How to Tackle Rome, Italy

Rome is known for its many wonders: the history, the food, the scooters, cobblestone streets and cats sleeping amongst 2,000 year-old ruins.

But Rome is still haunted, and rightly so, by an Italian reputation- an inefficient bureaucratic nightmare, if you don’t know your way around (and sometimes even if you do!). Here are some useful tips for tourists and expats alike that will come in very handy when navigating Italian society as whole, and Rome in particular.

1. Between around 1 and 4 p.m. Italy rests

As you may have heard, between around 1 and 4 p.m. Italy rests (besides restaurants, of course). And there is no way to get around it- you either abide by this unfortunate custom or you get irritated. And I’ve done plenty of the latter- and it doesn’t get you anywhere. So eat lunch, have coffee, and get back to your day eventually- in the summer it’s too hot to be out in those hours anyway. And be wary of religious holidays- it’s not just Christmas and Easter here. Saints are often celebrated individually and cities are affected as a result- a good example is the 29th of June, Saint Peter and Paul, a holiday for Rome. So inform yourself before setting out for a productive day, you may be en route for some unpleasant surprises!

2.Think strategically

When it comes to trying to get things done, think strategically. Post offices are best handled in the morning when people are actually working, rather than around 12:30 or 1 p.m. when there is the mad rush to mail letters and pay bills before it closes. And on the subject of post offices, don’t let your mail get sent out as standard, or ordinaria- make it prioritaria, or raccomandata, for instance, so you have a better chance of actually getting it delivered successfully. And as to banks, they are hardly ever open, or at least it would seem as little as possible. So if you really do need a bank account (unless you’re here for a shorter amount of time, in which case it probably isn’t worth it) choose the option that offers online banking- it is the only way forward. And it works!

3. Do not rely on public transport

Do not rely on public transport, unless you aren’t in a rush at all. This isn’t London, or New York- there are only two metro lines, and you will have to wait 20 minutes or so for a bus usually. If you plan to stay here for a while, invest in a motor scooter- one would normally suggest a bicycle in this day and age but unfortunately Rome is not equipped for cyclists in a meaningful way.

4. Market your language skills!

Unlike other European countries Italy has a low level of English knowledge in terms of quality and quantity of people, so to speak. So whether its teaching English at places like the British Institute or serving drinks at the essentially bilingual Drunken Ship, remember, you have an advantage over many others.

5. Book your museum tickets online

If you’re a tourist, do us all a favor and book your museum tickets online. No one likes to queue for three hours to see the Vatican Museums in the burning sun- go online beforehand and buy your tickets, you skip the line and avoid the painful queuing exercise so many are willing to undertake especially during the summer season. And think outside the box- the Colosseum and the Vatican Museums aren’t the only attractions in Rome. The Capitoline Museums and the Complesso del Vittoriano, in Piazza Venezia, are extremely beautiful and hardly anyone is ever there- the former is the oldest public museum in the world.  Interested?

Photo of Colosseum, Rome, Italy by Sweetdevil

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About the author

Claire is a New Yorker who moved to Rome in her teens. She recently graduated from University College London with a BA in European Social and Political Studies and is putting off leading a serious life for as long as possible, but plans at some point to become a journalist. In her free time she enjoys travelling, good food, a good read, and especially good music.