When planning to visit Italy, you are stampeded with travel packages and the stress of planning for every attraction. But what most people forget is that there are a lot of FREE things to do in Italy. I have made a list of some of the best FREE things to do in Italy. All located in Rome, Milan, and Venice. Hopefully this inspires you to look up free things to do in whatever place you plan on visiting next.
1. Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II - Milan, Italy
The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is a shopping center in Milan, Italy that holds stores like Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, etc. along with a Leonardo Da Vinci Museum called the Leonardo3 - Il Mondo di Leonardo which is talked about more in detail in this blog here. It was built between 1865 and 1877 and created in the shape of a Latin cross with two arcades. In the center is a beautiful glass dome separated by iron lines. This is a popular tourist destination in Milan, Italy. This is a great place to walk around and snap a few pics.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is also included in the "Best Places to Visit in Milan, Italy" blog.
2. Piazza Navona - Rome, Italy
Back in 80 AD, it was called the Stadium of Domitian, but now it's the Piazza Navona. Showing a great example of Baroque Roman architecture. Filled with art from the time of the former leader of the catholic church, Pope Innocent X, who ruled from 1644 to 1655. He and his family lived in a palace named the Palazzo Pamphili, which faced the Piazza. In the center of the piazza is a famous fountain named the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (translates to the Fountain of the Four Rivers) which was made by Gian Lorenzo Bernini in 1651. Showcasing pieces from the Circus of Maxentius, and the Church of Sant'Agnese in Agone. In the center of the fountain features the tall Obelisk of Domitian. Some of the artists featured are Francesco Borromini, Carlo Rainaldi, Girolamo Rainaldi, and a few others.
In that area is the Pamphili palace, by Girolamo Rainaldi as well. Inside there is a long gallery designed by Borromini along with paintings by Pietro da Cortona.
The two other fountains, specifically the southside Fontana del Moro, features four tritons and a basin made by Giacomo della Porta in 1575. Later in 1673, Gian Lorenzo Bernini added a Muslim Moor wrestling with a dolphin.
The Northern fountain, Fountain of Neptune, was also created by Giacomo della Porta in 1574. In 1878 a Neptune statue created by Antonio Della Bitta was added to create a more balanced look with the southern fountain, Fontana del Moro.
In the past this piazza has celebrated many events like many theatrical ones by the Pamphili family, who held festivals every weekend in August from 1652 until 1866. A few years later in 1869, the market was moved to Campo de' Fiori. The Christmas market is now being held there.
This Piazza Square has been seen in many films like the 2000’s thriller Angels and Demons, National Lampoon’s European Vacation (1985), The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999), and American Assassin (2017).
3. Trevi Fountain - Rome, Italy
The late Baroque style Italian Fontana di Trevi designed by Nicola Salvi and Giuseppe Pannini in 1762 sits in Rome’s Trevi district. It is 161 ft long and 85 ft tall. Earlier in the 17th century a fountain was demolished, and the space was given to the design winner Nicola Salvi in 1732. The idea was to combine the palace front and a fountain inspired by the project designed by Pietro da Cortana, along with many original ideas from Nicola Salvi. It took more than 30 years to complete. But sadly, Nicola Salvi died before it was done in 1751. Giuseppe Pannini, who was part of a slight alteration in the original plans, took over till it was done in 1762. The middle of the fountain is Pietro Bracci's sculpture of Oceanus who is leading a chariot of seahorses with tritons surrounding the horses. The statues on the side are of Abundance and Health. Long ago, water would be taken in buckets to the Vatican due to it being Acqua Vergine (a system that brings pure drinking water to the city of Rome) but nowadays it is undrinkable. Being featured in many films across the decades counting the La Dolce Vita by Federico Fellini in 1960. Legend says that if you toss a coin in, you will be back. It's important to note that every coin thrown in is collected daily and donated to charity.
4. St. Peter's Basilica - Rome, Italy
The St. Peter’s Basilica, otherwise known as New St. Peter’s Basilica was started by Pope Julius II in 1506 and completed in 1615 under Paul V. It is in the shape of a three aisle Latin cross. The dome at the crossing, sits above the high altar, which covers the shrine of St. Peter the Apostle. St. Peter’s Basilica is a Renaissance architecture with many Baroque elements. It is viewed as the greatest looking building of its age.
This church frequently draws crowds of Catholics, both the basilica and its adjoining St. Peter’s Square is used for public worship sessions run by the pope. Together with the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, and the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls (that is the actual name, not a typo). The St. Peter’s Basilica is one of four churches in the world that hold the rank of major basilica. It was the largest church in Christendom until 1989 when it was exceeded in size by the newly built basilica in Yamoussoukro, Côte d'Ivoire.
For a free virtual tour of the inside click here to be taken to their website with 10 different viewpoints.
5. Ponte di Rialto - Venice, Italy
The Rialto Bridge is a stone arched bridge that crosses over the Grand Canal. Built in the 16th century, this bridge is the oldest architectural possession of the Renaissance. Made by Antonio da Ponte and his nephew, Antonio Contino, during a design competition.
The original 1178 bridge, known as the Ponte della Moneta, was a wooden pontoon bridge (a flat bridge that relies on the water for support) created by Nicolò Barattieri. The structure was rebuilt twice in 1255 and 1264 because there were a number of collapses and was eventually replaced by the Rialto Bridge. This was the only fixed structure that crossed the canal until the 1850s. Before that, gondola ferries were used as pedestrian crossings.
The bridge consists of a single arch that supports the walking surface that holds the two sides of shop fronts. The bridge is 83 feet in length, and 66 feet in width. To support the wide stone arch in the ground, they used 6,000 timber piles that are driven under each end of the bridge. This is a unique attraction to check out.
With still more to add...
Italy is an amazing place to visit with its amazing cuisine, outstanding architecture, and stunning art pieces. Being filled with over 60 million people, Italy has a lot to offer tourists. Italy is treasure filled country with many unforgettable experiences that won't cost you a dime. So, seize the opportunity to explore these remarkable free attractions and create unforgettable memories along the way. This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Italy's hidden gems. Be sure to check out my other Italy blogs for more info about amazing cities to visit in Italy. To keep up with new posts, follow my Pinterest.
Best Places to Visit in Paris, France - Part 2
Paris, the "City of Lights," is the capital of France, situated in the north-central region along the Seine River. It was originally established as Lutetia in the 3rd century BCE and later became known as Paris. The city grew and faced challenges over the centuries, including Viking sieges, the Black Death, and the Hundred Years' War.
Best Places to Visit in Paris, France
Paris, the capital of France, otherwise known as the “City of Lights” is a vibrant city located in the north-central region of the country. With a population estimated at 2,153,600 (2019) and a metropolitan area population of 9,854,000, It sits along the Seine River, approximately 233 miles (375 km) upstream from where the river meets the English Channel (La Manche). Paris was initially established as Lutetia, evolving from a settlement on an island in the Seine during the late 3rd century BCE. The Romans captured and fortified Lutetia in 52 BCE. Over time, the city expanded to the left bank of the Seine, eventually becoming known as Paris by the early 4th century. Paris withstood Viking sieges in the 9th century and became the capital of France in 987 when Hugh Capet, the count of Paris, ascended to the throne.
The Most Beautiful Beaches in Italy
Visiting Italy's picture-perfect Beaches is just something every tourist should see. These beaches are a wonderful photoshoot location to snap a few pics. Most of these beaches include a bit of a hike, but the end result is definitely worth it. Note, some offer free and/or paid parking. August is usually when these destinations are the busiest. Plan accordingly to avoid rush hours. I would recommend early morning or late afternoon during the summer seasons. So, if you want to learn more about which beach would be the best to see, I have listed a few of the favorites I have researched.
The Best 5 Free Attractions to Visit in Italy
When planning to visit Italy, you are stampeded with travel packages and the stress of planning for every attraction. But what most people forget is that there are a lot of FREE things to do in Italy. I have made a list of some of the best FREE things to do in Italy. All located in Rome, Milan, and Venice. Hopefully this inspires you to look up free things to do in whatever place you plan on visiting next.
Best Places to Visit in Pisa, Italy
With a population of over 109 thousand, Pisa is set in Tuscany, central Italy, and features many palaces, churches, and bridges which span across the river Arno (one of central Italy's most essential Rivers after Tiber). As for the history, Ancient Pisae was said to be inhabited by the Ligurians before the Romans came, took it over, and made it a naval base in 180 BCE. But before that in 313 BCE, it was a Christian bishopric. After the Roman empire collapsed, it remained a principal urban center. And later in the 11th century, it became a thriving commercial center and still was that in the 13th century while being the chief port of Tuscany for woolen manufacturing.
Best Places to Visit in Milan, Italy - Part 2
Milan is the capital city of the Lombardy region, with a rich history stemming back to 600 BCE when the area was settled by the Gauls, and in 222 BCE it was known as the Mediolanum. Today, it is leading Italy with its ever-growing commercial and manufacturing success. Location of the spring and fall fashion shows, many designers show off their designs during the week to over 20,000 visitors. Both Versace and Giorgio Armani are present there being Milan-based brands.
All sources used in this blog are linked below. All credit goes to the authors of the websites. The information in this blog is a reworded paraphrase of the info in theses websites.
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