Rome is one of the most popular destinations for Americans, but I’m about to shock you… Despite visiting over 65 countries, including Italy on more than one occasion, this was my first trip to Rome! It was worth the wait, but I’m also not sure what I was waiting for. We had a great time there, but there were definitely a few things I wish I’d known before we visited. Keep reading so you can be ready for your own trip to the Eternal City!

Uber and itTaxi are the same.

When we arrived, we requested an Uber on the app, and a taxi came for us. This happens in some countries or cities where taxis have revolted against Uber encroaching on their business. It all worked the same—we requested and paid through the app—it was just in a taxi instead of a driver’s personal car. The pick up point is on Departures Level between Terminal 1 and Terminal 3, so go up one level instead of out to street level after baggage claim when you arrive. As of December 2024, there is a €55 fixed rate from FCO to the historic center of Rome, so you’ll know what to expect. 

Read on: The Ultimate Guide to Travel and Your Money

Take your passport with you.

This was unnerving for me! I usually leave my passport in my hotel room because I’m anxious about losing it for having it pickpocketed (even though passports themselves are not usual pickpocketing targets). But when in Rome, you’ll have to show it at some of the most popular sites, such as the Colosseum (multiple times) and the Vatican Museums. Keep it with you when you go out for the day.

Read next: Your Ultimate Guide to Passports

Plan to spend several hours in Vatican City.

Between navigating crowds, waiting in the security lines, visiting the Vatican Museums, and exploring St. Peter’s Basilica, you’ll need quite a bit of time to see everything you want—even if you don’t need to see everything there is. We actually went back a second day because we couldn’t fit it all in the first day—St. Peter’s Basilica closed at 1:30pm the first day, so we had to go back for that! Plan for at least 1.5-2 hours in the Vatican Museums (more is better), and at least 1.5-2 hours at St. Peter’s Basilica and St. Peter’s Square, especially if you also want to go up into the dome and cupola of the basilica. 

More here: Tips for Visiting the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel

Book your Colosseum tour in advance.

This was a huge mistake on our part! We thought we’d be able to use the Colosseum’s audio guide app, but it was down the day we went. We chose not to book a tour in advance because this was our first trip abroad with our baby girl, and between the jet lag and taking care of baby, we weren’t sure what time we could be ready to go. Epic fail! Hopefully they’ve fixed the app by now, but even so, I think this particular site would be best explored with a tour guide. Book in advance!

Also helpful: 5 Mistakes I Made in Rome (and how to avoid them)

You can drink from the spouts.

This is super helpful for staying hydrated—especially in summer! Bring your refillable water bottle, because you can refill it with safe, delicious water from the Italian mountains at any of the spouts you see around the city! 

Read on: The Best 10 Things to Do and See in Vatican City

You should eat outside in all weather.

Europeans eat outside in all weather, all seasons, and all climates. Many restaurants have far more outdoor seating than indoor seating, in fact. I love this, and I love how they make it happen, even in the rain and even in the winter. They use heaters, enclose the space with clear liners, and provide blankets to keep diners warm while they order and eat. It’s actually quite pleasant, and even cozy on a winter’s evening. 

Keep eating: The Best Places to Eat in Rome

It’s pretty spread out for an ancient town. 

Rome is home to over well over 2000 years of history, and it shows in the ruins all over the city. Most ancient cities are generally compact for practical reasons: People needed to be able to walk instead of drive, for one. Many towns built before modern vehicles existed can be explored within a half- to one-mile radius, but Rome is larger than that. You have the “Ancient City,” but then the Villa Borghese is a couple of miles away. Across the Tiber River, you’ve got Vatican City and more of a modern city. Wear your walking shoes. You’ll be glad you did, even if it means you look a little more like a “tourist” than you’d like. 

Read next: The Top 10 Things to Do and See Outdoors in Rome

Be aware of pickpockets, but don’t let fear ruin your trip. 

Speaking of looking like a tourist, try your best to look like you fit in, besides the shoes. Rome is well-known for its pickpockets, but you don’t have to visit in fear or let anxiety about it ruin your trip. Just be smart, be self-aware, and don’t flash your cash. You can be aware of the potential for pickpocketing without letting the possibility ruin your trip! We wore backpacks instead of theft-proof crossbody bags, talked to strangers who told us how beautiful our daughter was, and let a nice person take this family photo for us. Do you best, stay alert, but don’t miss the fun while you stay diligent!

Also helpful: 7 Tips to Avoid Pickpockets in Rome

My personal opinion: Rome is best explored the first time with a guide.

I really wish we’d hired a guide at all the major sites in Rome and Vatican City. I know I would have gotten more out of the trip, and I also believe it would have been less stressful for us. It’s well worth going anyway, even without a guide, but it’s something to consider for your own trip to Rome in the future. 

(Coming soon) More here: Tips for Visiting Vatican City

Want more? Get everything you need on my dedicated Italy Page!

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