Everywhere you look on Instagram, you see a photo taken in Rome, but the exact location isn’t always clear. We hunted through the Gram before our trip and ran all over the city to try and find those places. Along the way, we uncovered all kinds of hidden gems with a lot fewer people than the main tourist attractions. We’ve put together this list of 41 Instagrammable spots in Rome with a map at the end to show you EXACTLY where each spot is!
Colosseum – Spot 1
Without a doubt, you are going to visit the Colosseum when in Rome. This famous landmark was built between 72 A.D. and 80 A.D. and is one of the most Instagrammable Spots in Rome. Yes, you are allowed to go inside and look around after paying, but the best Instagrammable spots are just outside the amphitheatre.
Featured Traveler: @topolindra
Colosseum – Spot 2
This massive amphitheatre could seat between 50,000 to 80,000 spectators in its prime. While once used for gladiator battles, the current fight is about who can take the better photo in front of the Colosseum.
Featured Traveler: @backpackdiariez
Colosseum – Spot 3
Visiting the three main spots for Instagram photos in front of the Colosseum is a surefire way to make all of your followers jealous about where you are. The bonus of going to this particular spot is the fact that you’ll be able to take a photo without the massive crowds in the background.
Featured Traveler: @elvin
Colosseum Inside
There are several spots inside the Colosseum that are ideal for taking photos! Get your wide-angle lens ready because you’ll need it to get everything in the picture. Take a minute and bask in this ancient attraction.
Featured Traveler: @its_a_l_e_x
Trevi Fountain
One of, if not the most famous fountain in the world, needs to be on this list of Instagrammable spots in Rome. If you’re looking to get a picture without any other people, make sure you go early, like 6:00 am early. The good news is that there are lots of places to grab an espresso on the way. Don’t forget to throw a coin in the fountain after taking your photos to ensure you will return to Rome one day.
Featured Traveler: @aboutnaomi
Spanish Steps
These magnificent steps link the Piazza di Spagna and the Piazza Trinita dei Monti. The Spanish Steps are now commonly used as a meeting place or as a great spot to people watch. As of summer 2019, Rome has banned people from sitting or eating on the steps to protect this cultural relic. Similar to the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps get extremely busy with tourists even later at night. It’s best to get here very early in the morning to take your photos. The great thing is that the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain are only 10 minutes from each other. You can take your pictures and then take a nap!
Featured Traveler: @miss_wanderess
Altare Della Patria | Victor Emmanuel II National Monument
This stunning monument, with many names, was built to honour the first king of unified Italy, Victor Emmanuel. It’s nicknamed the wedding cake because of its stacked appearance and pure white marble.
Featured Traveler: @giusgroi
Roman Forum
The Forum was initially built as the central hub for political and social activities in ancient Rome. Now, the Forum consists of several Roman ruins that you can walk around and explore. You’ll stumble upon several photo-taking opportunities at this location.
Featured Traveler: @olgabuettel
Pantheon
The Pantheon is a remarkably well-preserved ancient building that truly highlights Roman architecture. It was once a Roman temple but now acts as a church. If the piazza in front of the Pantheon is not too busy, you might be able to get a great shot sitting at one of the cafés with the Pantheon in the background. Don’t forget to come back here at night because the lighting brings this building to life!
Featured Traveler: @snowglobe.sailor
Piazza Navona
We think this is, without a doubt, the best piazza in all of Rome and one of the most Instagrammable spots in Rome! This piazza is home to several stunning sculptures, fountains, markets, and of course, restaurants. There are ample spots to take photos in Piazza Navona and have a bite to eat.
Featured Traveler: @kuklexa
Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi
Located in Piazza Navona, this fountain was designed by the famous Lorenzo Bernini. The fountain represents the four major rivers at the time (Nile, Danube, Ganges, and Rio de la Plata). With hand-chiselled sculptures and an Egyptian obelisk in the middle, it’s definitely a photo worth capturing.
Featured Traveler: @theevtul
Read More
25 Useful Piazza Navona Facts to Know Before You Go
3 Days in Rome Itinerary – Free Guide with Map
Fontana dell’Acqua Paola
Another one of our favourite Instagrammable spots in Rome is the Fontana dell’Acqua Paola. This fountain was built in 1612, a full 150 years before the Trevi Fountain! If you’re looking for a fountain that is just as beautiful as Trevi but without the crowds, this is the place to visit! Don’t just believe us; visit it for yourself!
Featured Traveler: @bianca_petry
Trastevere Neighborhood
When you think of cute Italian walkways and streets, this is the spot – cobblestone roads, archways, hanging flowers, and vines everywhere! This neighborhood is an Instagrammer’s paradise and one of our favorite Instagrammable Spots in Rome!
Featured Traveler: @lesleystraveldiary
The Vatican – St. Peter’s Square
No trip to Rome is complete without visiting Vatican City. You’ll enter the city through St. Peter’s Square, where you are greeted by two massive colonnades extending out from St. Peter’s Basilica, as though the church is reaching out to welcome and embrace you. Step back, take out your wide-angle lens, and snap as many shots as your heart desires.
Featured Traveler: @alessandrafeii
Gallery of Maps – Vatican Museum
Hidden within the Vatican Museum is the Gallery of Maps. This long hallway showcases some of the most stunning maps of Italy you will ever see. If that’s not enough, all the custom gold frames and decorations will have you pulling out your camera as quickly as you can.
Featured Traveler: @anna.everywhere
St. Peter’s Basilica – Basilica Di San Pietro
While the outside of the Basilica is impressive, considering it is the largest church in the world, the inside will take your breath away! The amount of detail, colors, and pure gold adds to this impressive church. As long as you don’t use your flash, you’re allowed to take as many photos as you would like. Please remember, this is an active church so it’s important to respect others around you.
Featured Traveler: @lana_rhodes
St. Peter’s Copula – Top of the Vatican
If you have the energy, time and are not claustrophobic, the climb to the top of St. Peter’s Basilica is well worth it! Once you reach St. Peter’s Copula, you’ll be rewarded with a stunning 360-degree view of the city of Rome, St. Peter’s Square, and the Vatican Gardens.
Featured Traveler: @mrs.courtneyhermes
Bramante Staircase – Pio-Clementino Museum (Vatican Museum)
Located in the Vatican Museum, there are, in fact, two staircases. The original ones that were built in 1505, and the new double helix staircase inspired by the original. The lighting and symmetry allow for a unique photo that will leave your followers wondering what they are looking at.
Featured Traveler: @yesempatik
Terrazza Borromini – Rooftop of the Hotel Eitch Borromini
Here you’ll find red terracotta rooftop views as far as the eye can see, along with historic buildings in the distance and right beside you. This rooftop overlooks Piazza Navona but offers so much more. Go here to take great photos and make your friends immediately jealous of your vacation.
Featured Traveler: @nikolsvantnerova_official
Via Margutta – Margutta Street
Dubbed one of the most romantic streets in the world, you cannot pass up the opportunity to take a stroll along Margutta Street. In its prime, this street had some of the best craftsmen, workshops, and stables in all of Italy.
Featured Traveler: @alessiainprogress
Castel Sant’ Angelo
Once the tallest building in Rome, this cylindrical building is now used as a museum. It was once a castle and fortress that had a secret passageway to the Vatican.
Featured Traveler: @navarrabianca
Ponte Sant’ Angelo – Bridge of Angels
This is the perfect spot to take a photo of Castel Sant’ Angelo. The bridge is lined with statues of angels that are perfectly lit up at night time. Grab your gelato and take a stroll to this bridge later at night when no one is there.
Featured Traveler: @wilbertandspace
Pyramid of Cestius
That’s right, you don’t have to travel to Egypt to see a pyramid. Coming in at 121 feet tall (37 meters), this pyramid is no slouch. Take a photo here and post it to your Instagram to have your followers scratching their heads. Where the heck is this pyramid in Rome?
Don’t worry if you’re wondering the same thing – we’ve included it on our map below!
Featured Traveler: @anaisdiary
Villa Borghese – Temple of Diana
This is a great way to spend an afternoon taking photos in the beautiful gardens. These gardens cover 80 hectares, so the Instagrammable spots are endless! Statues, lakes, pathways lined with trees and flowers, museums, and fountains, offer you ample places to take a photo.
Featured Traveler: @ell_yan
Campo De’ Fiori Neighborhood
One of the most colourful and exciting areas in all of Rome! This neighbourhood offers outdoor markets during the day and a great spot to enjoy a drink when the sun sets. This is the perfect place to take a classic Italian market shot.
Featured Traveler: @eleonorango
Pincian Hill Lookout
Pincian Hill is known for its impressive views and lookout points. Between this spot, which we’ve included on our map below, and Terrazza del Pincio, you’re sure to get some captivating photos!
Featured Traveler: @thehardwaregirl
Terrazza del Pincio
Head up to Terrazza del Pincio to get a beautiful photo of the Piazza del Popolo below and also a panoramic shot of Rome with St. Peter’s Basilica in the background.
Featured Traveler: @miss_wanderess
Piazza del Popolo
Named the People’s Square, here you’ll find lots of families and kids playing. Sitting right in the middle is an Egyptian obelisk coming in at a towering 73 feet tall (22 meters). This obelisk was initially located in Circus Maximus.
Featured Traveler: @alexandrapereira
Ponte Umberto
This stunning bridge goes across the Tiber River, allowing you to take magnificent shots of the river with the Vatican in the distance.
Featured Traveler: @michele_stasa
Aventine Hill
One of the seven hills on which Rome was built, this location will offer breathtaking panoramas of the city. There are many pathways lined with overhanging trees that frame your photo perfectly.
Featured Traveler: @emmmma_leighh
Villa del Priorato di Malta | il Buco della Serrature “L’Occhiolino”
This is the only one of our Instagrammable spots in Rome where the focus isn’t necessarily on taking a photo of yourself (although, you can if you want to). At this unique location, it’s all about the keyhole. Looking through the keyhole gives you a perfect shot of the dome of St. Peter, framed with perfectly groomed hedges.
Featured Traveler: @ossimorilatenti
Giardino degli Aranci
Also located on the Aventine hill, the Orange Garden has hundreds of orange trees growing there. The garden was designed in 1932, with a key focus on symmetry. Head there at any time of the day for a beautiful symmetrical photo.
Featured Traveler: @diana_levitskaya
Via dei Coronari
This street is about 1,600 feet long (500 meters), and is the perfect spot for you to take a photo with old Italian buildings on either side of you. This cobblestone street is lined not only with classical buildings but also rod iron lamps illuminating the road at night.
Featured Traveler: @andreeasinziana
Ponte Sisto
Ponte Sisto is one of the most beautiful looking bridges at night! We recommend heading down to the water bank and getting a shot of the bridge lit up, with the lights glistening off the water.
Featured Traveler: @alice_dercole
Aroma Restaurant
Situated right beside the Colosseum, this luxury restaurant offers some amazing photo ops. You’ll get a stunning picture regardless of the time of day, but we recommend stopping by around lunchtime for a drink and the view.
Featured Traveler: @iva_rdg
Monti Neighborhood
Located right in the middle of the city, this is the oldest residential neighborhood in all of Rome. With lots of shops, churches, cafés, restaurants, and piazzas, there are so many cute spots to stop and take a photo.
Featured Traveler: @daniellegrasso
Hotel Eden
This luxury hotel offers spectacular views from its Terrazza. Make sure to make a reservation as more and more people are starting to find out about the delicious food and stunning view.
Featured Traveler: @margo_bylinina
Ponte Garibaldi
This bridge offers one of the best spots to take a sunset photo. You’ll be able to capture a long water shot of the Tiber River, the bridge perfectly lit with floodlights and the glowing orange sun in the background.
Featured Traveler: @yaseminbaglama
Arch of Constantine
Unfortunately, a fence now blocks off this Arch, so you can no longer stand between it; however, you can still take some photos with the arch in the background. If you use a bit of creativity, you can take a perfectly framed photo from afar through the trees or the lookout from the Colosseum.
Featured Traveler: @elena_armellini
Vicolo San Simone & Cucina Del Teatro
This location is home to one of the cutest Roman alleys and the perfect spot for your next photoshoot. In the same alley lives the restaurant Cucina Del Teatro, so if the alley is busy, just grab a quick drink and bite to eat while waiting for your photo spot to clear out.
Featured Traveler: @nicolexogeorge
With a Fiat 500
Is any trip to Italy complete without a photo in front of a vintage Fiat 500?! We don’t think so! Find a Fiat and take the shot!
Featured Traveler: @the_destinationdesigner
Map of Instagrammable Spots in Rome
List of Instagrammable Spots in Rome
- Colosseum – Spot 1
- Colosseum – Spot 2
- Colosseum – Spot 3
- Colosseum Inside
- Trevi Fountain
- Spanish Steps
- Altare Della Patria | Victor Emmanuel II National Monument
- Roman Forum
- Pantheon
- Piazza Navona
- Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi
- Fontana dell’Acqua Paola
- Trastevere Neighborhood
- The Vatican – St. Peter’s Square
- Gallery of Maps – Vatican Museum
- St. Peter’s Basilica – Basilica Di San Pietro
- St. Peter’s Copula – Top of the Vatican
- Bramante Staircase – Pio-Clementino Museum (Vatican Museum)
- Terrazza Borromini – Rooftop of the Hotel Eitch Borromini
- Via Margutta – Margutta Street
- Castel Sant’ Angelo
- Ponte Sant’ Angelo – Bridge of Angels
- Pyramid of Cestius
- Villa Borghese – Temple of Diana
- Campo De’ Fiori Neighborhood
- Pincian Hill Lookout
- Terrazza del Pincio
- Piazza del Popolo
- Ponte Umberto
- Aventine Hill
- Villa del Priorato di Malta | il Buco della Serrature “L’Occhiolino”
- Giardino degli Aranci
- Via dei Coronari
- Ponte Sisto
- Aroma Restaurant
- Monti Neighborhood
- Hotel Eden
- Ponte Garibaldi
- Arch of Constantine
- Vicolo San Simone & Cucina Del Teatro
- With a Fiat 500
Did we miss any Instagrammable spots in Rome?
Let us know in the comments, and don’t forget to tag us in your Instagrammable spots in Rome @the_wandering_tourist!