Almost every inch of Rome is worthy of a snapshot. Ancient ruins, Renaissance-era palaces, cobblestone alleys, lush gardens, and magnificent churches lend themselves well to photography, but there are a few locations that provide the perfect background for travel photos. Here is a list of the best places in Rome to take a photo.
Basilica of Saint Peter
Direction
Salita del Pincio, 00187 Rome RM, ItalyGet directions
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St. Peter’s Basilica is visible from every corner of Rome, but a couple of places are suitable for capturing the Basilica on film. The most popular place to take a photo of San Pedro is the viewpoint from the Pincio Gardens. The Pincio perch is located above Piazza del Popolo and can be accessed by walking through the Spanish Steps, turning left, and walking along a leafy path that passes the Villa Medici.
Another great spot for a photo of Saint Peter is from the top of Castel Sant’Angelo, which, like Vatican City, sits on the west side of the Tiber. In fact, the medieval monument was connected to the Vatican in 1277 via the Passetto di Borgo to provide an escape route and hiding place for popes threatened by invaders. The Passetto is still visible but is not open to the public unless a paid tour is taken.
The Colisseum
Direction
Viale del Monte Oppio, 00184 Rome RM, ItalyGet directions
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+39 06 0606
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It is difficult to capture the colossal Colosseum in a photograph. In fact, you need to get away from the old monument a bit to get a good shot. A good place to do that is the Colle Oppio, the Oppian Hill, which is located across the street from the northeast side of the Colosseum. The ruins of Trajan’s Baths are located on this hill, as is the Parco di Traiano, a lush park in which to rest before or after visiting the Colosseum and nearby attractions.
Tip: From Colle Oppio, you can easily walk to the small church of San Pietro in Vincoli, which houses Michelangelo’s Moses sculpture.
Ancient ruins
Direction
Via di San Gregorio, 00186 Rome RM, ItalyGet directions
Telephone
+39 06 0608
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You don’t need to walk far to find remnants of Rome’s illustrious past. Ruins are everywhere, but some are more picturesque than others.
One of the most popular ancient sites is the Roman Forum, which is ready to take pictures from various points of view. The Forum itself is expanding, so it is possible to take good photos in front of some of its landmarks, such as the Arch of Constantine or the Temple of Vesta. Palatine Hill offers panoramic views of the Roman Forum and has its own collection of ancient ruins, including the Stadium of Domitian. Perhaps one of the best places to capture the Roman Forum on film is the Tabularium, part of the Capitoline Museums. From the Tabularium, the entirety of the Roman Forum is perfectly framed, with the iconic ruins of the Arch of Septimius Severus and the Temple of Saturn in the foreground.
The Via Appia Antica, also known as the Appian Way, is another classic photo location. Ruins along this ancient path include the circular tomb of Cecilia Metella and the aqueduct near the Villa dei Quintilli. The Appian Way is located outside the south side of the ancient walls of Rome, near the Baths of Caracalla, another set of ruins.
If your itinerary allows for a day trip from Rome, consider visiting Tivoli or Ostia Antica. The former is home to Hadrian’s Villa, while the latter is reminiscent of a mini-Pompeii.
The Mouth of Truth
Direction
Piazza della Bocca della Verità, 18, 00186 Rome RM, ItalyGet directions
Telephone
+39 06 0608
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A must-see photo opportunity in Rome means posing in front of the Bocca della Verità, the Mouth of Truth, which is located at the entrance of Santa Maria in Cosmedin just around the corner from the Capitoline and Palatine Hills. The legend surrounding this monument is that those who have not been sincere will cut their hands when they are stuck in the mouth of the old sewer cover. It’s unclear if anyone had their hand cut off while performing this act, but Bocca della Verità remains a favorite photography subject, especially for fans of the Audrey Hepburn / Gregory Peck movie Roman Holiday.
