There is no need to have expensive guided tours, or even high-cost museum tickets to fall in love with this city. Within 24 hours, you will be able to explore centuries of history, in walk past of ancient piazzas in which emperors used to walk, and you will make a memory that will match any luxury experience.
Morning (8:00-12:00)
Rome wakes up with a silent spell in the early morning, and what is even better? It is possible to visit one of the most famous sights of the Eternal City without investing even a single euro. This morning tour will be a journey through centuries of the past, marvels in architecture, and priceless photo opportunities which are all absolutely free.
Spanish Steps (8:00-8:45)
Begin your Roman day early enough, and you will know why locals like this time of the day. When there are not groups of midday tourists on the Spanish Steps, they are the most stunning sights in Rome that will nearly give you a one-on-one with one of the most adorable landmarks in Rome.
Scalendr the 135 travertine steps as the morning sun falls on the stone and one has the ideal setting of sunrise photographing. Here have been depositories of a silver-headed history since 1725, and their exquisite design has caused them to become symbolic of Roman style.
Trevi Fountain (8:45-9:30)
Starting at the steps, go to the Trevi Fountain–and it is absolutely free to see. Coming earlier than 9 a.m. is strongly important. You will be able to enjoy this masterpiece of baroque without pushing through people.
You must also engage in the most renowned tradition of the fountain, throwing a coin into the water. It is a legend that one coin will bring you back to Rome, two coins will make you fall in love with a Roman, and three coins will bring marriage. It has the magic, or it has not, but it is an attractive ceremony which millions of tourists have witnessed since the fountain was finished in 1762. The golden hour of the photographer is also provided by the early morning light.
Pantheon (9:45-10:30)
Then go to the Pantheon which is one of the most unbelievable constructions of Roman engineering. This is where time comes in: the first Sunday of every month one can enter the Pantheon entirely free. On other days, entry is at a small fee but the price is worth all the money to what is in store.
Enter the bronze doors of the ancient building and enter a space that is almost 2,000 years old. The masterpiece is the dome, 5,000 tonnes of concrete and well-calculated construction and engineering, which to date, is one of the greatest constructions to date. The oculus (making a circle shaped opening) in the top of the dome forms a play of light that moves as the day goes by with the sunbeams shining through the interior in numerous forms. Go to the middle of the floor and look up and be ready to feel small.
Piazza Navona (10:45-11:30)
Complete your morning with a walk in Piazza Navona, considered one of the most liveliest and quite sensual squares in Rome.
The Piazza Navona was constructed on the premises of the stadium of Domitian, a Roman sports arena of the 1 st century A.D. The square today, oval in shape, is reminiscent of the shape of the stadium, a faint hint of the way that the past is allied with the present of Rome. There are now three breathtaking fountains in the plaza, which include the famous Fountain of the Four Rivers commissioned by Bernini in the middle of the plaza, and street artists who design everything, including classical portraits and abstract masterpieces in front of your eyes.
Get yourself a gelato (not too expensive, in case you make the right choices) and find a place to sit and absorb the energy. See the artists in action, hear street musicians, and people watching can commence. A combination of locals, tourists, artists and performers makes the view always different there is no two consecutive moments when the Piazza Navona is exactly the same.
You have taken the sunrise photographs, dropped the coins to be lucky, been under an old dome and soaked up the spirit of Rome.
Lunch Break (12:00-13:30)
Get away out of the afternoon heat with a real Roman picnic. Takeaway pizza (freshly baked), in one of the most famous pizzerias of Rome or have a tasty panini in a bakery.
Options
- Campo de’ Fiori: The bustling market place of Rome is turned into a casual lunch place. Dine with the locals and have renaissance architecture as your background.
- Villa Borghese Gardens: The most beautiful green space in this city. An ideal Roman experience that is more serene.
Afternoon (13.30-17.30)
The afternoon includes the most distinctive sites in Rome- the Renaissance splendor and the glory of the past. The best part? Much of it can be felt without laying down a euro.
St. Peter’s Basilica (13:30-15:00)
Located in the centre of Vatican City, St. Peter is among the most well-known constructions of the world. The positive aspect: there is no entry fee. It is free to wander through this masterpiece in architecture, to have a glimpse of the dome of Michelangelo the inside, and to absorb the high ceilings, all without spending a single cent.
What to expect: Crowds are likely to be expected particularly in afternoons. Tour groups and pilgrims throng the basilica, and its expansiveness ensures that one can always have room to feel the awe.
Reminder on dress code: The place is an active place of worship and as such, shoulders and knees should be covered.
The dome choice: Provided that you are in a good mood and feel like climbing the 551 steps to the top of the dome of Michelangelo, then the dome choice is available but it is paid.
Castel Sant’Angelo (15:15-15:45)
Access it, one needs a 10-minute walk northwestern of St. Peter towards the Tiber River. Castel Sant’Angelo is a fortress of centuries of history.
There is no need to pay an entry fee to enjoy this monument. Better follow the walks of the rivers of the Tiber, and cross the Ponte Sant’Angelo (Sant’Angelo Bridge), to the extreme point of view. You find beautiful statues of angels on this foot walk bridge, and it is in this place that you find the perfect view of the fortress being reflected on the water.
The castle itself is a magnificent cylindrical building which has an angel on top. The sculptures on the bridge depicting various virtues are works of art in themselves, which are ten angels. It is among the most photographable places in Rome and the best place to take sunset pictures.
You want to see inside (Renaissance frescoes, papal apartments), then it is a paid experience–but the outer ones are worth having a free itinerary.
Roman Forum & Colosseum (16:00-17:30)
And this is the core of Rome, where Caesar stomped, where was fought the gladiators, and where was developed the republic. The remarkable thing? You can visit two of the greatest sites in the ancient world without entering the premises.
The Roman Forum was the epicenter of political, commercial and social activities in ancient Rome during the period of over one thousand years. The ruins of it, to-day, such as the Temple of Saturn, the House of the Vestal Virgins, the Senate House, narrate the history of Roman civilization in its greatest period. Directly outside of it is Palatine Hill where emperors constructed extravagant palaces overlooking the forum.
The Colosseum (also known as the Flavian Amphitheater), constructed between 70-80 AD is an engineering masterpiece that was used to seat 50,000 spectators to watch the gladiator battles and other public shows. Its four-story front can be seen instantly across the globe and as old as it is at close to 2,000 years old, it is still one of the greatest structures that had ever been constructed.
The free view point approach: You will not pay to access these monuments or have a guided tour; instead, you will have access to these monuments utilizing the best available outdoor vantage points that will offer you a great view and the context of the monuments.
Evening (18:00-21:30)
Aventine Hill and Orange Garden (Giardino degli Aranci)
When the sun is setting towards the horizon come to Aventine hill, one of the most charming and quietest points of view of Rome. A stunning view of the everlasting city spread with golden light is offered in this peaceful place and is a good antidote to the afternoon crowds.
The Orange Garden (Giardino degli Aranci) is a peaceful place where you can observe Rome change at the hour of transition between the day and night.
But there is something still more precious in your visit to Aventine hill. Next to it is the most renowned of the secrets of Rome the legendary Keyhole of Rome. With this historic keyhole you will see a perfect framed view in the world, the grandiose dome of St. Peters Basilica, and it is placed at the center like it must be, as though nature has planned this moment the moment it has been. It is an unknown secret that the locals hold dear to their heart.
Trastevere Walk (19:30-21:30)
When the sky turns purple and orange in the evening, head to Trastevere; the bohemian and local quarters of Rome. Such is the place where the soul of Rome is really alive after the sunset.
The beating heart of the neighborhood is Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere where locals will meet and visitors find the actual definition of dolce vita. Here you will have the beautiful Basilica of Santa Maria, in its beautiful mosaic, with its beautiful cafes and restaurants.
