To be completely honest, before I went to Rome I didn't actually know about some of the most beautiful and popular spots. I really only knew about the touristy famous spots I wrote about in my other post, like the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain etc. But there are plenty of other amazing sights and popular spots within Rome that stood out in addition to those that shouldn't be missed!
Victor Emmanuel Monument
Also known as the Altare della Patria, Altar of the Fatherland, the Victor Emmanuel Monument is a stunning neoclassical white marble structure that was completed in 1935. Victor Emmanuel was the first king of Italy after Italy's unification. If you pay, you can go to the top of it and get an amazing view which I am super upset I didn't do because I am a sucker for a good view so next time! There is also a history museum inside which I didn't see as well but if you are a big fan of history then this may be great for you! Although it is not as old and historic as a lot of the go to spots in Rome, it is still definitely worth seeing!
Castel Sant'Angelo
This was originally built as a mausoleum for the Roman Emperor Hadrian, and so it is also known as the Mausoleum of Hadrian. It was also later used as a fortress and castle. It is located right on the Tiber river so it is very picturesque. You can cross a bridge right to it! We went at night and it felt like I was in a movie. If you go during the day you can pay to go inside, there is a museum Museo Nazionale di Castel Sant'Angelo, and a terrace for some nice views.
Piazza di Spagna, Spanish Steps, and Pincio Terrace
The Piazza di Spagna is right at the bottom of the Spanish Steps so you get two great spots in one! You just gotta climb those stairs for the view. They Spanish Steps got their name because they were built to connect the Spanish Embassy to the Church of Trinità dei Monti. The square is also right by streets filled with expensive designer stores if you like to shop! I definitely could in no way afford anything there but my friend and I wandered into a Gucci just cause we wanted to. The steps are well worth the climb as it offers a nice view of the plaza and if you keep going up past the church on the left you will get to Pincio Terrace, which offers a beautiful view of the city!
Villa Borghese Gardens
Once you enjoy the view at Pincio Terrace, talk a short walk to the Villa Borghese Gardens. It is a free landscape garden and is a really nice break from the business of Rome. It is relatively
quiet and has less people, so it is definitely worth taking a relaxing stroll around here! My friend and I took a nice walking break here as we were exhausted from climbing the steps then walking to Pincio Terrace. We tried to go to Galleria Borghese as well, the art gallery here, but it was unfortunately closed the day we went. We didn't do our research and didn't realized it is closed on Mondays. So if you want to see some art don't go on a Monday!
Fountain of the Four Rivers (Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi) and the Moor Fountain (Fontana del Moro)
These .fountains are both in the Piazza Navona so you can see both at once! The Fountain of the Four Rivers was built in 1651 to represent the Nile, the Danube, the Ganges, and the Rio de la Plata. I loved the intricacy of the detail in the statues of the animals, plants and the four gods that represent each of the rivers. Close by is Fontana del Moro which depicts four tritons surrounding a Moor fighting a dolphin. There's a lot to see in these fountains so spend some time here and get some photos!
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