Self-guided itinerary · free
Budget-friendly Rome: 3 days of the Appian Way, the Aventine and small museums
A budget-friendly plan that reads Rome from its edges to the centre: a free walls museum, Villa di Massenzio and Cecilia Metella along the Via Appia Antica; the Baths of Caracalla and the Aventine hill; a free museum on the Janiculum, Trastevere and the small municipal museums of the historic centre. Getting around is on foot and by ATAC public transport only. The museums and sites on this plan are closed on Mondays; fit the plan into Tuesday to Sunday.
Prepared by: Kolay Seyahat content teamLast updated 23/10/2026Every fact links to an official source
This is not a package tour. This itinerary is free information. Flights, hotels and experiences are each sold separately, under their own seller’s terms, with separate payment and a separate contract. Prices are never linked to one another.
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Day 1 · Porta San Sebastiano and the Via Appia Antica
Day 2 · Caracalla, the Aventine and Testaccio
Day 3 · The Janiculum, Trastevere and small museums of the historic centre
Day 1 · Porta San Sebastiano and the Via Appia Antica
Start the day at the free walls museum in Porta San Sebastiano, the city's southern gate, walk along the Via Appia Antica to Villa di Massenzio and finish at the Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella. All three stops open Tuesday to Sunday; from 1 November the Appia sites close at 16:30, so the day moves south from the morning onwards.
Day 1 · 1 · 10:00–11:00
Museo delle Mura (Porta San Sebastiano)
Closed
Museo delle Mura, at Via di Porta San Sebastiano 18, is a small municipal museum at Porta San Sebastiano, and it is free for everyone. The museum's outer walkway (camminamento) follows the museum's own hours and entry rules. The museum takes at most 20 visitors at a time and visits are limited to 50 minutes, so arriving at opening time lowers the chance of a wait. As you step out of the gate, the first stretch of the Via Appia Antica lies ahead.
Getting there
- Walk
Opening hours
Tuesday to Sunday 10:00–16:00; last entry one hour before closing. 1 January 2026: 11:00–16:00.
Source: museodellemuraroma.it · last checked 2026-10-23
Closed
Closed on Monday, 1 May and 25 December.
Source: museodellemuraroma.it · last checked 2026-10-23
Entrance fee
Free admission. At most 20 visitors may be inside at once, at most 5 per room, and a visit lasts at most 50 minutes.
Undated source; check the official site
Source: museodellemuraroma.it · last checked 2026-10-23
Tips
The tower terrace is closed to visitors. On the outer walkway, leaving the route or climbing over walls and railings is forbidden. To reach Porta San Sebastiano, check the ATAC line on atac.roma.it or muoversiaroma.it.
Day 1 · 2 · 11:15–12:30
Villa di Massenzio
ClosedVilla di Massenzio, at Via Appia Antica 153, is a municipal archaeological site in the open countryside along the Appian Way. Instead of the main plan's large ancient sites in the centre, the budget route suggests this site on the city's edge. Since 1 February 2026 it charges visitors who do not live in Rome. From October to May it closes at 16:00 and last entry is 45 minutes before closing, so arriving around midday works well.
Getting there
- Walk
Opening hours
October to May: Tuesday to Sunday 10:00–16:00. June to September: Tuesday to Friday 10:00–16:00, Saturday and Sunday 10:00–19:00. 24 and 31 December 10:00–14:00. Last entry 45 minutes before closing.
Source: villadimassenzio.it · last checked 2026-10-23
Closed
Closed on Monday, 1 May and 25 December.
Source: villadimassenzio.it · last checked 2026-10-23
Entrance fee
Same-day tickets at the desk: full 7.50 €, reduced 6.00 €; pre-booking online, through the 060608 call centre or at the ticket office for a later day adds a €1.00 presale fee per ticket. Free for residents of Rome and its metropolitan area.
Undated source; check the official site
Source: villadimassenzio.it · last checked 2026-10-23
Tips
We suggest no places to eat on this day; bring your lunch with you. From June to September it stays open until 19:00 on Saturdays and Sundays.
Day 1 · 3 · 13:30–15:00
Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella and Castrum Caetani
ClosedThe day's last stop is the Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella and Castrum Caetani, one of the ticketed sites of the Appia Antica Archaeological Park. The site's name tells you that the ancient mausoleum and the later Castrum Caetani buildings around it are visited together. The ticket also covers the Capo di Bove complex, but Capo di Bove has been temporarily closed for restoration since 22 June 2026, so for now only Cecilia Metella can be visited. You do not need the park's seven-day general ticket for this plan.
Getting there
- Walk
- Bus
Getting there
The park is reached by metro and ATAC buses; for lines and times, the park points to atac.roma.it or muoversiaroma.it.
Source: parcoarcheologicoappiaantica.it · last checked 2026-10-23
Opening hours
Tuesday to Sunday. 1–31 October 09:00–18:30; 1 November–28/29 February 09:00–16:30; 1–31 March 09:00–18:30; 1 April–30 September 09:00–19:15. Last entry 30 minutes before closing.
Source: parcoarcheologicoappiaantica.it · last checked 2026-10-23
Closed
Closed on Monday (the site opens Tuesday to Sunday).
Source: parcoarcheologicoappiaantica.it · last checked 2026-10-23
Entrance fee
Same-day ticket for Cecilia Metella and Capo di Bove: full €8, reduced €2, €4 with the Roma Pass.
Undated source; check the official site
Source: parcoarcheologicoappiaantica.it · last checked 2026-10-23
Good to know
The Capo di Bove complex has been temporarily closed to visitors since 22 June 2026 for restoration and improvement works.
Source: parcoarcheologicoappiaantica.it · last checked 2026-10-23
Tips
Last entry is 30 minutes before closing; from 1 November to 28/29 February the site closes at 16:30. Return to the centre by ATAC bus; check lines and times on atac.roma.it or muoversiaroma.it.
Day 2 · Caracalla, the Aventine and Testaccio
In the morning visit the open-air site of the Baths of Caracalla, walk past the Circus Maximus up the Aventine hill to look out over the Tiber from the Savello Park terrace, and spend the afternoon at the Testaccio street market. Caracalla is closed on Mondays.
Day 2 · 1 · 09:00–10:45
Baths of Caracalla
Closed
The Baths of Caracalla, run by Rome's Special Superintendency, are a vast ancient bath complex, and on this budget route they take the place of the main plan's archaeological sites in the centre. Walking the site, you see ancient Rome's bathing culture on the spot. Tickets are issued in your name and are sold only on the official Musei Italiani portal, its app, or at the cash desks and machines at the entrance. In winter last entry is 15:30, so it makes sense to start the day here.
Getting there
- Metro
- Walk
Getting there
By metro, get off at Circo Massimo or Porta Metronia; buses 75, 628 and 760 and tram 3 stop at Circo Massimo. Address: Viale delle Terme di Caracalla 52.
Source: soprintendenzaspecialeroma.it · last checked 2026-10-23
Opening hours
25 October–28 February 09:00–16:30 (last entry and ticket office 15:30); 1–24 October 09:00–18:30 (last entry 17:30); 1–28 March 09:00–17:30 (last entry 16:30); 29 March–31 August 09:00–19:15 (last entry 18:00); 1–30 September 09:00–19:00 (last entry 18:00).
Source: soprintendenzaspecialeroma.it · last checked 2026-10-23
Closed
Closed on Monday.
Source: soprintendenzaspecialeroma.it · last checked 2026-10-23
Entrance fee
The Superintendency's notice of 7 December 2025 gave the ticket as €10 full and €2 reduced. Check the current price on the official museiitaliani.it sales site.
Source: soprintendenzaspecialeroma.it · last checked 2026-10-23
Tickets and booking
Tickets are issued in your name and are sold only on the official Musei Italiani portal (museiitaliani.it), the Musei Italiani app, or at the cash desks and machines at the entrance.
Source: soprintendenzaspecialeroma.it · last checked 2026-10-23
Tips
Glass bottles and blunt objects are not allowed on site. Check the current ticket price on the official museiitaliani.it sales site.
Day 2 · 2 · 11:15–12:30
The Aventine: Savello Park and Piazza dei Cavalieri di Malta
Savello Park on the Aventine hill, popularly called the Orange Garden, stands on the site of the fortress the Savelli family built at the end of the 13th century beside the church of Santa Sabina. Its symmetrical layout dates from 1932 and a design by the architect Raffaele De Vico; the central avenue leads to the belvedere, from which the city opens out from the bend of the Tiber to St Peter's Basilica. Leave the park and turn right to reach Piazza dei Cavalieri di Malta, designed by Giovan Battista Piranesi in 1765; through the keyhole of the door to the Villa del Priorato di Malta you can see St Peter's dome framed by the garden hedges.
Getting there
- Walk
Opening hours
The source gives the hours as October–February 07:00–18:00, March–September 07:00–20:00 and April–August 07:00–21:00; as the periods overlap, check before you go.
Source: turismoroma.it · last checked 2026-10-23
Good to know
The park was laid out in 1932 to a design by the architect Raffaele De Vico; Piazza dei Cavalieri di Malta was designed by Giovan Battista Piranesi in 1765.
Source: turismoroma.it · last checked 2026-10-23
Tips
A queue can form at the keyhole; late morning is usually calmer. The park's closing time changes with the season.
Day 3 · The Janiculum, Trastevere and small museums of the historic centre
Start the day at the free Museo della Repubblica Romana on the Janiculum hill, walk down to the Museo di Roma in Trastevere, then cross the Tiber and finish in the historic centre at the Barracco and Napoleonic museums. The Repubblica Romana closes at 14:00 on weekdays, so it comes first; all four museums are closed on Mondays.
Day 3 · 1 · 10:00–11:00
Museo della Repubblica Romana e della Memoria Garibaldina
ClosedThe Museo della Repubblica Romana e della Memoria Garibaldina, at Largo di Porta San Pancrazio, is a municipal museum in the Porta San Pancrazio gate on the Janiculum hill, and it is free for everyone every day. As its name says, it is devoted to the Roman Republic and to the memory of Garibaldi. It opens only in the morning on weekdays, so the third day of the budget route has to start here. From the museum you walk down the hill into Trastevere.
Getting there
- Walk
Opening hours
Tuesday to Friday 10:00–14:00; Saturday and Sunday 10:00–18:00; 24 and 31 December 10:00–14:00. Last entry one hour before closing.
Source: museodellarepubblicaromana.it · last checked 2026-10-23
Closed
Closed on Monday, 1 May and 25 December.
Source: museodellarepubblicaromana.it · last checked 2026-10-23
Entrance fee
Free admission.
Undated source; check the official site
Source: museodellarepubblicaromana.it · last checked 2026-10-23
Tips
For information and bookings, the Roma Capitale call centre on 060608 answers every day from 09:00 to 19:00. Check the ATAC line up to the Janiculum on atac.roma.it or muoversiaroma.it.
Day 3 · 2 · 11:30–12:45
Museo di Roma in Trastevere
ClosedThe Museo di Roma in Trastevere, at Piazza Sant'Egidio 1/b, is a municipal museum in the middle of the neighbourhood. In the main plan Trastevere is the place for dinner; here you get to know it by day, through a museum, and the ticket includes the exhibitions on at the time. As it stays open until 20:00 from Tuesday to Sunday, you can keep the order flexible. For lunch, you can try pizza bianca at a bakery.
Getting there
- Walk
Opening hours
Tuesday to Sunday 10:00–20:00; 24 and 31 December 10:00–14:00. Last entry one hour before closing.
Source: museodiromaintrastevere.it · last checked 2026-10-23
Closed
Closed on Monday, 1 May and 25 December.
Source: museodiromaintrastevere.it · last checked 2026-10-23
Entrance fee
Including current exhibitions, same-day tickets at the desk: full 9.50 €, reduced 5.00 €; pre-booking online, through the 060608 call centre or at the ticket office for a later day adds a €1.00 presale fee per ticket. Free for residents of Rome and its metropolitan area.
Undated source; check the official site
Source: museodiromaintrastevere.it · last checked 2026-10-23
Tips
On the first Sunday of the month the museum is free for everyone, subject to capacity.
Day 3 · 3 · 14:15–15:30
Museo di Scultura Antica Giovanni Barracco
ClosedCross the Tiber on Ponte Sisto and walk to Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, where the Museo di Scultura Antica Giovanni Barracco stands on the corner of via dei Baullari. As its name says, it is a small municipal museum devoted to ancient sculpture, a chance to look closely at the works without the crowds of the large museums. Since 1 February 2026 it charges visitors who do not live in Rome.
Getting there
- Walk
Opening hours
Tuesday to Sunday 10:00–18:00; 24 and 31 December 09:00–14:00. Last entry 45 minutes before closing.
Source: museobarracco.it · last checked 2026-10-23
Closed
Closed every Monday, 1 May and 25 December.
Source: museobarracco.it · last checked 2026-10-23
Entrance fee
Same-day tickets at the desk: full 7.50 €, reduced 6.00 €; pre-booking online, through the 060608 call centre or at the ticket office for a later day adds a €1.00 presale fee per ticket. Free for residents of Rome and its metropolitan area.
Undated source; check the official site
Source: museobarracco.it · last checked 2026-10-23
Tips
Last entry is 45 minutes before closing. For the opening days of the Roman house beneath the museum, see the museum's events page.
Day 3 · 4 · 15:45–17:15
Museo Napoleonico
ClosedWalk from the north of Piazza Navona to the Tiber and you reach the Museo Napoleonico at Piazza di Ponte Umberto I 1, at the head of the Ponte Umberto I. This small municipal museum on the river is the last stop of the budget route; last entry is at 17:15. From the museum you can end the day with a free evening walk along the Lungotevere. Like the Barracco, it has charged visitors who do not live in Rome since 1 February 2026.
Getting there
- Walk
Opening hours
Tuesday to Sunday 10:00–18:00, last entry 17:15; 24 and 31 December 10:00–14:00.
Source: museonapoleonico.it · last checked 2026-10-23
Closed
Closed on Monday, 1 May and 25 December.
Source: museonapoleonico.it · last checked 2026-10-23
Entrance fee
Same-day tickets at the desk: full 7.50 €, reduced 6.00 €; pre-booking online, through the 060608 call centre or at the ticket office for a later day adds a €1.00 presale fee per ticket. Free for residents of Rome and its metropolitan area.
Undated source; check the official site
Source: museonapoleonico.it · last checked 2026-10-23
Tips
If your visit falls on the first Sunday of the month, the museum is free for everyone, subject to capacity.
Getting around
Getting there
The FL1 regional train runs from Fiumicino to Tiburtina in 48 minutes, stopping at Trastevere and Ostiense (change for metro line B); it leaves every 15 minutes on weekdays and every 30 minutes at weekends and on holidays.
Source: turismoroma.it · last checked 2026-10-23
Entrance fee
ATAC's integrated 100-minute BIT ticket costs €1.50; it is sold in the airport arrivals area and at Roma Capitale Tourist Infopoints.
Undated source; check the official site
Source: turismoroma.it · last checked 2026-10-23
Entrance fee
A single FL1 ticket from Fiumicino costs €8; the non-stop Leonardo Express reaches Termini in 32 minutes and costs €14.
Undated source; check the official site
Source: turismoroma.it · last checked 2026-10-23
Good to know
Throughout 2026, the museums and archaeological sites of the Roma Capitale network are free for everyone on the first Sunday of every month; from this plan, that covers the Museo di Roma in Trastevere, the Barracco, the Napoleonic Museum and Villa di Massenzio. Entry is subject to capacity.
Source: turismoroma.it · last checked 2026-10-23
Good to know
Since 1 February 2026 tourists and non-residents pay for the Barracco, the Napoleonic Museum and Villa di Massenzio; the Museo della Repubblica Romana and the Museo delle Mura have stayed free.
Source: turismoroma.it · last checked 2026-10-23
Good to know
In an emergency, call 112, the free emergency number valid across the EU.
Source: digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu · last checked 2026-10-23
What and where to eat
What to eat and where to look
Supplì (fried rice croquettes)
Rosticcerie (takeaway and fried-food shops)
Source: turismoroma.it · last checked 2026-10-23
Pizza bianca romana
Bakeries; according to turismoroma.it, the capital's oldest street food
Source: turismoroma.it · last checked 2026-10-23
Fresh produce and Roman street food
Testaccio's street market
Source: turismoroma.it · last checked 2026-10-23
Opening hours and prices vary by venue; check the venue’s own site before you go. Recommendations are not paid placements.
Where to stay
Candidates were picked by distance to the area, star rating, guest rating (weighted by number of reviews) and completeness of hotel details. Ratings, review counts and details come live from our catalogue. Tiers follow the star rating.
Sample dates: 23.11–25.11 (2 nights), 2 adults. Prices change with dates; choose your own dates on the hotel page.
Testaccio – Ostiense
Within walking distance of day 2's Caracalla–Aventine–Testaccio route; the FL1 train stops at Ostiense, with a change to metro line B.
Good for: Budget-minded travellers and food lovers
Budget
Trastevere
Within walking distance of day 3's first two stops; the FL1 train has a Trastevere stop.
Good for: Couples and groups of friends who like to walk
Budget
Termini – Esquilino
Termini, where the Leonardo Express arrives, is the hub of the ATAC network; for early or late flights.
Good for: Short stays and early or late flights
Budget
Photos: Wikimedia (Gianfranco, Ardeatino, Nick-D, Bex-Lemon)
Image credits
- The Via Appia Antica in Rome: a paved road lined with pines and ancient remains — Gianfranco · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia
- The outer face of Porta San Sebastiano and its two towers — Ardeatino · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia
- Part of the brick ruins of the Baths of Caracalla — Nick-D · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia
- Sunset in the Giardino degli Aranci on the Aventine, with St Peter's dome in the distance between the trees — Bex-Lemon · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia
