Is Rome Worth Visiting Or Is It Overrated?

Is Rome worth visiting or should I skip it? I’ve been asked this question a number of times. This question pops up often because people keep trying to figure out which Italian city to add to their itinerary and its just so hard. There are so many great ones to choose from. Which do you leave out?

I faced this dilemma myself and chose to keep Rome on my itinerary. I’m so glad that I did and let me tell you why in a bit. I just need to make sure to add in here that while I did enjoy Rome alot, it wasn’t always a bed of roses. There’s quiet a bit that could detract from the city itself. Which is why you need to make the decision for yourself.

How? I’m going to list some of the pros and cons. This will help you decide if the city is really worth adding to your list, how long would you need to see it properly and whether its in your budget. All important considerations.

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Is Rome Worth Visiting? – The Pros

I just typed out the title and I already feel like this list is going to be long. I really loved Rome even though we caught quite a bit of rain in the city and we visited it at one of the busiest times of the year. There’s a lot to unpack so let’s get started.

Rome Is Very Walkable

I keep talking about how much you have to walk when you are in Rome because there is so much to see. Now you could take the tours or the bus but then traffic is something to consider too. We found it so much easier to walk.

I will note here that we traveled with kids who were 4 &5 years old so we used a stroller and a scooter for the kids. They swapped around. It was a lot of walking and I think we did about 20 km easy. That was every day. So getting a pair of comfortable shoes is definitely a must. I would also check the season I’m travelling and make sure that they are waterproof while you are at it because it can rain really heavily in Rome.

There Is So Much History!

What to wear in Rome in May when it rains

Is Rome worth visiting for the history? I would mark this as the most important reason why you should visit the city. On every turn and on every side there is something to see. There are just so many ancient structures all over the place. Its not just the popular ones. In fact, I think I would head back to Rome to just slow down a bit and breathe in. 3 days in the city were just not enough.

So Many Museums

Rome has so many museums. I know I say that about the museums in Amsterdam but Rome just elevated that to a whole new level. I love love love museums and trying to decide which one to enter was brain wracking.

It is also important to note that the museums aren’t all about just the Roman history. There are museums on art, culture, old buildings that have been restored, history, and even other cultures. Some are super famous and others not so much. Which is why you really need to plan it out in advance so you can book your slots.

You Get To See The Colosseum

Is Rome worth visiting for the Colosseum? I think it is

For many people the Colosseum is the most important monument that they want to see in Rome. I’m not going to lie, it was the first thing that we wanted to visit too and boy was it worth it. It was beautiful and impressive both from the inside and the outside.

One thing that people don’t always tell you is that since the Colosseum is popular getting in can be really hard. There are so many different types of tickets to the Colosseum and they sell out weeks if not months in advance depending on the season. We were pretty lucky because we booked ours a couple of weeks before we left but we did not get any of the premier tickets.

If you are headed to Rome and haven’t managed to secure your ticket to the Colosseum, then don’t rule it out entirely. You can easily see the Colosseum from the outside and trust me, that itself is worth the visit.

The Food

If you haven’t been to Italy, prepare to have your mind blown because the food in Rome is awesome. I’m not talking about just pasta and pizza. There are so many more delicacies that are served up that are so wholesome and full of flavor.

Is Rome worth visiting for the food? Definitely. Make sure to walkaway from the more touristy places though. Try some of the spots that the locals visit. I checked out the reviews before booking spots in the restaurants. Was totally worth the extra effort.

You Can Spend The Day At The Beach

Not everybody knows this but Rome is close to the coast. You can easily take a train and head there for a day trip. Its pretty handy because it gives you a chance to change the scenery. This is generally what people choose to do if they are in Rome for long or if this is their second, third or nth trip to the city.

Public Transport Is Easily Accessible

One of the things that I noticed about Rome is that the public transport is easily accessible. This makes it easier to cross about the city and even head to the Vatican. You can easily buy day passes if you are moving about a lot. This means that you can leave the car back home which is great because the traffic is insane.

You Can Visit The Vatican

One of the reasons why many people like to visit Rome is because you can also visit the Vatican. I won’t lie. I found it cool too. It felt so strange being able to walk in and out of a new country. The kids thought it was a fun story to tell too.

Aside from the novelty, the Vatican is also worth visiting. There are a lot of things to see and do despite its size. We loved the museum, the basilica and just wandering around the area. You would be surprised to learn that you could spend a whole day in the Vatican and not get bored.

The Weather Is Lovely

I know that this is subjective to the season because heat waves are a thing but I do feel that the weather is pretty nice. (I live in the Netherlands and am used to colder weather and it felt heavenly.) I would still recommend keeping an eye on the weather forecasts because it will tell you if any storms are about to hit or if the heat is going to rise.

Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome

Let’s Not Forget About The Churches And Basilicas

There are just so many churches and basilicas all over the city. Each one has its own history, architectural style and importance. Most of them are still very active compared to other parts in Europe.

While they look very stately from the outside, you will not believe how magnificent they are on the inside. You just have to see it for yourself.

These basilicas, cathedrals and churches attract pilgrims from all over the world. So is Rome worth visiting to see them? I would think so. It doesn’t matter if you are religious or not. The architecture is still impressive.

Now on a side note, you have to dress modestly when entering the church so if you’ve are visiting in the hotter months and have your packing list for Italy in summer ready, make sure to add a scarf to cover your shoulders (if you are wearing a sleeveless outfit) and to use a longer skirt or carry a wrap around. It should be till your knees. This is because you can be denied entry just like in all religious places across the world.

If You Love Art, Rome Is The Place To Be

Taking in the art in Rome and exploring the local artists

While Florence is totally known for its art, Rome has its own art to flaunt. Michelangelo’s art can be found all over Rome. Raphael and Caravaggio are other very famous artists whose works can be seen in the city. But they aren’t the only ones. Rome was long seen as the center of art and many artists traveled here to learn and paint.

Another thing that I realised is that art in Rome is not just about the famous artists. Its also about the people who display their art all over the city. It made me feel as if Rome was the city of the art.

So is Rome worth visiting for the art? I would think so. You just need to plan your trip in advance and know that you probably will not have time to see everything no matter how long you stay in the city. There is just too much!

Is Rome Worth Visiting? – The Cons

I would not be kidding anyone if I said that Rome was perfect. It wasn’t. There was a lot that went wrong during our trip. In general, like most of the big cities in Italy (and the rest of the world), Rome suffers from the effects of over tourism.

Rome Is Expensive

Rome is very very expensive. The restaurants are expensive. The tours are expensive. Parking is insane. Museums cost a lot. You don’t realise it at first but the longer you stay, the more it eats into your budget. For us, it started out as just this one splurge. Our allocated budget quickly dwindled with those treats here and there.

We did not go to Rome naive though. We had already allocated a decent sized budget for it which was more than what we usually do. We were still surprised.

Its Hard To Find Budget Friendly Accommodation

Rome is one of the cities where finding accommodation is hard especially if you are searching for something on a budget or with a family like we did. We eventually found a place on the outskirts of the city and chose to take the bus in. It makes it even harder if you are driving in because parking is another ordeal.

It Is So Crowded

Is Rome worth visiting despite the crowds? I hate crowds. I really do. Its one of the reasons why I don’t like the bigger cities. Rome however was one of the cities that didn’t feel too overwhelming despite the crowds. Maybe it was because I was to engrossed. There was so much to see and do that I didn’t mind that much.

Don’t get me wrong. The crowds are insane in Rome. Not just individual tourists but even the number of tours meandering around. The lines are long and the wait can be annoying. I however still enjoyed the city despite it.

Is Rome worth visiting? I think that it really is worth the trip. If you put it on your list try to stay in the city for longer than a day. There’s just so much to do. It also takes a while to get from one spot to the next. Especially with a trip to the Vatican in between.

But as a traveler, I urge you to consider all the pros and cons about Rome. Weigh it for yourself because what works for me may not work for you and what interests me may not interest you.