I love Rome. I too have a long and humiliating history of wronging Rome.
From getting fined on the subway to being kicked out of a church in 95-degree heat, I’ve compiled an impressive list of Rome fails over several trips. It’s okay to pretend like nothing’s wrong and have a failure that leaves your travel partner quietly seething.
Here are 10 real mistakes I made in Rome and what you should do instead. Learn from my pain. please.
1. Do not book Vatican and Colosseum tickets in advance
I thought it was my fault that I bought my Colosseum tickets a week before my trip. cute. Every episode was sold out. All of them. We were there all week.
Here’s the problem. Official Colosseum tickets (€18 for adults, includes Roman Forum and Palatine Hill) are released 30 days prior to your visit date. It seems like there’s plenty of time, but popular slots sell out within hours of release. Are underground tours and stadium floor access available? It’s much faster.
The Vatican Museums are the same story. If you want a morning without the lines circling the Vatican walls, you’ll have to get there. at that moment The ticket has run out.
What should you do instead? Set a calendar reminder exactly 30 days before your visit date and purchase Colosseum tickets the moment they go on sale on the official site (colosseo.it). For the Vatican, book through museivaticani.va as soon as possible. And if you want to go to the Borghese Gallery (more on that later), those tickets are open 90 days in advance and sell out weeks in advance. you can’t do it Buy at your doorstep.
2. Eat at a restaurant near major tourist attractions
We sat in a restaurant about 40 feet from the Pantheon. Because I was hungry. right there. The carbonara cost €22, tasted like it came from a microwave and the waiter was openly annoyed at our presence. A true triple threat.
This is a restaurant trap and one that basically attracts every tourist at least once. Any place within direct line of sight of a major monument is almost guaranteed to be overpriced, mediocre, and staffed by people you know you’ll never see again.
What should you do instead? Walk at least 5 to 10 minutes from major locations before eating. Better yet, plan to eat in neighborhoods like Trastevere, Testaccio or Monti, where the locals actually eat. If there’s a picture on the menu and a guy standing outside tempting you, keep walking. Every time.
3. Not checking subway tickets
Buying a ticket is only half the job. I learned this the expensive way.
On our first trip, we bought our subway tickets and went through the turnstiles, thinking it was okay. We were not good. On the bus, the inspector asked me to board and show my valid ticket. Ours were clean and unstamped. The fine is €54.90 if paid within five days, or €104.90 if you delay. That’s a lot of money for gelato.
What should you do instead? Check your tickets every time. Just stick it on the little yellow machine when you get on the bus or tram. In the subway, the turnstiles confirm this. The standard BIT ticket is valid for 100 minutes of bus and tram rides and one subway ride, so you should keep it with you at all times. Alternatively, you can use a contactless card with ATAC’s Tap&Go system and skip the entire verification process entirely.
4. Wear shorts and a tank top to church.
I know, I know. It’s a million degrees. You have been walking for 6 hours. You’re wearing shorts and a tank top, like a normal person who doesn’t want to blend into the sidewalk. And when you arrive at St. Peter’s Basilica, the guard points to your bare shoulder and refuses you.
This happened to us. This also happened to the two women in front of us and the couple behind us. This rule is firm and universal throughout the Roman Church. Shoulders are covered. Knees are covered. It’s for everyone, not just women. I saw a man in board shorts turning away from the Pantheon.
What should you do instead? Keep a light scarf or shawl in your bag. It weighs nothing and saves you from the humiliation of being turned away from a building that has been welcoming people since 609. If you forget, some churches will sell cheap scarves outside, but you’ll have to pay a tourist tax for that convenience.
5. Visit only the neighborhoods that stand out
On our first trip we basically played ping pong between the Colosseum, the Vatican, and the Trevi Fountain. It’s like going to New York and only visiting Times Square. Technically you went, but you missed the whole point.
Rome’s best personalities live in its neighborhoods. Trastevere has the cobblestone and ivy-covered streets that come to mind when you think of Rome. Testaccio is where real Romans eat and it has the best taste. cheese and pepper In the city. Monti is a cool, slightly artsy neighborhood near the Colosseum that most tourists pass by.
What should you do instead? Spend at least half a day just wandering around your neighborhood without any plans. Get lost in Trastevere during golden hour. Explore the Testaccio market. Browse Monti’s vintage shops. This is actually where you will feel It’s like you’re in Rome, not just looking from behind a bunch of selfie sticks.
6. Trying to do too much in one day
On the first day of our first trip to Rome, we visited the Colosseum, Forum, Palatine Hill, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, and Piazza Navona. By 4pm, I was sitting on a bench near the river making noises other than words. Will pretended not to know me.
Rome is punishment on your feet. The cobblestones are bumpy, the distances between places are incredible on a map, and the summer heat turns every walk into an endurance event. If you pack your day like you’re playing a quick video game, dinner will be miserable.
What should you do instead? Plan a maximum of 2-3 major tasks per day. Take a long lunch break. Do like the Italians and head back to the hotel for an hour in the afternoon. If you have 3 or 4 days (check out our 3 and 4 day Rome itineraries) you will have plenty of time. Rome rewards you for slowing down.
7. Interaction with Bracelet Guy and Rose Seller
A very friendly man near the Spanish Steps started chatting with us, asked where we were from, and before I could say “Pennsylvania” he was tying a braided bracelet around my wrist. Then he wanted 20 euros. When I said no, he wanted €10. Then it’s €5. It was like a sad and aggressive auction in reverse.
The friendship bracelet scam has been going on in Rome for years and it’s not going anywhere. Rose sellers work the same way, especially in restaurants. They will leave flowers on your table, walk away, then come back and ask for money. This is an organized task, not a random encounter.
What should you do instead? Do not make eye contact, do not stop walking, and never allow yourself to be strapped to your body. All you have to do is say “no, yes” firmly and without slowing down. If someone puts a rose on your table, immediately pick it up and return it. It may seem rude, but it’s not. They believe you will be too polite to refuse.
8. Sit down to drink coffee
We ordered two espressos at a cafe near Piazza Navona and paid €10 to sit at a beautiful outdoor table and watch the world go by. For 2 small espressos. Meanwhile, a local was drinking the same coffee for €1 at the bar inside.
In Italy, bars post two different prices. “Al banco” (standing at the bar) and “al tavolo” (sitting at the table). If you drink it standing up, you can get an espresso for around €1 to €1.50. The same drink can cost between €4 and €8, especially if you sit at a table with a view. In the famous square, you are essentially paying rent for the view.
What should you do instead? Do what the Romans do. Walk into a bar, order a caffe at the counter, take three sips and leave. It’s faster, cheaper, and frankly, more fun. You will feel very Italian. In fact, sit down and save your coffee for a special afternoon. want Consider paying for the scenery and treats on your trip.
9. Choosing a gelato shop according to the size of the mountain
Do you know the store I’m talking about? Gelato is piled in gravity-defying peaks of electric blue, neon green, and traffic cone orange. It looks really amazing. That’s a lie.
That towering mound means the gelato is full of air and stabilizers. Real gelato is dense. It often comes flat in a metal can with a lid. Because the colors are muted actual Pistachios are a dull greenish brown, not the color of Nickelodeon Slime Pit. Real mint gelato is white. Real bananas are gray in color. If the paint store looks like it exploded, leave.
What should you do instead? Look for flat metal containers, muted colors, and a short menu focusing on classic dishes. milk creamhazelnuts and Crema. Ignore the “artigianale” signs in all shops in Rome. Instead, check the list of ingredients that are legally required to be listed. If it’s full of E-numbers and artificial additives, go ahead. If you want specific names, see our full guide to the best gelato shops in Rome.
10. Skip the less famous museums
We almost made this mistake. Everyone goes to the Vatican Museums because that’s what you do. And look, the Sistine Chapel is the Sistine Chapel. But you could be shuffling through the place shoulder to shoulder with hundreds of other people while a security guard shouts “no photos” into a microphone. that… It’s an experience.
Meanwhile, the Borghese Gallery exists. It’s small, intimate and jaw-droppingly beautiful. Since only 360 people are allowed in every two hours, in reality see Instead of taking a picture of a work of art over someone’s head. Bernini’s sculptures alone are worth a trip to Rome. And there’s a small museum that most tourists completely skip.
What should you do instead? Make a reservation at the Borghese Gallery (tickets open 90 days in advance, will do (Be sure to plan ahead as they sell out.) Visit other museums in Rome that are less than an hour away from security. Palazzo Doria Pamphilj is ridiculously underrated. The Capitoline Museum is just above the Forum and is about half crowded. You can still visit the Vatican, but don’t make this your only museum day.
Conclusion on Roman Mistakes
Rome is one of the amazing cities despite How easy it is to mess up. Even on a trip where I was fined, scammed, and turned away from church, I still had the best week of my life. The food alone is worth going wrong.
But a little preparation goes a long way. Book your tickets early, eat away from the monuments, wrap your arms around their shoulders, and for the love of all things sacred, try standing and drinking coffee at least once. You’ll save money, skip the worst tourist traps, and have a much more enjoyable time.
And if an overly enthusiastic stranger ties a friendship bracelet to your wrist, well, well. Welcome to the club.
For more Rome travel ideas, check out our guides to 30 things to do in Rome , our favorite Rome restaurants , and where to stay in Rome .
