Where To Find The Best Views in Rome

Rome is surely one of the most beautiful cities in the world. From the narrow cobblestone roads to the towering monuments and grand domes, everything in the eternal city has an undeniable charm. And the best way to soak it all in is by heading to the spot with the best view. So read on for the list of all the places where you can find the best views in Rome.

Please Note: If you click on any of the names of the places, it will direct you straight to the location on google maps so that it you can directly save the location and so that you don’t get confused and end up at the wrong place. 

Please Note: Every place that I mention in the post below links to the google map location. So all you need to do is click it and save it. That way you will have all the important places marked for when you actually visit the city. Hope you find it useful! Alternatively, you can also refer to this map with all the locations that I have created to make it easier to manage on the go.

Gianicolo Hill / Piazzale Giuseppe Garibaldi

In my opinion Piazzale Giuseppe Garibaldi which is on top of Gianicolo Hill is once of the best viewpoint in all of Rome. From here, you have a complete 360 degree view of the eternal city. You can see the Colosseum and Piazza Venezia on one side and the dome of the Vatican on the other. It is also one of the best sunset view in Rome. Sunrise here is also magical. 

Gianicolo Hill is the second tallest hill in the city of Rome. Which is why the view from up there is also one of the best in the city. It is located on the right bank of the Tiber River that runs through the city. And the best part? Very few tourists actually make it up here. It is mainly popular among the locals. 

I usually like to hike up to Piazzale Giuseppe Garibaldi right before sunset. There are smaller viewpoints along the way that you can stop at if you’re hiking. If not, you can easily get a bus or hop in a cab to go to the top. There is a little green kiosk right there from where you can get a glass of wine or beer and enjoy the sunset view of Rome. After sunset, at dusk you will see the city slowly light up and that looks magical as well. It setting makes for the perfect romantic date in the eternal city. 

The piazzale is free to enter and is open to public every day of the week. Here is a complete list of other free things to do in Rome. 

Pincio Terrace

Pincio Terrace is another popular spot in Rome. You will find it packed with tourists throughout the day. This viewpoint is located right above Piazza Del Popolo. This terrace also offers one of the best sunset views in Rome.

With all the tourists flocking here, you will usually find some street artist performing around the area. Which means that there is beautiful music playing in the background that makes the experience even more perfect. 

This little terrace is located inside Villa Borghese. You can easily walk up the steps to reach here from Piazza Del Popolo or walk here through the park. The area is well connected by buses and the metro line A of Rome. The park as well as this popular little terrace is free to enter. 

Villa Borghese

Villa Borghese is one of the biggest parks in the heart of Rome. The park is free to enter and is filled with sculptures and great viewpoints. Villa Borghese also has a lake inside that you can go boating on during the summer. 

The most popular viewpoint in the park is the little pincio terrace. But that can be the most crowded area thanks to all the tourists. Even so, it is worth making a stop there. But that is not the only viewpoint in the park. If you walk along Viale Gabriele D’Annunzio and Viale della Trinita dei Monti you will find stunning views along the way. These are generally not too crowded. Many of the locals head there for a run during the day as the scenic path is perfect for that. 

If you have time on hand, I recommend making a half day trip out of it. You could pack a picnic and head to the garden. Go boating on the lake and spend the afternoon exploring the park and the various viewpoints here. 

Giardino Degli Aranci

Giardino Degli Aranci is among one of the popular viewpoints in the city. The park also offers one of the best sunset views in Rome. The garden is called the orange garden after the orange trees that are found growing here. It is located on the Aventine hill in the Ripa district of Rome. The garden is free to visit. 

From the little balcony in the orange garden, you can see the pretty skyline of Rome. The view of the dome of St. Peters Bascilica can be seen from here very clearly. This provides the perfect backdrop for those picture perfect Rome pictures you might want to click. 

While there are people flocking here throughout the day, the best time to visit is at sunset. You can see the sky changing colors before the sun finally sets behind the dome of the Vatican. 

Dome at St. Peter’s Basilica

The view from the top of the dome at St. Peter’s is considered to be one of the best views in Rome. The dome is open to the public daily from 8 am to 6 pm from April to September and till 5 pm from October to March. On the days that the Basilica is closed, the dome is closed to the public as well. The entrance ticket is 8 euro if you take the stairs and 10 euro for the elevator and stairs. Like every ticketed section of the vatican, you might find a long line to enter here as well. You can book your skip the line tour here.

The view from the top of the dome is really stunning and is definitely one of the best views in Rome. You can see a 360 degree view of all of Rome and the entire St. Peter’s Square from the top. Definitely worth walking up the 551 steps to get to the top. Just make sure your knees and shoulders are covered as it is in the Basilica and you may not be allowed to enter otherwise. 

6. From the Roof of Piazza Venezia

The view from the rooftop of Piazza Venezia is considered to be one of the most stunning ones in the city. The reason for this? well, you see the ruins of the Roman Forum (the ancient city center from Roman times), the top view of the Colosseum and the rest of the modern city from here. You can literally see the ancient and modern city from here and that is super cool! From the other side of the panoramic terrace, you can see the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica. It surely is gorgeous!

The monument is open to the public from Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm and from 2 pm to 6 pm. While the rest of the monument is free to visit, there is a charge to access the rooftop. The ticket costs 10 euro for the elevator up to the top. Tickets can be bought at the ticket window at the monument itself. 

7. From the Top of Castel Sant’Angelo

Castel Sant’Angelo is the pope’s fortress. It is located just a few meters from the St. Peter’s Square on the right bank of the Tiber river. If you decide to enter inside the monument, you can also access the rooftop of the fortress with the same ticket. The view from up there is very pretty as well. 

The monument is open to the public daily from 9 am to 7:30 pm. The ticket costs 14 euro. There are reductions for under 26 European citizens and children below the age of 18 on showing id proof. 

Once a month though, the monument is open at night from 8 pm to 2 am. That night view from the terrace is really stunning and I highly recommend visiting then. The entrance ticket for the night visit is 2 Euro only. 

8. Top of the Palatine Hill

You will definitely visit the Palatine Hill during your visit to Rome. The ticket for this area is sold combined with the ticket to the Colosseum. Palatine Hill is the hill where Rome was founded and is one of the most important hills in the city. 

If you climb up to the top, you have a great view of the Colosseum and of Circo Massimo. You also have sweeping views of the ruins in the Roman Forum from here. 

The Palatine Hill is open every day of the week from 8:30 am to 7 pm during the summer season. For detailed timings check here. The ticket costs 16 euro which includes a visit to the Roman Forum and Colosseum. 

9. One of the many rooftop bars in the city

What better way to enjoy the some of the best views in Rome than with a glass of Italian wine right? If that idea is something you like, then you should definitely head to one of the rooftop bars the city has to offer. 

You could choose any of the bars overlooking the Colosseum or any other monument in the city. One of my all time favorites has to be Les Étoiles which is located just a few minutes from the Vatican. From the terrace of this gorgeous restaurant you can see the dome of the Vatican. This rooftop bar also has one of the best sunset views in Rome. 

If you do visit Les Étoiles, make sure you go before sunset and try to find a good spot there. It tends to get crowded for sunset. The most cost efficient thing to do is to order a bottle of wine and wait for sunset instead of getting it by the glass.

10. The Keyhole

The keyhole in Rome is absolutely one of the coolest things ever. This gem is located on the Aventine Hill just a few meters away from the Orange Garden. It is a keyhole through which you can see the dome of the Vatican. Pretty cool right? 

The keyhole is free to the public and can be visited any time or any day of the year. In recent days, it has become popular with tourists so you may find a line during the day. 

My suggestion? Head there at night to avoid the crowds. Additionally, at night with the dome lit up, it looks even more magical! The night and the moonlight can makes for an extremely romantic date idea as well. 

FAQS

How accessible are these viewpoints for individuals with mobility issues, and are there any facilities like elevators or ramps available?

Accessibility varies across viewpoints in Rome. Many historic sites have worked to improve accessibility by adding ramps or elevators. For example, modern attractions or renovated areas are more likely to offer such facilities. It's crucial to check the official websites or contact the management of each viewpoint for the most accurate and current accessibility information. They can provide details on available facilities like elevators, ramps, and accessible restrooms, ensuring all visitors can enjoy the stunning views Rome has to offer.

Is it possible to visit any of these viewpoints at night, and if so, which ones offer the most stunning night-time views of Rome?

Some viewpoints in Rome are open after dark, offering spectacular views of the city's illuminated landmarks. Locations such as the Pincio Terrace or certain rooftop bars allow nighttime access, providing a unique perspective of Rome under the stars. However, hours of operation can vary, and some sites might have restrictions or require reservations, especially for rooftop bars. Researching or contacting the specific viewpoints ahead of time will help plan a memorable night-time visit.

nearby cafes or restaurants to enjoy a meal or a drink after visiting these viewpoints?

Rome is renowned for its culinary scene, and many viewpoints are surrounded by a variety of cafes and restaurants. After enjoying a scenic view, exploring the nearby streets often leads to charming eateries offering everything from traditional Roman dishes to contemporary Italian cuisine. Look for a local trattoria or osteria for an authentic Italian experience. Online reviews and local food blogs can be excellent resources for finding highly-rated dining options close to each viewpoint, enhancing the overall experience of visiting Rome's stunning vistas. You can also check out my blog post on what to eat in Rome for more information.

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