It’s a truth universally acknowledged that the closer you are to any major tourist attraction – be it in London, Paris, New York, or wherever – the more likely you are to fall into a classic tourist trap. Sure, you’ll want to hit up bucket-list biggies like the Colosseum and Trevi Fountain while in Rome, but it pays to be aware that this will position you squarely in the danger zone – we’re talking tacky overpriced souvenirs, street scammers, tediously long queues, and takeaway pizza that no right-minded Italian would touch with a bargepole. Fear not though: we’ve got your back. Read on for our guide to the worst tourist traps in Rome, how best to avoid them, and what you should do instead.
Tourist Traps at Major Rome Attractions
Number one on the list for most Rome sightseers is the Colosseum, that great oval arena in the heart of the city. It just happens to be the biggest and best-preserved Ancient Roman amphitheater on the planet, and one of Rome’s most photo-friendly attractions, so it stands to reason that it’s busy pretty much all the time. First tip: dodge the faux-gladiators touting for photos outside and, if you absolutely must have a selfie with one of them, avoid a fleecing by agreeing a price first. Better still, get yourself onto the arena floor and strike your own Russell Crowe poses for the camera. Yes, it’s busy down there, but there are ways to avoid the worst of the crowds: quieter evening tours kick off around 9PM and the atmosphere under the floodlights is electric – you can almost hear the crowd baying for gladiator blood. Recommended.
Another Rome must-do, the Trevi Fountain is also best visited at dawn or dusk if you hope to avoid the worst of the crowds (and touts, and street scammers). This is also when the light is at its softest and most romantic, all but guaranteeing the perfect #humblebrag shots to fill up your Insta. Trevi is the only fountain in Rome to hold a long-established coin-tossing tradition. So sure, flip in a coin and make your wish, but don’t go doing this at every other fountain in town (as many do) – that pocketful of change is far better spent on authentic gelato or produce from local markets like these ones.
Skip-the-line tickets are your friend at most other major attractions, especially the Vatican Museums, though be aware you’ll still have to wait for a little whatever ticket type you have. And, although decidedly touristy, the ubiquitous hop-on hop-off bus tour is actually a pretty good way of getting around the city and ticking off many of the top Rome attractions without tiring yourself out. You can save a bit of extra cash for gelato with the OMNIA Vatican & Rome Pass, which includes the hop-on hop-off bus tour, plus access to many more major city attractions, tours and activities. Find out more about the pass here.
Traps for Hungry Rome Tourists
You’d think it would be impossible to have a bad meal in the world’s culinary capital, but alas, it is not. As ever, a good rule of thumb is that, if it’s within spitting distance of a major Rome attraction, it’s a tourist trap. We’re talking soggy pizza, microwaved supermarket spaghetti, mass-produced factory sauces, and worse (did somebody say ‘pineapple on pizza’?). Besides proximity to tourist hotspots, there are a few telltale signs which can help you sidestep the dodgiest dining disasters.
- Restaurant signs and menus that are a) in English, b) laminated or c) laying claim to e.g. ‘the best pizza in town’ are major red flags. Run away as fast as you can!
- The same goes for menus with no prices on them. If you can’t be shown prices up front, it’s a hard no.
- Aggressive waiters or touts vying for your custom out front of the eaterie. Do. Not. Engage.
- Italian stereotypes on restaurant signage: mustachioed dudes scoffing pizza, Italian flags, anything still trading on The Godfather movies… avoid, avoid, avoid. Unless, that is, you actually enjoy eating overpriced and unsatisfying food.
- Gelato from street carts. Far better to find a traditional store in a non-touristy area than to pay top dollar for a single scoop of synthetic disappointment.
- The people-watching potential of popular piazzas like Navona and del Popolo is second-to-none; the food resolutely… not. Seek out trattoria in smaller neighborhood piazzas for the best Roman cooking instead.
The best tip we can give is to eat where the locals eat. Non-touristy neighborhoods like Trastevere, Coppedé and Testaccio are among the most picturesque in town, and are also where can tuck into traditional amatriciana, carbonara and cacio e pepe, safe in the knowledge they’ve been freshly prepared from scratch in the trattoria’s own kitchen. And, if in doubt, Tripadvisor is your friend.
Rome Tourist Traps: Common Scams
Rome can have an intoxicating effect on newbie visitors, wowed by seeing all those instantly recognizable attractions – the Colosseum, the Pantheon, St Peter’s Basilica – up close. Such distractions make you a prime target for scammers, pickpockets and other dodgy dealers. Here are a few of the scams you may encounter around Rome’s tourist traps, plus tips on how to avoid them.
The freebie scam. Picture the scene: you’re minding your own business sitting on the Spanish Steps, or gazing wistfully into the glittering shop windows of the Via del Corso, when a woman or small child approaches and offers you a rose, charm or other trinket. The problem is that, the minute you take it, those sweet, innocent faces will harden and the loudly aggressive demands for cash payment will commence. Avoid by simply declining the item offered, saying a firm ‘no’ and walking away.
The map scam. Sidewalk café tables are prime real estate for incurable people-watchers and a great way to watch the world go buy over cappuccino and cannoli. But don’t let yourself get too distracted and, if anyone slaps a map down on your table on the pretext of asking for directions, be on high alert. When they lift the map to leave, chances are they’ll also grab any valuables you’ve left lying underneath. Arrivederci, phone and wallet!
The coin scam. Tourist trap hotspots abound around the major Rome attractions and you’ll find plenty of restaurants, stores and street vendors ready to give you dud coins in your change. So, if you absolutely must have that tacky Colosseum keyring, at least check for rogue lira coins in your change before walking away.
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