If you’ve already visited the most iconic sights, such as the Colosseum or the Trevi Fountain, we’d like to suggest a different alternative for your trip to Rome. This is a tour that invites you to stroll through fascinating historical spots and explore the Italian capital from a different perspective, with the added bonus that all the stops along the route are free to visit.
Here is a route designed for those looking to see beyond what’s featured in the most common guidebooks, without spending a single euro on entrance fees.
The Vatican’s ‘B-side’
You don’t need to pay for a ticket to the Vatican Museums to be amazed. We’ll start early near St Peter’s Basilica, but instead of looking up at the dome, we’ll look down at the ground and the details that 90% of people overlook.
The Zodiac beneath your feet
St Peter’s Square is, in fact, a gigantic astronomical instrument. The central obelisk is not just a decoration brought from Egypt; it is the gnomon of a massive sundial. If you walk across the square, you’ll see a granite line with marble discs.
Look for the zodiac sign corresponding to the current month. At midday, the shadow of the obelisk will indicate with mathematical precision where we are in the solar calendar. It is a direct link between ancient science and faith.
Do you speak Latin? The Pope’s cash machine
If you’re running low on cash, head to the IOR (Istituto per le Opere di Religione) bank’s cash machine. It’s the only one on the planet that lets you use Latin. If you select that language, you’ll see that the option ‘Deductio ex pecunia’ appears when withdrawing notes. It’s a curious detail and one of those little oddities you come across whilst strolling through the streets of Rome, yet it’s still not very popular on social media.
The Street Cleaners’ Galactic Nativity Scene
Just a few steps from St Peter’s Square (Via dei Cavalleggeri, 5), the Presepe dei Netturbini lies hidden. It is a permanent, handcrafted nativity scene created by Rome’s street cleaners.
It features over 100 tiny houses, but what makes it unique are the offerings. There are stones brought from all over the world and, hold on to your hats, a fragment of a meteorite from Mars. Yes, from the planet. Entry is free and it is a microcosm that will not leave you indifferent.
The charm of the Trionfale Market
About 10 minutes from the Vatican lies this market with nearly 300 stalls. It’s where Roman nonnas buy their fish and pecorino. Strolling around here is free, and it’s the best place to observe real everyday life, far from the tourist trappings; you can also get a real taste of Rome all in one place.
Architecture and fairytale corners
If you want to combine the ancient history of classic buildings with slightly more eccentric sights, Rome has buildings that defy all traditional architectural logic.
The ‘House of Monsters’ (Palazzo Zuccari)
Near the Spanish Steps, at Via Gregoriana 28, you’ll find a façade that looks like something out of a Tim Burton film. The doors and windows are giant monster mouths with sharp teeth and bulging eyes.
Federico Zuccari, a highly imaginative 16th-century artist, designed this to impress (and perhaps frighten) his guests. It is the antithesis of Renaissance balance and the perfect spot for a photo that no one else will have.
The Coppedè District
If you want to feel as though you’ve left Italy behind and stepped into a fantasy world, head to the Coppedè district. It’s not an area of ruins, but a dazzling display of Art Nouveau architecture with elements of Gothic and Baroque styles.
There’s a huge entrance arch with a wrought-iron chandelier and the ‘Fountain of the Frogs’, which legend has it the Beatles bathed in after a gig at the legendary Piper nightclub, right next door. It’s the perfect spot for taking exceptional photos.
Rome is for walking, not crawling
Let’s pause for a practical tip for your visit. Rome is a labyrinth of cobblestones known as sampietrini. They’re beautiful and look stunning in photos, but they’re the worst enemy of wheeled suitcases and your energy.
If you’re halfway through your itinerary and can’t check into your accommodation yet, or you’ve already checked out, don’t make the mistake of lugging your luggage up the slopes of the Aventine Hill or through the narrow alleyways. Getting around with heavy luggage is the quickest way to end up hating your trip. The smartest thing to do is leave your bags at our luggage storage facilities in Rome. We have strategic locations where you can stash your suitcase, forget about the weight, and explore these neighbourhoods with complete freedom. Strolling through Trastevere or heading up to see the Pyramid is a completely different experience when your hands are free to take photos and enjoy a gelato as you walk.
Discover the hidden symbolism in the streets of Rome
Three countries through a keyhole
Climb the Aventine Hill to the Piazza dei Cavalieri di Malta. You’ll see an unremarkable green door, but if you peer through its keyhole, you’ll see St Peter’s Dome perfectly framed by a tunnel of hedges.
Remember that you’re looking at three states at once: the territory of the Order of Malta, Italy and the Vatican. It’s possibly the city’s best-kept secret.
The masters of the ruins: Torre Argentina Sanctuary
Did you know that cats now rule the place where Julius Caesar was assassinated? In Largo di Torre Argentina, amongst temples dating from the 3rd century BC, hundreds of cats live under the protection of an association. The great Anna Magnani (muse of Italian cinema) used to come here every night to feed them.
If you fall in love with one, you can sponsor it from afar! It’s the best emotional souvenir you could take home. If you love animals, it’s a must-visit.
Pyramid in the Heart of Rome
Egypt? No, Rome.
Right next to the Piramide underground station stands a real 37-metre-high pyramid built 2,000 years ago: the Pyramid of Cestius (1st century BC). Just behind it lies the Non-Catholic Cemetery, a romantic garden and an oasis of silence where the poets Keats and Shelley are laid to rest. It is a haven of absolute peace surrounded by cypress trees and cats, and the least crowded spot in the capital.
Trivia and Roman survival tips
To get around the city more practically, you’ll find these two tips useful:
Don’t pay for drinking water; on every corner you’ll find the iron fountains known as Nasoni. If you cover the bottom hole, the water flows out of the small hole at the top, acting as a drinking fountain. It’s free, and the water is lovely and cold.
Every day at 12:00, a cannon is fired from the Gianicolo Hill. It’s an ancient tradition to synchronise the city’s bells. It’s a good time to head up there and enjoy the panoramic view of Rome.
What you need to know before visiting Rome
Although these days we all rely on Google Maps and translation tools, it’s still worth knowing a few basic phrases in case you need to ask someone for directions on the street. Here’s a quick guide to the basics of communicating in Italian:
English | Italian |
Excuse me, where can I find the… | Scusi, dov’è…? |
How long does it take to get to…? | Quanto ci vuole per arrivare a…? |
Keep going straight ahead | Vai sempre dritto |
Turn right / left | Gira a destra / sinistra |
Thank You! | Grazie mille! |
Rome never ends; in fact, it is said that even a whole lifetime is not enough to get to know it (Roma, non basta una vita). Take in the details, peek through the open gateways and let the city surprise you.
With this itinerary, you will have achieved something that most tourists never manage: seeing the city’s invisible soul. Enjoy the journey and let Rome tell you its own story at every turn.
