I spent a few days in Rome in May 2023, figured I had to check out the Eternal City at least once. Everyone talks about Rome as a must-see destination, and honestly, they’re right – it’s an excellent tourist city with incredible historic stuff everywhere you look.
The historic areas are genuinely impressive and it delivers on the tourism front, but I wouldn’t want to live there long term. The whole place just feels too old and has that Southern European vibe that’s not really my thing. Plus everything’s pretty expensive. But for a short tourist visit? It’s actually excellent.
What Rome Actually Is
Rome’s got about 2.8 million people and it’s basically a massive outdoor museum that people happen to live in. There’s ancient Roman stuff, Renaissance art, baroque churches, and tourists everywhere – it’s like the entire city exists to showcase European history.
The tourism infrastructure is next level – this place has been dealing with tourists for literally centuries, so they know what they’re doing. Yeah, it’s touristy as hell, but honestly, just embrace being a tourist because that’s what the city does best.
The Insane Amount of History Everywhere
Rome has almost too much history – it can feel overwhelming and like you’re living in a museum rather than a real city.
The Historical Layers
- Ancient Roman Empire: Literally the center of the empire that controlled most of Europe, North Africa, and Middle East. Colosseum, Roman Forum, Pantheon – ruins of the most powerful ancient civilization
- Early Christianity: Became Christianity’s center after Constantine legalized it in 313 AD. Vatican has been center of Catholic power for over 1,500 years
- Renaissance rebirth: Artistic powerhouse during Renaissance. Sistine Chapel ceiling, St. Peter’s dome – some of greatest art in human history created here
- Modern capital: Italy’s capital since 1871, but ancient and Renaissance stuff completely overshadows anything modern
The problem is there’s almost too much history – you’re constantly walking through layers of 2,000+ years of civilization.
Architecture That’ll Blow Your Mind
Rome’s architecture game is absolutely insane – you’ve got 2,000+ years of history layered on top of each other.
Ancient Roman Masterpieces
- Colosseum: Massive and genuinely impressive, though packed with tourists
- Pantheon: Nearly 2,000 years old and still stunning
- Roman Forum: Ruins of the ancient city center
- Baths of Caracalla: Massive ancient Roman baths
Renaissance and Baroque Churches
- St. Peter’s Basilica: Massive cathedral in Vatican City
- Sistine Chapel: Michelangelo’s ceiling frescoes
- Santa Maria Maggiore: Beautiful basilica with incredible mosaics
- Dozens of other churches: Literally everywhere you look
Fountains and Piazzas
- Trevi Fountain: Touristy but iconic
- Spanish Steps: More tourist crowds but worth seeing
- Piazza Navona: Beautiful baroque square
- Piazza del Popolo: Grand entrance to historic center
The architecture is genuinely world-class, but it also makes the city feel like you’re walking through a theme park sometimes.
Perfect Spring Weather
May was ideal – warm but not hot (around 20-25°C), perfect for walking around all day checking out ruins and churches. Spring is definitely the sweet spot for visiting.
- Spring (April-May): Perfect weather, though peak tourist season
- Summer: Hot as hell and packed with tourists
- Fall: Can be nice but unpredictable
- Winter: Mild but rainy, fewer crowds
May timing was perfect – warm enough to enjoy being outside but not so hot that walking around ancient ruins becomes torture.
Food Scene: Italian Excellence
Roman food is excellent – simple ingredients done really well, plus you’re in Italy so the pasta and pizza game is obviously on point.
Roman Specialties
- Carbonara: Pasta with eggs, cheese, and guanciale – simple but perfect
- Cacio e pepe: Pasta with cheese and pepper, deceptively simple
- Supplì: Fried rice balls with mozzarella
- Roman pizza: Thin crust style
- Gelato: Obviously incredible
Restaurant Recommendations
- Flavio al Velavevodetto: Great traditional Roman food in Testaccio
- Da Enzo: Tiny place near Campo de’ Fiori with authentic dishes
- Pizzarium: Famous pizza al taglio (by the slice)
- Il Sorpasso: Modern Roman cuisine, good wine selection
- Any local trattoria: Generally better than tourist trap restaurants
Gelato Spots
- Giolitti: Historic gelateria, touristy but good
- Fatamorgana: Artisanal flavors
- Come il Latte: Creamy, high-quality gelato
Pricing
- Good meals: €15-30
- Pizza slice: €3-5
- Gelato: €3-5
- Coffee: €1-2 (at bar), €3-4 (table service)
- Daily food budget: €40-60
The food is genuinely excellent, though tourist areas will obviously be more expensive.
Tourist Attractions: So Much Ancient Stuff
Absolute Must-Sees
- Colosseum: Book skip-the-line tickets in advance, genuinely impressive
- Roman Forum and Palatine Hill: Ruins of ancient Rome, combined ticket with Colosseum
- Pantheon: Free to enter, nearly 2,000 years old and still stunning
- Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel: Michelangelo’s ceiling, book in advance
- St. Peter’s Basilica: Massive cathedral, climb dome for views
Other Major Attractions
- Trevi Fountain: Throw a coin, deal with crowds
- Spanish Steps: More crowds but worth seeing
- Castel Sant’Angelo: Former papal fortress with good views
- Borghese Gallery: Amazing art collection, advance booking required
- Capitoline Museums: More ancient Roman artifacts
Hidden Gems
- Baths of Caracalla: Massive ancient Roman baths, fewer crowds
- Santa Maria in Trastevere: Beautiful medieval church
- Villa Adriana (Tivoli): Day trip to Hadrian’s villa
- Ostia Antica: Well-preserved ancient Roman port city
Practical Tourist Tips
- Book popular attractions in advance
- Get a Roma Pass for public transport and museum entries
- Avoid restaurants right next to major attractions
- Dress modestly for churches
- Carry water – there are free fountains everywhere
Where to Actually Stay in Rome
Best Areas for Different Needs
- Historic Center (Centro Storico): Right in middle of everything – expensive but walkable to most attractions
- Trastevere: Charming neighborhood with cobblestone streets and good restaurants, more “authentic” feel
- Campo de’ Fiori area: Lively square with markets and bars, central but can be noisy
- Vatican area (Prati): Close to Vatican, more residential and quieter
- Spanish Steps area: Upscale shopping district, very central but expensive
- Monti: Hip neighborhood near Colosseum with boutique shops and trendy restaurants
Areas to Avoid
Anything too far from center unless you want to spend half your time on public transport. Rome’s not that big, so pay a bit extra to stay central.
Transportation Reality
- Walking: Historic center is totally walkable, and you’ll want to walk to see everything anyway
- Metro: Limited but covers major tourist areas, though much of central Rome is too historic for subway lines
- Buses and trams: Extensive network but can be crowded and not always reliable
- Taxis: Available but expensive, Uber works too
You’ll mostly walk because the historic areas are compact and the metro doesn’t go everywhere. Comfortable walking shoes are essential.
People and Cultural Reality
The Romans are generally friendly and expressive, though they can be more reserved than people in southern Italy. They’re used to dealing with tourists but not always thrilled about it.
English is decent in tourist areas and restaurants, though not amazing. Basic Italian phrases help a lot.
Romans have that laid-back Mediterranean attitude – long lunches, late dinners, everything moves at a slower pace. It’s charming for a vacation but might drive you crazy long-term if you’re used to efficiency.
Nightlife: Laid-Back Italian Style
Roman nightlife is decent but has that relaxed Italian vibe – people eat late, drink wine, hang out in piazzas.
Areas for Nightlife
- Trastevere: Traditional Roman neighborhood with bars and restaurants
- Campo de’ Fiori: Tourist-heavy but lively bar scene
- Testaccio: More local nightlife, good clubs
- Via del Corso area: Mix of bars and lounges
What to Expect
- Aperitivo culture: Pre-dinner drinks and snacks (6-8 PM)
- Late dinners: Restaurants don’t get busy until 8-9 PM
- Wine bars: Italians do wine better than cocktails
- Piazza hanging: People just hang out in squares with drinks
The social scene is pleasant but not particularly wild – it’s more about good food, wine, and conversation than getting wasted.
Cost Reality: Tourist Prices
Rome uses the Euro and everything’s pretty pricey, especially in tourist areas.
Daily Costs
- Accommodation: €60-120/night for decent places
- Food and attractions: €50-80/day
- Transport: €1.50 per metro ride, €7 for day pass
- Total daily budget: €100-150
It’s expensive but not insane compared to other major European tourist cities. The key is avoiding obvious tourist traps.
Digital Nomad Assessment: Don’t Even Try
Why Rome Doesn’t Work for Nomads:
- Internet infrastructure decent but not amazing, can be unreliable
- Cost of living too expensive for most remote workers
- Very relaxed Italian pace doesn’t match hustle culture
- Short-term rentals are expensive and limited
- Italian bureaucracy is notoriously complicated
Digital Nomad Rating: 4/10
Better alternatives: If you want Italy, try Milan for business infrastructure or smaller cities for better costs. Rome is really designed for tourism, not living.
Safety and Practical Considerations
- General safety: Pretty safe for tourists during the day, standard big city precautions apply
- Pickpocketing: Watch your stuff on public transport and in crowded tourist areas
- Scams: Various tourist scams around major attractions, just be aware
- Summer heat: Can be brutal in July/August, plan accordingly
Who Should (And Shouldn’t) Visit Rome
Absolutely Perfect For:
- History and art enthusiasts
- First-time visitors to Italy
- People who love ancient civilizations
- Architecture nerds
- Food lovers
- Anyone wanting classic European tourist experience
Maybe Skip If:
- You hate crowds and tourist scenes
- You’re on a tight budget
- You prefer modern, efficient cities
- You want off-the-beaten-path experiences
- You get overwhelmed by too much history
Rome vs. Other Italian Cities
Versus Florence: Florence is more manageable and artistic, Rome is more historically significant
Versus Venice: Venice is more romantic, Rome has more to actually see and do
Versus Milan: Milan is more modern and efficient, Rome is more historic and tourist-focused
Versus Naples: Rome is more tourist-friendly, Naples is more authentic but chaotic
Rome is the heavyweight champion of Italian tourist cities – it has the most major attractions but also the most crowds.
My Honest Bottom Line
Overall Rating: 8/10
Rome is an excellent tourist city that delivers exactly what it promises – incredible history, amazing food, world-class art, and that classic European experience everyone talks about. The Colosseum, Vatican, Pantheon, Roman Forum – these are genuinely world-class attractions that live up to the hype.
But it’s also got some real downsides. Everything’s expensive, it’s packed with tourists, and the whole place feels almost too historic – like you’re living in a museum rather than a real city.
Perfect for Tourism
Absolutely. Just embrace being a tourist and enjoy the incredible amount of history and culture. Rome has been a tourist destination for literally centuries, and they’ve perfected the experience.
Terrible for Living
Too expensive, too touristy, too slow-paced for modern life. The Southern European pace is charming for a vacation but would probably drive you crazy long-term.
The Sweet Spot
3-5 days is perfect. Enough time to see the major stuff without getting overwhelmed by crowds and costs.
Final Verdict
Rome does tourism better than almost anywhere else in Europe. It’s touristy because it’s worth being touristy about. The history is genuinely incredible, the food is excellent, and it’s one of those places you should see at least once.
Just don’t expect to find authentic local culture – you’re there for the same reason as millions of other tourists, and that’s totally fine. Sometimes destinations are designed for tourism, and Rome has mastered that role over centuries.
Excellent tourist city, terrible place to live. Go for a few days, see the ancient stuff, eat amazing food, then move on to somewhere with fewer crowds and lower prices.
Have you experienced Rome’s incredible historical overload? Did you find the tourist crowds worth it for the amazing sites, or was it too much museum-like atmosphere? Share your thoughts on destinations that are perfect for tourism but overwhelming for daily life in the comments!
