Visiting Rome is a once in a lifetime opportunity, but not everyone can afford to enjoy the most luxurious amenities that the city has to offer. Fortunately, there are ways to enjoy this great city on a budget, and the first step is to book your visit between January and March. It's a little cooler, but air and accommodation fares are much cheaper than they are during the summer months. More and more travel companies are offering cheaper fares during autumn as well. Tip number two is to find a cheap place to spend your nights. The area around Termini Station is known for its cheap yet comfortable hotels, but like most European cities, Rome has many hostels available, and you can even spend the night in one of the city's many convents. If you choose a convent, remember that they keep a relatively early curfew, and they only accept cash.
Cheap Attractions
Rome is also home to many cheap attractions, and not all of them are off the beaten path. If you're lucky enough to be in Rome on the last Sunday of the month, then the Vatican Museums are open for free between 9 a.m-12:30 p.m. This museum includes the legendary Sistine Chapel, but there's also an Egyptian museum that houses numerous ancient artifacts from that part of the world. There are also numerous other museums, old chapels, and historical rooms in the Vatican Museum Complex. Of course, you can find free art throughout the city in numerous churches such as the Santa Maria della Vittoria.
Dining
There are many great dining options for travelers on a budget, and some of them can be found near Rome's biggest attractions. One of these is the Almando al Pantheon, which is right next to the famous Pantheon. This restaurant requires reservations because it's packed every day with people trying the Almando's excellent fare such as Spaghetti cacio e pepe. Most of their main dishes range in price between €10-15, which is pretty cheap in Rome. Another affordable restaurant that's highly unique is Dar Filettaro near the Campo de’ Fiori. This restaurant's only main course is a fried cod filet for €5, but they also offer an assortment of antipasti at some of the lowest prices in the city. Finally, a great place to pick up a cheap lunch is the buffet at Termini Station with its large assortment of meats, cheeses, fruits, and vegetables. You can even self-serve a carafe of wine.
