8 of the best piazzas in Rome you’ll love

Many locals in Rome gather in the city’s piazzas for an afternoon coffee and a bout of people-watching—often with the inviting tunes of a live performer in the background. Referring to a square or marketplace, a piazza is a large area dotted with restaurants, bars, fountains, churches, monuments, and the like.

The best part? The piazzas are all free to visit. Here are 8 of the most popular piazzas in Rome you should check out:

Piazza Navona is definitely one of Rome’s most popular squares. The square stands where the ancient Stadium of Domitian, dating back to the 1st century A.D., once was. The ancient Romans used to frequent the stadium to watch agones (games) that were held in honor of Roman deities. Today, Piazza Navona is also known as Circus Agonalis (Competition Arena).

The colorful piazza retains the oval shape of the stadium, and is now home to three intricate Baroque fountains, the most famous of which is Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers. Expect a bustling atmosphere here; settle in at one of the restaurants and spend the afternoon surrounded by musicians and street artists. Want to see it all? Embark on this Rome walking tour, which will take you to some of the city's best attractions.

Any tourist itinerary would include the Trevi Fountain, which can be found at the iconic Piazza de Trevi. The fountain takes up pretty much most of the square and it is said to be the most visited piazza in Rome.

The piazza is crowded all the time: many visit to snap a photo or throw coins over their shoulder into the fountain—legend has it, doing so would ensure you return to Rome. The square is especially beautiful when lit up at night; see it at sunset on this small-group sunset tour, where a guide will lead you through four iconic squares.

Did you know that Vatican City is the world’s smallest country? Piazza San Pietro is the grand centerpiece, leading to the Basilica di San Pietro, the largest church in the world. Lined by almost 300 curving inter-connected colonnades, the square is usually packed on Sundays with people clamoring for a glimpse of the Pope during the Angelus prayer at midday.

The center of the square is where you can find the Vatican obelisk, the only obelisk in Rome that has stayed in the same place since it was brought over more than 2,000 years ago.

Piazza Venezia is located in Rome’s geometric center, where many major roads intersect. It’s named after the Palazzo Venezia, which was constructed for Cardinal Venezia in 1455. Situated at the bottom of Capitoline Hill, the piazza is next to Trajan’s Forum. It’s also the starting point for Via dei Fori Imperiali, which snakes past the Roman Forum leading to the Colosseum.

The square is home to Italy’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and used to be where Mussolini gave his public speeches from the 1920s to 1940s. Learn all about the piazza’s history on this 3-hour Rome piazzas walking tour.

Nestled in the city's historic center, Piazza della Rotonda is best known for the iconic Pantheon—so much so that it’s often referred to as the Piazza del Pantheon. The Pantheon is one of Rome’s iconic attractions, built way back in 126 A.D. It used to be a temple before it was turned into a church. Venture inside to see the largest unreinforced dome in the world, boasting a skylight in the middle.

The piazza is also home to various cafés and the majestic Fontana del Pantheon, which has an obelisk set in the middle. The square is equally beautiful during the day and night; stroll through the city with this Rome by night walking tour, which will take you to places that aren’t accessible by car.

Nestled on Quirinal Hill, which is one of Rome's Seven Hills, Piazza Barberini was built by the Barberini family in the spot where the ancient Circus of Flora used to be. Flower games used to be held here to welcome the arrival of spring. The piazza is best known for the ornate Fontana del Tritone, which was constructed by Bernini. At the center of the fountain is part-man, part-fish Triton, held up by four dolphins at the base.

The piazza has a macabre history: up until the 18th century, it used to be where unknown bodies were displayed to be identified.

The Spanish Steps are in most—if not all—Rome itineraries. Home to this famous attraction, the Piazza di Spagna is another of Rome’s most reputed squares. Aptly known as the Square of Spain, the piazza derived its name from Palazzo di Spagna, the Spanish embassy for the Vatican City, which has been in the same place since the 17th century.

The piazza features the Fontana della Barcaccia and is home to a range of designer stores and boutiques. It’s the place to see and be seen in Rome, especially at sunset.

Despite not having a ‘piazza’ in its name, Campo de’ Fiori is one of Rome’s busiest squares. Translating to ‘Field of Flowers’, the square used to be exactly that back in the middle ages, before being used for public executions. Today, the square plays host to Rome’s oldest market dating back to 1869—it’s open every day of the week except Sunday.

Visit early in the morning to stroll along stalls peddling flowers, fruits, and vegetables in all colors. You can even opt for a food and wine tour to taste the best of what the market has to offer. When night falls, the square is transformed into a buzzing hub attracting locals and tourists alike to its many restaurants and pubs.

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