top of page

Rome is a ‘must-go’ city for tourists who visit Italy. While you are enjoying the ancient sites, museums and magnificent churches, pick pockets and scam artists are lurking around to look for clueless tourists. Here are some tourists-attractions-specific traps you might found in Rome: 

​

Trap 1: Rome Terminal Station (Roma Termini) 


The main train station is the pickpockets’ favourite. Putting your wallet in your front pocket is a smart move but ‘passengers’ may bump into you intentionally and knock you off balance. They will seize this opportunity to grab your wallet. 

 

Tips:

​

  • Always on the move; Pickpockets will target on clueless tourists who are looking for directions or trying to figure out which train should they take

  • Do not stop for too long to avoid being the pickpockets' next target 

​

Trap 2: Vatican City (Città del Vaticano)


Be cautious of the unofficial tour guides who are eager to share the secrets of the city. They are not doing this for free and will ask for tips after talking to you. Some aggressive tour guides will surround the tourists unless they agree to pay. 

 

Tips: 

​

  • Ask if payment is involved before listening the history and secrets of the city

​

Trap 3: Colosseum  


Taking pictures with the costumed gladiators is not free and it usually worths more than 10 euros. In the worst case scenario, the 'gladiators' will hold tourists' cameras for ransom until they agree to pay for a high price. 

 

There are also unofficial tour guides wearing 'official tags' to help with your enquiries about admission. Beware when they start selling tickets to you. The tickets are very likely to be unofficial and cannot grant you access to the Colosseum. The queue for tickets is long but it is the only official way to visit the Colosseum. 

 

Tips: 

​

  • Do not take pictures with these 'gladiators' in the vicinity of Colosseum as it is now illegal for them to ask for money

  • Buy the tickets through the official tickets booths. Reject help from the tour guides as there are plenty of signs to direct visitors to the ticket booths

The pickpockets are very skillful. Stay alert at all times. 

The 'gladiators' are now illegal but there are still plenty of them outside the Colosseum. 

Tourist Destination: Rome

bottom of page