Budget Levels
Backpacker / Budget (40–70€ per day)
Hostel or cheap B&B, pizza al taglio and supplì as snacks, pasta in the Testaccio or Monti district (away from tourist paths), free churches with Caravaggio and Bernini, nasoni drinking fountains instead of bottled water, view the Roman Forum from outside (free view from the Capitoline). Many museums are free on the first Sunday of the month (Domenica al Museo).
Mid-range (80–160€ per day)
Hotel or good B&B in Monti or Trastevere, trattoria visits for lunch and dinner, 1–2 main attractions per day (book online in advance!), aperitivo in the evening, occasional taxi. The most comfortable way to experience Rome: enough budget for good food and major sights without having to limit yourself.
Comfort / Luxury (180–400€+ per day)
Boutique hotel near Piazza Navona or St. Peter's Square, Michelin-starred restaurants, VIP tours in the Vatican (before the crowds, from 60€), private tours of the Colosseum with underground access, chauffeur service, shopping on Via Condotti. Rome can do luxury — and the quality is exceptional.
💡 Tipp
The biggest money-saving hack in Rome: Eat like the Romans. Pizza al taglio (slice pizza by weight) for 3–5€ is a feast. Supplì (fried rice balls) for 2€ are the perfect snack. And drink your coffee at the counter (al banco) — at the table, you often pay double (coperto + servizio).
