Visiting Rome does not necessarily mean buying tickets.

Many of the capital’s most beautiful places can be discovered simply by walking, stepping into a church or stopping in a park. Others, however, are free only on certain days or under specific conditions. Knowing these details helps you plan your visits and keep your budget under control, saving on the cost of your trip.

Squares, fountains and walks

Rome’s historic centre can easily be explored on foot, from Piazza Navona to Piazza del Popolo, and from Campo de’ Fiori to Piazza di Spagna.

Part of the pleasure is the walk between one square and the next, taking in building façades, fountains and the views you encounter along the way.

The Trevi Fountain certainly deserves a stop, although since 2 February 2026 tourists and non-residents have had to pay to enter the inner perimeter (€2), even on the first Sunday of the month. The fountain can still be viewed for free from outside and, after 10 pm, by everyone.

For a relaxing break, you can choose Villa Borghese, the Orange Garden on the Aventine Hill, the Aqueduct Park or the Caffarella Park: all pleasant places to slow down and spend some time among greenery, away from the busiest streets.

Free churches and museums

Many churches can be visited without a ticket, subject to religious services and opening hours.

In the San Paolo district, for example, where the Little Blue and Little Red apartments are located, the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls offers a close look at the architecture and history of one of the capital’s major places of worship.

Civic museums that are free throughout the year include the Museum of the Walls and the Museum of the Roman Republic and Garibaldi’s Memory. The Museum of Casal de’ Pazzi and the Alberto Moravia House Museum are also free, but require booking.

To visit other civic and state museums without paying for a ticket, you can take advantage of the first Sunday of the month, when free admission is offered, with possible exclusions for certain exhibitions and display areas. Before setting off, it is therefore worth checking opening hours and admission arrangements on the official websites.

Planning your journeys well makes a difference: grouping visits by area saves time and allows you to include lesser-known places in your itinerary.

Choosing well-connected accommodation can make it easier to plan your sightseeing days, alternating walks, free visits and paid attractions.

The twin apartments Little Blue and Little Red are in the San Paolo district, a few minutes’ walk from Metro Line B: an option to consider if you want to discover Rome at your own pace, balancing sightseeing with breaks and deciding what to see each day.