The 8 Best Squares in Rome

There are squares in Rome that are famous all over the world, such as St. Peter’s Square. Some are Renaissance in style, others Baroque, crowded with people, and some less so. In short, there are so many that it’s impossible to see them all, but even if you can only spend three days in Rome, here are the squares you must not miss.

Below, we name some of our favorite squares in Rome.

Piazza Navona: The Most Baroque of All

 

It is impossible to walk through the streets of Rome without visiting Piazza Navona. To begin with, it is one of the most beautiful squares in the world, thanks to the Fountain of the Four Rivers, designed by Bernini. In Piazza Navona, you will also find the Church of Santa Agnes in Agony, which is famous for its concave façade and twin bell towers.

As if that weren’t enough, this Roman square is built over the remains of the Stadium of Domitian, which gives the square its unique shape.

On Via di S. Agnese in Agone, 20 (just off Piazza Navona), you’ll find one of our favorite gelaterias in Rome, called Cremì, where they sell delicious artisanal ice cream.

Plaza del Campidoglio

 

Piazza del Campidoglio is located on one of the seven hills of Rome. The square was designed by Michelangelo in the 15th century. He also designed the surrounding buildings: the Palazzo Senatorio (now the town hall), the Palazzo Nuovo, and the Palazzo Conservatori, which house the Capitoline Museums.

The Campidoglio is very popular, and one of the most common photos is a selfie with the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius. Close by, you’ll find one of our favorite pizzerias: Pizza della Madonna dei Monti (Via della Madonna dei Monti, 110).

Plaza di Santa Maria in Trastevere

 

The Trastevere neighborhood is the liveliest area in Rome, making Piazza di Santa Maria in Trastevere a popular meeting point. The square is surrounded by cafés, bars, and restaurants.

You’ll also find the church that bears the square’s name. The area is bustling with tourists, international students, and locals who come out to socialize, dine, or simply enjoy the nightlife in Trastevere.

There are so many bars and restaurants in Trastevere that the best time to visit is at night. You can stroll through its typical Roman streets, let yourself be carried away by the atmosphere, and if you like, you can also join our nighttime tour of Rome, where you can discover all the charm the city has to offer as the sun sets.

Piazza San Pietro

 

Everyone knows the image of Piazza San Pietro, where the faithful gather to see the Pope in Rome.

Talking about St. Peter’s Square means talking about Bernini and Michelangelo. The former was responsible for the design of the square, while Michelangelo created the immense dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, the grand building that presides over the square and which you can explore on a guided tour.

Strictly speaking, St. Peter’s Square is not located in Rome, but rather in Vatican City, which is an independent state. So technically, this square shouldn’t appear on this list of the best squares in Rome. However, being there, it would be a shame not to visit the Sistine Chapel, an experience you can enjoy on the guided tour of the Vatican Museums.

Piazza di Spagna

 

Piazza di Spagna is famous for being home to the most photographed staircase in Rome, often featured in movies and TV commercials. Until recently, tourists used to sit on the steps to rest, but the city council has prohibited this to prevent overcrowding.

At the foot of the staircase, you’ll find the Fontana della Barcaccia, sculpted by Pietro Bernini. If shopping and high fashion are your interests, Piazza di Spagna serves as a great starting point as it marks the beginning of Via Condotti, the premier shopping street in Rome filled with the world’s most prestigious brands.

Piazza del Popolo

 

Piazza del Popolo, or People’s Square, is a historic location that has served many purposes throughout time. It has hosted fairs and events, both joyous and grim (like public executions). Today, Romans still use the square for concerts and protests.

At the center of the square is the Flaminio Obelisk, which once stood in the Circus Maximus. Piazza del Popolo belongs to the Campo Marzio neighborhood, and from there, three of the busiest streets in Rome begin: Via del Corso, Via del Babuino, and Via di Ripetta.

Piazza di Trevi

 

You can’t mention Piazza di Trevi without mentioning the Fontana di Trevi, probably the most famous fountain in the world and one of the most visited monuments in Rome. Interestingly, no matter the day, time, or season, you will always find people at the Fontana di Trevi.

The fountain is believed to have the power to grant wishes in exchange for coins. Millions of euros are tossed into the fountain each year, and the city donates all that money to Caritas, which allocates it for charitable purposes.

Piazza della Rotonda

 

Similar to Piazza di Trevi, Piazza della Rotonda is always full of tourists. This is hardly surprising, as it is home to one of Rome’s most important monuments, the Pantheon of Agrippa.

Beyond this monument, Piazza della Rotonda is surrounded by several 18th-century palaces, and at its center stands a beautiful Renaissance fountain topped with an authentic Egyptian obelisk. In this case, it’s the obelisk of Ramses II, which was the first to be moved from Egypt to Rome.

Other Squares in Rome Not to Miss

As you can imagine, there are countless Roman squares that we haven’t mentioned in this article, especially those that are less touristy but no less charming.

Among them are Piazza della Minerva, Piazza di San’tIgnazio, Piazza di Pietra, Piazza Colonna, Piazza Barberini, and of course, Piazza del Colosseo, which you can explore on your own or during a guided tour of the Colosseum.

 

There’s so much to see, experience, taste, and enjoy during a visit to Rome that organizing your itinerary can be challenging. To save you time and headaches, check out the best tours and activities in Rome that we have available for you.

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