See the 9 amazing free attractions in Rome. Here, you’ll discover all the city’s great places and sights that offer the best value for money, which is that you don’t have to pay anything to see them.
1. Visit Rome’s Pantheon: there are many things to do for free in Rome, and one of them is to visit the Pantheon. It was built with the aim of paying homage to the Roman gods, but today there are several famous personalities buried in the ancient temple.
The main tip is to visit during the day, taking the opportunity to explore the site and take some beautiful photos. But we also recommend returning in the evening and enjoying one of the great restaurants in the surrounding area.
2. Throwing a coin into the Trevi Fountain in Rome: the famous Trevi Fountain has been the setting for several films and is an unmissable tourist attraction in Rome. The place is always very popular and legend has it that if you throw a coin into the fountain, your wish will come true and you will return to the city.
- Important tip: Rome is a city with many tourist attractions, such as museums and tours. That’s why our tip is to always buy your tickets in advance. We buy everything on this website that has the best price.
3. Visit Piazza di Spagna in Rome: is a beautiful square that you can’t miss when planning what to do for free in Rome. It was built between 1723 and 1726 and has the Escalinata di Trinità dei Monti as a highlight of the visit, because the staircase is very beautiful and makes for great photographs.
The curiosity is that Pope Urban VIII was responsible for commissioning the Fontana della Barcaccia, a boat-shaped fountain, precisely because of a great flood that left a boat stranded in the middle of the square in mid-1598.
4. Going to Piazza Navona in Rome: another square you must visit is Piazza Navona, which is very close to the Pantheon. Like the one we mentioned above, it receives many visitors and is one of the most famous squares in Rome.
In the square, as in many others in the city, there is a fountain. The Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi was sculpted between 1648 and 1651 by Gian Lorenzo Bernini and pays homage to the four most important rivers in the world at that time.
5. Visit St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome: The Vatican also has incredible places to visit for free, and one of these is the well-known St. Peter’s Basilica (Basilica San Pietro). The interior is home to several important works of art dating from the 11th, 17th and 12th centuries, as well as plenty of gold.
It’s worth noting that to enter the basilica, both men and women must have their shoulders and knees covered. It is also forbidden to enter with cleavage and the entrance has a metal detector.
6. Walking around Villa Borghese in Rome: for those looking to enjoy nature and add another place to their list of free things to do in Rome, a great option is to go to Villa Borghese. This is a beautiful park with many attractions, as well as green areas, gardens, fountains and lakes.
It is considered one of the largest urban parks in the city and has other attractions such as the Bioparco, a small zoo, and the Museo Carlo Bilotti, a modern art museum.
- Important tip: to make the most of your trip to Rome, staying in the best areas is essential. So, if you want, check out our article explaining the main areas, the hotels and how you can save a lot on accommodation.
7. Going to the Roman Forum in Rome: next to Palatine Hill, one of Rome’s seven hills, is the Roman Forum, also known as the “cradle of law”. The space is incredible, full of buildings such as the Arch of Titus, the Basilica Giulia and the Temple of Saturn.
8. Visit the Napoleonic Museum in Rome: The Napoleonic Museum has a large collection of paintings, documents, busts and many other objects dedicated to Napoleon Bonaparte.
It is super interesting and a good alternative for what to do for free in Rome. The site has three divisions: the rise of Napoleon I, the fall and rise of Napoleon III and the era of the Second Empire. It’s a very interesting tour and full of treasures.
9. Museum of the Roman Republic in Rome: another museum as good as the previous one is the Museum of the Roman Republic, which is full of documents, works of art and multimedia materials about the history of the Roman Republic. In addition, you’ll see several items in memory of Giuseppe Garibaldi, a nationalist revolutionary who contributed to the unification of Italy.
Save money on your trip to Rome:
Saving money: do you want to plan your trip while making the most of your budget? Be sure to read our article on how to travel to Rome cheap, with all the tips to save the most, while still enjoying it!
Tickets: find out where to buy your Rome tickets in the cheapest and safest way – for parks, museums and ticket combos. You can save up to 40%!
Car: if you are thinking about renting one this is the best website. It compares the price at all rental companies and finds unbeatable prices. You can save up to 30%!
Mobile chip: we always use this chip. It’s electronic (eSIM), you install it instantly and you can use your cell phone’s Internet anywhere in the world.
Hotels: our article on where to stay in Rome. You will find out the best area and how to save a lot on the hotel.
Travel insurance: medical care in another country is very expensive and it is extremely important to take out travel insurance for any trip abroad. This is the website we always take out our insurance on. Reliable and at a good price.
Transfer: do you need one from the airport to the hotel? Find out here how to book and for the lowest price!
