Rome’s historic center is filled with ancient architecture, charming restaurants and plenty of boutique shops. If you’re looking for ways to spend time in the city center without breaking the bank, check out our list of top 5 budget-friendly activities:
Browse the market in Campo de’ Fiori. The market in Campo de’ Fiori is filled with local vendors selling fresh produce and specialty goods. Of course, there is a souvenir stall here and there, but the real draw of the market are the italian goods. Loud and friendly vendors will draw you in and offer samples of their various olive oils. The Campo de’ Fiori market is the perfect place to interact with locals and pick up small gifts for the foodies in your life. The piazza is also lined with cafes and enotecas that are ideal for an afternoon glass of wine.
ADDRESS: Piazza Campo de’ Fiori, 00186 Roma RM
PRICE: Free to browse
HOURS: 07:00 - 14:00
Grab a coffee at Chiostro Bramante. Located next to the Chiesa di Santa Maria della Pace, the Chiostro Bramante is a beautifully quaint oasis from Rome’s crowded city center. As you enter the building, there is a ticket office for whatever exhibition is happening at the moment, keep walking past and enter the courtyard. Follow the sign for the cafe and head up to the second level. There are plenty of tables to choose from or you can snuggle into the stone seats carved into the wall of the balcony. The cafe prices are not extravagant and there are also delicious cakes and pastries to choose from. Recommended when an afternoon coffee or prosecco is needed for a quick pick me up after a day of Roman exploration.
ADDRESS: Arco della Pace, 5, 00186 Roma RM
PRICE: average
HOURS: 09:30-20:00 (SAT/SUN until 21:00)
CONTACT: +39 0668809036
WEBSITE: https://www.chiostrodelbramante.it/caffetteria-en/
People-watch in Piazza Navona. One of Rome’s most elegant squares, Piazza Navona is a must-see when visiting the Eternal City. After you get an up-close look at Bernini’s incredible Fountain of the Four Rivers, take a seat on one of the many benches and enjoy the atmosphere. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes that line the piazza and offer outdoor seating, just be sure to check the prices as most of the spots are known to over charge. Instead of overpaying for a spritz, head around the corner to the Gelateria dei Gracchi (Via de S. Pantaleo 61) for some delicious artiginal gelato to enjoy while strolling through Piazza Navona.
ADDRESS: Piazza Navona, 00186 Roma RM
HOURS: Always open
PRICE: Free unless you sit at a cafe
Check out the ruins in Largo Argentina. Rome is known as the world’s best open-air museum and it is sites like Largo Argentina that make this true. The ruins of the Theater of Pompeii are on display in the middle of the piazza, imagine that they used to be on “street level” thousands of years ago. It was here that Julius Caesar was assassinated by members of the senate on the steps of the Pompeii Theater. Keep your eyes peeled for the many cats that call this place home, there is a cat sanctuary located in the northwest corner.
ADDRESS: Largo di Torre Argentina, 00186 Roma RM
HOURS: Always open
PRICE: Free
Get a birds-eye view of Piazza del Popolo. After walking the surprisingly long Via del Corso, the immense Piazza del Popolo opens up before you. If you look up to the right (with Via del Corso behind you), there is the Pincio balcony that looks over the city. A short, winding climb up the road will get you there and an amazing panoramic view of the city unfolds with Saint Peter’s Dome directly across the city. From here, you can enjoy the Borghese Gardens and get lost in a bit of nature before returning to the hustle and bustle of Rome below.
ADDRESS: Salita del Pincio, 00187 Roma RM
HOURS: Always open
PRICE: Free
