Sightseeing in Rome: Budget Travel Guide

Rome, the Eternal City, is known for its rich history, stunning architecture, and world-class attractions. While it can be an expensive destination, there are plenty of ways to explore Rome on a budget. This guide highlights 25 free things to do in Rome, helping you experience the city’s wonders without breaking the bank. Budget tip: » Read more

Rome gets hot and crowded in the summer, and after a few days of walking around the city and seeing the sights, you’re likely to need some rest. Why not cool down and relax at one of the nearby beaches? There are several beaches within an hour of Rome by public transport, and they all » Read more

Saint Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums rank among the most visited sights for a traveler coming to Rome. And for good reason — the Vatican, the world’s smallest independent state, is the home base of the Roman Catholic Church and the Pope. It also houses the world’s most important collection of classical sculptures and » Read more

Rome—the name alone conjures images of the Colosseum, the iconic Spanish Steps and the Sistine Chapel. These famous historical monuments should definitely be on your list when touring the Eternal City, especially if it’s your first visit. But sometimes famous attractions can be completely overwhelming. Long lines and massive crowds can get tiring after a » Read more

Whether you are seeking designer dresses or affordable chic, Rome has some of the best places to shop in Italy. It’s easy to find the high-end spots, but where can you find the best Rome shopping on the cheap? The names of Italy’s finest designers sit alongside independent boutiques and market stalls as shopping in » Read more

One of the best things about Rome is that even though it’s a bustling city of almost 3 million people, there are still plenty of green spaces and tranquil areas. Next time you need a break from the crowds, head to one of the city’s parks for a picnic or afternoon of reading and lying » Read more

England’s 19th-century love affair with Italy has left a legacy in cemeteries across the country. Not all English visitors went home to die. Thus Florence, Livorno, Naples and Rome are Italian cities that boast a Cimitero degli Inglesi. At rest abroad Each warrants a visit, but don’t expect to find a little exclave of England. » Read more

Rome is a great place to visit in the holiday season. Thanks to the mild winter temperatures, the city stays vibrant and alive even during the coldest months of the year. There is something magical about strolling along the cobbled streets in the evening, eating chestnuts and admiring the lights strung up around the historical » Read more

A short stroll from Piramide (Metro Line B), Testaccio is one of the most vibrant, yet under-rated neighborhoods in Rome.  A hub of pubs, late-night clubs, markets and cute specialty shops, there is plenty to see and do in this historical part of the city. While tourists flock to Trastevere and squish into bars around the » Read more

There are some drawbacks to shopping for vintage threads in Rome. The vintage shops can be inconsistently priced and home to impressive amounts of dust. But there are advantages too – look hard enough between the tightly packed shelves and you’ll find some really interesting pieces – often designer. Want to look like Fonzie from » Read more

By Nicole Arriaga in Rome— As the saying goes, when it rains it pours and the last place you want to be when traveling is stuck outside in the rain. When it’s raining like mad in Rome, you don’t want to be hanging out in the middle of the Roman forum, as there’s nowhere to » Read more

During the summer nearly all the locals in Rome enjoy wining and dining all’aperto. As most restaurants (and apartments) in Italy don’t have air conditioning, many residents prefer dining outdoors in a lovely piazza or going for drinks with friends along the banks of the Tiber River. Another activity that is molto trendy for Romans » Read more

When most travelers think of romantic cities, their thoughts head straight for Paris. Stealing a kiss at the top of the Eiffel Tower or ducking into an intimate café to gaze into each other eyes is indeed priceless. But not so fast, Paris! There’s also an endless supply of romantic spots in Rome. The Eternal » Read more

Rome wasn’t built in a day… and you certainly can’t uncover all of its treasures in a day, either. But something you can do is uncover the city’s beauties neighborhood by neighborhood, devoting a day to each one. Which better neighborhood to start off with than the charming quartiere of Trastevere! Most locals consider Trastevere, » Read more

By Nicole Arriaga in Rome— Even though Rome is fast becoming one of the most expensive cities in Europe, there are still plenty of memorable things to do that won’t put a big strain on your budget. Here are my top ten Roman activities that cost less than €10. 1. Galleria Borghese: €8.50 Piazzale del » Read more

By Nicole Arriaga in Rome— For those of you with plans to ring in the New Year in Rome, the problem is not finding something to do. Rather, the real dilemma lies in narrowing down your celebratory options. Fortunately for Cheapos, Capodanno (New Year’s Eve) is one time when the city’s squares come alive with » Read more

By Nicole Arriaga in Rome— When it comes to holiday festivities, Rome doesn’t exactly turn into tinsel town. That’s partly because the holiday season in Italy is focused on the religious aspects of the celebration, rather than on leaving presents under the Christmas tree. Christmas traditions in Italy Italians wait to give gifts to children » Read more

Ask almost any Italian and they’ll tell you there are only two things in life that they cannot do without: coffee and calcio (soccer). Right up there with coffee, calcio in Italy is definitely much more than a game. It’s a passion. Italians eat, breathe and live soccer. There are radio and TV shows dedicated » Read more

While it’s not hard to find a supermarket in Rome that carries all of the essentials on your grocery list, there’s nothing like scouring a mercato all’aperto (an open-air or farmers’ market) for the freshest fruits and veggies. Ah, yes. Shopping at these markets is a real Roman rite of passage and the perfect chance to » Read more

While the Vatican Museums and Pantheon in Rome may keep the grown-ups enthralled, the endless “old stuff” may not captivate kids for long. So for anyone traveling with younger ones to Rome, what can the ancient city offer to keep everyone amused? Well, many things, as it turns out! Plus, many of the city’s kid-friendly » Read more

A visit to Rome is not complete without seeing the Vatican. With its world-famous St. Peter’s Square, imposing dome, rather nice painted chapel ceiling, and fairly well-known resident, it has plenty of attractions. But with so much to see, where should you start? 1. St. Peter’s Square This vast space is famous for being the » Read more

Exploring the Piazza Navona in Rome’s historic center is like visiting London’s Covent Garden but with a warmer climate and with much older buildings. The Piazza Navona is where you can find street entertainers, mime artists, portrait painters, and street cafes set amongst the backdrop of baroque fountains and elegant period buildings. You are likely to » Read more

Whether your idea of a good Christmas break is ice-skating under the watchful eye of an ancient castle, sharing midnight mass with the Pope, or simply eating and drinking too much, Rome is the perfect place to indulge and celebrate. So just how should you spend the festive season in Italy’s Eternal City? The Christmas » Read more

There is something about Caravaggio that fascinates people. Even those who would normally prefer to cross a street of hot coals than spend time looking at paintings seem happy to make an exception for this rebel of Counter-Renaissance Art. To celebrate Rome’s Caravaggio exhibition that has just opened at the Villa Borghese (and runs through January » Read more

As the age old saying goes, “when in Rome, do as the Romans do.” Many Romans (the Pope included) who have tired of eating glorious food, sipping on a hearty red, and throwing down a few espressos head for the hills. Literally. More specifically, they get themselves to one or more of the tiny villages, » Read more