Planning a trip to Rome and want to know all the best photo spots? Keep scrolling for my list of the most Instagrammable spots in Rome!
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Rome is world-famous for its history and rich culture, which can be appreciated in its architecture, museums, and food. Italy’s capital was founded in 625 BC, and eventually became one of the most important cultural centers in Europe.
Today, it is one of the most visited tourist destinations in the world. Millions of visitors flock to admire ancient structures like the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Spanish Steps.
They also visit the impressive museums that house striking works of art from some of the most famous masters. Of course, Italian cuisine is another important part of visiting the Eternal City too!
If you’re thinking that with so much history, art, and culture, Rome must be full of perfect Instagrammable spots, you are absolutely right!
The Eternal City is full of insta eye candy that goes from the smallest details to world-famous ancient attractions.
Keep reading to find out some of the best places to get the best content while exploring the city that was once the epicenter of the Roman Empire.
Don’t have time to read a bunch of Rome blog posts and reviews? Here are some of our top picks for visiting Rome with kids.
Popular Rome Tours/Activities
- Golf Cart Tour (this is a great way to sightsee without having to walk everywhere)
- Skip-The-Line Colosseum for Families Tour (definitely the way to go)
- Rome Gladiator School (seriously the best Rome activity for my kids)
- Family Vatican Highlight Scavenger Hunt (great way to keep kids engaged)
- Rome Tour for Kids with Gelato & Pizza (tasty tour for families)
- Flytographer photo shoot (they are easy to book are really affordable)
Kid-Friendly Rome Hotels
- Parlamento Boutique Hotel (easy walk to the Trevi Fountain and has free WiFi and A/C)
- Il Campo Marzio (easy walk to Trevi Fountain and Pantheon and has free WiFi and A/C)
- Charme Spagna Boutique Hotel (they have a family suite and have free WiFi and A/C)
- Hotel Scalinata di Spagna (offers free breakfast, A/C, and WiFi)
- Hotel Manfredi Suite in Rome (great location with lots of family rooms, free WiFi and A/C)
Want an epic Italy guide book? This is my favorite Italy itinerary and guide!
The Most Instagrammable Spots in Rome
1. Trevi Fountain
Chances are you are eager to see the gorgeous Trevi Fountain. It attracts millions of visitors every year to gasp at the beauty of its huge sculptures and turquoise water.
Tossing a coin into the fountain to make a wish is part of the fun. “Toss one coin and you’ll return to Rome, to two coins and make a wish, toss three coins, and fall in love.”
But after you’ve done that, Trevi also happens to be one of the best views in Rome!
It is easier said than done, though. Trevi Fountain is one of the prettiest Instagrammable spots in Rome, so it’s no wonder that you’ll have to deal with crowds.
The best way to get around that is to go early in the morning, which means 6 a.m. Getting a super early start is well worth the effort if you want to shoot from several angles and capture the fountain in all its glory.
2. The Spanish Steps
The image of the Spanish Steps in Rome became extremely famous thanks to a scene played by Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck in the movie Roman Holiday.
That image of the 1723 staircase that links the Piazza di Spagna square to Santissima Trinidad dei Monti church went around the globe. To this day, remains one of the most famous in the film industry.
The iconic moment captured in the 138-step staircase by the film industry has gone around the globe several times since it came out in 1953. It has been reproduced millions of times by souvenir vendors and gift shop owners in Rome.
Of course, there were no social media in the 1950s. Otherwise, Hepburn and the Spanish Steps would have surely broken the Internet. What did happen is that she jumped into fame, which seems like a good auspice for creating content in this spot.
As an added bonus, you’ll find the Fontana Della Barcaccia at the bottom of the Spanish Steps. It’s a fountain designed to look like a sinking boat and is very Instagrammable as well.
3. The Colosseum
One of Rome’s most relevant highlights, the Colosseum is a glimpse into the past. And it’s a huge Instagrammable spot to capture that journey to the times of Roman gladiators and emperors.
This humongous arena was built in the year 72 A.D. for theatrical performances, gladiator spectacles, and public executions, hosting 50,000 visitors at a time.
Even though the Colosseum has suffered damage from earthquakes and the passage of time, its impressive architecture has made it one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.
As you might have guessed, it can get crowded. But its sheer size guarantees you’ll find plenty of spots for content creation both inside and outside.
As with other attractions in this touristy city, your best bet is to show up before opening time (9:30 am) in order to snap stunning pics without hoards of people getting in the way. Check rates for the skip-the-line tour.
Book a Family Photo Shoot
Whenever we travel, we almost always book a family photo shoot with Flytographer. They are super easy, affordable, AND it guarantees that I’ll be in some photos. You can get $25 off if you book through this link or use the code HAWAIITRAVEL.
4. Temple of Julius Caesar
Built in the year 44 BC by Augustus to honor Julius Caesar after he was killed, it is the main structure of the Roman Forum and one of the most important monuments in Rome.
The super tall columns of the Temple of Julius and the arch above make this one of the most Instagrammable spots in Rome, especially if you capture the sheer size in relation to small humans!
The Temple of Julius is located by the Colosseum, on the Sacred Way, which makes it easy to go to and fro.
5. Galleria Borghese
Galleria Borghese is an art museum within a gorgeous mansion where works of art by world-famous artists are exhibited.
These include paintings by Raphael and sculptures by Canovas and Bernini as well as mosaics and other works from the first, second, and third centuries.
Stepping inside to admire the collections is very much worth your while. But if Instagrammable spots are what you’re after, you’ll find more than enough here too.
The mansion that houses the museum is gorgeous, with arches, sculptures, and a staircase with lots of possibilities for great content.
Additionally, the surrounding gardens are beautiful and nicely tended, as they belong to Villa Borghese, the largest park in Rome.
You’ll find you can shoot plenty of pics for your feed without crowds being a problem – something much appreciated in busy Rome. Check the latest ticket prices and availability.
6. Terraza Beldevere di Gianicolo
For great views of Centro Storico, Vatican City, and Monti, head to Terraza Belvedere di Gianicolo.
This is an elevated terrace that provides picture-perfect vistas from a different viewpoint than most of the famous landmarks in Rome.
A nice added bonus is that Beldevere di San Giacomo terrace is nestled inside the Orto Botanico di Roma botanical gardens. More than 7,000 plant species and a butterfly house dwell within, with gorgeous sculptures dotted here and there.
7. Vatican City
Despite it being set within the city limits of Rome, Vatican City is a small independent country. The Vatican offers a closer look at the dwellings of the Catholic Church authorities as well its stunning architecture and art.
The main highlights here are St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican Museum. Visiting the three highlights is highly recommended, regardless of whether you are religious or not. Check the latest prices of skip-the-line tickets.
Historically and culturally, the Vatican is stunning, but camera-wise, the best shots are taken outdoors at St. Peter’s Square. That’s because flashes are not allowed inside the buildings, but you are free to take flash-free pics.
8. Trastevere
The Trastevere neighborhood in Rome is a must-visit area full of nice restaurants and bars.
If you’re after delicious traditionally cooked Italian fare, this is a great place to go, especially if you enjoy people-watching. Trastevere attracts both locals and tourists who flock here to enjoy the laid-back atmosphere along with the food.
Trastevere is also extremely photogenic, with cobblestoned streets and charming terracotta and rose houses, shops, and trattorias – small restaurants.
The best way to find the perfect backdrop for your content is to take a stroll through several streets and small squares. Great pics with a picturesque, rustic look are guaranteed.
While you’re in the area, you might want to walk or take the bus to Tiber Island (Isola de Tiberina), which is less than a mile away.
This is a very small island right smack in the middle of the Tiber River and the heart of Rome. It’s connected to one bank by the Ponte Fabricio bridge and the other by the Ponte Cestio bridge.
Even though it is small, Isola de Tiberina offers cool views of both banks of the river and both bridges. If you’re up to it, Piazza in Piscinula, in Trastevere, is the closest point to the islet, which is not on most people’s radar.
9. Palazzo Massimo
Palazzo Massimo Alle Colonne is a Renaissance palace in Rome in Piazza de Massimi, a very small plaza close to Piazza Navona.
Built in the nineteenth century as a Jesuit School, the palace is now a museum. The architecture itself and the frescoes on the wall are quite striking, even though it has suffered some damage over the years.
The palace and columns make a great setting for a photography session, especially if you’re looking to get some unique Rome content with an ancient air that is different from the usual touristy spots.
10. Castel Sant’ Angelo
Castel Sant’Angelo is an incredibly imposing fortress that can be spotted from many parts of the right bank of the Tiber.
It was built by Emperor Hadrian as his own mausoleum. But it was eventually used as a defense fortress, prison execution rounds, and papal residence.
The monument itself and the exhibits inside are worth the trek across the river. This is especially true if you want to get a glimpse of how much Rome has changed over the past 20 centuries.
At the top of the fortress, you’ll get breathtaking panoramic views of Rome, the Vatican, and the river. This makes it a great photo-op and one of the most Instagrammable spots in Rome.
Rome Photography Spots Wrap Up
Have you visited Rome? If so, did you find amazing Instagrammabe spots that are not mentioned here? Please share in the comment section below.