With its long history, beautiful building, and lively culture, Rome, the Eternal City, is one of the most interesting places to visit in the world. But it doesn’t have to cost a lot to look around this old city. You might think that Rome is an expensive place to visit, but there are many ways to enjoy the city without spending a lot of money. This guide shows you how to enjoy Rome on a budget by listing free activities and cheap eats.
Why Should You Go to Rome on a Budget?
Rome has something for everyone, whether you’re interested in art, history, food, or just strolling through a lovely city. Best of all, Rome doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. Some tourist spots can be pricey, but there are lots of free and cheap things to do in the city that let you enjoy its history and beauty without spending a lot of money. You can see the best of Rome without breaking the bank if you plan ahead and follow these secret tips.
Now let’s talk about how to get around Rome like a local while keeping your costs low
1. Check out free sights and historic sites
Check out the Roman Forum and the Colosseum (from the outside).
The Colosseum and the Roman Forum are two of the most famous places in Rome, but it can cost a lot to get inside. The beauty of these famous places doesn’t end at the ticket counter, though. From many places in the city, including Piazza Venezia, you can see the outside of the Colosseum for free. You can also see the Roman Forum from many places nearby. To really understand the past, you should pay for a tour inside, but you can still enjoy these amazing buildings for free.
Tip: If you want to go inside, you can save money by buying a pass that includes the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. This pass covers all three for a lower price.
You can go to the Pantheon for free on Sundays
The Pantheon is one of the city’s best-preserved old landmarks. It’s a work of engineering that everyone who comes to Rome should see. You can enjoy the beautiful building and the well-known oculus in the middle of the dome for free. The Pantheon usually has a small admission fee, but on the first Sunday of every month, it’s free. This makes it a great choice for people on a budget.
Tip: Go early in the morning to get a better sense of how big this amazing building is without all the other people there.
Take a look at the Spanish Steps and Piazza di Spagna
One of the most famous sights in Rome is the Spanish Steps, and you can see them for free. This well-known staircase in Piazza di Spagna leads from the square to the top of the Trinità dei Monti church. You can sit, watch people, or just enjoy the view from there. It used to be free to sit on the steps, but as of 2019, you can’t. However, you can still look at the steps and the area around them without paying.
Tip: You can also take great pictures on the Spanish Steps. The light is especially nice at sunset, when there are fewer people around.
2. Go to museums and events that are free
On the last Sunday of every month, you can visit the Vatican Museums
A huge collection of art, including the Sistine Chapel, can be found in the Vatican Museums. These museums are often very important to tourists who come to Rome. The Vatican Museums usually charge a lot to enter, but every last Sunday of the month, it’s free. This is a great chance to see some of the most famous works of art in the world without spending any money.
Tip: Get there early, because free entry usually means a lot of people. You may have to wait, but the experience is worth it.
Check out the Capitoline Museums (they’re free on the first Sunday of every month)
The Capitoline Museums are another great place to learn about art. They have a lot of ancient figures, Renaissance art, and items from the past. The normal price to enter a museum is about €15, but on the first Sunday of every month, entry is free. This means you can enjoy amazing art and history for free.
TIP: The museums are still great value for money and less crowded than other big places even if you miss the day when they’re free to enter.
3. Enjoy the gardens and parks in Rome
Take it easy at Villa Borghese
Villa Borghese is one of Rome’s most beautiful parks. It’s a quiet place to get away from the city’s noise and chaos. You can freely walk around the park, which has lakes, waterfalls, and many walking tracks. If you don’t have much money, you can also take a bike or a pedal boat and ride them around the park.
Tip: If you want to see a collection of world-class art, go to Galleria Borghese, which is in the park. You need a ticket to get into the building, but the park is free to enjoy.
Take a walk in the Orange Garden
Go to the Orange Garden on Aventine Hill for a peaceful place with lovely views. This peaceful park is a great spot to relax and enjoy nature. It has a great view of the city, including St. Peter’s Basilica. The garden is great for taking a break because it’s free to visit and not too busy most of the time.
Hint: The close Aventine window has a unique view of St. Peter’s Dome through a gate with a window in it. It’s definitely worth a visit!
4. Enjoy the tasty street food in Rome
Please try the soup and pizza al taglio
Getting food from the street is one of the cheapest ways to eat real Roman food. A type of fried rice ball filled with cheese and tomato can be bought in small, family-run shops for just a couple of euros. Another great cheap choice is pizza al taglio, which means pizza by the slice. These pizza slices are very cheap and are often sold by the weight.
Top Tip: For some of the best street food in Rome, go to the Trastevere or Testaccio neighborhoods. Don’t forget to get an espresso at one of the nearby cafés to wash it down.
5. Check out the free fun things to do in Rome
On June 2, go to the Festa della Repubblica
Rome has many free events and gatherings all year long, and many of them are open to everyone. An important event in Rome is the Festa della Repubblica, which is held on June 2 and is Italy’s national day. All day long, people can watch a free, amazing military parade, air shows, and other public events.
Tip: Look out for other gatherings in the area, like Notte Bianca (White Night) or Estate Romana, which is a summertime series of free concerts, plays, and other events held all over the city.
6. To save money, take the bus or train
Get the pass for Rome
If you only take cars to get around Rome, it can get pricey. Instead, you might want to buy a Roma Pass, which lets you use the metro, bus, and tram system as much as you want for a certain number of days and also gets you into many museums and sites for less money or for free.
Tip: The Roma Pass is great for people who want to see a lot of sights in a short amount of time. On the other hand, going around the city is often the best way to see everything because many of Rome’s famous sites are close enough to reach on foot.
FAQs
1. Is Rome too expensive for tourists to visit?
Some places and sights in Rome can be pricey, but there are lots of free and cheap things to do, like visiting museums, parks, and historic sites. To save money while going in Rome, you should plan ahead and look for free events and deals.
2. What are some ways I can save money on food in Rome?
You should try cheap and tasty street food in the area, like supplì and pizza al taglio. Don’t eat in places with a lot of tourists because the prices may be higher. Instead, look for bars and trattorias that people like to go to.
3. For cheap trips to Rome, when is the best time to go?
To save money, the best times to visit Rome are between April and June and between September and November. The weather is nice during these months, and the city isn’t as crowded as it is in the summer.
4. Is it possible to see Rome without paying for things to do?
Yes! The Pantheon, the Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona, and many beautiful parks, such as Villa Borghese, are all free to visit in Rome. You can also enjoy the city’s street food scene and go to free events and concerts all year long.
5. Is it easy to use Rome’s public transportation?
Yes, it is pretty easy to use Rome’s public transportation. The subway, bus, and tram systems in the city work well together. The Roma Pass is a great way for tourists on a budget to save money on public transportation and entrance fees to big sights.
Conclusion: Rome on a Tight Budget
There is a lot of history, art, and culture in Rome. If you plan ahead, you can see all of its sights without breaking the bank. You can enjoy the beauty of the Eternal City without spending a lot of money if you go to free sites, eat cheap street food, and use public transportation wisely. Now that you have this help, you can make the most of your trip to Rome without spending too much. Have fun on your trip, and don’t worry about spending a lot of money.