Walking Rome Tour | Enjoy the Baroque Trevi Fountain

The Colosseum is the most visited attraction in Rome after St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, but according to the feedbacks we collected from our guests Trevi Fountain is perhaps the most loved landmark in Rome and due to its enduring appeal this baroque fountain is probably the most photographed monument in Rome.

Designed by Nicola Salvini in 1732, the Trevi Fountain is one of the last Roman baroque treasures built in Rome. This is the place where Fellini directed Anita Ekberg in La Dolce Vita movie as she frolicked in the water inviting Marcello Mastroianni “Marcello, come here”.

And the Fontana di Trevi still casts its spell on visitors today, not least because of the legend that says that by turning your back on the baroque monument and throwing a coin over your shoulder you are sure to return to Rome one day. Thanks to this legend Rome’s Major cashes Euro 600,000 every year, and the money is used to support needy projects around Rome.

The Trevi Fountain is right in the heart of the Eternal City of Rome and the area is packed with quintessentially Roman sights. Wander around the area and you’ll see that there is at least a church in every square making a religious theme tour an interesting prospect.

Being such a popular spot with an endless stream of tourists and visitors it is very common in the Trevi Fountain area to end up paying an exorbitant price for drinks and frozen food presented as it was fresh. So should visitors avoid this area? Absolutely NOT, just read ItalyTravelista list of tourist-friendly Bars and Restaurants in/around the Trevi Fountain and enjoy real Italian food by one of the most stunning baroque fountains in all of Rome.

TOP RESTAURANTS and BARS Near The TREVI FOUNTAIN

Tamerici

Only a few steps from the Trevi Fountain, located in a typical Rome’s narrow alley, Le Tamerici is an excellent choice for a nice lunch or a romantic dinner. I personally enjoy the great selection of appetizers and the good wine list combined with a very efficient service. Few outdoor tables available.

Price Euro 50 | Gambero Rosso 2010 Overall Rating 52 | Closed Sundays

Vineria Il Chianti

Il Chianti is a very nice wine bar, restaurant and pizzeria just off Trevi Square. Owned by the same company running Le Tamerici, Il Chianti is a modern version of the traditional trattoria, service is courteous and the bill is fair. Nice outdoor tables.

Price Euro 25 | Gambero Rosso 2010 Overall N/A | Closed Sundays

Vineria il Chianti by the Trevi Fountain | Tasty Italian Appetizers

Piccolo Arancio | Vicolo Scanderbeg 112

This tiny, charming trattoria only a few blocks from the Trevi Fountain in an almost hidden alleyway offers authentic Italian food at very reasonable prices. Plenty of regulars come here for the excellent fritters, the farfalle and fusilli pasta dishes and delicious dessert like the lemon mousse. Few outdoor tables available.

Price Euro 30 | Gambero Rosso 2010 Overall Rating N/A | Closed Mondays

Ristorante Al Presidente

Once a rustic trattoria Al Presidente is today a stylish restaurant serving well prepared roman traditional food and excellent seafood. Dinner here would cost around Euro 60 but you can take advantage of the excellent value for money lunch, every day except for Sundays, with a choice of a self service buffet plus two dishes and a pasta from the kitchen.

Buffet Price Euro 32 | Gambero Rosso 2010 Overall Rating 79 | Closed Mondays

Ristorante Nino | Via Borgognona 11

Just a couple of blocks from the Spanish Steps and not far from the Trevi Fountain Nino is a great place for tasting the best traditional food from Tuscany. Here you will love the atmosphere and elegance of a Bygone Era and the food and the wine and the service! One of my faves restaurants in Rome.

Price Euro 55 | Gambero Rosso 2010 Overall Rating 70 | Closed Sundays

Spaghetteria L’Archetto | Via dell’Archetto 26

A few blocks away from the Trevi Fountain L’Archetto spaghetti house offers pasta dressed with over 120 kind of different of pasta sauces. Here you’ll also find pizza and traditional well prepared Italian dishes. Prices are reasonable, outside seating available and it is always open in summer.

Price Euro 25 | Gambero Rosso 2010 Overall Rating N/A | Closed Never

Enoteca Regionale Palatium | Authentic Roman Food & Wine

Enoteca Regionale Palatium

This delicious wine bar, just a short walk from the Trevi Fountain offers Rome’ specialties. Taste the food, try the wines, do the sum and you’ll agree this place offers excellent value for money.

Price Euro 30 | Gambero Rosso 2010 Rating 2 Bottles | Closed Sundays

Museo Atelier Canova Tadolini

This attractive establishment, once the workshop of Canova’s favorite pupils, has been transformed in a museum and hosts an elegant bar. Open for breakfast, lunch and pre-dinner cold platters, salads and sandwiches are very fresh and service is always smiling and professional.

Price Euro 25 | Gambero Rosso 2010 Rating 2 Bottles | Closed Never

Galleria Alberto Sordi

Just a short walk from the Fontana di Trevi you’ll find this historical Art-Deco’ gem recently fully renovated, that offers everything from design shops to bar via a bookstore and a very nice restaurant. Espresso here is very good.

Join the locals in this roman-style mall open from 11 AM to 11 PM.

Il Palazzetto

Il Palazzetto wine bar and restaurant offer an incredible location in the heart of Rome with its terrace overlooking the Spanish Steps. Dinner could easily top E100 per person but at lunch, although not cheap, you’re unlikely to regret a single penny of your bill. Very tasty salads, sandwiches pasta and pastries are served on the terrific terrace!

Lunch Price Euro 35 | Gambero Rosso 2010 Rating 76 | Closed Mondays

Would you like to share your Rome, Italy travel tips or travel picture with us? Please write us your feedback and we will be happy to post it! Buon Viaggio!

Ciao from Rome:-)

Nancy Aiello

ItalyTravelista.com

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© Copyright 2009, Nancy Aiello Tours

Since 1997 Nancy Aiello Tours, based in Rome, specializes in Tailor-Made Private Guided Vatican, Rome & Italy Tours for Leisure & Business Travelers.

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Another Coin Another Picture | Trevi Fountain or Fontana di Trevi

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A view of the Roman Forum from the Capitoline Hill

Beginning in the 17th century for many of those on the Grand Tour Rome was to prove the highlight of their journey. It became fashionable for young aristocrats to visit Paris, Venice, Florence, and above all Rome, as the culmination of their classical education. Italy was the primary destination for the Grand Tourist who was attracted to its cultural treasures, fascinating landscapes and historical cities. Thus was born the idea of the Grand Tour, a practice which introduced Englishmen, Germans, and later wealthy Americans to the art and culture of Italy continuing to this day as popular reference for travelers.

Start your walking Grand Tour of Rome from the outstanding Trevi Fountain, a famous gathering spot and an excellent place to enjoy a nice italian gelato. The Fontana di Trevi or Trevi Fountain is the most famous and arguably the most beautiful fountain in Rome, although I personally really like the beautifully restored Bernini’s 4 rivers fountain located in the Navona Square. The Trevi fountain, built by architect Salvi in 1735, is not only celebrated for its excellent water but also for the legend that visitors throwing a coin in the Trevi fountain are ensured a return to the city of Rome.

Trevi Fountain in Rome

The outstanding dome Pantheon is a very easy 15 minute walk from the Trevi Fountain and offers another glimpse of the splendor of Rome. Originally built as a temple to all of the Roman gods, the Pantheon was rebuilt by emperor Hadrian around 120 AD. That structure is the same as the one you see today making the Pantheon the oldest intact structure still standing from the ancient Roman world. Since the 7th century the Pantheon has been used as a Christian church. Don’t miss the nearby Caffè Tazza d’Oro, Rome’s favorite place for its granita di caffè con panna (Coffee Granita with Whipped Cream).

A short walk from the Panteon and at the foot of the Capitoline Hill opens up Piazza Venezia which is the perfect spot to see how Rome over the centuries blended together Modern and Renaissance buildings with Ancient Rome relics and ruins. Another short walk where you will come across the amazing Area Sacra di Largo Argentina and you”ll reach the famous Piazza Venezia.

Piazza Venezia takes its name from the first great Renaissance palace of Rome commissioned in 1455 by the Venetian Pope Paul II. One side of the square is dominated by the neoclassical Vittoriano Monument devoted to the first king of Italy Victor Emmanuel II. Completed in 1935, it’s known to Romans as the ’typewriter’ or the ’wedding cake’ for its ostentatious design. Do not miss the small and beautiful but often neglected San Marco Basilica, dedicated to St Mark the Evangelist, patron saint of the Venetian republic, San Marco is one of Rome’s oldest churches.

A view of the roman forum from the capitoline hill | Walking Rome Tour

The Capitoline Hill, the highest of the Seven Hills of Rome, was the religious centre of ancient Rome. The Cordonata is Michelangelo’s monumental stairway connecting the low-lying Campus Martius to the Capitoline Hill and the Piazza Campidoglio. In 1536 Michelangelo was commissioned to design the beautiful piazza on the hill overlooking the ancient Roman Forum and placed the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius on a new pedestal. The statue was removed in 1981 for restoration and it is now located in a newly-designed exhibition hall in the Palazzo dei Conservatori of the Capitoline Museums. A replica currently stands in the Capitoline Piazza. Michelangelo designed new facades for the two already existing buildings, the Palazzo Senatorio and the Palazzo dei Conservatori, and created a new building known as Palazzo Nuovo, to mirror the Palazzo dei Conservatori on the other side of the Campidoglio square. These three beautiful renaissance palaces are now home to the extraordinary Capitoline Museums, the most ancient publicly owned museum in the world dating back to 1471.

From the Vittoriano walk along Via dei Fori Imperiali and feel at the heart of the ancient Roman Empire! Walk and admire the Roman Forum and the the ruins of ancient Rome’s Trajan Market until you reach the world renowned Coliseum, the most famous monument and iconic symbol of the city of Rome.

Area Sacra in Torre Argentina, Rome

The Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, the ‘original Beverly Hills’ of ancient Rome, are now on a combo ticket for Euro 12.00. You get 2 days to see all three sites. Ignore the gladiators, who charge Euro 5.00 for the joy of taking their picture (with your camera). As for the vending trucks, they are overpriced. They will sell you a small bottle of water for Euro 3.00. Last are the souvenir carts, one by the entrance, and one by the exit. These souvenirs are much overpriced, but you can bargain with them or just avoid them altogether.

Walking Rome is easily manageable with comfy walking shoes and the desire to explore what the Eternal City has to offer, even if only have a day to spend in Rome!

Would you like to share your Rome travel tips with us? Please write us your comment and we will be happy to post it!

Ciao from Rome:-)

Nancy Aiello

NancyAielloTours.com

ItalyTravelista.com

Join ItalyTravelista on Twitter

© Copyright 2009 Some Rights Reserved Nancy Aiello Tours

Since 1997 Nancy Aiello Tours based in Rome specializes in Tailor-Made Private Guided Vatican, Rome & Italy Tours for Leisure & Business Travelers.

New articles are published on our site weekly, sometimes daily. To keep up to date with our news, tips and current events, please sign up for our free RSS feed.

If you are interested in publishing a version of this article on your website please contact us for consent and further info.

Related posts:

1. Grand Ages Rome Tour
2. Rome Walking Tour | Best Bars and Restaurants around the Trevi Fountain
3. Travel to Rome | Walking Tour of Rome | Visit Rome Off the Beaten Path