Is rome a expensive city?

Question

i am going on a tour is the food expensive and what about the shops?...

Answer 1

i think that it will be expensive if you make it expensive. you dont have to go to a place and spend a lot of money to enjoy it. its true that all the big guys found and have lots of designer stores there..aka armani,versace< cant even spell them, D&G, ( my fav.. haha yeah i know) fendi and many more. but i would most definatley not spend my moeny buying those... you can buy them around the corner on a cart .. "desinger clothes" right there, before your eyes for less than 40 euros. haha i bought a few things i must admit. i found that the entrance fee for some things werent too too expensive but some places seemed like it ripped you off.. like the collisium . the place  is actually my favorite city, go and enjoy your self, youre there to relax, do not over do it, take time to visit the spanish steps.. walk the streets and visit the vatican. just chill .. eat pizza and the ice cream.. you'll walk it all off anyways , haha

          and about the pickpocketers. i never felt afraid of my belongings, i didnt use a money belt or anything, i had my purse that i did hold on to dear life with... if youre aware of your surroundings then you will not lose anything, i went all through france, london, germany,swit, amssterdam and italy with the same purse never lost it

Answer 2

Rome is expensive. And since the demise of the inflation-prone lira for the strong euro, it has only gotten worse for tourists and locals alike.

If you eat pizza, snacks at wine bars, and take out from delis, it's not too bad (15-20 euros or so). Any sit-down affair...even humble looking tattorias... will set you back at least 30-35 euros, more if you intend to do any drinking.

Romans are big clothes shoppers, and they will certainly act like money is no object while zeroing in on 300.00 euro designer pants (although like in the U.S., many of them are in debt). All the big boys have several stores in Rome (and they are mostly men who founded these companies): Armani, Versace, D&G, Prada, etc.

I find the soccer jerseys to be fun (and relatively affordable) souvenirs. Be careful which one you grab though, as it may unwittingly peg your social standing in Rome... depending on where you travel. Italians take their soccer very seriously.

"AS Roma" with the wolf mascot is popular with the urban masses in the historic center. While the suburbanites favor "SS Lazio" and it's eagle mascot.

Otherwise, you'll find things surprisingly similar, albeit with different names. The Italian "Barnes and Noble" is Feltrinelli, the "Safeway" is GS Di per Di, and the "Blockbusters" is perhaps the rather anti-climatic Hollywood.

Answer 3

yes

Answer 4

i didnt think it was expensive but that is because i went to cheap places and i didnt buy much....

Answer 5

It is only as expensive as you make it!

What sorts of things are included on your tour? Some companies offer breakfast and dinner... others just breakfast... and some no food at all.

My best suggestion to you is to ask your tour guide where to eat. They are going to be able to tell you where it is going to be inexpensive to eat. They are professionals and have been to Rome about a thousand times before, they know the best.

I'm looking into a future in tour directing and have been to rome on several occasions. It is only as expensive as you want it to be. You can generally find a good deal on food by eating at a lunch counter instead of at a sit down restaurant. These are places that are like little bars and they have a counter that is filled with great things to eat. It is really easy to order food here too because you know exactly what you are going to get. You just point and say "questo."  They are usually really reasonably priced. And remember that the wine is cheaper than the Coca Cola. My favorite is this place right between Piazza del Spagna (Spanish Steps) and Piazza del Popolo. They generally have two or three little tables out in the street. I don't remember what it was called, but they have gelato, antipasti, pastas, a full bar.  Oh, and remember a bar in Italy is different than one in America. The ones there are open early in the morning to serve pastries and coffee. Most italians will go to a bar for breakfast before they rush off to work. Bar is like an american Cafe.

Near Piazza Barberini is an outdoor market where you can find cheap souvenirs. You can find some great artwork and souvenirs can also be found at Piazza Navona. Piazza Trevi is good to visit and a great place to grab a gelato, but the stores seem to be pricier there. All Piazzas are marked on maps. The easiest way to get around is by following Via del Corso. It goes right through the middle of all the touristy areas.

Don't forget. Your tour director is there to help you answer all these questions and more. Use them as your best resource.

Good luck on your travels and find some great deals.

Buon viaggio!

Answer 6

depends on which restaurants you go to and which stores you decide to buy from...i dont think its all that expensive.

Answer 7

Watch out for unscrupulous taxi drivers. I was taken for a loop on this as were several people I know who visited Rome. Have your hotel arrange for an airport pick-up/return if at all possible. Other than that, I tended to find Roma no more expensive than other locales in Europe.

Answer 8

I just got back from there and it IS expensive. The euro conversion from $US is a killer. Even a canned Coke was hitting $4.00. But on the bright side that means the local wine is getting to be a bargain.

A few tips...

I know the seats in the small cafes look tempting but you get a better price when you remain standing at the counter.

Check the outside menus carefully....is service included? It can be upwards of 20% added to the bill.

Some of the prices are posted per 100 grams! I know for Americans that seems real strange but that's how it works in Italy. (ie...the fish is 6 euros......200 grams  would be 12 euros)

I would buy the single serve water flavors at home (Krogers have their own brand 10 for $2.50.) I would buy a large bottled water at the cafe for the family usually about 4 euros. I would then add the flavoring for the kids and it really his the spot. (PS the Kroger brand is colorless...Crystal light has color and is very noticeable in the bottle)

My hotel had a mini frig so I bought some meat and bread and my family had a little picnic in our room one night.

I thought I was pretty well prepared for the costs of Italy. However, I severely under estimated the cost of food. I wouldn't have been too bad with just two of us but a family of four really hurt to feed.

Answer 9

HI,, just returned a few months ago from there,,, sure its expensive if you want it to be.... food is great,, just check the cart out side for the menu on prices,,,, shops ,, depending on what you want.....

Most important> watch out for the pickpockets.... they are good and fast at their trade......... no kidding... I suggest Florence myself.. more to see and better shopping to me.......

good luck....