5 Things You Should Know About Rome Before You Visit

2. Select your time to visit the main attractions

Rome gets crowded sometimes, and some places like the Vatican Museum are both huge in scale and overwhelmed with visitors. People often get tired while exploring the roughly 7 kilometers (4.5 miles) of passages. When they do make it to the Sistine Chapel, they exit before having had a chance to appreciate Michelangelo's amazing ceiling as they stare up at it in a trance.

Proper planning allows you to easily avoid the most crowded hours at the Vatican Museum. You can visit on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and Wednesday mornings are good too though you should go in the afternoon rather than the morning. Since most museums are closed on Mondays, it is a particularly awful day to visit; instead, spend the day wandering the streets, squares, parks, and back lanes of Rome.

Weekends in Rome are always busier at tourist attractions since Romans take their days off to see the sights. Visiting interesting historical places while doing a Rome city tour does not mean spending a lot of money on sight tickets. Rome offers a lot of open sights to visit. Some of them are Villa Farnesina, Galleria Spada, and Santa Prassede, Santa Pudenziana, and Palazzo Barberini. Another important thing to know before traveling to Rome is that museums offer free entrances every Saturday of each month. 
 

3. Take a trip to the Colosseum, and visit more unmissable sites

To avoid being an idiot and lining up at the Colosseum. While in Palatino, which is close to the Colosseum, you can get tickets for the Colosseum itself. You can also book a Colosseum audio tour along with the Roman Forum & Palatine Hill audio tour through Vox City for a better experience while visiting the place. This small tip can save you hours of work.

By taking the Colosseum audio tour which is available along with the Roman and Palatine Hill audio tour, you will learn about the beauty of the Colosseum which is the main symbol of Rome. It’s a wonderful treasure with almost 2,000 years of history and will take you back in time to discover the way of life in the Roman Empire.

After the Colosseum, you will move to discover the surrounding archaeological site which has legendary monuments such as the ancient Palatine Hill and the amazing Roman Forum which offers breathtaking views of what was once the political, legal, religious, and economic center of Roman civilization. Get your camera ready to click some good photos. 

You'll debunk common misunderstandings and gain a knowledgeable understanding of their purpose along the way, including the gory scenes that used to occur inside the arena. There isn't a more fascinating or enjoyable way to see the Colosseum or simply you can have the Colosseum audio tour or Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill Audio Tour for your ease. 

After arriving, walk to Piazza Venezia, which is situated at the base of Campidoglio. What about the Altar of Peace or Ara Pacis Augustae? Constructed to honor Augustus' triumphant return from his expeditions in Spain and Gaul, the marble temple represents a masterwork of Roman sculpture. The altar is kept in a museum these days.

Rome and its fountains

People who love sculptures and fountains should not miss the Fountain of Trevi, where an old tradition is very popular that you are supposed to throw a coin to the left by using your right hand, with closed eyes, and your back to the fountain. Also, make sure to check out Piazza Navona, with its spectacular Four Rivers Fountain. 

Rome and its squares

Enjoy getting lost in the city’s largest squares like the magnificent Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti (Spanish Steps), which has 130 steps, adorning Piazza di Spagna by taking a Rome self-guided tour. Also, Don’t miss Piazza San Pietro, a holy site for Catholics from around the world. 

Rome and spirituality

The Vatican is known to be the home. With Michelangelo and Raphael's frescoes in the Papal Apartments and Michelangelo's "Last Judgement" in the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican Museums provide a singular creative experience. Afterwards, the Pantheon, a temple honoring classical gods, was transformed into a Christian church.

By taking a skip-the-line Pantheon ticket along with the Pantheon audio tour, you can easily learn about the history that will include the Pantheon's conversion into a Christian church, which also became a burial place for Renaissance figures including painter Raphael, composer Arcangelo Corelli, and architect Baldassare Peruzzi. 

Today, the Pantheon is a major destination for tourists from around the world. It continues to function as a church and Catholic mass happens there regularly. Don’t forget to take a Skip the line & flexible Pantheon ticket along with a Pantheon audio tour ticket while visiting the Pantheon temple.

Rome between past and present

Art enthusiasts should not miss Villa Borghese and the Borghese Gallery, which feature pieces by Titian, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Caravaggio, Raphael, and Antonio Canova. 

A visit to the Quirinal Palace, which currently houses the presidents of the Republic after serving as the official residence of the Italian kings in the past, is equally worthwhile. See EUR Rome, the neighborhood constructed in the 1930s for the proposed Universal Exhibition in Rome, if you get the chance.

4. Use Public Transport, and buy your transport tickets in advance

Rome has a large-scale transportation system, consisting of the Metro, bus, and trams. Choose your transport ticket beforehand as you can’t buy tickets onboard. You can get the tickets through a ticketing machine available at Metro and bus stations. Don't forget to verify your tickets as well if you want to avoid incurring a fine while traveling. There are day or week passes available if you use public transportation frequently; they could help you save some money. 

For first-time visitors, hop-on-hop-off bus tours are a good choice and they include free commentary and Wi-Fi access. You can also purchase a Roma pass which covers transportation for a selected number of days for Rome sightseeing that also includes free entry to museums, discounts for events, exhibitions, and tourist services.

Rome has a metro that runs on three lines, buses all over the city, six tram lines, and three urban railways called Ferrovie Urbane. You can book private taxis for Rome sightseeing although these are quite expensive. 

A good thing about Rome’s public transport system is that it’s all interconnected, meaning that you just have to buy one ticket and it will allow you to catch either a bus or the metro. A map of the bus routes is also useful to have on hand so that you can schedule your daily outings appropriately. About public transport, you can do some amazing day trips from Rome using the regional and high-speed trains.
 

5. Know when and how to dress

Romantic fashion is well-known, and dressing elegantly is the best way to avoid the tourist cliché especially when visiting renowned eateries and nightclubs. Let "sharp and smart" be your guiding principles in this, and don't undervalue the impact that eye-catching, black accessories that are also travel-friendly may make. 

Additionally, be aware that dressing nicely and casually is expected during the day when you're out in the neighborhood. Still, unless it's your hallmark look and you can pull it off, there's never a time to wear a sweater, silly shorts, hiked-up socks, and the like! 

Rome has over 900 churches that include the city’s most beautiful works of art, so don’t forget to step inside the most beautiful treasures of the city. Whether you are religious or not, just make sure to dress appropriately to enter such holy places. 

Women should cover their shoulders, and skirts should be long, while men should wear pants and avoid shorts while visiting churches. Linen pants can be a great option for summer and a matching scarf is a perfect fit if you are wearing a tank top.
 

Final Thoughts

Rome is known to be a safe city but theft is still a real risk. Use common sense and take care of your valuables. Pickpockets and thieves usually roam in touristy areas such as the Colosseum, Piazza di Spagna, Piazza Venezia, and St Peter’s Square.

Stay alert around the chaotic train station and in crowded places or on public transport. Because the economy of Italy is primarily focused on cash, carrying cash is necessary for the majority of your regular purchases. This is particularly valid when you visit neighborhood markets, cafes, and small businesses.

Make sure to plan everything before you visit Rome city. Don't forget to book a Rome self guided tour for a wonderful travel experience. Have a safe journey!