An insider guide to the best things you can do in Rome for free. Discover all the monuments, museums and hidden gems you can see in the Eternal city without breaking the bank.
Travel is, without a doubt, an expensive hobby, but some destinations are very easily enjoyed even on a tight budget. One of them? Rome.
While the Eternal city is sure to tempt you with glittering shops, museums and restaurants, there are many things that she is happy to share with you for free. Here is a list of 15 of my favourite things to see in Rome for free.
15 amazing free things to see in Rome
Rome world famous piazzas
Rome if famous for its beautiful piazzas and indeed, some of them are truly special.
The most impressive are the large,monumental ones such as Piazza Navona or Piazza del Pantheon, but even the smaller ones hold a special charm (a perfect example of the latter is Piazza Margana, in the city centre).
Rome piazzas (or piazze, in Italian) are a feature of the city and they are, as such, free. You can make them your destination or you can just let them take your breath away when they suddenly open up at the end of a narrow cobbled road: if you stroll around the historical centre, you won’t miss them.
Piazza Navona, Rome, late afternoon: Piazza Navona gets very busy during the day and you are likely to get drown in a sea of selfie sticks. the best time to visit, with children and without, is early morning or late afternoon
Visit churches
Rome has a staggering amount of churches and many of them are home to spectacular masterpieces (many Caravaggio are in churches), making them a very valid alternative to a museum.
Particularly impressive are, I believe: Santa Maria della Pieta’ (with the Ecstasy of St Teresa, by Bernini), San Pietro in Vincoli (with a Moses by Michelangelo) and San Luigi dei francesi, with a fantastic Caravaggio, just to name a few.
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Visit the Pantheon
You might be surprised to know that one of Rome’s most famous attractions is totally free! Stroll there, walk in and look up at, literally, the sky above you.
Update: in 2017 there were rumours about the Pantheon becoming a paid attractions which sparked a lot of controversy. While I cannot report on the ins and out of the argument, what I can say is that in April 2018 the Pantheon was still free to visit. Just make sure you go early to avoid the otherwise very long line)
Marvel at the Trevi fountain
Another majour Roman attraction, the Trevi fountain is free. Tradition says you should throw a coin in it to make sure you come back to Rome – if you don’t want to or decide to push your luck, you can save that!
Spanish steps
If you can take the crowds, the Spanish steps are right in the centre of the city and beautiful, especially in spring when dressed in flowers.
The best way to enjoy the steps in all their glory is to go early in the morning or, even better, in the evening during the week. After the sun goes down, the golden light of the streetlights creates a wonderful, warm atmosphere enveloping this wise and truly impressive staircase.
Bocca della verita’ (The mouth of Truth)
If you have seen the moviea ‘A Roman holiday’ you might remember the scene where Gregory Peck pretends to have his hand bitten by a giant stone ‘mouth’. That mouth is indeed in Rome and you can see it for free.
Update: in September 2017 la bocca della verita’ stopped being free: now there is a 2 euro charge to access it (source: The guardian, article here).
You can stilll see the ‘monster’ from outside its precinct but the experience of putting your hand in its mouth is now ticketed. A good alternative, in the same area, is to climb up towards the back of the Capitolium, for stunning views over ancient Rome.
Climb Aventino for a view from above
One of the most beautiful spots in Rome, I believe, is one of Rome’s seven hills: Aventino. Just in front of Circo Massimo, the Aventino hill is a wonderful spot for a stroll.
Climb up to Giardino degli aranci for a beautiful view over the city, pop into the beautiful churches at its top and look at St Peter’s dome from the door of the Istituto dei Cavalieri di Malta (peek though the keyhole: yes, i am being serious!). This is one of my favourite things to do in Rome for free, especially in spring, when the light is bright and crisp.
Photo courtesy of Pixabay
L’Aventino is also a wealthy residential part of town, so it is interesting if you want to get lost in the fantasy of what it would be like to have a wonderful house in Rome!
Go to a park
Rome is full of beautiful parks and Villa Borghese and Villa Doria Pamphili are two of the best.
Stroll under Villa Borghese’s pine trees, explore its little lake and then head towards il Pincio terrace for a view over Piazza del Popolo. Villa Doria Pamphili is also gorgeous and, from parts of it, you have a pretty incredible view over St Peter’s dome. What, again? Yes, but I promise you: it’s worth it!
St Peter Basilica (main floor)
I got you to look at it from all sides, now it is time to visit. Access to St Peter’s dome is not free, but you can access the main piazza and Basilica’s main floor without paying.
If you plan on walking into the church, just make sure you have the required attire: shorts, vests and revealing clothes are not allowed and Vatican security will stop you on your tracks. See also: what to pack for Rome here
Stroll down via dei fori imperiali
If you are on a budget and cannot pay to enter the forum or the Colosseum, just take a stroll on via dei fori imperiali.
While I highly recommend visiting them, this way you can anyway get a good idea of their layout and feel – make sure you climb the small hill in front of the Colosseum for the best views. Even better: do if with gelato in hand, there are several shops in the area and the take out prices are reasonable
Discover the non-catholic cemetery
One of the most peaceful corners of the whole city, this cemetery should be visited for many reasons.
It is beautiful, it is home to the remains of Keats and Shelley and offers incredible views over possibly the most peculiar building in Rome: Cestius’ pyramid. Access to the cemetery is free but a small donation is recommended.
Rome’s protestant cemetery
Family travel tip: as unlikely as it may seem, the cemetery is a great place for kids: part of it is a wide lawn overlooking hte pyramid – a great spot for a break while sightseeing.
Discover off the beaten track neighbourhoods
One of the most pleasant free things to do in Rome is to allow yourself to get lost in some of its off the beaten track areas. Rome has some stunning and interesting neighbourhoods that are worth discovering.
Rome has some stunning and interesting neighbourhoods that are worth discovering. Quartiere Coppede’, la Garbatella, Testaccio, for instance, are all full of history and charm and true hidden gems.
Visit museums on the first Sunday of the month
All state museums are open to visitors for free on the first Sunday of the month: they get crowded but it is a fantastic opportuity especially if travelling as a family as tickets for small groups are sometimes pricey.
Traveling to Rome can be expensive but some of its best sites can be seen for free! Discover what you can see in Rome for free when traveling to Italy on a budget
Discover Rome Markets
You are spoilt for choice when it comes to markets and bric-a-brac. A very well-known one is mercato di Porta Portese and one of the trendiest right now is Mercato Monti, but many many neighbourhoods have their own. In the city centre, a famous market is mercato di Campo de’ Fiori – now less authentic than in used to be, it still is a fun place to visit in the morning.
The de-consecrated church at Caracalla
Head to Caracalla and discover the beautiful setting of civil weddings in Rome.
Civil ceremonies are short in Rome, they literally only take about 15 minutes, but they take place in a truly charming place: the de-consecrated church at Caracalla. You might not be able to sneak in but if you are near Circo Massimo, do pass by and see the lines of brides in their white dress waiting for their turn to tie the knot! It is great people watching and one of the many fun free things to see in Rome I normally mention to visiting friends!
I hope you enjoyed my selection of things to do in Rome for free. Safe travels!
Did you know that many of the best attractions and thing to see in Rome are free/ Find here a list with 15 must see things in Rome you can visit on a budget. You don’t need to break the bank to enjoy the Eternal City. Here a list of 15 incredible and unexpected free things to see in Rome
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Love this, one thing I loved was visiting the Colosseum at night. It looked amazing lit up in the dark and there was no one else around!
It’s such a magical place, when you can see it without the crowds! I love evenings in Rome: when the weather is mild and summer is in the air, I can’t think of a better place to be. So happy to hear you like my city 🙂
Walk over the Janiculum hill from Trastevere to the Vatican. The best views of Rome from the top of the hill.
You’re right! And you just inspired me to add a featured image with a view from there 🙂 Thank you!
Rome is a magical place to visit for sure and there are so much to do sometimes you have no idea what to choose. What I don’t like about is the incessant traffic.
Thank you for the post! I’ve heard from friends that Rome isn’t child friendly so I had given it up, but we might want to visit it now!
Great article Marta free things to do that are interesting are always welcome in any city. As you mentioned the Piazza’s strolling is fun in Rome
All really great tips! I loved Rome and found it fairly reasonable in terms of attractions. But that was for 2 adults…I can imagine that costs could easily add up if you have to pay admission for children too. On thing I would add is the Via Appia. I really, really enjoyed the time we spent there.
There is quite a lot one can do free in Rome, I did not know about the museums being open free of charge on the first Sunday of each month. Of course as you mentioned, it could get pretty crowded.
I love the free tips! So many great ideas!!
Trevi fountain was fun indeed…my little one kept wanting to wish 😛 and it threatened to be one expensive fountain.