December 28, 2022, 9:59 am | Read time: 4 minutes
When visiting a metropolis like Rome for the first time, you not only wonder which highlights should definitely be on your itinerary but also what to avoid in the city. Here is a selection of things you must experience in Rome and things tourists should steer clear of.
First, here are some tips on things you should definitely see and do in Rome from TRAVELBOOK editor Angelika Pickardt, who lived in the metropolis for several years.
Angelika Pickardt offers more tips and inspiration about Rome in the following podcast episode of In 5 Minuten um die Welt:
And now, the 12 things you should avoid in Rome!
1. Never wear high heels in Rome! Only Roman women can walk with the necessary grace and elegance–and without injury–on cobblestones and poor roads in high heels. For female tourists in Rome, the tip is: Wear flat shoes instead.
2. Never order pizza without first seeing the wood-fired oven. Otherwise, you might be served a pizza warmed up in the microwave. In any case, you should avoid restaurants in the immediate vicinity of tourist attractions–they are tourist traps!
Also interesting: THIS is what happens to the coins tourists throw into the Trevi Fountain
3. Don’t immediately order a “Doppio” (double espresso) or “Ristretto”! Espresso in Italy is much stronger than in other countries. Your heart rate can quickly spike.
4. And while we’re on the subject of coffee: Never order an “Espresso”! In Italy, it’s simply called “Caffè.” If you want a weaker (filter) coffee, order a “Caffè lungo.”
5. Don’t visit famous attractions spontaneously! Ignoring this tip means you might face long lines in Rome. In the worst case, you won’t be allowed in at all. To avoid this, you can book tickets for attractions like the Colosseum online in advance. During COVID-19 times, you have to buy tickets for many attractions online beforehand anyway.
Also interesting: The Pantheon in Rome–the history of the oldest still-used building in the world
6. Don’t visit Rome by car! The traffic is chaotic, and many streets in the historic old town are not accessible by car. The charm of Rome is best discovered on foot, and the public transport network is very well developed. You just need a little patience.
7. Don’t get into a taxi without agreeing on a fixed price first. Once the meter is running, the driver might get lost in the maze of Roman streets–and you’ll end up with an absurdly high bill. And who wants to argue with a Roman taxi driver?
8. Never forget to watch your valuables! There are many pickpockets in Rome, especially in popular squares and on public transport. It even goes so far that handbags are slashed from below, often by children trained for this. It’s best to leave expensive jewelry in the hotel safe and only carry as much cash as necessary.
9. Don’t buy a new bottle of water at every corner–one is enough because, and not many know this tip, you can easily refill it in Rome. This is possible at the many drinking fountains in the city, also called Nasoni. There are now even some apps that show you the nearest drinking fountain in your area.
10. Don’t explore Rome only according to plan! In the winding alleys of Italy’s capital, you can wonderfully lose yourself. And suddenly, you’re away from the crowds–and have discovered a corner that might not be in the typical travel guides.
Also interesting: 8 Rome tips for advanced travelers
11. Never plan a museum tour on Monday. On this day, as in Italy (and Germany), all public museums are closed.
12. Never go to Rome in August! The Romans always go on vacation to the sea in August, so many shops, restaurants, bars, and galleries remain closed for the entire month.