Visiting The Spanish Steps

A Practical Guide For Those Planning On Visiting Independently

Spanish Steps Rome
Spanish Steps Rome
In May each year decorated with pink azaleas.

The Spanish Steps are a set of steps climbing a steep slope between the Piazza di Spagna at the base and Piazza Trinità dei Monti at the top dominated by Trinità dei Monti Church.

The steps are at the eastern end of the old city centre. From the base there is a maze of very narrow lanes crammed full with designer shops waiting to be explored.

Although a major draw for visitors there is no particular wow factor as such, a place to congregate and hang out for a while.


The stairway itself is of 138 steps, if you cannot manage this there is a lift, part of the Metro complex - but like the Metro station itself it is quite seedy.

In May each year the steps are decorated with pink azaleas.


In an attempt to keep the area clean, the authorities have banned visitors from eating whilst sitting on the steps.


In the piazza, at the corner on the right as one begins to climb the steps, is the house where English poet John Keats lived and died in 1821. It is now a museum dedicated to his memory, full of memorabilia of the English Romantic generation.

Babingtons Tea Rooms

In the piazza at the bottom of the Spanish Steps is the 17th century Fountain of the Old Boat (Fontana della Barcaccia), spouting water as she sinks. This fountain, by Pietro Bernini, supposedly marks the place where a large barge came to rest when the River Tiber overflowed its banks.


To the left of the Steps, the classic Babington’s Tea Room, founded in 1896, offers an elegant interior, a wide selection of teas and pastries, and waiters in traditional English attire.


At the foot of the Spanish Steps the area is of upmarket chic, with an endless supply of small boutique designer shops and a wide range of restaurants and bars.


The Via dei Condotti right by the Spanish Steps is where you want to go if you want to shop for Armani, Prada, Versace, Dolce and Gabbana or Gucci. This is not only one of the richest streets in Italy but also one of the best for shopping in Rome.


After you have spent your time at the Spanish Steps, the classic tourist option is to head west for the Trevi Fountain and perhaps after that the Pantheon. The way is sporadically signposted, but a good map is recommended. This walk is so full of interest that getting lost in the maze of narrow streets and alleys is almost a bonus.


Villa Borghese

If you want to chill out and get some peace and quiet from crowds of the city, then the The Villa Borghese is on your doorstep. Its the largest public park in Rome. It features a lake, temples, fountains, statues and several museums.

From the top of the steps, follow the lane northwards for fine views down into the city below before coming to the Villa Borghese. Otherwise from the base of the Spanish Steps again go north to the impressive Piazza del Popolo where you can enter the park.


To the south of the Spanish Steps is the Via Veneto, one of the most expensive and famous streets in Rome. Many of the top hotels are around here. Famous for Federico Fellini's classic 1960 film La Dolce Vita mostly centred around the Via Veneto area, the area is very upmarket. The Via Veneto winds uphill from Barberini Metro up to the Villa Borghese.

OpenTour Hop On On Hop Off Sightseeing Bus

Getting To The Spanish Steps

By Metro take Linea A (red line) and exit at Spagna. The station is right next to the Spanish Steps.
Rome city buses are too big to negotiate the narrow streets around the Spanish Steps, plenty of buses go to Barberini or Piazza del Popolo / Flaminio about a 10 minute walk away.


There are a myriad of Rome hop on, hop off bus operators, all of which will not stop at the Spanish Steps itself as the buses are too large, but will stop within a 10 minute walk.

A classic Rome walk is to start at the Spanish Steps and end at Piazza Navona visiting the Trevi Fountain and Pantheon on the way.

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