Rome after Dark
 

I'll be in Rome late next month with my wife and two teenage daughters. We'll be staying near the Pantheon, and plan to do lots of walking. With the shorter days of winter, I expect much of it will be done after dark, and for safety reasons, I am wondering if there are sections of the city we need to avoid once the sun goes down?

And on a more postive note, where are the truely magical places that get even better after dark? We would like to plan our walks so that we end up someplace special for dinner (Piazza Navona, Santa Maria in Trastevere, etc.), and then return to the hotel along a safe path.

Get a hold of Rick Steve's Rome book. He has a good night walk. Many people dislike him on this forum, but much of his simple, straight forward advice is "right on the money" for the first time visitor to Rome.

I've walked all over that city at night and never had any fear for my personal safety. Expect there might be some areas, but its doubtful a tourist would find themselves there. Around the main train station and just behind it looked kind of rough in spots.

Hmmmmmm. That sounds familiar. I just said that on the first post.

No one should ever leave Rome without seeing the Colloseum lit up at night. If you can plan to be at the top of Castel Sant'Angelo around the time the sun is setting, the view is quite delightful. Likewise the top of the Monument Vittorio Emanuelle will furnish a terrific view.

I have traveled to Rome alone several times, and have always felt safe walking about, & have never encountered any problems.

Buon Viaggio,
BC

We stayed at the Hotel Dorica between the train station and the fountain of Trevi and walked all the places mentioned above and felt safe day or night. I agree the train station felt uncomfortable, mostly because of all the polizia no the common folk.

Ann, sorry for the double posting. I forgot to indicate Italy as the topic the first time (I'm still new at this).

Anyway, thanks for the advice!

That's ok newesttraveler, I was just kidding. But, Rome is magnificent at night. I wouldn't even go to the Fountain of Trevi during the day. At night there are fewer people. Being lit up, it's so much better than during the day. If you haven't been to Rome before Rick Steves is excellent. He really takes you through sites and walks with a lot of information, but not too much. Then when you return to Rome, you'll have ideas of what else to do. I never felt in danger in Rome, just stay in areas that are well lit. The same as you would do in any other city.

Our family took a tour of Rome at Night and I think it was with Eden tours - they do a free tour in the forum and then hand out brochures for the rest of their offerings. The guides wear little tan bicycle caps and all speak English. The night tour was wonderful - you meet at Vittorio Emmanuelle and then walk for about 2-3 hours stopping at the monuments, churches, fountains, etc. The guides have good insights and a lot of anecdotal info you would never get from a book. Our boys were 13 and 15 when we went. The cost was reasonable and the group was quite small so there was a lot of interaction. We went to the church where Michelangelo was FIRST buried, trevi, capitoline museum, cat sanctuary, etc etc. I found it much easier to envision what had been with a verbal explanation than trying to read a guide book and figure out what each stone, etc was. see the colosseum at night as mentioned above - it is gorgeous.

As to your safety question, I found Rome to be wonderful at night. IMO I felt even safer than during the day, due in part to smaller crowds, no beggars or street hustlers, fewer people bumping into you, etc. I didn't feel particularly unsafe during the day, just more cautious. My wife and I even walked from the P. Repubblica back to our lodging near the Foro Imperiale along the Via Nazionale after arriving back in Rome from a bus tour to Pompeii. Let your instincts guide you, if it feels unsafe, don't do it. On the other hand, don't let your caution prevent you from having a good time. I will never forget our morning arrival at our convent lodging. If first appearances meant anything I would have told the taxi driver to keep on going. As it turned out, our 5 days in that neighborhood were spectacular. It was as if we became residents on that wonderful old funky alley. The sounds of meals being prepared, people laughing, kids playing, the piano playing that we could never locate,are memories that will never leave us.

We spent several evenings in the Piazza Navona and its surrounding areas. Lovely restaurants and interesting artists selling their work there. It is a gathering place by day or night. Found it to be safe and comfortable.

RE: Degas' quote on Rick Steeves..."Many people dislike him on this forum"

What ignorant, inappropriate presumption! Is there anyone here on fodors forum who ACTUALLY knows Rick Steeves? I've read many threads where travelers mention not liking Rick's travel style but I've NEVER read anyone say they knew him and, therefore, didn't like him.

I don't own any of Rick's books and his travel style is certainly not my travel style but anyone can easily see he's a smart, very successful businessman, a travel veteran, who knows his audience and has a sincere passion for travel. Who on this board can't find some appreciation and respect for that? Degas, before you arrogantly speak for others on this forum, try learning how to speak first.

As for safety in Rome, I've walked all areas of the city-center at all hours of the night without incident. My tripod is a Gitzo ($1000) and my camera and lenses are worth 20 G's. Surely your children are worth much more. I have a million dollar photographer's insurance policy which allows my body language and facial expression to express strength and confidence and a Black Belt in martial arts doesn't hurt. So far, I haven't had to use either in Rome. Gypsies used to be an issue in Rome, particularly near the Forum but, ever since the Jubilee Year, I've seen fewer and fewer. Aiming a simple can of Breath Spray (or lens air) in their face works wonders as a deterrent.

Rome is the seat of the Catholic Church and Romans don't take street crime lightly. I witnessed a pick-pocket steal a tourist's wallet while a Roman businessman ran after the thief. He not only retrieved the wallet but called the police from his cell phone and held the young man on the ground until the police arrived (within minutes). I remember thinking if anyone had tried that in NYC, chances are the hero would have come face to face with a bullet. Enjoy your stroll.

NYCFoodSnob, you are one funny yankee gal (or is it guy?). However, please direct your petty venom at another innocent target. I get enough wild, emotional nagging from the "little wife".

Go pick a fight with one of your many exs if you are bored, I'm in too good a mood today to give you the attention that you crave. I'm sure they are just dying to hear from a sweet person as yourself.

P.S - I got a big kick out of you saying I was ignorant and arrogant. Of course, you are an expert on those character traits.

Quack!

Rome is very special at night. However, not only will the sun be down earlier, but it will also be rather cool at night in Nov. Be sure to dress in layers. The fading light in the late afternoon is also magical.

Night walk: Start at Campo de Fiori, then go to Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and end at Piazza di Spagna.

Don't worry, the whole city is a huge tourist resort so the last thing the government wants is a tourist having problems at night.. come and enjoy yourself

My husband and I were in Rome last month and we never turned the lock on our apartment door earlier than 11 pm. We wandered down all sorts of Roman alleyways and always felt safe. I can hardly describe how beautiful and magical Rome is when the sun goes down. The Forum and Colleseum are almost surreal in the evening--do NOT miss!