DinaLast Updated on September 10, 2026
Whether we are referring to the Spanish Steps or the Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti, they are essentially the same thing: the beautiful steps located above Piazza di Spagna. They got their name from the Spanish Embassy that used to be there.
Spanish Steps Rome: quick information
- Admission: Free
- Opening hours: Accessible day and night
- Number of steps: 135
- Recommended visit time: 30–45 minutes
- Best time to visit: Before 08:00 or later in the evening
- Nearest metro: Spagna, Line A
- Location: Piazza di Spagna
- Important rule: Sitting on the steps is prohibited
- Possible fine: Up to €400, depending on the violation!
Are the Spanish Steps worth visiting?
Yes. The Spanish Steps are not an attraction that requires half a day, but they are located in one of the most elegant and convenient parts of central Rome.
The staircase itself is beautiful, particularly when viewed from the bottom of Piazza di Spagna. However, the real value of visiting comes from combining it with the Barcaccia Fountain, Trinità dei Monti, Via dei Condotti and the nearby streets.
Having lived in Rome, I would never plan an entire morning around the steps alone. I would include them in a walking route through the historic centre.
My verdict: Visit early, walk all the way to the top and continue towards Pincio or Villa Borghese. Do not arrive only to take one photograph at the bottom and leave.
Are the Spanish Steps free?
Yes. Visiting and climbing the Spanish Steps is completely free. There are no tickets, entrance gates or fixed visiting slots.
As an outdoor public monument, the staircase is normally accessible throughout the day and evening. Temporary closures can occasionally occur because of maintenance, official events or security requirements.
You do not need to book anything simply to visit Piazza di Spagna or walk up the steps.
Can you sit on the Spanish Steps?
No. Sitting, lying down, eating or picnicking on the Spanish Steps is prohibited.
Local police regularly monitor the area and may ask visitors to stand immediately. Depending on the offence, fines can reach €400, particularly if someone dirties or damages the monument.
You can walk up the staircase, stop briefly to take photographs and admire the view. Just do not use the steps as a seat.
This rule has been enforced since 2019 to protect the travertine staircase from damage and prevent the monument from becoming blocked by large crowds.
My Pretty Travels Tip: Do not copy other visitors simply because you see someone sitting down. Police often use whistles to ask people to move, and enforcement can be stricter during busy periods.
What is the best time to visit the Spanish Steps?
For fewer people and better photographs, visit before 08:00. Around sunrise, Piazza di Spagna is much quieter, and you can photograph the staircase without hundreds of people in the background.
Early morning is also the best time to see the symmetry of the steps and the Fontana della Barcaccia clearly.
Another good option is later in the evening, when the staircase and church are illuminated. The atmosphere is beautiful, but the area can remain busy until late, particularly during summer.
The busiest period is normally from late morning until early evening, especially on weekends and between April and October.
When are the Spanish Steps decorated with flowers?
Every spring, the staircase is decorated with hundreds of white, pink and lilac azaleas.
The display usually begins around the middle of April and remains until the middle of May. Exact dates depend on the condition of the flowers and can change each year.
It is one of the most beautiful times to visit, but also one of the busiest. Arrive early in the morning if you want photographs without large crowds.
How much time do you need at the Spanish Steps?
Allow approximately:
- 15–20 minutes for photographs and a quick climb
- 30–45 minutes to see the staircase, fountain and church
- 60–90 minutes if you also visit the Keats-Shelley House
- Two hours or more if you continue to Pincio, Villa Borghese or Via dei Condotti
The steps are located close to several major attractions, so it makes sense to include them in a longer walking route.
How to get to the Spanish Steps
The easiest option is Spagna Metro station on Line A. One of the station exits brings you directly into the Piazza di Spagna area.
For tickets, operating hours and practical transport advice, read my guide to the Rome Metro.
You can also walk from:
- Trevi Fountain: Around 10 minutes
- Piazza del Popolo: Around 10 minutes
- Pantheon: Around 15 minutes
- Piazza Venezia: Around 20 minutes
The area is inside Rome’s historic centre and is best explored on foot. Driving is inconvenient because of pedestrian streets, limited-traffic zones and expensive parking.
A short history of the Spanish Steps
The Spanish Steps were constructed between 1723 and 1726 following a design by Roman architect Francesco De Sanctis.
The monumental staircase was created to connect Piazza di Spagna with the French church of Trinità dei Monti at the top of the hill. Part of the project was financed through money left by French diplomat Étienne Gueffier.
Despite this strong French connection, the staircase became known in English as the Spanish Steps because of the Spanish Embassy to the Holy See, located in the Palazzo di Spagna beside the square.
In Italian, the staircase is called Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti, after the church at the top.
The steps were built from travertine and designed as a series of curved terraces and ramps rather than one simple, straight staircase. This theatrical design makes them appear wider and more impressive from the square below.
A major restoration funded by the luxury brand Bulgari was completed in 2016.
What to see at the Spanish Steps
1. Climb the 135 steps
The famous staircase contains 135 steps and rises approximately 29 metres from Piazza di Spagna to Trinità dei Monti.
Take your time as you climb and look back towards the square. The best view is down the staircase, across the Barcaccia Fountain and along Via dei Condotti.
The view from the top is attractive, but it is not Rome’s widest panorama. For a better panoramic viewpoint, continue towards the Pincio Terrace above Piazza del Popolo.
2. Fontana della Barcaccia
At the bottom of the steps is the Fontana della Barcaccia, the small fountain shaped like a partially sunken boat.
It was constructed between 1626 and 1629 by Pietro Bernini, probably with the involvement of his more famous son, Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
Its low, half-submerged design helped solve a practical problem: water pressure from the Acqua Vergine aqueduct was too weak for a tall fountain.
According to a popular legend, the unusual shape was inspired by a boat left in Piazza di Spagna after the major Tiber flood of 1598. The story is charming, although it should be treated as a legend rather than a confirmed historical event.
Unlike at the Trevi Fountain, there is no traditional reason to throw coins into the Barcaccia.
3. Trinità dei Monti
At the top of the steps stands the church of Santissima Trinità dei Monti, with its distinctive twin bell towers.
The church has strong historical connections with France and contains several important chapels and frescoes. Entrance is normally free, although access may be restricted during religious services or special events.
Remember to cover your shoulders and knees if you plan to enter.
4. The Sallustian Obelisk
Directly in front of Trinità dei Monti is the Sallustian Obelisk.
It was created during the Roman imperial period in imitation of ancient Egyptian obelisks. The hieroglyphs were copied from those on the obelisk now standing in Piazza del Popolo, although they contain several mistakes.
The obelisk was moved to its current position in the late 18th century.
5. Keats-Shelley House
At the bottom of the steps, on the right-hand side, is the Keats-Shelley House.
The English Romantic poet John Keats spent his final months here and died in the building in 1821. Today, the small museum contains manuscripts, letters, portraits and personal objects connected with Keats, Percy Bysshe Shelley, Lord Byron and other Romantic writers.
The museum also offers an unusual elevated view over Piazza di Spagna. It is particularly worthwhile for literature lovers, but check the official Keats-Shelley House website for current opening hours and ticket prices before visiting.
6. Via dei Condotti
Facing the steps is Via dei Condotti, one of Rome’s most famous luxury shopping streets.
Gucci, Prada, Bulgari, Dior and other major fashion houses have stores here. Even if you are not planning to buy anything, the window displays and surrounding architecture make it worth a walk.
For more affordable shopping streets and practical advice, read my complete guide to shopping in Rome.
The Spanish Steps in Roman Holiday
The Spanish Steps became internationally famous after appearing in the 1953 film Roman Holiday, starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck.
In one of the film’s best-known scenes, Princess Ann sits on the steps while eating gelato. It is a classic image of Rome—but today both sitting and eating on the staircase are prohibited.
If you want to recreate the atmosphere, take your photograph while standing and enjoy your gelato somewhere away from the monument.
Are the Spanish Steps accessible?
The staircase itself is not wheelchair accessible and can be difficult with a stroller, mobility problems or heavy luggage.
Spagna Metro station has accessibility facilities, but station lifts and escalators can occasionally be out of service. Check the latest transport updates before travelling.
If you cannot use the steps, explore Piazza di Spagna from the bottom and approach the Trinità dei Monti area through the surrounding streets or by taxi.
Do not attempt to pull a suitcase or push a stroller up or down the historic staircase, as this can damage the travertine and may result in a fine.
Where to eat or drink near the Spanish Steps
Piazza di Spagna is one of Rome’s most expensive areas, and many nearby cafés charge more because of the location.
The most historic option is Babingtons Tea Room, located beside the steps. It was founded by two women in 1893 and remains known for afternoon tea, scones, cakes and English-style breakfasts.
It is not a budget stop, and I would choose it for the history and experience rather than for a quick coffee.
For a proper Roman meal, walk a few streets away from the square and check recent reviews. Restaurants directly beside major attractions are not always the best places to try carbonara or cacio e pepe.
What to see near the Spanish Steps
The surrounding area contains enough attractions for several hours of exploring.
Nearby places include:
- Via dei Condotti: Directly opposite the staircase
- Via del Corso: Around five minutes away
- Trevi Fountain: Around 10 minutes away
- Piazza del Popolo: Around 10 minutes away
- Pincio Terrace: Around 10–15 minutes from the top
- Villa Borghese: Around 10–15 minutes from the top
- Pantheon: Around 15 minutes away
A practical route is to visit the Spanish Steps early, continue to the Trevi Fountain and Pantheon and then walk towards Piazza Navona and Campo de’ Fiori.
Alternatively, climb the steps and continue through Villa Borghese towards the Pincio Terrace and Piazza del Popolo.
Is the Spanish Steps area good for accommodation?
Yes. Piazza di Spagna is one of the best areas for a first visit to Rome because it is central, elegant and well connected by Metro Line A.
You can walk to the Trevi Fountain, Via del Corso, Piazza del Popolo and the Pantheon. The area also feels lively in the evening and has many hotels, cafés and shops.
The disadvantages are the prices and crowds. Hotels around Piazza di Spagna are generally more expensive than those in Monti, Prati or areas farther from the historic centre.
Rooms overlooking the square can also experience street noise. If you are a light sleeper, choose a hotel on a quieter side street and read recent reviews before booking.
My Pretty Travels Tip: Book several months in advance if you want a room with a Spanish Steps view, particularly from April to October and during the Christmas period.
If you are planning your first trip, continue with my guide to the best free things to see in Rome, together with my practical articles about the Colosseum and the Vatican.
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