Rome's Best Kept Secrets: Self-Guided Tour App with Interactive Digital Map

The Trevi Fountain is Rome’s largest Baroque fountain, designed by Nicola Salvi in 1732 and completed by Giuseppe Pannini in 1762. Its dramatic façade features the Palazzo Poli as a backdrop, with a monumental depiction of Oceanus riding a shell chariot pulled by sea horses and accompanied by tritons, symbolizing the city’s mastery over water. Built of travertine stone, the fountain is supplied by the ancient Aqua Virgo aqueduct, which has served Rome since 19 BCE. The tradition of tossing a coin into the fountain is said to ensure a return visit to Rome, and coins are collected and donated to charity. Today, both locals and visitors gather at Trevi Fountain to admire its sculptural detail and the spectacle of cascading water.

The Spanish Steps are a grand staircase of 135 travertine steps connecting Piazza di Spagna to the church of Trinità dei Monti atop the slope. Designed by Francesco de Sanctis and Alessandro Specchi, they were built between 1723 and 1725 with funds from French diplomat Étienne Gueffier, yet named after the Spanish Embassy located in the piazza below. The steps display Rococo artistry, elegantly winding and changing direction with terraces and balustrades ideal for meeting, relaxing, and people-watching. At the base sits the Fontana della Barcaccia, a boat-shaped Baroque fountain crafted by Pietro Bernini and his son Gian Lorenzo. Renowned for glamour and history, the Spanish Steps remain one of Rome’s most iconic gathering spots.

Via Margutta is one of Rome’s most historic and atmospheric streets, famed for its artistic heritage and tranquil charm. Originally a medieval alleyway used for stables and workshops behind noble palaces, it evolved into a haven for painters, sculptors, and craftspeople from the Renaissance onward. By the 19th century, real estate improvements and creative tax incentives encouraged a vibrant community of international artists and notable bohemians to settle here; later, its allure grew with the arrival of film personalities and fashion icons during the Dolce Vita years. Today, Via Margutta is celebrated for its leafy facades, unique art studios, and inviting galleries, all tucked away a short walk from Piazza di Spagna. Strolling down this picturesque lane reveals the creative spirit and cosmopolitan legacy that continue to make it a beloved retreat in the heart of Rome.

Piazza del Popolo is one of Rome’s grandest squares, marking the meeting point of three important streets—Via del Corso, Via di Ripetta, and Via del Babuino—at the city’s historic northern gateway. Redesigned by Giuseppe Valadier in the early 19th century, the square is laid out in an elegant ellipse, crowned at its center by the towering Flaminio Obelisk, originally brought from Egypt and re-erected here by Pope Sixtus V in 1589. The piazza is framed by the twin Baroque churches of Santa Maria dei Miracoli and Santa Maria in Montesanto, which flank the entrance to Via del Corso and are iconic visual landmarks. At the northern edge stands Porta del Popolo, a monumental city gate with decorations by both Michelangelo and Bernini, welcoming travelers arriving in Rome for centuries. Nearby, the Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo is renowned for its artistic treasures, including works by Caravaggio, Raphael, and Bernini.

Villa Borghese is Rome’s expansive central park, renowned for its lush English-style gardens, serene lakes, and diverse cultural attractions. Commissioned by Cardinal Scipione Borghese in the early 17th century, the estate is home to the famed Borghese Gallery, which displays masterpieces by artists such as Caravaggio, Bernini, Raphael, and Titian. The park features winding paths, open lawns, and monuments like the Temple of Aesculapius and the Pincio Terrace, offering panoramic views over the city. Visitors enjoy boat rides, children’s playgrounds, and art museums within a tranquil green oasis that connects nature, art, and history. Today, Villa Borghese remains a favorite destination for both relaxation and culture in Rome’s vibrant landscape.

St. Peter’s Square, designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini in the 17th century, is the grand forecourt to St. Peter’s Basilica and the spiritual heart of Vatican City. The square’s elliptical shape is defined by two sweeping colonnades crowned with statues of saints—symbolizing the welcoming arms of the church. At its center stands a striking Egyptian obelisk, flanked by ornate fountains that mirror one another across the piazza. St. Peter’s Square hosts major religious ceremonies and papal gatherings, drawing visitors worldwide for its architectural harmony and historic significance. The space remains an iconic symbol of Rome’s sacred and monumental heritage.