Rome travel guide — where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Rome, Lazio, Italy.
Cultural orientation
Essential context for travellers.
Dress modestly when visiting churches — shoulders and knees must be covered; many sites provide wraps for rent or loan at the entrance
Greet with 'Buongiorno' (good morning/day) or 'Buonasera' (good evening) in shops and restaurants — simply walking in and stating an order is considered rude
Pasta is a first course (primo), not a side dish — in traditional restaurants, a meal has antipasto, primo, secondo, and dolce
Espresso is drunk standing at the bar in seconds; lingering over coffee at a table is a terrace activity reserved for leisure time
Lunch is the main meal for many Romans (1–3PM) and many family-run restaurants close between 3–7PM
Italians eat dinner late — restaurants fill up from 8PM; arriving before 7:30PM marks you as a tourist
Capuccino after 11AM is considered a social faux pas — locals rarely drink milky coffee after breakfast
Do's and don'ts
Quick guide to local norms.
Do
- Learn a few Italian words — locals appreciate 'buongiorno', 'grazie', 'prego', 'per favore'
- Dress appropriately for churches — this is a sign of respect, not optional
- Order a coperto (cover charge) and expect it on restaurant bills — it is legal and listed on menus
- Try the local Roman cuisine: cacio e pepe, carbonara, amatriciana, supplì (fried rice balls), artichokes alla giudia
- Validate your transit ticket before boarding — uninspected rides still carry fines
- Walk and explore — Rome's streets, piazzas, and fountains reward wandering
Don't
- Do not eat or drink on the Spanish Steps or inside the Colosseum — fines apply
- Do not wear shorts in churches even in hot weather — carry a scarf to cover up
- Do not throw any rubbish into the Trevi Fountain — fines of up to €450 apply
- Do not sit on the Spanish Steps for extended periods — municipal wardens are present
- Do not accept 'friendship bracelets' or rose gifts near monuments — these lead to high-pressure payment demands
- Do not hail taxis from the street — find official taxi stands or use the itTaxi app to avoid unlicensed vehicles
- Do not feed pigeons in Piazza San Marco or major piazzas — this is prohibited and attracts fines
Etiquette by setting
How to navigate everyday situations.
Useful phrases
A few words go a long way.
Buongiorno
Good morning / Good day (use until ~5PM)
Buonasera
Good evening (use from ~5PM onwards)
Grazie
Thank you
Prego
You're welcome / Please / Go ahead
Per favore
Please (when making a request)
Scusi / Mi scusi
Excuse me (formal)
Quanto costa?
How much does it cost?
Dov'è...?
Where is...?
Un caffè, per favore
An espresso, please
Il conto, per favore
The bill, please
Non capisco
I don't understand
Parla inglese?
Do you speak English?
Acqua del rubinetto
Tap water (to avoid paying for bottled)
Vorrei prenotare un tavolo
I'd like to book a table
Dov'è la fermata del metro?
Where is the metro station?
Religion & spirituality
Understanding faith in Rome.
Items:
- Faith
- Roman Catholicism
- Significance
- Dominant religion; Rome is the seat of the Vatican City and the Pope. Catholic feast days affect opening hours city-wide — Ferragosto (15 August) and Christmas close many businesses.
- Visitor tips
- Dress modestly at all churches. Mass times posted on church doors (typically 7AM, 9AM, 11AM, 6PM). Visitors may attend Mass but are expected to be respectful and not use phones.
- Faith
- Jewish community
- Significance
- Rome has one of Europe's oldest Jewish communities (over 2,000 years) centred in the Jewish Ghetto near Largo Argentina. The Great Synagogue of Rome (Via Catalana 3) and the Jewish Museum are open to visitors.
- Visitor tips
- Shabbat (Friday sunset to Saturday sunset) affects Ghetto restaurants. Jewish Museum hours: Sun–Thu 10AM–5PM, Fri 10AM–2PM; closed Sat and Jewish holidays.
- Faith
- Islam
- Significance
- Growing Muslim community; the Mosque of Rome (Viale della Moschea) is the largest mosque in Western Europe.
- Visitor tips
- Open for non-Muslim visitors; dress modestly and remove shoes.