If you’re looking for a way to save some money on your visit to Rome, you will be amazed with just how much there is to do that doesn’t cost a thing.

So for those seeking to “See Rome on a Budget”, this list is for you! Visit world renowned monuments, stroll some of the most beautiful streets in Rome, gaze at the views, and make a wish in several places.

1. Take advantage of the free entrance to Rome’s museums the first Sunday of every month

The first Sunday of every month, the city of Rome opens its doors to all of it’s state run museums free of charge to visitors and residents alike. As you can imagine, the entrance lines can be a bit longer, but hey, it’s free! Get up early and visit the Galleria Borghese, Roman and Imperial Forums, and even the Colosseum and enjoy free entrance.

2. Make a wish at the Trevi Fountain

Tucked between palazzi you’ll come upon Piazza di Trevi with the magnificent fountain that covers the entire side of a building. During the day the narrow space is fairly packed with visitors who’ve come to make their own wishes, but if you get up early enough or head there late at night you can have the fountain all to yourself.

3. Stand inside the Pantheon

While this won’t be a free activity for much longer, the Pantheon is still an incredible monument to visit. Constructed in 126 AD by the Emporer Hadrian originally as a Roman temple, the Pantheon is a large circular church with a massive dome and open oculus looming overhead. The site is also the resting place for many of the Italian elite, including two kings (Vittorio Emmanule and Umberto I), a queen (Margherita), and painter Raphael.

4. Climb Gianicolo Hill

Rome’s hilly landscape means there are great vantage points throughout the city to get a glimpse of Rome’s roofscape. One of the best is from the Gianicolo Hill located in Trastevere, near the Vatican. A short hike up to the top of the hill offers unhindered views of practically all of Rome, viewing from the west side of the city. In addition, every day at noon a canon is fired from the hill to mark the hour of the day, a tradition that dates back to 1847.

Michelangelo’s “Pietà” from 1499, located in St. Peter’s Basilica

5. Admire the remarkable works in St. Peter’s Basilica

The art and architecture of the Catholic Church’s most important church are unsurprisingly incredible. The side chapels filled with paintings by the Italian Renaissance’s most famous artists, the Pietà by Michelangelo, and the baldacchino that covers the altar designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, are all more than enough non-religious reasons to visit St. Peter’s Basilica. Entrane to the church is free, but expect a line as all visitors must pass through a metal detector.

6. Visit the Fendi Gallery

Located in the south part of the city known as the EUR (constructed in the 1920s-30s by Mussolini to hold the 1944 World Fair, l’Esposizione Universale di Roma), one of the most iconic, modern pieces of architecture graces the landscape: the Square Colosseum. More accurately known as the Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana, the square Colosseum is now the world headquarters for Rome-based fashion brand, Fendi. On the ground level there is a seasonal gallery dedicated to Rome’s fashion (typically with Fendi as the main protagonist) and even a cinema with free entry. While the metro or taxi ride may cost a couple euros, for fashion enthusiasts the experience is priceless!

7. Go window shopping on Rome’s most glamorous streets

For some budget travelers, the passion isn’t in the purchase but in the looking! If you’re interested in some serious window shopping, Rome won’t disappoint. Head to Via Margutta, a charming parallel to Via Babuino which connects Piazza del Popolo with Piazza di Spagna. The street is full of local artisans and small art galleries (the street is historically known for hosting the most influential turn-of-the-century artists like Picasso and Giorgio de Chirico). Nearby sprouting off Piazza di Spagna, stroll down Via Condotti – kind of like Rome’s 5th Avenue. Lined with international boutiques and glamorous window displays, the street continues all the way to the river. Near the Vatican one of the most popular shopping streets is Via Cola di Rienzo, a wide vehicular street lined with more local chains and international brands.

8. Walk laps in Piazza Navona

Piazza Navona is known as one of Rome’s jewels of the Baroque period. The massive, open piazza is dotted with three beautiful fountains, and crowned with the church Sant’ Agnese in Agone – whose facade was designed by Francesco Borromini. The form of the piazza (oval-shaped) is informed by the ruins of the Stadium of Domition that lie underneath, where games in ancient Rome were held. Today the space makes for the perfect photo op and an even better place to do laps and people watch. All of the small streets that sprout off from the main piazza (Via del Governo Vecchio and Via di Sant’ Agnese in Agone) are full of small restaurants and boutiques for perusing.

9. Spanish Steps

The Spanish Steps are one of the most highly visited open monuments in Rome after they had such an important cameo in films like the 1953 breakout for Audrey Hepburn, Roman Holiday. The elegant staircase composed of 135 steps connects Piazza di Spagna and Piazza della Trinità dei Monti and was built in 1725. The staircase connected the Trinità dei Monti church and Bourbon Spanish Embassy both located at the top of the stairs with Palazzo Monaldeschi below, which hosted the Holy See. Today you can have a seat and people watch or enjoy the Roman sunset slowly paint the city in warm tones.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Rome at the Altare della Patria.

10. Visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Piazza Venezia

The centerpiece of Piazza Venezia is the massive white Altare della Patria monument, a gift to the new republic of Italy dedicated in 1911. Climbing the first set of marble stairs from Piazza Venezia, you can enter the gates and visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier which is guarded by 2 soldiers posted by Eternal Flames which are always burning.

11. Self-Guided Tour of the Four Papal Basilicas

The Four Papal Basilicas – St. Peter’s Basilica, St. John in Lateran Basilica, Santa Maria Maggiore, and St. Paul Outside the Walls – are all walkable for the most adventurous of walkers (Ok, St. Paul Outside the Walls is a bit of a stretch on foot, but can be reached easily with the Metro, getting off at the “Basilica San Paolo” stop). During a Jubilee year, the Holy Doors of each Papal Basilica are unwalled through which the Pope passes through and special celebrations take place all throughout the year. Only the Pope and his delegates are able to say Mass at the Papal Basilicas.

12. Take a Free Tour in Rome

Twice daily there is a Free Tour of Rome that takes you around the city to share the importance of Rome’s cultural heritage. Advanced reservations are required (which can be made on their website), and all of the guides are professional, licensed guides. The walking tour lasts about 2 hours and visits the city’s most famous free, outdoor monuments, including the Spanish Steps, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, and much more. Tours depart from the Spanish Steps at 9:30am or 5:30pm.

The ancient Appian Way leading into Rome

13. Walk the Appian Way

The ancient Appian Way was one of the world’s most important roads constructed primarily for military use connecting Rome with Brindisi on the south-eastern coast of the peninsula. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the road fell out of use and into ruin. Today the Appian Way is a popular attraction for visitors to walk and visit the ruins and catacombs that line it.

14. See the Caravaggio’s on display in Piazza del Popolo

In an unassuming church near the Flaminio entrance to Piazza del Popolo, the church Santa Maria del Popolo holds many secrets. Not only did some of the world’s most famous artists of the time contribute to the design of the church (Raphael and Bramante), in the far left chapel there are two paintings – The Conversion of St. Paul and The Crucifixion of St. Peter – painted by Caravaggio. It’s easy enough to pop in to cool off from the hot sun or rest a few minutes, and at the same time see a few works from one of the most prized Renaissance painters of all time.

15. Get 2 for the price of one: Bernini and Michelangelo in Piazza della Minerva

Even for Rome it’s not always the case to find two free masterpieces in the same piazza, but head to Piazza della Minerva and you’ll get just that! Outside in the piazza you’ll be treated to Bernini’s easily loveable elephant monument with its obelisk perched on top. The monument was unveiled in 1667 after it was commissioned by Pope Alexander VII. Bernini was asked to design the monument when the ancient obelisk was found during excavations at the time. After admiring Bernini’s elephant, head into the church in the piazza, Santa Maria sopra Minerva, where a remarkable sculpture of Jesus, carved by Michelangelo is housed. Christ the Redeemer was completed by Michelangelo in 1521 and stands to the left of the altar.

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What is your favorite “free” site in Rome? Share your thoughts in the comments below!