Beyond the landmarks, streets, and food, you might want to know where to find the best viewpoint in Rome. The good news is that there are plenty of Rome viewpoints that will charm you. All over the city, there are hills and rooftops from where you can gain an amazing Rome panorama. Let’s see discover the best panoramic view Rome has, how to get there and when to visit!
10 Best Rome viewpoints – Rome panorama
As you may already know, Rome has 7 hills. To get the best Rome panorama, you can visit some of these hills, but there are also some famous buildings around the city that you can visit for the best Rome panorama. When it comes to Rome viewpoints, we must say, that each of them offers something different, and to say which is the best viewpoint in Rome would be really difficult. However, with our list of the 10 best Rome viewpoints, we are trying to cover the greatest ones! Also, if you’re in the city, make sure you roll into a pizza-making cooking class for the best food experience in Rome!
1. Aventino Hill
If you ask me what is my favorite viewpoint in Rome, I will always choose the Aventine Hill. This is one of the 7 hills of Rome, and it’s located on the bank of the Tiber river. If you’re interested in one of the most charming Rome panorama, then Aventino Hill is a must-visit! The Aventine Hill is located near the river, and really close to the Colosseum and the Circo Massimo.
You can easily reach the top of the hill from the riverside, from the Circo Massimo, but also from Viale Aventino or Via Marmorata. If you’re looking for hidden gems in Rome, you should anyway visit this hill to find one of them. But for the panoramic view Rome offers from the Aventine hill is already worth the walk.
There are two orange gardens, that are actually some of the most beautiful gardens in Rome. You can find both on the ton top of the hill from where you can see the historic center of Rome, along with the dome of the St Peter Basilica, which makes the whole experience absolutely gorgeous. I definitely suggest taking an hour off your Rome itinerary, and stop by in Giardino San Sisto, to hang out under orange trees and enjoy the beautiful view. Sunsets are absolutely stunning from the Aventine hill!
2. Capitolium Hill
If you want one of the best Rome viewpoints, well that’s definitely Capitolium Hill. This is another of the 7 hills of Rome. The Capitolium hill is already famous for the Capitolium building, the Piazza del Campidoglio designed by Michelangelo, and for its history. However, there’s another thing why Capitolium Hill is a must-see, and that’s the Rome panorama!
The viewpoint from the museum of the Capitolium is absolutely gorgeous, and that’s what you can see in the picture too. But if you’re looking for a free way to see the stunning view over the Roman Forum, then pass near the Capitolium building in the direction of Via dei Fori Imperiali. Behind the Capitolium, on the side, there’s a terrace to see the whole Roman Forum, and you can walk down the stairs to the other terrace levels to see it from different distances and angles. It is just fabulous! In the afternoon, and at sunset is the best to stop by!
3. Villa Borghese
Villa Borghese and the Terrazza del Pincio are two of the best viewpoints in Rome. My favorite viewpoint in Rome after the Aventine Hill is the Villa Borghese, where you can find terraces from where you can see the rooftops and domes all over the Eternal City. Villa Borghese is one of the most beautiful parks in Rome, and at the side that’ close to Piazza del Popolo and Piazza di Spagna, you can see the city.
If on this site you go straight on the Viale Adamo Mickievicz you will arrive at Terrazza del Pincio. From Terrazza del Pincio you can see down directly over the Piazza del Popolo, which is absolutely amazing to see in the golden hours. One of the best panorama Rome has. Watching the sunset from one of these viewpoints, then heading for a great dinner in the area of the Spanish steps is just the perfect way to spend an evening in Rome
4. Palatin Hill
We already discussed the Roman Forum at the Capitolium hill, but there’s another of the best Rome viewpoints that offer great Rome panorama, and a look over the Roman Forum. This is the Palantine hill, another of the 7 hills of Rome, and also one of the most important places from the time of the Roman Empire.
To get to Palantine Hill, you need to book a ticket for the Roman Forum, since the hill is part of it. The tickets for the Roman Forum come with the entrance to the Colosseum, so if you’re visiting Rome, you can plan an ancient Rome-themed day, where you visit this area, including the Forum, the Colosseum, the Fori Imperiali, and the Palantine Hill. The view from the Palantine hill is better in the morning, but sunsets aren’t bad either.
5. Gianicolo Hill
The Gianicolo hill is in the Trastevere district. In English it’s called Janiculum, so excuse me, but I’m going to call on its Italian name. If you want to find a really beautiful viewpoint in Rome, that’s not crowded, and not as famous as the other ones, the Gianicolo Hill is a really great option! You can easily get to Gianicolo walking from the Trastevere district. It’s fairly close to Piazza di Santa Maria in Trastevere for example.
What panorama Rome has to offer? One with ancient buildings and many domes of the many churches. The view from Gianicolo Hill offers all this! Moreover, if it’s not cloudy, you can see in the distance the snowy mountains of the Apennines as well. While you hike up on Gianicolo hill, remember to stop by at Fontana di Acqua Paolo, which is one of the oldest fountains in Rome, and it’s also bigger than the Trevi Fountain itself.
6. The dome of St Peter Basilica
This is definitely one of the most stunning Rome viewpoints! The view from the dome of St Peter Basilica is an absolute miracle! One of the best Rome panorama that you can wish for is just on top of the basilica. If you’re visiting the Vatican City, a visit to the top of the dome is a must-do! You can do it using the stairs, or you can take the elevator. Though, for the elevator, you must pay €8.00.
In the last part of the climbing you will have to do it on foot, as you’ll have to climb a really narrow staircase around the inside of the dome. All the climbing in the world is worth that view over one of the greatest masterpieces of the Renaissance, the St Peter Basilica itself, but also the Piazza San Pietro (St Peter Square), the Tiber river, and the historic center of Rome. I guarantee this one you will not forget!
7. Altare della Patria
We are back to ancient Rome, and a panorama Rome has to offer, that you don’t want to miss. One of the most beautiful viewpoints in Rome is the top of the Vittorio Emmanuele II Monument, the Altare della Patria on Piazza Venezia. Altare della Patria is just near Capitolium Hill, in a central location.
To get up on the Vittoriano terrace, you must pay €10.00 but the panoramic view Rome offers is just worth it! You can see the whole city at 360 degrees from the 19th-century monument. One of the highlights you’re going to see is Rome’s ancient road, the Fori Imperiali, and the Colosseum behind it.
8. Castel San’Angelo
We’ve seen the view from the top of Castel Sant’Angelo in the movie Eat, Pray, Love, that’s one of the best inspirational movies for Italy. Castel Sant’ Angelo is one of the most important monuments in Rome, and for a long time, it was the tallest building in the Eternal City.
The castle is close to the Vatican City, and it was actually used by the Vatican for many centuries. It was once a papal residence, but it was also used as stables, and as a prison. Now Castel Sant’Angelo functions as a museum, and you can reach to its top to have an incredible view over Rome’s historic center, the Sant’Angelo bridge, as well as the St Peter Basilica.
9. Piazza Navona rooftop bar
Piazza Navona is stunning and incredible already by standing on it, and it’s one of the most beautiful squares in Rome. You may know, that some of the most amazing fountains in Rome are located on Piazza Navona, and the square is full of restaurants to choose from.
Now, if you’re looking for a great viewpoint in Rome, you just have to pick one of the rooftop bars on Piazza Navona. From the terrace of these bars, you can see the whole square, and instead of crowds, you’ll see yourself surrounded by domes of old Catholic churches. The panorama Rome has to offer from these rooftops is absolutely beautiful. It’s best to stop by in the evening, to have an Aperitivo here or dinner. With the sunset, it will be just breathtaking!
10. Trinità Dei Monti Terrace
The last one of our Rome viewpoints list is the top of the Spanish steps, the Trinita dei Monti terrace. Spanish Steps are located on Piazza di Spagna, and you just hve to walk up to the top, to the church of Trinita dei Monti, then turn around. The fantastic panoramic view Rome offers from this spot is just fabulous.
You will see the Spanish Steps, the La Barcaccia fountain, as well as the famous luxury fashion street, Via dei Condotti. It is one of the best places for a great view, and it’s really close to some other viewpoints in Rome that we’ve mentioned before, such as Villa Borghese, and the Terrazza del Pincio.
Wrapping up the 10 best viewpoints in Rome
Covering all the best viewpoints in Rome is hard, but you’ve seen now some of the best panoramic view Rome can offer, and you’ve also found out which is the best viewpoint in Rome. The Eternal City is full of surprises, culture, and beauty. You just have to know where to find it, and you will find way more beauty in Rome than you’ve ever imagined. Discover one of the most stunning cities that’s literally full of art, culture, and history.
Thank you for your feedback! 🙂
What a lovely post! I love finding the best spots to admire cities and this definitely covers it!
Thanks so much for this! Hope the article expanded your bucket list a little bit! 🙂 🙂
Thank you Josy! OH MY!!!!! I have never experienced anything bad in Italy, especially not robbery… I’m very sorry that your trip was blown up by this. I hope you still want to return to Rome, and yet check out some great views! 🙂 Just be careful this time with pickpocketers!
Haven’t been in Rome since I was a kid, but this post is super helpful for my upcoming trip to Rome in the next year or so. Great ideas!
These are some cool viewpoints. I didn’t know about some of them.
What amazing views. I loved my time in Rome, and would love to go back. This just makes me want to make it happen quicker
Oh my word, in every way, yesss! I love panoramic views, I love photo tips and this is exactly that, thank you!
Ooooh awesome! have been to Rome, but only for a couple of days (my passport was stolen, so I spent more time getting a new passport than sightseeing – doh!) Somehow I never realized that there are 7 hills! I always love being up high and seeing gorgeous views, so this is totally my cup of tea!!
p.s. great tip about seeing the Roman Forum from behind Capitolium hill. I would totally have missed that!
Villa Borghese was such a nice hidden gem to find in Rome! I went there when I was in Rome. I loved seeing such a nice park in the city. These all look like great spots for views over Rome!