Rome is a bucket-list city that can be eye-wateringly expensive, but there are many ways to visit in style while saving money. Taking public transport, picking neighborhoods away from the touristy core and visiting during off-season are all great ways to save while enjoying your trip in Rome!
Rome is a hub of culture and history. With an abundance of stunning churches, museums and monuments, there is plenty to see in Rome.
Colosseum
The Colosseum is a popular destination in Rome, hosting millions of tourists each year. It is the largest ancient amphitheatre in the world, and has been used for thousands of years to host a variety of different events and performances.
The arena is a fascinating place to visit. It is an awe-inspiring place to imagine what it must have been like to be there thousands of years ago, when it was home to some of the greatest spectacles that humanity has ever seen.
As you descend the stairs to the arena floor, you will be awe-struck by how much blood has been shed and how many lives have been lost over the centuries. It is very humbling and you will find yourself crying at the thought of it all.
Campo de’Fiori
The Campo de’ Fiori, a historic square in the center of Rome, is one of the city’s most popular places to visit. It’s renowned for its open-air market and is an ideal spot to rub elbows with locals.
By day, the Campo de’ Fiori is the site of a bustling open-air market that takes place every morning (except on Sundays). There are plenty of stalls selling flowers, fruits and vegetables to fill up your shopping cart with.
By night, the square comes alive with terraces, restaurants and bars that draw young Romans as well as tourists. The square is also home to a statue commemorating the Italian philosopher Giordano Bruno, who was burned at the stake here in 1600 for heresy.
Piazza Navona
Piazza Navona is Rome’s largest square, and it dates back to antiquity. It was originally built on the ruins of an ancient stadium that served as a competition arena, known as Circus Agonalis.
The oval shape of the present-day square mimics the perimeter of the former stadium. This was the site of athletic meets and horse races – hence its name, which means “games.”
The Fountain of Four Rivers (Fontana di Quattro Fiumi) is the most famous fountain in the square. It was designed by Bernini and features figures representing the four major rivers of that time – the Nile, Ganges, Rio de la Plata, and Danube.
Piazza Venezia
Piazza Venezia is a central hub of Rome, where the city’s history meets its speed of modernity. It’s also one of the most popular meeting places in the city and a great spot to grab a bite and people-watch.
The area is dominated by the impressive Altare della Patria, a memorial to Vittorio Emanuele – the first king of unified Italy. This monument was built in 1885 and is a tribute to the king who led the country through the Risorgimento period.
Inside this impressive building there is a tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a war monument dedicated to all soldiers who died in wars. Behind the statue of the king there is an eternal fire and two soldiers are always guarding it.
Trevi Fountain
One of Rome’s most recognizable landmarks, the Trevi Fountain is a beautiful and intriguing structure. Its center features a statue of Oceanus, who is standing beneath a triumphal arch and whose chariot is pulled by two sea horses, one wild and one passive.
The horse’s bucking wildly, and the one at ease, reflect the changeable moods of the sea. The horse’s salubrity is represented by the Roman goddess Abundance.
The fountain also contains a relief depicting Agrippa commanding his generals to construct an aqueduct from the spring. The water from this aqueduct is called Acqua Vergine and has long been considered Rome’s softest and best-tasting drinking water.
Spanish Steps
One of the most popular attractions in Rome, the Spanish Steps are a must-see for tourists. The 138 steps are a mix of curves, straight flights and terraces and are one of the most iconic landmarks in the city.
The stairway was originally conceived in the 1500s to connect Piazza di Spagna, which is dominated by the Spanish Embassy to the Holy See, with Palazzo Manaldeschi in the Piazza del Popolo. However, the project was not built until French diplomat Etienne Gueffier left 20,000 Italian scudos in 1660 to finance the construction.
At the top of the stairs is the Trinita dei Monti church. This church was originally a French church and offers fine views of the city from its high location. It houses a clever Roman copy of an Egyptian obelisk with hieroglyphs copied from the Flaminio obelisk in Piazza del Popolo.