Trevi and the Quirinal: a guide to the fountain's neighbourhood

The Trevi and Quirinal neighbourhood stretches between via del Corso, via del Tritone, Piazza Barberini and the Quirinal hill. Everyone comes for the Trevi Fountain, but behind the crowd are churches by Borromini and Bernini, a presidential residence, a great frescoed palace and a crypt of bones. This guide tells you what is worth the detour, how to avoid the crush at the fountain and how to link the stops on foot. Opening hours and prices cited come from our attraction pages (October 2026) or from secondary sources where stated: check them before you go.

The neighbourhood in brief: where, for whom, when

The neighbourhood occupies the south-western flank of the Quirinal hill, the highest of Rome's seven hills. In the streets of Trevi everything is close: the fountain is 10 minutes' walk from the Spanish Steps and the Pantheon. The upper part, around via delle Quattro Fontane, is quieter, with palaces and churches.

It suits those who want to see the big names without crossing the whole city, and those staying near Termini station: everything is walkable. To avoid the crowd, reach the fountain in the morning before 9am or in the evening after the paid access closes.

The Trevi Fountain

The Trevi Fountain, set against Palazzo Poli, is fed by the Aqua Virgo, an ancient aqueduct. Since 2 February 2026, access to the area at the edge of the basin costs €2, but the fountain can be seen freely from the square, and it is visible at night for free after 10pm. Watch your belongings: the square is known to pickpockets. Tradition says to toss a coin over your shoulder to return to Rome.

The Quirinal Palace and its square

Five minutes from Trevi, uphill, Piazza del Quirinale opens onto a clear view of Rome, with the dome of St Peter's in the distance. The Quirinal Palace, residence of the President of the Republic, is visited by online reservation: read our page for the terms, which vary with the season. Next door, the former stables host exhibitions.

Piazza del Quirinale

Two Baroque churches not to miss

A few minutes' walk from the Quirinal, two churches face each other in the history of art.

San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane, via del Quirinale: Borromini's masterpiece, tiny, with its oval dome. Free entry, limited hours and closed on Saturday.
Santa Maria della Vittoria, via XX Settembre: Bernini's Ecstasy of Saint Teresa, in the Cornaro Chapel. Free entry, open in the morning and afternoon.

To place them in context, read Baroque Rome: in the footsteps of Bernini and Borromini.

Palazzo Barberini and Piazza Barberini

Palazzo Barberini, on via delle Quattro Fontane, houses the National Gallery of Ancient Art: Raphael's Fornarina, Caravaggio's Judith and Pietro da Cortona's ceiling. The €15 ticket also covers the Galleria Corsini, in Trastevere, for 20 days. The museum is closed on Monday. The neighbouring Piazza Barberini is decorated with the Triton Fountain, by Bernini.

A more unusual visit: the Capuchin Crypt

At the bottom of via Veneto, the Capuchin Crypt shows friars' bones arranged as decoration in several chapels, with a small museum. The full-price ticket is €10; it is not a visit for everyone. The site closes at lunchtime: see the hours on our page.

Around Trevi: museums and ruins

To the south-west, Piazza Venezia is close. Palazzo Venezia houses a museum and a garden, and the Roman domus of Palazzo Valentini offer a multimedia visit of ancient houses under the city. Both are 10 to 15 minutes' walk from the fountain; they are described on their own pages.

A half-day walking route

9am: Trevi Fountain, before the crowd.
10am: climb to Piazza del Quirinale, then book the palace visit if you wish.
11am: San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane (morning hours).
Noon: Santa Maria della Vittoria, then lunch around via Nazionale or Piazza Barberini.
Afternoon: Palazzo Barberini, or the Capuchin Crypt.

Summary table: the stops in the neighbourhood

Stop	What you see	Entry	On foot from Trevi
Trevi Fountain	Baroque fountain	Free from the square; basin edge €2	On site
Piazza del Quirinale	Presidential palace, view of St Peter's	Open access	5 min
Quirinal Palace	State rooms	By reservation	5 min
San Carlino	Borromini's oval dome	Free	10 min
Santa Maria della Vittoria	Ecstasy of Saint Teresa	Free	15 min
Palazzo Barberini	Paintings and staircases	€15	10 min
Capuchin Crypt	Ossuary and museum	€10	10 min

Prices are those on our attraction pages. Walking times are approximate and take slopes into account.

Getting there and where to stay

Metro line A serves the upper part of the neighbourhood (Barberini station), and Repubblica and Spagna stations are close; Termini is 15 minutes' walk away. For details of the lines, read getting around Rome. The neighbourhood is central and well placed to sleep, but rooms on via del Tritone and near the fountain are noisier; see where to stay in Rome.