What Is The Currency In Rome? 11 Perfect Tips

If you’re typing “what is the currency in Rome?” because you’re planning a trip, here’s the quick truth: Rome uses the euro (EUR, €)—the same as the rest of Italy and most of the European Union. Italy adopted the euro in 1999 (non-cash) and switched to euro notes and coins in 2002; the old lira was fixed at €1 = 1,936.27 ITL. You can read the official details here: European Commission – Italy and the euro.

Euro basics you’ll actually use

Before we go deeper into cards, fees, and exchange rates, let’s anchor the essentials.

Symbol & code: € and EUR
Common coins: 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, €1, €2
Common notes: €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200 (small notes are most useful for cafés and kiosks)
Security features: watermarks, holograms, raised print—see the European Central Bank’s euro banknotes overview if you’re curious.

Mini-tip: Keep a few €1/€2 coins for small purchases, buskers, church candles, or public restrooms. Many places accept cards, but coins are still handy.

“what is the currency in rome?”—the 10 most useful traveler tips

Use these to avoid fees and confusion on your Rome vacation:

Always pay in euros (EUR) when a card terminal offers to charge you in your home currency. That “helpful” conversion (DCC) usually adds a hidden markup.
Cards work widely (Visa & Mastercard). Hotels, museums, trains, and most restaurants accept them.
American Express works in many mid- to high-end places, but acceptance is less universal than Visa/Mastercard—carry a backup card.
Tap to pay (contactless) is normal. Your phone/watch wallet (Apple Pay/Google Pay) is fine almost everywhere that accepts cards.
ATMs = “Bancomat” in Italy. Use bank-branded ATMs (in-branch) instead of stand-alone exchange kiosks with high fees.
Exchange rate reality: Your bank sets it (often near market rates). Cards with 0% foreign transaction fees save money.
Cash or card? Both. Cards for hotels, tickets, and most meals; small cash for markets, tiny cafés, some taxis, and tipping jars.
Receipts & “coperto”: Many restaurants add a small cover charge. It’s normal—just check the menu footer.
Split bills: Some terminals allow it; otherwise ask politely (“Possiamo dividere il conto?”).
Keep one debit card separate from your wallet as a backup, just in case.

How exchange rates really affect you (without math headaches)

When you ask “what is the currency in Rome?”, the next question is how the exchange rate hits your budget.

Live rates move daily. Focus on your card’s actual rate + any foreign transaction fee (often 0%–3%).
ATMs vs. currency booths: Bank ATMs usually beat exchange counters. Decline any “Do you want to convert to USD/GBP?” prompts.
Cash withdrawals: Your home bank may charge a flat ATM fee; taking fewer, larger withdrawals is usually cheaper than many small ones.

Pro move: Carry two cards from different networks (e.g., one Visa, one Mastercard; American Express as a third if you already have it). If a terminal rejects one, you’re covered.

Paying in real life: cafés, taxis, museums, markets

Let’s map money use to typical Rome moments so you don’t have to guess.

Morning coffee: Pay al banco (standing) with coins or contactless; sitting costs a bit more (table service).
Restaurants: Most accept cards; tip by rounding up or leaving small coins—service is usually included.
Taxis & rides: Official taxis increasingly accept cards, but ask before you start. Apps and ride-hailing simplify card payments.
Museums & attractions: Online booking with cards is standard.
Street markets & small shops: Many take cards via mobile readers; cash still speeds things up.

ATMs, fees, and avoiding tourist traps

Look for bank names (UniCredit, Intesa Sanpaolo, BNL, etc.) and use ATMs attached to branches.
Avoid Euronet-style or kiosk machines with aggressive prompts and poor rates.
No need to pre-exchange lots of cash at home; you’ll often get a better net rate by withdrawing euros in Rome.
Set a travel alert in your bank app to prevent security blocks.

Coins, notes, and how to recognize the real thing

If you like to be prepared, you’ll enjoy skimming the ECB’s visual guide to euro banknotes—watermarks, holograms, and raised print are easy to spot. That’s here: European Central Bank – euro banknotes.

Everyday tip: Keep small notes (€5/€10) in front and stash larger ones deeper. Some kiosks and buses are picky with big bills.

“Ancient Rome” vs. today’s Rome (because the word “lira” pops up)

You’ll still hear stories about the lira or see vintage coins at markets. That’s history now. In ancient Rome, people used denarii, sestertii, and aurei—fascinating for museums, irrelevant for your wallet. Today, the answer to “what is the currency in Rome?” is simply the euro.

Card strategy by traveler type

Budget traveler:

One no-FX-fee debit card for ATM cash, one no-FX-fee credit card for daily spend.
Withdraw €100–€200 at a bank ATM; use card elsewhere.

Family on a mid-range trip:

Two main cards (Visa + Mastercard), with American Express as extra if you already carry it.
Use contactless for speed; keep €30–€50 in small notes for gelato, taxis, and vending machines.

Business or luxury traveler:

Bring your AmEx for hotel perks, plus a Visa/Mastercard backup.
Ask to charge in EUR at checkout to avoid poor DCC rates.

How to check prices without memorizing exchange rates

Save your home currency & EUR in your calculator app for quick mental math (e.g., €50 ≈ $X/£Y).
Card notifications: enable instant push alerts so you see the exact EUR amount and the converted total from your bank.
Receipts: keep or photograph receipts for bigger purchases; if you’re non-EU and doing VAT refunds, the paperwork will ask for them.

Safety & common-sense money etiquette

Zippers and money belts: Rome is crowded—treat it like any big city.
ATMs inside bank lobbies are best late at night.
Don’t flash cash when counting money; step aside and pocket your notes first.
Small change ≠ small courtesy: a few coins for good service goes a long way.

Short story: “Our card failed—now what?”

Jess and Marco arrived for dinner in Trastevere. Their American Express card failed (terminal issue). No panic: Jess had a Visa backup, Marco had €30 in cash. Bill paid, gelato secured, no drama. Lesson learned—and why the answer to “what is the currency in Rome?” also includes which card you’ll rely on.

Quick checklist you can screenshot

Currency: euro (EUR, €)
Cash: carry €20–€50 in small notes/coins
Cards: Visa/Mastercard everywhere; American Express often, but not always
ATM: use bank branches; decline DCC
Pay in EUR: always choose “charge in euro” on terminals
Receipts: keep for big buys or VAT refunds
Backup: a second card + a little spare cash

FAQ

What is the currency in rome?

Euro (EUR, €). Italy adopted it in 1999 (book money) and in 2002 (cash); lira conversion rate €1 = 1,936.27 ITL

Is it better to bring dollars/pounds or withdraw in Rome?

Withdraw euros in Rome at bank ATMs and pay by card. Avoid exchange kiosks and DCC.

Do I need a PIN for credit cards?

Europe runs on chip-and-PIN; many US cards are chip-and-signature but often still work. Know your PIN if possible.

Are euro banknotes easy to recognize?

Yes—watermarks, holograms, and raised print make them clear. See the ECB’s banknote guide for visuals.

Can I pay with US dollars or pounds in Rome?

Generally no. Outside rare tourist shops, prices are in euros. Pay by card or convert your cash to EUR.

Do I need cash if cards are accepted?

Yes—but not much. €20–€50 usually covers small buys, markets, or tips; use cards for everything else.

Is American Express widely accepted?

Sometimes—especially in hotels, upscale dining, and brand stores. In tiny cafés or family trattorie, Visa/Mastercard may be safer.

Wrap-up

What is the currency in Rome? The euro (EUR, €). Pay in EUR, use cards widely (Visa/Mastercard; American Express sometimes), withdraw cash at bank ATMs, and decline DCC to avoid hidden markups. For the official adoption timeline and the old lira conversion, see the European Commission site; for note features and denominations, see the ECB.

What is the currency in rome? Your simple, practical money guide