Do you know what was the first thing I noticed about Rome? The sound.
There’s this hum of scooter engines and they blend with footsteps on those old cobblestones, the church bells marking time I really had no reason to follow, and the occasional echo of laughter. We all have this idea of places we haven’t seen, and when it comes to Rome, I expected grandeur, history, maybe even a bit of chaos.
I came with a checklist of sorts. I knew I wanted to see the Colosseum, the Vatican, and the Trevi Fountain. But then I spent a few hours under the sun and let me tell you, it wasn't very romantic.
During that time of elbowing through the crowds and looking at the map on my phone, I figured, I must be doing something wrong because this whole thing feels like work.
So, I closed the map, took a step back, and slowed down to explore piazzas in Rome. Keep reading and I’ll tell you more about it.
I landed in Rome with a plan. I had booked tours, mapped out walking routes, I even went so far as to schedule my coffee breaks. My idea was to see as much as possible in as little time as possible because isn’t that the point of visiting a city so full of art and history?
But within two days, I was more tired than inspired. Between the crowds, the summer heat, and the constant pressure to stay on schedule, I realized I wasn’t enjoying myself. Not that that’s surprising, since so many people say that planning a vacation is more stressful than staying at work.
And before I forced myself to elbow through another ticket line, I gave up. I left my itinerary in the hotel room and went out to wander with no plan at all.
I didn’t see any major landmarks that day, but I still remember every second of it. I watched kids chase pigeons around Piazza Navona like it was their personal playground. There was the smell of fresh espresso that pulled me into a tiny café, where I stayed way longer than I should.
A street musician near the Tiber sang with so much emotion, people actually stopped to listen. None of this was planned, but this was the first time I actually felt like I was on vacation.
Top 8 Rome Piazzas to Explore in Italy's Capital
Rome has so much to offer, there was no way I wasn’t going to stumble upon some truly amazing places. And these weren’t your run-of-the-mill ‘hidden gems’ you had a hard time finding; all of these are public, well-loved areas that are open to everyone.
1. Villa Borghese
Source: Depositphotos.
I found my way here kind of by accident. I wanted to get away from the noise and I heard another person in the hotel mentioning this was a good place for it. I had rented a bike earlier that day, so I thought, why not give it a go?
And that’s another thing – it’s so much easier to experience Rome if you have a bike. Bike rental in Rome for Dutch travelers, as well as French, American, or any other tourists, is a piece of cake. So make sure to give it a go, because exploring cities on a bike is a whole different experience.
Anyway, back to Villa Borghese. I stopped by the little lake, watched people rowing, and scribbled a few notes in my journal with no pressure to make them meaningful. The noise of the traffic faded here and I truly felt rested when I left.
2. The Orange Garden on Aventine Hill
Source: Depositphotos.
Reaching the Giardino degli Aranci took some effort, but the view was worth it. The garden was quiet, with wide paths shaded by orange trees and plenty of benches. I sat down and felt like seeing the city from above gave me a distance, not just physically, but emotionally.
I felt like I was able to zoom out of my own thoughts, relax, and just enjoy what was around me.
3. Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere
Source: Depositphotos.
I ended up here one late afternoon because I noticed the neighborhood's warm colors and cobbled charm. Piazza Santa Maria seemed to open out of nowhere and in the sun that was setting, it looked almost golden. I ordered an espresso at a small corner café and took it to a table outside.
I watched a couple dance to music playing from someone’s speakers and there were kids nearby playing tag while their grandparents sipped wine and kept an eye on them. I took a good deal of photos here because the area is just stunning.
4. Piazza Navona
Source: Depositphotos.
I stumbled upon Piazza Navona when I was deliberately trying to get lost. It's one of those famous spots in Rome that somehow feels intimate despite its popularity.
The long oval space was once a stadium where the Romans would gather to watch competitions, and now it's like an open-air museum.
Three fountains punctuate the space, with Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers standing proudly in the center. I spent an hour just sitting by that fountain, watching street artists sketch portraits and listening to the water splash against the marble. There's something about the sound of running water that makes even the busiest places feel peaceful.
The cafés lining the edges were touristy and overpriced, sure, but I still found a small gelato shop tucked in a corner where I got the most amazing pistachio cone. I ate it slowly, watching the light change as the afternoon wore on, painting the baroque facades in warm hues.
5. Piazza del Campidoglio
I discovered this one by accident when I took a wrong turn trying to find the Roman Forum.
Designed by Michelangelo himself, this piazza sits atop Capitoline Hill, and the moment I stepped into it, I felt like I'd walked onto a movie set. The elegant star pattern on the pavement seemed to draw my eyes upward to the surrounding palaces and the bronze statue of Marcus Aurelius in the center.
What struck me most was how quiet it was, despite being just steps away from some of Rome's busiest attractions.
I leaned against the balustrade at the back of the square and gazed out at one of the most spectacular views of the Roman Forum below. I stood there for nearly half an hour, watching tourists scurry between ancient columns like ants, while up here, time seemed to stand still.
6. Piazza Mattei
This tiny square wasn't on any of my maps, but I heard the sound of water and followed it down a narrow alley.
What I found was a small, intimate piazza with the most charming fountain I'd seen in Rome – the Fontana delle Tartarughe, or Turtle Fountain. Four bronze youths were helping little turtles climb into a basin, the detail so lifelike I half-expected them to move.
An elderly man sat on a bench nearby, reading a newspaper and occasionally looking up to nod at passersby.
I wondered how many afternoons he'd spent in this exact spot, how many visitors like me he'd seen come and go. I took a seat on the opposite bench and just breathed in the atmosphere – no selfie sticks, no tour guides with flags, just the gentle splash of water and the soft murmur of locals going about their day.
7. Piazza di Pietra
I was hunting for a particular restaurant when I walked into this piazza and stopped dead in my tracks.
Eleven massive columns from an ancient temple to Emperor Hadrian dominated one side, integrated into a more modern building that now houses a stock exchange. The contrast between the ancient and the contemporary hit me hard – how many generations had walked past these same columns?
I found a little café with outdoor seating and ordered an Aperol Spritz, then sat back to take in the scene.
Business people in sharp suits rushed past, their urgent phone calls a stark contrast to the timeless columns that had stood there for nearly two millennia. As the evening drew in, lights illuminated the columns from below, creating dramatic shadows that seemed to bring the ancient temple back to life.
8. Piazza di San Calisto
This little square in Trastevere became my go-to spot for evening people-watching.
It's smaller and less famous than nearby Piazza Santa Maria, which is exactly why I loved it. The local bar, San Calisto, spilled out into the square with plastic chairs and tables, and was filled with an eclectic mix of locals, students, and the occasional lost tourist.
I befriended a group of Italian students one evening when they asked to borrow my lighter. Despite my broken Italian and their limited English, we spent hours sharing stories over cheap beer.
They showed me photos of their favorite spots in Rome – places I would never have found in any guidebook. When we parted ways, one of them scribbled a list of recommendations on a napkin, which became my unofficial itinerary for the rest of my trip.
Source: Depositphotos.
Conclusion
I’m not saying schedules are bad and you should never have an itinerary. But in my case, it was putting way too much pressure and I ended up stressed instead of having fun.
Once I gave up planning and trying to control every second, I learned how to really enjoy my time in Rome and I had a blast.
I left Italy feeling relaxed, fulfilled, with a phone full of photos and mind overflowing with wonderful memories.
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