To visit the free museums in Rome, the Ministry of Culture has renewed for 2026 the initiative #DomenicalMuseo (Sunday at the Museum) which allows free access every first Sunday of the month.
This initiative has been promoting culture and art for more than ten years, allowing everyone to enjoy the wonders of the Italian artistic heritage.
Among the participating museums and sites in Rome are the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Borghese Gallery, the Pantheon, and many others. These places are true treasures of history, art, and culture, and are worth visiting. Visitors have the opportunity to admire the masterpieces of some of the greatest artists in history, such as Michelangelo, Raffaello, and Caravaggio.
Naturally, given the large influx of visitors during this day, we recommend arriving early to avoid lines and make sure you can enter the desired museums.
Free admission to museums every first Sunday of the month in Rome
If you are in Rome on the first Sunday of the month, you can visit the state museums and cultural sites free of charge.
The Sundays of 2026 are: Sunday, January 4; February 1; March 1; April 5; May 3; June 7; July 5; August 2; September 6; October 4; November 1; and December 6, 2026.
This initiative helps to promote culture and make it available to a wider audience.
What to visit in Rome every first Sunday of the month
There are almost 500 sites and monuments that will open for free throughout Italy on the first Sunday of the month during regular opening hours.
Rome too participates in the Domenica al Museo (Sunday at the Museum) event, offering free entry to museums and other splendid Roman monuments and sites.
Here is a list of the main state museums and monuments in Rome that will participate in the initiative.
The following list, provided by the Peripheral Institutes of the Ministry of Culture, is purely illustrative:
Pantheon
piazza della Rotonda – 00186 Roma (RM)
Parco Archeologico del Colosseo – Colosseo. Anfiteatro Flavio. Foro Romano e Palatino (Archaeological Park of the Colosseum – Colosseum. Flavian Amphitheater. Roman Forum and Palatine Hill)
piazza del Colosseo – 00184 Roma (RM)
Galleria Borghese (Borghese Gallery)
piazzale Scipione Borghese – 00197 Roma (RM)
Terme di Caracalla (Caracalla Baths)
via delle Terme di Caracalla – 00179 Roma (RM)
Gallerie nazionali di arte antica – Palazzo Barberini (National Galleries of Ancient Art – Barberini Palace)
via delle Quattro Fontane 13 – 00184 Roma (RM)
Museo dell’Ara Pacis
Lungotevere in Augusta – Roma (RM)
Museo nazionale di Castel Sant’Angelo (National Museum of Castel Sant’Angelo)
Lungotevere Castello, 50 – 00193 Roma (RM)
Museo nazionale etrusco di Villa Giulia (National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia)
Piazzale di Villa Giulia 9 – 00196 Roma (RM)
Museo nazionale romano – Terme di Diocleziano (National Roman Museum – Diocletian Baths)
via Enrico de Nicola, 78 – 00185 Roma (RM)
and many others, all available on the Ministry of Culture website.
Always free museums in Rome
In addition to the museums that you can visit for free every Sunday of the month, there are many other museums in Rome that are permanently free for the public. These museums offer a wonderful opportunity to explore the rich history and culture of Rome without having to pay for a ticket.
If you happen to visit Rome not on the first Sunday of the month, we recommend visiting eight municipally-run museums that are completely free:
Museo Napoleonico (Napoleon Museum), Museo delle Mura (Museum of the Walls), Pietro Canonica Museum, Casal de’ Pazzi Museum, Carlo Bilotti Museum, Museo della Memoria Garibaldina (Garibaldi Memory Museum), Giovanni Barracco Museum, and Villa Massenzio.
From prehistory to ancient sculpture, from the Risorgimento to contemporary art, to the Napoleonic era, there is always a small municipal museum ready to satisfy any passion for history and art. These museums offer a glimpse into the past and the opportunity to learn about the evolution of human civilization.
In these museums, you can find artifacts from ancient civilizations, such as ceramics, weapons, and jewelry, as well as sculptures and paintings from different periods of art history. You can admire the intricate details of ancient artifacts and appreciate the beauty of art from different eras.
Museums also provide a window into the political and social changes that have shaped our society. For example, during the Risorgimento, Italy experienced a period of political and cultural upheaval, and many museums reflect this period in their collections.
Additionally, museums are a valuable educational resource, offering guided tours and workshops for students and visitors. These initiatives help promote appreciation for art and history and encourage a deeper understanding of our cultural heritage.
If you like the idea of exploring beyond the typical tourist itineraries, take note and discover their valuable collections.
Where to stay for the first Sunday of the month
If you are planning a weekend in Rome on the first Sunday of the month, when the main state museums and archaeological sites are open to the public free of charge, choosing the right area to stay in can make all the difference.
One of the most strategic areas is the Monti district, a short walk from the Colosseum, the Imperial Forums, and the city’s most iconic cultural attractions.
Here you will find the FH55 Grand Hotel Palatino, the ideal starting point for reaching monuments, museums, and archaeological sites on foot without the need for public transportation.
The hotel offers renovated rooms, including suites with Jacuzzis and views over the rooftops of Rome, and the Le Spighe restaurant, which is also open to non-guests: a perfect break after a day of free visits to the wonders of the capital.
Choosing such a central location allows you to make the most of the “Sunday at the Museum” initiative, avoiding long journeys and fully enjoying the cultural atmosphere of the city.
Less than a 10-minute walk from the Colosseum;
an 11-minute walk from the entrance to the Imperial Forums;
1 minute from the Rome metro.
Don’t hesitate to book the offers that are always available on our website.
We look forward to seeing you!