Trevi Fountain in Rome: There are many tourist traps, especially around the most popular sights in Rome.Image: EPA ANSA
When you’re on vacation, it’s not always just summer, sun and relaxation that awaits you. There are also a few things you should pay attention to in Rome.
June 6, 2026, 4:09 p.mJune 6, 2026, 4:09 p.m
Sandra Simonsen / t-online
When you think of Rome, you think of magnificent ancient buildings, the Vatican City, but also of the Italian lifestyle and delicious specialties from ice cream to pizza. But despite all the beautiful aspects of a vacation in Italy, you should also keep these ten tips in mind so that it doesn’t become unintentionally expensive:
Stay away from tourist menus
Many restaurants – especially near the most popular Roman sights – have recognized their opportunity and are offering special tourist menus.
But even if that sounds tempting, it’s better to look for a restaurant away from the hustle and bustle, where it’s usually much cheaper and also tastier.
You should also be careful if someone invites you into the restaurant with a menu in their hand. In these restaurants the quality is often poor and the prices are overpriced.
Beautiful, but often expensive: If you don’t want to spend too much, you should pay particular attention to price tags in the center of Rome.Image: imago
It is better to book sights in advance
The Colosseum, Vatican and Roman Forum are world-famous and popular with tourists. It is therefore a good idea to find out about opening times, prices and tickets in advance and to book tickets online. Because there are always illegal ticket sellers, especially in front of the most famous sights, who lure you out of the queue in order to sell overpriced tickets.
Colosseum in Rome: It’s best to buy tickets for the biggest sights online in advance.Image: Flickr
In addition, by booking in advance you save a lot of time that you would otherwise waste in queues. In the worst case scenario, you stand in line for so long and then don’t get your turn. And: There are often even discounts if you book online.
Appropriate clothing for the Vatican
As with many other places of worship, St. Peter’s Basilica and the entire Vatican City have a dress code that you should stick to. If you arrive in clothes that are too revealing, in the worst case scenario you won’t be allowed in at all.
Many traveling traders have also taken advantage of this: They offer overpriced clothing to tourists who are not dressed appropriately.
Beware of illegal taxi companies
As in many tourist cities, Rome also has problems with illegal taxis. The drivers often charge many times the normal taxi price and quickly become angry if you refuse to pay the high sum.
Therefore, always make sure that you book an official taxi company and it is best to pay with a credit card. In the best case scenario, you explore Rome on foot or by public transport.
Drink water from wells
Everywhere in popular places in Rome there are small drinks carts and souvenir stands with drinks, some of which are sold at exorbitant prices. Many tourists are grateful for this, especially given the high temperatures that often prevail in Rome in summer.
However, the expensive drinks trolleys are not necessary: there is free drinking water in fountains everywhere in Rome. So all you need is a small bottle or glass and you can refresh yourself there for free.
Tourist traps in bars and restaurants
Bars and restaurants in Rome are also happy to welcome tourists, but sometimes take advantage of their ignorance. That’s why there are a few things you should pay attention to before you go out to eat or drink.
Not only bars and restaurants but also cafés are an integral part of the gastronomic offer in Rome.Image: keystone
In a bar, for example, it is often the case that coffee and pastries are very cheap – but only if they are consumed while standing at the bar. However, if you sit down at one of the tables, the price can rise significantly. There are often two price lists: “al banco” (at the bar) and “al tavolo” (at the table).
And things get tricky in restaurants too: Bread is often served and is charged extra for, even though it wasn’t even ordered. In addition, many restaurants have a service fee that can be found in the menu. As a so-called “Servizio”, you pay for service and cutlery, for example, with a surcharge of 10 to 20 percent.
Overpriced carriage ride through Rome
It’s not just couples or children who enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride. Horses are popular, a carriage represents romance. But the carriage ride through Rome can quickly become very expensive.
St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome is one of the most famous landmarks in the world.Image: imago
In front of the Pantheon, for example, there are usually two or three carriages waiting for customers, who then have to pay between 100 and 200 euros for a short tour through the city.
Be careful, pickpockets!
Everywhere in Rome you should pay attention to your valuables; pickpockets are especially common where a lot of people come together. However, one particular bus line is particularly popular in Rome: Bus 64 between St. Peter’s Square and Termini train station is known as the “Pickpocket Express”.
Passengers crowd onto the bus at every stop and it’s easy for something to get lost in the crowd.
Fake signature collectors
The scam is actually quite old and is known from many tourist cities. Nevertheless, there are still supposed “signature collectors” in Rome. They usually disguise themselves as deaf and dumb and ask for a signature on a seemingly harmless petition.
However, a donation is requested after signing and sometimes the fraudsters work with pickpockets. Under no circumstances should you take your wallet out of your pocket or sign anything.
Fraudsters disguise themselves as police officers
At first they seem like real police officers, but in Rome there is sometimes a fraudster in the uniform: usually the fake officers show up in pairs and ask you, for example, to open your bags for a security check and to show, for example, your passport, ID card or cash.
The fraudsters want to get either cash or personal data. You should therefore never agree to a check on the street. Offer that you are welcome to come to the nearest police station for a check, then the fraudsters will be exposed.