Budget €0: What to see for free in Rome

In this article, we will tell you what you can see and do in Rome for free.

Book a free tour of Rome

Yes, not for all sightseeing tours you need to give dozens of euros. There are some free walking tours during which you can see interesting sights in Rome and learn more about the city's history.

• romefreewalkingtour.com - two free daily walking tours through the center of Rome and around the Colosseum;
• www.newromefreetour.com - a free two-hour walking tour of central Rome in English;
• freetour.com/rome/free-night-tour-rome - free evening and night tour of Rome with visits to famous sights (€3 charity fee applies).

Experience the grandeur of the Pantheon

This iconic building dates back to 125 BC, but it looks as good as new and is astonishing in scale. When you look at it, the only question in your mind is, "How did they build this?" The fact is that the dome of the Pantheon is, in fact, not reinforced in any way. It is the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world.

Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of modern Rome in Piazza Navona

This is one of the city's most famous squares, and it's a buzzing place to be. Locals and tourists alike stroll through, street artists create and talented musicians perform. And the number of attractions per square meter is off the charts. There are palaces, churches, fountains, and interesting archaeological sites.

Take a stroll down the Spanish Steps

This luxurious baroque staircase consists of 135 steps and is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. It is at its foot that locals often schedule meetings.

Sitting on the Spanish Steps is now forbidden, but walking up them is always welcome.

You can book a hotel in Rome with a discount of up to -65% on the website.

Check in at the Spanish Square

After descending the steps of the Spanish Steps, you will get to the Spanish Square, a popular among tourists in the Italian capital. It is called so because since the XVII century it has been home to the Spanish embassy.

The square is always full house, regardless of the day of the week and season, but it is impossible not to visit this place.

Throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain

Coins are thrown for wealth, for love and just to return to this marvelous city. By the way, the Roman administration reported that the Fountain de Trevi "earns" more than the average museum in the city. In a day, tourists throw about €3000 into the water.

This attraction of Rome not only fulfills wishes and pleases the eye, but also has a practical value. There is a separate place in the fountain where everyone can draw drinking water.

Experience the atmosphere of Trastevere

The lively neighborhood of Trastevere buzzes late into the night. Locals and tourists alike relax in the picturesque streets and squares and sit in cozy, atmospheric restaurants. Join in!

Stroll along the Tiber River promenade

Stroll along one of the largest rivers, admire the twisted bridges and overhanging plane trees along the embankment.

Visit the Orange Garden

From here you can enjoy one of the most beautiful views of the city. The Orange Garden in Rome is a non-trivial place for strolling and relaxing. And what a great place to take photos!

Check out the Jewish ghetto

This colorful neighborhood is dotted with artisan workshops, kosher bakeries and popular trattorias. Here you can sample some of the tastiest falafel you'll ever eat.

Take pictures of the architecture of the EUR neighborhood

EUR stands for Esposizione Universale di Roma (World's Fair Quarter). This vast complex of business buildings was built on Mussolini's orders in preparation for the World's Fair (as everyone knows, it didn't happen).

The quarter is literally packed with interesting buildings. The highlight of the neighborhood is the Palazzo del Civita del Lavoro, a masterpiece of Italian rationalism known as the Square Colosseum.

Visit the Piazza Largo di Torre Argentina

This is the Roman cat paradise you've probably heard of. More than a hundred cats live here, which are fed at the expense of the state budget and not without the help of kind people.

But not only cats are famous for Largo di Torre Argentina. It was here that the first Roman emperor Julius Caesar was assassinated.

Visit Rome's basilicas

Even if you are a non-religious person, put the basilicas in Rome on your must-see list. You will be awed by the beauty of the interiors.

Santa Maria Maggiore

This is one of the oldest churches in Rome (the first stone was laid in 352 AD) and the only one that has preserved its original appearance almost completely.

The ceiling of the basilica is covered with gold, which was first brought from America on Columbus' ships, and the multicolored marble floor is made up of slabs of different colors, forming fanciful shapes in the form of various geometric figures.

Piazza di S. Maria Maggiore, 42.

Basilica of Saint Praxedes

This 9th century basilica is famous for its frescoes, mosaics and Christian relics. The Chapel of St. Zeno is not to be missed in the temple. It is decorated with amazing mosaics created by Byzantine masters.

Via di Santa Prassede, 9.

The Church of St. Louis of the French

The Basilica of San Luigi dei Francesi houses real treasures - original works by Caravaggio: "The Martyrdom of St. Matthew", "The Calling of St. Matthew" and "St. Matthew and the Angel".

Piazza di S. Luigi de' Francesi.

San Pietro in Vincoli

In this church you can see one of Michelangelo's best works, the Tomb of Pope Julius II with the sculpture of Moses.

Piazza di San Pietro in Vincoli, 4/a.

Papal Basilica of Saint Peter in the Vatican

It is impossible not to visit this architectural masterpiece, which was once worked on by Michelangelo, Raphael, Bernini and Bramante. The entrance to the main Catholic shrine is free, but be prepared to stand a kilometer-long, literally, queue. But it is certainly worth it. Inside the cathedral amazes with the harmony of proportions, and the richness ofm design - there is a mass of statues, altars, tombstones, and many works of art. Among the greatest masterpieces of the basilica are Michelangelo's marble Pieta and Bernini's Baldachin.

Explore Villa Borghese

This is the largest green space in the city, a simply marvelous landscaped park. It is named after the ancient Villa Borghese, which is the centerpiece of the Roman oasis. The park offers shaded walking paths, cozy picnic areas and several excellent museums at once.

Visit Rome's museums with free admission

Your budget is limited, but you want to touch history and beauty? Here are some Roman museums you can visit for free:

1. Pietro Canonica House Museum at Villa Borghese.
2. Museum of the Napoleonic era;
3. Mario Praz House-Museum;
4. Gallery of the National Academy of St. Luke;
5. Carlo Bilotti Museum of Contemporary Art;
6. Giovanni Barracco Museum of Ancient Sculpture;
7. Burcardo Theater Museum;
8. Boncompagni-Ludovisi Museum;
9. Museum of the artist Hendrik Andersen.

On certain days, admission is free even to the Eternal City's top attractions. Remember, or better yet, save:

• Colosseum, Palatine and Roman Forum; first Sunday of the month.
• Vatican Museums; last Sunday of the month, and Tourism Day (Sept. 27).
• Pope's weekly audience; every Wednesday morning.
• Palazzo Montecitorio; first Sunday of the month.
• All state museums; first Sunday of the month.

On free days, of course, the lines at these places will be huge, so get there early.

Listen to music and watch movies

Those who enjoy sacred music performed by a symphony orchestra or a cappella, as well as organ concerts, should look more closely at the advertisements on the walls of cathedrals and churches. As a rule, free musical evenings are held several times a month in the shrines.

For connoisseurs of classical music in the Quirinal Palace, free concerts are held every Sunday in the Capella Paolina, performed by the symphony orchestra. To see the program of the evening and to reserve a seat, you can click here.

You can also relax your soul at the House of Jazz. From time to time they organize evenings with free admission. When the next free days are, check the House's website.

And, of course, there are plenty of free concerts, music of all genres and styles to enjoy during the holidays: Christmas, Easter and Rome Day (April 21). Find out about other free events in the city here.

Those who love movies and often come to Rome know that every summer the island of Tiberina hosts open-air screenings of famous Italian (and not only) films. Both young people and older audiences gather here.

And with the onset of cold weather everyone moves to the Cinema House, where free screenings of Italian films are periodically organized. There are also meetings with authors.

Do you dream to visit Rome? We can pick up for you a favorable tour to this wonderful city. Write us private messages in Telegram: @tmd_travel or call: +380990627628 (VIBER, WhatsApp). We will tell you all the details.