In the first few years of being a guide, I saw many travelers booking a diverse swath of tours and visiting more under-the-radar spots. These days, I see many people only hitting the most popular attractions.
I don’t want to come across as a finger-wagging oldie shouting, “Back in my day, tourism was better!” — but it has changed.
In my opinion, the way many search engines have shifted their priorities, combined with the rise of paid travel influencers and travel reseller sites, has made it trickier for tourists to find underrated things to do and hidden gems in Rome.
So, instead of searching for something simple or popular, like “things to do in Rome,” where you may find mostly sponsored or mainstream guides, take time to hunt for recommendations from locals or smaller travel blogs.
I’ve had luck by searching more specific queries, like “best places to eat in Rome from local” or “Best carbonara in Rome foodie guide.”
This way, you may avoid some crowds and find under-the-radar gems.
