Rome is breathtaking.
With the cobblestone streets and small alleys brushed in their red and orange hues. The colossal size architecture residing around every corner. Rome is a city that’s quite difficult to prepare yourself for mentally because it’s tough to grasp just how big everything truly is, even from the photos you find on the internet. And while you will still be in awe at the famous Trevi Fountain, no matter how many photos you scour, there are some things you can be better prepared for during your first time there.
So here are the 3 essential things I think everyone should know before visiting Rome for the first time.
1. If you plan to visit any museums, book in advance
When I was planning my trip to Rome, I read over and over in travel blogs and guides I found online to book in advance…. I didn’t.
My thoughts were, eh we’re not quite into high season yet, it’ll be fine if I don’t book anything just yet. It wasn’t.
Turns out Rome actually gets a ton of tourists – like overwhelmingly so – and tickets go fast. One of the main attractions I wanted to see was the colosseum, but every single tour I found available online was sold out. There were no tours in English, none in Spanish, nor Portuguese. It got to the point where I started looking for tours given in French just to be able to still go. Fortunately, if you speak multiple languages, you have better chances at securing a spot with someone, but you really shouldn’t wait until the last minute to try and do so.
Truth is, anything with paid entry or some cap on visitors within a given day, you’re going to need to book your ticket in advance – well in advance. And, if you plan on seeing a lot in a short amount of time, your best bet is to go with a tour guide (so you can skip the lines) and to do that, you’ll need tickets. You don’t want to miss out on the colosseum just because you were procrastinating too much before your trip. 😉
2. When visiting Rome for the first time, roam
If it’s your first time in Rome, or the first time you’re getting to play tourist in Rome, prepare to wander!
Because many of Rome’s main attractions are conveniently located close to each other. For that, it’s fairly easy to see most of the city if you position yourself centrally.
If you weren’t able to book many (or any) of your tickets in advance, well then, you’ll have a fairly flexible schedule when it comes to sightseeing. I tend to overstress on itinerary planning. Where to go, at what time, what’s nearby to visit afterwards… All great questions in the way of event planning, but there’s something in Rome about getting lost on the narrow stone streets and unexpectedly finding a huge piece of architecture around the corner that provides the most energizing feeling. Like an explorer on a new land.
So if there’s a second essential thing you should know before visiting Rome for the first time, it’s that you should really allow yourself the time to wander around. Preferably without time pressure. Ideally with some good walking shoes.
For more photos from Rome, Italy and other countries, check here.
3. Don’t forget to look behind you
Rome has so many layers and depths to it.
You can easily see 5 different pieces of Roman architecture all scattered alongside one particular hill. Getting so immersed in the complexities of the history behind each perfectly carved structure that you completely forget to turn around and see what’s behind you.
Sometimes seeing where we left, or where we came from, from a different perspective can change everything about the way we think we saw or understood something. I can’t remember how many times I had to remind myself in Rome to turn around. And I was in awe of the landscape that was behind me every single time I did. Of course, be careful with this suggestion. You should always be aware of where you are when you stop to look back.
You’re going to have so much drawing your eyes’ attention visiting Rome for the first time that it’s going to be difficult to remember to look behind you. But keep reminding yourself to do it. You’ll be glad you did.
