This is one of the main worries travelers share: is Rome walkable? Is exploring Rome on foot feasible and easy? The short answer is YES! Walking around Rome’s historic center is the best way to navigate and enjoy the city.
Whether you are exploring the city center, strolling along a park, or getting lost in the alleys of Trastevere, expect to travel miles on foot.
In this article, I will give you a few tips on how to plan a perfect walk in Rome. I will include distances, what to expect from the street conditions, and also some cool itineraries you can follow.
Is Rome’s city center walkable? Tips for a smooth walk
- Wear comfortable shoes. Rome’s city center is paved with the famous sanpietrini cobbles and some are not very even. This is one of the main worries tourists have. To walk in Rome, I suggest wearing comfortable shoes such as sneakers, loafers, flat sandals, or runners. This is not only because of the cobbled streets but also because within the city center, expect to walk a lot!
- Alternate walking with buses and metro. There are two small electric buses running in Rome’s city center, 117 and 119, that will make your life easier if you wish to alternate walking with some public transport. This way, you can stretch your walk a little longer
- Plan some strategic stops. The best way to keep walking all day is to take some breaks. The city center is filled with nice cafes, restaurants, bars, and gelato shops, so planning a stop here and there is great to refill with some energy, get some rest time, sip on a tea or coffee, or get some lunch. Resuming your walk will be much easier and you will be able to finish your itinerary.
- Duck into some hidden gems. Lesser-known churches, hidden cloisters, internal courtyards,
- Carry a reusable water bottle. You might have heard about Rome’s nasoni. Well, they are small fountains scattered around the city center dispensing drinkable water 24/7. Use them to refill your bottle to save time and money!
Check out my article on keeping safe in Rome!
Where to walk in Rome? 3 Itinerary suggestions
The historic center – Spanish Steps to Piazza Navona
Ideally, you will reach the Spanish Steps by metro since they are right next to the Spagna stop of line A. From here you can follow this route:
- Stop 1. Piazza di Spagna and the Spanish Steps. The famous monumental staircase that has the church of Trinità dei Monti on top and at the bottom the beautiful sinking fountain of La Barcaccia built by Pietro Bernini, father of the more famous Gian Lorenzo Bernini who, by the way, helped him with the work.
- Stop 2. Fontana di Trevi. From the Spanish Steps, the walk to the Trevi Fountain is quite easy and short. Take Via di Propaganda towards Largo del Nazareno and Via della Stamperia to reach the gorgeous Baroque sculptural group, Rome’s most famous fountain.
- Stop 3. Piazza Venezia. From the Trevi Fountain, it will take some 10 minutes on foot to reach Piazza Venezia either by taking Via delle Muratte to Via del Corso and then turning left up to the piazza itself, or venturing into the maze of smaller alleys such as Via dell’Archetto, Piazza dei Santi Apostoli, and Via Cesare Battisti. There are plenty of things to see in and around Piazza Venezia. First and foremost, the Altar of the Fatherland in the Vittoriano complex, but also Palazzo Venezia, the Trajan’s Column, Forum and Markets, and Piazza del Campidoglio on Capitoline Hill designed by Michelangelo.
- Stop 4. The Pantheon. From Piazza Venezia, take Via del Corso again and turn left onto Via di Pietra to reach Piazza della Rotonda. The former temple of all gods, the Pantheon never fails to amaze and attract thousands of visitors daily. Its dome has been the world’s largest for centuries and its architecture is always a favorite topic of study and research.
- Stop 5. Piazza Navona. From the Pantheon, it’s very easy to reach Piazza Navona: you’ll just need to cross Corso del Rinascimento. This gorgeous elliptical piazza is famous for being built on top of the Stadium of Domitian (which you can visit, by the way), for the three monumental fountains, particularly the Four Rivers Fountain by Bernini, and the stunning Baroque church of Sant’Agnese in Agone designed by Francesco Borromini.
Looking for a self-guided walk in the city center? Check out our video!
Discover Villa Borghese
Is Rome walkable only in the city center? Of course not, many areas in Rome are best enjoyed on foot. The easiest way to get into Villa Borghese is by metro, either Flaminio or Spagna. I suggest Flaminio because you will enter from one of the main entrances and the best one to start your route.
- Stop 1. Water-powered clock. Designed by a Dominican friar in 1867, it’s very close to the entrance so I suggest starting your Villa Borghese itinerary from here.
- Stop 2. Pincio Terrace. This is a favorite viewpoint in Rome and where you can snap great postcard-like pictures.
- Stop 3. Mostra dell’Acqua Felice. Take Via delle Magnolie and get to the fountain that ends the Aqua Felix aqueduct known as Mostra dell’Acqua Felice.
- Stop 4. Villa Borghese Lake. From this large crossroad, take Viale dell’Aranciera and reach the lake of Villa Borghese set around the Temple of Aesculapius. Here you can rent a boat and row around the lake.
- Stop 5. Casina di Raffaello. Take Viale della Casina di Raffaello and reach Casina di Raffaello, which is a historical building where now they organize labs, workshops, and activities for children.
- Stop 6. Diana Temple. Less than 100 mt from Casina di Raffaello, you will see the small Temple of Diana. Unfortunately, there is no statue of Diana anymore because it was restored and is now kept in Paris’ Louvre. This beautiful round temple, however, is still a favorite place to take pictures in Villa Borghese.
- Stop 7. Fontana dei Cavalli Marini. From here, take Viale dei Pupazzi and reach the beautiful Fountain of the Seahorses.
- Stop 8. Galleria Borghese. To reach this famous museum, you can take any of the boulevards southwards so either Viale del Museo Borghese, Viale dei Pupazzi, or Viale dei Cavalli Marini. Set in a historical villa of the Borghese family, Galleria Borghese is one of the most visited museums in Rome showcasing a collection of immortal masterpieces by artists of the likes of Bernini, Caravaggio, and Canova.
- Stop 9. Bioparco. This is Rome’s zoo and from the Borghese Gallery, you can reach with a short walk along Viale dell’Uccelliera. If you are with family, your children might enjoy a stop here.
Trastevere
One of the most favorite neighborhoods in Rome, a walk around Trastevere would ideally start in front of Santa Maria in Trastevere Basilica, the heart of the area. You can reach Piazza di Santa Maria in Trastevere
- Stop 1. Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere. This is the most important church in Trastevere and one of the most famous in Rome. It’s believed that this is the first church devoted to the cult of Holy Mary.
- Stop 2. Chiesa di San Pietro in Montorio. To reach, take Via della Paglia and it will take less than 10 minutes on foot. This is a small medieval church on Janiculum Hill that is the burial place of Beatrice Cenci.
- Stop 3. Fontana dell’Acqua Paola. Take Via Garibaldi and after 200 mt you have reached the huge monumental fountain also known as Fontanone del Gianicolo.
- Stop 4. Orto Botanico. This is a lovely park in Trastevere where you can walk and relax in the green far from the city’s traffic while learning about a myriad of different plant species. You can reach this easily from Fontana dell’Acqua Paola by taking Via Garibaldi.
- Stop 5. Villa Farnesina. This is a true gem in Trastevere and it’s a few minutes away on foot from the botanical garden. Just take Via Corsini and then turn left on Via della Lungara. The highlights of Villa Farnesina are Raphael’s frescoes.
- Stop 6. Piazza Trilussa. To reach Piazza Trilussa, you just need to take Lungotevere Farnesina towards the Tiber Island and you will find the piazza on your right. Your short Trastevere itinerary can end in this lovely piazza always filled with locals and tourists, especially in summer, who like to hang out here and enjoy a drink. Or, you can continue along the Tiber River and cross the Sisto Bridge to Campo de’ Fiori or the Cestio Bridge to Tiber Island.
Planning your walk in Rome
Draw your itinerary
I suggest outlining your itinerary beforehand because Rome is packed with landmarks and if you start walking without really knowing where you are going, you will risk wandering aimlessly.
However, if you arrive prepared with a rough itinerary in your hands, you will know exactly where you are going. Moreover, you will also be able to take the liberty to adapt on the go if you see something you would rather visit or skip.
Research where to eat
Wandering in Rome for the whole day, chances are you will want to eat at some point. And since I have already mentioned how important getting valuable rest time is when walking in Rome, I definitely recommend researching some restaurants.
For example, you can do some research on the best restaurants in the area you are visiting and jot down some names of eateries that inspire you so that you already have some options when you are on the road.
Dress accordingly
I have already mentioned that I suggest wearing comfortable walking shoes, but that’s not all. Since you have already drawn your itinerary, you also know what landmarks you are visiting.
While in the street you can wear whatever you want, if you are planning to enter some churches, and in Rome I’d say it’s pretty difficult not to, you will need to be wearing modest clothing. This means covered shoulders and knees. This is possible also in summer because you can wear either light cotton/linen trousers or midi skirts, and no sleeveless T-shirts.
Check the weather forecast
In summer, the weather is pretty much always the same, dry and hot, but if you are visiting Rome in spring or fall, you can expect showers from time to time. Better you check the weather before leaving your hotel so that you are not unprepared.
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