5 Tourist Traps / SCAMS in ROME, ITALY

As beautiful as Rome is, there will always be people who try to take advantage of us unsuspecting tourists.

1) Unauthentic Italian restaurants
They have the red and white Italian table covers, friendly ushers and a wine selection, but they're only targeting tourists. Why do you think?

2) Food karts
They also ONLY target tourists. 5 euro water when water is free around rome, 3 euro gum and 7-8 euro tiny gelato that tastes like it was made with sewage water. Not even airports charge this much.

Watch the video for the rest!

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What I use to make these videos:

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Music by:
Joakim Karud - Good old Days

[brincatstrasse]

there is only 1 RULE when going to Rome, IGNORE EVERYBODY! Just keep moving. Don't say "no, thank you" or whatever, just keep moving

[mauriziomizio]

I was born in Rome and I live in the city ... you're right about everything and as a citizen I wanted to apologize for these situations that ruin the city.

[nicoledallin]

Don't even say "No, thank you" say "No" and be direct. They don't care to listen to you or respect your space...so don't be polite. Be firm in what you tell them. If you seem skiddish you'll be taken advantage of easily.

[Giardintek]

Hey, I lived and worked in Italy for 3 years. The "No thank you answer doesn't go down well for these jerks. You have to be more confident and just say NOOO, loud. You also have to watch out for lill kids trying to sell you newspaper, make sure they never get too close to you. Water is everywhere in Rome, so don't buy any, Just fill your bottle. The best places to eat is in Trattorias and small stores. If you ask them to make you a sandwich, they will and make it for ya, just pick a ham or salami and point out the type of cheese you want in it. Also go for the smallest cafes and you can have a latte or cappuccino for 1 Euro.

[Rockstar]

I like walking around Rome with an open backpack full of fishing hooks🙂

[kcstone]

I am in Italy right now, and I had a guy in Venice literally grab my hand and pry it open to put bird feed in it to feed the pigeons, and then more again after I dumped it out. Some people are relentless! Another commenter also said this and I completely agree, you have to just say a firm "No, " not even "No thank you, " because any signs of hesitation or even politeness will only encourage them more. I feel like a rude person not even acknowledging people, but unless you want to get hassled you have to 😕

[noyb-yb]

sadly this applies to Italy, Spain, France as the top (worst) in Europe for scams. Note the scammers (mostly not locals) only approach tourists. So ideally try to dress and act and look like a local. I know in some cases it is impossible but for those who can look like locals please do. In any case, push scammers away and walk on, dont stop, dont slow down, dont accept anything, dont give them anything, dont sign anything, a semi-angry look may also help, do not try to be polite with them, they are trying to rip you off or rob you.

[gabriel-contentwriter]

Hello, dear. I am American and I live in Rome. You forgot about the gypsy type women inside the train station who pretend like they work there and "help" people get their travel tickets, and then request money. Some of them work in groups and are really pick-pockets.

[elisabetta]

You're totally correct on everything you pointed out. As an Italian, I feel ashamed and wish to apologise for such disgraceful behaviours and, even more, for the legal and social system behind that which, regularly, tolerates that reality. And what you mentioned is not even all, sadly...As a very partial consolation, please keep in mind that tourists are certainly the first and easiest target sadly, but not the only. We are fooled too, trust me on this.
I'm so sorry. If only we had decent administrators...

[jo]

We visited the Spanish Plaza a few years ago and a guy handed me and my sister a flower saying we were beautiful and then demanded we pay him. I tried giving it back but he said no and demanded money in return. I just walked away with my flower 🙅🏽‍♀️

[MilesNauticus]

As a current Roman citizen, I thank you for your precious guide that deals with a long-standing and deplorable problem that afflicts Rome. However, I would like to point out that most of the scammers are neither Roman nor Italian citizens. This does not solve the problem but it is a significant fact that dilutes the responsibility of true Roman citizens, but increases the responsibility of the Italian government for the deplorable policies of uncontrolled reception of foreign citizens.

[williampower]

I asked the price of a can of Coke at a vendor in a van near the entrance to the Vatican. The fellow behind the counter immediately pulled out a can and popped it open while advising that it was 9 EU. I told him no thanks and walked away while he screaming at me.

[tiffanythomas]

I am soooo happy that you made this video. We went to Rome Nov/Dec 2017. We encountered ALL of this. Every word you state is completely true. We dealt with it everyday on a daily basis. They are all very relentless, to the point that they will follow and harass you for blocks!!!! Thanks for making this known for tourists!!!

[konstantinNeo]

Just yell POLICE everytime someone is being a hassle. You will find them disperse really fast.

[Vlad-tcds]

How about buying things from stores and the cashier not giving you the exact change. Happened twice to me, please ask for a receipt and count your change.

[littleruiners]

Not a scam, but also to make you aware of. If you go near Metro A trains in the center (especially Termini to Flaminio) keep an eye for some teen girls in groups with big bags. Those are not Italian people, but what we call them 'rom'. They go there just to pickpocket you. Pay attention at your bags every time.

[karenmueller]

My husband and I visited Rome 3 years ago and we had many people try to hand us things. Luckily it wasn’t my husband first time in the city so we knew not to accept anything. I also had a man approach me and ask if he could use my cell phone to call his friend that was running late. 😂 I answered with a loud NO! And walked away. A beautiful city but you must stay on your toes

[michaelstaengl]

There's a little update regarding the gladiators and legionaries next to the Colliseum.

I was in Rome from May 16 to May 22 2022 (visiting my parents who lived in this city for 3 months).
We had a guided tour through the Anfitheatro Flavio and the Foro Romano by a serious and highly engaged and excellent guide from a reliable guide service.
Since I already had been to Roma in 2004, I wondered where they are since in my 2022 stay, I never saw them in 2022. I asked our German language guide where they are.
She explained that it's now forbidden to masquerade as such and so, they were nowhere to be seen.

And the guys handing you stuff remained. I and my parents (in the Rome 2022 vacation) completely ignored them. Now, they also sell power banks, surely of the cheapest and worst quality.

Otherwise a great video and my overall impression of Rome was great. I hope to return to Rome at a day in the future.

[furdiebant]

I went to Rome by myself and wore headphones and sun glasses, dressed nicely and was never bothered. Americans draw a lot of attention to themselves, which admittedly often they cannot help as they are inexperienced travellers. Enjoy Rome!

[Jdjwjdjzbsjwbb]

Its really sad that every local in European countries have to apologize because these scumbags and their behaviour ruin it for everyone. I love italy a lot but these scammers and their audacity just makes my blood boil