For being one of the biggest cities in the world, Rome is
not very expensive.
In fact, there are
tons of things to do, without paying a
penny.
Here’s a list of the most
entertaining, and also free ideas.
#1 The Trevi Fountain
If you’ve seen the movie
When
in Rome, it’s the fountain that Kristen Bell steals from during the
wedding.
If you haven’t seen the movie
When in Rome, you’re not missing
anything.
The REAL story around the Trevi Fountain, constructed by the
artist Bernini (also saw some some of his works in
St. Peter’s Basilica)
is that throwing a coin in is
supposed to ensure your return trip to Rome.
I
made sure to throw in several.
The Trevi Fountain is
super
crowded, so heed my earlier advice and
beware of gypsies.
Lots of tourists also means good people
watching.
You could stay here forever,
but grabbing a seat is hard to do.
In
that case, move on to…
#2 The Spanish Steps
Again, this is very
crowded, but it’s a lot easier to just plop down and rest.
Once you get bored here, you can move on to...
#3 The Forums of Trajan, Augustus, and Julius Caesar
These three forums are lined up next to each other on Via
del Fori Imperiali, a very important street in Rome, mostly because that’s also
where you can find the Coliseum. Unlike
the Coliseum or the Roman Forum, the Forums of Trajan, Augustus, and Julius
Caesar are free.
In Trajan’s Forum (known in Rome as Foro Traiano), you will
find Trajan’s Column…
 |
Commemorates the Roman emperor's military
accomplishments |
As well as Trajan’s Market...
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I think you can pay money to go inside Trajan's Market, but I
did not do that, due to my being economical. |
As you walk along Via del Fori Imperiali, you’ll also pass
Augustus’ Forum (Foro di Augusto) and Caesar’s Forum (Foro di Cesare).
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| This is Julius Caesar! |
#4 The Pantheon
While this building is lovely on the inside, I found the
outside (and the accompanying piazza) even greater.
Inside it was packed with people, so you might want to go in
the evening like many tour books suggest, but I thought I was better than that.
The day of our visit to the Pantheon, not only did we see the
temple to Roman gods, but we also saw a protest, complete with lots of police activity.
 |
| I love being in the center of the action! |
Very cool.
#5 Piazza Navona
I’m going to say this piazza is by far the most entertaining
in Rome. Not only is it filled with people-watching
opportunities, but also with very interesting street performers.
 |
A little hard to tell in the picture, but the guy was making giant
bubbles and all of the kids were chasing them. |
Also, the art, while quite suggestive in my opinion, is
remarkable.
 |
| La Fontana del Moro (the Moor Fountain) |
We sat at this fountain for quite awhile, taking in the
atmosphere, and drinking wine out of a plastic bottle.
 |
| Sometimes it's better if you just don't ask "Why?" |
On the other side of Piazza Navona, another breathtaking
fountain, this one designed by Bernini (who also designed Trevi Fountain).
In the middle of the Piazza, this striking sight:
 |
| A church from the 17th century, Sant'Agnese in Agone |
There are plenty of places to eat in this area as well and
it’s where we found one of the best restaurants in Rome (more on that later).
#6 Santa Maria Maggiore, or any church at all
The churches in Rome are almost always free to visit.
I wanted to see Santa Maria Maggiore because
I read it was on the site of the Baths of Diocletian and I was dying to see
some Roman baths.
Unfortunately, there
were no remnants of a bathhouse, but there was a very ornate church.
A very good rule of thumb in Rome – bring a sweater
everywhere you go because you cannot roll up to a very beautiful church and
walk in with bare shoulders.
#7 Giardini del Quirinale, or any park at all
Really, you don’t need to go to this specific park. This one was pretty much across the street
from our hotel. But when in Italy, and
Europe in general, you do need to go to a park and just… sit.
 |
Drinking wine at a park, also a good idea because the police don't
patrol for open containers like in the U.S. |
# 8 Crypt of the Capuchin Monks
Though this was not free, this site was pretty economical
for the €1
entry fee.
While I was planning my trip to Italy, my friend Kate insisted
I go to the Crypt of the Capuchin Monks.
It’s where a bunch of Capuchin friars buried their dead, arranging the
bones in, what I consider, unusual displays.
That's a postcard. I don’t have any actual pictures because the lady in charge was
screaming at people who took any snapshots and kicking them out. So, I bought a bunch of postcards instead .
At the end of the exhibit, there’s a sign that reads “What
you are now we used to be; what we are now you will be.”
Probably the most morbid thing I saw in Rome, but
interesting nonetheless. Thanks, Kate!
Other interesting, and totally free, places to mention: the Piazza della Repubblica,
the Four Fountains, the Quirinale, and Largo Argentina.
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| Kitties! Some of them only had three legs :( |
Total Cost: Free!
Best Deal: Drinking wine in public spaces and not getting in
trouble with the law
