Avoid These 12 Tourist Traps in Italy for an Authentic Experience

Italy is one of the world’s most outstanding destinations – there is no doubt about it. However, as with all well-loved tourist destinations, there will be all kinds of rip-offs and traps. When traveling, understand that every other tourist is trying to enjoy their destination while every other local is trying to make a living. It is up to you to recognize the traps and opt for authentic experiences to make your trip worthwhile.

You also must know that Italy has constantly been ranked among the countries with the highest pickpocketing and scamming cases. But this should not deter you from booking that Italian escape as it could be one of the best vacations you will ever have.

Just to be clear, we do not recommend skipping these iconic places entirely, especially if it is your first time in Italy. However, keeping these tourist traps in mind will help you stay safe, save money, and have reasonable expectations. We will also provide you with some tips on how to best enjoy these places if you decide to go.

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Trevi Fountain, Rome

Don’t get us wrong, the Trevi Fountain is one of the must-visits when in Rome. Whether you visit for the coin tossing tradition, to visually feast on the baroque art, or for a dose of its rich history, be prepared to meet crowds. Besides, the Trevi Fountain is free and accessible to everyone, which is a good and a bad thing.

Unless you’re racing to the fountain first thing in the morning, you’ll be pressed by crowds of tourists hoping to snap the ideal “It’s just me here” photo. Additionally, police officers are always keeping a close eye on the fountain and are rather irritated with the tourists’ antics. We get it; they have got to protect this architectural and historical masterpiece. Therefore, when in Rome, do what the Romans do and follow the rules, such as not dipping your feet into the fountain.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa, Pisa

You have traveled down to Pisa and taken photos holding the tower up, so what next? Nothing much, and that is Pisa for you. The Leaning Tower of Pisa is a campanile of the Pisa Cathedral known for its unintended tilt. While the Tower of Pisa is a historical monument in its own right, if you are looking for more depth than posing for a photo, you would rather explore the numerous other history-rich and breathtaking sites throughout Italy.

Besides, most people who pay to climb the tower wish they had just stayed on the ground and adopted the typical “Look, I’m holding it up!” pose. Additionally, many visiting people report finding the Pisa Cathedral more fascinating than the tower.

Gondola Rides, Venice

Undoubtedly, taking gondola rides is one beautiful way to explore the Venice canals. However, looking at the experience keenly, it is nothing short of cliche. There are few experiences as cheesy as sailing across the Venetian canals in a gondola with a captain dressed like the American stereotype of an Italian.

Besides, the gondola rides that last approximately 20 minutes are incredibly pricey. For a 20-30 minute ride, you will pay an upward of $80. If you want an even cheesier experience, you can pay more for the captain to serenade you.

There are no questions; a gondola ride is a great way to see the canals and take fantastic shots of Venice. However, know that the experience will be short-lived and very expensive.

A cheaper alternative is a traghetto ride. For a few euros, you get to cross the canal on what is essentially a shared gondola ride.

Restaurants and Cafes at Major Tourist Spots

Tourist Traps in Italy Restaurants and Cafes in Major Tourist Spots — © Catarina Belova / Shutterstock

Restaurants in and around major tourist spots are always designed to cater to tourists, which translates to high prices for substandard services. Italy has a very rich culinary scene, and therefore, when visiting, you want to eat where the locals eat.

Avoid any restaurants in areas like around the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, and the St. Mark’s Square in Venice. You also want to avoid restaurants with menus translated into many languages as they are supposed to cater to tourists.

For a more authentic experience, visit restaurants a few blocks from tourist spots. You also want to avoid Gelato trucks and find authentic gelaterias away from tourist hotspots.

Amalfi Coast

We all know it: the Amalfi Coast is one of the best coastal escapes anyone could ever take. The scenery is beautiful, the weather is excellent, and the beaches are outstanding. However, with so much deserved love and popularity, the Amalfi Coast is always crowded. And as you would have expected, the hotel and dining prices are astronomical since the area is overrun with tourists.

Since the service providers know that the Amalfi Coast has one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world, they charge high prices but offer below-par services.

If you decide to visit the Amalfi Coast, be prepared for crowds of tourists and crazy prices. If you are a budget traveler, consider touring the Amalfi Coast as a day trip from Naples or other nearby coastal towns.

Spanish Steps, Rome

Built between 1723 and 1725, the Rococo-style Spanish Steps are one of Rome’s most iconic tourist spots. The steep staircases connect the Piazza de Spagna to the church of Trinita dei Monti above. For a long time, they have been a popular photo spot in Rome. Exploring and gazing at the city from above the steps is a fascinating thing to do. Now, the overcrowding. From top to bottom, the steps are lined with street sellers pushing all kinds of inauthentic souvenirs in your face.

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Initially, before sitting on the Spanish Steps was banned, crowds of people were sitting all over, making one try to figure out the appeal of sitting under the scorching sun. To explore the iconic staircase, consider doing it early in the morning or even at night.

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Vatican City

Long queues and huge crowds are some of the few drawbacks of visiting Vatican City. We get it—the Vatican has some of the best museums in the world.

The museums attract a lot of people, making it nearly impossible to appreciate the architecture and art. When you visit in the summer peak season, be prepared for people walking back to back like sheep along the long halls of the Sistine Chapel.

You would think that tour groups would make it easy, but they only help with skipping the long queues. Once inside, the tours are rushed because everyone no longer wants to live in the moment but to escape the crowds and feel free again.

Juliet’s Balcony, Verona

Thousands of Juliet and Romeo’s fans flock to this balcony where these Shakespearean characters supposedly confess their undying love. The problem is this is just a balcony like any other since it is not linked to Shakespeare’s fictional characters, Romeo and Juliet. On this balcony is just a statue of Juliet, whose right breast tourists can caress for luck in love. Regardless, tourists flock there, leading to overcrowding, long lines, and overpriced souvenirs.

Moreover, the commercialization of the site diminishes its romantic appeal, turning it into a superficial tourist spectacle rather than a meaningful experience. To access the balcony for a photo, you have to pay only for you to stand there waiting for corny couples trying to reenact the scene from Shakespeare’s narrative. With Juliet’s Balcony, save your money and go elsewhere.

Murano Glass Factories, Venice

Known for glassmaking, Murano is one of the islands in the Venetian lagoon. When visiting Venice, many people take tours of the glass factories to learn about the glassmaking processes. We get it—Murano is known worldwide for glassware, but many of those glassmaking tours are an absolute rip-off.

While the trips lure visitors with promises of witnessing authentic glassmaking, that is not near to what many tourists experience. Once inside, tourists often encounter high-pressure sales tactics, inflated prices, and some offer inauthentic wares made in China marketed as handmade in Murano. The factory tours may lack depth, focusing more on sales than education. The surrounding area is also filled with shops selling similar items at marked-up prices.

Palazzo Vecchio, Florence

Palazzo Vecchio, the town hall of Florence, is one of the most iconic landmarks in Italy. Being world-famous, it is almost always packed with crowds of tourists worldwide. While it is full of artwork, one of the main reasons people visit is to see Michalengelo’s David sculpture.

Now, the original David sculpture is not in Palazzo Vecchio. If you want to see this iconic statue in Palazzo Vecchio, you would rather go to the Accademia Gallery of Florence, which hosts the original. If you are comfortable with the replica, consider also going to Piazzale Michelangelo, which holds the second replica.

Taking Photos With the Gladiators at the Colosseum

The Colosseum is one of the most iconic landmarks in the world today, and it is in no way a tourist trap by itself. It is the shady businesses that surround the historic gem that can be considered a tourist trap. Be careful of the costume-adorning gladiators or “Roman soldiers” who will approach you to take photos. Yes, they sound kind, and yes, they look great and would definitely make great, memorable photos.

Unfortunately, they are not upfront about wanting to be paid after this “service.” Only accept to pose with them if you are ready to part with a few euros. Just be sure to agree on a price before you snap the photos because after, they can ask for whatever amount they think they could get from you.

Piazza Navona, Rome

The impressive sculptures, fountains, majestic buildings surrounding it, and the history of this city square are some of the reasons behind its popularity. Unfortunately, Piazza Navona comes with all types of traps: crowds, pickpockets, scams, and low-quality foods.

While it is a beautiful site, it is even more magnificent at night when the buildings are lit up. To escape the crowds, consider swinging by the square at night.

If you insist on visiting the piazza during the day, do not buy anything there.