10 Insider Tips For Visiting Rome Italy - Do's And Don'ts From A Local

Rome, the eternal city. There's so much to see and do, it can be tough to know where to start.
In this video, I share my top 10 tips for visiting Rome like a pro! From finding great food to planning your visit to tipping, I've got you covered.
So sit back and enjoy this video guide to one of Europe's most amazing cities!
00:00 - Intro
00:36 - Tip 1 - Make a plan
01:49 - Tip 2 - Don't over-plan
03:00 - Tip 3 - Dress in layers
04:29 - Tip 4 - Wear comfortable shoes
05:12 - Tip 5 - Cash is your friend
06:45 - Tip 6 - Avoid mediocre restaurants
08:08 - Tip 7 - Don't pay for water
09:13 - Tip 8 - Don't over-tip
11:49 - Tip 9 - Visit sites early or late
12:29 - Tip 10 - Stay in the center
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► RELATED PAGES ON ROMEWISE
Places to Eat in Rome: tinyurl.com/yr498vxe
Rome in 3 Days: tinyurl.com/yaevdwp4
What to Pack for Rome For Every Season: tinyurl.com/y8hnrbml
Weather in Rome Italy: tinyurl.com/2p8pbd25
How to Take a Taxi in Rome: tinyurl.com/3k56mwyf
Top 10 Vatican Museum Must Sees: tinyurl.com/3k4wnzvt
Rome Italy Pantheon: tinyurl.com/pantheon-rome
Visit Vatican Museums: tinyurl.com/romwise
Rome Italy Colosseum: tinyurl.com/kwstvn3t
Galleria Borghese in Rome: tinyurl.com/yc6zcet7
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Vatican Museums - tinyurl.com/2p8dt62y
Pantheon - pantheon.cultura.gov.it/en/
Colosseum - tinyurl.com/2p8d3yef
Galleria Borghese - tinyurl.com/5n98fy9d
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I’m Elyssa and this is Romewise, your go-to guide to Rome. Most of my videos are about Rome but you might find a few other travel videos here, as well. Enjoy!
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[@patrickdoak7813]

Always informative and can't wait to be back in a couple of weeks! Thank you!

[@Romewise]

Thank you so much for your kind comments!

[@amisyev]

Thank you so much for great advice! So happy I discovered you channel!!

[@Romewise]

Thank you!

[@rpip5959]

So appreciate you taking the time to share these tips. Thank you!

[@Romewise]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Noorfhd]

This was very useful! Thank you

[@Romewise]

Glad it was helpful!

[@peterjones7673]

Fantastic tips once again. We will be back in Rome (we were there in July just gone) for out sixth visit next July and we only saw the Spanish Steps for the first time this year so your great tip on not cramming everything in all in one go is an essential one. Yes the fountain water is brilliant. We cannot wait any we always follow you guidance. Thank you once again.

[@Romewise]

Thank you so so much! Yes it's true - as the Romans say, "A lifetime is not enough". Glad you get to visit often and see Rome a bit at a time. Thank you again for all your support. Have a great visit!

[@dahypeizreal9350]

Great video…great tips…all first time travelers to Italy 🇮🇹 need to watch this video at least a couple of times before landing in the eternal city…will be there in a couple of weeks, so so excited!

[@Romewise]

Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm so glad you find my video helpful!

[@lornamorgan3575]

Will be making good use of your Naples videos on Saturday. Thanks for your hard work.

[@Romewise]

Thanks so much! Glad you enjoy my Naples videos. We love Naples so much and will be making more videos there!

[@deborahpondermance2795]

Excellent video! Because I’ve been t oItaly so many times, people frequently ask me for travel tips like this. I will definitely share your video with them. 👍

[@Romewise]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching and for sharing :)

[@klaudiapietrzyk50]

Thank for this video! I am going to Rome for a first time in November and this is so helpful ☺️

[@Romewise]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for commenting!

[@biblicalgodisonlytruegod]

Having just been there, this is GREAT information!

[@Romewise]

Thanks so much. Glad you found it helpful!

[@monicap9662]

I've been watching a TON of top-tip videos, but yours is one of the best. I'm glad I found your channel! You have helped me so much already and our trip isn't until November. The big thing I've been equivocating on is where to book our Airbnb stay - centrally so we can just walk everywhere or further out to quieter locales where our lodging dollar will getting us a bigger place with more amenities. We only have 3 full days to explore, so what you said about staying in a more central location if your visit is short clinched it for me. This will chop my list of possible Airbnb's by more than half. Your advice about tipping, even though it's been addressed in other videos I've watched, was more specific and practical. It's going to feel weird putting it in practice though.

[@Romewise]

Thanks for your lovely comment. I'm so glad you find my videos helpful with your trip planning. I highly agree, staying central is the best way to maximise your stay, especially with just 3 days. And I know what you mean about tipping, I used to be a server in the US and it's still hard for me not to tip at least 20% here! But trust me, it's fine! Have a great trip!

[@LouisLuzuka]

A literal queen thank you for sharing this alyssa! 😂 wish I knew before my trip 😅, but there’s always next time next trip! 😊❤

[@Romewise]

You are so kind!

[@sunseamangoesphilippines6670]

Really enjoyed this video. Very helpful for a first time visitor to Rome like myself. Thank you See you soon beautiful Rome!😃

[@Romewise]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for letting me know, and have a wonderful visit!

[@liliherndz5792]

THANK YOU ❤

[@williammatthews4491]

thank you. the tipping section was vey helpful- i'm going soon.

[@Romewise]

Thank you so much!

[@claudiapozzuolo7735]

We’ll be there in 3 weeks from USA. So very helpful! Thank you!

[@Romewise]

Thank you so much! Glad you found the tips helpful. That's why I made the video! Have a wonderful trip!

[@natalieaguirre8576]

So good, thank you

[@Romewise]

Thank you!

[@denisefuentes7905]

I’m coming to Rome soon for 3 months. I’m finding your videos just great. Fortunately, I have a lot of time. Great tips.

[@Romewise]

Thanks so much for letting me know you find my videos helpful! I hope you have a wonderful stay in Rome!

[@GodOfVictory501]

Sound solid advice. Nice lady. Going to Rome next Monday. Got my Vatican, Colosseum, and Pantheon tickets booked tonight. Cannot wait!

[@Romewise]

Thanks for your kind words! Have a wonderful trip!

[@renedugarte3898]

Very useful thank you for showing us this interesting information well done 👍

[@Romewise]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@FutureFashionDesigners]

Thanks!

[@Romewise]

Thank you so much!

[@lolaulivucci1434]

love you!!

[@Romewise]

Thanks so much!

[@philbuarque]

Grazie mille!

[@Romewise]

Grazie a te!

[@andrewtaylor9799]

Such good advice. Love your videos. We're in Italy for 6 weeks: Parma now, going soon to Ravenna, then Bologna, then Viterbo, probably then Pisa, and finally Genoa.

[@Romewise]

Thank you so much! I'm glad you find my videos helpful. Enjoy your Italy vacation!

[@andrewtaylor9799]

@@Romewise Thanks! We decide to stay in Rome for a couple nights, about 100 meters west of Piazza Navona. Any advice is welcomed!

[@Romewise]

@@andrewtaylor9799 That's a fantastic location, very central! I have pages about Piazza Navona here: www.romewise.com/piazza-navona-rome.html www.romewise.com/restaurants-near-piazza-navona.html Hope that helps! Have a great time!

[@andrewtaylor9799]

@@Romewise Wow! Thanks for this detailed info.

[@Romewise]

@@andrewtaylor9799 Absolutely my pleasure. Enjoy!

[@greerlovesgovert]

Thank you, tipping especially was a concern for me.

[@Romewise]

Glad it was helpful!

[@samroy5967]

Tourists in Rome checking out the Pantheon, Italy’s most-visited cultural site, will soon be charged a 5-euro ($5.28) entrance fee under an agreement signed March 16, 2023 by Italian culture and church officials. Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano said the move was a matter of “good sense.” The introduction of an entrance fee comes five years after a previous government shelved plans to start charging visitors 2 euros. Proceeds will be split, with the culture ministry receiving 70% and the Rome diocese 30%, officials said. The monumental domed structure, originally an ancient Roman temple, draws millions of visitors each year. It was transformed into a church in 609, called the Basilica of St. Mary and the Martyrs, and Mass is regularly celebrated there. Under the new plan, visitors under 25 years of age will be charged 2 euros. Entrance will be free to Rome residents, minors, people attending Mass and personnel of the basilica, among others.

[@Romewise]

Yes, I'll be making a new video about this as soon as they announce the mechanisms they put in place for purchasing tickets. Please stay tuned!

[@samroy5967]

@@Romewise Bad news is that they took this decision But good news is that they haven’t announced when they’ll start charging admission fee So tourists should definitely take advantage of visiting Pantheon for free for another few weeks (or hopefully few months) before they make it official

[@Romewise]

@@samroy5967 I think this was bound to happen sooner or later. Now it's a matter of implementation. Once that's in place, I will be updating you all with a new video about it.

[@kellye.5678]

I do feel like I over planned 😂 I booked all the tour tickets for the big crowded sites to avoid the long lines. Picked out restaurants. Have a whole itinerary with times and notes lmao. I’m hoping things go smoothly. I also grouped all the attractions that are close together for walking efficiency lol.

[@Romewise]

It's not bad to overplan as long as it doesn't stress you! And just leave some room for things to "happen" or go awry. It sounds like you have things under control! Have a wonderful trip!

[@Breakawaywithnoreen]

I really appreciate and love your channel and Rome tips. Got a question, do you recommend staying near the Vatican as opposed to staying near the other tourist sites ? I hear the Vatican is on the West side of the city. Is the Ottaviano train station a good start to go to other sites? Thanks.

[@Romewise]

Thank you so much for following me and for your kind comments. I am glad you find my tips helpful. You may find this page useful: www.romewise.com/rome-neighborhoods.html If it was my first time in Rome, I would stay closer to the center. I'd only stay near the Vatican if you plan to spend more than one day there, or if you just prefer to be away from the center where it may be busier, although frankly, it will be busy near the Vatican too. If you do stay in this area, then yes, the Ottaviano metro stop will help you get easily to the center of Rome. Have fun!

[@cathybouchon9570]

Thank you for the great tips. I have a question I hope you can help me with. My husband and I are going to tour the Vatican museums on Saturday night. Do you think we will have any trouble finding a taxi when we are finished? I don’t really want to ride public transportation late at night. Thank you so much.

[@Romewise]

Thanks a lot for watching! When you exit the Vatican Museums, there is a taxi rank right there. You should not have any trouble getting a taxi there. They are usually lined up. If you don't see one, you can wait and one should be along shortly.

[@biblicalgodisonlytruegod]

I just did the Vatican night tour. At exit, on left, were two taxis. Prices were higher than normal. I wanted to go to Pantheon and it was 18 E.

[@a.dacosta63]

Any recommendations on where to stay (walking distance to everything in Rome). We are hoping to come this October and will be on a tight budget.

[@Romewise]

Absolutely. I have lots of tips on the website. You can start here: www.romewise.com/where-to-stay-in-rome.html

[@adolfothemidget]

Have long avoided Roman restaurants located on scenic piazzas, and yet I have also found solid reviews for Armando al Pantheon, from seemingly knowledgeable sources, both American and Roman. Is it the exception or once again, location, location, location?

[@Romewise]

Armando is one exception...in fact there are a few excellent restaurants on piazzas but not that many. Armandoisone of them. Unfortunately, it has become very difficult to get a reservation there, and they now take bookings based on a set timetable, so I don't go as often as I once did. But if you can get a reservation and don't mind having a time limit, you will enjoy excellent quality food.

[@adolfothemidget]

@@Romewise Grazie mille!

[@Soso-ok8jz]

Could you let me know the best cab company to move from Rome to train stations. Thanks 😊

[@Romewise]

I'm not sure what you mean by moving from Rome to train stations. But you can use 06 3570 which is the largest radio-cab company.

[@Mavsmom0928]

Hi Romewise, do you have any recommendations for hotels in Rome? My husband and I are visiting in October.

[@Romewise]

Thanks for watching! All my best tips are on my website. We have many pages with suggestions about where to stay, starting with these: www.romewise.com/where-to-stay-in-rome.html www.romewise.com/rome-neighborhoods.html If you are interested, we also offer trip planning as a paid service. We can help you research and book accommodation, tours, transportation, etc. If you’d like to know more about these services and our rates, please email us at [e-mail].

[@liebet9491]

Your videos are very helpful! We have 1 day from Florence to explore Rome. We are doing most of your free sites. We arrive by train at 8:35 am, And we leave Rome at 9:10 pm. Should we do your free suggestions 1st and save Vatican for last or reverse that. Since there’s so much to see in Rome we felt just seeing the Sistine chapel on this trip along with some free sites would be all we needed. Can we just see the Sistine chapel only or do we have to combine with St Peters basilica? Any help is greatly appreciated ! The free sites we plan on seeing in this same day are: The Spanish steps, Piazza Navona, Largo Argentina, Roman Forum and the colleague. Hopefully it’s doable. Thanks in advance

[@Romewise]

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoy my video. If you want to see the Sistine Chapel - that is not free. It's also not a quick visit, so if this is something you want to do on a day trip to Rome from Florence, you should book tickets for that first, visit the Vatican museums and the Sistine Chapel, and then see how much time you have for the rest of the day. I think you are trying to do a lot in one day and it's doable but you will need to pace and plan. FYI The Roman Forum is also not free. You can see it for free from above and from the outside and from the street. Perhaps you mean you plan to visit the via dei Fori Imperiali. Largo Argentina is also not free, but it's free to see it from street level and not go inside. I am not sure what you mean by colleague. Bottom line is - Visit the Vatican museums first if you want to see the Sistine Chapel. Purchase tickets in advance (25€ on the official site) so you don't waste part of your day standing in long lines. Then when you come out, you can try to visit the Basilica but lines will be long (sometimes over an hour). So you'll have to decide what your priorities are. I'd head from the Vatican Museums over to Piazza Navona, walk from there to the Pantheon (see from the outside), walk to Largo Argentina (see from above), walk from there to the top of Capitoline Hill where you can see the Roman Forum from above, come down to the Fori Imperiali and walk along there to the Colosseum which you can see from the outside. You'll need time for breaks and food and that should put you back at the station in time for your train. Have a great trip!

[@liebet9491]

Thank you so much! I’ve watched your video of free things to do in Rome (part 1)and so I’m going by that video. I’m just trying to squeeze the Sistine chapel in. Hopefully it’s possible. I planned on buying tix from the Vatican site. But I am worried about the lines.

[@Romewise]

If you buy a ticket to the Vatican Museums, you skip the long lines of people waiting to buy tickets. You still have to stand in a (very fast) line of other ticket holders who have the same time slot as you, and you have to go through security, but it's much faster than showing up with NO ticket and having to stand in the REALLY long line of people waiting to buy tickets.

[@karimev2011]

Hello! Any tips and places for kids?

[@Romewise]

Thanks for watching! Absolutely - here is my page with my best tips about visiting Rome with kids: www.romewise.com/rome-with-kids.html

[@1yumymumy]

Do you have a recommendation for a hotel in Rome? I will be coming in for 2 days after our cruise. Thank You

[@Romewise]

Yes, I have a whole section on my website about places to stay including by type and by neighborhood. You might want to start on this page: www.romewise.com/where-to-stay-in-rome.html

[@dls300]

I don't want to pack in a lot of sites, but I do want to spend a couple of days out of my week, at the Vatican and museums. Would you recommend a hotel that would be close to the Vatican?

[@Romewise]

Try the Hotel Isa.

[@annkvietkus5146]

Staying near the Vatican what transportation pass should we have?

[@Romewise]

It will depend on how long you are staying. The city's ATAC system offers 1, 3, and 7 day passes so I'd suggest one of those. You can also consider getting a kind of City Pass that offers entry to sites, public transportation, the hop-on/hop-off bus, and more. Here is the one I recommend: www.tkqlhce.com/click-7775910-13174059 Have a great trip!

[@andresa1456]

hello, what about visit musum vaticani at 4 pm on augoust ?

[@Romewise]

Yes that's a good idea as it will be hopefully a little cooler.

[@dennischuaunsu]

For the guided tour that you posted as a link, will it be you that will lead that tour or someone else (third party)?

[@Romewise]

Thanks for watching my video! I'm grateful you'd like to consider me as your guide but I am not a tour guide, so if you book the guided tour I refer to in this video and in the related links, it will be with a third party. But I only recommend tours and tour companies that I believe in! Thanks again!

[@dennischuaunsu]

@@Romewise thank you for your prompt response and you make excellent content videos. Keep up the good work! :)

[@Romewise]

@@dennischuaunsu Thanks so much. I really appreciate your kind words!

[@rchana56]

Which website is best for booking tickets for the Colosseum/Roman Forum/Palatine

[@Romewise]

The official website is www.coopculture.it/it/. You can also find more availability for tickets and tours on other websites. Visit my page here for more details: www.romewise.com/colosseum-tickets.html

[@rchana56]

@@Romewise thank you the prompt response. I will have a look..

[@vilmasucy7579]

We arrive in Rome on a Thursday in June in the late afternoon. We haven’t gotten tickets or made any plans for that night because we are afraid we will be delayed in arriving & will miss our reservation. We are clueless as to how long after we land we will actually be at our hotel near the Vatican. We are only in Rome until 2 days later, Saturday afternoon. Friday we will have a private tour guide for the Vatican. I thought maybe we could see the Colosseum on that Thurs. night that we arrive. Is it a possibility that we could at least one site (for example, the Colosseum) or do you recommend a private car tour of the city at night. This is our 1st time in Rome & I don’t want to just walk around, as I feel we will be wasting the evening. We are a family of 4. Our boys are grown, 17 & 21.

[@Romewise]

Sounds like you already have a good plan in place for the Vatican. You didn't say how you arrive in Rome on Thursday or exactly what time. Also will you be jet-lagged when you arrive? I would book the Colosseum visit for Saturday morning. And on the night you arrive, a walking or car tour is a good idea, but you can also spend the rest of the day Friday visiting Rome's historic centre before or after your Vatican tour (you didn't say what time you booked it for.)

[@vilmasucy7579]

@@Romewise, thanks so much for responding. We arrive by plane from Frankfurt (we begin in Houston, TX on a Wednesday & fly direct to Frankfurt then after a 4 hour layover we catch our flight to Rome) & land in Rome at ~5:45pm. We will likely be jet lagged 🥴.

[@vilmasucy7579]

@@Romewise, our tour guide is a seminarian of the Legionaries of Christ. I believe he will spend the entire day with us. We recognize that one day at the Vatican is not enough but we have asked him to please concentrate on the highlights. We are Catholic & we are very excited to see as much as we can of the Vatican.

[@Romewise]

@@vilmasucy7579 Wow you could not have a better tour guide for your Vatican visit! I hope he will also take you to the Scala Santa - the Holy Stairs, and to visit the Archbasilica of Saint John in Lateran. These are very important Catholic pilgrimage sites. You may also want to follow my friend Mountain aka @thecatholictraveler if you don't already. Have a wonderful visit!

[@kristiwegleitner3654]

What wall is that in the background behind you?

[@Romewise]

Those are the Aurelian Walls, Rome's largest ruin from Ancient Rome: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eIXHaoytr7OHrs0

[@kristiwegleitner3654]

@@Romewise thank you! I really enjoy your videos!

[@elyssabernard1]

@@kristiwegleitner3654 Thanks a lot, I really appreciate you letting me know!

[@azucenabost8634]

Hello 👋 can you please recommend me a great tour agency in Italy 🇮🇹, thanks

[@Romewise]

Are you looking for where to book tours or for someone to put together a trip for you? For tours, all my best tips are on my website. You can start here: www.romewise.com/italy-rome-tours.html I hope that helps!

[@markeschen]

Yeah, I would never exchange money at branch of my bank in the US. The rates are as bad or worse than anything you’ll find as soon as you set foot in Europe.

[@Romewise]

It may depend on your bank. Sometimes you can get better exchange rates at an American Express office or at AAA.

[@Evan-lx9lw]

We had a 2020 trip to Italy all planned and booked. It was killed by lockdowns. I'm 1) not vaxed, 2) never will get a nasal swab again and 3) don't want to wear a mask. How does that (above) fit in with this September / October (so far)? The Vatican website indicates masks are required. Are they required in museums, churches and/or public transportation?

[@Romewise]

So sorry to hear about your cancelled trip - as happened to so many. Things now have gone almost completely back to "normal", including large crowds. Currently (through September 30, and then TBD), masks are required only on any public transportation (metro, bus, trains), and in doctors' offices. They are NOT required inside the Vatican Museums or any other site. I have pages about this that I update when there is news. www.romewise.com/coronavirus-rome.html www.romewise.com/italy-green-pass.html www.romewise.com/can-you-travel-to-rome.html I know they are going to be monitoring the situation this fall/winter for new infections but it's highly unlikely we will enter any kind of lockdown as we did in 2020. Hope that helps! Elyssa

[@lornamorgan3575]

My sympathies. Same happened to us but we did get there this May. Enjoy your time there.

[@jamesm9995]

Stay home

[@Evan-lx9lw]

@@jamesm9995 silly comment Duh

[@jamesm9995]

@@Evan-lx9lw the rest of the world doesn’t need your anti vax, no mask bs. Stay home.

[@hal90001]

STOP PROPAGADING AMERICAN TIP CULTURE!!! Why should people tip tour guides for which the tour has already been paid? Wtffff!

[@Romewise]

I'm not sure you watched my video. Most of the section about tipping is about how Italy doesn't have a tipping economy and how you don't need to tip. I also said that if you really want to tip, because you want to, or can't help it, then here is a suggestion. I also said that nobody is offended if you tip, which is one of the big questions I get about this subject. I hope I have helped people who've wondered if they can, should, or have to tip.