A first hand-guide to solo travel in the Eternal City: hostels, meeting people and free activities.

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A year ago, I packed a 32-kilogram backpack and set off for Italy. It was a disaster of a packing job, but this decision changed the way I see travelling. My first stop, and my first solo trip to Rome, was the obvious one: the Eternal City.

As a solo traveller, I was very nervous about being completely on my own. After all, for me solo travelling didn’t just mean wandering around the city with headphones on. It’s about the connections and the experiences you get to live outside of your comfort zone.

In my case, my stay in Rome lasted a month, so just imagine how scared I was. Maybe for you it’s a week, or just a few days in the city. It doesn’t matter how long you stay, it matters how special you make each moment.

I don’t have the magic formula to make your solo travelling experience perfect, but I can share the secrets of my own, in the hope of helping you with yours.

Short answer: yes. Rome is a big, busy capital, and like any big city it asks for a bit of common sense, but I never felt unsafe walking around on my own, even at night in the central and lively areas. The main thing to watch is pickpocketing on crowded buses, around the metro and near the busiest monuments, so keep your bag closed and your phone somewhere secure. If you’re travelling solo as a woman, the usual precautions apply, but the historic centre, Monti, Trastevere and Prati are all comfortable areas to base yourself and move around in. Stick to well-lit streets at night, trust your instincts, and you’ll be fine.

When I was planning my trip, I knew I wanted to experience the city in a fun way: making friends and doing more than just the traditional tours.

Coming to Rome was my first time ever in a , but I’m glad I gave it a chance. A shared room in a hostel is one of the most culturally rich places you’ll ever walk into, and you leave with all the memories that come after a simple “Where are you from?”.

Hostels are truly a cheat code for friendship.

I stayed in one for a whole month as a volunteer, an arrangement where you help out a few hours a day in exchange for a bed, and I got to meet people from all over the world. We explored the city, visited an actual , dipped our toes into and even celebrated a traditional Cinco de Mayo party, piñata included.

There’s no match for the hostel feeling: everyone there is open to meeting people and having fun.

There are plenty of hostels in the city, so you can find one that matches your needs. Maybe you’re after a calm vibe, or maybe you want more of a party place: there’s one for every traveller.

And don’t worry if a shared dorm isn’t your style. Many hostels welcome non-guests to their evenings and events, so feel free to pop by and meet other travellers like yourself.

Beyond hostels, you’ll come across plenty of activities where you can meet people and learn something new.

The Eternal City has a lot to offer, from the classic sightseeing tours to unique experiences like . Whatever you’re into, there’s always something to do. From to sketching in front of the Colosseum, you can find your tribe here.

During my stay, I stumbled upon a philosophy and literature club held in Spanish and open to anyone. We spent three hours talking about books at a bar in . Needless to say, it was the best hour I’ve had!

While tours and museums often require a ticket, many cultural activities around the city are free, like the outdoor cinema in summer. Even now that I live here, whenever I’m out of ideas I check Romeing’s activities calendar to stay updated on and other happenings.

Solo travelling, or travelling in general, is more than just seeing a place and taking good pictures. Even if only for a few days, it can lead you to experiences you never imagined and to people from across the globe you’d never have met otherwise.

Rome is beautiful, loud, chaotic and full of life. My biggest tip? Be open, lose the headphones, and don’t be afraid to start a conversation. You’ll find that Rome has a way of bringing people together.

See you around Rome!

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