What are tips for a smart and delicious vacation in Rome?

Rome is a city bursting with breathtaking sights and, more importantly, mouthwatering delights.

Classic Roman dishes like pasta alla carbonara, amatriciana, or the fried “alla giudia” artichokes are famous worldwide. But trust me, they’re just the tip of the iceberg. The Eternal City offers countless alternatives for street food and sweets. For instance, there’s nothing better than wandering Rome’s streets while savoring some top-notch artisanal gelato.

So, let’s dive into how to navigate the city and find the best spots tailored just for you. But first, an important heads-up: check the metro schedules. You don’t want any nasty surprises after a delightful evening out, right?

Another solid idea is to have an alternative to public transport for getting around, both day and night. Ever thought about how awesome it would be to tour Rome in a sidecar at night? Jot that down—it’s gonna be an unforgettable experience.

How Late Does the Metro Run in Rome?

The metro is a fantastic way to get around Rome. The three lines—A, B/B1, and C—all run on the same schedule. From Sunday to Thursday, trains start at 5:30 AM and wrap up at 11:30 PM. On Fridays and Saturdays, they kick off at the same time but keep rolling until 1:30 AM. So keep an eye on the clock, but even if you miss the last train, night buses take over from midnight onwards. Worst case? You can always hail a taxi.

Now, these are the official metro hours, but occasionally they might change. For example, maintenance work might cause a line to shut down for a day or close earlier in the evening. You’ll find all the info about any potential hiccups at the stations. Plus, to stay updated on the real-time status of all public transport in Rome, keep an eye on the Atac website on your smartphone—the city’s transport agency.

Speaking of smartphones, there are a few apps that’ll be real lifesavers for getting around and experiencing the city.

What Are the Best Apps for Getting Around Rome?

The classic Google Maps will be your trusty sidekick on Rome’s streets. It’ll help you pick the best modes of transport and fastest routes to get from point A to B.

The RomaMobile app can also be super handy. You can search for bus routes and schedules by plugging in your starting point and destination. Plus, you can check when the next bus is arriving at your stop and see how crowded it’ll be.

Alternatively, you can use Moovit, which offers pretty much the same features but extends to the rest of the Lazio region, including regional trains and buses.

Then there’s FreeNow (you might remember it as MyTaxi), which is widely used by locals and tourists alike to easily book a taxi anywhere in Rome.

Getting around Rome is like strolling through a massive open-air museum. Every spot, almost every stone, has centuries of stories to tell. With so much to see, an intriguing app might come in handy: iDotto.

iDotto is a genuine audio guide that accompanies you through the city’s wonders. Based on your user profile, it suggests not only what’s nearby but also what you’re likely to dig the most. It works via GPS, so you can only use it outdoors—not inside churches or museums, for example.

If you’re into museum hopping, check out Mic. It’s the app for “Musei in Comune,” which are the city-run museums, categorized into archaeological, modern, contemporary, and scientific. It’s not every museum in Rome, but there are plenty, and some are absolute must-sees like the Capitoline Museums. Here, you can stand before the real statue of Marcus Aurelius on horseback (the one in Piazza del Campidoglio is actually a replica) or the oldest known example of the “Capitoline Wolf” nursing Romulus and Remus. And you can grab a coffee or a snack on the expansive terrace that offers a breathtaking panorama of the city.

After all that walking, eating, and soaking up the sun, you’re bound to get thirsty. If you don’t have a drink handy, no worries. Rome is the city of “nasoni.” These are the classic public fountains scattered abundantly both in the city center and many neighborhoods. They’re such an iconic part of Rome that there’s even a dedicated app: you guessed it, it’s called Nasoni.

Now you’ve got everything you need on your smartphone to kick off your Roman adventure. And if you’re not sure where to start, here’s a foolproof method: begin with some great gelato!

Where Can I Find High-Quality Gelato in Rome?

Rome is jam-packed with gelaterias, from tiny artisan shops to big franchise chains. But how do you spot top-quality gelato? Well, the only surefire answer is to taste it, but with a bit of savvy, you can pick up some clues. First off, the number of customers is a good indicator. Some gelaterias in Rome have people lining up out the door. That’s usually a reliable sign because word has spread—especially online—that they serve some seriously good gelato. Another thing to watch out for is the color of the gelato, which should be as natural as possible. So steer clear of neon green pistachio and shocking pink strawberry! Aside from these general rules, there are some tried-and-true spots in Rome when it comes to gelato. Here are a few recommendations to play it safe:

Fata Morgana: This gelateria has its lab just outside Rome, from which fresh gelato is delivered daily to its shops in various parts of the city. You’ll find them, for example, in Trastevere and the Monti district—both perfect places to stroll with a cone in hand. They offer not just classic flavors but also intriguing options like gelato with spices or aromatic herbs. In 2022, Fata Morgana snagged the “Tre Coni” award from Gambero Rosso, so it’s unlikely you’ll be disappointed.

Gelateria del Teatro: They’ve got just one shop, smack dab in the center, between Piazza Navona and Castel Sant’Angelo. Here, the keywords are “quality” and “seasonality,” because ingredients change based on what’s naturally available throughout the year. That doesn’t mean the flavor selection is limited—you can choose from about 200 varieties, from traditional to exotic.

Fassi, Palazzo del Freddo: A true Roman institution, the so-called Palazzo del Freddo (officially Gelateria Fassi) is near the gardens of Piazza Vittorio and easily reachable via metro line A. Walking into Palazzo del Freddo is like stepping back in time. The Fassi gelateria, now run by the fifth generation of the family, dates back to 1880. Besides classic gelato, you can find original creations like the chocolate “sampietrino” or the semifreddo tramezzino.

La Romana: Despite the name, this gelateria hails from the Romagna region but now has numerous outlets in the capital. They offer a wide variety of flavors and options, including milkshakes and gelato cheesecakes. You’ll easily find them in the city’s most frequented areas.

Feel free to hunt down and try these and other gelaterias in Rome because there are loads, and many are top-notch. After all, in Italy, gelato isn’t just something you eat; it’s an experience worth savoring to the fullest. Speaking of which, want a really original idea? Check out the “Tour in sidecar with gelato stop” for a pleasure-packed combo of Rome’s most beautiful spots and its best gelato!

Do I Need to Make Reservations at Restaurants in Rome?

Whether you need to book ahead depends on several factors, mainly the area where you want to dine. Places like Trastevere, Testaccio, or Campo de’ Fiori, for instance, get absolutely swamped from aperitivo hour onwards. Showing up at dinner time expecting an open table can be pretty tough.

So, you’ve got two options: either book in advance or bring along some patience. On the flip side, not all restaurants and trattorias accept reservations, so sometimes the solution is simply to wait for a table to free up. Don’t be surprised if you see a line of people outside some eateries waiting for a spot. In some places, they’ll take your phone number and call you as soon as a table’s ready. In the meantime, you can grab an aperitivo nearby.

Another option—since we’re on the topic of apps—is to download (if you haven’t already) TheFork. With it, you can find and book tons of restaurants and trattorias in Rome, or other types of eateries, sometimes snagging some pretty sweet discounts.

Either way, one thing’s for sure: even if you can’t get into a restaurant, you won’t starve in Rome! Between pizza al taglio (by the slice), street food, fast food joints, ethnic cuisine—you name it—you’ve got practically endless choices. You’ll always find something tasty to munch on, anywhere and anytime.

Is Tipping Customary in Rome’s Restaurants?

For visitors from abroad, this might come as a surprise or even seem a bit odd: in Italy, tipping isn’t mandatory.

That doesn’t mean if you leave a few euros for a waiter who gave you exceptional service, they won’t gladly accept it. On the contrary, they’ll definitely appreciate it.

But if you decide to just pay the bill, get up, say goodbye, and leave, you can do so without anyone giving you the side-eye.

Think of tipping as a way to show that you had a positive experience at a restaurant. Was the food up to snuff or even beyond your expectations? Was the staff friendly and attentive? Did you feel that extra touch that makes all the difference? Then it’s not a bad idea to leave a little something extra—say, 5 to 10% of the bill. Another common practice, especially if you’re paying in cash, is to leave the change on the table.

So, if we had to lay down a general rule, let’s say that in Rome—as in the rest of Italy—tipping isn’t obligatory, but it’s definitely appreciated!

Well, now all that’s left is to put these tips into action and fully enjoy everything Rome has to offer. We wish you a fabulous Roman holiday, and if you want to experience a new way to discover the Eternal City, Sidecar Tour in Rome is ready to welcome you with their sidecars and guides at your service!