Top Things To Do in Rome (On a Smart Budget)

Day 1: Colosseum → Roman Forum/Palatine Hill → Monti dinner

Day 2: Vatican Museums → St. Peter’s Basilica/Dome → Evening in Trastevere

Day 3: Villa Borghese picnic → Pantheon → Trevi Fountain → Pincio sunset 

• Monti: first-timers, walkers, cafés.
   
• Trastevere: food, evening vibe.
   
• Prati: quieter, near Vatican.
   
• Testaccio: food lovers, local feel.

• Colosseum + Roman Forum/Palatine — Book official timed tickets; sunrise/late afternoon for softer crowds.
• St. Peter’s Basilica (free) — Splurge on the dome if you want a view; dress modestly.
• Trastevere wander — Street life, churches, cheap eats.
• Villa Borghese — Park picnics, viewpoints above Piazza del Popolo.
• Appia Antica (Appian Way) — Rent bikes, explore catacombs; feels like time travel.
• Trevi Fountain & Pantheon — Go early/late; Pantheon’s interior requires small fee now, still top value.
• Free viewpoints: Giardino degli Aranci, Terrazza del Pincio.

• Pizza al taglio (by the slice), supplì (fried rice balls).
• Pranzo di lavoro (weekday set lunch) at neighborhood trattorias.
• Markets: Testaccio (local), Trionfale (near Vatican) for picnic supplies.
• Family hack: Share pastas; portions are generous.

• Walk the historic core; use Metro A/B and buses for longer hops.
   
• Consider 24/48/72-hour passes if you’ll ride often.
   
• Taxis/ride-hail for late nights or with strollers. Compare pricing between FreeNow and Uber apps.

• Roma Pass (48/72h): Transit + museum entries/discounts—good if you’re stacking paid sights.
   
• Many state museums have free first Sundays (check current schedule).
   
• Nasoni street fountains = safe free water.

• Explora Children’s Museum, Borghese gardens bikes/boats.

• Cobblestones + Metro stairs can be tough; buses easier with strollers.

• Worth: Forum/Palatine combo; Appian Way; set-menu lunches.
   
• Skip: Tourist-trap menus near Trevi; overpriced “skip-the-line” resellers if official tickets are available.

• Pickpockets on crowded buses/Metro; keep bags front.

• Agree taxi fares only via licensed stands/apps. Or compare pricing between FreeNow and Uber apps. 

• Cover shoulders/knees for basilicas. 

• Accommodation: €50–80
   
• Food: €25–35.
   
• Transport: €5–7.
   
• Activities: €10–20 (mix of paid/free).

Total: €90–140.

 Sunset on the Pincio Terrace after a picnic—music in the square, kids chasing bubbles. Free and perfect. 

 Is tap water safe? Yes—Rome’s fountains are famous.
Best cheap viewpoint? Pincio Terrace or Orange Garden.
How many days? 3–4 gives you icons + neighborhoods.