Guidebook for Roma

Just 2 min. walking from the apartment. Opened every day from 5:30 am to 11:30 pm except Friday and Saturday opened from 5:30 am to 1:30 am.

If you want to visit Vatican Museums/Sistine Chapel, Colosseum and Galleria Borghese, I highly recommend to buy in advance (at least 1 month before your trip) the tickets to be sure to not miss these beautiful places. Tickets can be purchased on their official websites.

Rome’s state-owned museums, galleries, archaeological sites, 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 destination. Just for Vatican Museums, free entrance every LAST Sunday of the month 9.00am – 2.00pm (last entry at 12.30pm).

Always be mindful of your bags on public transportation and around key tourist attractions. The city is 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 bags, so keep them in close reach at all times.

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, gratis, so save your empty water bottles and fill them up all around town.

Tickets are available from machines at all Metro stations. You can choose between: Single ticket (1.50 euro): valid 100 min from the first validation (1 metro ride only) / 24h ticket (7 euro) / 48h ticket (12.50) / 72h (18euro) / 1 week (24 euro) Tap&Go Buy your ticket directly with a contactless card (credit, debit or prepaid card. Tapping your payment method will automatically debit your account by €1.50, granting you 100 minutes’ use of the transport system including one Metro ride. This works just if you want to buy the single ticket and not a plan.

After the tiring weekend, Romans consider Monday their rest day so museums, attractions and restaurants in Rome are closed on Mondays.

Make sure your phones and other equipment have a universal adaptor. Also be sure to pack a couple of pairs of comfortable walking shoes, as one of the most charming aspects of Rome’s urban typography is its cobblestone streets, but uneven stones can take a toll on your feet.

Local house wine ( Vino della casa) is one of the best things about dining out in Rome. Not only is it extremely affordable, it’s actually really tasty! House wine is available in red or white and you can usually order a ¼, ½ or full litre of wine for under €10. We know it's cheap, but pace your wine or you'll be drunk in no time!

You don't have to be fluent in Italian, but knowing a few words and phrases in Italian can definitely come handy :) Here are a few commonly used phrases you can start with. Hello! –> Ciao! Thank you –> Grazie You are welcome –> Prego Excuse me! –> Mi scusi! Please –> Per favore OK –> OK Do you speak English? –> Parli Inglese? I do not speak Italian –> Non parlor Italiano How much does it cost? –> Quanto costa? Do you accept credit cards? –> Accettate carte di credito?

If you're planning to visit the St. Peter's Basilica or any of the other 100 other churches in Rome, make sure you cover up. No matter how hot it is outside, your shoulders and knees must be covered to gain entry. The same rule applies, quite stringently at the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel as well. A quick hack could be wrapping a shawl around your waist/shoulder before entering. Though make-shift sarongs are not ideal, it is acceptable.

When in Rome, don't miss out on these traditional dishes : 1. Cacio e pepe: a classic pasta dish with pecorino romano cheese and black pepper 2. Carbonara; another iconic roman pasta dish made with eggs, cheese and pancetta (bacon) 3: Amatriciana: pasta sauce made with tomatoes, guanciale (cured pork cheek) cheese and black pepper 4: Supplì: fried rice balls filled with mozzarella and meat sauce 5. Roman artichokes: artichokes cooked with mint, garlic, parsley 6. Pizza Romana: roman style pizza, typically thin and crispy, with various topping 7. Porchetta: slow roasted, savory pork