On my first trip to Rome 5 years ago, I had planned out my days to include a trip to all of Rome’s biggies and most interesting places for me. This included the Colosseum, Vatican Museum, Domus Aurea, etc. Now that I am here a second time, and I am on a tight budget, I have been doing anything and everything that is free! Here is a list of 5 amazing & free things to do in Rome.
Trastevere
This is a beautiful old neighbourhood in Rome. It is quite large and many of the Instagram worthy pictures you see on social media are taken from various places around the hood. The area is not all like these beautiful charming photo’s you may have seen. There are schools, major traffic corridors, shops of all sizes and museums. But delve into the heart of some of these area’s and you will find the hidden treasure.
All you have to do is walk or bus to the district and walk around. Let yourself wander and get lost. Have a few restaurants or café’s researched ahead of time, so you can always look one up quickly should you get hungry or thirsty.
You can spend hours weaving your way in and out of these warm ancient streets.
The Columns
The round ones, specifically the Column of Marcus Aurelius and Trajan’s Column. These are exquisite huge marble, well, columns, that have been carved in their entirety. Not large carvings, but minute pictures that wrap themselves from the bottom of the columns to the tops. They tell stories of battles. If you stop and really look at the images, the detail and artistry will take your breath away.
Marcus Aurelius was finished in 193AD and was based on Trajan’s which was completed in 113AD. Both are hollow and contain a set of stairs to the top! If you look carefully, you will see tiny windows in the carved reliefs all the way up. These are to illuminate the staircase from the inside. Incredible.
The Colosseum
Yes you can and absolutely should purchase tickets at some point to go inside the Colosseum, but you can also view this magnificent structure in its entirety from the outside! Various hillsides around the vicinity will give you amazing views. Come at different times of day and night to see it shine like the beauty it is. Every time I see this amazing building, I get goose bumps.
Trevi Fountain
The Trevi Fountain was completed in 1762 and is perhaps one of the most photographed and recognizable sites in Rome. The pale turquoise water against the white carved marble makes for spectacular photo’s. And its huge. When you come around a corner and encounter it, the sheer size alone will make you gasp. Throw a coin over your shoulder into the water, and superstition says you will one day, return to this beautiful city.
Arriving before 8am will ensure that you can get a good photograph without hoards of people. It truly is a magnificent feature in Rome.
Villa Borghese Gardens
These gardens are completely free to enter and walk around or spend the day in. The space is vast with paths roaming through huge Roman pines, past lakes and ponds and even a sports field. Near the Gallery, is a beautiful manicured garden full of statues and benches.
I wandered in here for hours one day. It was so peaceful and quiet and a perfect way to escape the crowds. By mid morning, vendors selling gelato and drinks will have set up on some of the larger paths. It really is a special place in Rome.
I could and may write several more posts about free things to do and see in Rome. There is so much history and beauty in this city. It is why many people fall head over heels in love when they visit.
Ciao Ciao 😊
