Baroque Rome's three great set pieces, a short walk apart. At 7am you have them almost to yourself; by 11 you share them with thousands.
These are the showpieces of papal Rome, built in the 17th and 18th centuries to impress pilgrims. They still do.
The Trevi Fountain, finished in 1762, fills a whole palace front. Since February 2026 the platform at the water's edge costs €2 from 9am to 10pm, with a capacity limit. The piazza above is free, and at 7am the fountain is empty.
Piazza Navona keeps the long oval of Domitian's stadium. In the centre stands Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers, with the Nile, Danube, Ganges and Río de la Plata, facing Borromini's church of Sant'Agnese.
The Spanish Steps climb to Trinità dei Monti. Sitting on them is now forbidden, and the municipal police enforce it, so stand and enjoy the view.
Start at 7am at the Steps and finish with breakfast on Navona.
Climb to Trinità dei Monti for the view down Via dei Condotti.
Toss a coin over your shoulder before the platform fee and the crowds start at 9.
A spiral of carved campaigns, still standing where it was raised.
Eleven Roman columns built into the front of a later palazzo.
Walk the oval of Domitian's stadium and take breakfast as the cafés open.
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Metro A to Spagna for the Steps; everything else is on foot.
Pay the €2 at the kiosk or online; before 9am and after 10pm the platform is free.
Avoid the café terraces right on the piazzas; a street back, prices halve.
Rome practical notes →Photographs from Wikimedia Commons and Pexels under their licences.
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