Best Photo Spots in Rome: An Instagrammers Guide
As a city brimming with history, culture, and beauty, Rome is an ideal destination for Instagram users. It’s filled with gorgeous old buildings, inspiring artwork, sweeping natural vistas, and scenic city streets. In fact, it’s practically more difficult to find someplace that isn’t Instagram-worthy in this town! That doesn’t mean, of course, that you should post photos of just any old fountain, statue, or cobblestone street. You want to go beyond the picturesque and really push for that perfect, sublime picture that encapsulates something essential about your Roman vacation. If you’re looking for inspiration on where to snap photos for your loyal Insta followers, check out this guide the best photo spots in Rome.
Trevi Fountain
One of Rome’s most popular tourist attractions, Trevi Fountain is practically a must when it comes to your Insta account. It was built back in the eighteenth century but is still in excellent condition. The ornate statues ringing the fountain’s base are a popular backdrop. Don’t forget to toss a coin in the fountain to ensure that you’ll return to Rome someday!
St. Peter’s Basilica
A strikingly beautiful building, St. Peter’s Basilica is also one of the most important Catholic landmarks in the entire world. The architecture of the dome is particularly remarkable, so be sure to get some interior shots. Piazza San Pietro is right in front, which is a good vantage point to take exterior photos from. You can also shoot photos of the landscape below from the dome itself—not an opportunity to be missed!
Piazza Navona
Here is your chance for some excellent street photography, a real opportunity to capture the citizens and visitors of Rome going about their days. It’s the central gathering place in the city and the most popular square, so you’ll see folks wander in to sit at a café, browse street art, enjoy the fountains, and then mosey on.
The Pantheon
One of the most well-preserved buildings in the city, the Pantheon is an excellent spot for interior and exterior shots. The architecture of the roof is especially interesting, and you can get some great detail shots of the statues on the inside, too. Take an early morning tour to avoid the crowds and get the best photo ops.
Aventine Keyhole
A real keyhole found on Aventine Hill, the Aventine Keyhole perfectly frames St. Peter’s Basilica within its tiny compass. You’ll find it at the Knights of Malta gate, a small, green, wooden door that also makes for a great photo from a distance. Zoom your camera through the keyhole and you’ll be amazed at the unique view.
Piazza Campidoglio
Designed by Michelangelo, this gorgeous public square has a charm all its own. If you can catch the light just right, you’ll be rewarded with beautiful shots of the buildings and cobblestone streets. It’s a good place for photos of random people, too, if you’re looking to capture daily life in Rome.
Spanish Steps
One of the most classic Instagram spots in the city, the Spanish Steps are a great place for a selfie or a portrait. Try snapping a photo from the Piazza di Spagna, which gives you the iconic shot looking up the stairs, or the Piazza Trinità dei Monti, which will provide you the view from the top of the stairs.
The Colosseum
Among the most striking buildings in all of Rome, the Colosseum is also one of the most instantly recognizable spots. Your followers will envy your amazing photography skills if you get the angle just right and make sure to include late afternoon sun shining on the interior details. Or, you can choose to arrive super early (around dawn, if possible) to snap photos without any real crowds.
Tiber River
Running through Rome is the iconic Tiber River—beautiful to look at, and even more beautiful to capture in a photo! You’ll get great shots of many of the famous buildings that sit riverside, including the Castel Sant’Angelo and St. Peter’s Basilica. Go for some evening shots to capture the churches when they’re illuminated.
Bramante Staircase
While photography is forbidden in large portions of the Vatican Museums (including the Sistine Chapel, unfortunately), you can get a photo of the famous staircase on your way out. The view looking down this impressive double-helix structure is one of the most iconic photos of Rome.
Galleria Sciarra
This gorgeous Art Deco courtyard is something of a hidden gem. It’s located only a short walk from Trevi Fountain, but it doesn’t tend to attract tourists in droves the way the other sites do. Come here for some beautiful shots of the unique interior.
The Roman Forum
Right next to the Colosseum is the Roman Forum. Here is where you’ll get a chance to see buildings that haven’t withstood the test of time so well. Get in plenty of shots of these decaying buildings, pillars, and gardens and visualize for yourself what life was like in Ancient Rome. Pop by after seeing the Colosseum on your early morning photography trip.
Castel Gandolfo
A striking historic structure, Castel Gandolfo is located a bit southeast of Rome proper but is worth the trek out of the city for your Instagram fame. You can tour the region via kayak to snap photos of submerged buildings like the Village of the Mills, remains of old Roman Villas, and even the villa of Emperor Domitian.
Save on Admission to Instagram-Worthy Spots in Rome
For visitors to Rome looking to explore the beautiful side of the city, consider a Go Rome pass. You’ll save up to 47% on admission to top cultural attractions like several of these museums and historic sites. You’ll also be able to capture your story on Instagram at pasta-making classes, cocktail-tasting events, operas, and so much more.
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