Ah, Rome! “The beating heart of an empire that once ruled the world” - yup, that’s why Rome has plenty of interesting stories to tell. The capital city of Italy is one of the most sought-after tourist destinations around the world, especially for those who are fascinated by quirks of the past and have eyes for art. Hundred thousands of years of rich culture and traditions have transformed this city into amazing spots of historical attractions, from wonderful museums to theme parks. Indeed, Rome is one of the most expensive cities, but there are still several things you can do here for free like visiting splendid museums. Feeling excited now? Read more and discover the best entry-free museums in Rome, Italy!
1. H.C. Andersen Museum
H.C. (Hans Christian) Andersen Museum is home to plenty of artworks, from paintings to sculptures, including Andersen’s artwork. Take a closer look at Andersen’s drawings and learn more about his life in Italy. The museum is truly a gem, which is located in a palace behind Piazzale Flaminio. If you want to get inspired for free, you know where you should head to.
H.C. Andersen Museum
Address: Via Pasquale Stanislao Mancini, 20, Roma RM, Italy
Website: H.C. Andersen Museum
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 10am - 4pm; (closed on Mon)
2. Casa Museo Mario Praz
There’s no underestimating Casa Museo Mario Praz. Though a small museum, it has plenty of great things inside, from vintage collection to antiques and other charming treasures, to be enjoyed for free. The old charm of the whole place makes the museum strikingly elegant. It is one of Italy’s interesting museums, which urges you to explore Praz’s artworks and encourages you to bring out your artistic side.
Casa Museo Mario Praz
Address: Via Zanardelli 1 Rome, Italy
Website: Casa Museo Mario Praz
Opening hours: Fri: 2:30pm - 7pm; Sat: 9am - 1:30pm (closed on Sun - Thu)
3. Museo di Scultura Antica Giovanni Barracco
Another fascinating museum in Italy is Museo di Scultura Antica Giovanni Barracco. It features a priceless artifact and collection of works obtained by Giovanni Barracco (an enthusiast collector), which he donated in 1902, so everyone can see and appreciate it. The collection consists of 400 works around the world, which is “divided according to civilization.” Egyptian artworks, including the works from Mesopotamia, are presented on the first floor. On the second floor, you will find Greek sculpture from the fifth century BCE, Italic ceramics, and other treasures dated from the era of Alexander the Great. What’s more? Medieval art and several important monuments of the Roman period are also included in the exhibit and the entry to the museum is free.
Museo di Scultura Antica Giovanni Barracco
Address: Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, 168, Roma RM, Italy
Website: Museo di Scultura Antica Giovanni Barracco
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 1pm - 7pm (closed on Mon)
4. Museo Napoleonico
Another priceless donation happened in 1927. Giuseppe Primoli donated all of his beloved collection of artworks, from family memories to Napoleonic memorabilia (paintings, sculptures, furniture, and more) and even his building’s ground floor. Today, Museo Napoleonico is one of the favorite museums of art fanatics. This museum is a combination of art and more of history. The exhibit shows three distinct events: “the actual Napoleonic period,” Roman era, and the second empire period. It is a free-entry museum.
Museo Napoleonico
Address: Piazza di Ponte Umberto I, 1, Roma RM, Italy
Website: Museo Napoleonico
Opening hours: Tue - Sun 10am - 5:30pm (closed on Mon)
Rome Tour Guide
Jamie
A historian and fearless leader, James studied classics at Leeds University in England and has been a tour guide in Rome for more than 13 years. James has a passion for ancient history, concentrating in the late Roman Republic. If you have a spark of interest in anything Roman, James is the best source of information. A dual citizen of Great Britain and Italy, James was born and raised in Rome ... Read more
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5. Museum Casal de 'Pazzi Museum
If you want to take a break from the world and have a blast past, Museum Casal de ‘Pazzi Museum is the best place to do that. It is one of the hidden gems of town, which is situated on one of the least touristic spots of Rome. In the year 1980, archaeologists found a portion of an ancient riverbed, from tusks of animals to bones dated back hundreds of years ago. The discovery shows the ancient gigantic mammals have walked by the river used to flow right there. The entrance is free, but you must first call and book at the municipal call center.
Museum Casal de 'Pazzi Museum
Address: Via Egidio Galbani, 6, Roma RM, Italy
Website: Museum Casal de ‘Pazzi Museum
6. Museum Pietro Canonica
Situated in the heart of a Bourgeois Villa, Museum Pietro Canonica is “dedicated to the artist Pietro Canonica.” The artist is a famous sculptor, composer, and passionate about music. The museum is home to plenty of works of Pietro, from sculptures to other pieces of art and offers free entry. The ground floor of the museum consists of the sculptor’s atelier (studio). Meanwhile, the first floor presents furnishings and paintings from the 19th century. All of the artworks, from models to sketches, from equestrian statues to casts are worth of your time.
Museum Pietro Canonica
Address: Viale Pietro Canonica, 2, Roma RM, Italy
Website: Museum Pietro Canonica
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 1pm - 7pm (closed on Mon)
Entry-free museum every first Sunday of the month
7. Museo Nazionale delle Arti e Tradizioni Popolari
Museo Nazionale Delle Arti e Tradizioni Popolari (The Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions) takes pride to be the “only state museum in Italy with specific skills in the field of demo-ethno-anthropological subject.” It is home to approximately a hundred thousand historical and documents about important and famous traditions of all Italian regions. It is a fascinating museum that is divided into different sections, which are suitable for all age groups. Musical instruments, models, Trulli (traditional Apulian dry stone hut with a conical roof), and tons of art treasures can be seen inside the museum. The museum offers free entry every first Sunday of the month.
Museo Nazionale delle Arti e Tradizioni Popolari
Address: Piazza Guglielmo Marconi, 8, 00144 Roma RM, Italy
Website: Museo Nazionale delle Arti e Tradizioni Popolari
Opening hours: Tue - Sun 8am - 7pm (closed on Mon)
8. Spada Gallery
Nestled in one of the most magnificent architectures in Rome, Spada Gallery is a 16th-century gallery, which is a great spot for those who love paintings. It is home to the important collection of 17th-century Baroque paintings created by popular cardinals: Fabrizio Spada and Bernardino Spada. Located also on the museum’s first floor is the Secret Garden, which preserves the “most spectacular Baroque artifice in Rome,” created by Francesco Borromini in 1653, the Perspective (Colonnade).
Spada Gallery
Address: Piazza Capo di Ferro, 13, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
Website: Spada Gallery
Opening hours: Mon - Wed 8:30am- 7:30pm (closed on Thu - Sun)
9. National Museum of Oriental Art
The National Museum of Oriental Art is the place for those who are interested in middle and/or far Eastern art and the Orient. It is home to plenty of Middle and Far East’s art, artifacts, antiques, and other pieces of treasures dated back thousands of years ago. Korean celadons during the Goryeo period, beautiful and sophisticated Iranian ceramics, some Japanese and Chinese artwork - these are just a fraction of collection you can see in this wonderful museum.
National Museum of Oriental Art
Address: Piazza Guglielmo Marconi, 14, Roma RM, Italy
10. Museo Nazionale degli Strumenti Musicali
Located in Palazzina Samoggia, Museo Nazionale degli Strumenti Musicali (National Museum of Musical Instruments), is home to about 3,000 artworks that came for different origins and eras, including the wide array of collection of Evan Gorga. The collection of Gorga’s includes scales, toys, archaeological, pottery, ancient weapons, and many more. Musical instruments include the 17th-century Barberini Harp and the masterpiece piano of Bartolomeo Cristofori in the year 1722.
Museo Nazionale degli Strumenti Musicali
Address: Piazza di S. Croce in Gerusalemme, 9/a, Roma RM, Italy
Website: Museo Nazionale degli Strumenti Musicali
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 9am - 7pm (closed on Mon)
Indulge in Rome's best staple
Sculptures, paintings, drawings, archaeological artifacts, pieces of artwork - Rome is sure has plenty of fascinating things. Though the capital city is quite expensive, you still have the chance to visit magnificent museums and attractions for free. It’s now time to indulge in Rome’s best staple for free!
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