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10 Free Things to do in Rome

Italy is known as being one of the most affordable European countries to travel to, provided you stay inland and avoid the coasts. Cost of living in Rome and Milan are not unreasonable when compared to places like London or Â鶹APP.

So a lot of travelers come to Rome on a budget. And there are a handful of great things to do that will cost absolutely niente.

1. Observe the Trevi Fountain Madness in Rome

The Trevi Fountain is free to visit and is open access the way any public piazza in Rome is. You’ll pass right by it if you take a guided walking tour in the city center; you just might not see it through the hoards of people.

This fountain is a place of madness; everyone wants their two minutes at the waters edge to toss their coin backwards and wish for their luck. I would say join them, but if sparing some change is too much of a reach into the budget you can simply observe everyone else doing it.

by Jeff Ackley –

2. Visit the Pantheon in Rome

The Pantheon is one of the most beautiful buildings in Rome and you’ll know it by the grand dome that crowns it on the city skyline. It’s a former temple that is now used as a church.

Entry into the Pantheon is free to all. Some don’t see the hype of the dome until they’ve been inside; the center is actually a giant skylight and depending on the time of day, light will stream in at all angels. It’s beautiful to witness.

The Pantheon – by Christopher Czermak –

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Monday to SundayÌý — 8:30am to 7:15pm

Address: Piazza della Rotonda, 00186 Roma RM, Italy

Metro Station: Colosseo

3. Visit a Free Museum in Rome

Usually you have to pay to get into Rome’s many museums. If you’re lucky enough to be in the city on the first Sunday of the month then you can take advantage of free admission into a handful of them.

Over 25 museums, galleries and archaeological sites have joined in on the first Sunday fun and opened their doors to the public. Included amongst them are the Roman National Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, the Roman Forum and the Colosseum!

No pre-registration is required. Simply show up and enjoy!

4. Visit the Vatican in Rome

If you’re in Rome on a budget it’s unlikely that the Vatican made it onto the list; prices are on the expensive side.

Thankfully, the Vatican has adopted a free day of the month themselves, and it takes place on the last Sunday as opposed to the first like the museums.

I will warn you, it’s almost a bloodbath to get in. People queue from the early morning and do so for hours just to get their chance to enter this illusive place. You’ll need comfortable shoes, sunblock (or an umbrella) and stamina… a lot of it.

The Vatican Museum – by Berto Macario –

5. Take a Photograph on the Spanish Steps in Rome

The Spanish Steps have become an icon of their own in Rome, connecting the district of Monti to the Piazza di Spagna up the hill.

It’s a typical tourist tradition to take a photograph on these steps; and it won’t cost you a cent to do so.

The Spanish Steps are a great spot to sit and people watch for a few minutes, basking in the glory that is Rome. They can also be visited during a guided walking tour between the districts that they connect, the choice is yours.

The Spanish Steps – by Rachael Smith –

6. Explore Villa Borghese in Rome

Travelers on a budget tend to frequent public parks and squares. They are vibrant, social spaces where communities come together, and in Europe there is usually no charge to use these facilities.

The Villa Borghese is a beautifully landscaped park in the north of the city. The park itself holds a number of historic monuments and museums, scattered across vast green lawns and a big lake.

Roaming, lazing, jogging and enjoying the grounds is absolutely free. Villa Borghese also doesn’t close and can be found filled with life late into the evening with groups of picnickers and stargazers.

Villa Borghese – by Leo Nordén –

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: 24 Hours

Address: Piazzale Napoleone I, 00197 Roma RM, Italy

Metro Station: Flaminio

7. Wander the Streets of the Best Neighborhoods in Rome

Roaming in Rome (ha!) won’t cost you a cent. Public transport is not necessary in this city, and exploring by foot is one of the best ways to be fully submerged in the culture and street life.

Rome’s best neighborhoods to explore by foot include Monti, the Trastevere, Trevi, Prati, Monteverde and the Vatican (on the last Sunday of the month, remember!).

Rome – by Jordan Rowland –

8. Light a Candle in St Peter’s Basilica in Rome

If you aren’t lucky enough to be in Rome over the month’s last Sunday, thus forcing you to pay the Vatican entry fees or avoid it altogether, you can compensate by visiting St Peter’s instead.

This church is the entry to the Vatican, but it is still considered part of Rome. You can visit it as you would any other church; free of charge and during daylight hours.

St Peter’s Rome – by Leo Nordén –

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Daily

Address: Piazza San Pietro, 00120 Città del Vaticano, Vatican City

Metro Station: Cipro

9. Go Dancing in Rome

Drinking in Europe can be pricy, especially for anyone coming from a country with a weaker currency exchange rate.

Going dancing at night doesn’t have to cost a thing in Rome, and if you’re confident enough to do it without liquid courage, then why not?

You’ll want to head to either Trastevere or Monteverde to roam the streets in search of open nightlife. If there’s a cover fee at the door, move on! A spot with open entry will reveal itself eventually.

10. Watch the Sunset from Gianicolo Hill in Rome

The city of Rome was built across seven distinct hills. If you continue beyond Trastevere you’ll come to one of them, and it’s a fantastic viewpoint from which to see the city.

Gianicolo Hill is free to all and watching a sunset from up here will plunge you deep into this city’s inexplicable charm.

You’ll have to eat eventually; head back down into Trastevere after dark and enjoy one of the many cuisines on offer… it won’t be free, but it will be worth it.

View from Gianicolo Hill – by Jakub HaÅ‚un –

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Monday, Tuesday and Friday — 1pm

Address: Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 4JJ

Metro Station: Trafalgar Square