Walk 1 - Vatican
From the apartment go to via Condotti where you find l’Antico Caffè Greco famous for it’s well known clients. De Chirico, Shelley, Mark Twain and numerous other artists and writers have used it as a meeting point.
It is also famous for it’s excellent coffee and is the perfect way to start your day. From there walk to Largo Goldoni continuing on to via Fontanella Borghese.
From there head to piazza Ponte Umberto by way of via del Clementino and Via Monte Brianzo. As you cross Ponte Umberto be sure to enjoy the splendid view of Castel Sant’ Angelo.
You can visit it if you Iike.
From Castel Sant’Angelo the Basilica di S. Pietro will appear before you. Be sure to visit St. Peter’s and the Vatican Museum, home of the world famous Sistine Chapel.
Regarding Vatican tours: my guide, Anne Hogan, can facilitate your visit by arranging advanced bookings, bypassing the usual long Iines.
This needs to be done in advance. Reservations are Iimited and are snapped up quickly.
The Pope gives public audiences every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. (ticket required). You can return home by Metro from the Ottaviano subway station getting off at Spanish Steps.
Walk 2 - Navona Square- Farnese Square - Pantheon
From piazza Ponte Umberto it’s a short walk down via Zanardelli to Piazza Navona where you find the exquisite Fontana dei Fiumi by Bernini and the church of S. Agnese in Agone whose facade was created by Borromini.
Bernini and Borromini are the two most famous Italian baroque artists and they often competed for commissions.
From here it’s a short walk to Campo dei Fiori, one of Rome’s most famous morning open air markets where I suggest you to have lunch at La Carbonara.
Before entering La Carbonara, on the left you can visit one of Rome’s best bakeries.
After lunch be sure to visit the piazza Farnese, home to one of Rome’s most spectacular palazzos designed by San Gallo and Michelangelo. There are two ancient Roman fountains in the piazza.
Returning home along via di Torre Argentina and passing through Largo Argentina, I suggest a short detour to the Pantheon.
Walk 3 - Forum - Colosseum
From Largo Goldoni walk up via del Corso to piazza Venezia. Here you can visit Trojan’s column, Trojan’s markets, the Roman Forum, the Colosseum, the Arch of Constantine and end up at the Domus Aurea (if open). And after, visit “3D Rewind Rome“, a virtual and interactive journey in 3D through the ancient Rome.
I suggest you have lunch at nearby Caffè Propaganda (Via Claudia, 15).
Walk 4 - Trevi Fountain - Quirinale
The Trevi Fountain is a short walk from Spanish Steps. If you wish to return to Rome don’t forget to toss a coin in the fountain!
In Piazza Barberini you can visit the “Fontana del Tritone”. Walk up via Quattro Fontane and visit one of Rome’s best known art galleries at the Palazzo Barberini.
Continuing up via Quattro Fontane you can visit the baroque church of S. Carlino alle Quattro Fontane designed by Borromini.
Walking down Via XX Settembre you find the baroque church of S. Andrea al Quirinale designed, once again, by Borromini’s greatest competitor Bernini.
Across from S. Andrea you can see the Palazzo del Quirinale, home of Italy’s President.
Walk 5 - Popolo Square - Borghese Gallery
From Largo Goldoni take via del Corso in the opposite direction to Piazza del Popolo. There you find one of several Egyptian Obelisks imported by the ancient Romans.
Two of Rome’s most famous cafes, Canova and Rosati (my favorite) are located there.
If you take the winding road up from Piazza del Popolo towards the Borghese Gardens, you find yourself at the Pincio from where you can admire one of Rome’s most breath taking views.
The Casina Valadier, an exclusive cafe & restaurant, is nearby. It was designed by Valadier, who also designed Piazza del Popolo.
Continuing up viale Trinità dei Monti you can visit the Palazzo Medici and Trinità dei Monti which offers a spectacular view of the Spanish Steps from above.
Continuing on via Sistina and turning left on via Francesco Crispi you reach via Veneto, symbol of “La Dolce Vita” and home to two of Fellini’s favorite cafes: Cafe’ de Paris and Doney’s.
Walk through the ancient Roman walls at the top of via Veneto and through the Borghese Gardens until reaching the Villa Borghese Museum.
In recent years it has been completely restored and contains incredible statues by Bernini and Canova. There is also an art gallery upstairs. You must reserve the visits in advance.
Walk 6 - Trastevere
Sunday morning can be spent at Italy’s most famous flea market, Porta Portese which is open from dawn until 1:30 p.m.
While in Trastevere, I Iike to visit the churches of S. Cecilia and S. Maria in Trastevere.
If you would like to stay in the area you can have a meal at Meo Patacca, an old style restaurant where you can hear songs sung in Roman dialect.
Walk 7 - Jewish Ghetto
In the Jewish Ghetto you can visit Rome’s largest synagogue and spend some time on the Isola Tiberina. If you wish to eat I can recommend two restaurants: Giggetto al Portico d’Ottavia and Piperno.
