Rome is not an expensive city to visit. It gets that unfortunate reputation sometimes thanks to tourist traps, but most attractions in Rome are actually pretty inexpensive – and a huge amount of the city is completely free to enjoy. Below is a growing list of amazing things you can do and see without putting your hand in your pocket.
Aperitivo: Rome’s low-cost drink and food extravaganza
Aperitivo is a phenomenon by which you can eat and drink well in convivial surroundings all over Rome. Great for ‘early bird’ eaters.
Self-guided walking tour around the ancient city
Self-guided tour: from the site of Caesar’s death to Rome’s own pyramid, taking in the original Jewish Ghetto and the most beautiful view of the most beautiful city on earth.
Villa Torlonia: ersatz architecture and Mussolini’s home in Rome
Notorious for having been Il Duce’s residence for nearly 20 years, this park is an eccentric masterpiece rarely visited by tourists.
How to skip the line at St Peter’s Basilica
St. Peter’s Basilica is free and the lines can be extremely long. There are, however, several legitimate ways to skip the lines. We give you insider tips.
The Fontana del Pantheon
The fountain in front of the Pantheon is a beautiful baroque work of art topped by an Egyptian obelisk that is more than three thousand years old.
How to visit the mosque in Rome
As well as being the seat of Catholic heritage, Rome also boasts the largest mosque in the western world. Here’s how to visit the beautifully designed place of worship.
Why you never need to buy water in Rome
Rome may not be cheap, but there’s one thing that’s always free and available throughout the city – clean, fresh spring water from the Roman aqueducts.
Rome’s “secret” train that gets you across the city in 20 minutes – for only 1 euro
There’s a regular, fast train route running across Rome that can rocket you between Rome’s major metropolitan areas at high speed and next to no cost – and almost no visitors know about it.
How to skip the lines at the Pantheon
If you only see one thing during your visit to Rome, make it the Pantheon. It’s the most stunning of all Rome’s monuments. Here’s your insider info on the ticketing situation, opening hours, and lining up.
Where are the best views of Rome?
Rightly famed for its beautiful vistas and viewpoints, we present the best places to gaze over and photograph the roofs and domes of Rome going back two thousand years. Including some angles that nobody else would think of.
La Pietà
Michelangelo’s “Pity” can take you by surprise with the raw emotions it conveys. The grief of a mother cradling her adult son’s violently broken body is a language that outstrips its religious origins, and speaks to the viewer on a universal human level.
La Pietà
Michelangelo’s “Pity” can take you by surprise with the raw emotions it conveys. The grief of a mother cradling her adult son’s violently broken body is a language that outstrips its religious origins, and speaks to the viewer on a universal human level.
The optical illusion of St Peter’s Basilica from Via Niccolò Piccolomini
The further you get from the dome, the bigger it gets! This amazing view of St Peter’s is from the residential street of Via Niccolò Piccolomini.
How to visit the Coppedè Quarter in Rome
How to visit Rome’s quirky Quartiere Coppedè, nestled in Rome’s leafy, upmarket Trieste-Salario district.
Rome’s other “Jewish ghetto”
Learn about the charming inner suburb of Piazza Bologna, home to a thriving Jewish community, which makes it a great alternative place to stay.
Where can I see street art in Rome?
Where to see the best of Rome’s street art in Garbatella and Tor Marancia.
Orientation tour: self-guided piazza walk
Self-guided tour: a gentle, rewarding walk that introduces you to Rome’s major baroque piazzas and some ancient sites. Perfect for those who have just arrived, but to be enjoyed by everyone.
Where can I see Caravaggios for free in Rome?
Self-guided tour: how and where to see Rome’s Caravaggios in their original setting, for free.
The difference between St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican
The definitions of the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, St Peter’s Basilica can be confusing. We clear it up and show the best way to visit each.
Where can I run in Rome?
Running in Rome can be fun and exciting, with trails in its parks and ancient monuments helping you to see a different side of the city.
Off the beaten track to see the beaten track: Via Flaminia Antica
Self-guided tour: take an unusual trip through Roma Nord to see the Road that linked the ‘Caput Mundi’ to the rest of Europe.
How to see the Pope!
Il Papa is a world figurehead, whether you’re Catholic or not. We show you how you can see him speak during your visit.
