10 things you should know before traveling to Rome
Are you planning to visit Rome for the first time? Great idea! Rome, also called the “Eternal City”, is said to be a museum in itself and takes you back to the year 80 AD. C., when the Colosseum was built. But although this city is magical, there are some things that could take you back to reality, so to prevent that from happening, here are 10 things you should know before traveling to Rome and enjoy the city to the fullest.
1. Transportation from the airport to the city
Rome’s international airport, Fiumicino Airport, is located outside the city, approximately 21 miles away, and the two forms of transportation to or from the airport are train or taxi. But, one small thing to know about choosing the taxi option is that there is a fixed fare and the taxi driver cannot legally change the amount of the fare. But as many tourists don’t know, the trip can cost up to $80 USD, or the driver will make you pay $50 USD per person if you share a taxi with other tourists. Therefore, if you are going to take a taxi to the city, you must inform the taxi driver about the fixed rate and tell him that you will not pay more than that.
2. Plan your visit in advance
Even if you want to take a spontaneous trip to Rome, it’s always good to plan your trip in advance, especially when you need to buy entrance tickets. So make an itinerary or a list of places and the time you want to go. But the planning doesn’t stop there. Public transport in Rome is not 100% reliable, even if you can walk to most places in the city, you will also need to plan your transport time. If you want to use public transportation, take the trip earlier than ideal, to ensure you arrive early and on time for the activity!
3. The best places to sit and eat
Now let’s talk about what really matters: Italian food. The first thing to know about Roman food is that restaurants don’t make pizza. If you go to a local restaurant, they might even argue that you should go to Napoli for pizza, but you should try the Roman street pizza, which is sold in piazzas in small shops in town. Two of the main Roman dishes are cacio e pepe and carbonara, which you must try during your trip. A little advice before choosing a place to eat is that it is not too close to the tourist attractions, since the prices can be much higher than they should be. Try going to Trastevere instead, a very nice neighborhood with many good restaurant options and amazing nightlife for after-dinner drinks.
4. Street scams and thefts
Something to be very careful about when walking the streets of beautiful Rome is pickpockets. So keep your bags locked and valuables in a hard-to-reach place. Another thing to keep in mind is that some people may approach you offering you gifts (bracelets, small souvenirs…), they will say that it is a gift from them to you but they will expect compensation if you accept it, so it is always better to decline. gently and continue with what you were doing.
5. Crowds 24/7
Rome being as magical as it is, it’s no surprise that everyone wants to visit and experience it for themselves, making the city bustling with people all year round. For places where you have to get tickets there is no problem, even if it is full you can enter. But for other places where there is no admission charge, it is always better to arrive early. And if you want that perfect Instagram shot at La Fontana di Trevi (also known as the Trevi Fountain), where there’s no one in sight, the trick is to arrive just as the sun is rising. It’s a challenge but 100% worth it.
Bonus tip: Do you know the myth of the Trevi Fountain? Read more about what are the three wishes for the Trevi Fountain through our blog.
The main means of transportation for the Romans are scooters, where they risk breaking a couple of traffic rules to be a little faster. Which means that tourists who are not used to the Roman way of riding a scooter need to be very careful when crossing the road or walking down the street. No one wants an angry Italian to yell at you and ruin your vacation mood.
7. Take advantage of free views
Rome has many places where you can enjoy the view of the city at no cost, such as the Giardino degli Aranci (Garden of Orange Trees), which gives you a breathtaking view of this beautiful city. Even if the views from the Vatican and the Roman Forum are amazing, choose another place where the view is just as good and where you can have a little picnic, relax and enjoy the beauty of Rome.
8. Don’t drive through Rome
Some people are used to renting a car when traveling to another country, as it is one of the best options for exploring the area. And it would be nice to rent a car when driving around Italy, but when you’re in Rome, try to leave your car parked and safe. Italians have a unique way of driving that other nationalities are not used to, so it can be a bit more difficult and stressful to drive around Rome.
9. Clean water sources in the streets
One of the best things about Rome, apart from how beautiful it is, is that you don’t have to buy plastic water bottles! Just bring a bottle of water and fill it up on the streets as Rome has clean water sources all around the city. It will be some of the most refreshing water you will ever taste, so give it a try and taste the water of this city! You never know, maybe it’s coming from the Fountain of Youth…
10. Learn some Italian to make your trip easier!
Italians are known to be a bit stubborn, even more so when they have to speak English. But if you show your interest in their language, you may already be on their good side, and they will be more willing to help you with anything you need. Also, it is always good to learn a bit of the language of the country you are visiting. A little “buongiorno” never hurt anyone.
