10 Best Sights in Rome
Do you want an indelible image of the Eternal City? Discover in this post 10 viewpoints with the best views of Rome that will leave you in awe.
Roma postcard | ©Nikita Ermilov
Rome is one of the most photogenic cities on the planet and its beauty is a dream for travelers! It has from monuments of Antiquity and buildings of Renaissance and Baroque architecture; even the squares of Rome are full of charm.
The capital of Italy must be enjoyed calmly and do it from one of its viewpoints is the best way to capture with your camera the soul of the Eternal City Take note, because contemplate it from the heights is one of the things to do in Rome. Ah! And if you're wondering how to get to each of the sites, relax: here I leave you a guide to the subway of Rome.
1. St. Peter's Dome
One of the great attractions of the Vatican City is to visit St. Peter's Basilica and, of course, to contemplate the beautiful views from the immense dome of St. Peter's of the city of Rome.
To contemplate the scenery from here requires an entrance fee but I assure you that the experience is worth it. You can't leave without seeing from the heights the breathtaking view of St. Peter's Square, Bernini's sculptures on the Colonnade, without visiting St. Angelo's Castle, the orange rooftops of Rome and the dome itself inside.
The best time to climb St. Peter's dome is early in the morning, when it is quiet and the city is calm. The atmosphere is breathtaking and awe-inspiring!
Information of interest
- Address: Piazza San Pietro, 00120 Vatican City,
- How to get there: By subway, line A to the station Ottaviano-S. Pietro station.
2. Castel Sant'Angelo
From the upper terrace of the Castel Sant'Angelo, a fortress near the Vatican, you will have spectacular panoramic views of the city, the Tiber River, St. Peter's Basilica, the "passetto" (the corridor that connects to the Vatican) and a different perspective of the castle itself than we normally have from the ground walking through the surrounding streets.
To access the viewpoint and the rest of the building you must purchase a ticket for the Castel Sant'Angelo. If you want to enjoy one of the best views of Rome from the terrace, I recommend you to visit the monument on the way, because what was originally the Mausoleum of Emperor Hadrian, over time has served as a military fortification, papal residence, prison and museum. Behind its walls keeps a lot of interesting stories!
When you leave Castel Sant'Angelo, I advise you to go to the Umberto I bridge (it will only take you 10 more minutes) because from there there are some very nice but not so well known views of the Vatican with the great dome in the background and the Sant'Angelo bridge in the foreground. you will get some amazing pictures!
Interesting information
- Address: Lungotevere Castello, 50.
- How to get there: By bus, lines 23, 34, 49, 49, 64, 87, 280, 492, 926 and 990.
3. The Orange Garden
Tucked away in a small corner of the Aventine Hill, the Orangery is a park somewhat removed from the hustle and bustle of central Rome where you will find a haven of peace ideal for a break and recharge your batteries while enjoying one of the most beautiful panoramic views of the capital.
Keep your camera turned on on the way to the Garden of Oranges because on the way you will see beautiful views of the Baths of Caracalla, the Forum with the Monument to King Victor Emmanuel II or the Tiber Island.
Upon arrival you will find a beautiful entrance with a fountain and a path surrounded by pine trees will lead you to the panoramic terrace from where you will see in a straight line the dome of St. Peter's Basilica, the Trastevere district, Piazza Venezia and the rest of Rome at your feet.
If you decide to visit the Orange Garden, I recommend you go at sunset because the atmosphere is magical. And don't forget to have a picnic because you will want to stay there for a long time contemplating the scenery and the beautiful play of colors with which the sky of Rome is dyed during sunset.
Information of interest
- Address: Piazza Pietro D'Illiria, 00153 Rome RM, Italy
- How to get there: By subway, line B station Circo Massimo.
4. The lock of the Order of Malta
Close to the Orange Garden on the Aventine Hill, one of the 7 hills of Rome, is the headquarters of the Order of the Knights of Malta, which has one of the best views of Rome. Although its viewpoint is a little different from the rest... one of the many wonderful secrets hidden in Rome!
It is the lock of the entrance gate to the estate of the Priory of Malta, through which there are very original views of the dome of St. Peter's Basilica at the bottom of a gallery of hedges.
In addition, the curious thing about this peculiar viewpoint is that when you look out over the landscape from this lock you will be seeing three states at the same time. Yes, you can see the Italian, the Vatican and the Order of Malta (the only state without a country in the world). Isn't it extraordinary?
Unfortunately for tourists, the garden of the Order of the Knights of Malta cannot be visited, but at least you can enjoy a unique view of St. Peter's Basilica. Come to this viewpoint after going to the Garden of Orange Trees - it will leave you speechless!
Interesting information
- Address: Piazza dei Cavalieri di Malta, number 3.
- How to get there: By subway, line B, Circo Massimo station.
5. The viewpoint of the Trinità dei Monti
Climbing the monumental staircase leading to the church of the Santissima Trinità dei Monti in the heart of Rome you will find a viewpoint that opens in front of the temple from where you will have a very cool view and a different perspective of the always busy Spanish Steps with the Fountain of the Barge in front. One of the most frequented places by tourists and Romans that will ring a bell for having appeared many times in the movies.
It is almost a tradition to sit on the steps to observe the lively atmosphere of the square, take some pictures and rest for a while.
When you climb all the steps, taking Via del Babuino you will reach Piazza del Popolo, where after climbing another flight of steps you will reach the Pincio Terrace, another of the viewpoints with the best views of Rome.
Useful information
- Address: Piazza di Spagna.
- How to get there: By subway, line A station Spagna.
6. The Pincio Terrace
The Pincio hill is one of the most visited hills in Rome (without being one of the famous 7 hills of the Italian capital) thanks to its spectacular panoramic terrace that overlooks the monumental Piazza del Popolo and from which you can see not only this enclave in front line but also the dome of St. Peter's Basilica, Castel Sant'Angelo, the monument to King Victor Emmanuel II and some of the best monuments of Rome.
This viewpoint has one of the best views of the Eternal City! Already in the 19th century the Roman aristocracy loved to go to this park to enjoy the spectacular panorama of Rome from here, especially at sunset. And it is a custom that the Romans have preserved over time.
In fact, watching the sunset from the Pincio hill in the company of someone special is one of the most romantic moments you can experience during your stay in Rome. But if you visit Rome alone, backpacking, it is also a good place to rest and take a break in the middle of nature.
The Pincio hill terrace can be reached by climbing a monumental staircase from the Spanish Steps or through Piazza del Popolo itself, (north of Rome) taking the stairs on the left until you reach the beginning of the park of the Villa Borghese gardens. In fact, it is a good stop to make before visiting the Borghese Gallery.
Useful information
- Address: Salita del Pincio, 00187 Roma
- How to get there: Walking from Piazza di Spagna or Piazza del Popolo.
7. The Gianicolo
The Gianicolo hill is another of the most special viewpoints in Rome to enjoy the views of the city given the great height at which it is located (85 meters above sea level!) It is considered the eighth hill of the city and is a very pleasant area for walking.
Located above the Trastevere district, its terrace ends in a great viewpoint from where you can contemplate all the beauty of Rome: from dozens of churches in the city to the monument to King Victor Emmanuel II and the dome of the Pantheon of Rome. Not even the statue of Garibaldi, located on the Gianicolo hill and overlooking the city, wants to miss such magnificent views.
And while you go to the Gianicolo to enjoy the scenery, take the opportunity to visit other interesting sites at the top such as the church of San Pietro in Montorio, the Manfredi Lighthouse or the Fontana dell'Acqua Paola.
Useful information
- Address: via Garibaldi, Salita di Sant'Onofrio, 00165 Roma
- How to get there: By bus, line 870
8. The terrace of the Monument to King Victor Emmanuel II
The monument to King Victor Emmanuel II is a controversial building because for its construction several buildings of an ancient Renaissance square had to be demolished and because of its colossal dimensions, the Romans considered that the "Vittoriano" did not fit its location.
However, today it has become a fantastic viewpoint from which you will have some of the best views of Rome at 70 meters high.
To go up to the upper terrace, at the height of the quadrigas, you will have to take one of the panoramic elevators that leave the terrace at the level of the colonnade for which you will have to pay an access ticket.
From the top you can see 360º panoramic views of the Roman Forum and the Colosseum, the Trajan Column, the Imperial Forums or the Via del Corso.
Information of interest
- Address: via Garibaldi, Salita di Sant'Onofrio, 00165 Roma
- How to get there: By bus, lines C3, 30, 80, 83, 85, 160 and 170.
9. The terrace of the Palatine Hill
From the terrace of the Palatine Hill, the most central of Rome's 7 hills, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the Roman Forum - the same view the Roman emperors had!
The Palatine Hill is one of the oldest areas of the city and is considered the cradle of the capital of Italy. Take a look at this natural viewpoint to see the remains of these fabulous ancient buildings that have withstood the passing of the centuries and are still standing.
From the terrace of the Palatine Hill you can see the Colosseum, the Triumphal arches, the temples and basilicas or the house of the Vestals and imagine for a moment what Rome would have been like two millennia ago. Walking among those millenary stones is an indescribable emotion, you have to experience it!
Information of interest
- Address: Via di San Gregorio, 30.
- How to get there: By subway, line B, Colosseum station.
10. The Campidoglio viewpoint
From the Campidoglio viewpoint you will have one of the best views of Rome and one of the most photogenic views of the Roman Forum from another perspective with the Temple of Saturn in the foreground and the Colosseum on the horizon. Take your camera with you because you will not stop taking pictures!
The Campidoglio viewpoint, behind the Palazzo Senatorio to the right of the Tabularium, is usually crowded, especially in the late afternoon when the lighting of the Roman Forum is turned on so try to go a little earlier to get a good spot.
Information of interest
- Address: Piazza del Campidoglio
- How to get there: By subway, line B station Colosseum.