Nobody forgets their first time in Rome. I had just spent the week in Napoli, which I thought would prepare me for Italy’s capital. I took the 2.5-hour train ride north, ready for more pizza, history, and vibrancy. I found all three things in Rome, but everything from the cost to the atmosphere was completely different.
And then I spent 2-weeks volunteering and helping a local family manage their farm. I stayed with a typical Italian family (half-Roman, half-Sardinian) of four members, with my room and complete access to their house — a kind of setting that would make anyone feel at home, despite being away from home.
What did I learn from the trip? I learned never to assume anything in Italy. As I’ve travelled the country more, I’ve come to realise that each Italian city offers something different from the next. So, from my experience, here’re my…
Rome Travel Tips For First Timer
1. Do Three Days Minimum
The city of Rome is 1,286.8 km² (not including the whole metro region). While some of the main attractions are close together, you’ll need to use public transport to get between others. For example, the Vatican and the Colosseum are about 4 km apart.
To avoid wearing yourself out, you need to space out your activities. Avoid packing all attractions into one day — instead, plan an itinerary over several days.
The optimum time I’d recommend is three days. Anything less than that, and you’ll struggle to see everything. Planning more than three days? Don’t worry! There are plenty of additional activities in and around the city you can do.
2. Buy Tickets in Advance
Rome isn’t only a big city — it’s also a very popular one. Between the 21st of January and the 31st of December 2025, Rome welcomed 22.2 million people. Therefore, it’s important to avoid leaving the main attractions to chance. I’d recommend booking as much as possible before you even arrive in Rome.
You can book the Colosseum tickets 30 days in advance and Vatican Museums tickets around 60 days in advance. By booking in advance, you can also select quieter and cooler times. For example, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings are the best slots. There are fewer crowds, it’s cooler, and you might have more energy too.
Read my Skip The Line Vatican Tour Guide that helped me explore the place much better than someone can on a normal tickets not booked in advance.
3. Don’t Overplan
Despite what I said about making an itinerary, you should also leave space for free time. During the time with no plans, you can wander the streets without a clear plan in mind. By doing so, you avoid getting stressed out about seeing as much as possible.
Drink a coffee or dine in a restaurant you randomly pass on the street. Visit a free museum you have never heard of before. Browse around the shops you come across while strolling. These experiences make your Rome visit unique. Without them, your trip would be exactly the same as every other tourist’s!
4. Install All the Apps You Need in Advance
Not only should you buy tickets in advance, but you should also download all necessary apps. Google Maps for offline maps, FREENOW for ride-hailing, and MooneyGo for public transport tickets.
Also, don’t forget about your regular entertainment apps. Spotify is great for downloading some Italo disco music or listening to a podcast about the history of Rome. Amazon Kindle is great for some on-the-move reading about the history of Italy.
There are also some amazing TV shows you can watch on international streaming sites such as Netflix. It’s worth mentioning that regular Indian streaming options won’t be available in Italy. To access the same content you stream back home, you could use a Virtual Private Network (VPN). By downloading a VPN, you’ll be able to connect to an Indian server and overcome geo-blocks.
5. Italian Dinners Last Hours
Both Italians and Indians dine late. Like in India, dinner time in Italy tends to take place between 8.00pm and 10.00pm. However, don’t expect dinner to be over quickly. If you go for a proper Italian dining experience, you can expect it to last between 2 and 3 hours.
Dinner is typically split into four parts: antipasto, primo, secondo, and dolce. The time between each serving can be long, which gives guests time to converse, digest, and enjoy each other’s company.
At the end of the meal, your waiter won’t rush you to pay the bill. You’ll have to get their attention and request the ‘il conto’.
Rome Is Too Big for One Trip
Rome is a multifaceted city with lots to discover. So much so that it takes a few visits to feel as though you’ve actually ‘visited’ the city. When you visit Italy’s capital, don’t expect to tick everything off on the first visit. Even with three days planned, you’re unlikely to make it around everything — and that’s ok! You can fill in the blanks on your second trip. However, on your first trip, remember to book tickets and install apps in advance and prepare for extra-long dinners!
