Piazza del Popolo

The Basics

Visit Piazza del Popolo to experience one of Rome’s largest public squares, marking the start of the ancient Via Flaminia. One side is anchored by Santa Maria dei Miracoli and Santa Maria in Montesanto churches; the 15th-century Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo sits opposite. In the 19th century, architect Giuseppe Valadier reshaped the square around a central Egyptian obelisk. Don't miss the scenic overlook from Pincio gardens, connected by a switchback lane and pedestrian stairs.

A visit to the piazza is included in many Rome highlights tours on foot or by bike, e-bike, Vespa scooter, and Segway. A visit to Piazza del Popolo is easy to pair with a skip-the-line tour of the Colosseum and ancient Rome, the Borghese Gallery, or the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and Piazza Navona. For a photogenic view, join a sunset or evening tour of Rome.

Things to Know Before You Go

• The pedestrian-only square is easy to manage for families with young kids.

• Wear comfortable shoes for touring and bring a sun hat as the square has no shade.

• Piazza del Popolo is completely accessible to wheelchairs or strollers.

• Be sure to bring your camera, as you’ll want to capture the view of Rome from the scenic overlook.

How to Get There

Piazza del Popolo is located at the far end of Via del Corso in one of the most elegant areas of central Rome, and easy to reach by taking the metro A line to the Flaminio stop.

When to Get There

One of Rome’s main squares, Piazza del Popolo hosts concerts and events year-round. The square has no shade, so is best visited in the cool hours of morning or after sunset, when the monuments are beautifully lit.

Sights in Piazza del Popolo

In addition to the “twin” churches of Santa Maria dei Miracoli and Santa Maria in Montesanto by Bernini and Carlo Fontana and the art-rich Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo, the square is home to a central Egyptian obelisk of Ramesses II from Heliopolis surrounded by a grouping of four tiny fountains, the Porta del Popolo reworked by Bernini, andRome between the Tiber and the Aniene fountain andFountain of Neptune.

Ways to explore

You can stop by Piazza del Popolo anytime, and it is included in many Rome highlights tours by foot, bike, e-bike, Vespa scooter, golf cart, or tuk-tuk. Art-focused tours highlighting Renaissance and baroque masterpieces often include a stop at Santa Maria del Popolo, set along the square. A visit to Piazza del Popolo is easy to pair with a skip-the-line tour of the Colosseum and ancient Rome, located at the opposite end of the main Via del Corso thoroughfare. For a photogenic view, join a sunset or evening tour of Rome that pauses at the Pincio Gardens scenic overlook.

Accessibility

The flat, paved square is accessible to wheelchairs.

Age limits

Piazza del Popolo is closed to traffic, so it’s ideal for families with young children.

What to pack

Sunscreen, water bottle

What to wear

Comfortable shoes, hat

Not allowed

Motorized scooters, entering the fountains

Amenities

The area surrounding Piazza del Popolo is full of restaurants, bars, and shops.

Address

Piazza del Popolo is at the far end of Via del Corso in one of the busiest shopping areas of central Rome. It’s easy to reach on foot from several A-list Roman sights, and the Piazzale Flaminio transportation hub just outside the square is a main stop on many bus and tram lines.

Driving

There is little parking near Piazza del Popolo, and much of the surrounding area is a limited traffic zone, making driving to this busy square stressful. Instead, walk from the city’s Historic Center along shop-lined Via del Corso or take a bus or tram to Piazzale Flaminio.

Public transportation

Numerous buses and tram lines from across the city stop at Piazzale Flaminio, a bustling transportation hub set just north of the square behind Santa Maria del Popolo.

Best times to visit

Piazza del Popolo has almost no shade, and the summer heat radiates from its paved expanse. Avoid the midday sun in summer, or visit from fall through spring to enjoy the square with milder temperatures.

Best days to visit

Piazza del Popolo is particularly lively on weekends, when shoppers filling Via del Corso spill into the square.

Best months to visit

The mild spring and fall temperatures make visiting the open-air space more pleasant, while the months between June and September are often too hot to enjoy the square fully.

Special events

This large square often hosts concerts and other special events. The annual New Year’s Rome Parade with marching bands, cheerleaders, and folk bands runs between Piazza del Popolo and Piazza di Spagna.