Free Things to Do in Rome | Attractions, Sights & Walks

Rome has plenty of free things to do, including historic piazzas, churches, viewpoints, city walks and Roman ruins visible from public streets. Some famous attractions require tickets to enter but cost nothing to admire from outside.

I spent 16 days in Rome while backpacking through Italy with Henry. We relied heavily on free sightseeing and stayed at Seven Hills Campsite outside the centre to keep accommodation and transport costs down.

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Famous Free Attractions in Rome and Vatican City

Some places below are free to enter, while others you can admire from the surrounding streets and piazzas.

St Peter’s Square

One of the most popular places to visit is St Peter’s Square. St Peter’s Square in Vatican City is open 24/7. There are lots of details to see while mooching around, including some very impressive buildings. The best time of day to visit is early, before the crowds arrive.

A large, curved colonnade extending from the basilica encloses St Peter’s Square. The colonnade has 284 large, unfluted columns and is impressive. You can also see ornate fountains, monuments and statues while perusing the area.

St Peter’s Basilica

St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City is a beautiful place to visit, and entry to the main church is free. There is often a queue; however, if you get there when it opens, the queue is shorter than later in the day.

Saint Peter’s Basilica is a massive church built in the Renaissance style. Construction of the present basilica began in 1506 and was completed in 1626. Donato Bramante, Michelangelo, Carlo Maderno, and Gian Lorenzo Bernini designed most of the church. The church is the most renowned work of Renaissance architecture and the largest church in the world by interior volume.

There is plenty to see inside the church, from the massive nave to the iconic dome. Everywhere you look, you’ll find works of art, including paintings, sculptures, and decorative details. Looking around the interior can take an hour or considerably longer.

Sightseeing Around The Colosseum

The Colosseum is synonymous with Rome and is a very popular tourist attraction. The Colosseum is an oval-shaped amphitheatre near the Roman Forum. It is the largest ancient amphitheatre ever built and is also the largest standing amphitheatre in the world. Construction of the Colosseum began under Emperor Vespasian in 72 AD and was completed under Emperor Titus in 80 AD.

We visited the Colosseum in the evenings, as the crowds had dissipated, to have a good look around the outside of the grand amphitheatre.

The path around the Colosseum made for an excellent sightseeing walk. There were some handy places to sit and enjoy an alfresco beer from the nearby shop. I highly recommend visiting during golden hour and sunset. The lighting is fantastic, and it’s not so crowded.

Piazza della Rotonda

One of the city’s popular tourist attractions is the Pantheon, an ancient church in the city’s heart. They now charge 7 euros to enter; however, you can still mooch around in Piazza della Rotonda for free. It is one of the best-preserved of all Ancient Roman buildings.

At the entrance to the Pantheon is Piazza della Rotonda, a beautiful place to visit and a great spot for photographs. I enjoyed visiting Piazza della Rotonda early in the morning, before the church opens; it is a quiet time here.

The Pantheon is a former Roman temple to all the gods, built between 126 and 128 AD under Hadrian. Since 609 AD, it has been used as a Catholic church.

Trevi Fountain

A free attraction featured on our city walks is the Trevi Fountain, an 18th-century fountain in the Trevi district. It is the largest Baroque fountain in the city and one of the world’s most famous fountains. You can see the Trevi Fountain from the surrounding square for free. However, visitors now pay to enter the controlled area beside the basin during ticketed hours.

It’s a popular spot for tourists, and touts sell lots of junk while you’re there. A bonus of having a dog was the lack of pestering when with Henry. It is a popular spot for photos, especially selfies.

Altar of the Fatherland for Views of Ancient Rome

The Altar of the Fatherland, or Altare della Patria, is mostly free to visit. That is, unless you want to ride the elevator to the panoramic viewing platform at the very top. This grand, classical marble temple was built to honour Italy’s first king, Victor Emmanuel II, & the First World War soldiers.

The Victor Emmanuel II National Monument, built between 1885 and 1935, was intended to honour Victor Emmanuel II. Between the Piazza Venezia and the Capitoline Hill is the Altar of the Fatherland. The higher portions of the building offer splendid views of the Roman sights, including the Colosseum.

Free Ancient Roman Sites and Ruins

Teatro Marcello

Another ancient Roman place to see while sightseeing is Teatro Marcello. You can mooch around the exterior for free, and there’s grass to chill out on and enjoy the shade. Sadly, you cannot go inside, but the exterior is well worth a look if passing by.

The Theatre of Marcellus is an ancient open-air theatre that was built in the closing years of the Roman Republic. Locals and visitors could watch dramatic and musical performances. The theatre dates from 13 BC, is 111 m in diameter, and was thus the largest and most important theatre in Ancient Rome.

Circus Maximus

If you like Ancient Roman attractions, you might want to visit the Circus Maximus. The site is now a public park. However, its original use for chariot racing is fascinating.

Circus Maximus is an ancient Roman chariot-racing stadium where people went to be entertained. It is in the valley between the Aventine and Palatine hills. Circus Maximus was the first and largest stadium in ancient Rome and the Roman Empire. The stadium was 621 metres long and 118 metres wide. It could accommodate 150,000 spectators for chariot racing.

From the park, you can see some Roman sights, including ruins, Torre della Moletta and the Terme di Massenzio. The entire area is ideal for a sightseeing walk, as there’s lots to see without paying to enter.

Il Tempio di Adriano

Another fascinating place is Il Tempio di Adriano, or The Temple of Hadrian. The Temple of Hadrian is a Roman structure in Piazza di Pietra dedicated to the deified emperor Hadrian in 145 CE.

What remains of the Roman ruins is a cella wall and eleven columns from the original temple’s external colonnade. It is free to visit and a fascinating place. The rest of Piazza di Pietra is also relatively quiet, making it a handy place to sit.

The Arch of Constantine

Another impressive sight near the Colosseum is the Arch of Constantine. It’s a free place to see and open 24/7. It’s a pleasant place to visit before sunset, as it’s quieter and the sky is often impressive.

The Arch of Constantine is a triumphal arch dedicated to Emperor Constantine the Great. The Roman Senate commissioned the arch to commemorate Constantine’s victory over Maxentius at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in AD 312. The arch was officially opened in 315, and since then it has witnessed much history. The arch has many details to see up close and is well worth looking at from all sides.

The Imperial Fora & Trajan’s Forum

One of the best ways to see Roman sights is to just wander around the Imperial Fora. There are loads of things to see from the street, and the views are splendid.

The Imperial Fora are separate from the Roman Forum, although the two archaeological areas stand close together. The different fora were built between 46 BC and AD 113 and became important centres of politics, religion and administration.

Trajan’s Column stands within Trajan’s Forum and commemorates Emperor Trajan’s victory in the Dacian Wars. Although you can see it from the outside for free, you can also pay to enter the forums.

Roman Ruins at Largo di Torre Argentina

Largo di Torre Argentina is another place to do some sightseeing and see some Roman ruins. You can walk around the entire perimeter of the site and see many features of the ruins. Largo di Torre Argentina is a big open space in Rome.

The site has 4 Roman Republican temples. It was also home to the remains of Pompey’s theatre. It is in the ancient Campus Martius. Apparently, the spot where Julius Caesar was assassinated is in the square.

Temple of Portunus

The Temple of Portunus is a Roman temple that was built beside the Forum Boarium. The Forum Boarium was the Roman cattle market associated with Hercules. This is near the River Tiber and a short walk from Circus Maximus.

Originally, a temple was built here in the 3rd or 4th century BC; however, it was rebuilt between 120 and 80 BC. You can roam around the outside while walking through the sights of ancient Rome.

The Oldest Roman Bridge in Rome – Pons Fabricius

Ponte Fabricio, or Pons Fabricius, crosses the River Tiber. The nearby area is lovely, and the bridge offers splendid views. The white water below is pretty cool too.

The Pons Fabricius is Rome’s oldest Roman bridge and is amazingly well preserved. The bridge was constructed in 62 BC to cross half of the Tiber River. The bridge connects Campus Martius on the east to Tiber Island in the middle of the river.

Santa Maria in Cosmedin

Santa Maria in Cosmedin is an early medieval basilica with origins dating back to the eighth century. Its distinctive bell tower was added later. The basilica was built on the remains of the Temple of Hercules Pompeianus.

The church has a restored medieval facade with 7 arches and a very distinctive bell tower dating to the 12th century. I found it while walking around the edge of the Roman Forum. This is beautiful to see from the outside, and it’s also free to visit the inside.

Free Piazzas, Fountains and Architecture

Piazza del Popolo

Piazza del Popolo is a massive square with plenty to see. The square is home to the Flaminian Obelisk and the city’s northern gate, Porta del Popolo. Piazza del Popolo and the Chigi Chapel featured in the film Angels & Demons. Raphael designed the chapel inside the Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo.

Piazza del Popolo is home to the Fountain of the Lions, which is in the centre of the square with the obelisk. The two at the edges are the Neptune fountain and the fountain of the goddess of Rome.

There are also a few other churches here that you can pop your head into to see the decor. This includes the pair of similar churches, Chiesa Santa Maria dei Miracoli and Santa Maria in Montesanto. The pair look like non-identical twins, with many similar features. I found this one of Rome’s quieter squares and a pleasure to hang out in with a beer and enjoy the views.

Piazza di Spagna & The Spanish Steps

Another lovely place to visit is Piazza di Spagna, home to the iconic Spanish Steps. On our visit, this was often the starting point for many of our walks through the city.

The Spanish Steps are a beautiful, monumental stairway dating from 1726 that climbs a steep slope between the Piazza di Spagna and the Trinità dei Monti church at the top.

Piazza di Spagna is one of the city’s most famous squares. The square is named after the Palazzo di Spagna, which is the seat of the Embassy of Spain to the Holy See. The embassy is striking and well worth seeing for its beautiful facade.

At the bottom of the Spanish Steps, you can see the famous Fontana della Barcaccia. Fontana della Barcaccia is stunning, and it was completed in 1629, at the beginning of the Baroque period.

Piazza Navona

Another pleasant place for a sightseeing walk is Piazza Navona, home to Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers, which appeared in Angels & Demons. Piazza Navona is stunning, and it dates back to the 1st century.

You can visit a few churches at Piazza Navona. The main church in the square is Sant’Agnese in Agone. Sant’Agnese in Agone is beautiful from the outside and a great backdrop for the Fiumi Fountain. This 17th-century church has lovely frescoes, large sculptures & a shrine containing St. Agnes’ skull. Another popular spot in the square is the Fiumi Fountain.

Towards the end of the square is the 16th-century Neptune Fountain, which is less busy and a great place for a takeaway pizza and a bottle of beer. A common theme for us while budget travelling in Italy.

Piazza Venezia

Piazza Venezia is a fantastic place for sightseeing in Rome. The square has many tourist attractions, all of which are very photogenic. It is one of the city’s central hubs and can get busy with people passing through on their way to the Roman Forum and other sights.

You can see Palazzo Venezia, the former embassy of the Republic of Venice. Nearby are Trajan’s Forum, Santa Maria di Loreto, and other monuments. I found this area popular with street vendors and busy with traffic. For a bird’s-eye view of Piazza Venezia, climb the steps of the Altar of the Fatherland.

Courtyard of Galleria Sciarra

If you enjoy art and interesting buildings, Galleria Sciarra is a great place to visit. It is between the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon. The courtyard is stunning, with lots of art and decorative features.

The palace was built for the rich Sciarra family in the late 19th century. The Galleria Sciarra was intended as a shopping mall for the rich. The Art Nouveau courtyard is completely covered with frescoes and other eye-catching features.

See Palazzo Montecitorio

Palazzo Montecitorio is a grand palace and the seat of the lower house of the Italian Parliament. Security was tight here, with police and barriers on one side to keep people from getting too close. This Baroque palace dates to 1653 and was commissioned by the famous Gian Lorenzo Bernini as a residence.

In the courtyard at the palace entrance stands the Obelisk of Montecitorio. This is impressive to see and has some pretty details. It is just over 21 metres tall and made from red granite.

The Obelisk of Montecitorio is an ancient Egyptian obelisk of Psamtik II from Heliopolis. Roman Emperor Augustus brought this to Rome with the Flaminio Obelisk in 10 BC.

Propilei Neoclassici

Near Piazza del Popolo is the Propilei Neoclassici, another nice sight. The pretty entrance gates to Villa Borghese, dating from 1829, serve as the villa’s monumental entrance. It’s a nice place to visit once you’ve finished looking around the square.

Porta del Popolo

Porta del Popolo is a monumental 16th-century gateway with marble columns, statues of saints and a papal coat of arms. The gate has an interesting history and has been rebuilt a few times. Pope Sixtus IV built the current version of Porta del Popolo in 1475. It was built on the site of an ancient Roman gate.

Free Parks, Viewpoints and Walks

Sunset From Ponte Umberto I

Sunset is a lovely time to explore the city. I found a spot on Ponte Umberto I, a bridge that crosses the River Tiber. The bridge offers excellent views of St. Peter’s Basilica and the Ponte Sant’Angelo.

The area also has other pleasant buildings to see. This includes the Corte di Cassazione, which has some fantastic features. After sunset, the walk toward the Vatican past Castel Sant’Angelo is pretty, as the castle is all lit up.

Giardino degli Aranci & Terrazza Belvedere Aventino Viewpoint

Giardino degli Aranci is a lovely park and viewpoint to visit. The Orange Garden on Aventine Hill dates back to the 10th century. It is a pleasant place to visit and enjoy the shade, especially in the summer.

My highlight was the viewpoint, which offered many sights from above, including St. Peter’s Basilica. The city’s skyline from here is a wonderful reason to visit the Aventine Hill area.

Parco della Mole Adriana With Views of Castel Sant’Angelo

The area around Castel Sant’Angelo is impressive. You can visit the castle; however, you can wander around its grounds, the Parco della Mole Adriana, for free.

Castel Sant’Angelo began as Emperor Hadrian’s mausoleum in the 2nd century. It was later adapted into a fortress, a papal residence, and a castle.

Parco della Mole Adriana has plenty of places to sit in the shade and enjoy a drink. The park is geometric and surrounds most of the castle. The garden dates back to the 1930s and is pleasant.

Near the entrance to Castel Sant’Angelo, a promenade runs along the River Tiber. Market stalls and bars line the promenade.

Sant’Angelo Bridge is also a fantastic viewpoint to see the castle and other sights in Rome. On the far bank, the view of the castle and bridge together is splendid.

Sant’Alessio Garden

Near the Orange Garden on Aventine Hill is Sant’Alessio Garden, a beautiful place to visit with a viewpoint. The garden is between the church of St Sabina and the Villa Magistrale of the Sovereign Order of Malta.

This traditional late-19th-century garden is a great place to find shade on hot days.

River Tiber Walks

One of my favourite activities is walking along the banks of the River Tiber. The river runs through the centre of the city near many key places of interest. From the banks of the river, you can enjoy some wonderful views.

It can also be quite a relaxing place. I enjoyed a few Italian beers while exploring the riverbanks. You can find out which parts are walkable on the Komoot app.

The Knights of Malta Keyhole

Another popular tourist attraction to visit is the Knights of Malta Keyhole. Basically, it’s a chance to see a unique view of St Peter’s Basilica. You’ll see a garden path at Villa del Priorato di Malta leading to the church. Villa del Priorato di Malta is on the famous Aventine Hill, which offers many other fantastic sights, including several viewpoints.

It’s a pleasant view, but it’s tricky to take a good photo. That doesn’t stop many people from trying when it’s their time to look down the garden path. During my visit, I was lucky to have a short queue to see the attraction.

Roseto Comunale: A Rose Garden With Splendid Views

If you like roses and wonderful views, then the Roseto Comunale on Aventine Hill is a great place to visit. Roseto Comunale overlooks some of Rome’s most famous sights, including Palatine Hill and the Circus Maximus. The park has benches where you can sit, relax, and enjoy the view.

Roseto Comunale dates back to the 3rd century BC. Since then, it has had many purposes, including a vineyard. Today, you can see over 1,100 rose varieties. Roseto Comunale is free to enter during its seasonal opening.

Free Churches in Rome

Churches in Rome are often free to enter, and I visited quite a few while in the city. You can pop into hundreds, have a look around, and learn about their design, history, and interior artwork. As a bonus, the lesser-visited churches are usually quiet.

Budget Travel Tips For Rome

Some handy tips to help your money go further while visiting the city.

Free ATMs

Cash is pretty useful when visiting, especially for cheap snacks or drinks. The last thing you want to do when budget travelling is to waste money on ATM fees. I found that the Italian post office charged nothing when withdrawing euros from my Revolut account.

Supermarket Picnics

The supermarkets are full of delicious treats that make for a cheap lunch out. They also sell cold bottles of beer to accompany your lunch. We enjoyed eating out in many of the quieter piazzas and parks during our stay.

Is Rome Good for Travelling on a Budget?

Rome is a stunning city with many attractions. If you can find budget accommodation, then you can keep busy for days with all the free things to see.

Sightseeing walks through Rome are great fun, and wandering without a fixed route often leads to unexpected places of interest. Many attractions are free to enter, or you can admire them from the outside. My highlights were the Roman sights and the countless churches. The city’s epic nature made Rome well worth visiting.