Rome / 20 photo spots
20 Instagram spots around Rome
Rome combines monumental remains, neighbourhood squares and gardens with views across the city. These photo ideas bring together historic structures and everyday street scenes.
The first 10 photo spots
Ancient stone at every turn and crowds to match: Rome rewards whoever starts earliest. These 10 spots are the core of the historic center.
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Photo spots on the map
13 of 20 photo ideas have sourced location coordinates. The initial view is for orientation. An area marker does not indicate an exact photo position.
Select a highlighted number to show its sourced location on the map. Every name links to the photo spot.
If the map does not load, use the OpenStreetMap link or the photo spot list.
All photo spots
- Trevi FountainSourced place
- Spanish StepsSourced place
- ColosseumSourced place
- Roman ForumApproximate area
- PantheonSourced place
- Castel Sant'AngeloSourced place
- Altare della PatriaSourced place
- Piazza NavonaApproximate area
- Orange GardenApproximate area
- Piazza TrilussaApproximate area
- Ponte SistoSourced place
- Baths of CaracallaApproximate area
- Quartiere CoppedèApproximate area
Map data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.
Destination reference: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Spot coordinates: Wikidata, CC0. Selection, association and some calculations by You, Me, Away.
Trevi Fountain
The 26-meter baroque facade pours water into a wide basin. Go before 7 am; by mid-morning the basin edge is three rows deep.
Open in Google MapsInstagram examples (2)
Spanish Steps
The wide staircase climbs from the square to the church above. Shoot from the base looking up, or from the top for the street axis below.
Open in Google MapsInstagram examples (2)
Piazza del Popolo
A large oval square with an obelisk at its center and twin churches on one side. Climb the Pincio terrace behind it for the square from above.
Open in Google MapsInstagram examples (2)
Colosseum
The outer arches read best from across the street at ground level. For the linked photo angle, stand on the pavement diagonally opposite the restaurant pin, by the wall and parking bays.
Open in Google MapsInstagram examples (2)
Roman Forum
Columns, arches and basilica ruins fill the valley between the hills. Shoot from the Capitoline overlook or the Palatine paths above.
Open in Google MapsInstagram examples (1)
Pantheon
The dome's open oculus throws a circle of light onto the floor. Midday gives the strongest beam; the portico front works from the square at any hour.
Open in Google MapsInstagram examples (1)
Castel Sant'Angelo
Hadrian's round mausoleum turned papal fortress, a museum since 1906. The angel statue on top and the bridge of statues give two angles from the riverbank.
Open in Google MapsInstagram examples (1)
Altare della Patria
White marble tiers climb the Capitoline slope to the equestrian statue. The rooftop terrace gives the wide view over the forums and the domes.
Open in Google MapsInstagram examples (2)
St. Peter's Square
Bernini's colonnade curves around the obelisk in front of the basilica. Shoot the curve from the side passages, or the full square from the basilica steps.
Open in Google MapsInstagram examples (1)
Piazza Navona
Three fountains run down the long oval of the old stadium. The central four-rivers fountain photographs best from the side, with the church behind.
Open in Google MapsInstagram examples (1)
Villa Borghese
The gardens of Villa Borghese include a lake with the Temple of Aesculapius. Frame the temple across the water and let the surrounding trees soften the composition.
Search Google MapsOrange Garden
The Orange Garden on the Aventine offers a view over Rome. Frame the city between the garden’s trees, using their branches to create depth around the distant skyline.
Search Google MapsJaniculum Hill
From the Janiculum Hill, Rome’s rooftops and domes spread across the view. Try a horizontal frame and give the foreground and skyline distinct bands within the image.
Search Google MapsPiazza Trilussa
Piazza Trilussa in Trastevere is marked by a monumental fountain. Photograph its arch and columns from across the square, keeping the surrounding steps in the frame.
Search Google MapsPonte Sisto
Ponte Sisto meets Trastevere beside Piazza Trilussa. Look along the bridge and use its stone parapets to guide the eye across the Tiber towards the opposite bank.
Search Google MapsBasilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere
This basilica faces a square in the heart of Trastevere. Include the piazza in front of the church to give its façade and bell tower a setting.
Search Google MapsAppian Way
The Appian Way runs through a landscape of ancient monuments outside Rome’s centre. Use the road as a leading line and include a stretch of its surroundings.
Search Google MapsPark of the Aqueducts
Long rows of aqueduct arches cross this park on Rome’s outskirts. Photograph along the arches and use their repeating shapes to lead the eye across the landscape.
Search Google MapsBaths of Caracalla
The extensive remains of the Baths of Caracalla reveal the scale of an ancient bathing complex. Choose a wide frame that includes the walls and their surroundings.
Search Google MapsQuartiere Coppedè
The buildings of Quartiere Coppedè mix architectural styles and decorative forms. Focus on an arch or façade detail, then widen the frame to show the surrounding streetscape.
Search Google MapsSources for the added photo spots
- Turismo Roma: Villa Borghese
- Turismo Roma: Panoramic viewpoints
- Turismo Roma: Piazza Trilussa
- Turismo Roma: Ponte Sisto
- Turismo Roma: Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere
- Turismo Roma: Regional Park of the Appian Way
- Turismo Roma: Park of the Aqueducts
- Turismo Roma: Baths of Caracalla
- Turismo Roma: Quartiere Coppedè