Arrived here yesterday. First time in Italy.
Find it very gritty. Used to touristy areas coming from nyc but find it very dirty, was just in Vienna and Prague and a whole different vibe from there with cleanliness. Don’t find the locals friendly so far, mostly rude and the “nice” ones are just begging you to come into their restaurant. Other question, how is every freakin restaurant in Rome or at least the main part all just pizza pasta, gelato, sandwiches. Very repetitive menus. Any advice on what to do tomorrow with just 1 day left? Or any thoughts on Rome in general? |
Leave a day early. |
Sounds like you didn’t research your trip very well. This is a you problem. |
+1. Rome is one of the 2-3 best cities in the world. |
Haven't been to Italy in 20 years, but I was also bummed. Especially bummed as someone of Italian descent. We took the train from northern Italy through Austria into Slovenia. As the train rolled across the border from Italy into Austria, it was like someone flipped a switch. Suddenly there was no graffiti, lawns were mowed, buildings were maintained, etc.
I'm proud to be Italian (now have dual-citizenship), but also...c'mon guys. |
When I visited Rome I admired the monuments, architecture, sculptures, museums, etc. I was not looking to see if people mowed their lawns! |
DH is italian, he said Rome was bad 20 years ago. I couldn't imagine now. Sad situation. I believe smaller towns are fine. |
I was just in Rome last year and that wasn't my impression at all. I had a great time wandering around. Yes, the restaurants in the touristy areas are repetitive but a little bit of research will help.
A food walking tour might be a good place to start. At least go get some suppli. |
Much better places to visit in Italy. Rome kind of stinks now |
No way. Maybe in 50BC. Not these days |
I've been to Rome twice in the past year. Love it! I would go again in a heartbeat. Book a Vespa tour of the city, eat some pasta - it's almost all homemade, and drink some wine. |
Poor city governance is why.
On the plus side you get to say "When in Rome..." all the time while there. |
You have to get out of the main touristy areas. Have you been to the north part of Rome?
You could check out MACRO, a modern art museum, or the Borghese Gallery. Then go to this place for lunch: https://www.volpettiroma.it/ The best gelato in the world is next door here: https://www.guttilla.it/ Across the street is a nice park. The neighborhood nearby is Baroque and quiet and it’s a different Rome altogether. For example: https://www.turismoroma.it/it/luoghi/villino-delle-fate |
When we were in Rome, we stayed near a Carrefour grocery store so twice we went to get local supermarket prepared food for dinner. We also went to a place that was kind of like a deli-style smorgasboard restaurant where they had pre-made hot entrees and sides. We did eat pizza a few times and our fanciest meal was at a pasta restaurant.
OP, what were you expecting? A lot of cities are prettier in summer. I have been 2x. If I get to go back, I'd probably go the museum that specializes in Etruscan art and to see the Ara Pacis museum. |
If you think Rome is bad, definitely don't go to Naples... |