10 Biggest Mistakes To Avoid In Rome, Italy

Wondering what mistakes to avoid in Rome to make the most out of your visit to the Eternal City? This Rome Italy travel guide will help you navigate your way through the city like a pro.

From knowing what places to avoid in Rome if you don’t want overpriced mediocre meals, to planning ahead so you don’t miss out on the major sites, there’s a lot to take note of before you venture off to explore. 

10 Biggest Mistakes To Avoid In Rome, Italy

Mistake #1: Spending Too Little OR Too Much Time In Rome

While planning a trip to Rome the biggest debate is often how long to spend in The Eternal City. 

Rome contains thousands of years of fascinating history and stunning art and architecture. You no doubt have an image in your head of the Colosseum or the Trevi Fountain, but the city is so much more than its most famous attractions. 

One of the biggest mistakes to avoid in Rome is spending too little time in the city. If you have a week or more to spare in your vacation itinerary, use it. Wander the streets, visit local markets, explore the Tesstacio and Trastevere neighborhoods, etc. 

I recommend spending no less than two days in Rome not including travel days. With a packed, efficient schedule you can hit the major tourist attractions (Colosseum, Vatican City, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, etc.) and get a highlight version introduction to Rome. 

For a happy median, plan to spend 4 days in Rome (again not including travel days). This allows you the luxury of either hitting the major sights but not rushing through your itinerary, or packing your days with activities and visiting the city’s hidden gems as well. 

Mistake #2: Not Pre-booking Tickets To Major Attractions

Forgetting to pre-book tickets to major attractions is on the list of things not to do in Rome. 

Once you’ve decided to come to Rome, go ahead and see what can be booked. If it’s a few months or less until go time, it’s the perfect time to lock down those tickets.

Rome becomes a bustling city in the summer high season. As a result, tickets to the most popular tourist attractions will often sell out. 

The ideal way to ensure you’re able to check off everything on your itinerary is to book guided tours. This not only gives you a guaranteed ticket into the attraction, but it also allows you to skip the enormous lines. 

Pre-booking a tour of the Colosseum and Vatican is a no-brainer. To maximize your time, consider combining all the attractions in one area such as a combo Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill Tour or a Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & Basilica Tour.

Mistake #3: Not Dressing Modestly for Vatican City and Churches

One of the biggest tourist mistakes in Rome is dressing inappropriately. If you visit Vatican City or any number of Rome’s beautiful churches, modesty is key. 

The general rule of thumb for these sites is no exposed knees, shoulders, or bare backs.

While some locations are stricter than others, guards will turn you away regardless of how long you’ve been waiting in line. 

A solution to simultaneously beating the heat and dressing appropriately (particularly for women) is wearing linen pants or a long skirt and a light shawl to cover your shoulders that can be removed once you exit the building.

Mistake #4: Eating Brightly Colored Whipped Gelato

Not all gelato is made equal. 

I get it, bright colors are attractive. Sellers pedaling a mediocre product know that too. With vibrant hues and containers piled eye-catchingly high, tourists on a first time trip to Rome who don’t know any better are drawn to these stands. 

With the exception of a few berries that are naturally bright in color, real gelato will be muted in color, an accurate reflection of the real color of the product they’re made with. If all the gelato flavors are bright, it’s an indication that artificial coloring was used. 

And those tall mounds? A sign of too much air. Slow-churned gelato keeps the finished product dense and flat.

Mistake #5: Not Validating Your Bus Ticket

Public transport in Rome can be a great option particularly when you first arrive and are traveling with luggage from the airport or main Termini train station to your accommodation.

If you plan to take a bus or tram, you must validate your ticket on board (the metro automatically validates your ticket when passing through the turnstiles). 

Head to the yellow boxes at the front and/or back of the bus/tram to punch your ticket. The expiry time will be stamped on the back of the ticket. 

What not to do in Rome? Look at the shoulder to shoulder bus crowd you don’t feel like fighting your way through to validate your ticket, and take your chances at not being caught. 

The fine is over 100 euros. It’s not worth it.

Mistake #6: Not Being Aware Of Common Scams

High on my list of things to avoid in Rome? Scams.

Unfortunately, there are a whole host of ways scam artists will try to take advantage of unsuspecting tourists. 

In general, if someone is trying to offer you anything from help with buying your train ticket to a rose for your loved one, decline and walk away. 

It’s unlikely they’re being a Good Samaritan and highly likely they’re expecting money in exchange for whatever they’re offering.

Donations to a supposed charity? A random person looking to give you a tour of an attraction? Both fake. 

If you opt to take a taxi over public transportation, head to an official taxi rank and make sure you’re taking an official taxi. 

Taxi drivers should not be approaching you. If they do, they’re not official and it’s a scam. 

Mistake #7: Not Keeping An Eye Out For Pickpockets

One of my best Rome tips for travelers is to keep your eyes peeled and your belongings close in the event you encounter a pickpocket. 

When you leave your accommodation in the morning, bring only what you absolutely need and stay alert. 

Pickpockets are skilled in the art of distraction, utilizing the busy, tight quarters of popular tourist attractions, public transportation (particularly Bus #64), and bustling piazzas to grab what they’re after. 

To minimize your chance of getting pickpocketed, wear a small cross-body bag, empty your pockets, keep all valuables off the table and in your bag in your lap at restaurants, and avoid people who are particularly persistent in trying to get your attention.

Mistake #8: Buying Water

It’s summer, it’s hot, you’re thirsty, it’s your first time to Rome. The natural reaction would be to buy bottled water to stay hydrated. 

Instead, bring a reusable water bottle and take advantage of the abundance of water fountains around the historic city. 

Also called nasoni or fontanelle, these fresh, free fountains can be easily found through the Acea Wady WOW app which marks their exact locations.

Feeling fancy? There’s even a sparkling water dispenser near the Colosseum.

Mistake #9: Not Wearing Comfortable Walking Shoes 

 Walking is inevitable in Rome. Even paired every now and then with the reliable metro system or the notoriously less reliable buses/trams you’ll likely be doing a lot of walking.

If you properly prepare, the ability to walk everywhere in the city can be a true gift allowing you to traverse the city on your own schedule and soak in every ounce of the colorful streets and historic locations. 

One of the biggest mistakes to avoid in Rome when it comes to footwear is dressing for style over comfort.

No one wants to be thinking about how much their feet hurt instead of enjoying their vacation, so be sure to pack your best pair of walking shoes. 

Mistake #10: Don’t Eat Near The Major Tourist Attractions

One of the biggest mistakes to avoid in Rome is getting lured into one of the tourist trap restaurants. 

Rome has an abundance of mouth-watering food at reasonable prices…if you eat like a local. Unfortunately, it’s easy to fall prey to restaurants taking advantage of naive tourists willing to pay big bucks for mediocre food.

So what are the areas to avoid in Rome so this doesn’t happen? If the restaurant is just outside a major tourist attraction such as the Colosseum or Pantheon, skip it. It’s worth walking a little farther for the real deal.

If you’re being hounded by a staff member outside the door insisting you come inside to dine, skip it. The best places don’t need to vocalize how good they are.

Is the menu laminated rather than a book format? Does the menu have pictures? Skip it. 

The Eternal City awaits! My hope is that this Rome vacation guide will help you successfully navigate the ins and outs of the city.

Stay hydrated, lace up your walking shoes, eat way too much gelato (the real gelato), marvel at the architecture from centuries long ago, and be prepared to never want to say arrivederci to Rome.