They say that the best things in life are free, and this holds true for Rome, where priceless experiences await. Here is a list of free or almost free activities and sights in Rome. Feel free to conduct further research on these recommendations

Free (or almost) things that you MUST Do and SEE in Rome:

1. Explore Rome’s Beautiful Monuments and Churches:

The historical center of Rome is best explored on foot. Visit these stunning monuments and churches free of charge:

The Pantheon is the best preserved monument of the Ancient Rome, famous for its huge Dome with and open hole, the Oculus. Today it is a Christian church. 
Open : from 09:00am to 7:30pm everyday. From 09:00am to 6:00pm on Sunday

Saint Peter Basilica at the Vatican. This is the most important Christian church in the world and the biggest. It can be visited for free. 
Open: from 07:00am to 6:30pm (winter) 7:30pm (summer) everyday

San Luigi dei Francesi Church is located near the Piazza Navona and it contains masterpieces by Caravaggio. The St. Matthew Cycle

Vittoriano or Altare della Patria (first floor terrace only). This is a huge white building dedicated to the first king of Italy and its architecture is quite impressive. The first floor terrace is free so you can have a nice view over the Colosseum and Piazza Venezia. 
Open: from 09:3am to 7:30pm Monday ton Tuesday. From 09:30am to 10pm Friday and Staruday. From 09:30am to 08:30pm on Sunday.

Piramide (from the outside) 
This is an original roman pyramid of the 1st century BC. The only one left in Rome. It is totally visible from the street so no need to pay the entrance.

2. Free museums. 1st Sunday and last Sunday of the month. 

On the first Sunday of the month, the entrance to majority of the Museums in Rome is free, except for the Vatican Museums which is on the last Sunday of every month. 
This is the list of some of the free museums on the 1st Sunday of the month:
– Colosseo and Roman Forum 
– Museo Nazionale Romano at Palazzo Massimo
– Castel Sant’Angelo Museum
– Caracalla Thermal Baths archeological site
– Borghese Gallery
– National Gallery of modern and contemporary art
– Barberini Palace
– Corsini Gallery

The Vatican Museums with the Sistine Chapel is free the last Sunday of the month

3. Fountains and Squares

The squares of Rome are like beautiful en pleine air museums with incredible sculptures and palaces, and they are free. 
These are only some of the most beautiful squares and fountains of Rome that you can visit for free:

– Piazza Navona (Navona Square)
– Piazza di Spagna (Spanish Steps) 
– Piazza del Popolo
– Piazzale Barberini
– Piazza San Pietro (Vatican) 
– Piazza Cavour
– Largo Argentina
– Piazza del Quirinale
– Piazza della Repubblica
– Piazza Colonna
– Piazza Farnese
– Piazza di Monte Citorio

– Trevi Fountain
– La Barcaccia Fountain in Piazza di Spagna
– Gianicolo Fountain or Fontana dell’Acqua Paola
– Fontana dei quattro fiumi (Four rivers fountain – Piazza Navona) 
– Fontana delle tartarughe (Jewish district) 
– Fontana dei Leoni (Piazza del Popolo) 
– Fontana delle Naiadi (Piazza della Repubblica) 
– Le Quattro Fontane
– Fontana del Mosè 
– Fontana dei Dioscuri (Quirinal) 

4. Parks and gardens of Rome 

The most beautiful and important parks and gardens in Rome that are free

– Giardino degli Aranci 
– Parco della Caffarella
– Parco degli Acquedotti (Via Appia)
– Villa Borghese
– Villa Ada
– Villa Doria Pamphilij

5. Visit the beautiful Roman districts 

Walking through the authentic streets of Rome is the best thing you can do when visiting the city. You can see the real life of the local people with architectures that will surprise you at every corner. These are some of the most beautiful districts to walk through in Rome

– Trastevere district (central) 
– Coppedè district (east – palaces with a very particular architecture) 
– Monti district (central) 
– Testaccio District (central) 
– EUR district (south) 
– the Jewish district (central) 
– Aventino district (central)

6. Ancient Rome from the outside

The Colosseum and the Roman Forum can be visited from the outside without paying the ticket. You can see the Colosseum when getting off the Colosseo Metro station and walk all around it. From the Via dei Fori Imperiali street you can have a perfect view of the Roman Forum.

7. Panoramic terraces for a priceless view of the city:  

– Capitol Hill > behind the Michelangelo square on top of the stairs. Best view of the Roman Forum
– Capitol Hill > on top of the Ara Coeli stairs, right side. Quite high view of the Roman Forum and Colosseum
– Gianicolo Terrace
– Pincio Terrace
– Giardino degli Aranci
– Trinità dei Monti
– Lo Zodiaco in Monte Mario hill

8. Tiberine island

This is the only island of the River Tiber in Rome. It’s a small picturesque island hidden from the crowd. There is a lovely square with a church and two beautiful bridges.

9. Secrets of Rome 

There are some unknown places in Rome that you can see for free. These are our favorite hidden secrets of Rome with free access.

– Galleria sciarra. A beautiful hidden gallery surrounded by private palaces with amazing architecture and frescoes. 
– The secret hole on the Aventine Hill
– Via Piccolomini with the view of St. Peter’s Dome 

If you want to see the best hidden secrets of Rome and taste the italian cuisine in a wonderful walking tour with a private guide, we organize it every evening for you!

10. Markets

There is nothing more authentic than walking around the district markets. Try some street food and meet some local vendors. These are the list of our favourite markets in Rome.

– Porta Portese market 06.00-2:00pm every Sunday (clothings, vintage, antique and much more) 
– Campo dei fiori (Historical wet market and souvenirs market) 
– Testaccio market (authentic street food market) 
– Mercato Centrale (food market in Termini station) 
– Via Sannio market 08:00am to 2:00pm. Sunday closed – (very cheap clothings and accessories) 
– Monti district Market (urban street market)

11. Street art

Urban street art is free and it makes you understand the mentality and the culture of a city a little more. This is where you can find the best street art in Rome at short distance from the city centre

Ostiense district:
– Via di Porto Fluviale 
– Via dei Magazzini Generali 
– Via delle Conce
– Via Ostiense
– Via di Libetta
– Via Galvani

City centre:
–  Casa dell’architettura (Termini) 
– Spagna Metro station
– Via Volturno (Termini) 

12. Cimitero acattolico

This monumental cemetery is worth a visit. It’s just behind the Pyramid. It has beautiful sculptures and the feeling is so quiet and relaxing. The cats walking around make this place even more special. 
Open: from 09:00am to 4:30pm from Monday to Saturday. From 09:00am to 12:30am on sunday. The entrance is free but they may ask you to make a 3 euros donation.

13. Galleries

There are only a few galeries in Rome but they can be the best places to go when it’s raining.

– Galleria Colonna (via del Corso) a beautiful glass gallery with shops and cafés
– Galleria Sciarra (liberty style) 

14. Cafés

Coffee is an important part of the Italian culture and normally it’s quite cheap. So you can visit a beautiful café by paying only 1 or 2 euros. There are some cafés that are historically important and some that are just beautiful. These are the Must-See cafés in Rome

– Sant’Eustachio (an historical Roman café near the Pantheon) 
– Rosati (Piazza del Popolo) 
– Strega Caffè (via Veneto) 
– Caffè Ciampini (Trinità dei Monti) 
– Antico caffè Greco (via dei Condotti) 
– Caffè Museo Atelier Canova Tadolini (via del Babuino – with a museum inside)