t St Peter’s dome and Rome’s rooftops seen from above
Rome can be expensive, but its historic centre is compact, meaning that it can mostly be seen on foot. Ancient sites, wonderful piazzas, palace façades and beautiful parks can be enjoyed without spending any money, while the city’s churches, which are free to enter, are a treasure trove of art and architecture.
t St Peter’s dome and Rome’s rooftops seen from above
The Pantheon is the only one of Rome’s ancient monuments to which entry is free, thanks to having been converted into a church in the Byzantine era. Many visitors find the Colosseum more impressive from without than within. Entry to the Victor Emmanuel Monument– with some of the best views in Rome – is free, though to see the view from the very top you have to pay a small fee for the lift. There are other great city views from the Pincio Gardens and Janiculum Hill.There is no charge to get close to Trajan’s Column – use the zoom on your phone or camera to see details of the marble carving up close. Access to St Peter’s is free, allowing you to see famous works such Michelangelo’s Pietà and Bernini’s Baldacchino.
Rome is full of marvellous delicatessens, bakeries and take-away pizzerias where you can get fabulous food for a fraction of the prices charged in cafés and restaurants. Parks make good locations for picnics. Look out for bars advertising aperitivo or “happy hours”, where you pay a set price for a drink and can help yourself from an ample buffet. To save money at other times, order and drink at the bar rather than paying extra for table service.
See Michelangelo’s muscle-bound Moses matsterpiece for free at San Pietro in Vincoli. Marvel at magnificent Byzantine mosaics in Santa Prassede. Entering the church’s tiny Chapel of St Zeno is akin to walking into a jewel box. Although entry is charged for exhibit-ions at MAXXI and MACRO, there are usually free video presentations, and large parts of the buildings, such as MACRO Peroni’s roof terrace, can be entered for no charge.
Organize your time to make the most of public transport passes, which are available for one day, three days and seven days. The Roma Pass includes unlimited public transport, entry to two museums of choice and discounted entry to many others. A seven-day ticket, the Roma Archaeologica Card includes entry to the Forum, Colosseum, Palatine, Baths of Caracalla, monuments along the Via Appia Antica and all sites of the museums of the Museo Nazionale Romano. It does not include public transport, however.
Insider tip
State and city museums are free for EU citizens under the age of 18 and over the age of 65. The Vatican Museums are free for all on the last Sunday of every month.