Common mistakes in Rome

The things that catch first-time visitors out — and how to avoid them.

Not booking ahead

The Colosseum, Vatican Museums and Galleria Borghese all sell out on popular dates. Arriving without a booking means either missing them or losing two hours queuing. Book as soon as you have confirmed dates.

Overloading the itinerary

The Colosseum-Forum and the Vatican are each a half-day minimum. First-timers routinely try to do both in one day and end up exhausted and under-impressed by both. Space them.

Eating in the wrong places

Any restaurant with a photograph menu, a tout standing outside, or a name like "Trattoria Roma" on the main tourist route is almost certainly a poor deal. Walk two streets back from any major sight to find something better at half the price.

Ignoring the dress code

Being turned away from St Peter's Basilica after walking across the city because of bare shoulders or shorts is a frustrating but entirely avoidable way to lose an hour.

Underestimating walking distances on a map

Rome's historic centre looks compact on a map, but narrow winding streets, frequent stops, and general foot traffic mean walking times routinely run longer than a straight-line map distance would suggest — building in more time than a quick map glance implies avoids a rushed, stressed feeling throughout the day.

Assuming all museums are open on Mondays

Many major Roman museums, including the Vatican Museums, close on specific days (often Sunday for Vatican Museums, Monday for various state museums) — checking specific closure days for each site on your list before finalising a day-by-day itinerary prevents an unpleasant surprise at the door.