The 19 Best Photo Spots In Rome, Italy
Last Updated: January 23 2024
If you’re a keen photographer, there’s a good chance Rome is high on your bucket list. Rome is easily one of the best places in Europe for taking photographs, so you won’t want to forget your camera.
We spent three days exploring the city and the breathtaking architecture, ancient squares, and delicious food blew us away! The Italian capital has a rich history that led to the construction of countless impressive sights and landmarks (most of which we see on Instagram daily).
Well, today, we’re going to show you the best photo spots in Rome so you can catch those dreamy Instagram shots too. From the iconic Colosseum to the lesser-known Aventine Hill, we’ll cover them all.
Let’s start with the Colosseum!
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The Best Photo Spots In Rome, Italy
1. The Colosseum
Despite being built almost 2,000 years ago, this Roman amphitheatre is still the largest of its kind in the world. Built of travertine limestone, brick-faced concrete, and volcanic rock, this Roman masterpiece was once a 50,000 to 60,000-seater arena used to host gladiatorial shows and events.
Today, it’s Italy’s most famous tourist attraction, drawing in more than 6 million visitors a year.
When it comes to taking photographs, there are several spots you need to visit. For starters, we recommend taking some shots from outside. You can take some excellent landscapes of the Colosseum from the front lawn, Via Vittorino da Feltre, the Arch of Constantine, Oppian Hill, or via Nicola Salvi.
After that, buy your Colosseum tickets and head inside to take photos of the interior. Take photos from the upper balconies and ground-level railings to capture the sheer size of this magnificent landmark.
2. The Roman Forum
After visiting the Colosseum, it makes sense to head over to the Roman Forum, which is just a 1-minute walk away. In fact, you might be able to get a couple of good shots of the forum from the upper levels of the Colosseum.
The Roman Forum is a rectangular forum surrounded by the ancient ruins of several important government buildings.
Our favourite place to take photos of the forum is from the terrace at the back of Piazza del Campidoglio. This viewpoint offers breathtaking vistas that allow you to capture the Roman Forum and the Colosseum in one shot.
The Terrace of Horti Farnesiani on the Palatine is another popular photo spot, so be sure to check it out. This spot offers impressive views of the forum from above! Finally, walk around the forum so you can take some photographs from inside and at ground level.
3. The Trevi Fountain
The Trevi Fountain is easily one of the most popular Instagrammable spots in Rome, so you’ll want to visit early in the day to avoid the crowds. Found in the Trevi district, the Trevi Fountain is an 18th-century water feature that was designed by Nicola Salvi and completed by Giuseppe Pannini.
Standing at 26 metres (85 feet) tall and 49 metres (161 feet) wide, this glistening travertine stone fountain is the largest Baroque fountain in Rome and is arguably the most famous fountain in the world. It features a large pool of water and stunning sculptures that make for an awesome photograph.
We recommend taking photos around the base of the fountain before having something to eat or drink in a restaurant or cafe that surrounds it. Hotel Fontana has a top-floor lounge that overlooks the fountain, so you could grab an Aperol Spritz and enjoy uninterrupted views.
4. Palatine Hill
If you’re keen to find panoramic views of the city, you need to walk to the top of Palatine Hill, which you can easily reach by getting off the metro at the Colosseo station. From the top of Palatine Hill, you’ll be treated to some of, if not the best views in Rome.
As far as the eyes can see, you’ll be treated to stunning architecture, ancient ruins, and iconic Roman attractions, including the Roman Forum, the Altar of the Fatherland, and the Colosseum. To top things off, the hill itself has a lot to offer, as it’s widely regarded as the beginning of the Eternal City.
Start by taking in views from the top of the hill overlooking the city, before then focusing on the architecture found on the hill. We enjoyed taking photos of the Temple of Apollo Palatinus, the Temple of Cybele, and the Domus (Roman Imperial Houses).
5. The Pantheon
Next up, we have the Pantheon, one of our favourite buildings in the city. First opened in 125 AD, the Pantheon is an ancient Roman Temple that can be found on Piazza della Rotonda.
With an appearance similar to that of a Greek acropolis, this isn’t a place you want to miss, so grab your camera and get ready to take some stunning photos. The most obvious place to take photos of the Pantheon is from outside.
You can take photos directly outside, but a more creative photograph would include the Piazza del Pantheon fountain too. We recommend stationing yourself behind the fountain to capture both landmarks at once!
After that, head inside the Pantheon and take some photos of the interior. Take some snaps of the artwork and don’t forget to capture an epic photograph of the oculus, which looks particularly fascinating when it rains or as the light shines through.
6. The Spanish Steps
The Spanish Steps is one of the best photo spots in Rome because there are multiple things to take photographs of and a handful of impressive viewpoints. For those that don’t know, the Spanish Steps is a steep staircase that sits between Piazza di Spagna and Piazza Trinità dei Monti.
When photographing these steps, you can take photos from the top and bottom. If you start from below, position yourself at via dei Condotti because you can catch an image that’s framed by buildings and includes the La Barcaccia fountain and Trinità dei Monti church at the top.
You can then head up the steps to take more photographs from a different perspective. The steps are usually covered in vibrant pink flowers, so you might want to get a few snaps on the way up!
From the top, take a close-up of the church and some portrait shots overlooking the city.
7. St Peter’s Basilica
If you want to take the best photos of Rome, you need to visit the Vatican City too, in particular, St Peter’s Basilica.
St Peter’s Basilica is a church in the Italian Renaissance style. It was built in the 16th Century and is 137 metres (449 feet) tall. The main photo spot for this building is right out front. From the front, you’ll be able to capture a shot that includes the iconic blue roof and columns.
You can also take a photo of the church from outside Vatican City. This will allow you to frame your photograph with the street that leads up to it.
Unlike other parts of Vatican City, you can take photographs inside St Peter’s Basilica – just make sure you have your flash off! Inside, we’d recommend taking photographs of all the artwork, vibrant ceilings, and the main altar.
8. The Arch of Constantine
The Arch of Constantine is a triumphal arch that was commissioned by the Roman Senate in 315 AD. At 21 metres (69 feet) high and 26 metres (85 feet) wide, it’s the largest Roman triumphal arch in the world.
You can find the arch between the Colosseum and Palatine Hill, so you can visit all three places in one day. The most obvious place to take photos of the arch is from the base of it. However, that isn’t our favourite.
In our opinion, the best photographs of the Arch of Constantine are the ones taken from inside the Colosseum. On one of the upper levels of the Colosseum, you’ll find an open window that overlooks the arch.
This perspective allows you to frame your photograph with the Colosseum, in turn, creating a more unique image. Alternatively, you can catch an aerial shot of the arch from Palatine Hill too!
9. Villa Borghese
One of the most picturesque Instagrammable places in Rome is Villa Borghese. Villa Borghese is a collection of beautifully landscaped gardens that you will find on Pincian Hill. The gardens aren’t too far away from the Spanish Steps. Therefore, you can get off at Spagna or Flaminio metro station.
Villa Borghese covers more than 80 hectares (197 acres) of lush green space, so there are plenty of places to take photographs. In our honest opinion, the best way to photograph the park is to simply explore it.
If you walk around the park, you’ll find interesting sculptures, beautiful ponds, large lawns, and a gorgeous art gallery. If you love wildlife photography, you might like to hear that Villa Borghese is home to Bioparco di Roma.
This Zoo is home to more than 1,100 animals, including penguins, zebra, lions, and hippopotamus. Tickets cost around €20 (£17) per person.
10. Altar of the Fatherland
Built between 1885 and 1935, the Altar of the Fatherland is a large national monument that was constructed in honour of King Victor Emmanuel II. You can reach the monument by jumping on the metro to Barberini.
From there, it’s just a 15-minute walk to the building. Admittedly, there aren’t too many photo spots, but the ones on offer are brilliant. First, stand across the road next to a small lawn to get photographs of the entire building.
After that, head inside to explore. Inside you can visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier before making your way to the rooftop.
The rooftop doesn’t offer the best views of the monument, but the views of the city are phenomenal. You can frame your photographs with the famous rooftop sculptures and shoot city skyline photos that include the Colosseum.
11. The Trastevere Neighbourhood
Trastevere is a photogenic neighbourhood that features vibrant buildings, lush plants, and stunning cobbled stone streets. Found on the other side of the Tiber River, south of the Vatican, this charming neighbourhood has several delightful photo spots.
Piazzi di Santa Maria is the heart of the neighbourhood and where we recommend taking photos first. Here, you’ll find a beautiful square that features a fountain and a church.
The buildings surrounding the square are spectacular too! If you have time, you can head inside the church and take some shots of the fascinating mosaic ceiling.
After that, you could wander around the neighbourhood and get lost down the vibrant alleyways and side streets. Make sure you take some snaps of the colourful houses with flowers and ivy running up the side.
Another key point to look out for is Villa Farnesina. This is a 16th-century mansion surrounded by vibrant gardens.
12. Piazza Navona
The next location on our list of the best photo spots in Rome is Piazza Navona. This is a fantastic place to take photographs and an even better place to relax.
Piazza Navona is a lively plaza best known for its impressive architecture, including some of Italy’s famous fountains. Here, you need to take photographs of the Fountain of the Four Rivers and the Fountain of Neptune.
If you take a photograph from behind the fountain, you should be able to capture a shot that has the Sant’Agnese in Agone Church in it as well. If you position yourself further down the plaza, you can take a photo with the fountains, church, and Obelisco Agonalis too.
In our opinion, Piazza Navona is also one of the best photo spots in Rome for taking photos of people. Lots of people gather in the square so you can take some awesome spontaneous photos.
13. The Vatican Museums
Admittedly, there aren’t too many photo spots in the Vatican Museums, but they’re still well worth visiting with your camera. For starters, the building in which the museums are located is wonderful.
The bright yellow building is a fine example of Italian architecture, while the walls inside are simply out-of-this-world. There are intricate murals and mosaics everywhere you turn, so keep your camera on and take as many snaps as you can.
As for the exhibits, the Vatican Museums display an immense collection of artefacts, artwork, and relics collected by the Catholic Church over thousands of years. There are several world-famous sculptures to take photographs of and masterpieces of Renaissance art.
It’s worth noting, however, that some parts of the Vatican Museums don’t allow photography. This includes the Sistine Chapel, which is a shame because it’s incredible.
To enter the Vatican Museums, make sure you buy tickets in advance to avoid the queues!
14. Capitol Square
Next up is Capitol Square, also known as Campidoglio Square and Piazza del Campidoglio. You will find this square at the top of Capitoline Hill – an ancient square between the Roman Forum and Campus Martius.
You can easily reach the square by jumping on a tram or bus at Piazza Venezia. Alternatively, you can take the metro to Colosseo Station and walk for approximately 10 minutes.
When you get to the top, you should first take photos of the entire square. This is easily done from the front of the square, with Palazzo Senatorio in front of you. You can also take some great shots of the square from above if you have a drone.
After that, turn around and admire the views of the city from the top of the staircase. You can see most of the city from Capitol Square so take some epic landscape shots.
15. Castel Sant’ Angelo
After taking photographs of the points of interest in Vatican City, you can take a short walk to Castel Sant’ Angelo. Sitting alongside the River Tiber, Castel Sant’ Angelo is an interesting cylindrical building that features a bridge that crosses the river.
It was once the tomb of the Roman emperor Hadrian and is now a museum. What we love so much about this photo spot is how there are so many different perspectives to take photographs from.
You can take photos from in front of the building, from across the water, on the bridge, or from up the river. Our favourite place to take photos of Castel Sant’ Angelo is from further up the river.
Further up the river, you will find another bridge. You can use this bridge to frame your photograph. Of course, we also recommend taking photos from the bridge leading to the building!
16. The Tiber River
We’ve mentioned the Tiber River a lot in this article so far, so it only makes sense to include it as one of the best photo spots in Rome, Italy. The River Tiber is the third-longest river in the country. It’s also the longest in Central Italy, and it conveniently runs right through Rome.
You can walk along the River Tiber for miles through the city, so the opportunities when it comes to taking photos are almost endless. We recommend taking photos of the river from near the most famous Rome landmarks.
From the river edge or one of the 900 bridges in Rome, you can take photos that feature St. Peter’s Basilica, and Tiber Island. The Castel Sant’ Angelo photo spot we mentioned earlier is probably our top pick here too!
Having said that, you can take some amazing shots at Tiber Island, particularly if you have a drone.
17. Janiculum Hill
Janiculum Hill is such a good photo spot that it has become a popular place for surprise marriage proposals. So why is this spot one of the best photo spots in Rome?
Well, from Janiculum Hill, you can see the entire Rome skyline. In fact, you can see most of the photo spots from our list, including the Altar of the Fatherland, Castel Sant’ Angelo, and the Colosseum.
Janiculum Hill is the highest hill in Rome and you can get there by walking from Trastevere. For us, the best time to visit is at sunset, when the skyline comes to life with fiery colours.
Not only does this create a more unique photograph, but it also allows you to shoot a silhouette photo that features Rome’s most iconic buildings. In terms of photo spots, simply stand next to the wall at the top. You can’t miss it!
18. Terrazza Les Étoiles Roma
The penultimate destination on our list of the best places to take photos in Rome is Terrazza Les Étoiles Roma. This will quickly become one of your favourite Rome photo spots because it’s actually a restaurant and rooftop bar that serves delicious food and drink.
Terrazza Les Étoiles Roma, known better as the Terrace of Rome, offers one-of-a-kind views of St. Peter’s Basilica and a 360-degree view of the city. From the rooftop bar, you can also see the astronomical observatory of Monte Mario, the Vatican, and Villa Borghese Park.
The best way to take photos here is to book a table, order an Aperol Spritz, and simply make the most of all the views. You can take photos from all over the rooftop terrace or even frame your photos with a window frame inside the restaurant.
If you want to take unique photos of St Peter’s, this spot is perfect!
19. Aventine Hill
The final place on this list of the best photo spots in Rome is Aventine Hill, which you can reach by getting off the metro at Circo Massimo. From Circo Massimo, it’s just a 15-minute walk to the hill.
Aventine Hill is one of the Seven Hills that ancient Rome was built on. Like the other hills on our list, Aventine offers photo enthusiasts sweeping views of the city.
By far the best photo spot at Aventine Hill is the Aventine Keyhole spot. This is a fascinating spot that will see you take a photo through a keyhole!
On the other side of the keyhole, you’re camera will catch a glimpse of St Peter’s Basilica framed by a perfectly cut row of trees. As such, you simply have to take a photo here!
Apart from that, your best bet is exploring the hill, and taking photos of all the views you come across.
Final Thoughts on Instagrammable Places In Rome
There you have it, 19 of the best photo spots in Rome. As you can see from our list, there are plenty of amazing places to visit in the Italian capital with your camera.
Admittedly, our list could have gone on and on with other Instagrammable places in Rome, but we strongly believe these are the best. Therefore, make sure you include as many of them as possible when putting together your itinerary.
If you have any questions about taking photos in Rome, be sure to get in touch with us via Facebook, Instagram, or in the comments!
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I’m one half of Acouplescalling. I'm passionate about all things travel and photography and I love sharing my experiences with others. I've seen a lot of the world already and I want to help as many people as I can do the same thing!
