Our top picks of free things to do in Rome
With pockets having to tighten at the moment, we’re continuing our series of articles to show that it is possible to enjoy a city break in Italy without it having to break the bank. Today the focus is on Italy’s capital city, Rome. It’s a city which needs no introduction but where we think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how many of its iconic sights you can enjoy without having to spend a single penny.
1. Watch the sun stream through the Pantheon
The Pantheon dates back to 120 AD and is arguably the best surviving Roman monument anywhere in the world. It was originally built by Hadrian replacing an earlier temple that had been built on the orders of Marcus Agrippa. These days, it’s home to the tombs of several Italian kings as well as the artist Raphael. It’s also where you will still find the largest unsupported dome in the world, measuring over 43 metres in diameter with a large hole in the ceiling (oculus) letting the only source of light into the building. Entrance is free.
2. Throw a coin into the Trevi fountain
The 18th century Trevi Fountain is one of Rome’s most iconic tourist attractions and, as such, it attracts millions of tourists each year. It is a beautiful monument designed by Italian artist Nicola Salvi although some could argue it’s rococo style is rather over the top. It depicts horses and mythical figures with water cascading over rocks. It is also one of Rome’s oldest water sources, dating back to Roman times.
Just one word of advice – it can get busy here so it’s worth heading to the fountain either first thing in the morning before the number of people builds up or last thing at night when it is illuminated by more than 100 LED lights. If you believe the legend, tossing a coin into the fountain will ensure you return to Rome one day.
3. Visit St Peter’s Basilica
In many ways, we’re always amazed that entrance to St Peter’s Basilica is free. Situated in the Vatican City, the basilica is the headquarters of the Roman Catholic church. Entrance to the ground floor of the church is free but be aware that if you want to climb the dome (either getting access via the stairs or the lift) you will need to pay an additional fee. Other optional costs also include skip the line tickets or guided tours. (Please note that the Vatican city is also home to the Vatican Museums and Sistene Chapel but these require an entry fee).
4. Soak up the atmosphere in St Peter’s Square
St Peter’s Square is the courtyard that sits in front of St Peter’s Basilica and again is free to access. When he is in attendance, the Pope holds a weekly audience in the Vatican on Wednesdays at around 10.30 a.m. and he also holds the Angelus most Sundays at midday. Please note that you will find crowds much larger at these times during the week.
5. Pay your respects in Rome’s Jewish quarter
One of the more sobering parts of any trip to Rome is time spent in the city’s Jewish quarter. The ghetto was built on the orders of Pope Paul IV in 1555, when life for Jews in the city was hard, subject to severe restrictions on where they could live and what activities they could engage in.
However, its more recent history is what visitors to the area will find most sobering. In October 1943, the ghetto was surrounded by Nazi troops, who captured over 1000 Jews, forcibly taking them from their homes and loading them on a train bound fo Auschwitz. Of these deportees, only 16 survived. Today, a series of memorial plaques commemorate these victims, placed on brass cobblestones outside their homes.
6. Enjoy a stroll up the Spanish Steps
The Spanish Steps were built between 1723-1725 to celebrate the peace between France and Spain. They connect the lower Piazza di Spagna with the Piazza TrinitĂ dei Monti above. There are 135 steps in total. It used to be that you’d find people sitting on the steps but this is now strictly forbidden. Once at the top, take the opportunity to step inside the Chiesa della Trinita dei Monti where you will discover some beautiful frescoes by Daniele da Volterra (a student of Michelangelo) as well as many other stunning artworks.
7. Soak in the atmosphere of the Piazza Navona
The Piazza Navona is home to the Church of Sant’ Agnese in Agone and the 17th century Palazzo Pamphili. It’s also home to three fountains erected during the papacy of Gregory XIII. The most famous of these is the central Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers), designed by Bernini in 1651, and which represents the Nile, Danube, Ganges and Rio de la Plata rivers, considered to be the most important rivers in the continents where Christianity had successfully spread. Also in the square is the Fontana del Moro and the Fontana del Nettuno. All three are lit up at night making the atmosphere in the square particularly magical. However, the piazza has a lively atmosphere whatever time of day you visit, lined with cafes and restaurants and home to street performers and artists.
8. Wander along the picture perfect Via Margutta
The Via Margutta is a picturesque, cobbled street in Rome. It’s actually a very short street, mostly lined with residential buildings adorned with ivy however it’s also where you will find art galleries and artist studios. An annual painters’ festival takes over the street once a year and there is a famous fountain at one end of the street – the Fontana dell Arti – which is topped with a carving of a bucket full of paint brushes.
The street has an incredibly rich history. Artists and musicians including Debussy, Liszt, Wagner, Puccini, Stravinsky and Picasso are all said to have once lived on the Via Margutta, as did the Italian film director Federico Fellini and his wife. If you think you recognise it, it may be because in 1953 it featured in the classic film Roman Holiday with Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck.
9. Relax in the gardens of the Villa Borghese
The Borghese Gardens are incredibly beautiful and immaculately kept landscaped gardens which it can be a surprise to come across in the heart of Rome and is one of our favourite of these free things to do in Rome. Rome’s most famous park, it’s certainly a relaxing place to while away a couple of hours. Before leaving, don’t miss out on the opportunity to admire the views across Rome from the Pincio terrace where you can enjoy a wonderful panorama over the Piazza del Popolo and Rome’s domes. Also make sure you head to the Giardino del Lago where you will find a copy of a Roman temple on an artificial island in the middle of the lake.
10. Visit Rome’s oldest market
The Campo dei Fiori is Rome’s oldest market and is a real opportunity for you to get a feel for how modern day Romans live. Its name literally means Field of Flowers and is a reference to the meadow that would once have stood here back in the 15th century. There has been a daily market here since 1869 (except on Sundays), selling the most wonderful foodstuffs to tempt anyone’s palate. It’s also lined with numerous restaurants and cafes so is a great place to fuel up during your day of sightseeing.
11. Take a walk along the Via Appia
The Via Appia (or Appian Way as it’s also known) is one of Rome’s oldest streets and was named after the consul Appius Claudius Caecus who commissioned its construction. These days it’s very pleasant to walk along its cobbles and admire the countryside on either side along with a number of key buildings. These include the Domine Quo Vadis church (supposedly the meeting place of Peter and Jesus), a number of Roman catacombs (Romans were not allowed to bury the dead within the city walls hence their presence here) and the remains of the ancient racetrack – the Circus of Maxentius.
12. Discover the resting place of some famous writers
You may consider it strange to add a cemetery to your bucket list of Rome but we can highly recommend a visit to the Cimitero Acattolico (non Catholic cemetery) in Rome.
Amongst 4000 people buried here are the graves of John Keats and Percy Shelley. Keats died in Rome from tuberculosis aged just 25, tended in his dying days by his friend and artist Joseph Severn.
13. Visit Rome’s most beautiful piazza
Less well known than many of the other piazzas in Rome is the hilltop Piazza del Campidoglio but we think it’s actually one of its most beautiful. It was designed by Michelangelo in 1538 but he died long before it was finally completed many centuries later. It is also home to a replica statue of Marcus Aurelius and a replica bronze sculpture of the Capitoline Wolf atop a column. Not only is a this a good tip when looking for free things to do in Rome, but it can also help you get away form the more crowded sites found in most guidebooks.
14. Marvel at the spectacular views over the city
Rome is a large city and the only way to fully appreciate its scale is to head to one of the hills that surround the city and to see it from above. One of our favourite views is from the Janiculum Hill (Giancarlo). This is the second tallest hill in Rome behind Monte Mario and it’s situated in the west of the city. Another great place to enjoy views over Rome is from the Parco Savello. Sat on top of the Aventine Hill, Rome’s iconic Orange Garden (as it is also known) is over 800 years old and boasts the most amazing views of the city below.
15. Visit Trajan’s Column
Trajan’s Column commemorates the victory of the Emperor Trajan in the Dacian Wars and stands over 30 metres tall. A continuous frieze winds its way from its base to its capital, depicting over 150 different scenes and featuring over 2600 separate figures. Whilst entry to the nearby Imperial Forum museum is not free, there is nothing to stop you visiting Trajan’s Column for free at any time of the day or night. We particularly recommend heading there at sunset to get the best photos.
16. Admire the artwork of Caravaggio
There are a couple of fantastic opportunities to see Caravaggio’s artwork for free in Rome. First and foremost, the Chiesa di San Luigi dei Francesi is home to the St Matthew Cycle which comprises three of Cararavaggio’s earliest works. Also worth a visit to view his masterpieces for free is the Basilica Parrocchiale of Santa Maria del Popolo, which sits on the north side of the Piazza del Popolo. In the north transept here, you will find two major paintings by Caravaggio in the Cerasi Chapel – the Crucifixion of Saint Peter and the Conversion of Saint Paul. Incidentally, this unassuming church is also home to works by other renowned artists such as Raphael, Pinturicchio and Bernini.
17. Visit Rome’s athletic stadium
The Stadio dei Marmi is Rome’s athletic stadium and is one of four stadiums within the massive sports complex that comprises the Foro Italico (the others being the Stadio Olimpico, the Stadio del Tennis Romano and the Stadio Olimpico del Nuoto).
Built in 1932, the Stadio dei Marmi is our favourite and access is free for the general public. We absolutely love the fact that you can run round its track, watched over by sixty 4 metre tall Carrara marble statues of athletes.
18. See the Roman Forum
OK, admittedly you can’t access the Roman Forum itself without paying for an entry ticket. But it’s easy to see so much of it from the road without paying a thing. For the best view, head over to the northern end of the Via dei Foro Imperiali to the Capitoline Hill and you’ll be able to see a lot.
19. Enjoy a stroll around the Quartiere Coppedè
Rome is made up of plenty of different neighbourhoods, one of our favourite of which is the Quartiere Coppedè. Designed and built by the Florentine architect Gino Coppedè, it’s completely different to the rest of Rome. Along with the Fountain of the Frogs (Fontana delle Rane), it also comprises 18 palazzos and 27 villas, buildings and public works set around the Piazza Mincio. Art Nouveau in style, it was built in the 1910s and 1920s. A visit will feel like you’ve stepped into a fairytale world. We recommend you start your visit via the entrance at the corner of Via Dora and Via Tagliamento.
20. Visit Bramante’s Tempietto at the Chiesa di San Pietro in Montorio
Bramante’s little temple (tempietto) is widely regarded as the first great building of the High Renaissance. Squeezed into a courtyard of the Chiesa di San Pietro in Montorio, it sits on the spot where Saint Peter is allegedly said to have been crucified.
We hope you have enjoyed our top 20 free things to do in Rome. If you need help with accommodation for your trip to Italy please get in touch with us at Bookingsforyou.com