Wandering round the narrow streets of Trastevere and the Jewish Ghetto we spotted so many small cars in Rome. I was amazed that the narrow cobbled streets that I’d assumed were pedestrianised actually had classic cars and motorbikes whizzing up and down them.
Small cars in Rome are the king of the road and the road-hogging people-carriers or SUVs are not welcome. They squeeze in to every small spot available outside the old apartment buildings.
Luckily my son knows his Fiat cinquecento from his Autobianchi and was out snapping on the streets while we were finishing our tiramisu in the restaurant one evening. Small cars in Italy are often prized, since the streets of old, historic towns and cities are so narrow.
Parking spaces are scarce and you may need to ‘kiss’ a few bumpers as you manoeuvre into a tight spot. In such circumstances, the locals expect a few dents and bumps, so it’s hardly worth splashing out on something big and expensive, only to get it scraped on the first outing.
Of course that’s not to say that classic cars like some of these aren’t admired.
I think they look great against the old terracotta buildings don’t you? – a touch of La Dolce Vita.
More things to do in Rome
A walk through the historic centre of Rome
St Peter’s Basilica in Rome – why do you touch St Peter’s foot?
This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com
Never miss an update! – Subscribe to receive our latest articles and newsletter
Michael Dotson
Wednesday 26th of September 2018
Thanks, Heather Cowper for Nice Posting ? I know from this article Italian People likes small cars. We reviewed Car Speakers for Car Lovers People
Auto Parts Manufacturers in India
Thursday 13th of March 2014
Really these cars are so nice and looking so wonderful. I never seen these type of cars in my life I wish I can take a ride any of these cars. I heard that in Rome there are narrow streets so I think these small cars are really helpful to take ride over there. Thank you so much for sharing this news with us.
Calgary chrysler
Saturday 4th of June 2011
The narrow streets of Rome and parts of Italy puzzles me. Did they build these on purpose so they could make small cars or vice versa?
Ristorante Alle Fratte di Trastevere - in Rome | Heather on her travels
Wednesday 1st of June 2011
[...] Related Posts Perdinci bacco wine bar near the Vatican – in Rome Chiesa Santa Maria in Trastevere – in Rome Rome, where the small car is king [...]
Used Hyundai Vancouver
Tuesday 10th of May 2011
With these kinds of roads, a subcompact car is really one of the most viable modes of transportation, second to motorbikes perhaps. I's a good thing that small cars can still pass through these roads in Rome. In some parts of Greece, you are most likely to bump walls even if you're driving a subcompact car because some roads there are much more constrained, and only motorcycles can freely navigate the nooks and crannies of the places.