You don't have to spend a fortune to have an unforgettable trip; there are many destinations where you can have the time of your life at no extra cost. Among these is Rome, a city that lends itself to discovery without even having to open your wallet. Rome is a city that is a real open-air museum, where every corner hides a treasure to be discovered.
To appreciate a masterpiece of a legend in the history of art, it is not always necessary to pay. So, what can you visit for free in Rome? In Rome, you only have to wander around basilicas and churches to see, placed in the context for which they were intended, precious paintings and incredible sculptures.
To make the most of your stay, it is important to know the best places to visit for free in Rome. Here are our recommendations of the best free things to do in Rome, from wandering the streets on a free Rome walking tour, to free tourist attractions.
Free art in Rome
You will see paintings by Raphael in Santa Maria della Pace, works by Caravaggio in the churches of Sant'Agostino, Santa Maria del Popolo and San Luigi dei Francesi. You will find Michelangelo's renowned sculpture of Moses in San Pietro in Vincoli, and Bernini's The Ecstasy of Saint Theresa in Santa Maria della Vittoria, all for free.
There will be no lack of curious innovations such as Rubens' motorised painting in the church of Santa Maria in Valicella or Andrea Pozzo's flat dome in the church of Sant'Ignazio.Surely one day is not enough for you to enjoy all the hidden wonders in the churches of Rome for free.
Free tourist attractions in Rome
If the abundance of free art in Rome has not yet satisfied your craving for masterpieces and culture, there's more that you can see for free. On the last Sunday of each month, the Vatican Museums are in fact free, while on the first Sunday you can have free access to countless sites of interest such as the Baths of Caracalla, the Borghese Museum and Gallery, the National Museum of Castel Sant'Angelo, the four sites of the National Roman Museum, the Colosseum and the Domus aurea.
Enjoy history and culture on the streets of Rome
Italy's capital allows a low-cost experience from different perspectives. Whether you want to experience the charm of centuries of history and culture immersed in the beauty of the squares, or whether you want to have an overview from different panoramic terraces, you won't have to reach for your wallet.
St Peter's Square with its Basilica and colonnade, Piazza Navona with the Fountain of the Four Rivers, Piazza del Popolo, Piazza di Trevi with its famous fountain, Piazza del Campidoglio, Trinità dei Monti with its staircase, as well as many smaller squares and streets, will arouse in you that sense of grandeur that is a main characteristic of Rome.
The panoramic terraces of the Campidoglio, with a view of the Fori and in general of the whole of ancient Rome, the terrace of the Gianicolo and that of the Pincio as well as that of the Giardino degli Aranci on the Aventine and many others, will make you dream that you have already arrived in the Elysian fields.
Free parks in Rome
If you want to see true oases of greenery immersed in the city, then you must stop at the villas and parks of Rome. Villa Borghese Park with its Lake Garden, the Caffarella Park with the Nymphaeum of Egeria, the magnificent and immense park of Villa Pamphilj, the Circus Maximus Ring and the Little House of the Owls in the park of Villa Torlonia are just a few of the many free spaces that are particularly suitable if you are travelling with children.
Explore Rome on foot
We finish this certainly not exhaustive list of the best places to visit for free in Rome with the most characteristic neighbourhoods and areas that are best enjoyed on foot, especially on one of the city's free walking tours. Not to be missed is the popular district of Trastevere, with its narrow streets that sometimes reveal hidden architectural gems.
Unknown to the tourist masses, on the other hand, is the Coppedè district, rich in rococo and many other artistic references. On Sunday mornings it is definitely a worthwhile experience to take a stroll through the Porta Portese market where you can find a little bit of everything.
