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When it comes to iconic landmarks in Rome, the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps are undoubtedly at the top of many travelers’ must-see lists. However, the downside of these beautiful attractions is the often overwhelming crowds that flock to them. They get literally draped with tourists!
If you’re dreaming of Experiencing the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps without crowds and taking stunning photos to cherish, you’re in the right place.
Having lived in Rome for more than 10 years and hunted for the best photos possible in the Eternal City, I’ve come up with some tips for travelers who truly want to take photos of these iconic landmarks without the throngs of tourists getting in the way and ruining perfect photos.
In this blog post, I’ll share with you my secret to experiencing the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps in a more intimate and relaxed way while ensuring your photos are nothing short of spectacular.
Early Birds Catch the Beauty of the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps
One of the surefire ways to avoid the crowds is to rise and shine early. Rome’s early mornings have a unique magic, offering you tranquil moments with these iconic sites. Early morning in Rome is truly a different world than the one that gets flooded with tourists around the 9 AM tourist tide. Set your alarm early and skip the hotel breakfast to catch the morning glory of Rome.
Early morning is the only time of the day that you can actually enjoy squares and monuments without the throngs of tourists and get the best shots.
Head to the Trevi Fountain first at the crack of dawn, and you’ll find a serene atmosphere with only a few fellow travelers who are also privy to the secret of enjoying Rome early morning. This is the perfect time to capture the soft, morning light that adds a touch of enchantment to your photos.
Depending on the season you are traveling to Italy, if you are in Rome during the long summer days, you can even plan to get out to the Trevi Fountain around 6 AM. During the shorter days of the fall and winter months, you can visit around 7 AM.
After you’ve captured your perfect photos of the Trevi Fountain, head over to a nearby cafe for a morning cappuccino and cornetto and have a proper Roman breakfast!
The only catch about going to the Trevi Fountain early morning is the possibility of finding the fountain cleaners vacuuming up the thousands of Euros worth of coins that enthusiastic travelers threw into the fountain in hopes to be granted a future return to the Eternal City.
After the Trevi Fountain, head over to the Spanish Steps. Generally speaking, if you get there before 9 AM you will make it before the huge crowds arrive (mainly group tours) draping the Spanish Steps with tourists.
How to get to Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps early morning
If you are staying in Rome’s historical center, you may just be a walking distance from the Trevi Fountain.
Otherwise, if you are staying away from the center and wish to avoid delays using public transportation, call a Taxi or get an Uber driver to pick you up. For both, allow 15-20 minutes for a Taxi or Uber to reach your pick-up location.
Walking from Trevi Fountain to the Spanish Steps, will take about 10 minutes. You may use your Google Maps to navigate a walking route aiming to arrive there before 9 AM which is when crowds start arriving.
Choose the Right Seasons to visit Rome
The best time of the year to visit the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps with fewer crowds in general is between late autumn (mid-November) to early Spring (early March). Rome experiences its peak tourist season during the late spring, summer, and early fall months.
Sure, you will risk dreary and rainy days between November and March, but you may also catch bright sunny winter days as well. Winters in Rome are mild, making it ideal for leisurely exploration if you want to avoid crowds in general.
Stay Patient and Persistent
Even with the best planning, it’s possible to encounter some crowds or that annoying bystander that decides their favorite spot to admire the Trevi Fountain is smack in front of everyone else trying to take a photo.
Stay patient and be persistent in your pursuit of the perfect shot. Wait for lulls in the flow of visitors and seize the moment to capture your memories. If someone blocks the view of a certain spot you are trying to photograph, move over and explore unique angles and new perspectives that avoid capturing people in your frame. Zoom into details to capture unique details. Then, when the people move away from your previous view, you can go back and capture that frame.
In a city as enchanting as Rome, where history and art merge seamlessly, experiencing the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps without the crowds are a gift you’ll cherish and your stunning photos will be worth the effort.
Following these tips will help you savor the beauty of Rome and capture stunning photos that will forever remind you of your time in the Eternal City. So, pack your camera, plan your visit wisely, and prepare to be captivated by the timeless charm of Rome’s most famous landmarks.