A handy guide to the best photo spots in Rome with map and locations of the most instagrammable places in Rome.
Rome is so beautiful, it will easily fill your camera with stunning photos no matter what you do.
Panoramic terraces, domes, statues, churches and streets offer uncountable photo opportunities; however, there is no doubt that some corners of Rome are more photogenic than others.
While I highly recommend you explore and find your own favorite photo spots, having a list as a starting point can be handy.
I have been living in Rome most of my life and I have brought a camera out with me around the city well before phone cameras became a thing so this selection of photo spots comes after a long study!
Today, I am sharing my favorite photo locations in Rome and give you their address and a map so you can find them easily.
As you will see, I have selected photos that have no / very little post-processing, so you can see what the city really looks like.
Most of these photos are taken with a simple smartphone: exceptions are the view from St Peter’s dome and the picture with me and the kids in front of the Colosseum.
This last one is by a professional, available for family photoshoots in Rome. You can read all about how to book him here.
Have fun!
Good to know! Many attractions in Rome do not allow tripods. Even in public areas such as piazzas, you want to be careful with bulky equipment: crowds can be intense and anything that gets in the way may get damaged or cause negative reactions. Always be aware of access rules and practicality.
The best photos spots in Rome: chart
| Photo spot | Subject | Tripod allowed |
| Oppian Hill | Outside of the Colosseum | Yes |
| Colosseum top tier | Inside of the Colosseum | No |
| Horti Farnesiani | Roman Forum from above | No |
| Piazza del Campidiglio | Statue of Marcus Aurelius/ Michelangelo’s Piazza | Yes |
| Piazza di Spagna | Spanish steps | Yes |
| Piazza di Trevi | Trevi Fountain | Yes |
| Piazza Navona | Piazza Navona / Fontana dei Quatro fiumi | Yes |
| Via Panisperna | Cobbled street | Yes |
| Piazza della Madonna ai Monti | Small piazza | Yes |
| English cemetery | Rome pyramid / sculptures | No |
| Arco degli acetari | Scenic yard | No |
| Ponte Sant’Angelo | Bridge / Castle /Statues | Yes |
| Saint Peter’s Dome | View over Vatican square | No |
| Piazza Mincio | Fairy tale architecture | Yes |
| Laghetto Villa Borghese | Pond and decorative temple | Yes |
| Pincio terrace | View over Rome | Yes |
| Gianicolo Terrace | View over Rome | Yes |
| Trastevere | Cobbled streets | Yes |
| Aventine Hill | View of Saint Peter’s dome | Yes |
| Circus Maximus | Ancient Roman ruins | Yes |
The best photos spots in Rome Map
I recommend you read this guide in conjunction with our article about the best views over Rome, with all the best locations for capturing Rome from above!
My favorite photo locations in Rome
Oppian Hill/ Colle Oppio: the best spot to photograph the Colosseum from the outside
My favorite spot for stunning photos of the Colosseum outside is the Oppian Hill.
The Oppian Hill is a small hill just in front of the Colosseum, part of the Esquilino, one of the seven hills of Rome.
In ancient times, it used to host the baths of Emperor Trajan and Nero’s Domus Aurea, which you can still see, and it is now occupied mostly by a pleasant park.
There are several photos spots here, which will allow you to capture the Colosseum at best.
Some I love are: the spot immediately outside the Oppian cafe, the lower park entrance and the exit door of the Domus Aurea. In summer, bursting pink bougainvillea frame the Colosseum, a photographer’s dream!
Best photo spot for the inside of the Colosseum
My favorite photo location to capture the inside of the Colosseum is its top tier, aka the belvedere ring.
From here, you can easily take a photo that captures the shape and size of the Colosseum and you can catch a breathtaking image of the arena too.
I also love the underground area of the Colosseum: the photos you catch here are possibly less scenic however, they allow you to capture an unusual angle and make your photo stand out.
This top tier is not always open to the public.
The lower one, with similar views, is. You can learn how to visit the underground area and top tier of the Colosseum here.
The best photo spots for the Roman Forum
The Roman Forum is a vast archaeological area and they have several stunning photo locations.
My favorite way to capture the Forum is from above.
I find the following locations incredibly photogenic:
The Terrace of Horti Farnesiani on the Palatine, which is just the first of many beautiful photo locations in this area.
Click here >>> for my Palatine Hill photos and guide
The terrace at the back of Piazza del Campidoglio, which has brethtaking views over the Roman Forum with the Colosseum in the background.
Good to know! The Capitoline Hill is a gem in itself as the piazza on top has been designed by Michelangelo. You can read all about what to see and how to get there here >>> my guide to Capitoline Hill, Rome.
Inside the Roman Forum, you will also find many opportunities to take photos of temples and architectural details.
You can find here >>> my guide to the must see spots inside the Roman Forum.
Best photo spot for the Pantheon
I have taken this photo a million times, just because I like it so much!
For me, the best place to take a photo of the Pantheon is Piazza del Pantheon, precisely stationing yourself behind the fountain.
This way, you photograph one of the most beautiful fountains in Rome and get a fantastic frame for the facade of the Pantheon too!
If you go inside the Pantheon, then make sure you also take a photo of the oculos: while it doesn’t look like much in photos, once you look at that image back home, it is guaranteed to bring back memories of the day!
Find here >>> my complete guide to visiting the Pantheon
Piazza Navona and Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi
Piazza Navona is probably the most photographed piazza in Rome and with good reason.
There are plenty of ways to capture it, from ground level or from above.
My favorite photo of Piazza Navona usually involves a frame that includes the Fountain of the Four Rivers by Bernini and Sant’agnese in agony but you can also opt for aerial views.
The best photo spots for Piazza Navona from above are the third floor or Palazzo Braschi and the Borromini Terrace, one of the best rooftop bars in Rome
Find here >>> my full guide to Piazza Navona and its attractions
Altare della Patria/ Vittoriano
Vittoriano is the large, white building with statues on top that you see in Piazza Venezia, in Rome City center.
Its appearance is controversial, locals being equally divided between those who love it and those who find it an eyesore however, it is so peculiar and unique, it is a fantastic subject for photos!
I love to photograph Rome from the top of the Vittoriano but I also love to take photos of the building itself, especially at night.
Find here >>> my complete guide to Il Vittoriano, Rome.
The Monti Neighborhood
The Monti district is in central Rome and one of the best places to take photos of cobbled streets and romantic corners of Rome with overflowing climbers and plants.
Among the many bautiful streets, I love Piazza della madonna ai Monti, Via della Madonna ai monti, Via Panisperna and piazza degli zingari.
However, the choice is so vast, if you want to go on a photo itinerary, you can eaily spend a morning here!
You can do so following my guide to the Monti district of Rome
Rome’s pyramid and the protestant cemetery
Rome’s pyramid is one of the most peculiar buildings in Rome and a fantastic photo subject.
It is located in the Ostiense neighborhood and it is just beside another Rome hidden gem: the non-Catholic cemetery of Rome.
The two are best seen together.
My favorite place to take a photo of it is the so-called protestant cemetery: in spring/summer, it has wonderful flowers that make photos extra special.
Villa Borghese’s Pond
Villa Borghese (Borghese Gardens) offer plenty of photo opportunities and one of my favorite location is the Villa’s small pond.
Decorated with a small temple to Asclepius, the Roman God of healing and medicine, and popular with people renting rowing boats, it is one of the most romantic spots in Rome and it is a great photo spot to capture the greener side of Rome.
Find here >>> My full guide to Villa Borghese with all the info on how to find the pond
The Pincio Terrace
The Pincio Terrace is also in Villa Borghese and it is a wonderful photo spot to capture a view over Rome. From here, your photo can include Piazza del Popolo and, in the distance, St Peter’s dome.
In 2021, beautiful sculptures by Carole A. Feuerman decorate the terrace, adding extra possible angles and subjects to your photos.
Piazza di Spagna
When photographing the Spanish Steps, you can decide to capture them from the top or from below.
My favorite way is from below, either from via dei Condotti, from where you can catch a photo of the steps framed by buildings, or from beside La Barcaccia fountain, one of Bernini’s masterpieces you can find in Rome.
Whether you decide to take a photo of the Spanish Steps from above or below, you will quickly see why this is one of the most beautiful piazzas in Rome.
Fontana di Trevi
The main issue when photographing the Trevi Fountain is crowds.
The fountain overlooks a small square that gets swamped by people so the only chance to take a photo without having to retouch them out is to get there early in the morning or later in the evening.
You can find here >>> my guide to the Trevi Fountain.
Ponte Sant’Angelo
Ponte Sant’Angelo is one of the most beautiful bridges in Rome. It connects the two sides of the Tiber in front of Castel Sant’Angelo and offers several photo opportunities.
From the bridge, you can photograph Castel Sant’Angelo itself, catch a beautiful view of St Peter’s or you can photograph the details of the statues of the angels that frame the bridge: some of them are by Bernini and are among the most beautiful sculptures in Rome!!
The top of Saint Peter’s Dome
There is no more iconic view of Rome than the one you can catch from the top of St Peter’s dome.
Getting this photo however is not for the faint of heart!
To climb the dome you need to tackle a long and narrow staircase: it is worth every step however, it gets very hard for people with a fear of heights or who suffer from claustrophobia so evaluate carefully if this is a place for you.
The Aventine
One of the most unique photos you can take in Rome is from the top of the Aventine Hill, where you find two wonderful locations: the Garden of Oranges and the Aventine keyhole.
The two locations are one beside the other and they have in common the fact that they look towards St Peter’s dome, which you can easily photograph from here.
The Garden of Oranges is a panoramic terrace.
The keyhole is just that: a keyhole in a historical gate, which frames a wonderful view of Saint Peter’s Dome!
The view through the keyhole is fun and beautiful however, capturing a photo of what you see is not easy.
Depending on light conditions and the camera you have, you may need to experiment with focus: once you get the right settings, however, you will get one of the best photos of Rome!
Circus Maximus
In between the Aventine and the Palatine Hill lies Circus Maximus, the ancient Roman chariot stadium.
The stadium is a fantastic vantage point to admire the Palace of Emperors: go at sunset for unforgettable photos!
Trastevere: one of the best photo spots in Rome for cobbled streets
Trastevere is a large neighborhood with many photogenic locations.
Out of the many, I love the roads around Arco di San Callisto, Via dei Genovesi and Piazza di Santa Cecilia, which are charming and less busy than better-known locations in this neighborhood.
Find here a photo ready Trastevere itinerary
Good to know! Above Trastevere, you find the Janiculum Hill. On its top, there is a beautiful fountain, Fontana dell’Acqua Paola (aka Il Fontanone) and a panoramic terrace with expansive views of Rome. Both among the photo spots in Rome!
Piazza Mincio
Piazza Mincio is outside of the historical city center but it is the best place in Rome for whimsical photos that seem out of a fairytale.
This is down to the fantastic and unique architecture of this area: imagined and realized by architect Coppede’, this is one of the few examples of Art Nouveau in Rome.
You can read here >>> my full guide to the Coppede’ District in Rome
Garbatella
A fantastic area for photographers in Rome is the romantic district of Garbatella.
Unlike monumental Rome, Garbatella offers to its visitors small streets, overflowing bougainvilleas and charming yards.
This is one of the best photo spots in Rome for street photography and documentary style photo essays.
You can find here >>> my complete guide to Garbatella district Rome.
Arco degli Acetari
If small, scenic courtyards are your thing (I love them!), then you will also love Arco degli Acetari.
This is a small, romantic private courtyard in Rome city center that will make you feel as if you had stepped out of Rome and entered into a medieval village!
Perfect photo location if you are into Rome hidden gems and unusual places. Please be advised that this is private property: while visitors are welcome, make sure you respect the privacy of those who live here.
I hope you enjoyed this quick overview of my favourite and best photo spots in Rome and it gave you ideas on where to go to photograph the Eternal City. Safe travel planning!
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