Rome: Tons of European Charm and History on a Budget

Rome is often described as the world's greatest open-air museum. With nearly 3,000 years of history layered upon its cobblestone streets, every corner reveals a crumbling ruin, a Renaissance masterpiece, or a breathtaking baroque fountain. Because of its monumental status, many travelers assume that a trip to the "Eternal City" will require an eternal budget.

Fortunately, that couldn't be further from the truth. While luxury boutiques and overpriced tourist-trap restaurants certainly exist, the very best of Rome—its history, its vibrant street life, and its authentic food—can be experienced for mere euros, or even for free. Here is how to witness the grandeur of the Roman Empire and soak up tons of European charm without emptying your wallet.

---

The Greatest Hits: Rome's Free Open-Air Museum

You can spend days walking through central Rome seeing world-famous landmarks without ever opening your wallet. The key is simply lacing up a comfortable pair of walking shoes.

• The Trevi Fountain: The most famous fountain in the world costs nothing to visit. Budget Tip: Go at 6:00 AM or midnight. You will avoid the crushing crowds and have the magical, illuminated water all to yourself. Toss in a 10-cent coin to ensure your return to Rome!
• Piazza Navona & The Spanish Steps: Wander through Piazza Navona to admire Bernini's spectacular Fountain of the Four Rivers, then head to the Spanish Steps to people-watch. Both are iconic, stunning, and 100% free.
• The Pantheon: While it recently introduced a nominal entry fee (around €5), standing inside this 2,000-year-old architectural marvel and looking up at its massive unreinforced concrete dome is one of the greatest bargains in Europe.

Conquering the Colosseum and Vatican City

The big ticket items in Rome are the Colosseum and the Vatican, but there are hacks to see them on a budget.

• Free Sundays: If you time your trip right, you can save a lot of money. The Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill are completely free to enter on the first Sunday of every month. Similarly, the Vatican Museums (including the Sistine Chapel) are free on the last Sunday of every month. Prepare for long lines, but the savings are massive!
• St. Peter's Basilica is Free: Many tourists don't realize that entering the most magnificent church in the world, St. Peter's Basilica, is completely free every day of the year. You only pay if you want to climb the dome (which is highly recommended and costs less than €10 if you take the stairs).
• The Via dei Fori Imperiali: You don't actually need a ticket to see the Roman Forum. Walk down the grand boulevard of Via dei Fori Imperiali that connects the Colosseum to Piazza Venezia. You can look right down into the ancient ruins from the street for free.

Eating Like a True Roman

To eat well and cheaply in Rome, you must adhere to one strict rule: Never eat at a restaurant with a translated menu or a waiter trying to hustle you inside.

• Pizza al Taglio (Pizza by the Slice): This is the ultimate Roman fast food. Head to a bakery (forno) and point to the rectangular pizza you want. They cut it with scissors, weigh it, and you pay by the gram. It’s incredibly cheap and delicious.
• The Magic of Supplí: If you need a cheap snack, buy a supplí for about €2. These are deep-fried rice balls stuffed with tomato sauce and gooey mozzarella. You can find them at almost any local pizzeria or deli.
• Vino della Casa: When sitting down for dinner in a traditional trattoria in authentic neighborhoods like Testaccio or Trastevere, do not order a fancy bottle of wine. Order the vino della casa (house wine). It is served in a carafe, usually costs less than a soda, and is always excellent.

The "Nasoni" Water Secret

Never buy bottled water in Rome! The city is dotted with over 2,500 ancient, constantly running public drinking fountains known as nasoni (little noses). The water is ice-cold, fresh from the mountains, completely safe, and free. Simply bring a reusable water bottle and fill it up as you explore the city.

Finding Affordable Accommodation

Staying right next to the Pantheon or the Trevi Fountain will cost a fortune. To protect your budget, look for cheap hotels, B&Bs, or guesthouses in slightly outer neighborhoods that are well-connected by the Metro or tram network. The Monti neighborhood offers a hip, bohemian vibe right next to the Colosseum. Alternatively, the area around Termini Station offers the cheapest hotel rates in the city, providing incredibly easy access to both metro lines and airport trains (just be aware of your surroundings late at night, as with any major train station).