Must-Have Apps for Tourists in Rome

If you want to navigate Rome like a local, here is a list of the must-have apps for tourists to make your Roman experience more convenient and exciting. Using your phone will allow you to have all the answers to your questions right in your pocket.

All these apps are available both for iOS and Android

City Tour of Rome: Audio Guide App

Inside Rome Audio Guide App, you can explore over 130 attractions in Rome on this self-guided sightseeing tour, all in a cool new mobile app! Get full audio commentary, offline digital maps, walking routes, suggested bus and tram routes…even tips for the best photo spots! The price is only 9,5 euros, so why not try it?

That app is also included in The Vatican City Pass or Rome Tourist card package, which you can order online:

Roma Meteo

Roma Meteo – is the best weather app that shows an accurate forecast for Rome. The application is designed specifically for the Romans, but it will also be helpful for tourists to plan their holidays.

The application has a unique feature in the Premium version – a forecast for any day of the year based on historical data. Moreover, a monthly subscription costs only 2 euros/dollars, equivalent to one cup of coffee.

Download for free:

The Fork

The Fork is the leading online restaurant discovery & reservation platform in Europe. It allows you to find a restaurant quickly based on your preferences, check availability in real-time, book a table in a few seconds, and instantly confirm 24 hours a day. Customer choice is guided by reviews left by other community members and filters on items such as area, cuisine or restaurant type, or average price.

MedinAction

MedinAction is revolutionizing health care in Rome: you can access English-speaking medical services 24/7 from your smartphone. You can book a visit to a doctor or chat for free with a doctor about your symptoms through the app. Moreover, MedinAction collaborates with many hospitals, clinics, and insurance companies. This is one of the essential apps for tourists in Rome!

• Read about pharmacies and first aid in Rome

JUMP – by Uber

JUMP – by Uber makes renting a bike or scooter easy and affordable. Their dockless system makes it easy to find a ride, unlock it, and go. You have to open the JUMP app and create an account or log in with your Uber password if you have an Uber account. JUMP bikes feature an electric motor that boosts riders and helps make biking more enjoyable for people of multiple skill levels.

Duolingo

Yes, Duolingo is one of the most famous apps in the world. Why? Because it allows you to learn at least the basic language level, trust me, in Italy, it is mandatory. Many Italians do not speak English, and they all appreciate it when foreigners speak their language. Thus, Duolingo can help you a lot during your stay in Italy. My advice is to learn the basics of the beautiful Italian language before moving to Italy.

• Moreover, it would help to read a couple of books about Rome before traveling to this historically rich city. You will feel much more comfortable and confident with at least basic knowledge of history.

Moovit

Moovit offers a real-time journey planner mobile and web app to navigate public transit networks with GPS navigation across transit modes, including buses, ferries, rapid transit (metro/subway/underground, etc.), trains, trams, trolleybuses, ride-hailing, shared bicycle, car sharing, and scooters. Users can access a live map, view nearby stops and stations based on their current GPS location, and plan trips across transportation modes based on real-time data.

Probus Rome: Live Bus & Routes

Public transport is one of the biggest mysteries of the Eternal City. Unfortunately, it is an infrequent occasion that buses come on time. However, Probus Rome helps a lot since this app shows you real-time information on public transport. Moreover, you’ll be able to find the best routes to your destination’s respective waiting times.

• Read about the cost of living in Rome

Free Now

Free Now is the most convenient app to book a taxi. There are many taxi stands in Rome, but the price will not be much different by ordering via this app. Moreover, Free Now often gives discounts and offers various promotions. Therefore, this app will be helpful if you stay in Rome for a long time. However, do not book Uber since prices are much higher than the Free Now app.

• Use a taxi calculator to know the price for your trip

Maps.me

Maps.me is also one of the most famous apps globally. It is convenient and allows using the map of Rome offline. Even though most Roman main points of interest are located not far from each other, sometimes you will need to use maps.

• Here you can find the best route to visit the 30 main attractions of Rome

Rome Metro Map

Rome Metro Map works offline and allows you to choose the best route to quickly reach a destination you need. Moreover, it has a convenient and straightforward interface. If you live nearby the metro station during your stay in Rome, this app will be helpful for you.

The plan in Rome is to extend Line C to Piazza Venezia and the Colosseum. Unfortunately, nowadays, the Roman subway misses much of the city center and has limited coverage. Therefore, although using the Metro is a fast way to reach the point you need, it is not the most convenient type of public transportation in Rome, especially if your main aim is the historical center of the Eternal City.

The Underground system is frequently crowded, but still it is one of the cheapest and fastest ways to reach most points of the city

Google Translate

Google Translate is one of the most used and useful apps on my smartphone and one of the must-have apps for tourists in Rome. If you find any words in Italian that you need to translate, this app manages the task brilliantly most of the time. Moreover, it is getting better from year to year to use the Google Translate app for translations from any language.

MyCicero

MyCicero does not have the most developed interface, but it is quite a helpful app for tourists in Rome. When you are in the Eternal City, you will need tickets to use public transport. In MyCicero, you can buy and store your tickets directly on the app. Then, when needed, open it up and validate your ticket. There are several types of tickets: 90 min, 24 hours, 72 hours, and a month pass. Of course, you need to have an Internet connection to use this app.

Deliveroo

Deliveroo provides the delivery service as well as marketing and order taking, allowing it to provide food from restaurants that do not typically offer a delivery service. As a result, the variety of restaurants is impressive, delivery prices are low, and food quality is always at the highest level.

Author: Kate Zusmann

I have lived in the Eternal City for the past 12 years. They say every angle of Rome has its history, and I'm here to tell you about the most intriguing historical facts and city legends. :)