The best places you can visit in Rome

ArabiaWeather - Rome is a beautiful city where you see ancient architectural wonders at every corner, and you can wander through the historical streets, squares and gardens, and see an amazing number of famous landmarks for free, and we will now show you how.

Rome © Catherine Ziegler

Marvel at the riches of St. Peter's Basilica

And to remind you where the power lies today, the city's largest, richest and most magnificent basilica leaves all other churches in its shadow – and is completely open for free entry.

There will probably be a queue to enter Rome's dazzling St Peter's Basilica, but having taken 126 years to build, it may not be a bad wait to see this great work. St. Peter's Basilica is home to three of Italy's most famous masterpieces: Michelangelo's Pietà, the cathedral's stunning dome, and Bernini's 29-meter-high papal canopy above the papal altar.

Watch street performers in Piazza Navona

You can visit early in the morning before the crowds arrive or after dark when the fountains are lit, such as Bernini's famous Fontana di Quattro Fiumi, to enjoy Piazza Navona at its most beautiful. Or be there when it's crowded to watch street performers and tourists come and go and have fun until dusk.

Piazza Navona has long been the center of Rome's local life, hosting Rome's main market for nearly 300 years. Now there is a Christmas market during the holiday season and much activity throughout the year.

The Spanish Staircase © Apostolos Giontzis/Getty Images

Climb the Spanish Steps to the Monastery of Trinita dei Monte

People are not allowed to sit on the steps of Spain anymore, but you can still climb them. At the very top of the city's most famous staircase is the church of Trinita dei Monti. Step inside and admire the incredible artwork, including astrolabes and frescoes that seem to change completely, depending on where you stand.

Throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain

The magnificent Trevi Fountain, the fantastical Rococo and its cascading waterfalls. It is an unforgettable sight at any time of the day but looks even more magical after sunset when the fountain is fully lit. According to legend, throwing a coin into the Trevi Fountain will ensure your return to Rome, making it a must-visit ritual.

Enjoy the art atmosphere in Via Margutta

Take a walk along the charming Margutta Via, covered in green grapes and beautifully paved. Don't forget to see Picasso's work in Gallery 54, as the Italian Futurists had their first meeting here in 1917. Even Federico Fellini lived here for a while. It was also the place where Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck met in the silver screen classic Roman Holiday (1953). It's really picture perfect.

Giordano Canton/Shutterstock

Wander the corridors of Villa Borghese

Locals, tourists, athletes – no one can resist the charm of Rome's most famous park. Villa Borghese is an oasis of shaded lanes, green corners and excellent museums to explore. Giardino del Lago's carefully curated park features a replica of a Roman temple on an artificial island in the lake.

Give your coins generously on a “free” walking tour.

The New Rome Free Tour conducts daily walking tours of the historic city centre. Guides will lead you through the network of cobblestone alleys, Renaissance palaces, ancient ruins and tightly interwoven Baroque squares, recounting Rome's deep and tragic history. It's a theatrical experience.

Via Appia Antica © ValerioMei / Shutterstock

Explore the Via Appia Antica

The most famous avenue of antiquity, the Via Appia Antica, has been a landmark in Rome since 312 BC. The best way to explore it is on foot, perfect for a free experience. It is a beautiful paved road surrounded by grassy fields, Roman structures and huge pine trees.

Visit Bernini's masterpiece in the church of Santa Maria della Vittoria

The church of Santa Maria della Vittoria lies alongside the road and is the unexpected site of one of Bernini's great Italian Baroque masterpieces. It's in the fourth chapel on the north side.

Campo dei Fiori © Di Gregorio Giulio / Shutterstock

Shop in Campo dei Fiori

Colorful and always crowded, Campo dei Fiori is a major center of Roman life: by day, it hosts one of the city's most famous markets, and by night, its restaurants do a brisk trade. The poetic name of the square (Field of Flowers) refers to the open meadows that were located here before the square was planned in the mid-15th century.

Admire the Renaissance architecture at Tempeto del Bramante

Bramanteo's "Tempeto" (Little Temple) is considered the first great building of the High Renaissance. A perfect little surprise squeezed into the courtyard of the church of San Pietro in Montorio, its classically inspired design and perfect proportions embody the spirit of the Renaissance.

Find the hidden box through the arch of the Arco dei Acchetari

For one of the most beautiful views in Rome, head to this dark arch near Campo dei Fiori. The arch itself isn't particularly impressive, but pass through it, and you emerge in a small medieval square surrounded by orange houses and flowing plants. Cats and bicycles cover the gravel while laundry hangs from the pretty flower-bedecked balconies above.

Learn about the legends at the Basilica di San Pietro Vincoli

This church was built in the 5th century to house the chains of Saint Peter, which are displayed under the altar. But the real star of the show at the Cathedral of San Pietro in Vincoli is Michelangelo's powerful statue of Moses.

Source: lonelyplanet