Rome is famed for its beautiful ancient architecture, world-class museums, art galleries, and mouth-watering gastronomy. If you want to see all the sites, however, it won’t come cheap. Rather than following the crowds to all the typical tourist traps, we’ve come up with some alternative ways to soak up the ‘Eternal City’ if money is a little tight.
Art: Musei Capitolini
As the religious heart of Ancient Rome, most tourists flock to the top of the Capitoline Hill, complete with an impressive museum boasting ancient Palazzos, gardens and even a square designed by Michaelangelo. Alternatively, head to the Vatican Museums which house an equally impressive, albeit smaller, collection of Papal Art. Not only will you avoid the crowds, the admission fee is more budget-friendly at around €6.50.
Architecture: Discover alternative Ancient Rome
Avoid the tourist-thronged Forum and Colosseum and instead venture out of the city centre to Ostia Antica. Here lie the incredible ruins of ancient Rome’s port city, complete with amphitheatre, bath house, temples and villas. These remarkable ruins were once the site of an entire town encircled by parkland, and exploring them will only set you back a meagre €6.50, meaning more beer money for later on…
Culture: Museo Nazionale Romano
Rome is seeped in cultural artifacts and monuments and the National Museum of Rome is the best place to catch a glimpse of it all. Now spread over two sites, if you opt for the lavish 16th Century Palazzo Altemps, you can gain entry for as little as €7.00, and discover an expansive collection of Italian art and sculpture. Not far from the city centre in Lazio, you can also check out a now inactive volcano. The nearby Castelgandolpho Golf Resort means you can even have a round of golf amongst the dramatic surroundings!
Food: Enjoy an Italian Aperitivo
If you’re on the look-out for a cheap bite to eat, the Italian ‘aperitivo’ is a favourite with penny-pinching travellers. Many restaurants and bars offer guests this free plate of food or nibbles in exchange for a mere glass of wine or beer – bargain! One of the best is hip bar and eaterie, ‘Opika’, whose happy hour from 6-8pm attracts many a hungry crowd hoping to take advantage of its mouth-watering platters of cheese and olives when buying a glass of wine.
Film: Get Arty
Italy’s thriving film industry is now a big attraction and Rome boasts one of Europe’s funkiest art-house cinemas. The Nuovo Sacher is a leading advocate for independent Italian filmmakers and local talent, as well as housing a vibrant bar and well-stocked bookshop. Tickets will only set you back around €7, and you can choose from a foreign arty flick or sub-titles, with the opportunity of watching one outdoors in the summer.
For further reading, check out this online travel guide.