Do you want to visit Rome and spend as little as possible? Then follow this Top 15 of free visits, museums and activities to do in the Italian capital that I created so you can enjoy without breaking the bank.
We often hear the rumor that Rome is an expensive city to visit. It’s funny how the same people will tell you this about any other big city. I will show you here that the truth is far from these rumors.
Indeed, a visit to the Eternal City is always unforgettable, even on a tight budget! And it’s always nice to enjoy a place you’ve always dreamed of discovering without breaking your piggy bank!
Let’s discover together 15 things to do and places to visit for free in Rome.
Table des matières
1. Top free monument tours in Rome: the Pantheon
Looking for the top free monument tours in Rome? Then you absolutely must see the Pantheon. This majestic temple dedicated to the ancient Roman gods is 2000 years old and is one of the must-see tourist sites in Rome.
This visit is surprisingly free, so you’ll be free to marvel at the splendid decorations that adorn the dome without spending a single cent! So save your change and beat your record for compulsive gelato tasting!
2. Enter St. Peter’s Basilica
This is probably the most famous Catholic religious building in the world. As such, St. Peter’s Basilica is one of the main reasons why many travelers visit Rome. Surprisingly, given the huge influx of tourists passing through every day, the visit is completely free (you will need a ticket to enjoy the impressive view from the top of the dome).
3. Visit Villa Borghese for free
The gardens of Villa Borghese are among the most beautiful in the city and are admired and recognized for their lush vegetation. Moreover, the visit is completely free. You will discover sumptuous fountains, gardens of majestic flowers, and the splendid art collection of the villa, built in the middle of the park.
4. Must-see free things to do in Rome: the Trevi Fountain
The Trevi Fountain is one of the most famous places in Rome that you must visit, and it’s free. Traditionally, throwing coins into the water of the fountain gives travelers a chance to return their donation.
Apart from this original activity, you won’t have to part with a penny here! This is a very popular place for tourists, so be prepared for the crowds.
5. Visit the Janiculum in Rome
This Roman hill is the perfect place to come and admire the free and unobstructed view of the city that this promontory will offer you. Go there at night for an exceptional experience, the view will take your breath away!
6. Admire the church of Santa Maria del Popolo
Take a free tour of this church in Rome if you want to admire the wonderful work of Caravaggio. Many of his paintings are secretly scattered around the city, some in obscure and curious places. As the entrance to this one is totally free, it would be a shame not to take advantage of it!
7. Visit the Piazza Navona
This lively square is one of the focal points of the Eternal City, and you can wander around at your leisure all afternoon (it’s a perfect place for inveterate observers!).
Overflowing with fountains and quirky little cafes, it’s the perfect place to take a leisurely stroll and soak up the atmosphere of the city. Ideal for a lazy afternoon!
8. What to do for free in Rome? The Basilica of Saint Praxedo (Santa Prassede)
This delicate church was made famous by one of its columns, on which Christ himself is said to have been tied and scourged. It’s not one of the most famous places in Rome, but if you’re hungry for history or Christian atmosphere, it’s worth a visit.
9. Stroll through the Spanish Steps
Tourists usually flock to Piazza di Spagna to photograph its monumental and iconic staircase (you should too – you’ll understand when you see it!).
Besides, if you’re looking to bring back something completely free from your trip to Rome, this is the perfect place from which to bring back your own photos as typical souvenirs of the Italian capital.
Why not make a quaint return to the tradition of sending postcards, and send your own creations to your loved ones?
10. Visit the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore for free
St. Mary Major was built to commemorate the place where the snow would curiously fall in the summer of 356. Whether you believe this strange legend or not, this is an emblematic monument of Rome to visit free of charge, which is truly worth a visit if you have time left.
11. Admire the Marble Stadium (Stadio dei Marmi)
This athletics stadium, which is completely free to visit, takes its name from the 64 marble statues that surround its stands. These works representing various athletes practicing a traditional sport (javelin, pallone or palm) were donated by the various Italian provinces when the monument was built.
12. Visit the Basilica of San Clemente del Latrano
This church is famous for the archaeological remains located in its basement. There are Roman ruins, including the temple of Mithra(mithraeum), dating from the imperial period, but also the remains of an ancient church, dating from the4th century.
In one of the basement rooms, you can hear an amazing waterfall sound, caused by the proximity of the old sewer system of ancient Rome, the Cloaca Maxima.
While the visit to the upper part of the building is free, you will have to buy a ticket to visit the underground section.
13. Visit the Protestant Cemetery for free
The two famous poets John Keats and Percy Bysshe Shelley (whose wife Mary is the author of the cult classic Frankenstein) are buried here. This cemetery is also known for its amazing vaults, including a replica of an Egyptian pyramid.
14. The church Saint-Charles-aux-Quatre-Fontaines
This small church, whose entrance is entirely free, is noted for its eccentric decorations and ornaments, as well as for the friendly religious people who reside there, who will be happy to guide you through the building and share its history.
15. Free garden tour to do in Rome: the Orange Garden (Parco Savello)
Looking for a beautiful garden to visit for free in Rome? The panorama offered by the Savello Park, perched on the Aventine Hill, is among the most beautiful in Rome. Many visitors come here for a picnic, and don’t hesitate to spend the afternoon among the many orange trees that grow there.
To conclude this article, I can tell you that Rome is a city where there is a multitude of things to do, even for visitors who have a very small budget and who are looking for free activities and things to do.
Feel free to leave me a comment if you have more and don’t forget to share this article with your family and friends if you liked it! Enjoy your stay in Rome.
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