Spanish Steps

★ 4.6 (111,240)Free

Completed in 1725 to connect the Bourbon-funded piazza below with the French-owned church above, the 135-step staircase takes its English name from the Spanish embassy that has stood in the square since the 17th century. Its scenographic, terraced design made it a magnet for Grand Tour painters and later for photographers, and the Keats-Shelley House at its foot marks where the poet died in 1821. Sitting on the steps themselves is now banned, so the crowd tends to gather near the Barcaccia fountain at the base instead. It's a quick, essential stop for anyone tracing central Rome's key sights.

✨ Reasons to go

1Completed in 1725 to link the Bourbon-funded piazza with the French-owned church above, with 135 steps in its terraced design
2The staircase's Italian and French patrons gave it an English name derived from the Spanish embassy that has stood in the square since the 1600s
3The Keats-Shelley House at the base marks where the poet John Keats died in 1821

💡 Good to know

1Sitting on the steps is prohibited and fined, so plan to view rather than linger on them
2go at early morning or evening for a clearer view without the day's crowds
3combine with a walk up Via dei Condotti, Rome's luxury shopping street, at the base.

⏱️ Typical visit

20 min

🕰️ Best time

early morning, early evening or evening

🚶 Walking intensity

Easy pace

📍

Address

Piazza di Spagna, 00187 Roma RM, Italy · RomaGoogle Apple

🎫

Booking

Walk-in

What people say

"The Spanish Steps, located in the heart of Rome between Piazza di Spagna and the Trinità dei Monti church, are very easy to reach. I got there by Metro Line A and got off at the Spagna station, which is only a short walk from the steps. I really enjoyed visiting this place. The Spanish Steps are beautiful, and when you walk up the stairs, you can enjoy a lovely view of the surrounding area. The atmosphere is lively and perfect for taking photos, relaxing, and simply enjoying Rome. At the top of the steps stands the Sallustian Obelisk. At first, I thought it was another Egyptian obelisk because it looks very similar to those in Egypt. However, it is actually an ancient Roman obelisk made in the Egyptian style and decorated with hieroglyphs. It gives the place a special and historic atmosphere. Overall, the Spanish Steps are one of the most charming spots in Rome, and I highly recommend visiting them, especially if you enjoy history, architecture, and beautiful city views."

— _ Omar

Visit website ↗