Rome is a big city that can be overwhelming for visitors with so many things to do and see. Many of which can cost you a pretty penny. Often overlooked, some of Rome’s most beautiful attractions can be enjoyed without spending a single cent! Take a look at this guide to find the best free things to do in Rome!
This post was updated for accuracy in September 2020.
The Trevi Fountain is one of the most famous outdoor attractions in Rome, perhaps even the most famous. The incredible Baroque design is a must-see for all visitors to Rome. Take the time to take in this breathtaking fountain, completed in 1762 and known for being the largest and intricate of baroque fountains. Legend has it that if you toss a coin over your shoulder and into the fountain, you will someday return to Rome. Normally overcrowded, after the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of tourists drastically dropped, so now is the time to see it. Absolutely one of the best free things to do in Rome!
The Spanish Steps in Piazza di Spagna are a must to experience. Climb the steps and overlook this Piazza like John Keats, the poet once did. His apartment in this piazza is now a museum. The view from the top overlooks Rome and leads to another piazza on its backside. Old but gold, no matter how many times you’ve been in Rome, the Spanish Steps are always one of the best things to do in Rome, for free!
If you are there after 7 pm, look for tour guides with angel wings on their umbrellas. They offer free 30-minute tours for small groups daily (with the exception of Sunday) in the evening. The Pantheon was built in 120 AD and is the oldest domed building in Rome. Be sure to stop here and take in the amazingly sculpted proportions of this temple that honors all gods. If you are a big fan of Raphael, the Pantheon is also the burial place for this famous artist, among others. If you are in Rome when it rains or even snows, be sure to run here, seeing the rain or snow falling from the central dome is a breathtaking experience.
Whether you are Catholic or not, this should be a must-see on your list. St. Peter’s Basilica is home to works by Michelangelo and the basilica itself is an outstanding work of art that is more than worth visiting. Be sure to examine the incredible bronze canopy that protects the Papal Alter where the Pope himself celebrates mass. The main area is free but there is a charge, 5 euro, to climb the cupola that Michelangelo constructed and 7 euro to take an elevator to the top. Be prepared for a long line and dress appropriately!
The Vatican Museums can be costly to visit but on the last Sunday of every month, they are free! Be aware that you will need to wake up early (arriving around 7 am) and be prepared for a long line as many like to take advantage of this day. The museums will be free from 8:30 am to 2 pm on this day and the last entry is at 12:30 pm. Once you’ve had your fill of world-class works of art, why not explore the backstreets around the beautiful dome of St Peter’s Basilica.
Be sure to check out these vast and beautiful gardens. On a beautiful sunny day, this is the perfect location for a relaxing break from the city and is the perfect picnic setting. Within Villa Borghese is Casa Del Cinema, a perfect place for movie buffs as it plays classic movies for those interested free of charge.
Take a look at the real old Rome. This hip neighborhood is known for its nightlife after sunset and can be quite entertaining to walk through. Filled with narrow cobblestoned streets, restaurants, and affordable shopping, Trastevere is a place worth getting lost in. Trastevere is the most picturesque Roman neighborhood and one you need to visit during your stay so why not get to know the area and it’s fantastic food and drinks on either our Trastevere Streets Eats or our Twilight Trastevere Food Tour!
Another amazing thing to do in Rome for free is hiking up the Gianicolo Hill. Conveniently located above Trastevere has one of the most breathtaking views of Rome. Take one of the many staircases from Viale Trastevere or just find Via Garibaldi and walk it all the way up. You should check out the massive monument of Garibaldi. Giuseppe Garibaldi was an Italian general and politician responsible for the unification of the country. Daily at midday, a cannon fires to mark the battle of Rome. You don’t want to miss this fun thing to do in Rome for free!
Another beautiful villa setting built in the mid 17th century. This is the biggest park in Rome and is a great place for families. The park has gardens, fountains, waterfalls, and more. The perfect location for a long walk or jog or a Sunday picnic.
Piazza Navona was once an arena for the horse rides but is now a piazza holding important architectural pieces (Fountain of Four Rivers and Fontana del Moro) and a place where locals come out to sell their art and perform. Campo de Fiori, another piazza, holds a daily market from morning until about 2 pm. In the center of the piazza stands a monument dedicated to the philosopher Giordano Bruno, tried for heresy by the Roman Inquisition. Both piazzas are full of roman life and activity and definitely worth a visit that won’t cost you!
A less touristy neighborhood, Testaccio is located south of Aventine Hill along the Tiber River. Children love to check out Rome’s very own pyramid, Piramide Cestia, located in the center of Testaccio. At night, this neighborhood is the home of Rome’s club district. And of course, ask many a Roman where they head for great food – you guessed it, Testaccio! Roman cuisine (Cucina Romana) was born in Testaccio. So where better to eat your way through all that Rome has to offer than the city’s original foodie neighborhood? Join our Taste of Testaccio Food Tour to find out where the locals eat!
There are many churches in Rome, but it is only San Clemente that is actually a 3-in-1. Levels, getting more ancient as you head south, separate the churches. The lower level is an ancient worship site and the top-level housing beautiful mosaics. Located on Via San Giovanni, this isn’t just a beautiful church but a trip through time.
Although it will cost you head into these historic sites, it is free to walk right up and around them. Even without heading inside, one of the best free things to do in Rome is just seeing this area lit up at night.
There are many family-owned and friendly bakeries around Rome. At closing time they mostly throw out what they didn’t sell that day. If you happen to see them doing this feel free to ask them if you could try some, they may surprise you and give you a bag full of goodies.
We hope you will find this guide to the best things to do in Rome for free useful and fun to read. Rome and us from Eating Europe are waiting for you!
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