Things to Do in Rome
Here are our top Rome travel tips:
1. Book in advance
When traveling to Rome for the first time, you probably have a pretty good idea of what you want to see. The Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Vatican…
You will quickly realize that you are not the only one, however. There are huge crowds at each of the most famous landmarks. Often, it’s so busy that if you don’t think to book well in advance, you may not be able to visit at all.
The tickets to the most popular places – the Colosseum and the Vatican Museums – often get sold out at least a few weeks in advance. So if you absolutely want to visit the Colosseum or see the Sistine Chapel, you HAVE to book upfront. In the high season (April – October), be sure to book at least 2-3 weeks in advance. In winter, you might be able to find tickets in the same week as well, but don’t count on it.
Here you can get tickets for the Colosseum and the Vatican Museums.
Also, keep in mind that some places – especially the Vatican – can be closed for some religious celebrations or other occasions. When booking in advance, you’ll immediately see which days are unavailable and will be able to adjust your itinerary if needed. Otherwise, you risk not being to able to visit some places at all…
PRO TIP: If the tickets you want to are sold out, you can usually still visit the place by joining a guided tour. Many tour companies have access to additional tickets, and often, they prebook them long in advance as well. More info about tours and tickets below.
2. Get ‘skip the line’ tickets or go with a guided tour
If you are like most tourists, you have just two or three days in Rome and want to see it all. Do you really want to spend most of your time queuing at the most famous landmarks, wondering where exactly to go and what to see, and completely miss out on the more authentic travel experience?
If you don’t, then you should really consider booking ‘skip the line’ tickets or guided tours.
Otherwise – if you are really short on time – you can also skip some must-see places and only see them from the outside. Spend your time getting to know the city and don’t waste it queuing!
Guided tours might cost you a few extra euros, but considering how much your trip costs, it’s really worth spending that tiny bit extra and getting more out of your time in Rome. After all, your trip to Rome is not cheap and it would be a complete waste of money to spend all your time waiting in lines or visiting a place and getting completely overwhelmed not knowing where exactly to go and what to see…
So save time at the most popular attractions and make the most of your trip!
PRO TIP: The Rome Tourist Card is an easy way to secure timed entry tickets to the most popular tourist attractions in Rome in one place. It includes priority access to the Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill, Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel, and more. It’s all digital so really simple to use.
Here are some more tips for visiting two of the most popular attractions in Rome. Take a look!
Tips for visiting the Colosseum
Skip the lines at the Colosseum by booking your tickets in advance, take a guided tour, or just see the Colosseum from the outside and don’t go inside at all.
Don’t skip Colosseum completely, just don’t spend the whole day in line!
The ruins of the Colosseum’s basements are well worth a visit, and so is the Arena Floor and the rest of the Colosseum, but do yourself a favor and research what exactly you want to see and how to best do it in advance! Otherwise, you’ll get overwhelmed, won’t see everything, and/or end up paying way too much to just be able to get in.
TIP: We recently did and recommend this highly-rated all-in Colosseum tour. After hours of research, it looked like the most complete tour and we were so glad we took it. Yes, it was more expensive than just the entrance tickets, but it saved us so much stress and we saw all the very best places in just 3 hours. And yes, the Underground of the Colosseum and the Arena Floor are absolutely worth it!
PRO TIP: If you visit the Colosseum on your own, be sure to book your tickets well in advance! If you want to visit the Colosseum Underground, you will always have to go with a guide. Without a guide, you can choose between regular tickets or – slightly more expensive – tickets that also include a visit to Arena Floor (recommended).
If you get this ticket and go on your own, make sure you don’t miss the entry to Arena Floor! Because if you pass it, you won’t be allowed to turn back (to control the crowds, there’s a one-way ‘flow’ inside). We heard from many people that things might get confusing and that they missed several parts of the Colosseum or thought they would visit them later and then were not allowed to go back. This is also why we personally go with a guide and recommend it to our readers as well.
Good to know: The more in advance you book, the more choice of available time slots you’ll have. On the other hand, the Colosseum usually only releases its tickets a month upfront. For that, a guided tour is again a better option since you can usually reserve it several months in advance. Alternatively, try the Tiqets website.
READ ALSO: How to Visit Colosseum in Rome (all levels and tickets explained)
Tips for visiting Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
Visit the Vatican Museums with a guided tour or plan your visit at a quieter time. Do you really want to spend 3 hours queuing and wandering around the Vatican Museums in order to spend 2 minutes inside the Sistine Chapel to see the famous ceiling painted by Michelangelo?
I understand that you want to see the Vatican museums – they are absolutely worth it! Just try to at least plan your visit in such a way that you spend more time at the museums and not waiting to get in or trying to figure out where exactly to go.
Nowadays, you HAVE to book your tickets for the Vatican Museums online. We did this and the entrance was easy and smooth. However, we absolutely regretted not booking a guided visit. The place is crowded, it’s not at all clear where exactly to go and what is worth it the most… In the end, all the routes lead to the Sistine Chapel, so we did get there, but we have no idea what else we missed… Either way, we found a visit really stressful and overwhelming. Next time, I’d absolutely go with a tour.
TIP: Going first thing in the morning (=as soon as it opens) or very late in the afternoon is the best way to visit the Vatican Museums. I would also advise booking a tour with a guide – that way you are sure you actually get to see all the best places. This is the most popular tour of the Vatican Museums, this is a great early-bird option without the crowds (recommended!), and here you can find (an overwhelming) choice of all the available tours of the Vatican.
PRO TIP: If you decide to visit the Vatican Museums on your own, book your tickets well in advance. They often sell out days upfront, not even to mention the high season.
Last-minute Vatican tickets. If you can’t find tickets for the Vatican anymore, check here. Sometimes, they have some last-minute tickets available.
UNIQUE TOUR: If you are looking for an even more special experience and don’t mind to splurge, check out this unique VIP Key Master’s Tour. You enter Vatican Museums about 2 hours before they open to the public and walk together with the Key Master as they open the galleries and Sistine Chapel.
3. Outsmart the crowds
One of the concerns I always hear from people visiting Rome is how to actually enjoy the most popular places if it’s always so busy. The good news is that it is absolutely possible to see some of the most popular landmarks in Rome without the huge crowds IF you plan well. And the best way to do this is to go at the less popular times.
TIP: If you want to avoid the biggest crowds, visit Rome in the lower season (November – March) – more about the best months to visit further below, towards the end of this article. But also in the high season, it’s possible to enjoy some of the main sites without too many other people around.
One of my top travel tips for Rome is to try and visit the most popular places in the city early in the morning. But for some places – going in the afternoon might actually be better. Below are some examples and tips for visiting some of the most popular landmarks in Rome. Take a look!
Best time to visit Trevi Fountain
If you want to see Trevi Fountain without hundreds of other people, get up early! Early morning (no later than 7-7.30 AM) is really the best time to visit the Trevi Fountain without the crowds. However, nowadays, it’s often quite busy in the morning too, especially in the summer season…
Alternatively, go to the Trevi Fountain very late in the evening. It will still be busy – it always is – but it’s nothing compared to the crowds during the day.
Best time to visit the Vatican
Depending on where you go exactly – St. Peter’s or Sistine Chapel – it might be better to come either very early or late. Whatever you do, avoid the busiest daytime hours (10 AM to 2-3 PM).
We’ve been to the Vatican in high season and in low season, in the morning, during the day, and also in the afternoon… It’s always very busy during the day, but can be amazing (very) early in the morning or very late in the afternoon.
During the day, all the streets leading to the Vatican are so crowded that it’s really hard to enjoy a visit. But if you come early in the morning or in the late afternoon, it’s a totally different experience.
For the Vatican Museums, we recommend visiting either as soon as they open or going about 2 hours before the closing time. For St. Peter’s Basilica, the best time to visit is late afternoon.
Even in the high season, we once visited St. Peter’s Basilica at 6 PM and we were inside in less than 10 minutes (security check included)! In the low season, it’s already pretty quiet from about 3-4 PM. Just be sure to check the opening times, especially if you also want to climb the Dome.
Good to know: While you absolutely need to book tickets/tour for the Vatican Museums in advance, the entrance to the Basilica doesn’t require a booking and is free of charge. You do need a ticket to go up to the top of St Peter’s Dome, but it can’t be booked in advance. You’ll have to queue and get the tickets for the Dome when you get there.
Recently, we decided to go with a tour because we wanted to learn more and be sure we saw everything. We took this tour that included the Dome and the Underground and it was really good.
TIP: If you visit St. Peter’s on your own, get an audioguide at the entrance. That way, you’ll get some explanation and have a better idea of what you are seeing in this colossal building.
When to visit the Pantheon
First things first – since recently, you need a ticket in order to visit the Pantheon. It used to be free, but that is no longer the case.
You can get tickets on the official website (which is quite confusing according to many recent reports), on GetYourGuide (very easy and you can cancel up to 24 hours before your visit), or simply stand in line and get them on the spot (even more confusing and there are two lines – one for cash payments and one for card payments – and you never know which one will be shorter).
In order to avoid having to stand in a long queue without any shade for an hour or even longer, we highly recommend getting your tickets online. If you get a fast-track timed-entry ticket, you can go to the ‘online’ queue and enter at the specified time slot.
Good to know: At the moment of the last update, all online bookings (official site too) involve picking up the actual ticket at another location. So be sure to read the instructions carefully!
TIP: If you can, visit the Pantheon first thing in the morning or half an hour before the closing time.
The Pantheon is one of the most popular landmarks in Rome and is extremely crowded. The best way to appreciate it without the biggest crowds is to visit in the morning right after it opens or about half an hour before the closing time.
We once managed to see the Pantheon completely empty by visiting it right before it closed. You have to make sure you are not too late as they don’t let people in just before closing time. But once inside, you can stay until it closes and everyone leaves. Great experience!
Good to know: Nowadays, all online tickets include an audio guide. It’s a great way to learn more about the Pantheon, its history, architecture, and the people buried inside. If you listen to the entire narrative, it takes about half an hour.
Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona & other landmarks
Spanish Steps are probably best visited very early in the morning or late at night. This area is always so busy during the day! Often, you can’t even see the steps because of the number of people there.
The same for the Piazza Navona. It’s beautiful in the morning and late in the evening, but crowded during the day.
If you only have a few days in Rome, skip the busiest museums (=save lots of time). Capitoline Museums are especially busy, with long queues every time we visit Rome.
If you like art, consider some of the less busy places. For example, the art gallery at Villa Borghese is one of the gems of Rome (tickets have to be booked in advance). Alternatively, visit some of the churches instead of museums. Often, you can admire the most amazing pieces of art at the churches for free and without the crowds.
4. Stay close to the Pantheon
If your budget allows, try to find a hotel in the old city center. In my opinion, the best place to stay in Rome is the area close to the Pantheon. The best location is pretty much anywhere between Piazza Navona and Trevi Fountain, with the Pantheon being right in the middle.
Every time we go to Rome, we always stay close to the Pantheon. It’s so central that you can easily walk to all the main landmarks and visit everything without ever needing to use public transport.
Staying here, you can easily discover most of central Rome on foot. It’s also really simple to visit some of the most popular places in the morning without the crowds. Get up early, walk to Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, or the Spanish Steps, then go back to your hotel for a relaxing breakfast – it’s a great way to start your day in Rome!
You can find some of the best deals for Central Rome accommodation here. Alternatively, here are some hand-picked hotel suggestions in this area for all budgets:
- €€€€€ Eitch Borromini Palazzo Pamphilj – a very popular 4* hotel overlooking Piazza Navona.
- €€€€ 9HotelCesari – a beautiful 4* hotel with the most beautiful rooftop bar/ restaurant. This is the hotel where we stayed on our last visit to Rome.
- €€€ Albergo Abruzzi – an excellent 3* hotel close to the Pantheon.
- €€ Navona Theatre Hotel – 3* hotel with a very good price/ quality/ location ratio. One of the best sellers in Rome!
- €+ Hotel Primavera – a popular 2* hotel offering good value for the location.
READ ALSO: Where to Stay in Rome: Best Area & Hotels
TIP: There are also lots of hotels, apartments, and short-term rental accommodations in the center of Rome. Take a look at the map below where you can compare various accommodation providers in one place and look for the best deals for your trip.
Simply insert your travel dates and group size and you will see what’s available in the area of your choice. Check it out!
5. Research & book airport transfers in advance
If you are arriving in Rome by plane, you’ll most likely land at the Fiumicino Airport, aka Leonardo da Vinci International Airport. This airport is located about 30 kilometers (18.5 miles) outside the city center and the drive usually takes about 35-45 minutes.
Ciampino Airport is about 15 kilometers (9 miles) from the center, but the drive usually takes almost just as long – over half an hour.
There are many ways to get from these airports to the city; the best option depends on where you are staying, at what time of day you arrive, and, of course, your budget. Either way, you will save time and money by doing some research and booking in advance!
Here are the best Rome airport transport options:
- The easiest way to get from any airport directly to your hotel in Rome is by booking a private transfer. Alternatively, you can take a taxi. The rates they charge are now fixed in order to avoid tourist scams. However, depending on the time of the day, traffic can be busy, not even to mention that there is often a long wait for a taxi (for that, a private transfer is better).
- The fastest, most reliable, and most convenient way to get to Rome city center from Fiumicino airport is by train – Leonardo Express. Trains run every 15-20 minutes from early morning to almost midnight. You get a digital ticket that is valid for any train on the selected day, so you don’t have to worry about having to look for a ticket desk or stress in case your flight is delayed. Also, there are no luggage limits. Round-trip tickets are also available.
- The cheapest way to travel between Fiumicino airport and the city center is by this bus that brings you straight to the central railway station without any stops. This shuttle bus is slightly more expensive and has several stops along the way including the Vatican and Rome Termini central station. There is also a similar shuttle bus transfer to/from Ciampino Airport.
LEARN MORE: Rome Airport Transfers (all the best options from Fiumicino or Ciampino)
6. Get off the beaten path in Rome
If I could give one general piece of advice on how to avoid big crowds in Rome, it would be to go in the opposite direction of where most of the people go! Take a side street, look around, enter a narrow passage, try the closed door of a church…
We visited a couple of amazing places just meters away from the main streets where – literally- thousands of people were passing by focused on their main goal and completely ignorant to all the rest.
Here you can find some ideas for Rome underground sites and the best Ancient Rome landmarks (many of these hardly see any visitors), and also for the best views in Rome.
We also have some great suggestions for some of the nicest off-the-beaten-path, different places to see in Rome in a more detailed guide. Take a look via the link below.
LEARN MORE: Hidden Gems of Rome
7. Avoid tourist restaurants
A big part of any Italian trip experience is related to the food. Food in Italy can be absolutely delicious, but don’t just assume it will be everywhere you go.
If I can give one piece of advice when it comes to food in Rome, it would be to avoid tourist places. Eat where locals eat and avoid restaurants with pictures on the menu!
Usually, restaurants at the busiest tourist landmarks (directly on Piazza Navona, at the Pantheon, or Campo dei Fiori) don’t have the best food. Not to mention that they are often seriously overpriced too.
If you are not sure where to eat, ask your hotel for suggestions, but keep in mind that some hotels might recommend places for other reasons than their quality. The best way to find good places is to check reviews on Google Maps – this is really the easiest way to avoid tourist traps.
TIP: A nice way to get to taste some really good local food is by joining a food tour or a cooking class. If you do this at the beginning of your stay in Rome, you will immediately have a few good addresses of places to eat in the city. Be sure to also ask your tour guide for some local recommendations as well!
Our experience: On our most recent visit to Rome, we booked this amazing street food tour on one of the first days we were in the city. Not only it was a great way to learn the more local side of Rome, but we also tried some absolutely delicious food and got plenty of restaurant ideas for the rest of our stay. Here you can find our review of this street food tour in Rome. Highly recommended!
LEARN MORE:
How to Find the Best Food in Rome
Best Traditional Food in Italy
8. Take some cash
When visiting Rome (or anywhere in Italy, for that matter), you should always have some cash on you. Italy uses Euro, so you do need Euros, of course.
While in the past credit cards were really unpopular in Rome, the situation has changed a lot recently (probably because of the pandemic). On our most recent visit to Rome, we could use our credit cards pretty much everywhere in the city – all the shops and restaurants accept credit cards and we never really needed cash. Except on a few occasions – see below.
First, taxis – they seem to really hate credit cards. So if you are planning on taking a taxi in Rome, you should always have enough cash. It’s still very difficult to find a taxi driver who will want to take a credit card. ‘Cash, no card’, they’ll tell you. We took a taxi from the airport to the city and couldn’t pay by card. Also our private transfer arranged by the hotel back to the airport only accepted cash, even though the hotel told us that we could pay by card…
If you don’t want to use cash for airport transfers, you can easily pre-book them online in advance. Often, it’s also the cheaper way, depending on where you are going.
Second, street vendors, souvenir shops, and local markets. If you buy something from one of the street vendors, small souvenir shops, or at a local market, you will need cash as well.
And third, tipping. If you are taking tours and want to tip a tour guide, or if you want to leave a small tip at a restaurant, you’ll want to have some cash. Remember that tipping isn’t a must in Europe, but we have a feeling that most Italians appreciate/expect a tip. So we usually tipped about 10% at the restaurant and also some (private) tours.
But apart from this, you can now pay for pretty much everything by card. Even small purchases like gelato at the best gelaterias in Rome can be paid by card. Also museums and other attractions accept credit cards.
All that being said, don’t carry lots of cash with you. 50-100 EUR (ideally in smaller notes) should be plenty. Leave the rest at your hotel and top up when you spend some.
9. Take a bike to get more out of your time in Rome
The old city center of Rome is pretty compact. You can easily walk to the main sights such as Piazza Navona, Pantheon, The Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps. Even the Vatican and the Colosseum are within walking distance from the city center.
However, if you want to explore more of Rome and discover some of the less known hidden gems of the city you may want to consider renting a bike or joining one of the many guided bike tours. By bike, you can cover big distances in less time and get more out of your time in the city.
We recommend the latter – bicycling in Rome is hectic and it’s only fun if you know the city well and know where exactly to go. Guided tours follow routes that they have tried and tested many times before allowing you to truly enjoy the experience.
TIP: If you opt to explore Rome by bike, opt for e-bikes. It’s a hilly city and an electric bike will make it so much easier! This is one of the best-rated bike tours of the highlights in the city center. And this is the AMAZING off-the-beaten-path bike tour that we recently did in Rome (highly recommend).
10. Visit Rome in the lower season
Most travel guides will probably tell you that spring and early autumn is the best period to visit Rome and they are absolutely right. April-May and late September-October are the best months to visit Rome weather-wise. But it’s also extremely busy in that period.
On the other hand, you really want to avoid visiting Rome (or any other cities in Italy for that matter) in summer when temperatures soar to well over 35°C (95°F), often even higher. Furthermore, locals leave the city in the summer, and – especially in August – Rome feels a bit like a theme park with hardly any locals at all.
Once we visited Rome the first weekend of May and with temperatures of just 18-22°C (64-72°F). It was pleasant most of the time and sometimes it even felt too warm.
Another time, we were in Rome at the end of September and it was still HOT during the day. I cannot even try to imagine how hot it feels there in July or August.
Our most recent visit to Rome was at the beginning of November. We did get a few showers one day and one day it was really warm, but for the rest – the weather was perfect for sightseeing. We had temperatures of about 20°C (68°F) most of the time. As for the crowds, it was still very busy at the main landmarks.
Visiting Rome during the cooler months is best if you want to avoid the heat, the crowds, and save some money on accommodation. If you don’t mind a higher possibility of some rain, I recommend the ‘shoulder season’ – end of March – the beginning of April (but avoid Easter!) and the beginning of November. In fact, November can be a great month to visit the bigger cities in Italy. Here you can read about what it’s like to visit Italy in November and here – what to expect when visiting Rome in November.
READ ALSO: Best Time to Visit Europe
11. Wear comfortable shoes & dress respectably
I could have as well put this at the very beginning of this article as one of the most important tips for Rome – wear comfortable shoes!
Don’t underestimate the importance of good footwear when visiting a big city and especially Rome! Rome is a very walkable city, but the distances can add up and you’ll be walking a lot.
If your feet are hurting, you will not be able to enjoy the sights much. So forget about all the ‘Italy is about looking stylish’ advice and pack comfortable shoes. Normally, I don’t really like wearing sports shoes in the city, but sneakers have become very common in Europe in recent years as well. And given the choice, I would always go for the good old comfy sneakers instead of summer sandals with a thin sole…
You can often tell what kind of shoes people are wearing just by looking at the expression on their faces. People who still look happy and are smiling at the end of the day, are usually the ones with the most comfortable footwear.
These days, there are so many comfortable and stylish shoes available that you don’t even need to sacrifice comfort for style.
Another important tip for Rome is to be sure that your shoulders are covered and that you wear respectable clothing. Most churches in Rome don’t allow shorts, mini skirts, or sleeveless shirts. This is also the case when visiting the Vatican.
READ ALSO: Most Beautiful Churches in Italy (+ Tips for Visiting)
12. Pack a water bottle
No matter when you visit Rome – in summer or in winter – you’ll want to carry a bottle of drinking water with you. And while you can buy bottled water in the city, there is absolutely no need to waste money and use more plastic than necessary!
There are more than 2,500 drinking fountains in Rome. The water is fresh, cold, always available, and it’s completely free of charge.
So pack a reusable water bottle and be sure to fill it up every time you pass one of these drinking fountains!
13. Prepare a good itinerary, but don’t overplan
One last piece of advice for visiting Rome – don’t plan every minute of your day in advance, especially if you have more than a day or two in the city.
Yes, it’s important to have an approximate itinerary and pre-book tickets for the main attractions (or you’ll waste too much time and might not even be able to visit at all). But be sure to also allow yourself some time to get off the beaten path and explore some interesting places you’ll come across along the way.
Look around you and you will be amazed to see how many hidden treasures you will find in Rome: the most beautiful churches, wonderful architecture, secret alleys, and little town squares…
All you have to do is keep your eyes open and your mind flexible. Enjoy your trip!
Suggested itineraries:
- Rome in a Day (how to see all the musts in just 1 day)
- Rome in 2 Days (all the best places + a few hidden gems)
- 4 Days in Rome (amazing itinerary that covers all the main landmarks & and lots of hidden gems)
- You may also like to read our 2-week Italy Itinerary. It covers all the musts in the most efficient way.
- For many more destinations, city guides, itineraries, and travel tips, please see our Italy travel guide.
READ ALSO: Best Places to See in Italy
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Rome is breathtaking! Thanks for the tips. We had a great trip!
Glad to help, Lina. Happy travels!
Thank you for all of this info! We’re headed in July. Question for a nervous nelly traveling all day – what about public restrooms? We will be on a train morning and night from Florence, so I’ll at least have access to that 🙂 Thanks in advance!
There are bathrooms at all the main tourist attractions and also at most restaurants. It never really struck me as something that wasn’t readily available, but as I always say to my kids ‘use it when you get the chance’.
Hi Jurga,
Thank you for the indepth insights. It is wonderful.
Any know abouts to consider if traveling with toddler and infants? Is it convenient to take a stroller every where ?
Thank you.
Hi Noshir, the historic center of Rome is rather flat but there are cobbled stones everywhere. And the moment you leave the center, there are also some hills – like the Spanish Steps, for example. So it’s not a straightforward answer. You will be able to visit many places with a stroller (with big wheels that can handle cobbled streets), but there are also many places where it won’t be easy. Like the Colosseum, for example – you can walk around it with a stroller, but visiting inside won’t be easy.
That said, we have been to other hillier places in Italy when our kids were in strollers and we managed (with three kids and two strollers – one of them double). But you have to do a bit more research for every place you want to visit. There’s also a huge difference when you travel with just one kid/stroller or a couple of young kids and a few strollers.
One tip – pack a bicycle lock with you. So that if you have to leave the strollers somewhere, you can lock them up.
@Jurga,
Thank you very much.
The tip to carry lock is great !!
Regards,
Noshir
Sorry Jurga, me again,
We are planing on staying 4 days in Rome, visit the main landmarks, I just can’t make up my mind if we should get the Rome Tourist Card or just book individually for each one of those.
Thank you,
Liviu
Hi Liviu, if you mean this Rome Tourist Card, then it has pretty much the same advantages as booking everything individually, but normally, it’s a bit cheaper AND you get to choose all tickets/time slots in one place. So it’s very convenient, if you want to visit all those places anyway.
If, however, you would like to book a guided tour at e.g. Colosseum, then it’s better to book individual tickets for the other attractions. But if you are just looking for tickets and want to visit everything on your own, then you can just as well book everything in one go.
Hope this helps. Have a great trip!
Hi Jurga,
Most comprehensive guide, congratulation and thank you.
Liviu
Hello Jurga
Thank you so much for providing a lot of useful information , Italy is my dream destination ever since , my husband and i are planning to visit Rome next month
Is it a good time to travel in March?
Hi Diki, Rome is always a good idea and March is a very nice month for sightseeing, with temperatures around 14-18°C (57-64°F) during the day. It may rain on some days too, so be sure to pack a rain jacket and a sweater.
If you are flexible, I would try not to travel too close to Easter because it will be very busy during Holy Week. But if you book everything ahead, you’ll be fine.
Have a great trip!
Hello Jurga
Thank you for producing all of this information. We are travelling to Rome in a few weeks time and I have used a lot of your advice for where and when to go and your links for booking some of the attractions. I wondered if you have used any of the Hop-on-hop-off buses in Rome and whether they are worth considering.
Thank you
Hi Michele, as far as I can recall, we never used a hop on hop off bus in Rome. It’s such a walkable city – we love walking everywhere.
Whether it’s worth it… It depends. If you have little time, don’t want to walk much, and want to see a lot in a short time without taking the time to visit anywhere inside, then it could be nice to just sit and do the whole tour once. If, however, you want to visit various places, you will likely need several hours at each stop, so it won’t be the best use of your bus ticket. Once again, it really depends on what you want to see, how much time you have, and how much walking you want to do.
If you haven’t seen it yet take a look at our Rome itinerary for 4 days and also for 1 day. That might give you some ideas of how to plan your time.
@Jurga, okay, thank you
Thank you so much for this guide. My wife and I are coming across from the UK in January for 4 days / 3 nights. We’re also going to do Naples for a day by train.
Anyone been in January / February time ? Obviously we’re bring warm clothing with us but I was just curious on the weather there at that time of year
Hi David, there is really no way to predict how the weather will be that far in advance. In general, at that time of the year, in Rome you can expect daytime temperatures in the range of 5-15°C, and in Naples likely a few degrees warmer. There’s always a chance of some rain.
As you know yourself, there is a big difference between 5°C and rain or 18°C and sunshine. So check the weather dorecast a few days before the trip and pack accordingly.
I have spent hours reading & taking notes on what you say to prepare for our upcoming 14-day trip to Italy. We are going the first two weeks in April 2024 (no way to avoid Easter) since my 60th B-day is on 4-6 and this has been my bucket list trip. All the tips/pictures/information are so helpful and informative. I’ll be reading your other blogs pertaining to Naples, the Almafi Coast, Florence and Venice. Thank you for everything especially mentioning what areas to stay in Rome so we can walk to the destinations in the mornings.
Glad to help, Patricia. Enjoy your trip!
Thank you for your insights. We are planning to go to Rome next year and hoping to take 2 sets of grandkids age 3 & 4 and 2 grandkids age 11 & 13. Their parents will be coming along too! Is it advisable to take the grandkids or will it be too challenging?
Hi John, Rome is an amazing city and kids will enjoy it. That being said, it’s a big city, it’s always busy, it can be hot (even very hot, depending on when you go), and kids – especially the little ones – will seriously slow you down. So you won’t be able to see/do as much as on your own.
Even with 11-13 year olds, it really depends on the kids. I recently took one of my sons of about that age to Rome with me and we did A LOT. But I know for sure that we could have never done half as much with all three kids together because the whole dynamic would be totally different.
Kids will get exhausted. And there is a huge difference between one tired kid or four of them. 🙂 If you can just take the older two, your trip will be so much more relaxing for all the adults as well. You can do so much more in a city with teens that you won’t be able to easily do with the little ones.
While you can definitely visit Rome with children, there are also better destinations to visit with kids in Italy than big cities. Or try a combination of a few days in Rome and maybe a few days somewhere by the sea or in the mountains.
TIP: If you decide to go to Rome with all the kids, don’t plan too much in a day. Try to find some time to relax and some fun activities that will appeal to all ages.
Good luck!
Hello there, This is all great information. I’m talking my daughter in July for her 16th Birthday. I have a questions about the Tourist Card, if you purchase this do you have to do the skip the line passes and Vatican passes in addition to? We of course want to do all the things and not wait in long lines. I have blocked off one whole day to do Vatican City and then a whold day to do the Colossum and Other sites.
Hi Crystal, if you mean this Rome Tourist Card, it already includes tickets for all the attractions as listed there (Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, the Vatican Museums (Sistine Chapel), also a guided tour at St. Peter’s Basilica including the Dome climb, plus a few audio guides).
You choose the dates and time slots for each attraction during the booking process. Just to be clear – you can choose different dates for each place, so for example, visit the Vatican on Wednesday and the Colosseum on Thursday, or whatever suits you best.
Just click on the ‘book now’ button, choose the number of people and the first date of your trip, and you’ll see all the places listed separately with all the options that you can choose. Don’t worry to click on it – you only pay at the very end when everything is chosen and you are happy with it.
PS There will still be lines for security check at all attractions, but with these tickets, you can just head straight to the entrance. And since the tickets are timed, the queues are usually not too bad. There will be a separate (and usually longer) queue to enter Roman Forum and Palatine Hill since they have a separate entrance from the Colosseum and only Colosseum tickets are timed. This is the same for everyone, so the lines there can get longer at times.
Hope this helps.
Going to Rome at last for a B/Day present from my Daughter I shall be 86,walking not good Is there any chairs about I could sit on in Rome I want to see the fountain,Appian way,
Many Thanks
Maureen
Hi Maureen, Rome is a huge city, so yes, of course, there are some places to sit here and there. That being said, it all depends on where you are going. There may not always be a bench just when you need it and definitely not on the Appian Way.
Sightseeing in such a city always means lots of walking and it can be very tiring even for young people, especially in the summer months.
For you, I think I’d recommend considering golf cart tours. There is also a golf cart tour to the Appian Way.
Hope this helps.
Thank you for taking your time and provide us with this helpful post.
Soon we will travel to Rome after spending 12 days in Morocco.
Glad to help. Have a great time in Rome!
Hi Jurga, Thank you very much for all the wonderful tips and write-up and suggestion of places and hotels. It was very comprehensive details. It has help me to plan my trip to Rome soon. Your blog has save me all the headaches of searching around for ideas on how and where and what to do. Everything is listed to the fullest details. Thank you very much again.
Vijey
SINGAPORE
Happy to help, Vijey, and thanks for your kind feedback.
Have a great time in Rome!
Thanks for the info!!! Super useful!
Glad to hear that, Ramute. Good luck with the planning and enjoy your visit to Rome!
Thank you very much for sharing your experience!
I have been Rome for two times. But I wanna visit it again when the pandemic finished totally.
Hope you can make it to Rome again, Wanchun. It’s such a wonderful city! In fact, we are going there soon, so we’ll have more information about the city on the blog after the trip.
So feel free to bookmark our blog and come back when you are planning a repeat visit!
Happy travels!
Hi Jurga! I love how comprehensive your article is, I wish I had found it before my first visit to Rome. I agree that the skip the line tickets are essential to cut down on wasting valuable travel time in lines.
Thanks for sharing your experience, Misha. Happy travels!
Thanks Jurga – some great tips about best times to visit. I guess the main sights are pretty busy most of the time?!
Jan
Yes, Jan, the main sights are always busy in Rome. Unless you travel in winter, and even then… Skip-the-line tickets and booking in advance is essential.
Enjoy your trip!
Hey. I found that there are even night tours in Rome. Have you tried it? It looks cool, but can you see much, is it the same as day tours? Or not?
Thanks
Hi Petra, yes, of course, there are night tours in Rome. I haven’t taken one myself, but I have explored Rome on foot at night and I think it’s fascinating. Everything is beautifully lit and there are also fewer people everywhere. It’s different than during the day, of course, and places will be closed so you can’t visit inside, but it’s definitely a great way to see Rome in a different light (literally :)).
If you are looking for a night tour, this walking tour looks great and has amazing reviews; alternatively – if you don’t want to walk – this segway night tour looks fun and has great reviews too.
I will traveling to Rome soon, Do I need to have travel insurance? If the answer is yes, Do you know where I can buy one and is there any idea how much will cost me for two?
Thank you.
Hi Virginia, we ALWAYS recommend having travel insurance, no matter where you go. On our travel resources page, you can find an international travel insurance company that we recommend to our readers. You can easily calculate the costs on their website in just a few seconds.
Hope this helps. Enjoy Rome!
Will be travelling to Rome during the first week of March..please advise on the weather. I am from Africa
Hi Mary, with the best of intentions, it’s impossible to predict the weather. It can be 5°C or it can be 18°C, or anything in between. It’s early spring, so the weather is really hard to predict in advance. Make sure to check the weather forecast a week before you go – you’ll have a much better idea of what to expect. Enjoy your time in Rome!
Hi I am thinking of going to Rome and maybe a few other places in Italy , my husband and I both have trouble walking and have small scooters ! How scooter friendly is it over there? Great info on your blog !
Hi Karen, it really depends on a place, but in general, European cities (especially old towns) aren’t that easy to navigate for people with mobility issues. There will always be towns and landmarks that are better equipped for that than others, but it’s really hard for me to answer this as your question is so general.
I think that in any case, you have to be prepared for cobbled stones and crowds, so it’s already a challenge to navigate. As for specific landmarks, you’d have to check information on the official websites to see how accessible they are.
It won’t always be easy, but if you are determined to make it work, everything is possible I suppose.
All the best!
We’re planning going to Rome on june on my 60th bday, 4 days . First time, what is your advice. Thanks
Hi Benilda, I’m not sure what kind of advice are you looking for… We already have the most important practical tips in this article…
If you are wondering what to see in Rome in 4 days, you can see pretty much all the highlights: Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill, the Vatican, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, Pantheon, Spanish Steps, Castel Sant’Angelo… You can even get a bit off the beaten path, take a food tour, or maybe even consider one or another day trip (e.g. to Amalfi or Florence & Pisa)…
Hope this helps. Enjoy your trip!
Would I be ok if I go to Rome alone? Planning to go there this November. for about 5 days/4 nights.
Hi Daisy, I don’t see why not. Just – as anywhere else in the world – be cautious and use common sense. Maybe not the best idea to walk around at night alone (as in any other big city), but for the rest, why not. I think pickpockets is something you really have to be cautious about, but once again – it counts for everyone and everywhere.
Also – don’t know your age or the looks, but Italian men are usually quite flirty. Usually it’s very innocent and they might whistle or call you ‘beautiful’ and similar – it’s more a cultural thing I suppose. My experience shows that it’s best to ignore it if that happens (not that it happens a lot).
Rome is amazing, you’ll love it.
Hi, nice post!
I have been to Italy and Rome several times and I want to recommend to spend some time in Cinecittà, which is the Italian “Hollywood” if you love the italian cinema! There is a museum with two permanent exhibitions and a guided tour (1h) in French and English every day, including the weekend.
My kids loved that, the tour included outdoor sets, warehouses for scenographic elements and a lot more!
Thanks for sharing this, Roberto. Never heard of it before.
Hi,
I’m planning to visit Rome in August. I saw that you mentioned that you went to the Vatican at 6pm. On their site, it says the last entry time is 4pm, and closing time is 6pm. Would you then recommend that we go at 3pm? or 4pm? Do you recommend going to their Friday night hours?
Thanks,
Jonelle
Hi Jonelle, if you want to visit the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel, then yes, indeed, better go there at least a few hours before the closing time. It always takes longer than you think it would. Just make sure to get skip the line tickets in advance. I see now that those Sistine Chapel skip the line tickets only have a few times that you can choose, and 1PM is the latest one. Very strange.
You can also get skip-the-line tickets for St. Peter Basilica and there you can choose 3-5PM entrance slot.
There are also many guided tours that visit Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica and I see that the last ones start ar 2.30-2.45pm, so I assume that’s about the time you need in order to see it all before closing.
We went there in the evening and just walked inside the St. Peter’s basilica without a long wait. But we had been to the Sistine Chapel and also on top of the Dome before, so this last trip in Rome, we chose not to visit those places again. Whereas if you go there for the first time, I guess you may want to see the Sistine Chapel as well.
Suggestion. If I was to visit Vatican for the first time, I think I’d start with the Vatican first thing in the morning – get the 8AM tickets (either guided tour or just do your own thing). It won’t be half as busy as in the afternoon at 2-3PM I think. I’m not sure if it makes any difference which day you visit – it’s always very busy, so going just as it opens or just before it closes is the only way to have it somewhat less crowded.
Hi jurga. Enjoyed the article. Been a couple of times to this wonderful city. We thought it was going to be expensive. But was surprised. We found a nice little restaurant about 5 mins from st. Peters. Food was lovely and cost was reasonable. You are right about walking off the tourist track. We found a lot more than we anticipated. Even a walk along the tiber to St bartholomews. island.. Felt very safe because of the police and militia presence. Saying that it didn’t feel over the top. We stayed Vatican side. And loved sitting by the river with a peroni by the small stalls near St Angelo and watch the world pass by….
Many thanks.
Simon and jacqui
Thanks for sharing your experience, Simon. Yes, Rome (and actually all big cities in Italy) is very affordable. And we never felt unsafe in Rome, or anywhere else in Italy for that matter. It’s a wonderful city to explore day and night.
Can’t wait to be traveling again!
I am going to Rome with my partner next week. I am so glad i found this article on google! it has helped a lot with planning & packing. I have already booked a few tours but not planned my days to the second which was my original plan & i have now decided to wear my Nike running trainers instead of my sandals i won’t even be taking them. Thank you so much for the insight & great links just made me 10000x more excited to go.
Hi Alex, glad you found this guide helpful. Yes, I think it’s wise to go with comfy sneakers rather than sandals (also the weather forecast for next week isn’t really summerly).
I was just in London last week and walked over 10 miles (16km) each day. Was very happy with my sneakers, even though I obviously looked like a tourist between all those bankers in their suits. My friend had fancier-looking shoes and got blisters after the first day. She also switched to light sneakers after that…
Everyone travels different, obviously, but if you travel for sightseeing, comfortable shoes are an absolute must for city trips. You always walk more than you think you will.
Have a wonderful trip!
Great article!! All of these tips are very useful!
I agree that it’s very important to buy tickets in advance so that you don’t spend your time waiting in line!
It sure is, Sofia! You don’t want to spend all your time waiting in lines instead of sightseeing.
Happy travels!
Nice post! So I just got back from Italy/Rome and I went the end of November and came back early December. This was the absolute best time to avoid crowds. I honestly did not have any issues when it comes to crowds at any of the locations listed, the only downfall of course was the weather. I did end up layering up a lot which helped. If you don’t mind the cold and bringing layers of clothes, this was the perfect time to visit and avoid crowds!
Sounds like you had a great time in Rome! I absolutely agree with you – November to February are probably the quietest months to travel to Italy and perfect to avoid the crowds. I was just in Milan and Lake Como a few weeks ago and had a great time. No people at all, ideal for sightseeing.
Hi Jurga – I have been overwhelmed in my trip planning for Rome, until I came across your blog! Sooo helpful and concise. Links are so very helpful as well. My husband and I are planning to visit our daughter who will be studying abroad starting in January and she will be there until right before Easter. We are planning to fly out on February 9 and return home on the 17th. I have been doing research and putting together a google docs (I’m a visual person and I need to have my thoughts organized!) Your blog is exactly what i needed! If you have any other tips, advice, or recommendations, I would really appreciate it! Still working on a place to stay and our flight – it’s all so overwhelming!
Melanie Dilworth
Hi Melanie, thank you so much for such kind feedback. It always makes my day when I get comments like this 🙂
Do I understand it right, you’ll be in Rome for 8 days? I think that’s a really nice time to see the city and the museums. In general, I think 3-4 days is enough for the highlights. The extra days will give you the chance to take it all easy and visit the main landmarks thoroughly. Since it’s low season I’d definitely advice to visit the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel, also the Colosseum. All these places are crowded if you’d come any other time of the year.
Please also check this small guide for some less known places to visit in Rome.
Also, 8 days is quite a lot in Rome, so you could easily consider a day trip or two and see a bit more of Italy. There are other bigger cities like Florence that you can reach by train. Alternatively, you can also consider an organised day trip, e.g. Florence and Pisa day trip, Amalfi Coast and Pompeii or Naples and Pompeii.
As for tips for accommodation, my favourite area to stay in Rome is close to Piazza Navona – Pantheon. It’s lively with lots of restaurants nearby and all the main landmarks in the city are within walking distance. When we visit Rome, we always stay there. There are lots of hotels, b&b’s, apartments in that area, so you can find accommodation for any budget.
Hope this helps. Enjoy your trip!
Hi again! So we are actually staying at a hotel right near the Trevi fountain. My husband was doing research a few weeks ago and found a bundle through Travelocity that includes our airfare/hotel/travel insurance and shuttle to and from the airport. It looks like a pretty central location to many of the things we wish to see. One of the things that really intimidates me is trying to figure out transportation to anywhere that may be too far to walk (like Trastavere, for example). We are also considering taking a visit to Venice but I know it’s a bit far.from Rome. Do you think it is worth our while to take the trip to Venice or just focus on the many things that are closer to Rome and in Rome? Another question – I have a Canon DSLR that I love to use but it can be a bit cumbersome to carry around. We were thinking of just buying a smaller, point and shoot camera for the trip but I’m really not sure. If I bring my “big” camera, I need a different camera bag that can basically double as a day bag/purse, etc.. I would love any thoughts you have on this!
Hi Melanie, yes Trevi fountain area is quite central. You’ll be fine. Just expect it to be VERY busy, especially if you are, as you say, just next to Trevi.
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As for transportation, we usually walk everywhere in Rome. It’s indeed a lot of walking, but you get to see so many amazing places. You can take a taxi or Uber to places as well, or use public transport. I personally never used metro in Rome, but my mom used it several times and never had any issues. You can find metro map and more info here.
Another nice option is to rent a bike or join a biking tour.
As for Venice, I think it’s indeed too far, so I wouldn’t do it as a day trip. Florence is feasible, also Amalfi Coast, and some other places.
In regards to the camera, it’s the same dilemma I have as well. I usually take my big Canon DSLR on every single trip, but it’s indeed very big and not ideal for city trips. If you rather invest into something smaller, I recommend checking this selection of The Best Point-and-Shoot Cameras
Hi there.
Our travel agent has us flying into Rome first week of May next year for 2-3 days. After that we basically have two & half weeks to see the Amalfi coast, Tuscany and Cinque Terre which is amazing but i was wondering what you’re recomendations would be : First destination from Rome would be? We are not sure if we should go straight from Rome to the Amalfi coast or Rome to Florence and then go straight to Cinque Terre. and then go back down to Amalfi Coast. Never been. So you’re suggestions would be appreciated.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you
Hi Catherine, I honestly don’t think it matters that much where you go first. All these are amazing places and well worth visiting.
Not sure if you saw it, but we have quite some blog posts about Tuscany, Cinque Terre, and also suggested Amalfi Coast itinerary. You can find all of them on our Italy destination guide.
If you like some beach time at the end of the trip then maybe leave Amalfi coast for at the end of the trip, but for the rest it really doesn’t matter.
Have a great trip! You’ll fall in love with Italy.
Great article! Thank you. I’m currently planning a trip to Rome in the spring. My husband has been there, but I never have. We are fortunate enough to have about 3 weeks to spend there. We are thinking about spending a day or two in Firenze, where he used to live. I also love art. Any suggestions on what to see?
Thank you
Tammy
Hi Tammy, if you have 3 weeks, you can see so much more than just Rome or Florence. I’d say take 3-4 days for Rome, maybe 1-2 days in Florence, but don’t limit your visit to these two places.
Why not visit the Amalfi Coast for a couple of days, or the most beautiful towns of Tuscany (not just Florence), also the countryside there is so beautiful. From there head towards the coast where you can visit Cinque Terre and Portovenere, as well as some other beautiful little towns of Italian Riviera. If you still have more time, you could drive up towards the Lakes – Garda Lake area is stunning.
There is so much to see in Italy, it’s easy to fill your itinerary with the most amazing places. Hope this helps.
Rome is home to me a lot of beautiful impressions, I will remember a week’s memories here with my love
Thanks very much for all information on Rome, I am on a cruise only there for one day!!!
Just one day in Rome! That’s a tough choice on where to go and what to see I imagine… Don’t try to do it all or you’ll be overwhelmed. I’d just take a really nice long walk and ‘visit’ all the highlights without going inside to any of the places where you need to queue. If there is any such place that you really want to see, make sure to get Skip The Line tickets in advance. A day in Rome will be over so quickly. Enjoy it!
Hi Jurga! Planning trip tips that you make and share are very interesting and beneficial for my family. Because next month I’m with family planning to vacation in Rome. I like your content. Thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge. It makes planning our trip easier.
Good to hear that Clara. Enjoy your trip to Rome!
I am keen to do a trip to Rome, and around later this year. Could you send me a link to the itinerary for your incredible trips?
Hi Hank, it’s a bit difficult for me to give you any suggestions for an itinerary if I don’t know how long you are staying on what your interests are. Make sure to visit all the main sights like Pantheon, Colosseum, Piazza Navona, Roman Forum, St. Peter’s and the Sistin Chapel, Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps,… Please also check this post for some hidden gems of Rome.
Hope this helps a bit. Visiting Rome for the first time can be a bit overwhelming, so don’t try to squeeze too much in too little time, or you’ll spend all your time walking from one thing to another and queuing. Make sure you leave some time for unexpected discoveries, enjoy a gelato, maybe take a cooking class or a bike tour – travel slower and you’ll enjoy your trip more!
Thank you so much. Headed to Rome in August. Very good advice.