Appian Way
The Appian Way (Via Appia Antica) is the ancient Roman road leading south from the city, lined with ruins, tombs, catacombs, and cypress trees. Free to walk.
Monument in Rome
Piazza Venezia and Altare della Patria
The Altare della Patria (Altar of the Fatherland) is a massive white marble monument on Piazza Venezia, built in honor of Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of unified Italy. Free to enter. The exterior terraces and the panoramic elevator to the top (paid, small) offer views over the Forum, the Colosseum, and the entire city. Romans call it “the wedding cake” or “the typewriter” because of its shape. Budget travelers enter for free, climb the exterior stairs to the terrace, and get one of the widest free panoramic views in Rome.
Practical
Before you go
- Address
- Piazza Roma 14a, 33080 San Quirino
- Good to know
Nearby
More in Rome
Other places worth the walk, and what each one costs.
Aventine Keyhole
The Aventine Keyhole is a small bronze keyhole in the door of the Priory of the Knights of Malta on the Aventine Hill. Free.
Campo de' Fiori
Campo de' Fiori is a lively square in the historic center that hosts a daily morning market selling fruit, vegetables, flowers, spices, and street food. Free to browse.
Castel Sant'Angelo
Castel Sant'Angelo is a cylindrical fortress on the Tiber, originally built as Emperor Hadrian's mausoleum. Entry is paid at a modest price.
Catacombs of San Callisto
The Catacombs of San Callisto on the Appian Way are the largest and most important Christian catacombs in Rome, stretching 20 kilometers underground on four levels with the remains of half a million early Christians. Entry is paid (guided tours only).
Colosseum
The Colosseum is the defining ruin of the Roman Empire, a 50,000-seat amphitheater built for gladiatorial combat and public spectacles. Entry is paid, with a combo ticket that includes the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.
Working out what Rome costs?
The whole of Rome