Navigating snaking lines, strict clothing rules and confusing restaurant opening times might not sound like a recipe for a relaxing vacation — but these things are par for the course when visiting Rome for the first time. If you don’t know how to prepare or where to go when hunger or thirst hit, you may end up needing a vacation after your Roman holiday.
You probably already know that by , you can avoid many of the common pitfalls that travelers might come up against during their first time in Rome. But to give you even more insights, the experts from , who assist travelers on the ground in Italy every day, shared some of their top tips for first-time Rome visitors with us.
1: Booking tickets in advance is always a good idea
If it’s your first visit to Rome, your must-do list likely includes major landmarks such as the Colosseum, Pantheon and, of course, the Vatican (which includes the Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel). But if you don’t organize your visits ahead of time, you may not make it to these top sights, as tickets can sell out weeks in advance and even free sites come with complications. For example, St. Peter’s is free to enter, but the lines are almost always long; in other words, don’t expect entering the basilica to be a quick in-and-out alternative to visiting both the basilica and the museums. You can pay to book an entry time 60 days in advance, which is recommended, unless you plan on getting to the church at 7am when it opens (when there will probably still be a line).
Tickets for the Sistine Chapel, included with the Vatican Museums, can also be booked 60 days in advance. The Pantheon and Colosseum also require tickets and at those sights, it’s advisable to book at least two weeks in advance (note that Colosseum tickets also include the Roman Forum and Palatine archaeological area).
Pro tip: As soon as you know the dates that you’ll be in Rome, book your entry for key monuments, then plan the rest of your trip around these appointments. For even more ease with booking, get skip-the-line access to the Pantheon, free guided tickets and tours to the Colosseum and Forum monuments, and discounts for Vatican guided tours.
2: Pack the right clothing
Even when Rome temperatures shoot into the triple digits, modesty is strictly enforced at St. Peter’s and the Vatican Museums, and all visitors need to cover their knees and shoulders. That means no shorts or tank tops, and hats are also prohibited. After planning ahead to book tickets and possibly waiting in line, you don’t want to be turned away and left scrambling to buy suitable clothing to get inside the church or museums.
Pro tip: A large scarf can be used as either a skirt or a wrap, and lightweight long pants or skirts are also an ideal choice.
3: A reusable water bottle will come in handy
With more than 100 museums and ancient ruins seemingly around every corner, days spent exploring Rome can be long, even if you plan ahead. If you have a tight sightseeing schedule, you don’t want to waste time searching for the necessities. When it comes to drinking water though, the city of ancient aqueducts has you covered. Rome’s nasoni— unique drinking fountains introduced in the 19th century — offer refreshing spring water, ready to fill up a reusable water bottle. You’ll not only do good for the environment, you won’t need to wait in line to buy water.
Pro tip: Though you’re likely to come across a nasone nearly anywhere in Rome, some of them.
4: Expect to adjust your dining habits
First-time Rome visitors will find that it’s easy to quench their thirst thanks to nasoni, but with dinner served later (standard dinner time starts around 8pm), a snack may be necessary if you’re used to eating earlier. If you do find a restaurant that’s busy before 7.30pm, you’ll want to avoid it as it’s likely serving a mostly tourist clientele, which means the quality will be subpar. If you’re hungry on the earlier side and want something quick but decent on-the-go, look for countertop spots called tavole calde or small alimentari (specialized food shops that often have ready-made dishes available). Items like pizza al taglio (pizza by the slice) and ²õ³Ü±è±è±ôì are favorite street food staples in Rome.
Pro tip: Pizza al taglio is priced by weight, so slices that are the same size may have different prices.
5: Seasonal events are worth checking out
You’re probably focused on seeing the sights and getting a table at all the restaurants on your list, but don’t neglect checking out the seasonal events, festivals and exhibitions calendar — Rome always has something going on and adding a one-off event to your itinerary will deepen your experience. A few dates to know are the in June, the in October, the in December, and the Caracalla Festival from the end of June to the beginning of August, where the Baths of Caracalla become .
Pro tip: For any festivals, it’s wise to book in advance, and like booking your entry for key monuments, you can plan the rest of your time around must-see festivals. For 2025, ItaliaPass is a main sponsor of the Rome Chamber Music Festival, offering its members free concert tickets.
Ready to plan your first trip to Rome? With ItaliaPass you’ll get discounts on train travel and tours, enjoy free entry to major attractions, and have exclusive access to members’ only lounges and events. All of this, backed by 24/7 English speaking customer service. Learn more at .
