What paper map would you recommend for Rome?
 

We plan on doing lots of walking around the city and would appreciate some recommendations. Thanks.

It depends on what level of detail you want. If you want to be able to read each and every street name and bus route then you'll need one that's quite detailed.

I used to like that level of detail, but can now get it on my mobile phone. These days I like a simpler map that shows only main roads, location of key sights, etc. Those you can pick up at any tabac or gift shop in Rome.

The best i have found, and i have one for almost every city i visit, come from Falk Verlag.
They are also available in Rome, i remember i bought one from Feltrinelli...

I swear by the Knopf Map Books. I've got the Rome, Paris, NYC and San Francisco editions.

What I love about them is there relatively small books, I can fit in the outside pocket of my purse or in my coat pocket. There are maybe 10-12 fold-out pages of specific neighborhoods. This way when I need to look at a map I'm not tangling with an unwieldy large paper map, just pull out my book unfold the page (it folds out to about 8.5x11) and consult the map. They are available at Amazon and I've also found them in my local Barnes & Noble.

I too like the map books. In the UK they are Everyman CityMap Guides and I have about a dozen. They are also great for using after your trip, following Brunetti around Venice or Nick Costa around Rome.

We really liked the laminated, folded Streetwise Rome. Available through Amazon. Served us well.

I also like the laminated maps rather than paper maps and use Streetwise. The laminated maps don't tear as easily as paper and can be used to sit on when you're sitting on cold marble or benches - keeps the cold away from your body.

I have an old Hallwag map of Rome which I love. I remember using it more in my room for planning as unfolded it's large. Still, a great map.

The absolute best paper map is the Rough Guide Map of Rome. It's a plastic waterproof map pinpointing sights, shops, restaurants & bars, bus lines with all stops, rail and Metro lines and even Taxi kiosks. It's available at most book stores for about $7.50.

I found the A4 sized tourist map provided free of charge by your hotel or I would imagine by the Tourist Bureau useful. Not for obscure streets but certainly for sightseeing directions.

MUNICIPAL TOURIST INFORMATION BOOTHS
Open from Tuesday to Saturday, 10am - 6pm and Sunday until 1

Largo Goldoni
Phone:+39 06 6875027

Largo Corrado Ricci (near Colosseum)
Phone:+39 06 6780992

Via Nazionale (Esposizioni Palace)
Phone:+39 06 4746262

EPT - TOURIST INFORMATION
Via Parigi 5, Phone: 06/4889-9253
Open weekdays 8:15-7:15, Saturday 8:15-1:15.

EPT - TOURIST INFORMATION
Office at Termini Station (near Track 4)

EPT - TOURIST INFORMATION
Office at at Leonardo da Vinci Airport

Wait! No one likes the Tutte le Strade map books for Rome? I'm on my second one, and if I lose this one, I'll get another if I'm lucky enough to be in Rome again.

It's sort of like an A to Z for London. I also have a Plan de Paris par Arrondisement (sp).

We really like to explore in depth, and find these small map books to be indispensable for us. You can get the Tutte le Strade at a lot of places these days, but Feltrinelli has them.

I don't have a Smart phone.

tuscan, good to know about it, but sounds grat should I get back to Rome. Paris par arr. is my favorite for Paris.

Lots of great suggestions! Thanks to all.

Pat, I second Streetwise. The level of detail these can provide in such a small, easy to maneuver, format always amazes me, and I purchase at least one for any city we visit. No batting pages or fold-outs, and I know of only one instance in at least five cities visited/map used where a street we needed was not indexed. Since we tend to search out places on foot, that says something.

I guess the other thing I like about them is that since the map is relatively small, one can always get one's bearings--if you know where you are and where you want to go, you can get the instant feel of geographical relationship.

And I agree with an above poster or two that a free hotel map can be darn good. Nice thing about those is that you can scribble away on them as needed.

We love the Streetwise maps for so many reasons. They are compact, easy to fold, waterproof, easy to read, durable, sufficiently detailed and, as noted above, are good to use as a seat "cushion" when sitting on wet or cold surfaces.

I have used Streetwise maps in other cities and liked them.

Suggestion ...... You can better protect a paper map w/ scotch tape. Years ago after learning the 'trick' of taping edges of a paper map, I now always travel with tape.
It gives map more strength and helps avoid tears. When first arrive in a city, pick up paper map from your hotel or tourist office, tape the edges along w/ a few strips on back (or along creates) and voila, you've created a basic version of a laminate map.

Nice hint, JBX!