On this page of The Travel Bunny’s free Rome travel guide, you can find the most important piazzas in Rome. You know, the ones through which you really should take a stroll. Plus some piazzas in Rome that are less known to tourists and veritable hidden gems of the Eternal City. From large to small, you’ll definitely find some piazzas in Rome to be worthy of your time!
For each piazza in Rome you will find:
- the name of the piazza and a photo;
- a short description of that piazza in Rome;
- an address with the map location and directions to get there using public transport.
Piazza Barberini
Piazza Barberini is a busy square in Rome, with Fontana del Tritone as an eye-catching piece. This fountain was ordered by Pope Urban VIII and on it you can see large bees, the symbols of the Barberini family. The central figure of the triton blowing the horn is done in travertine in the warm color of honey.
Piazza Barberini
Address: Piazza Barberini, 00187 Roma RM, Italy | See on map
Public transport: The subway station Barberini is located by this square. Buses 52, 53, 61, 62, 63, 80, 83, 85, 160, 492, and 590 also stop at or next to Piazza Barberini.
Piazza Colonna
Piazza Colonna takes its name after the tall, white column of Marcus Aurelius placed in its center. On the sides of the square, you can see Palazzo Chigi, Palazzo Wedekind, and Palazzo Ferrajoli. On the empty side, there is the famous Via del Corso.
Piazza Colonna
Address: Piazza Colonna, 370, 00187 Roma RM, Italy | See on map
Public transport: Buses 119 and 628 stop within walking distance of Piazza Colonna.
Piazza dei Cavalieri di Malta
Gianbattista Piranesi decorated this 18th-century piazza with miniature obelisks and trophy armors done in the ancient style. This was his way to honor the crusader order founded in 1080. The order moved from Rhodos to Malta, then to Rome.
The main attraction in Piazza dei Cavalieri di Malta is Il Bucco della Serrature di Roma. It is actually a keyhole through which you can see St. Peter’s dome, from Vatican City, framed by pine trees.
Piazza dei Cavalieri di Malta
Address: Piazza dei Cavalieri di Malta, 2, 00153 Roma RM, Italy | See on map
Public transport: Trams 3 and 8 and buses 3L, 23, 75, 83, 170, 280, 716, and 781 stop close to Piazza dei Cavalieri di Malta.
Piazza del Campidoglio
Piazza del Campidoglio and its surrounding palaces are the creation of Michelangelo, at the order of Pope Paul III. He carefully designed the facades of the Palazzi Campidoglio (Palazzo Nuovo, Palazzo dei Conservatori, and Palazzo Senatorio), now the Capitoline Museums. Michelangelo also created the smooth stairs known as Cordonata Capitolina, to the left of those that take you up to Basilica di Santa Maria in Aracoeli.
Piazza del Campidoglio
Address: Piazza del Campidoglio, 00186 Roma RM, Italy | See on map
Public transport: Buses 30, 46, 51, 80, 81, 83, 85, 87, 118, 160, 170, and 628 stop within walking distance of Piazza del Campidoglio.
Piazza del Popolo
In the space now occupied by Piazza del Popolo, there was an area where the Romans used to have festivals and public executions. Then, between 1811 and 1823, it turned into an elegant piazza, located at the peak of the trident formed by Via del Babuino, Via del Corso, and Via di Ripietta.
You will enter Piazza del Popolo through Porta del Popolo, modeled by Michelangelo after the Arch of Titus from the Roman Forum. In the center, you will see an Egyptian obelisk from the time of Ramses II, taken from Circus Maximus, with four fountains with Egyptian-style lions at its base. Then, at the back of Piazza del Popolo, there are the twin churches Santa Maria in Montesanto and Santa Maria dei Miracoli.
Today, Piazza del Popolo is still used for public shows like concerts and manifestations of all types.
Piazza del Popolo
Address: Piazza del Popolo, 00187 Roma RM, Italy | See on map
Public transport: Bus 119 stops close by Piazza del Popolo. The subway station Flaminio is also within walking distance.
Piazza della Minerva
This small piazza is located near the Pantheon, in front of Basilica di Santa Maria sopra Minerva. In the center, you can admire the Elephant and Obelisk monument, by Bernini.
Piazza della Minerva
Address: Piazza della Minerva, 00186 Roma RM, Italy | See on map
Public transport: Subway line A can take you to the nearby Barberini station.
Piazza della Repubblica
The semi-circular Piazza della Repubblica has the Fontana delle Naiadi at its heart. Here, you will also find Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri.
Piazza della Repubblica
Address: Piazza della Repubblica, 00185 Roma RM, Italy | See on map
Public transport: The subway can take you to the Repubblica station. And buses 64, 70, 82, 85, 170, 590, and 910 also have stops at or by Piazza della Repubblica.
Piazza della Rotonda
Piazza della Rotonda is right in front of the Pantheon. At its center, you will see Giacomo della Porta’s 1575 fountain with a small Egyptian obelisk dedicated to Ramses II.
Piazza della Rotonda
Address: Piazza della Rotonda, 00186 Roma RM, Italy | See on map
Public transport: Subway line A reaches the nearby Barberini station.
Piazza di Montecitorio
The obelisk in the Piazza di Montecitorio used to be part of a huge solar clock that belonged to Emperor Augustus. Here is also where you can see Palazzo di Montecitorio, currently the home of Italy’s Chamber of Duties.
Piazza di Montecitorio
Address: Piazza di Monte Citorio, 00186 Roma RM, Italy | See on map
Public transport: Buses 119 and 628 stop near Piazza di Montecitorio.
Piazza di Pasquino
In Rome, there are many statues known as statue parlanti or talking statues. While they do not actually speak, they used to have messages placed around their necks by anonymous citizens. These messages were dedicated to politicians and popes, to call them out when they did something wrong.
One of the known authors behind these messages is the barber Pasquino, who used to place his messages on the statue in this piazza. So the piazza took his name and is now known as Piazza Pasquino.
Piazza di Pasquino
Address: Piazza di Pasquino, 00186 Roma RM, Italy | See on map
Public transport: Buses 46, 62, 64, and 916 stop just a street away from Piazza di Pasquino.
Piazza di Pietra
In Piazza di Pietra you will see a conference center with an interesting facade. This facade is actually taken from the 145 AD Temple of Hadrian, with 11 Corinthian columns.
Piazza di Pietra
Address: Piazza di Pietra, 00186 Roma RM, Italy | See on map
Public transport: Buses 62, 63, 83, 85, 119, 160, 492, and 628 stop within walking distance of Piazza di Pietra.
Piazza di San Silvestro
Piazza di San Silvestro is carefully designed to look just like an Italian film setting. Great for Instagrammers, it’s an interesting visit for all tourists. Make sure to check out Basilica di San Silvestro in Capite and the small lapidarium inside its courtyard.
Piazza di San Silvestro
Address: Piazza di San Silvestro, 00187 Roma RM, Italy | See on map
Public transport: Buses 51, 52, 53, 62, 63, 71, 80, 83, 85, 117, 160, and 492 stop within walking distance of Piazza di San Silvestro.
Piazza di Sant’Ignazio
Another carefully designed square, Piazza di Sant’Ignazio was created by Francesco Raguzzini between 1727 and 1728. If you take a close look, you will notice that even the iron balconies match the dusty pink walls.
Here, you should visit Chiesa di Sant’Ignazio di Loyola.
Piazza di Sant’Ignazio
Address: Piazza di Sant’Ignazio, 00186 Roma RM, Italy | See on map
Public transport: Buses 62, 63, 83, 85, 119, 160, 492, and 628 stop close to Piazza di Sant’Ignazio.
Piazza di Spagna
The hourglass-shaped Piazza di Spagna is dominated by the amazing stairway done in travertine, otherwise known as the Spanish Steps. Depending on the season, these steps change their look. In spring they are covered by colorful azalea, and in winter they are decorated with a very expressive nativity scene. No matter the time of the year, this Rococo monument is a beloved meeting spot for both locals and tourists.
At the top of the Spanish Steps, the Santissima Trinità dei Monti stands tall. Bernini’s fountain, La Barcaccia, rests at the base.
Another attraction in Piazza di Spagna is the Keats-Shelley Memorial House.
Piazza di Spagna
Address: Piazza di Spagna, 00187 Roma RM, Italy | See on map
Public transport: Subway station Spagna is right next to Piazza di Spagna. Bus 119 can also take you here.
Piazza Navona is an oval piazza, considered by many the most beautiful one in Rome. Its shape comes from that of the old circus of Domitian, over which Piazza Navona got built. Back in the emperor’s time, this is where people came to watch athletic competitions and horse races. Today, Piazza Navona still attracts a lot of people, though it puts on a different scene. It has elegant cafes and restaurants, shops, and lots of talented street artists, from living statues to painters.
Among its three fountains, the central Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi stands out the most. It was done by Bernini to mark the 1650 jubilee. The fountain represents personifications of the Gange (Asia) with an oar in one hand, the Danube (Europe) seated next to a horse, Rio della Plata (Americas) with an arm raised, and the Nile (Africa) with its head still covered because the spring of the latter was still unknown at the time.
Don’t skip visiting the baroque Chiesa di Sant’Agnese in Agone.
Piazza Navona
Address: Piazza Navona, 00186 Roma RM, Italy | See on map
Public transport: Buses 30, 70, 81, 87, 492, and 628 stop close to Piazza Navona.
Piazza Sant’Eustachio
In the charming Piazza Sant’Eustachio, there are two cafes that are fighting for the title of the best cappuccino in Rome. It’s also a good place to see Chiesa di Sant’Ivo alla Sapienza when its courtyard is closed.
Piazza Sant’Eustachio
Address: Piazza di S. Eustachio, 00186 Roma RM, Italy | See on map
Public transport: Buses 30, 70, 81, 87, 492, and 628 stop near Piazza Sant’Eustachio.
Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere
In Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere, you will find cafes, shops, the 17th-century Palazzo di San Callisto, and a lovely fountain dressed in seashells. And, of course, the Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere, after which the square was named.
In the evening, the mosaics of the church are illuminated and guitar players gather on the steps of the fountain.
Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere
Address: Piazza di Santa Maria in Trastevere, 00153 Roma RM, Italy | See on map
Public transport: Buses 23, 280, and 780 stop near Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere.
Piazza Venezia
Do you know how all roads lead to Rome? Well, (almost) all of Rome’s roads lead to Piazza Venezia. Here, you can see the imposing Altare della Patria and Palazzo Venezia, where Mussolini once sat on the balcony, asking the people to join the fascist movement.
Piazza Venezia
Address: Piazza Venezia, 00186 Roma RM, Italy | See on map
Public transport: Tram 8 and buses 30, 46, 62, 64, 70, 81, 87, and 119 have stops at or by Piazza Venezia.
The blog article Rome Piazzas is also available on GPSmyCity.