Rome offers a wide range of free activities that allow people to enjoy its beauty without spending a euro. Not surprisingly, it is nicknamed an open-air museum by many. Not only art, also some enjoyable activities to do in company or alone. Take note.
Visit monuments and historical places
- Pantheon: admission to admire one of Rome’s most iconic monuments is free for residents, for others the full ticket costs 5 euros.
- Altare della Patria: this is an imposing monument located in a square that will change its appearance to accommodate a new metro stop. Climbing the stairs to the Vittoriano is free!
- St. Peter’s Basilica: Admission to the basilica is free. Observe the following opening hours 7 a.m. to 7:10 p.m. You will need a lot of patience, generally the line to get in is long!
- Sacred Heart of the Suffrage Church: also known as Little Cathedral, on the Prati riverfront.
Squares and Fountains
- Piazza Navona: famous for Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers, you can also find Christmas stalls here during the Christmas season.
- Trevi Fountain: a world-famous symbol of Rome, where many wishes are made by tossing a coin.
- Spanish Steps: With its famous Spanish Steps and the Fountain of the Barcaccia.
- Piazza del Popolo and its acoustic effect: Many people know Piazza del Popolo but few know that… the wall, in the center of which is the Neptune fountain, hides a curious effect. Stand where the fountain is and talk toward the wall with the other person positioned at the corner of the end of the wall (so far away). From the outside, to the person looking at you, it will look like a communication facing the wall. But you will hear, instead, the other person’s voice as if he or she were a few inches away.
A walk in parks and green areas
- Villa Borghese: this large park in the heart of Rome holds many surprises, such as the squirrels that can be glimpsed among the trees.
- Giardino degli Aranci: offers spectacular views of the city from the Aventine Hill.
- Municipal Rose Garden: not open year-round, but certainly a free activity not to be missed.
- Japanese Garden: few people know about it, but we recommend a visit to the Japanese Cultural Institute to see Ken Nakajima’s work.
- Waterfall Garden: in the EUR area you can discover the garden created by Raffaele De Vico; at the time it was used as a film set.
Museums and Exhibitions.
- Municipal Museums: free on the first Sunday of the month, including the Capitoline Museums and the Borghese Gallery.
- Napoleonic Museum and Barracco Museum (museum houses).
Viewpoints
- Terrace of the Janiculum: offers a breathtaking view of Rome and hosts the traditional cannon shot at noon.
Unique Experiences
- Keyhole: on the Aventine Hill, look through the keyhole of the Priory of the Knights of Malta: you will see the Dome of St. Peter’s!
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