Ideas to enjoy Rome on a small budget

Rome is known for its exclusive fashion houses, expensive restaurants and opulent hotels, but it is also rich in historic and cultural attractions, monuments and churches that cost nothing for visitors to enjoy. When you pay a visit to the Eternal City, you won’t have to search far to find free things to see and do.

Attractions

The Pantheon was constructed between the years of AD 118 and 125, and was originally used as a temple paying worship to Roman deities. In 609, it was changed into a Roman Catholic church. The impressive structure inspired Filippo Brunelleschi in his design for the famous cupola of the Duomo in Florence. The most distinctive feature of the Pantheon is its oculus, which is an aperture at the peak of the dome, allowing natural light to flood in. Many prominent Italians are buried here, including the artist Raphael and several kings. Admission to the Pantheon is free, or you can choose to take a tour with a guide for a fee of around $12. Mass takes place here on Saturdays at 5pm, and at 10.30am on public holidays. If you want to learn more about the building without spending the money for a tour, you could download the Pantheon iVIEW app on your iPhone or iPad.

Another impressive Roman structure is the Arco di Constantino, which was constructed in AD 315. It is the largest arch in the city, at around 65 feet in height, and was built as a commemoration of Emperor Constantine’s victory over Maxentius. As a result of this triumph, he allowed Christians to practice their religion throughout the Roman Empire. The enormous arch can be found close to the Colosseum.

Il Vittoriano is a memorial for the first monarch of unified Italy, Victor Emmanuel II. He is depicted on horseback in statue form, overlooking the monument, which locals refer to as “the wedding cake”. The imposing white marble monument looms over Piazza Venezia, and houses the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a gallery and a museum focusing on the history of Italian unification.

La Bocca della Verità is an interesting attraction; the name means “mouth of truth”, and it is a sculpture of a monstrous face with wild eyes and a wide-open mouth, located on the front of the Basilica of Saint Mary in Cosmedin. According to legend, if you tell a lie with your hand in its mouth, you will leave with a stump. The sculpture featured in a famous scene with Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck in the classic movie Roman Holiday.

If you’re up for a challenge, try walking up the Spanish Steps, Europe’s widest and longest staircase. They were originally conceived by the French, but became known by their current name after the Spanish Embassy relocated to the square. Extending from the Trinita dei Monti Church to the Piazza di Spagna, the steps are a popular gathering spot for tourists, students, shoppers and portrait artists.

St. Peter’s Basilica is a stunning example of art and architecture, and is also the centrepiece of the Catholic Church. The baldacchino (an intricate sculpted bronze canopy over the Basilica’s high altar, where the pope celebrates Mass) and the external colonnade are the designs of prominent baroque sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini. The Basilica houses Michelangelo’s masterpiece, the statue of the Pietà, which is currently behind glass after suffering a hammer attack. There is also a bronze sculpture of St. Peter, and visitors traditionally rub his foot for luck when they pass by. It is free to enter the main floor of St. Peter’s, but it costs around $9 to ascend the Michelangelo-designed dome. Be prepared to queue; the crowds tend to be slightly smaller after 2pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so this could be a good time to visit.

San Clemente is a unique church located on Via San Giovanni. It is, in fact, three churches in one structure. The bottom level contains Rome’s best-preserved mithraeum, an ancient place of worship and one of twelve such sites discovered in the city. Above this level, there is the earliest version of a church as a site of Christian worship, containing a fresco painting of St. Sisinus which dates from the 8th to the 11th centuries, and a fourth-century sanctuary. The top tier of San Clemente contains a 12th century sanctuary decorated with stunningly intricate mosaics.

Villa Ada offers a selection of free activities for kids, provided by organisations including the World Wildlife Fund. There is also a roller skating track, merry-go-round and playground where children can let off some steam.

For older children, Santa Maria della Concezione makes a fascinating and educational spot to visit. Underneath the church is the crypt of Capuchin friars, where the ceilings and walls are adorned with the bones of over 4,000 monks, some of them dating back to 1631.

To enjoy some natural beauty, head to the Caffarella valley, which stretches from the centre of the city to the south. When you go on a stroll through this expanse of picturesque fields, you can meet anyone from fashionable city Romans to sheep herders. You will also come across the ruins of temples and houses, and sites where ancient rituals once took place. One of the most well-preserved ruins is a temple honouring the nymph Egeria; according to legend, she still dwells here. Children are sure to be fascinated by the history and beauty of this unique area.

The benedizione animali, or blessing of the animals, is an ancient tradition which has been taking place since the 8th century. During this ceremony, Romans bring their pets to receive a blessing from a priest. It happens at the Church of Saint Eusebio on or around the 17th of January each year, and all kinds of pets are welcomed, from dogs and cats to lizards and even fish. In March, another unusual tradition takes place: the blessing of the cars, which happens at the Santa Francesca Romana Church in March, close to the Colosseum.