Travel tips every first-time Rome visitor needs to know

Italy still largely functions on a cash economy, so be sure to carry cash with you during your time in Rome. Coins, or spicci, are especially welcome at cafés small shops so hold on to your euros—they’re a precious commodity in the city! Most stores and large restaurants will process cards, but restaurants don’t traditionally split the bill so cash is always useful to have, especially if you’re travelling in a group.

Tipping has not traditionally been part of the Italian culture, as service charge is generally included in the bill as the coperto (cover) or bread basket, but leaving a few extra coins at the table is often appreciated. Depending on the final price of your meal, the level of service you received and the number of people in your party, you can leave anywhere from 5-10% on the table.

Order your coffee directly at the bar to avoid paying a service charge for being served at a table, which often doubles your bill. When you enter a café, locate the cashier and place your order, then take your receipt to the bar to receive your beverage of choice. Italians don’t linger over coffee and an espresso only takes a minute to drink so it’s easy and enjoyable to drink standing up.

Avoid committing one of Italy’s most infamous food crimes and enjoy your frothy cappuccino before noon. Italians are fastidious about their digestion and milk is considered heavy on the stomach, so it is only suitable at breakfast (preferably paired with a cornetto, an Italian croissant). Hint: a caffè macchiato, an espresso with a splash of milk, is an acceptable alternative that you can order at any hour of the day without raising any eyebrows.

Italy’s longstanding customs and traditions can be difficult to navigate, but you don’t have to worry about eating gelato in the colder months. Italians enjoy this treat year-round and Rome’s best artisanal gelaterie change their flavours seasonally, so look out for juicy fruit flavours and interesting combinations with pistachios and hazelnuts.

Rome’s public transportation leaves much to be desired, but if you need to take a bus in the city centre, be sure to stock up on bus tickets ahead of time because you can’t buy them on the bus. You can buy tickets at any tabaccheria in the city, little convenient shops that are designated with a large T. Tickets are €1.50 each, or opt for a 24-hour, 48-hour or weekly ticket for a discounted price. Tickets are valid for all forms of public transportation in Rome (bus, metro, tram and local train).

Speaking of public transportation, your €1.50 ticket is also valid on the local commuter trains in Rome, including a line that goes straight to the beach. You can catch a train at the Piramide Metro Station that will take you directly to Ostia Lido, Rome’s local beach. Although it’s not the most glamorous beach near Rome, Ostia is perfect for an inexpensive day trip, some sunshine and fresh seafood.

Always be mindful of your bags on public transportation and around key tourist attractions. The city is very safe but petty crime is rampant, especially on crowded buses and metros. Thieves in Rome are stealthy, so always keep your bags zipped and held in front of you; wallets should ideally be tucked in your inner jacket pockets. Some thieves also snatch entire bags, so keep them in close reach at all times.

Rome has over 900 churches that house some of the city’s most beautiful works of art, so don’t miss stepping inside to marvel at their treasures, whether you’re devout or not. Just be sure to dress appropriately to enter these holy spaces: women’s shoulders should be covered and skirts should hit at or below the knee, while men should wear pants or shorts that extend to the knees. Linen pants are a great option for the summer and a scarf is a perfect last-minute cover-up if you’re wearing a tank top.

There are many family-run artisan workshops and small boutiques in Rome, and you’ll often find the owner manning the cashier as you peruse the store. In Italy it’s customary to greet the owner when you enter and leave the shop. When you enter, you can say “Buongiorno” until lunchtime and “Buonasera” in the afternoon and evening; when you leave, you should say “Arrivederci.”

One of the most charming aspects about Rome’s urban typography is its charming cobblestone streets, but uneven stones can take a toll on your feet. Pack a couple pairs of comfortable walking shoes so you can avoid pain or injury and if you bring heels, skip the stilettos which can get caught in between the cobblestone grooves.

Rome’s state-owned museums, galleries, archeological sites, parks and gardens are free on the first Sunday of each month, so be sure to drop by and soak in some art if you’re in town these days. Lines quickly form outside the main attractions, so plan to show up early or visit a lesser-known attraction (and you’ll still need to pay a fee to visit special exhibitions).

Housing one of the world’s greatest collections, the Vatican Museums are one of Italy’s most popular attractions and attract over 5 million people per year. Though you’ll inevitably face a crowd, you can skip the long lines by purchasing your museum tickets on the Vatican website. The extra €4 for booking online is well worth the time you’ll save waiting in line.

Many of Rome’s city and state-owned museums, like Galleria Borghese and Palazzo Barberini, are closed on Mondays, so plan your schedule accordingly. The Vatican Museums are closed on Sundays instead so they’re very crowded on Saturdays and Mondays; if you can, try to visit Tuesday through Friday.

The internet is spotty around Rome and even hotels, cafes and restaurants that advertise free WiFi can’t always guarantee coverage. Consider signing up for an international coverage plan while you’re in the city or bringing a portable hotspot with you if you need it to get around or for work. Note that coffee shops with WiFi are also few and far between, although there are a few around the city (Barnum Café and Analemma are two of the most popular spots for freelancers).

Drinking and dining are important rituals in Italy and meals tend to start later than normal (and last for longer) than in other countries. In the evenings, Italians usually meet friends or colleagues for an aperitivo around 7pm, which consists of a drink and some light snacks, before going to dinner around 8-9pm. On the weekends, it’s not uncommon to arrive to a restaurant around 10pm.

Italian food is beloved throughout the world for its simple, nutritious and delicious ingredients, but you may feel like something is missing. There are no fancy condiments at the table, no complicated sauces and few foreign ingredients. In Italy, simplicity reigns supreme, so enjoy your meal the way it was meant to be tasted: without asking for alterations or extra ingredients.

With pizza, pasta and pastries around every corner, Italy is a veritable carb-lover’s paradise; but sometimes you need a break from starchy foods. Italians are masters at preparing vegetables, too, so get your fix of sautéed greens and braised Roman artichokes under the “Contorni”, or side dish, portion of the menu—usually listed in the back. Although large mixed salads haven’t really caught on in the city, you can order a few side dishes at once if you’re trying to eat healthy in Rome.

Local house wine is one of the greatest things about dining out in Rome and across Italy: not only is it extremely affordable, it’s usually quite decent. House wine is available in red or white and you can usually order a ¼, ½ or full litre of wine for under €10.

Rome may be famous for its monumental fountains like the Trevi Fountain and the Fountain of the Four Rivers, but the city is also filled with drinking fountains everywhere you look. These small fountains are affectionately called “Nasoni,” or little noses, because of their curved shape. They deliver free-flowing water, free of charge, so save your empty water bottles and fill them up at these fountains around the city for delicious H2O.