Known as the ‘Eternal City,’ Rome is home to some of the most world-renowned and stunning architecture ever seen by humankind. From the gigantic Colosseum to the beautiful Vatican City, the city is full of surprises, perfectly setting the stage for tourists to enjoy their stay. Rome is also touted for its excellent food and wine, where international travelers can get a glimpse of Italian cuisine at a local restaurant or five-star hotel. And since authentic Italian dishes are well-reputed for being simple, tasty, and nutritious, food lovers will have nothing but fond memories of their visit.
If you are a student, then visiting Rome can prove to be an unforgettable experience. Its vibrant student culture combined with affordable dining and accommodation options can be a lifesaver for those who are on a budget. What is more exciting is that most of Rome’s luxurious attractions offer discounts to students, which means you are only required to carry your student ID to take advantage of the same. That is why we have rounded up the top five tourist spots in Rome where being a student can come in handy.
1. The Colosseum
Referred to as the ‘Flavian Amphitheatre,’ the Colosseum is an oval structure located at the heart of Rome. Built out of concrete and stone in 80 AD, the structure was primarily used for gladiatorial contests, executions, animal hunts, and other public spectacles back in the day. The place also used to hold religious festivals and ceremonies and can accommodate more than 50,000 spectators.
Being one of the greatest works of Roman engineering, entry to the Colosseum is free for students studying in EU schools (ID required). However, for students studying in non-EU schools, the entry fee is waived for students below 18 years of age. Students (for non-EU schools) above 18 years old have to pay the full entrance fee of 18 euros – tickets for which can be bought here.
2. The Roman Forum
During the glory days of Rome, the Roman Forum was the center of public life. Founded in the 8th century BC, the place started as a common marketplace and later evolved to become a civic center. As a result, it used to hold triumphal processions and elections, while also being the venue for criminal trials, commercial affairs, and public speeches. The site still showcases statues and monuments that commemorated the great men who worked for the city’s achievements, most notably ‘The Arch of Titus’ and ‘The Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus’.
Today, the Roman Forum is a UNESCO-declared ‘World Heritage Site,’ making it a popular tourist destination. People who are interested in visiting the place have to pay an entry fee of 18 euros. However, students who are only traveling in groups will be entitled to free tickets, which can be booked here.
3. The Palatine Hill
The Palatine Hill forms one of the seven hills located in Rome and is regarded to be the birthplace of the city’s origins. Juxtaposed between the Circus Maximus and the Roman Forum, the place remains inhabited since the ‘Stone Age’ and was the purveyor of the first Roman settlements. It should be known that during the Roman Republic period, Palatine Hill was the most wealthy and prestigious area in Rome.
The site’s ruins, consisting of imperial palaces and other archaeological monuments such as the Lupercal and the Temple of Apollo Palatinus, serve as fantastic places for exploration, even to this day. Entry is free for students studying in EU schools and students who are less than 18 years of age (for non-EU schools). Students who are studying in non-EU schools and are aged above 18 years, have to purchase full-priced tickets at 18 euros here.
4. The Villa Borghese
The Villa Borghese is a massive public park in Rome, Italy, forming a fantastic place for students to relax and simply escape the hustle and bustle of the city interiors. Covering a space of 80 hectares, the park features a number of attractions that students may find interesting. These include the Galleria Borghese, the Temple of Asclepius, the Pincio Gardens, the Bioparco di Roma, and the Giardino del Lago. Out of the aforementioned ones, the Galleria Borghese is the most significant place to visit since it is a museum that houses a collection of Baroque and Renaissance art, including the ones made by legendary artists such as Bernini, Caravaggio, and Raphael.
Students visiting the Villa Borghese can also indulge in walking or biking through the park, playing sports, taking a boat ride on the lake of Giardino del Lago, or enjoying the views of Rome from the Pincio Gardens. Full-priced tickets for entry cost 13 euros, which are further discounted to 2 euros for visitors aged between 18 and 25 years. Additionally, visitors who are under 18 years of age, along with students and professors of architecture, fine art academies, conservation of cultural heritage, education, history, public and private schools, etc., are entitled to free entry (with valid proof). To buy tickets or make your reservation, visit here.
5. The Vatican City (The Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel)
Surrounded by Rome on all sides, Vatican City is a city-state and is also one of the smallest countries in the world, featuring a population of just over 800 people. Serving as the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church, the site possesses some of the most iconic Roman landmarks, such as the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Gardens, and the Vatican Museums.
As a student, if you are looking to explore the Vatican City, visiting the Vatican Museums should be the first destination on your wishlist. Located adjacent to the St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museums is a museum complex featuring some of the most crucial art collections in the world. Booking tickets for the museum also provides access to the Sistine Chapel, which is the official residence of the Pope.
Full entry tickets cost 17 euros, but for students, the price is lowered to 8 euros (without online booking) or 13 euros (when booking online). Students must be aged 25 years or below, and valid documentation will be required for obtaining the discount. Tickets can be booked here.
