Last updated on March 10th, 2023
Rome is one of the most visited cities in the world. When we planned our trip, we were worried about how expensive our 3-day stay in the city was going to be.
Surprisingly, we did not spend nearly as much as we had thought. Rome can be a great place to travel if you are on a budget because many of its most popular attractions are free to visit.
With some pre-planning, you can easily visit Rome if you are on a tight budget.
This guide covers how to visit Rome on a budget guide. I’ve included the top free attractions, money-saving tips, and recommendations to some restaurants and accommodations.
When to Visit Rome
If you are trying to save some money, plan your visit during the shoulder seasons. March through May, October, and November are going to be much cheaper times to visit. Ticket prices and accommodations will be significantly less.
Due to our schedules, we ended up having to visit Rome near the end of June. Although it was peak season, we were able to book free plane tickets using our sky miles and found an inexpensive Airbnb in the Trastevere neighborhood just outside the city center.
Money Saving Tips
Don’t eat near tourist attractions
The prices for food at these restaurants are significantly more due solely to its location to popular attractions.
Pass on the bread
Most restaurants will put a basket of bread and olive oil on the table. Just so you know, it is not free! Although delicious, you can pass on the bread to save a few euros.
Drink water from the public fountains
The water is not only free but extremely clean and safe to drink. I was skeptical at first, but the water tasted so much better than from a bottle! Carry a water bottle with you and fill it up as needed. Public fountains will save you a lot of money on bottled water alone.
Avoid paying for taxis
Taxis are extremely expensive and many times are not worth the money. The best way to get around is on foot or pay a couple of euros for bus tickets. The best thing to do is plan your daily itinerary based on location. Visit all the sites that are close to each other in one day. You will save yourself a little bit of walking and optimize your time visiting the sites.
Try some Italian “street food”
There are many places in Rome where you can grab food on the go. Unlike in other countries, you pay extra to sit at a bar or table in a restaurant. Street food is much cheaper because you are not taking up a spot. Some great street foods to try are suppli (deep-fried rice balls), trapizzino (stuffed pizza), cuoppo napoletano (fried seafood in a paper cone), and slices of pizza. No, these are not the healthiest options, but they are an easy way to supplement some meals.
Buy groceries
Stop by a local market or grocery store and buy some snacks. Depending on where you stay, you probably won’t have any kitchen amenities. You can buy non-perishable items like fruits, bread, cheeses, and snacks.
Free Things to Do in Rome
Relax in the Piazza Navona
This busy square is full of street performers, artists, and cafes. It is the perfect place to relax and enjoy being in Rome.
Explore local markets
Check out the Via Sannio Market in Giovanni and the Porta Portese Market in Trastevere. They are free to enter, and the produce is reasonably priced and very fresh! Buy some cheese, meats, and bread for a delicious and inexpensive lunch.
Visit Gianicolo
Climb Gianicolo hill for lovely views of Rome. This is an especially nice spot to watch the sunset over the ancient city.
Visit the Pantheon
This beautiful church is one of the many free churches in Rome. A must-see on your trip! Like all churches in Rome, there is a dress code. For example, you cannot have bare shoulders so many women bring a shawl with them.
Tour the Vatican Museum
The Vatican offers free entry to the public on the last Sunday of every month. It is a great option if you don’t mind waiting in long lines to get in.
Walk around Saint Peter’s Basilica
Although the Vatican Museum is only free one day out of the month, St. Peter’s Basilica is always free to the public. The lines to get in can be fairly long if you are not part of a tour, so try to get there early in the morning when it is less crowded.
Admire the Trevi Fountain
The Trevi Fountain is another popular free attraction in Rome. It does get very busy, so try to get there early in the morning or late at night for fewer crowds. Of course, you will also want to throw a coin in the fountain so that you will one day return to the city!
Sit on the Spanish Steps
Pack a lunch and relax on the Spanish Steps. You will find many people here relaxing during the day. It is a great people-watching spot!
Relax in the Villa Borghese gardens
The gardens of the Villa Borghese are free to enter. They are some of the most beautiful gardens in Rome and the perfect place for a relaxing afternoon. Pack a lunch and have a romantic picnic by the lake.
Walk by the Roman Forum
You can see the expansive area from the streets for free. If you want to learn more about this archaeological site, I suggest booking a tour or buying tickets, which I will talk about later in this post.
Stand on the Altare della Patria
This large monument sits near the Ancient part of Rome. Climb to the top of the stairs for a clear view of the Roman Forum.
Stroll down the Via Margutta
Made famous for being in the movie “Roman Holiday” starring Audrey Hepburn. Via Margutta is a beautiful street lined with rustic ivy draped buildings.
Explore the neighborhoods
The best part of Rome was exploring the charming alleyways. Our favorite neighborhood was Trastevere, which was also where we stayed during our visit. At night Tibre comes alive with street vendors, restaurants, and locals playing foosball and other games set up along the water.
Join a free walking tour
There are several free walking tours offered daily. Book advance on the New Rome Free Tour website, and you can join several different walking tours for no cost. The guides do work on tips, which are much appreciated!
Other Inexpensive Attractions
Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and Roman Forum
The cost for these three attractions is only €13 for non-EU citizens and €7.50 for EU citizens. The tickets are a great deal to see some of the most historic sites in Rome. You can buy tickets at one of the ticket booths outside the attractions. The booth outside of Palatine Hill will probably be the quickest. For €30 you could buy skip-the-line tickets for all three attractions.
TRAVEL TIP: The Colosseum is extremely busy! Try going as soon as it opens or an hour before closing so that you are not waiting in long lines to get in.
Vatican City
Vatican City is free to see, as is St. Peter’s Basilica. If you want to visit the Vatican Museum, it will cost you. However, on the last Sunday of every month, the entrance to the museum is free as well. For a few euros, you can climb the dome of St. Peter’s or tour the museum.
If you don’t mind spending a little money to skip the lines, tickets cost only $25 and could be worth not having to wait in the hot sun for an hour for entry. These tickets also include entrance into the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museum.
Cheap Places to Eat in Rome
Mercato Market is a great place to go for fresh produce, but they also have prepared food. They have everything you could need here, including beer and wine.
Bono Bottega Nostrana has the best sandwiches at terrific prices. With over 600 5-star reviews, you can’t go wrong!
Amerine la Pizzetta: For some of the most delicious pizza in Rome, visit this little restaurant in Trastevere.
Pizza E Mozzarella: Located near the Pantheon, Pizza E Mozzarella is one of the few inexpensive restaurants in the area, and the food is great. There are a couple of tables that you can sit and eat at, but most people take their slices to go.
Supplì: Stop by this tiny restaurant for some pasta, pizza, or suppli to go. Suppli are deep-fried balls of rice and cheese, also called arancini in other parts of Italy. Suppli is one of my favorite fast food dishes, so I was extremely excited when we came across this little place. Get one to go while you explore Trastevere.
Vulio: is known for its sandwiches with a twist. They are similar to bruschetta with the toppings put on top of a large slice of bread. Their restaurant also serves salads and other types of antipasti.
Budget-Friendly Hotels in Rome
Most accommodations outside of the city center are going to be much cheaper. It may cause you to have to do a lot more walking or take some train rides. Other options instead of hotels include Hostels and Airbnb rentals. Since Rome is such a large city, there are an infinite amount of accommodations. You can easily find a place to stay for less than $100 a night.
Budget Hotel Recommendations:
- Gasometer Urban Suites
- One Time Roma
- Villa Eur Parco Dei Pini
- Hotel Pulitzer
- Hotel Trastevere
- Hotel San Francisco
Want more options? Click here for budget hotels in Rome
Conclusion
Rome is a beautiful and lively city and one of the top places to visit. The city is rich in history and full of beautiful neighborhoods and delicious local cuisine. No matter what your budget, you can experience all that Rome has to offer.
Enjoyed this post? Here are some other Italian destinations!
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- Travel Guide: How to Spend 3 Days in Florence
- Florence vs. Rome – A Detailed City Comparison
Rome
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- Rome Travel Guide: How to Plan the Perfect Trip
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Tuscany
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Lake Como
- Ultimate Travel Guide To Lake Como, Italy
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Travel Planning Resources
BOOK YOUR FLIGHT
Skyscanner is one of the top search engines for finding and booking flights. They price check over 1,200 travel sites to help you find the best prices.
BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION
Booking.com is one of the best sites to book hotels and vacation rentals. They offer some of the cheapest rates and different payment options.
BOOK TRANSPORTATION
- Rental Car: RentalCars.com is my go-to site when booking rentals. They work with 900 companies worldwide to help you find the best car for your needs and budget.
- Trains: Rail Europe is the leading company in Europe for train travel in Europe. They help you easily book passage by looking at routes, timetables, and prices for 50 different train companies.
- Bus: Omio is an easy website to use for booking train and bus tickets. Similar to Skyscanner, the website looks at hundreds of transport companies to get you the best deals.
SCHEDULE YOUR TOURS
Get Your Guide is one of the top sites for tours, excursions, and activities. Viator is another terrific website for all types of experiences.
GET YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE
World Nomads is one of the top travel insurance companies. It will cover you if you must cancel your trip or if something unexpected happens.
Check out the resource page for additional travel planning resources.
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