Rome's grand salon: the steps, the fountain, and the luxury storefronts

Piazza di Spagna is the glamorous, picture-perfect heart of Rome: the Spanish Steps rising toward the church above, Bernini's Fontana della Barcaccia at their foot, and, flanking it all, the windows of the great fashion houses along Via Condotti. It's one of the most photographed spots on earth, drawing travelers, stylish Romans, and serious shoppers alike. In spring, when the azaleas bloom across the steps, the scene is breathtaking.

The square is free to enter and rewarding at any hour: nearly empty at dawn, pure magic at sunset.

What makes Piazza di Spagna special

  • The Spanish Steps: 135 steps linking the square to the church at the top, an eighteenth-century masterpiece. → The Spanish Steps
  • The Fontana della Barcaccia: the half-sunken boat by Pietro Bernini (father of Gian Lorenzo), a brilliant fix for the area's low water pressure.
  • Trinità dei Monti: the twin-belltower church crowning the steps, with a superb view over the square.
  • The Column of the Immaculate Conception: where every December 8th the fire brigade lays a wreath of flowers.
  • Via Condotti and the luxury quarter: Italy's most exclusive boutiques begin right here.

A little history

The square takes its name from the Spanish embassy to the Holy See. The steps were built in 1723–1725 to connect the square to the French church of Trinità dei Monti: a Baroque triumph of ramps and terraces. Long a gathering place for artists and poets, this is where the English poet John Keats lived and died — remembered today in the Keats-Shelley House beside the steps.

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When to go

  • Dawn / early morning: the steps almost empty, perfect light for photos.
  • Sunset: a magical atmosphere, but plenty of crowds.
  • Spring (April): azaleas in bloom on the steps — the highlight of the year.

Important rule: sitting on the Spanish Steps is forbidden (fines for anyone lingering on the steps). You can walk up and down, but you can't sit and stay.

Practical information

  • Where: Piazza di Spagna, Campo Marzio district, historic center.
  • Metro: Spagna (Metro A), right beneath the square.
  • Admission: free, always open.
  • Pair it with: Fontana di Trevi (10 min on foot), Pantheon, Via del Corso.

Frequently asked questions

What is there to see at Piazza di Spagna? The Spanish Steps, Bernini's Fontana della Barcaccia, the church of Trinità dei Monti at the top, the Column of the Immaculate Conception, and the start of Via Condotti with its luxury boutiques. Right beside it, the Keats-Shelley House.

Can you sit on the Spanish Steps? No: since 2019 it's forbidden to sit and linger on the steps, with fines for offenders. You can walk up and down, but you can't stop to sit.

How many steps does the Spanish Steps staircase have? 135 steps, built between 1723 and 1725 to connect the square to the church of Trinità dei Monti.

Which metro stop is closest to Piazza di Spagna? The Spagna stop (Metro A), which lets out right into the square. It's one of the easiest squares to reach by subway.

When do the azaleas bloom on the steps? Usually in spring, around April: pots of flowering azaleas decorate the steps, making it the most spectacular time to visit.

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Article #242 · Category: Monuments · Updated: May 2026