No matter your feelings about Rome, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more photogenic place than the Eternal City.
From iconic sites like the Colosseum and Trevi Fountain to beautiful piazzas, cobblestone streets and to-die-for neighbourhoods, it’s easy to see why Rome is one of the most Instagramable places in Europe.
I love taking photos and trawled through SO many blog posts before coming to Italy to make sure I was hitting the best spots, but I never found exactly what I was looking for.
So, I made it myself! If you want to up your Instagram A-game, check out my full breakdown of some of the best photo spots in Rome, complete with coordinates so you can plot out your trip perfectly.
- The Colosseum
- Parco del Colle Oppio
- Via Nicola Salvi
- Arco di Contanti (Constantine’s Arch)
- The Roman Forum
- Trajan Forum
- The Trevi Fountain
- The Spanish Steps
- Viale dei Trinta dei Monti
- Villa Borghese
- The Pantheon
- Altare della Patria (Alter of the Fatherland)
- Campo de’ Fiori
- The Vatican
- Trastevere
- Terrazza Gianicolo (Janiculum Hill)
- Tips for visiting the most Instagramable spots in Rome
The Colosseum
Have you really been to Rome if you haven’t visited the Colosseum? It’s one of the most distinctive buildings in Europe, and my guide to the most Instagramable places in Rome wouldn’t be complete without this icon.
Now, I’m a big believer that the Colosseum needs to be admired AND snapped from all angles. But there are a few spots that will allow you to get that picture-perfect shot without lots of other tourists in the background.
Parco del Colle Oppio
Parco del Colle Oppio is a public park in Monti, a beautiful neighbourhood in Rome close to the Colosseum.
You can also stop and visit Domus Aurea – the remains of Nero’s grand villa complex!
Via Nicola Salvi
This is my favourite place to view the Colosseum. It’s a great vantage point where you’ll find a perch to take endless photos of the Colosseum’s exterior.
If you’re walking through Monti, you’ll hit two birds with one stone as Parco del Colle Oppio opens up onto Via Nicola Salvi. Straight away, the views are unreal. So it can be tempting to stop and snap your photos instantly, but keep going! Turn right out of the park and walk up a short and slightly steep hill for the beautiful, uninterrupted views of Colosso.
If you’re not coming through Monti, walk left down Piazza del Colosseo (away from Colosseo Metro station) and find a small staircase. Walk up the steps, and you’ll find yourself on Via Nicola Salvi.
Coordinates for the small staircase: 41.890780, 12.493861
Arco di Contanti (Constantine’s Arch)
Constantine’s Arch is a view in its own right, but it also offers a really nice view of the Colosseum from the other side.
The Roman Forum
The Roman Forum is located right next door to the Colosseum, so it makes sense to visit both simultaneously. It’s full of Instagramable spots, but there is a fee.
Trajan Forum
If you’re travelling through Rome on a budget, my favourite place to snap photos of ancient ruins is by Piazza For Traiano. Walk down Via dei For Imperiali from the Colosseum, and you’ll snap some great shots of Trajan Forum and Trajan’s Column.
The Trevi Fountain
Like the Colosseum, no list of the best photo spots in Rome would be complete without mentioning the Trevi Fountain. It’s quite simply iconic and a must-see location on your next trip to Rome.
But it’s nearly always crowded, so taking photos here can be challenging.
My tip would be to avoid midday like the plague and arrive at Trevi Fountain early in the morning (I’m talking, 6am), just after the sun has risen, for your best chance at uninterrupted pics. If you’re not an early bird, the night is also beautiful here but a little busier than first thing in the morning.
The Spanish Steps
After visiting the Trevi Fountain, walk to Piazza di Spagna to see the Spanish Steps. Sitting on the steps is no longer possible, but you can still walk up towards Trinta dei Monti.
Stand in Piazza di Spagna to see the Spanish Steps heading upwards.
But if you want a photo on the Spanish Steps that you haven’t already seen 800 times on Instagram, stop halfway up and snap a photo overlooking one of the beautiful balconies! You won’t get the steps in your shot, but it makes for a beautiful photo nonetheless.
Viale dei Trinta dei Monti
From the top of the Spanish Steps, head left along Viale della Trinta dei Monti towards Villa Borghese. I wasn’t expecting this place to have such a great view of the city, so it was a little hidden gem on our most recent trip to Rome. There are plenty of perches to sit on to get that classic shot.
Villa Borghese
Museums, quiet little nooks, fountains and expansive gardens. What’s not to love? Villa Borghese Museums and Galleries are quite simply beautiful, but my favourite thing was wandering around the gardens, people-watching and taking in allllll the green space.
Tip: head to Tempio di Esculapio for iconic views – you can even rent a row boat here for a trip across the lake.
The Pantheon
Located in Piazza della Rotonda, the Pantheon is another one of the most Instagrammable spots in Rome. I’d recommend getting here early in the morning before the Pantheon opens, and you’ll have (almost) the whole piazza to yourself!
Altare della Patria (Alter of the Fatherland)
It’s impossible to walk past this building without marvelling at how impressive its stature is. It’s free to walk up (and I highly encourage you to do so!!). From one side, you have expansive views of Piazza Venezia and the Pantheon. While some blogs will tell you this isn’t the most photogenic piazza in Rome, I loved it. It’s busy and has beautiful architecture. We stood on one of the low-level balconies on Altare della Patria and marvelled at the ground below. I could have watched the world go by for hours!
Keep walking up Altare della Patria; at the top, you’ll come to a little door on the far side. This will take you to the other side of the building. I hadn’t researched Altare della Patria before coming to Rome, and I’m not kidding when I tell you my jaw DROPPED once I saw the view from the other side. 180-degree panoramic views of the Colosseum and Roman Forum.
There’s even a little bar and cafe at the top where you can order a drink and waste away a day basking in the sun. Bliss!
This was my favourite view from our trip; a huge bonus was that it wasn’t very crowded.
Campo de’ Fiori
Okay, personally, I didn’t love my time at Campo de Fiori. I had heard it was a beautiful market full of local wines, baked goods and fresh produce. And whilst that is the case, I found it too touristy, and many vendors were just selling souvenirs.
But it’s incredibly photogenic!
The Vatican
Did you know that The Vatican is a country in its own right?
Great photo locations are dotted around the place; there is no shortage of phenomenal architecture here! My favourite spots were waiting in line for our tickets to the top of the dome, halfway up the cupola, at the top of St Peters Dome and inside St Peters Basilica.
Trastevere
Every single street in Trastevere is a dream come true. Narrow, cobblestone streets, bright colours and blooming flowers make this neighbourhood a photographer’s dream come true.
Trastevere comes to life at night, so hit this neighbourhood twice to see it in all its glory.
Terrazza Gianicolo (Janiculum Hill)
From Trastevere, head up Terrazza Gianicolo. There’s a bit of a climb to the top, but your efforts will be rewarded with panoramic views of Rome from above. This is also a great place to watch the sunset; all you need is a bottle of wine to share, and check out one of the local takeaway shops for some great pizza. Bliss.
Tips for visiting the most Instagramable spots in Rome
Be respectful
It’s a no-brainer, but remember your manners when taking photos in Rome.
The Eternal City is ancient and beautiful but also full of residents commuting to work and going about their daily lives.
Be respectful when you take photos; don’t climb up onto buildings or monuments, don’t photograph people that don’t want to be photographed (ESPECIALLY people’s children) and be polite. And, if you see someone trying to get around you, just step aside for a moment. The photo can wait.
Arrive early
I mean, seriously early. The definition of an early wake-up will depend on where you’re going and what you want to see. But, for many tourist hotspots (think the Trevi Fountain, Colosseum, Vatican etc.), that means getting up at dawn.
On a recent trip to Rome, I arrived at the Trevi Fountain at 6:15am, and it was already very busy, so be sure to rise early if you want to snap a shot without the crowds.
Use props
Really this is just my excuse for an ice cream. But it’s incredible what a scoop of gelato, Vespa, camera or another prop can do for your shot!
And most importantly, have fun.
Taking photos should be a creative and enjoyable experience. We’re all after that perfect shot, but remember, it’s not worth spilling tears over. So, if you don’t get it the first time, take five and try again. Happy shooting!
Notes to Home 