First Time in Rome? 10 Common Mistakes To Avoid By a Local

First Time in Rome? Avoid These 10 Common Mistakes - rome travel guide

Planning your first trip to Rome? Avoid these common mistakes to enjoy a smoother, calmer experience in the Eternal City and really enjoy hidden gems!

Rome can be a lot. Beautiful, yes.

But also loud, completely disjointed and illogical for outsiders, too hot, and sometimes aggressively chaotic.

If you’ve never been to Rome, there’s a good chance you’ll walk into your first piazza and immediately wonder if you’ve made a mistake.

I’ve seen it happen. I’ve had it happen.

First-timers staring at a ticket machine that doesn’t work, overpaying for a limp espresso, queuing for two hours in the sun because they didn’t know about timed entries.

Rome isn’t hard to love, but it does take a little patience… and a few small lessons ahead of time.

First Time in Rome? 10 Common Mistakes To Avoid By a Local

First Time in Rome? Avoid These 10 Common Mistakes

This guide here isn’t about scare tactics; I hope it doesn’t come across that way.

But just like I’ve written a guide of things I wish I knew before visiting London, I’m doing the same for Rome.

Another big European city for digital nomads, and definitely one you need to know a few things about before you travel, visit, or move there.

You’ll still see the sights, the famous landmarks of Rome if you wish to, and eat delicious breakfast, lunch and dinner (I’ve told you about some great restaurants in other posts).

But you’ll do it with a bit more calm, a lot more clarity, and maybe even enough time left to sit down somewhere quiet and just be.

Common Mistakes in Rome to Avoid: Thinking You Can Walk Everywhere

Rome looks walkable on the map. And yes, some of it is.

But many streets are made of uneven cobblestones, and those charming detours between landmarks can easily stretch into uphill treks, like if you visit the Avventino area.

Use Google Maps to estimate walking times, but add some time in case you’re late, just so you’re not frustrated if you can’t do it all.

I’ve written a guide to help you with public transport in Rome – it can definitely be frustrating, as Rome does what Rome wants, really.

Take the bus, especially the 81 and 492 lines; they cut across the city without the packed rush of the metro.

And always wear shoes with real soles; heels in Monti and Trastevere?

I don’t think so, and they won’t think so either – promise.

Read: The Most Magical Parks & Gardens in Rome

Common Mistakes in Rome to Avoid: Booking the Colosseum Without the Forum and Palatine Hill

The Colosseum gets all the attention, but the Forum and Palatine Hill are where the soul of ancient Rome lives.

They’re on the same ticket; don’t rush the Colosseum and skip the rest.

Start with Palatine Hill instead, maybe.

It’s quieter in the morning and gives you context before you descend into the Forum.

Then loop back to the Colosseum after lunch, when most tour groups are moving on.

And if you’re after some instagrammable spots and would like to absolutely take a picture in front of the Colosseum, walk up the stairs and you’ll get a clear view of the monument.

Read: The Best Day Trips from Rome

Common Mistakes in Rome to Avoid: Eating Near Major Landmarks

You will not find the best food next to the Trevi Fountain, the Vatican, or Piazza Venezia: I promise you that.

At best, it will be passable and overpriced.

At worst, you’ll end up with microwaved lasagna and a €6 “coperto” charge. Hate that charge.

Walk ten minutes, twenty minutes, take a bus and go a local Roman neighborhood.

Go to Monti, Testaccio, or even the backstreets of Trastevere, where you’ll not only find some good vegan and halal restaurants, but also lots of cheap eats.

Look for short menus, locals ordering solo, and tables without picture menus.

Read: The Best Beaches Near Rome

Common Mistakes in Rome to Avoid: Assuming Everything Is Open All Day

Rome loves to close. Museums shut on Mondays.

Restaurants close between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Pharmacies take breaks. Small shops often disappear between 1 and 4 p.m.

It really just feels like my hometown in France, and it’s sometimes annoying.

Not everything closes early or during lunch time, though, so don’t worry too much about it.

But do check opening hours the night before.

If you need to buy anything essential, do it in the morning, and don’t assume your dinner spot is open before 7:30 p.m. – most aren’t.

Read: The Most Beautiful Palaces in Rome

Common Mistakes in Rome to Avoid: Not Booking Entry Tickets in Advance – and Only Visiting Famous Landmarks

For the Vatican Museums, the Colosseum, or the Borghese Gallery, there are often timed entries, or you’ll need to book online: do it, it will save you hours.

Book online from the official sites.

Avoid reseller platforms unless you’re doing a guided tour and keep digital copies of your tickets; some scanners won’t read screenshots.

And of course, do pop by all the free and secret Roman museums I’ve found over the years.

There are lots of secret spots to find gorgeous architecture, paintings and stunning sculptures!

Read: The Best Cafes to Work in Rome

Common Mistakes in Rome to Avoid: Underestimating How Spread Out the City Is

The picture above is from the main square at Malatesta metro station, on the Metro C line – should you be interested.

It’s really local, and blends into the Torpignattara neighborhood, which was my last home before I traveled back home in France for a bit.

And although everything might feel close on the maps, they are not.

So Malatesta is not next to Termini Station.

The Vatican is not next to the Colosseum.

Trastevere is not a short walk from the Spanish Steps.

Rome’s centre stretches wide, and it takes time to move across it.

Plan each day by area, or at least a half day here, and a half day there.

Don’t try to visit the Vatican, Colosseum, and Piazza Navona in one morning.

You’ll see more – and enjoy it more – if you cluster your activities, and it will save you time to find hidden spots, proper Roman bakeries and other unique shops in which to spend some time.

Read: The Best Things to Do in Rome At Night

Common Mistakes in Rome to Avoid: Expecting Free Tap Water at Restaurants

Restaurants in Rome don’t offer tap water.

You’ll usually be charged for a bottle, and that’s standard. Don’t fight it, it’s normal.

If you’re out and about, Rome has hundreds of free public fountains called “nasoni” where you can refill a bottle.

The water is clean, cold, and honestly?

This is the best water I’ve ever drunk in my life, enough to just want to move back there (which I might very well do this year).

Read: The Best Things To Do During Spring in Rome

Common Mistakes in Rome to Avoid: Forgetting to Validate Your Bus or Train Ticket

Buying a ticket is not enough.

You must validate it, either on board the bus or at the machine in a train station.

If you don’t, and you’re checked, you risk a €50+ fine.

As I said in other posts, locals don’t have the habit of paying for either the bus or the tram, and if you don’t want to be spotted by potential pickpockets, validate your ticket in a… well, non-touristy way.

For contactless metro gates, the scan counts as validation.

But if you’re using a paper ticket, always stamp it before boarding.

Read: The Best Ice Cream Shops in Rome

Common Mistakes in Rome to Avoid: Dressing for Fashion, Not Function

Rome is stylish, yes.

You can get lots of amazing, cheap clothes at the Porta Portese market, which is one of the best flea markets in Rome.

But that doesn’t mean you need to pack blazers and leather boots. If you’re visiting Rome in the summer, it gets really, really, really hot.

The real dress code is practical. Comfortable shoes, breathable fabrics, layers.

In churches, cover shoulders and knees – you won’t be allowed to enter otherwise.

Light clothes, maybe no flip-flops (Romans just don’t seem to wear flip-flops!), and just casual outfits will be more comfortable overall.

Read: The Most Instagrammable Cafes in Rome

Common Mistakes in Rome to Avoid: Trying to See Everything – And Forgetting Hidden Neighborhoods

This is the big one. Rome isn’t a checklist, although I’ve shared with you so many amazing spots to visit there.

You will not see it all in one go, though. And you’re not really supposed to if you really want to enjoy its vibe.

Choose a few things each day, leave room for detours.

Sit on a bench at Villa Sciarra for no reason, and stay at the viewpoint with the Altare della Patria right in front.

One thing I know for sure? The most memorable parts won’t be the ones you planned.

Read: The Best Shopping Spots in Rome

First Time in Rome? 10 Common Mistakes To Avoid By a Local

Every person I’ve ever met who fell in love with Rome did it by accident.

Even I first visited Rome when I decided to move there, on a whim – I had not planned it.

That falling in love happens when you’re walking to some spot, and coming across another one you didn’t expect.

You just turn a corner, and get to see the city in a way that just couldn’t be captured properly in a photo.

That’s what this list is really about. Making just enough space for that kind of moment. Let the city unfold.

First Time in Rome? 10 Common Mistakes To Avoid By a Local

First Time in Rome? 10 Common Mistakes To Avoid By a Local

Common Mistakes in Rome to Avoid: Thinking You Can Walk Everywhere

Common Mistakes in Rome to Avoid: Booking the Colosseum Without the Forum and Palatine Hill

Common Mistakes in Rome to Avoid: Eating Near Major Landmarks

Common Mistakes in Rome to Avoid: Assuming Everything Is Open All Day

Common Mistakes in Rome to Avoid: Not Booking Entry Tickets in Advance – and Only Visiting Famous Landmarks

Common Mistakes in Rome to Avoid: Underestimating How Spread Out the City Is

Common Mistakes in Rome to Avoid: Expecting Free Tap Water at Restaurants

Common Mistakes in Rome to Avoid: Forgetting to Validate Your Bus or Train Ticket

Common Mistakes in Rome to Avoid: Dressing for Fashion, Not Function

Common Mistakes in Rome to Avoid: Trying to See Everything – And Forgetting Hidden Neighborhoods

First Time in Rome? 10 Common Mistakes To Avoid By a Local

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