Saving tips

Here are six simple tips to enjoy the "Dolce Vita" without falling into the usual tourist traps.

1️⃣ Free Caravaggios (No Museum Queues)

Seeing Caravaggio’s paintings usually means paying for places like Galleria Borghese or the Vatican Museums. But Rome hides some masterpieces in its churches that are completely free to enter.

• San Luigi dei Francesi: Go inside (no ticket required) and head to the Contarelli Chapel. You will find three powerful Caravaggios on the life of Saint Matthew.
• Santa Maria del Popolo: In the Cerasi Chapel you can see both "The Crucifixion of Saint Peter" and "The Conversion of Saint Paul".

👉 You will only need a few coins (€1 or €2) to switch on the chapel lights and see the paintings properly.

More About San Luigi dei Francesi

2️⃣ The "Nasoni" Trick – Free Water

There is no need to buy bottled water for €3. Rome is full of small cast-iron fountains called "nasoni" (literally "big noses").

• The water is drinkable, fresh and comes directly from the city’s aqueduct system.
• If you cover the main spout with your finger, the water shoots up through a small hole on top – this is how locals drink from them easily.

👉 Bring a reusable bottle and refill it throughout the day.

3️⃣ Amazing Views Without Paying Admission

Lifts to viewpoints such as the Altare della Patria or the dome of St Peter’s Basilica charge an entrance fee, but some of Rome’s finest panoramas are completely free.

• 🍊 Giardino degli Aranci (Orange Garden): On the Aventine Hill, offering a magical sunset over the Tiber and St Peter’s.
• 🔫 Gianicolo Hill: Above Trastevere, with one of the most complete views of the city. Every day at 12:00 a ceremonial cannon is fired (with blanks).

4️⃣ The Golden Rule of Coffee

This can have a big impact on your daily budget. The price of a coffee depends on where you drink it.

• ☕ At the bar (standing): Regulated and cheap. A standard espresso usually costs around €1.10–€1.30.
• 🪑 Sitting at a table: The same coffee can cost two or three times more – often €3.50–€5.00 just for table service.

👉 Do as the Romans do: drink your coffee quickly at the counter, then continue exploring.

5️⃣ St Peter’s Basilica: Skip the Queue (Legally)

Entry to the Basilica is free, but security queues can be up to two hours long.

The trick:

• Arrive very early – around 7:00–7:30 am – and you will usually walk straight in.
• Or go later in the day – after about 5:00 pm the lines are often much shorter.

👉 Avoid paying street promoters who offer "skip the line" deals. They usually just sell expensive tours you might not need.

Official Basilica Opening Hours

6️⃣ Eat Well on a Budget: Pizza al Taglio & Aperitivo

Stay away from restaurants with hosts standing outside calling you in with "Tourist Menu" boards.

• 🍕 Pizza al taglio: Pizza sold by the slice and by weight. Choose a few flavours, they cut it with scissors and you pay only for what you eat – perfect for quick lunches around €5–€8.
• 🍹 Aperitivo: Between about 18:00 and 20:00, order a drink (Spritz, wine, etc.) for roughly €10–€12 and you often get access to a buffet or a generous plate of snacks. It can easily replace dinner.