Rome Travel Guide on a budget

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Considered the center of the western world for centuries, Rome is the birthplace of Caesar and home to the Catholic...

Sights and Destinations

ColosseumEven though the line of tourists can seem endless, the Colosseum is not to be missed. Built in the 1st century CE, it is nearly 2,000 years old and was the largest amphitheater in the entire Roman Empire (it could hold 50,000-80,000 people).

Forum RomanumThe Roman Forum was the seat of Ancient Rome. It was the center of Roman public life and the place from which Rome administered its empire.

Vatican CityVatican City is an independent city-state surrounded by the city of Rome. It gained its full independence from Italy in 1929 and is the smallest city-state in the world.

Trevi FountainThe 18th-century Trevi Fountain was built at the ending point of the aqueduct that supplied ancient Rome with water from the surrounding countryside.

TrastevereThis former working class district turned bohemian neighborhood is one of my favorite areas of the city to explore. The winding, cobblestone-lined alleys and buildings covered in ivy are incredibly picturesque, so spend some time strolling around — you won’t regret it!

Basilica Papale di Santa Maria MaggioreThe Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, dating back to 440 CE, is one of the most impressive. It’s covered in 5th-century mosaics which display 36 scenes from the Old Testament.

Ostia AnticaThe ruins of the ancient Rome port of Ostia Antica are well worth a visit. About 2,000 years ago, this place was a bustling commercial center and home to 60,000 people.

PantheonThe Pantheon looks today much like it did nearly 2,000 years ago before it became a church (it was originally a Roman temple). Hadrian built it over Agrippa’s earlier temple, and it has been around since 125 CE.

Spanish StepsThe Spanish Steps, built in the 1720s, are a long and grand staircase in Rome with the Piazza di Spagna at its base and Trinità dei Monti looming at the top. While the Spanish Steps were once a social hub on which you could hang out and people watch, sitting on the steps is no longer allowed.

National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary ArtIt is home to several Italian masterpieces.

Borghese Gallery and MuseumThe Galleria Borghese is also excellent as it boasts a garden villa filled with Bernini sculptures and artwork from Caravaggio, Raphael, Titian, and other masters. Cardinal Scipione Borghese originally commissioned this collection.

Castel Sant'AngeloThis structure was built as a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian at the end of the 1st-century. During the course of history, it has also served as a papal residence and a prison.

Appian Way Bike RomeThis ancient road connects Rome all the way to Brindisi. It was finished in 312 BCE and it’s so well preserved you can see the ruts in the stones left by chariots.

Park of the AqueductsThis large, green park is part of the Roman Appian Way and home to some of the ancient aqueducts that once carried millions of tons of water into the city from the mountains.

Piazza NavonaThis is one of the most beautiful public spaces in Rome. It’s home to Bernini’s Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi, with its stunning statues representing the great rivers of the world.

Centro StoricoSpending an afternoon getting lost in the maze of cobblestone streets in Centro Storico is one of the best free things you can do in Rome. Wind your way through the narrow alleyways and streets, admire the churches filled with Baroque art, pause for a coffee, and do some shopping at the many boutiques.

Janiculum HillGianicolo (or Janiculum) Hill offers the best views over Rome. It’s a famous spot for young lovers and tourists and from here you can see some of the city’s best attractions, including Palazzo Venezia and the Spanish Steps.

Hostels

YellowSquare RomeVia Palestro, 51, 00185 Roma RM, Italy

The BeehiveVia Marghera, 8, 00185 Roma RM, Italy

Palladini HostelVia Carlo Cattaneo, 23, 00185 Roma RM, Italy

Alessandro Palace & BarVia Vicenza, 42, 00185 Roma RM, Italy