Rome- Best Views
 

I was wondering if you could help me with places to visit in Rome that offer the best views of the city. From the top of a hill or building. THANKS

28 Days until we leave!!!

The top of Janiculum hill in the late afternoon is perfect, as all of Rome will be aglow with golden light below your feet.

There's a great travel book for Rome called City Secrets that has lots of information that you can't easily find elsewhere. It's very small, you may want to pick up a copy.

I agree - Janiculum hill. It is THE best view of Rome.

I realize that by saying Janiculum hill most people might know where it is and how to get there. If you could include short directions or an address that would make this thread even better.

Enter "passeggiata del gianicolo rome italy" in maps.google.com then click on Satellite. Off to the right of the large circular plaza in the middle of the road with a statue in is a long straight wall with a fantastic view all along that wall.

It's a possible walk from Trastevere or the Vatican but it is up a VERY steep hill and all uphill. I strongly advise taking a taxi instead. Just say "gianicolo park" and they will take you right there. It is easy to catch a taxi back from there as well.

Castel Sant'Angelo

The Dome of St. Peter's

The best view of the Forum and Circus Maximus is from Palatine hill. Here's a hint, if you plan to visit the Colosseum: The ticket is valid for both Colosseum and Palatine hill and is sold at both places. To avoid the horrendous queues at Colosseum, go to Palatine hill first, buy your ticket there with hardly any lines, go up and enjoy the view and visit Colosseum afterwards.

Janiculum hill is named "Gianicolo" on Italian maps.

For me, the best view and the one I remember most was on my first day in Rome in 1999 -- at the top of the Aracoeli staircase going to Santa Maria de Aracoeli church. This staircase is adjacent to the Cordanata staircase going up to the Piazza del Campidoglio designed by Michelangelo in the 16th c. You could see all the way to the Vatican.

Way out of the tourist path, with views as far as the Roman Hills, my favorite spot is on top of Monte Mario, having coffee at the Zodiac Cafe.

This previous thread may help you:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...name=i_am_kane

We returned from our 3rd visit to Rome in January of 2007 where our goal was to visit areas of the city we had never been and to see the city from different vistas and perspectives. We managed to do just that. I'd like to share a link to my trip report which details where we went and how to get there. There's also a link to the images that will show you the views from each of the areas described. I hope you find it useful.

Trip report:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34933984

Images: (no signing in required)

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=...&y=-1gghn7

Another vote for Janiculum. Actually 2 votes: proxy for my husband.

HOWever, I would recommend arriving just before noon, when the Garibaldi cannon is shot off. You'll jump out of your skin!
:)

The keyhole at the Knights of Malta front gate on Aventine Hill. It is a framed view of St. Peter's that our guide showed us.

bookmarking...

ps. Happy Traveler, check this out, from my last visit:

http://www.worldisround.com/articles...5/photo22.html

and more:

http://www.theculturedtraveler.com/A...e_Openings.htm

At the top of the Spanish Steps, head north a ways and find Ciampini cafe, a great stop for gelato or coffee and with really pleasant outdoor terrace, away from traffic, a real garden feel - you will feel like you've left the city behind for a few minutes. And right along that road are spots where you look across and see a succession of domes, with St. Peters in the distance. A nice little surprise.

The top of the Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II offers a wonderful and panoramic and almost 360 degree view of the city. And it is often said that it is the only view that doesn't include itself, this "wedding cake" that not all Romans are in awe of.

normanoromano: how can you get to the top of Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II ? do you need a ticket, And where is the access to the top?

I think I misspoke myself when I said the 'top'. I meant the terraces below the portico that are reachable from the front up the huge staircases.
I seem to remember that we used a Rick Steves trick that I found in our apartment copy of his "Rome 2006". But since that is about the only guide I didn't buy, I can't now refresh my memory. It involved something like selecting the 'door on the left' or maybe right somewhere around either the Campidoglio or S. Maria in Aracoeli and taking an easy internal stair/passage and avoiding the pain of the large front stair climb. No tickets or cost. My my how quickly time flies and memories fade.

From the rooftop of St.Peter's, looking over the facade.