Rome

Setup#

On first use, read setup.md for integration guidelines.

When to Use#

User asks about Rome or Italy for any purpose: visiting, relocating, working remotely, studying, retiring, or starting a business. Agent provides practical guidance with current data.

Architecture#

Memory lives in ~/.rome/. See memory-template.md for structure.

text

~/.rome/
└── memory.md     # User context and preferences

Quick Reference#

TopicFileVisitorsAttractions (must-see vs skip)visitor-attractions.mdItineraries (1/3/7 days)visitor-itineraries.mdWhere to stayvisitor-lodging.mdTips & day tripsvisitor-tips.mdNeighborhoodsQuick comparisonneighborhoods-index.mdHistoric Center (Centro Storico, Trastevere, Campo de' Fiori)neighborhoods-historic.mdTrendy & Creative (San Lorenzo, Pigneto, Ostiense)neighborhoods-trendy.mdUpscale (Parioli, Prati, Aventino)neighborhoods-upscale.mdResidential (Testaccio, San Giovanni, Monteverde)neighborhoods-residential.mdOuter & Suburbs (EUR, Garbatella, Ostia)neighborhoods-outer.mdChoosing guideneighborhoods-choosing.mdFoodOverview & dining scenefood-overview.mdRoman cuisine essentialsfood-roman.mdTraditional Roman dishesfood-local.mdInternational cuisinefood-international.mdPizza & street foodfood-pizza.mdCoffee & aperitivo culturefood-coffee.mdBest areas for diningfood-areas.mdPractical (tipping, hours, reservations)food-practical.mdPracticalMoving & settlingresident.mdTransport (metro, buses, trams)transport.mdCost of livingcost.mdSafety & lawssafety.mdWeather & seasonal tipsclimate.mdLocal services (codice fiscale, healthcare, SIM)local.mdCareerTech scene & remote worktech.mdBusiness setup & freelancingbusiness.mdVisas (Elective Residence, Digital Nomad, EU)visas.mdStartups & innovationstartup.mdLifestyleCulture & customsculture.mdHealthcare (SSN)healthcare.mdSchools & universitieseducation.mdExpat lifestyle & sociallifestyle.mdDriving & car ownershipdriving.mdParks, beaches & outdoorsoutdoors.md

Core Rules#

1. Identify User Context First#

• Role: Tourist, expat, digital nomad, student, retiree, entrepreneur
• Timeline: Short visit, planning to move, already there
• Load relevant auxiliary file for details

2. The Eternal City Reality#

Rome is not a modern efficient city — it's a living museum with ancient infrastructure:

• Bureaucracy: Italian bureaucracy is legendary. Patience required.
• Pace: Things move slowly. "Piano piano" (slowly, slowly) is the motto.
• Chaos: Traffic, noise, crowds are constant. Embrace it.
• Beauty: 3,000 years of history at every corner. Worth the chaos. See culture.md for detailed guidance.

3. Visa & Residency Options#

Key pathways for non-EU citizens:

• Elective Residence Visa: Passive income route (no work permitted)
• Digital Nomad Visa: New in 2024, remote workers
• Student Visa: Universities and language schools
• Self-Employment Visa: Freelancers and entrepreneurs
• EU Citizens: Free movement, just register with comune See visas.md for current requirements and processes.

4. Weather Reality#

• Mediterranean climate: Hot dry summers, mild wet winters
• Best seasons: Spring (Apr-May) and Fall (Sep-Oct) — 18-25C, fewer tourists
• Summer (Jun-Aug): Very hot (35C+), extremely crowded, locals flee
• Winter (Dec-Feb): Mild (8-15C), rainy, but Rome is beautiful
• August: Many businesses close. Romans leave for Ferragosto. See climate.md for monthly breakdown.

5. Current Data (Feb 2026)#

ItemRange1BR rent (center)EUR 1,200-1,800/month1BR rent (periphery)EUR 700-1,000/monthAverage salaryEUR 1,500-2,000/month netSenior developer salaryEUR 2,500-4,000/month netMetro single ticketEUR 1.5024h transport passEUR 7.00Espresso at barEUR 1.20-1.50Pizza al taglio sliceEUR 2.50-4.00Restaurant mealEUR 15-25

6. Cost Reality#

Rome is moderate by Western European standards:

• Housing: Expensive in center, reasonable in outer neighborhoods
• Food: Eating out affordable, groceries reasonable
• Transport: Excellent public transit, cheap
• Healthcare: Public (SSN) is free/cheap for residents
• Hidden costs: Bureaucracy fees, furniture (unfurnished common), utilities

7. Transit Excellence#

Rome has good public transport despite the chaos:

• Metro: 3 lines (A, B, C), covers main areas
• Buses: Extensive ATAC network, can be chaotic
• Trams: Several lines, scenic
• Regional trains: To Ostia beach, Fiumicino, suburbs
• Walking: Historic center is very walkable See transport.md for complete guide.

8. Neighborhood Matching#

ProfileBest AreasFirst-time visitorCentro Storico, TrastevereBudget travelerTermini area, San LorenzoExpat familiesParioli, Monteverde, EURDigital nomadsTrastevere, Testaccio, PignetoStudentsSan Lorenzo, Pigneto, GarbatellaRetireesPrati, Aventino, TrastevereShort-term luxuryCampo de' Fiori, Piazza Navona area

The Rome Experience#

Understanding Rome requires accepting its contradictions:

• Ancient + Modern: 3,000 years coexist, often uneasily
• Beautiful + Chaotic: Stunning beauty amid traffic and crowds
• Frustrating + Rewarding: Bureaucracy is painful, dolce vita is real
• Touristy + Authentic: Both exist, sometimes in same street

The city rewards patience and curiosity. Don't try to "optimize" Rome — experience it.

Rome-Specific Traps#

• August shutdown — Half the city closes for Ferragosto. Plan around it.
• Termini area hotels — Convenient but sketchy at night. Not the best area.
• Restaurant tourist menus — Fixed price "menu turistico" is usually bad. Avoid.
• Gladiator photos — They'll demand money. Don't engage.
• Taxi scams — Use official white taxis only, insist on meter.
• Pickpockets — Crowded metro, tourist sites. Keep valuables secure.
• Siesta hours — Many shops close 13:00-16:00. Adapt.
• Sunday closures — Many things closed, especially outside center.
• Fountains are drinking water — The "nasoni" — use them!
• Dress codes at churches — Covered shoulders and knees required.

Legal Awareness#

Key laws visitors/residents must know:

• Drinking: Legal at 18. Public drinking generally tolerated in piazzas.
• Smoking: Banned in enclosed public spaces, some outdoor areas.
• Monuments: Sitting on Spanish Steps is fined. Don't eat at fountains.
• Driving ZTL: Limited traffic zones — big fines if you enter without permit.
• Cannabis: Decriminalized for small amounts, but still illegal.
• Tax residency: 183+ days = tax resident. 7% flat tax for retirees available.
• Receipts: Businesses must give receipts; you can be fined for not taking one.

See safety.md for comprehensive legal guidance.

The Housing Reality (2026)#

Housing in Rome:

• Center: Expensive, often old buildings, character but issues
• Semi-center: Better value, good transport links
• Outer areas: Most affordable, requires car or long commute
• Furnished vs unfurnished: Unfurnished very common (you buy everything)
• Contracts: Typically 4+4 year standard contracts
• Deposits: Usually 2-3 months rent
• Competition: Good apartments go fast, especially near center

Language#

• Italian essential: Less English than Northern Europe
• Romanesco: Local dialect, colorful expressions
• Gestures: Italians communicate with hands — learn them
• Bureaucracy in Italian: Almost always, bring translator if needed
• Learning Italian: Greatly improves quality of life and integration
• English improving: Younger generation, tourist areas, but don't assume

Related Skills#

Install with clawhub install <slug> if user confirms:

• dubai — Expat destination comparison
• travel — General travel planning
• work — Career and remote work guidance

Feedback#

• If useful: clawhub star rome
• Stay updated: clawhub sync