Rome is one of our favorite cities to photograph. From hilltop terraces and rooftop bars to the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica and viewpoints overlooking the Roman Forum, there are dozens of places where you can get a memorable view of the city.
We have visited Rome twice, and on both trips we spent a lot of time seeking out viewpoints and photo spots. Some are famous attractions you may already be planning to visit, while others are free terraces, bridges, parks, and rooftops that are easy to add to your itinerary.
In this guide, we share the best views of Rome, including panoramic city views, the best places to photograph the Colosseum and Roman Forum, and several of our favorite sunset spots.
Our Experiences in Rome: So far we have been to Rome twice, first with our kids during a July visit, and more recently on a longer stay in September. Across those two trips, we photographed Rome from famous landmarks, church domes, archaeological sites, hilltop terraces, bridges, rooftop bars, and hotel terraces. Every viewpoint in this guide is somewhere we visited ourselves.
Our Favorite Views of Rome
After two trips to Rome, these are the views that stand out the most to us:
- Altar of the Fatherland: Our favorite overall view of Rome. From the panoramic terrace, you can see the Colosseum, Roman Forum, church domes, and rooftops stretching across the city.
- Dome of St. Peter’s Basilica: One of the most dramatic panoramic views in Rome, especially looking straight down onto St. Peter’s Square.
- Capitoline Hill: For a free view overlooking the Roman Forum, don’t miss Terrazza sul Foro.
- Palatine Hill: Our favorite view of the Roman Forum. From here, you look down over the ruins with the Colosseum rising in the distance.
- From a stroll around the Colosseum: Seeing the outside of the Colosseum for the first time is amazing. Giardinetto del Monte Oppio is one of the best photo spots.
- Oro Bistrot: Our favorite rooftop-bar view. Watching the setting sun light up the Altar of the Fatherland was one of our favorite moments from our most recent trip to Rome.
- Lifestyle Suites Hotel: We booked this hotel just to be able to have the view from the rooftop terrace. Overlooking Piazza Navona with a glass of wine was a memorable late afternoon experience on our second trip to Rome.
Best Views of Rome
Below is an interactive map highlighting the best viewpoints in Rome.
How to Use This Map: Click the icons on the map to get more information about each point of interest. To take this map with you, click the star next to the title of the map which adds it to your Google account. Next, within your Google Maps app, select ‘Saved’ and then select ‘Maps’. This map title will now appear in your list.
1. The Dome of St. Peter’s Basilica
For one of the best panoramic views of Rome, climb to the top of the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica. From here, you get an aerial view of St. Peter’s Square, Castel Sant’Angelo, the Tiber River, and the heart of historic Rome.
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL | One of the best panoramic views in Rome, with St. Peter’s Square directly below and the historic center stretching out toward the horizon.
GOOD TO KNOW | Reaching the top requires climbing stairs, even if you take the elevator partway. Go early for cooler temperatures, smaller crowds, and clearer views.
We took this photo from the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica
How to Visit St. Peter’s Basilica
It is free to visit St. Peter’s Basilica but there is a fee to climb to the top of the dome. Take the steps all the way to the top or ride the elevator to the terrace and then climb 320 steps to the top of the dome.
Pro Travel Tip: Lines can be long to enter St. Peter’s Basilica from 9 am through the late afternoon. To avoid the line, get here at opening time or purchase an entry ticket on the official website.
Learn more: Plan your visit with our guide How to Visit Vatican City ↓
How to Visit the Vatican Museums & St. Peter’s Basilica in 2026
Ticket costs, how to avoid the line into St. Peter’s Basilica, and important planning information.2. Palatine Hill
Terrazza Belvedere del Palatino is located on Palatine Hill, sitting just above the Roman Forum. From here, not only do you get the best view of the Roman Forum, but you will also see the Colosseum, Capitoline Hill, and a portion of the Altar of the Fatherland.
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL | This is our favorite view of the Roman Forum, with the ruins spread out below and the Colosseum visible in the distance.
GOOD TO KNOW | This viewpoint is inside the Palatine Hill archaeological area, so combine it with your visit to the Colosseum and Roman Forum.
The Roman Forum and Colosseum
Roman Forum
Roman Forum
How to Visit Terrazza Belvedere del Palatino
To visit this viewpoint, you will need to enter Palatine Hill. When you purchase a ticket for the Colosseum, Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum are included on the ticket. Learn more in our guide to the Colosseum.
3. Capitoline Hill
From Capitoline Hill, you get another very nice view of the Roman Forum. It’s not quite as good as from Terrazza Belvedere del Palatino, but it is free to visit and very easy to add on to the Capitoline Museums, if you are planning a visit here.
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL | A fantastic free view over the Roman Forum that takes very little effort to reach.
GOOD TO KNOW | There are two viewpoints behind Piazza del Campidoglio. Terrazza sul Foro has the better view of the Forum.
For the best view of the Roman Forum from Capitoline Hill, walk between Palazzo dei Conservatori and the Senatorial Palace on Via del Campidoglio to Terrazza sul Foro for this view of the Roman Forum:
Roman Forum from Terrazza sul Foro
There is a second viewpoint of the Roman Forum and Via dei Fori Imperiali. It’s not quite as good, but it is just a short walk to get here. From Campidoglio Square, walk between the Senatorial Palace and Palazzo Nuovo, look for the replica of Lupa Capitolina (the she-wolf statue) on your right, and walk out to the terrace for this view:
4. Caffarelli Terrace, Capitoline Museums
Caffarelli Terrace (Terrazza Caffarelli) is a rooftop terrace and small café on top of the Capitoline Museums.
From here, you get another nice view of the Roman Forum. It’s not quite as good as from Terrazza Belvedere del Palatino or Terrazza sul Foro, but it is free to visit and you can enjoy the view with a drink or bite to eat. It’s a nice place to take a break after touring the Capitoline Museums.
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL | A relaxed terrace where you can enjoy views over Rome while taking a break from sightseeing.
GOOD TO KNOW | You do not necessarily need to visit the Capitoline Museums to reach the terrace; there is also an exterior entrance from Piazzale Caffarelli.
The view of the Roman Forum from Caffarelli Terrace
The view looking towards the Theatre of Marcellus
How to Visit Caffarelli Terrace
This terrace can be accessed from within Palazzo dei Conservatori, one of the two buildings of the Capitoline Museums (a ticket is necessary).
If you don’t plan on visiting the Capitoline Museums but still want this view, enter Palazzo Caffarelli through door #4, on Piazzale Caffarelli. Climb two flights of stairs to the second floor to get to the terrace and the café (no ticket required).
5. Views of the Colosseum
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL | Walking around the outside of the Colosseum gives you several classic angles, from close-up architectural details to wider views of the entire amphitheater.
GOOD TO KNOW | Giardinetto del Monte Oppio is one of our favorite spots for an elevated view and is easy to visit before or after your Colosseum tour.
For close up views of the Colosseum, take some time to walk around the entire building. This takes about 15 minutes, depending on how frequently you stop for photos.
For one of the best views of the Colosseum, to go Giardinetto del Monte Oppio. This small park is located next to the Colosseo metro station, it’s free to visit, and this is the view that you get:
The view from Giardinetto del Monte Oppio
6. Inside of the Colosseum
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL | From inside, you get dramatic views of the arena as well as elevated views toward the Arch of Constantine and Palatine Hill.
GOOD TO KNOW | The viewpoints you can access depend somewhat on your ticket type and which areas of the Colosseum are open during your visit.
Filling your camera’s memory card with images of the inside of the Colosseum is probably already on your to-do list, but from the Colosseum, you also get a very nice view of the Arch of Constantine and Palatine Hill.
From the west end of the Colosseum, you get a magnificent view of the interior of the Colosseum and the arena floor.
The Colosseum
From here, turn around and walk to the exterior of the Colosseum. This takes you to a terrace that overlooks the Arch of Constantine, with views of Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum. Here is the view.
Arch of Constantine
For more clarification, below is a photo of the Colosseum, taken near the Arch of Constantine, with a view of the terrace.
7. Altar of the Fatherland
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL | One of our favorite views in Rome, with a wide panorama that includes the Colosseum, Roman Forum, St. Peter’s Basilica, and much of the historic center.
GOOD TO KNOW | You can get good views from the lower terraces, but the highest panoramic terrace gives you the best overall view.
This is one of our favorite views of Rome. From the top of the Altar of the Fatherland, you get 360° views of the city and you can see all of Rome’s major landmarks, including the Colosseum, St. Peter’s Basilica, Palatine Hill, and the Roman Forum.
The Altar of the Fatherland, also called Altare della Patria, the Victor Emmanuel II Monument, or simply the “wedding cake,” is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Italy.
The monument sits on Piazza Venezia, within walking distance of the Roman Forum and the Capitoline Museums.
You can visit the Altar of the Fatherland for free, but to reach the top level, you will have to pay to ride the elevator. It’s worth it!
Overlooking Piazza Venezia
Top of the Altar of the Fatherland
The view of the Colosseum and Roman Forum from the Altar of the Fatherland
How to Visit the Altar of the Fatherland
For free, you can climb the series of staircases to the upper terrace and café. From the terrace and the steps of the monument, you get very nice views of Rome.
For the best view from the Altar of the Fatherland, ride the elevator to the top of the monument. The elevator is located next to the café. To ride the panoramic elevators to the upper terrace, you need a VIVE ticket, which also includes access to several other sites within the Vittoriano and Palazzo Venezia complex.
8. Gianicolo Hill (Janiculum Terrace)
For a sweeping view of Rome, visit Belvedere del Gianicolo. This scenic viewpoint is located on top of Gianicolo hill (also called the Janiculum). It is the second-tallest hill in Rome and the views from here are breathtaking.
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL | One of the broadest free panoramic views in Rome, especially beautiful late in the day.
GOOD TO KNOW | It pairs well with Trastevere. We’d come up here before dinner, especially if you want sunset views.
Gianicolo Hill
How to Visit Gianicolo Hill
This viewpoint is located near Trastevere, so you can pair these two things together at the end of the day, for dinner and sunset views of Rome. The easiest way to get here is to take a taxi or walk from Trastevere (about a 15-minute walk).
9. The View from Castel Sant’Angelo
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL | The upper terrace gives you one of the best views toward St. Peter’s Basilica, plus sweeping views over the Tiber and historic Rome.
GOOD TO KNOW | Morning light is excellent toward St. Peter’s; later in the day can be better for views toward the historic center.
Castel Sant’ Angelo, also known as the Mausoleum of Hadrian, was originally built as a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian and his family. Later, it was used as a fortress, a prison, a castle, and now it is a museum.
Our favorite part of visiting Castel Sant’Angelo were the views from the upper terrace, looking out across Rome.
From here, you have almost 360° views of Rome, with views of St. Peter’s Basilica, Pont Sant’Angelo, and the historic heart of Rome.
The view of Vatican City
The view from Castel Sant’Angelo
Upper terrace of Castel Sant’Angelo
10. Ponte Umberto I
Ponte Umberto I crosses the Tiber River just a short walk from Castel Sant’Angelo. From this bridge, you can photograph Ponte Sant’Angelo and St. Peter’s Basilica with the Tiber River. You will not see Castel Sant’Angelo from this bridge, since trees block the view.
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL | A classic Rome composition with the Tiber River, Ponte Sant’Angelo, and the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica lined up in the distance.
GOOD TO KNOW | This is an easy stop while walking between Piazza Navona and Castel Sant’Angelo.
The view from Ponte Umberto I
11. Views of Castel Sant’Angelo
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL | You can photograph Castel Sant’Angelo from several angles, with Ponte Sant’Angelo and the Tiber adding even more interest to the scene.
GOOD TO KNOW | Walk both sides of the river and cross more than one bridge. Ponte Sant’Angelo and Ponte Vittorio Emanuele II give you noticeably different perspectives.
To capture Castel Sant’Angelo in photos, you have several options.
One of the best places to photograph Castel Sant’Angelo is from Ponte Sant’Angelo. This is the bridge that crosses the Tiber River in front of the entrance to Castel Sant’Angelo.
Pont Sant’Angelo
From Ponte Sant’Angelo, walk along the southern bank of the Tiber River towards Ponte Vittorio Emanuele II. This is the view:
The view of Pont Sant’Angelo and Castel Sant’Angelo
Finally, from Ponte Vittorio Emanuele II, you get yet another great view of Castel Sant’Angelo.
The view from Ponte Vittorio Emanuele II
12. From a Rooftop Bar
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL | Rooftop bars combine city views with one of our favorite Rome experiences: ending the day with an aperitivo above the rooftops.
GOOD TO KNOW | The view varies enormously by rooftop. Oro Bistrot is our favorite for Ancient Rome, while others are better for St. Peter’s, the Pantheon, or the Trevi Fountain.
There are many rooftop bars in Rome and some offer better views than others. We spent our last trip to Rome trying out quite a few of these rooftop bars and restaurants. Here are three of our favorites:
Oro Bistrot. The view from this rooftop bar is awesome, as you look across Trajan’s Forum to the Altar of the Fatherland. The food and drinks are great, too.
The view from Oro Bistrot
Divinity Rooftop. This small rooftop bar and restaurant has a spectacular view of the corkscrew (the top of the Church of St. Ives at the Sapienza) and the Pantheon.
Divinity Rooftop
Trevi Rooftop. From this very small rooftop bar, get a bird’s eye view of the Trevi Fountain.
Trevi Rooftop
13. Pincio Terrace
From Pincio Terrace (Terrazza Pincio), you get a beautiful view of Piazza del Popolo. This terrace is located on the west end of the Villa Borghese Gardens. It is free to visit and open 24 hours a day.
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL | A beautiful elevated view over Piazza del Popolo with the rooftops and church domes of Rome beyond it.
GOOD TO KNOW | It is easy to combine with Villa Borghese and makes a natural stop when walking toward the Spanish Steps.
Piazza del Popolo
14. Terrazza Viale del Belvedere
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL | A quieter viewpoint across the rooftops toward St. Peter’s Basilica.
GOOD TO KNOW | We would not make a special trip just for this view, but it is worth stopping if you are walking between Villa Borghese and the Spanish Steps.
This viewpoint, which is located next to Villa Borghese Gardens, looks across the rooftops to the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica and the historic heart of Rome.
Terrazza Viale del Belvedere
The view is nice, but I don’t think it is worth going out of your way to get here, but if you plan to walk from the Villa Borghese Gardens to the Spanish Steps, you will walk right by this viewpoint. It’s open 24 hours a day and free to visit.
15. Piazza della Trinità dei Monti
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL | From the top of the Spanish Steps, you get an elevated view down Via dei Condotti and across the rooftops of central Rome.
GOOD TO KNOW | This area gets very crowded. Early morning gives you the best chance for cleaner photos and a more peaceful experience.
Piazza della Trinità dei Monti is the square that sits at the top of the Spanish Steps. It is free to visit and open 24 hours a day. Here is the view:
16. Imàgo
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL | The elevated dining room has sweeping views over the Spanish Steps and the rooftops of Rome.
GOOD TO KNOW | This is a fine-dining restaurant rather than a casual viewpoint. We visited before it opened and were able to see the dining room and view; dining here is high on our list for a return trip.
For dinner with one of the best views of Rome, make your reservation for Imàgo.
Imago is a Michelin-starred restaurant that sits on top of Hotel Hassler Roma. From here, you have a stunning view of the Spanish Steps and rooftops of Rome, due to this restaurant’s fantastic location.
Make your reservation in advance. This is a popular restaurant in Rome and it can be difficult to get a table.
The view from Imàgo
17. The Keats-Shelley House
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL | The windows give you a very unusual close-up perspective of the Spanish Steps that you cannot get from the square itself.
GOOD TO KNOW | Come for the literary history first; the view is a bonus rather than the main reason to visit.
Located next to the Spanish Steps, this house contains an extensive collection of memorabilia, letters, and paintings relating to Keats, Shelley, Wordsworth, Byron, Robert Browning, and Oscar Wilde. In 1821, English Poet John Keats died in this house of tuberculosis.
This house gets a mention because of its unique view of the Spanish Steps.
How to Visit the Keats-Shelley House
For hours of operation and pricing, visit the official website.
18. Knights of Malta Keyhole
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL | Through the tiny keyhole, St. Peter’s Basilica appears perfectly framed at the end of a tree-lined garden.
GOOD TO KNOW | This is one of Rome’s most famous photo spots, but we found it a little overrated. When we visited, a black bar partially blocked the view.
This famous keyhole is located on a wooden door in the complex of Sant’Anselmo, on top of Aventine hill. If you put your eye up to this keyhole, you can see St. Peter’s Basilica.
This gets mentioned a lot, but we think it is a little bit overrated. To get here, take a taxi or it’s a long walk from the Rome city center. Most likely, you will have to wait in line. We waited about 10 minutes, which isn’t too bad. However, when we looked through the keyhole, a black bar covered most of the opening, which was a big disappointment.
If you choose to do this, hopefully you will have a better experience than we did. You can combine this with the Orange Garden, mentioned next.
Our view through the keyhole
What the view could look like | Matteo Gabrieli/shutterstock.com
19. Orange Garden of Rome
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL | A peaceful garden with a broad view over Rome and St. Peter’s Basilica in the distance.
GOOD TO KNOW | Pair it with the Knights of Malta Keyhole since they are only a short walk apart on Aventine Hill.
Also located on Aventine Hill, the Orange Garden has a terrace with another sweeping view of Rome. This viewpoint is called Terrazza Belvedere Aventino. It is free to visit and open 24 hours a day.
View from Terrazza Belvedere Aventino
20. Lifestyle Suites Rome
Lifestyle Suites Rome is a hotel that sits on Piazza Navona. Sitting on top of this hotel is a rooftop terrace with an aerial view of the piazza.
This rooftop terrace is only open to hotel guests, so if you want this view, you will have to stay here. We stayed here on our most recent visit to Rome. The location is fantastic and to start and end the day with views of Piazza Navona was very memorable.
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL | The rooftop terrace overlooks Piazza Navona, giving you an incredible bird’s-eye view of the square and the Fountain of the Four Rivers.
GOOD TO KNOW | The rooftop is reserved for hotel guests. We stayed here on our most recent trip, and having this view at the beginning and end of each day was one of our favorite parts of the stay.
Rooftop terrace of Lifestyle Suites
Photography Tips for Rome
Photograph early or late in the day. Rome’s most popular viewpoints and landmarks are much easier to photograph early in the morning. Late afternoon and sunset are better for warm light and rooftop views.
Think about the direction of the light. Some viewpoints are better in the morning and others later in the day. For example, we learned that Castel Sant’Angelo can be especially good in the morning for views toward St. Peter’s Basilica, but not so great for panoramic views of the rest of the city.
Use a wide-angle lens for elevated viewpoints. At places such as St. Peter’s Dome, the Altar of the Fatherland, and Palatine Hill, a wide-angle lens helps capture more of the city in a single frame.
Look beyond the famous landmarks. Some of our favorite Rome photos are of rooftops, church domes, bridges, piazzas, and street scenes rather than the major monuments themselves.
Be patient at crowded viewpoints. At places such as the Spanish Steps, Pincio Terrace, and the Knights of Malta Keyhole, a few minutes of waiting can make a big difference in getting a cleaner composition.
Plan Your Trip to Rome and Italy
- Want more photo inspiration? → See our Rome in Pictures photo essay for some of our favorite images from two trips to the city.
- Looking for rooftop views? → Our Best Rooftop Bars in Rome guide covers our favorite places for cocktails, sunset, and skyline views.
- Planning your sightseeing? → See our Best Things to Do in Rome guide for the city’s top landmarks, neighborhoods, and experiences.
- Interested in travel photography? → Our Travel Photography Gear Guide covers the cameras, lenses, and accessories we use on our trips.
- Need hotel recommendations for Rome? → See our guide to Best Neighborhoods and Hotels in Rome.
If you have any questions about the best views of Rome, let us know in the comment section below.
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