Rome for First Timers

Updated: October 19, 2026 • By Santorini Dave • dave@santorinidave.com

My Favorite Hotels in Rome

• 5-Star: Hassler
• 4-Star: Artemide • Singer Palace
• Boutique: Palm Gallery • HT6 Hotel
• For families: Internazionale Domus
• For couples: Inn at the Roman Forum

12 Tips for First-Time Visitors to Rome

1. Stay in the Historic Center

For a first visit, my favorite area in Rome is the historic center around the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Campo de’ Fiori, and Trevi Fountain. You’ll be within walking distance of many of Rome’s best sights, restaurants, and evening areas. The Spanish Steps are another excellent area to stay, especially for luxury hotels and shopping. I also like Monti for its restaurants, neighborhood feel, and proximity to the Colosseum and Roman Forum. Hotels in central Rome can be expensive and rooms are often small, but a good location is worth paying for.

2. Walk More, Use the Metro When It Helps

Rome is best explored on foot. Many of the streets around the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, and Campo de’ Fiori are not served directly by the Metro, so choosing a hotel near a Metro station is less important than staying close to the sights you want to visit. The Metro is useful for longer trips, particularly between Termini, the Colosseum, Spanish Steps, and Vatican area. Buses cover more of the historic center, but traffic can make them slow and unpredictable.

3. Use Contactless Payment on Public Transport

Rome’s Tap & Go system lets you pay for Metro, bus, and tram rides with a contactless credit card, debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Wallet. Tap at the Metro gate or on the reader when boarding a bus or tram. Each passenger needs a separate card or device. Keep using the same card or device for your journey, including any required taps when changing Metro lines. You don’t need to buy paper tickets for ordinary journeys if you’re using contactless payment.

4. Plan Your Airport Transfer Before You Arrive

From Fiumicino Airport (FCO), the Leonardo Express train takes about 32 minutes to Termini Station. It’s a good choice if you’re staying near Termini or connecting to another train, but you’ll still need to reach your hotel from the station.

Official white taxis have a fixed fare of €55 from Fiumicino to destinations inside the Aurelian Walls, including most hotels in the historic center. The fare covers the car, not each passenger. Use the official taxi rank outside arrivals.

For families or anyone arriving with several bags, I prefer a taxi or pre-booked private transfer directly to the hotel. The extra cost is usually worth avoiding a train journey followed by another transfer.

5. Don’t Automatically Rule Out Termini

Termini isn’t my favorite area for a first visit, but it can be a good choice if you’re arriving late, leaving early, taking several train trips, or looking for better hotel value. The streets immediately around the station are busy and less appealing than the historic center. I prefer hotels southwest of the station around Repubblica and Via Nazionale, particularly Hotel Artemide. For a typical first visit focused on sightseeing, I’d still pay more to stay near the Pantheon or Piazza Navona.

6. Check Your Hotel’s Air Conditioning and Elevator

Air conditioning is essential in Rome during summer, and not every small hotel or guesthouse has reliable cooling. Many historic buildings also have narrow staircases or elevators that don’t serve every floor. If stairs are a concern, confirm that the elevator reaches your room, not just that the property advertises one. Family rooms and apartments in central Rome can be difficult to find, so book early if you need space for three or more people. See my recommendations for family-friendly hotels in Rome.

7. Book Your Hotel Early, Especially in Spring and Fall

Rome is busy for much of the year, particularly around Easter and during April, May, September, and October. The best small hotels in the historic center often sell out months ahead. I recommend booking three to six months in advance for popular travel periods, earlier if you need a family room or have a particular hotel in mind. A refundable reservation is a good option if your plans aren’t final.

8. Book Colosseum and Vatican Tickets in Advance

The Colosseum and Vatican Museums are the two attractions I would book before arriving in Rome. Colosseum tickets generally go on sale about 30 days before the visit, with some ticket types released on different schedules. Popular time slots and special-access tickets can sell out quickly. Vatican Museums tickets can be booked farther ahead, and early entry times are particularly popular.

Book through the official ticketing websites when possible. If your preferred tickets are sold out, a reputable guided tour can be a good alternative. Don’t assume you’ll be able to buy tickets at the entrance, especially during busy months.

9. Take a Guided Tour of Ancient Rome

If you’re going to pay for one guided tour in Rome, I’d choose the Colosseum and Roman Forum. The ruins are much more interesting when you understand what you’re looking at, and a good guide helps make sense of the different buildings and historical periods. A guided tour of the Vatican Museums is also worthwhile, particularly if you’re interested in art. You don’t need a guide for every attraction, but these are two places where I think the extra expense pays off.

10. Wear Comfortable Shoes and Carry a Water Bottle

You’ll walk a lot in Rome, often on uneven cobblestones. Wear comfortable, broken-in shoes rather than anything new. Carry a reusable water bottle and refill it at the city’s public drinking fountains, called nasoni. The water is safe to drink, and the fountains are found throughout central Rome. Don’t drink from fountains marked acqua non potabile.

11. Reserve Popular Restaurants, But Don’t Worry About Eating Late

For popular restaurants, especially in Trastevere and the historic center, I recommend reserving a table for dinner. Many Romans eat around 8:00 or 9:00 PM, but plenty of restaurants welcome diners from 7:00 or 7:30 PM. You don’t need to eat late to have a good meal.

Check the menu for a coperto (cover charge) or service charge. A separate coperto is not permitted in Lazio, though some restaurants charge for bread or list other service fees. Check what’s included before ordering rather than assuming every restaurant adds a standard cover charge.

For coffee, standing at the bar is usually cheaper than sitting at a table with service. An espresso is commonly around €1.20 to €1.50 at a neighborhood bar, though prices vary. Cappuccino is traditionally a morning drink, but you can order one whenever you like.

12. Dress Appropriately for Churches

St. Peter’s Basilica and many other churches require visitors to cover their shoulders and knees. This applies to men and women. Shorts, short skirts, and sleeveless tops can cause problems at the entrance. Carrying a lightweight scarf or extra layer is an easy solution in summer. The Pantheon also has a dress code, and entry requires a ticket.