Rome Audio Tours

April to early June and September to October offer the best conditions: warm without the brutal August heat and before winter rain. July and August are intensely hot (regularly above 35 degrees Celsius) and very crowded. However, August also sees Romans leave the city, so some neighborhoods become quieter. Go early in the day to beat the heat and the tour groups.

Comfortable, flat-soled shoes are essential. Rome's basalt cobblestones (sampietrini) are beautiful but uneven and hard on heels. Shoulders and knees should be covered for entering churches and the Vatican, so light layers work well. A small water bottle is wise; the city has numerous free drinking fountains called nasoni scattered throughout.

Rome is generally safe for walking, but pickpocketing is among the most significant concerns for tourists, particularly on buses and around the main sights. Hold your bag in front of you and keep your phone in a closed pocket when not in use. The Termini train station area requires more vigilance than the historic center. Evening walks in Trastevere are relaxed and pleasant.

Yes, and you should build time in. A mid-morning espresso standing at a bar counter is practically mandatory. For food, avoid any place with pictures on the menu near a major monument. Walk one or two blocks into residential streets for trattorias that serve lunch from noon to 2:30pm. Roman artichokes (carciofi alla giudia), carbonara, and supplì rice balls are the things to look for.