I've been a tour guide in Rome for 18 years. Here are my 7 best tips for navigating the crowds and maximizing your time.

This may seem counterintuitive because most of us are taught
"the early bird catches the worm" and believe that the earlier we go somewhere, the better our odds are of avoiding crowds.

However, this is not the case in Rome. So many people think the same thing, and many tour companies go hard on advertising their morning tours.

In my experience, food tours tend to be less popular between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. If you're planning to tour the Vatican Museums or Colosseum, consider a 2 p.m. tour or one closer to the evening.

However, there's an exception to the rule: It's often best to visit Rome's gorgeous fountains and piazzas early in the morning. The Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, and Piazza Navona are stunning and often virtually empty before 9 a.m.

Many tour companies and ticket resellers advertise that you can "skip the line" when you buy a tour or pass through their website.

For the most part, this means these companies can purchase time slots for entrances, which means you skip the main line.

However, at places like The Colosseum and Vatican Museums, you still have to go through security and wait in a separate line with other people who purchased their tickets in advance.

Please go easy on your guide if the line seems long. It could even be a good opportunity for them to share relevant information about the history of the place so you'll feel more oriented by the time you enter.

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.

Oftentimes, the more qualified, best guides are booked up weeks and months in advance. So, reserve your tours early.

I suggest looking for smaller group tours to make the most of your time in busy spots and choosing local companies for the best experience.

It's also a good idea to look into interest-specific tours led by experts, like historians, archeologists, or sommeliers.

Personally, I take food tours in every city I visit. They orient me to the culture and flavors of the place, and food guides often have the best recommendations.

In Rome, Casa Mia offers some incredible food and wine tours.

Many tourists feel underwhelmed or disappointed by the popular experience of visiting the Vatican Museums to admire Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel.

During high season, upward of 20,000 people can pour through the Sistine Chapel in a single day. Pushing through crowds of hot bodies while guards shout at you to move along and stop taking photos isn't very relaxing — and you may have few options to actually admire the art.

Fortunately, there are other ways you can appreciate the works of Michelangelo without the hoards of people crossing one more thing off their bucket list

Two easy-to-find Michelangelo masterpieces are The Tomb of Pope Julius II at San Pietro in Vincoli and The Risen Christ at the Basilica of Saint Mary of Minerva.

When possible, visit the Vatican Museums and Colosseum in the middle of the week.

In my experience, Saturday and Monday are the busiest days at the Vatican Museums, which are typically closed on Sundays. Sunday tends to be the most crowded day at the Colosseum.

If you're in Rome on a weekend, I suggest prioritizing visits to less popular museums and attractions. Fortunately, there are many other cultural sites in Rome that are worth your time.

I promise many travel influencers have been looking at the same few websites for the best spots in Rome for an Instagram photo or places to eat.

Plus, most aren't privy to local gems and may be paid (or given free meals) in exchange for promoting certain places. They might not be sharing their actual favorite picks — and, if they have a big following, their recommendations can get popular and difficult to get reservations to.

Instead, follow and subscribe to locals for up-to-date information and more thorough suggestions. Some of my favorite resources include The New Roman Times by local Laura Itzkowitz and Understanding Rome by Rome guide Agnes Crawford.

I also like the Romewise Instagram account, which is run by a woman who's lived here for decades.