Rome has always been one of the most popular, and consequently, one of the most expensive European cities to visit, however, Bedsonline has found several things that travelers can do and see during their stay for free. Simply wandering the streets and riverside in Rome can be an enchanting and historical experience, but there are also some tricks to get into some of the top-visited venues without paying for a ticket. Here is a quick guide on the Top 5 Things to do in Rome for Free!
If your customers have a touch more time and money, plan the ideal roam in Rome with our comprehensive Rome Destination Guide, an ambitious itinerary through top sights, distinguished eateries, and entertaining historical facts, so you're informative even to your most well-travelled clients.
Vatican City hosts the most popular attractions in Rome, and they generally come at a cost. However St. Peter's Basilica and St. Peter's Square are free, and you can sign up for free tours of the Basilica from the Vatican Tourist Office. Also, between 9 am and 12.30 pm on the last Sunday of every month, there is free entry to the Vatican Museums, Gardens, and Sistine Chapel – excluding when the last Sunday falls on Easter Sunday, Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, Christmas Day, or Saint Stephen's Day. Remind visitors they will be turned away if they do not have their knees and shoulders covered, and that they should wear comfortable walking shoes.
Town squares and Basilicas are often missed in Rome in favour of their famous neighbours. Two of the most popular squares Piazza Navona and Piazza di Spagna (Spanish Steps) are free to visit, and with more than 900 churches in Rome, there is always one nearby, the St. Peter's Basilica is most famous, while Santa Prassede is particularly special due to its Byzantine mosaics from 817-824, and Santa Maria in Trastevere is one of the oldest churches of Rome, built in the early 4th century.
Visiting the Fontana di Trevi is free, although throwing a coin or two into the famous fountain is a tradition that results in an approximate €3,000 a day landing in its waters. The legend, popularised by the 1954 romantic comedy Three Coins in the Fountain, says, if you throw a coin with the right hand over your left shoulder, the gods will ensure that you will return to Rome in the future. Visit day and night as they are distinctly different experiences, and take care of your bag! Stealing coins from the fountain isn't the only thing attempted at this busy tourist spot!
The Pantheon is one of those attractions that leaves you awe-struck, this temple “of all the gods” has been standing in perfect condition since circa 125AD, almost 2,000 years. It's the best-preserved monument of imperial Rome, the world's largest unreinforced concrete dome, and totally free to visit.
Visitors place their hands in the Bocca della Verita ‘Mouth of Truth’, an ancient 1300kg round marble thought to depict the face of the sea god Oceanus. The tale goes, if you’ve lied to your loved ones, your hand will be bitten off! If you escape unscathed you’ll be able to bask in the sunshine at Circus Maximus, the ancient Roman chariot-racing stadium which has been converted into a public park.
And, while Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine are not free, you can still see the ruins from the roadside, or to see more, a single ticket includes entry to all three and is valid for two days. Note that the Forum and Palatine have to be visited on the same day.
A Rome trip doesn't have to be expensive and depending on the time of their stay, travelers can still enjoy the capital's top attractions on a tight budget. If your starting to plan your customer's trip, make sure to get our complete Rome Destination Guide to see our hotel recommendations and add great restaurants to their itinerary.
