The Rome IndexRome on a budget
What's free, what's cheap, and how to make €50 a day work in one of Europe's great cities.
Free sights
The Pantheon interior now charges entry, but the outside is free. Piazza Navona, Campo de' Fiori, the Spanish Steps and all of Rome's piazzas cost nothing. Every church is free or near-free to enter — including St Peter's Basilica, which only charges for the dome climb.
Free museums
The first Sunday of every month sees state museums offer free entry — including the Colosseum and Roman Forum. Lines are longer, but for a tight budget this alone can save €50 on a family visit.
Eating cheaply
Breakfast at the bar counter (€1.50–2), pizza al taglio for lunch (€4–6), an aperitivo with the included buffet for a light dinner (€8–10) — a full day's eating for under €20 without going near a sit-down restaurant.