7 Things to Know About Rome for First-time Visitors

Rome, Italy, is one of the most fascinating cities on the planet. Known for its wealth of incredible sights, historical monuments, ….and crowds of tourists, the Eternal City is on many travel bucket lists.

Have a stress-free and enjoyable trip to Rome by mastering these seven things to know about Rome for first-time visitors.

If you’re ready to create your itinerary for Roman, be sure to read Three Perfect Days in Rome to know just what to see and do!

1.      When to Visit

Don’t visit Rome in the hot summer months. It will turn idyllic strolling around the city into a sweaty, exhausting ordeal. And take your time when visiting. Some people want to see Rome in a day or want to cram four days of sights into two. Look at your time and sightseeing goals realistically. Rome will wear you out.

The only other time I would hesitate to visit is the week leading up to Easter, due to festivities and crowds during Holy Week at the Vatican. (Unless that’s why you’re going.) But we ended up visiting a few days after Easter, and it was a great time to be in the city.

Those heading across the pond for the first time should read 8 Secrets to Having a Fantastic First Visit to Europe.

2.      Be Prepared for a Few Challenges

Don’t let the chaos of Rome ruin your trip. Be aware the city can be crowded, confusing and a little wild. Plan your trip and confidently go with the flow. And after a few days, head to a less stressful location. (there are many quiet, restful towns in Italy!)

Don’t let your guard down. Rome is known for petty theft, such as pickpockets, backpack openings, street scams and restaurants/cabs who take advantage of tourists. Avoid any disturbances in the crowd (it may be a ruse to distract you), tell street scammers a firm “NO” when they ask you to buy/chat with them.

Don’t buy anything outside of a store, and say no to people wanting to assist you in any way. You will not be hurt, but there are quite a few people in Rome who wish to extract some extra money from you. Watch out and walk away from those people. You’ll be fine.

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3.      Consider an Afternoon Break

Do as the locals do and take a break in the afternoon. An hour or two relaxing in your hotel can help you enjoy your evening that much more. Also, make every effort to avoid waiting in line at attractions. Rome is overrun with travelers, but you can buy admission online or try to time your visit to avoid the worst crowds. Check a good guidebook and plan wisely.

How to Plan Your First Trip to Europe, Part 1 is essential reading for those going to Europe but not sure where to start!

4.      Where to Stay

Rome is full of great hotel options, although unsurprisingly, locations closer to the main sights are higher priced. We opted for a place near the train station to get a little nicer room at a great price. It is also convenient for those arriving by train and heading on to other parts of Italy.

Other popular areas are near the Pantheon for a quaint village-like feel, Vatican City for a residential vibe or Trastevere for vibrant cafés and nightlife.

Here are some great options in each area:

Termini Station

Hotel Oceania is where we stayed. It was nicely appointed and well-run. We loved the tiny, wrought-iron elevator that was from half a century ago!

The Aberdeen Hotel is family-run and has rooms on or near the ground floor. It’s not far from cafes and major sights.

Pantheon

Hotel Nazionale is an enjoyable splurge for a 16^th-century palazzo in a fabulous location!

Hotel Portoghesi serves you breakfast on their rooftop terrace, in the historic city center.

Vatican City

Hotel Museum is right next to the Vatican Museums and has a delightful rooftop terrace to breakfast with a view.

Hotel Gerber is in a quiet area but close to cafes and shopping. And, of course, the Vatican.

Trastevere

Hotel Santa Maria has rooms with a lovely courtyard of orange trees, family rooms, and free loaner bikes.

Residenza Arco dei Tolomei is a renovated palazzo overlooking a piazza. You’ll feel like royalty!

And don’t forget How to Plan Your First Trip to Europe, Part 2! It will help you complete your itinerary.

5.      Eating in Rome

The list is endless: pasta of all sorts, pizza in its true birthplace (thin, wood-fired crust), delicious espresso, gelato in exotic flavors and more. My favorite food in Rome was delicate, salty prosciutto wrapped around perfectly ripened cantaloupe. Try something unexpected and probably unforgettable!

The main food tip for Rome is to stay away from restaurants and cafes that cater to tourists. If a waiter is trying to entice you in, walk away. If there are big menus in English in the window, walk away. It’s incredible how you can go two streets over from the tourist traps and find quality establishments that the locals love.

Do some homework ahead of time, and always ask locals for their opinions. Our hotel sent us to the most wonderful restaurant that we remember to this day. We also remember that it opened at 7 pm, and we arrived just as some of the waitstaff did!

Dinner is usually eaten from 8 pm-10 pm in Italy, and sometimes later. You can try to do as the locals do and have a drink and aperitivo earlier in the evening, then eat after dark. When in Rome, and all that!

But we had two hungry kids when we visited the city. Families can enjoy a filling snack in the late afternoon so children can make it until 7 pm.

You can eat lunch out with very young children and buy food for a picnic at a grocery store for an evening meal at a more reasonable hour. Or, if you are staying in an apartment such as Airbnb, you can cook for your famiglia.

If you want to continue your culinary travels, check out 20 Amazing Foods You Must Try in Paris!

6.      How to Get Around the City

Getting around Rome isn’t that challenging. The ancient sites are grouped within walking distance (Coliseum, Pantheon). And the historic area is a traffic-free zone. Wear comfortable shoes to walk on all those cobblestones.

But you will need to take transportation to Vatican City and the Borghese Gallery. We tried all forms of transportation, and they were easy to navigate.

Metro

The metro (underground train) has two main lines that run through the city that tourists would find helpful. I can’t imagine how hard it was to dig, with all the layers of history here! You will mainly use the A-line (orange) to get to Vatican City. Be aware that pickpockets abound.

Keep your valuables close when in crowded metro cars. I would use a money belt and keep a hand on my bag’s zipper. Also, cars don’t have air conditioning, so it may be hot and smelly.

Tickets are only 1.50 euros (for metro or bus), and you can buy a 24-hr pass for 7 euros. 48-hr passes are 12.50 euros, and 72-hr passes are 18 euros.

Bus

Frequently running bus routes are very helpful for far-reaching sights. Again, it’s particularly valuable for heading to the Vatican or going across town. Buses #40 and #64 are especially great for tourists.

But, like much of Rome, the bus system is chaotic. They don’t run on a timetable, so you never know how long you must wait before the next bus arrives. You can download a detailed map on ATAC’s site here.

Be sure to aware of your surroundings and valuables, as pickpockets frequent crowded buses.

Taxi

If you take a taxi, make sure it is an officially licensed (white with TAXI on top). Cabs aren’t too expensive in Rome. They start at 3 euros and add 1.50 for each kilometer, plus various other fees for nighttime rides or a lot of luggage. It can be a good value, especially for a family.

You don’t hail taxis here; they are ordered by phone. Hotels and restaurants are happy to call them for you.

Top Tips for Taking Your Kids to Europe will really help those headed to the continent with the family!

7.      Family Travel Tips

Rome is pretty exciting and an easy city for families overall. The giant monuments, outdoor spaces and kid-friendly food make this a good stop for those with kids in tow. I would adjust the typical itinerary in a few ways, though.

The Vatican Museums are way too much art for most kids (and some adults). Rather than taking the guided tour, opt for an audio guide where you can take in your favorites, but don’t spend two hours doing the entire tour. As my kids would say, “Boooring!”

Also, add in a fun family activity. On our Italy trip, we took our kids to plenty of art museums and churches. So, we balanced it out with a morning of Gladiator School in Rome. We had to wear tunics, train like a gladiator and fight in an epic battle! (with fake swords) It was pricey, but our kids loved it. Book well in advance.

You could also opt for the zoo, children’s museum or playgrounds across the city. Definitely take that afternoon rest to avoid the worst of the heat and recharge small batteries. Then you can enjoy a walk and dinner and keep everyone happy.

Rome is undoubtedly an incredible city to visit. Follow these tips and get your trip started off right. Do you have any other suggestions for visiting the Eternal City?