What is it?
Piazza di Spagna takes its name from the Spanish Embassy to the Vatican, but is chiefly celebrated for the elegant cascade of stairs down from the church of Trinità dei Monti. Known in Italian as the Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti, the English Grand Tourists referred to them as the Spanish Steps.
At the foot of the stairs is a delightful boat-shaped fountain, the barcaccia, designed in 1627 by Gian Lorenzo Bernini and/or his less famous father Pietro; it’s ingeniously sunk below ground level to compensate for the low pressure of the delicious acqua vergine that feeds it. The steps are best seen first thing in the morning before the crowds arrive.
A brilliant example of 18th urban planning, the 138 stairs of the Spanish Steps connect Piazza di Spagna to the Trinità dei Monti church. Restored by Bulgari in 2016, the shining marble stairs are the entry point to the city’s luxury shopping district.
Is it good to shop there?
The buzzing piazza and monumental scalinata (‘staircase’ in Italian) are a part of the Eternal City’s must-see list even before considering the shopping options, but the Spanish Steps also lead the way to Via Condotti – Rome’s must exclusive street.
Prada, Louis Vuitton, and Gucci are just a few of the brands with flagship stores here. There are also smaller local luxury shops like Sermoneta for custom gloves or Frette for high-end home goods on the piazza.
What are the prices like?
Italy’s most famous designers are known for charging impressive sums so ensure that your credit card limits can accommodate the sky-high prices.
What's worth visiting nearby?
After letting your wallet do the heavy lifting, stop for high tea at the historic Babingtons Tea Room, or indulge in a glass of wine overlooking Rome’s most famous staircase at Il Palazzetto. While the Keats-Shelley House is better known, pre-booking a small group tour of artist Giorgio de Chirico’s house museum is a treat both for the paintings and the bird’s-eye views over Piazza di Spagna.
