8 Amazing Free Things to do When Travelling to Rome
Looking for free things to do in Rome? Before travelling to Rome, we read a lot about it and what to do and seemed like there was lots of money to be spent.
It can be considered as one of the more expensive destinations in Europe, but we found multiple free things to do! Great way to save money while travelling!
Visit the Pope
We don’t mean this metaphorically, you can actually see the pope! If the pope is in his apartment on a Sunday at 12 pm, he does a speech from his apartment window.
When we went to Rome we didn’t know this happened and looked like complete idiots asking why the Vatican was completely full of people, barriers, and police.
Although the blessing was in Italian it was pretty cool knowing we’ve seen the pope in real life and been blessed.
2. St Peter’s Basilica
St Peter’s Basilica is at the back of Vatican City and not very difficult to miss. It is free to enter and one of the top free things to do in Rome. It has amazing architecture inside which is a must-see apparently.
Unfortunately, when we visited Rome the line must have had 500 people in it, and it extended all around the entirety of the square, so be prepared for that.
If you walk the hundred of steps to the top, there is a viewing balcony where you can roof top sites of Rome!
3. The Trevi Fountain
The Trevi Fountain is an iconic image of Rome. It is much bigger than we expected but very very busy. Around the front you can barely move for people but the closer you get to the actual fountain and around the side, it was less busy.
We got close to the fountain took our photos and then enjoyed an ice cream on some steps nearby which was really nice.
The Trevi Foundation dates back to 1762 and been restored multiple points throughout it’s history. It is meant to be good luck to throw a coin with your right hand over your left shoulder
There is around 3000 euros thrown into the fountain every day and throughout the year around 1 million euros is donated to charity
4. The Altar of the Fatherland
The Alta of the Fatherland is a walk up the road from the Colosseum. It is a war memorial which was completed in 1925 and such an impressive size.
You could easily spend quite a few hours here,. It is full of history and it is free! Therefore obviously included in our list of free things to do in Rome! It's cool to walk around with very impressive statues, you can also stand upstairs outside where you can admire the roof top views of Rome.
They do also have a lift to go up further but you have to pay for it, however, it doesn’t cost much.
5. The Pantheon
The Pantheon was built as a Roman temple and completed around 126AD, and since the year 609 operated as a church. Therefore over 1000 years old! It’s free to enter and admire the beautiful architecture inside
6. The Spanish Steps
When reading lots of other blog posts before visiting Rome it is always recommended to visit the Spanish Steps. However, when we visited you could barely see the steps for everyone sitting on them. I, therefore, couldn't get a photo of them!
However, sitting on the steps while a busker played the guitar and sang was pretty nice, and it may be quieter at other times of the day.
7. Walks Along the Tiber
The Tiber River runs between the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon, and the Vatican City. Walks along the Tiber is beautiful in the hot weather and a beautifully sunny day where the water was reflecting off the river.
It has beautiful bridges across which reflect onto the river. You can walk along the top and also along the bottom. You can also have views of Castel Sant’Angelo, a castle on the river.
8. Piazza Navona
We stumbled across this square and spent a good amount of time people-watching. One of the fountains in this square reminds us of a small Trevi Fountain. It is surrounded by restaurants for a quick drink or spend time walking around the square and people watching. One of our favourite activities.
Although Rome is considered expensive there are multiple free things to do in Rome. I think people may avoid Rome as they think it is expensive but I am here to show everyone travelling doesn't have to be expensive!
