Rome visit tips

Masterbrew

Several lifers mentioned in the Pope thread that they were visiting Rome imminently. Whilst I can't guarantee what will be open currently, I hope that the following will help anyone planning to go there. I haven't included the Vatican in this, as that is well-documented on-line; instead I have mainly concentrated on items off the immediate tourist track. We stayed there a week, having been there for a couple of days the year before, and still didn't see everything.

• The Colosseum; don't visit this in the morning! It will be hot and rammed with coach parties. It is open until sunset, so go mid to late afternoon and avoid the crowds. There is a ticket that covers this along with the Forum (well worth a visit) and the Palatine. Avoid the "gladiators" outside offering to pose for photos with you, unless you like open wallet surgery.
• There are water fountains all round Rome with continual free, fresh drinking water. No need to buy bottled stuff, just take a container with you and fill up as required.
• Restaurant prices in the evening can be double the lunchtime prices (found this the hard way). If the weather is fine, have a big lunch then buy some rolls, cheese, ham and fruit and salad at a stall, add a bottle of red wine then sit in a park and watch the sun go down. Or find somewhere away from the tourist drag for more reasonable prices.
• Basilica of St Clement ;https://www.basilicasanclemente.com/i-luoghi-della-basilica/ This is fantastic - three layers of Roman history, down to the first century AD.
• The Church of Santo Stefano Rotondo al Celio; https://www.turismoroma.it/en/places/church-santo-stefano-rotondo-al-celio , Rome's oldest church dating back to the 5th Century. The frescos showing the martyrdom of the saints is spectacularly gory.
• Place d'Argentina https://sovraintendenzaroma.it/i_luoghi/roma_antica/aree_archeologiche/area_sacra_di_largo_argentina . This has been opened to the public since I went there, although I looked at it from the road. It includes the temple where Julius Caesar was assassinated.
• Porta Maggiore https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porta_Maggiore a Roman gate and aqueduct. We found this completely by accident, having a ride on the narrow-gauge trams! They are a short section of what used to be a large electrified network https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rome–Giardinetti_railway#:~:text=The Roma–Giardinetti railway is,train railway in Rome, Italy. History and narrow-gauge trams - what more could you want?
• Pont Sant'Angelo, a lovely bridge and fort https://castelsantangeloroma.it/ponte-sant-angelo-roma/
• Piazza del Popolo https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piazza_del_Popolo An attractive square with stairs up to a park that offers spectacular views across Rome
• Ostia Antica https://www.ostiaantica.beniculturali.it/en/home/ This was a fantastic find. It is the old Roman seaport, a short train ride from Rome. It was abandoned after the sack of Rome in the early 5th century and was then buried under sand until the early 19th century. Some buildings still have upper floors. The site is huge - we were there all day and still didn't see all of it.
• Free wi-fi is available in the city but check info https://www.turismoroma.it/en/page/wi-fi-rome

soapy_jones

Just remember to do what they do...

Pedro45

The church crypt that's full of bones was an interesting side visit and worth the entrance fee. Can't remember what it's called but easy to find with a search. 

tangoflash

Is it right that the entire city was built in a day?

Hal1x

In my experience expect a lot of beggars and mental taxi drivers.

Fortune 82nd Minute

Hal1x said:

In my experience expect a lot of beggars and mental taxi drivers.

And pickpockets on the metro and outside the Vatican.

Alwaysneil

There's a metro?

Solidgone

And don’t forget the Bocca de la Verita and try putting your hand into the lion’s mouth. If you have lied then you hand will be bitten off.

Masterbrew

Alwaysneil said:

There's a metro?

Yes, quite a comprehensive network 

captainbob

I don't understand why the city don't make more of the riverside. I walked down some steps to it last summer and there wasn't a soul there. Tents used by the homeless, rubbish, graffiti must put off the tourists and locals but I ate my sandwiches down there and had a great view of the city buildings opposite. 

LargeAddick

Hal1x said:

In my experience expect a lot of beggars and mental taxi drivers.

OMG, don’t get me started on the taxi drivers. Thought we were done for on one occasion.

Fortune 82nd Minute said:

Hal1x said:

In my experience expect a lot of beggars and mental taxi drivers.

And pickpockets on the metro and outside the Vatican.

Was a victim of pickpockets on the metro, very clever how they operate. Be very, very careful.

Huskaris

captainbob said:

I don't understand why the city don't make more of the riverside. I walked down some steps to it last summer and there wasn't a soul there. Tents used by the homeless, rubbish, graffiti must put off the tourists and locals but I ate my sandwiches down there and had a great view of the city buildings opposite. 

I had a proper go at a pair of teenagers walking along the Tiber (funny, Tiber tried to autocorrect to river on my phone...), because when one of them finished their bottle of water they just flung it over into the river. 

I've been to Rome quite a few times, loved St Peter's square, there's some decent restaurants etc but I find Rome just too busy for what it is. 

Much prefer Milan, Bologna and if you could wipe Americans off the planet, Florence. 

PrincessFiona

Masterbrew said:

Several lifers mentioned in the Pope thread that they were visiting Rome imminently. Whilst I can't guarantee what will be open currently, I hope that the following will help anyone planning to go there. I haven't included the Vatican in this, as that is well-documented on-line; instead I have mainly concentrated on items off the immediate tourist track. We stayed there a week, having been there for a couple of days the year before, and still didn't see everything.

• The Colosseum; don't visit this in the morning! It will be hot and rammed with coach parties. It is open until sunset, so go mid to late afternoon and avoid the crowds. There is a ticket that covers this along with the Forum (well worth a visit) and the Palatine. Avoid the "gladiators" outside offering to pose for photos with you, unless you like open wallet surgery.
• There are water fountains all round Rome with continual free, fresh drinking water. No need to buy bottled stuff, just take a container with you and fill up as required.
• Restaurant prices in the evening can be double the lunchtime prices (found this the hard way). If the weather is fine, have a big lunch then buy some rolls, cheese, ham and fruit and salad at a stall, add a bottle of red wine then sit in a park and watch the sun go down. Or find somewhere away from the tourist drag for more reasonable prices.
• Basilica of St Clement ;https://www.basilicasanclemente.com/i-luoghi-della-basilica/ This is fantastic - three layers of Roman history, down to the first century AD.
• The Church of Santo Stefano Rotondo al Celio; https://www.turismoroma.it/en/places/church-santo-stefano-rotondo-al-celio , Rome's oldest church dating back to the 5th Century. The frescos showing the martyrdom of the saints is spectacularly gory.
• Place d'Argentina https://sovraintendenzaroma.it/i_luoghi/roma_antica/aree_archeologiche/area_sacra_di_largo_argentina . This has been opened to the public since I went there, although I looked at it from the road. It includes the temple where Julius Caesar was assassinated.
• Porta Maggiore https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porta_Maggiore a Roman gate and aqueduct. We found this completely by accident, having a ride on the narrow-gauge trams! They are a short section of what used to be a large electrified network https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rome–Giardinetti_railway#:~:text=The Roma–Giardinetti railway is,train railway in Rome, Italy. History and narrow-gauge trams - what more could you want?
• Pont Sant'Angelo, a lovely bridge and fort https://castelsantangeloroma.it/ponte-sant-angelo-roma/
• Piazza del Popolo https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piazza_del_Popolo An attractive square with stairs up to a park that offers spectacular views across Rome
• Ostia Antica https://www.ostiaantica.beniculturali.it/en/home/ This was a fantastic find. It is the old Roman seaport, a short train ride from Rome. It was abandoned after the sack of Rome in the early 5th century and was then buried under sand until the early 19th century. Some buildings still have upper floors. The site is huge - we were there all day and still didn't see all of it.
• Free wi-fi is available in the city but check info https://www.turismoroma.it/en/page/wi-fi-rome

many thanks for the tips. I've read advice about avoiding rip off ice creams and restaurants. We were thinking of getting restaurant recommendation from the hotel. Any advice re avoiding the rip off ones other than checking prices first/looking if Italians are eating there not just tourists/laminated tourist menus and lack of salt and pepper on the tables (Italian chefs know how to season their food)?

Stuart_the_Red

Avoid any place that has photos on their menu!

We were lucky when we visited Rome in that we went with Italian friends so didn’t get ripped off or pick-pocketed!

If you visit the Vatican at any other time than the Pope’s funeral and the following Conclave and you want to climb to the top of the dome of St Peter’s Basilica, take the lift that you can buy tickets for to cover the first part. Otherwise it’s 551 steps and it nearly killed me! Mind you, we did do it in August!

Kindoncasella

Pedro45 said:

The church crypt that's full of bones was an interesting side visit and worth the entrance fee. Can't remember what it's called but easy to find with a search. 

Went to the one near Prague, creepy but fascinating. 

WrightCharlie

There's the Palazzo Farnese..... the French Consulate is in the building so you can only get in on a guided tour....... which needs to be booked well in advance........ well worth it though if you like art/architecture....... the family had enough money to make it more than magnificent. Not a bad view in the evening...... you can look through the upstairs windows and see at least a bit of it......... while the armed guards look at you!

In the same Square there's Santa Brigida, a catholic convent where you can book decent/basic rooms at a good price and the location is fantastic! The nuns are great and will also cook an evening meal if you book one. Was last there 10 or so years ago so please check this bit is all still true.

Restaurants/cafes which are close to major tourist places, i.e. the Pantheon, are usually average and expensive. Don't go there for the food but do go there for the view/opera singing etc. Have a wander and find places a few streets away from the tourist crowd and you may discover a gem be pleasantly surprised by the food and the price....... the Jewish Quarter for instance.

Don't know current prices but for Euro150+ (?) you can book a local guide who will show you round the Forum, for example. You will definitely see and be told things not in the tourist books and the guides will sometimes take you into the roped-off areas to have a closer, more detailed look. Well worth it if you're into Roman history.

It's a Catholic Jubilee Year this year so Rome is expecting millions more visitors........ and that was before the Pope dying....... so the expectation is that places to stay and eat will be very busy and at a premium? We were going to visit Rome again in September but have decided to wait until next year.

DessieValley

Amazing city, my favourite to visit.

My tips; it's vast, expect to to lots of walking. The open top busses help with that, get a ticket where you can hop on and hop off. 

Lots of restaurants, not all good. After all the walking you'll naturally go to the closest with availability. We went to one that had a disclaimer "food cooked from frozen". Check on trip advisor. Some of the best reasonable priced ones seem to be take away style, where the pasta is made on site etc.

I never forget walking the streets, turning a corner and then seeing the Pantheon.

Huskaris

PrincessFiona said:

Masterbrew said:

Several lifers mentioned in the Pope thread that they were visiting Rome imminently. Whilst I can't guarantee what will be open currently, I hope that the following will help anyone planning to go there. I haven't included the Vatican in this, as that is well-documented on-line; instead I have mainly concentrated on items off the immediate tourist track. We stayed there a week, having been there for a couple of days the year before, and still didn't see everything.

• The Colosseum; don't visit this in the morning! It will be hot and rammed with coach parties. It is open until sunset, so go mid to late afternoon and avoid the crowds. There is a ticket that covers this along with the Forum (well worth a visit) and the Palatine. Avoid the "gladiators" outside offering to pose for photos with you, unless you like open wallet surgery.
• There are water fountains all round Rome with continual free, fresh drinking water. No need to buy bottled stuff, just take a container with you and fill up as required.
• Restaurant prices in the evening can be double the lunchtime prices (found this the hard way). If the weather is fine, have a big lunch then buy some rolls, cheese, ham and fruit and salad at a stall, add a bottle of red wine then sit in a park and watch the sun go down. Or find somewhere away from the tourist drag for more reasonable prices.
• Basilica of St Clement ;https://www.basilicasanclemente.com/i-luoghi-della-basilica/ This is fantastic - three layers of Roman history, down to the first century AD.
• The Church of Santo Stefano Rotondo al Celio; https://www.turismoroma.it/en/places/church-santo-stefano-rotondo-al-celio , Rome's oldest church dating back to the 5th Century. The frescos showing the martyrdom of the saints is spectacularly gory.
• Place d'Argentina https://sovraintendenzaroma.it/i_luoghi/roma_antica/aree_archeologiche/area_sacra_di_largo_argentina . This has been opened to the public since I went there, although I looked at it from the road. It includes the temple where Julius Caesar was assassinated.
• Porta Maggiore https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porta_Maggiore a Roman gate and aqueduct. We found this completely by accident, having a ride on the narrow-gauge trams! They are a short section of what used to be a large electrified network https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rome–Giardinetti_railway#:~:text=The Roma–Giardinetti railway is,train railway in Rome, Italy. History and narrow-gauge trams - what more could you want?
• Pont Sant'Angelo, a lovely bridge and fort https://castelsantangeloroma.it/ponte-sant-angelo-roma/
• Piazza del Popolo https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piazza_del_Popolo An attractive square with stairs up to a park that offers spectacular views across Rome
• Ostia Antica https://www.ostiaantica.beniculturali.it/en/home/ This was a fantastic find. It is the old Roman seaport, a short train ride from Rome. It was abandoned after the sack of Rome in the early 5th century and was then buried under sand until the early 19th century. Some buildings still have upper floors. The site is huge - we were there all day and still didn't see all of it.
• Free wi-fi is available in the city but check info https://www.turismoroma.it/en/page/wi-fi-rome

many thanks for the tips. I've read advice about avoiding rip off ice creams and restaurants. We were thinking of getting restaurant recommendation from the hotel. Any advice re avoiding the rip off ones other than checking prices first/looking if Italians are eating there not just tourists/laminated tourist menus and lack of salt and pepper on the tables (Italian chefs know how to season their food)?

Really recommend using Google maps and searching on there. I filter by 4.5 stars and above. I even do this for drinks. 

One place I accidentally went to (literally the one time I didn't use google because I was worried I was becoming obsessed) was a place called Spaghetto's. Feel free to Google it, reviews are incredibly helpful. 

ValleyGary

Stunning City

We used the trams a lot, really cheap for a day travel card and covered most of the places we wanted to go.

peterreeves

3 places we love is the Trastervere Jewish quarter, the Collosseum Tour at night and go under the Trevi fountain via a little shop opposite.
Have been to Rome many times but doubt we've covered 25% of it so pace yourselves if going but imho it's the best city in the world. 

PrincessFiona

Huskaris said:

PrincessFiona said:

Masterbrew said:

Several lifers mentioned in the Pope thread that they were visiting Rome imminently. Whilst I can't guarantee what will be open currently, I hope that the following will help anyone planning to go there. I haven't included the Vatican in this, as that is well-documented on-line; instead I have mainly concentrated on items off the immediate tourist track. We stayed there a week, having been there for a couple of days the year before, and still didn't see everything.

• The Colosseum; don't visit this in the morning! It will be hot and rammed with coach parties. It is open until sunset, so go mid to late afternoon and avoid the crowds. There is a ticket that covers this along with the Forum (well worth a visit) and the Palatine. Avoid the "gladiators" outside offering to pose for photos with you, unless you like open wallet surgery.
• There are water fountains all round Rome with continual free, fresh drinking water. No need to buy bottled stuff, just take a container with you and fill up as required.
• Restaurant prices in the evening can be double the lunchtime prices (found this the hard way). If the weather is fine, have a big lunch then buy some rolls, cheese, ham and fruit and salad at a stall, add a bottle of red wine then sit in a park and watch the sun go down. Or find somewhere away from the tourist drag for more reasonable prices.
• Basilica of St Clement ;https://www.basilicasanclemente.com/i-luoghi-della-basilica/ This is fantastic - three layers of Roman history, down to the first century AD.
• The Church of Santo Stefano Rotondo al Celio; https://www.turismoroma.it/en/places/church-santo-stefano-rotondo-al-celio , Rome's oldest church dating back to the 5th Century. The frescos showing the martyrdom of the saints is spectacularly gory.
• Place d'Argentina https://sovraintendenzaroma.it/i_luoghi/roma_antica/aree_archeologiche/area_sacra_di_largo_argentina . This has been opened to the public since I went there, although I looked at it from the road. It includes the temple where Julius Caesar was assassinated.
• Porta Maggiore https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porta_Maggiore a Roman gate and aqueduct. We found this completely by accident, having a ride on the narrow-gauge trams! They are a short section of what used to be a large electrified network https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rome–Giardinetti_railway#:~:text=The Roma–Giardinetti railway is,train railway in Rome, Italy. History and narrow-gauge trams - what more could you want?
• Pont Sant'Angelo, a lovely bridge and fort https://castelsantangeloroma.it/ponte-sant-angelo-roma/
• Piazza del Popolo https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piazza_del_Popolo An attractive square with stairs up to a park that offers spectacular views across Rome
• Ostia Antica https://www.ostiaantica.beniculturali.it/en/home/ This was a fantastic find. It is the old Roman seaport, a short train ride from Rome. It was abandoned after the sack of Rome in the early 5th century and was then buried under sand until the early 19th century. Some buildings still have upper floors. The site is huge - we were there all day and still didn't see all of it.
• Free wi-fi is available in the city but check info https://www.turismoroma.it/en/page/wi-fi-rome

many thanks for the tips. I've read advice about avoiding rip off ice creams and restaurants. We were thinking of getting restaurant recommendation from the hotel. Any advice re avoiding the rip off ones other than checking prices first/looking if Italians are eating there not just tourists/laminated tourist menus and lack of salt and pepper on the tables (Italian chefs know how to season their food)?

Really recommend using Google maps and searching on there. I filter by 4.5 stars and above. I even do this for drinks. 

One place I accidentally went to (literally the one time I didn't use google because I was worried I was becoming obsessed) was a place called Spaghetto's. Feel free to Google it, reviews are incredibly helpful. 

Agreed about reviews but unfortunately it is all too easy for establishments to pay for lots of fake good reviews to up their score. Bit of a catch 22 but lack of bad reviews more reliable - easy to pay for fake good reviews but difficult to avoid genuine bad ones etc

SuedeAdidas

Why would you want to visit the rubbish dumps when there is all of that history surrounding you?

CafcWest

Not sure if already mentioned but if you go to the Sistine chapel do not wear shorts they won’t let you in! I had to go and buy tracksuit leggings!

MuttleyCAFC

In terms of food, if you want a pizza many pizzerias don't open until the evening as they use wood fired ovens which makes things too hot during the day. There are lots of tourist resteraunts but the internet and trip adviser is your friend here. Check out what you want to eat and your budget and take it from there. 

Also, the canteen in the Vatican is crap. Nuns microwaving overpiced foods.

PrincessFiona

CafcWest said:

Not sure if already mentioned but if you go to the Sistine chapel do not wear shorts they won’t let you in! I had to go and buy tracksuit leggings!

Lol. Unfortunately, I don't think we'll be able to go into the Sistine Chapel - pre-booked for Conclave!

Your story reminds me when Shrek had to go to the Angolan Embassy in Jo'burg to get a visa to accompany me on a work trip to Luanda. They wouldn't let him in wearing shorts so he had to go to the nearest Woolworths to get some trousers. Trousers referred to since as Angolan trousers.

Can see why they might be required for the Sistine Chapel - but Luanda is a very expensive sh!thole! 

Alwaysneil

I also use apple maps to look for decent places to eat. Never had a place with a high score on apple maps, google maps and tripadvisor be anything less than great. Cannot always get in them if they are really good and worth looking nearby before you go for your first night at least and booking in advance imo.

DamoNorthStand

If you are getting a cab, hold on tight. Went there on a first holiday after we had met - with the missus - back in 2003. Taxi driver thought he was auditioning for a Ferrari F1 seat. Hit about 5 parked cars on the way to the hotel from the airport before side swiping a moped rider a block from the motel. They started having a ruck and we decided to walk the rest of the way.

MuttleyCAFC

DamoNorthStand said:

If you are getting a cab, hold on tight. Went there on a first holiday after we had met - with the missus - back in 2003. Taxi driver thought he was auditioning for a Ferrari F1 seat. Hit about 5 parked cars on the way to the hotel from the airport before side swiping a moped rider a block from the motel. They started having a ruck and we decided to walk the rest of the way.

That's normal driving in Italy.

Hal1x

I didn't spend long in Rome but we walked back from the Colosseum through the forum which was interesting, however there was no tourist info on what the buildings actually were so if there for any time I would get a decent guide book so I knew what I was looking at.

R0TW

Not much of an historian, but pay the money for the lower look at the coliseum the thought of being wheeled up from there against fuck knows what, was very absorbing

Addickted2TheReds

Download Citymapper app and use the metro, forget taxis.