Rome has always been one of the most popular travel destinations in the world, and it’s easy to see why. The Eternal City is home to countless iconic sites such as the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain, as well as delicious pasta…
But as with any place with a large tourism industry, it’s common for visitors to make some mistakes, no matter how well they think they’ve prepared/informed about their trip – and the locals tend to know!
Locals reveal the mistakes they often see visitors making in the Eternal City…
Below you’ll see some of the most common mistakes tourists make in Rome according to locals.
From wrong food choices to wrong itineraries, here are 11 mistakes tourists often make when visiting Rome – and some tips on how to avoid them on your trip.
1. Purchase of water
“Don’t buy water in Rome – it’s free!” In the historic center there are about 90 fountains, commonly called nasons, where you can drink water for free. The water always runs fresh and very often you will find these real works of art in front of you. The most famous is the small fountain built into the wall Via della Fontanella di Borghese. They are usually cast iron, but are made of travertine (a local marble) and there are some rare architectural examples such as the dragon-shaped Fontana delle Tre Cannelle, dating from 1872 and located in Via della Cordonatanear Via Nazionale.
2. You try to cram too much into one day
Rome is a famous destination mainly for one reason: there is a lot to see in the city. But don’t try to cram it all into one day! Enjoy “il dolce far niente”—the sweetness of doing nothing—and adjust your schedule. Plan one or two activities each day, but then leave time to relax on an outdoor lunch and wander the small streets of the city, finding yourself in shops and galleries.
«My first advice to travelers is to always slow down, do less. I love Rome, but it’s too much. Pick one thing a day, like a monument or museum, then find a nice square and sit with a coffee or a Negroni and people-watch.says Gillian Longworth McGuire, travel consultant and author.
3. Order a cappuccino at lunch or dinner
Cappuccino is only for breakfast! If you want to live like a local, you can’t drink cappuccino after lunch. Romans only drink cappuccino in the morning with a delicious cornetto (croissant is for the French, cornetto is Italian and literally means “little horn”). During the day, if you need “strength”, you can drink an espresso. The Romans drink it every hour and after dinner!’
4. Underestimating heat
One mistake people who travel to Rome in the summer make is to underestimate the heat. There’s not much shade inside the Colosseum, and nothing to do with the long lines to get into the Pantheon and the Vatican Museums. Air conditioners are optional in hotels and restaurants. Rome is close to the beach with good rail connections. Plan a day that includes a seafood lunch and a nap under an umbrella in one of the nearby towns of Anzio, Ostia or Santa Marinella.
5. You don’t understand the local food culture
Italian food as a homogeneous cuisine does not exist. Food in Italy is regional and varies from city to city, region to region. Yes, you can find risotto in Rome, but the best place for risotto is Milan, and instead start looking for Roman cuisine – artichoke, carbonara and lamb to name three of the many local dishes. Also, lunch in Rome starts anytime between 1pm and 3pm, and dinner never before 8pm. Finally, Romans don’t sit down to pizza at lunchtime. This is for dinner, not for pairing with an Aperol Spritz – this is your aperitif or after-dinner drink.
6. Visit during peak season
One of the biggest mistakes tourists make when coming to Rome is timing. Of course, if you are traveling with children, your time may be limited by school schedules. But if not, it’s better to avoid Rome in high season. The best time to visit is the first half of December, when Rome is festively decorated. Also, Rome is great in January and February. You can almost enjoy major attractions such as the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps and St. Peter’s.
Also, visiting Rome during the summer months is one of the biggest mistakes, as the temperatures can easily even exceed 40 degrees Celsius, making your days really unbearable. It is much better to enjoy the Italian capital in late spring, such as April and May, the best time is October. Rome is famous for its October days – “Ottobrate” – wonderful autumn days that smell like summer… Remember that in Rome and in Italy in general, air conditioning is not very popular and is not everywhere (especially in rental housing) . You will see yourself melting like a lollipop in the sun!
7. Eating in “Tourist Traps”
Food places right around famous city landmarks sometimes cater to tourism and don’t always offer the most authentic experience or have so many options that you won’t know you’re in a tourist trap! Rome has amazing food and so many great recommendations. Get informed before you go!
Visitors to Italy tend to think that great food will be easy to find. But in cities like Rome, Florence and Venice, some planning is required. Don’t wait until you spend three hours in the Vatican Museum starving to eat the first piece of pizza you find nearby. Often the places you see next to the main attractions – like the square in front of the Pantheon or the bars in Piazza Navona – cater to tourists, so you’ll find overpriced and mediocre food. Take some time to research and plan your meals ahead of time. You have your own list of places to enjoy lunch, dinner or just a coffee or ice cream near the places you might visit.
8. No prior research and reservation
Since the borders reopened after a COVID lockdown, the city has been almost constantly crowded, especially during the warmer months when there is more tourism. It can be so frustrating to get excited to visit an attraction or eat at a certain restaurant and see mile long queues… Book in advance online – most sites have an English option. A tip is that many places in the spring and summer also run bookable visits that are outside of the usual experience, such as small group night experiences at the Colosseum. These are usually great experiences and allow you to see a new place in a different way with less people around.
A common mistake tourists make when visiting Rome is not taking the time to properly explore. Investing some time in understanding key aspects such as navigating public transport, pre-booking tickets for attractions and researching dining options will ensure a much more memorable experience.
9. Local cuisine is not just pizza and pasta
Of course you’ll eat pasta and pizza in Rome, but don’t stop there! Turn to the back of the menu and order seasonal vegetables from the menu “toppings”. You can ask to serve them as antipasti before the main course to add vegetables to your diet, or even order as a main course to enjoy a lunch of fresh vegetables. Sauteed chicory (the well-known radishes or endives, which are also good for the body) with garlic and crushed red peppers and herb-stuffed braised Roman artichokes are staples you’ll find on menus across the city.
10. Expect things to be the same as in your country
Don’t think that everyone in Rome speaks English. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Another mistake is to think that public transport is always on time. Unfortunately, that doesn’t happen either.
11. Planning a short visit
Two days or a weekend are absolutely not enough to visit the grandeur of the capital. Many Romans spend a lifetime trying to understand it, and in any case it is not enough. Try to spend a whole week in Rome and mix the great monuments you can’t miss with places that are less touristy but no less beautiful. To leave the center is to discover so many other beauties of life and unforgettable historical places, such as the Parco degli Acquedotti and the architecture of the EUR, and to touch the real life of the Romans.
