St. Peter's Square - Rome Private Tours
A Roman holiday can be an expensive trip indeed. Not only is getting to Italy costly, many of the most famous monuments charge visitors more than a little for admission and tours. If your wallet is starting to feel the pinch, give it a break and try these free attractions.
1. Visit the Pantheon. The Pantheon, erected in 27 B.C. to honor the Roman gods but eventually converted to a Christian place of worship is the oldest standing example of the use of the dome in Roman architecture.
2. Look at the main floor of St. Peter’s Basilica. You’ll have to pay for a full tour of St. Peter’s Basilica and the adjacent Vatican Museums, but visiting the main floor, which contains some amazing artwork including Michelangelo’s “Pieta,” is free.
3. If you’re a cat lover, pay a visit to the Torre Argentina Cat Sanctuary, a no-kill cat shelter where the cats play in the shadows of the ruins of ancient temples. There is no official charge for the tour, but donations are welcomed and strongly encouraged.
4. Relax at the Villa Borghese. The Villa Borghese is one of the largest public parks and gardens in Rome. You can easily pass an entire day wandering around enjoying the different types of flowers and other plants, and it’s also a great place for kids to explore and unwind while their parents share a romantic picnic.
5. If you have teenagers, they’ll probably insist on visiting the crypt of Cappuchin friars, which has the dubious distinction of having its ceilings and walls decorated with thousands of bones from monks. As with all churches in Rome, there is no charge for entry into the crypt or the Santa Maria della Concezione which houses it.
6. Test your stamina against the Spanish Steps. The Spanish Steps are a breathtakingly large and majestic staircase originally built to connect the Vatican with the Spanish church. Today they are a wonderful place to stroll or just to sit and watch the world go by. You should be aware that no food or drink is allowed on the Steps. It’s also a good idea to watch out for dishonest street vendors and pickpockets who conspire to make this free attraction a costly experience.
7. Ensure that you will return to Italy by visiting the Trevi Fountain and tossing a coin into it over your shoulder. Even if you’re not superstitious, you won’t want to miss the view. The Trevi Fountain is the largest and most detailed baroque era fountain in Rome, and in a city of fountains, that is saying something.
