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Rome, the Eternal City, is a veritable open-air museum. With more than 2,700 years of history, the Italian capital offers a priceless cultural and artistic heritage, ranging from Roman times to the contemporary age.
Walking through its streets, you can admire millennia-old remains, Baroque churches, Renaissance palaces and modern works of art, evidence of the different eras that have shaped the city.
But the question we all, visitors and residents alike, ask is: When are Rome’s museums free?”
The good news is that there are several opportunities that allow everyone to enjoy Rome’s immense historical heritage without spending a euro.
First of all, numerous state museums are always free, accessible at any time of the year. Prominent among them are the Museum of the Walls, the Museum of Casal de’ Pazzi, and the Napoleonic Museum.
In addition, for 2024, the Ministry of Culture has reconfirmed the #DomenicalMuseo initiative, which allows free admission to major state museums every first Sunday of the month.
This initiative includes famous sites such as the Colosseum, the Borghese Gallery, and Castel Sant’Angelo. Rome’s Civic Museums also participate in this initiative, offering free access on the first Sunday of every month.
But let’s see in detail what are the places to visit in Rome for free.
Museums always free in Rome
The city provides history lovers or the merely curious with several state museums that are free admission all year round. For those who want to take a tour in chronological order:
Museum of Casal de’ Pazzi
(Middle to Upper Pleistocene)
Explore a paleontological site with artifacts dating back 200,000 years.
Address: Via Egidio Galbani, 6.
Hours: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. (Tuesday-Friday), 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (Saturday-Sunday).
Museum of the Walls
(3rd century AD)
Explore the ancient Aurelian walls and discover the history of Rome’s fortifications.
Address: Via di Porta San Sebastiano, 18.
Hours: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. (Tuesday-Sunday).
Villa di Massenzio
(4th century AD)
Visit the imperial complex with the circus and the mausoleum of Romulus.
Address: Via Appia Antica, 153.
Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (Tuesday-Sunday).
Museo Giovanni Barracco
(Collections from ancient Egypt to the Middle Ages)
Admire a large collection of ancient sculptures from different civilizations.
Address: Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, 166/A.
Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (Tuesday-Sunday).
Peter Canonica Museum at Villa Borghese
(19th-20th century)
Discover the works of sculptor Pietro Canonica in his home-atelier.
Address: Pietro Canonica Avenue, 2.
Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (Tuesday-Sunday).
Napoleonic Museum
(18th-19th century)
Discover memorabilia and artwork related to the Bonaparte family.
Address: Piazza di Ponte Umberto I, 1.
Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (Tuesday-Sunday).
Museum of the Roman Republic and Garibaldian Memory
(19th century)
Review the history of the Risorgimento and the Roman Republic of 1849.
Address: Largo di Porta San Pancrazio.
Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (Tuesday-Sunday).
Museo Carlo Bilotti Aranciera di Villa Borghese
(Contemporary art)
Explore a collection of contemporary art in an elegant orangery.
Address: Fiorello La Guardia Avenue, 6.
Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (Tuesday-Sunday).
Main museums in Rome free on the first Sunday of the month
Thanks to the #DomenicalMuseo initiative, you can visit some of Rome’s major historical attractions for free every first Sunday of the month:
Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine
Explore for free the world’s most famous amphitheater and ancient Roman Forum area in the Colosseum Archaeological Park.
Address: Colosseum Square, 1.
Hours: 8:30 a.m.-7:15 p.m. (last admission 6:15 p.m.).
Borghese Gallery
Amire masterpieces by Bernini, Caravaggio and Raphael in this beautiful villa.
Address: Piazzale Scipione Borghese, 5.
Hours: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. (reservations required).
Pantheon
Don’t miss one of the best preserved ancient monuments in Rome.
Address: Piazza della Rotonda.
Hours: 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. (last admission 6:30 p.m.).
Castel Sant’Angelo
Discover the history of this fortress-turned-museum.
Address: Lungotevere Castello, 50.
Hours: 9:00 a.m.-7:30 p.m. (last admission 6:30 p.m.).
The complete list of state museums in Rome with free admission every first Sunday of the month you can consult here.
Vatican Museums: free admission on last Sunday of the month
What else to see in Rome for free? In addition to state museums, the Vatican Museums also offer free admission on the last Sunday of every month (excluding Sundays that coincide with religious holidays).
You can admire the Sistine Chapel and the extraordinary papal collections without paying a ticket.
Opening hours are from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, with last admission at 12:30 pm. We recommend that you arrive early to avoid the long lines.
Visiting Rome for free has never been easier. Take advantage of these opportunities to explore the rich cultural heritage of the Eternal City without spending a euro.
Remember to always check schedules and any extraordinary closures before your visit.