Tips For Visiting The Spanish Steps In Rome - Free Tours By Foot

The Spanish Steps are one of the most beautiful sights in Rome and one of my favorites.

I've been to them twice, once as a child and recently as a grown-up.

Both times they left an impression on me. They seemed so tall and impossible to climb!

In this post, I'll explain how to visit these iconic steps and share tips to make your visit the best possible, whether you climb them, take the lift to the top, or admire them from above or below.

Lastly, I'll tell you what I and other travelers think about the Spanish Steps and whether or not they are overrated or a must-see attraction.

WHAT ARE THE SPANISH STEPS?

Well, it's a staircase - but not just any staircase. It is considered by many to be the most famous staircase in the world. Why is that?

One reason is that this set of travertine stone stairs is considered the widest and longest in Europe, with a whopping 135 steps rising a steep 29-metre (95-foot) slope.

Another is that they are one of Rome's most beautiful sights, especially in April and May when the steps are lined with lush pink azaleas marking the arrival of Spring.

So it's big and beautiful. But there's more than meets the eye as these steps have historical and religious significance.

Constructed in 1723, the Baroque staircase connects the Piazza di Spagna at the bottom with the Piazza Trinita dei Monti at the top.

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Despite the name, the Spanish had no part in conceiving, designing or constructing the steps.

Rather, they were financed by a French diplomat to symbolize peace between the Holy Trinity and the Spanish Embassy located at that time at the bottom of the steps.

The Spanish Steps' religious significance is based on its role in the Feast of the Immaculate Conception which occurs every December 8.

On that day, the Pope comes to the statue of the Immaculate Conception in Piazza Mignanelli, adjacent to Rome’s central Piazza di Spagna at the bottom of the steps.

If you want to see the Pope but are not in town on December 8, do what I did and attend a Sunday Angelus at the Vatican.

TIP: If you'd like some narration when you visit the Spanish Steps, as well as other landmarks like the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon, check out our free, GPS-led audio tour of Rome.

Here's a sample discussing some aspects of the steps, including a brief history.

1. Purchase an audio tour.
2. Get a confirmation email with .mp3, .pdf, and embeddable Google Map
3. Enjoy the tour(s).

Best Times to Visit

The Spanish Steps are accessible from morning to night so you have options.

There are always some people there, and in Spring and Summer, it can be especially crowded.

To avoid the crowds, I suggest you visit early in the morning. Try to arrive between 7:00 am and 9:00 am to grab a picture with fewer people in it!

Alternatively, you can go for the lunchtime lull between 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm.

As tourists and locals head into nearby restaurants and cafes to get a bite to eat, the Spanish Steps can be less crowded.

Lastly, starting at 6:00 pm and into the evening is a fine time to go. You can catch the sunset or come later when most people have cleared out of the area.

If you visit during the sunset, it can be a pretty special experience. Find out when the sun sets here.

TIPS

It's worth visiting the Spanish Steps at night

While the Spanish Steps aren't as well-lit after dark as some other attractions in Rome, the lighting is good enough for an evening visit.

Several evening walks of Rome's city center start at the Spanish Steps, so you may want to consider joining one.

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The area around the Spanish Steps is generally safe, though at night, it's a good idea to keep a watch for pickpockets.

I spent a wonderful evening with some Italian friends watching the sunset from the top of the Spanish Steps.

After sunset, we walked to the stunning Trevi Fountain as dusk settled.

Afterwards? Gelato-time!

You cannot sit on the Spanish Steps

When I came to Rome as a child with my family in the 1970s, I -- along with hundreds of others -- could plop down on the steps to get a rest from the ascent.

In 2019, the city banned sitting on the steps to protect them from being damaged by activities other than walking on them.

Eating on the steps is also banned. These centuries-old Baroque steps won't look so good with splotches of gelato on them.

Seriously though, this ban is no joke. Violators can be fined as much as €400.

The good news is that you can eat your gelato in front of the steps if you want to recreate the Spanish Steps scene from the classic 1953 movie Roman Holiday starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck!

Take a Break

It's not difficult to walk up the stairs, but I think it's wise to take a break at one of the terraces along the way.

It's also an opportunity to get some photos and soak in the atmosphere.

Like I said above, you cannot sit on the steps, so take it slow!

Consider a Walking Tour

Several popular walking tours of Rome start or end at the Spanish Steps, including our free, GPS-led audio tour of Rome.

If you’re interested in learning more about the historic sites nearby, consider taking one of the many tours detailed in our Rome City Center post.

TIPS FROM LOCALS AND TRAVELERS

Although I do my best to remain unbiased, my opinions aren't always the same as everyone else.

Each person has their own interests, be it seeing iconic sights when traveling or skipping attractions that may not be as spectacular as others say it is.

On both Reddit and Facebook, you can find plenty of people with different opinions about the Spanish Steps and if they are worth seeing.

What do Reddit users think?

Here a Reddit user asks the forum what makes the Spanish Steps so special.

Like so many people, the below commenter clearly thinks seeing the steps is worth it, just for the view alone.

By going early in the morning on a beautiful day and then returning for the sunset, this commenter had an 'inspiring' experience.

Those who appreciate architecture may find a visit to the steps rewarding, given how well all the nearby monuments meld perfectly with the steps making for beautiful scenery.

The history of the architecture, considered advanced for the time, is also impressive. But if you don't have an interest in such things, you may be underwhelmed by the Spanish Steps.

Sometimes people have reasons to see them that are extremely personal, like this commenter who loves the movie, Lizzie McGuire.

I can’t say that this reason would convince me if I were on the fence, but there must be other Lizzie McGuire fans out there!

What do members of our Rome Travel Tips Facebook group think?

I was also curious to see what members of our Rome Travel Tips Facebook group made up of travelers and locals thought.

So I posed the question, "Spanish Steps: Must-See Attraction or Overrated?"

Here's what they had to say about the Spanish Steps.

I'd love to tell you everyone loves it, but the reality is that there are quite a number of people who find this attraction overrated.

But even some of those who felt it was overrated still found good reasons to visit the Spanish Steps, like the incredible views from the top or the great photo-ops the steps provide.

A fantastic tip was shared also, which we recommend as well. Go early to have the steps to yourself!

Some members had the opposite opinion, insisting the Spanish Steps are a must-see.

One member echoed my thoughts that, if you can be there, May is a lovely time to visit as the steps are lined with flowers.

Yet another member said the view is great from the top and was especially wowed by the fountain at the bottom.

Want to hear what more people had to say about the Spanish Steps - or any topic about Rome for that matter -- check out our Rome Travel Tips Facebook Group.

You don't need to become a member to search for and read the posts, comments, and suggestions.

You can even ask a question yourself. So why not have a look?

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