There’s no place like Rome. The energy of the Eternal City must be experienced in person and the magic of Rome will leave you awe-inspired. You could spend your entire life in the city of seven hills and barely scratch the service of all of the amazing sites it has to offer. From ancient ruins to mouthwatering cuisine, a Roman holiday is never a bad idea. America Domani has put together a shortlist of our favorite free things in Caput Mundi, so they can be enjoyed by everyone regardless of budget.
See the street artists in Piazza Navona
One of the most impressive squares in Rome is undoubtedly Piazza Navona. You’ll find artists painting portraits, street musicians playing music, and tourists and locals dining al fresco throughout the square. Marvel at the three famous fountains: Fontana del Nettuno, Fontana dei Quattro Fuimi, and Fontana del Moro. The most famous of all is Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi, which means the fountain of four rivers, is the masterpiece of Bernini. The fountain represents the four rivers from four continents; the Ganges River from Asia, the Nile from Africa, Rio de la Plata from South America, and the Danube River from Europe. Piazza Navona is a fantastic place to spend a few hours relaxing and simply enjoy the dazzling Baroque architecture and vibrant ambiance by day or night.
Visit the 4 Major Papal Basilicas
Italy is famous for its churches but some are not like the others. Major Basilica is a name given to the four most highly-ranked Roman Catholic churches in the world. Although they are all located within the Diocese of Rome, St Peter’s Basilica is the only one located in Vatican City. The four churches are the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran (the oldest and most highly ranked basilica in Rome), St Peter’s Basilica, St Paul Outside the Walls, and Papal Basilica of St Mary Major. The art and architecture are enough to inspire tourists to flock to the most extraordinary churches on our planet, no matter their religious affiliation.
Walk the Appian Way
The Appian Way or Via Appia Antica was the first highway in Europe. This ancient road connected Rome to the city of Capua and was a superhighway of its time. Today, the Appian Way is part of the Parco Regionale dell’Appia Antica, dedicated to preserving this piece of Roman history. Taking a stroll or Vespa ride down the Appian Way allows you to see the ancient road and gives you the opportunity to see ruins of Roman monuments, churches, and Roman catacombs.
Gaze over Rome at The Orange Garden
The Orange Garden or Giardino degli Aranci is formally known as Parco Savello. This romantic park is located on Aventine Hill, one of the seven hills of Rome. It was designed by architect Raffaele De Vico in 1932 and feels like an oasis amidst the beautiful chaos of the capital city. The garden is home to several orange trees that add a burst of color and fill the air with a welcoming citrus fragrance. The Orange Garden features a fabulous terrace that offers a panoramic view of Rome. This viewpoint has become popular for both locals and tourists to enjoy the vista, especially during sunset.
Stroll through Villa Borghese
If you’re looking for the perfect family-friendly attraction in the Eternal City, Villa Borghese is an incredible place to visit. It’s the largest public park in Rome and access to the gardens is free of charge. There are several ways to access the gardens, but it’s preferred to enter from the Spanish Steps. Although, we recommend taking some time to enjoy the Pincio terrace. If you have young children, you may want to head to Cinema dei Piccolo, a theater in Villa Borghese that offers free admission for kids. This is also where you will find the Zoo, a puppet theater, and several notable museums such as Villa Borghese. The gardens are open from dawn to dusk.
Arianna DiCicco
Arianna DiCicco is an educator and writer from California, born into an Italian American restaurant family with strong ties to her grandparents’ home in Abruzzo, Italy. She has lived in San Francisco, Rome and New York City where she’s made deep connections within the Italian communities and gained new perspectives about her own culture. With a Masters in International Education, Arianna has a love and passion for learning and educating others about Italian history & culture.