Spanish Steps and Piazza di Spagna: visiting tips and rules

Updated on October 1, 2026

Piazza di Spagna and its staircase of 135 steps, built from 1723 to 1725 by Francesco De Sanctis, link the shopping district of Via Condotti to the church of Trinità dei Monti. At the foot of the steps runs the Barcaccia fountain; to the right of the staircase, the house where the poet John Keats died is now a museum. The square and the steps are freely accessible day and night, but sitting on the steps has been banned since 2019. Allow 30 minutes for the square and the steps, and one more hour with the church and the Keats-Shelley House.

Highlights

The Spanish Steps

The travertine flights and landings climb 29 metres to the church. They were restored in 2015-2016 thanks to sponsorship from the Bulgari fashion house (€1.5 million). Since July 2019, Rome's urban police regulations have banned sitting or lying on the steps: the fine is €250, up to €400 for dirtying or damaging the monument, and officers blow their whistles at offenders. Eat and take your breaks elsewhere.

The Barcaccia fountain

This fountain shaped like a half-sunken boat was carved in 1627-1629 by Pietro Bernini, probably helped by his son Gian Lorenzo. The suns and bees of the coat of arms of the Barberini, the family of Pope Urban VIII, decorate the bow and stern. You can fill your water bottle there, but climbing on it or dipping your feet is forbidden.

The church of Trinità dei Monti

Begun in 1502 under King Louis XII of France and consecrated in 1585, the church still belongs to France; mass is said in French except on Thursdays. Entry is free. In front of its twin-towered facade stands the Sallustian obelisk, erected in 1789. From the forecourt, the view drops down Via Condotti and over the rooftops of the centre.

The Keats-Shelley House

At number 26 on the square, in the house where John Keats died on 23 February 1821, a small museum recalls the English Romantic poets in Rome: manuscripts, letters, portraits and a library. Open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 6pm (last entry 5:45pm), closed on Sundays. Admission €7, reduced €5 (under-18s, over-65s, students), free for under-6s.

The azaleas and the nativity scene

In spring, around the anniversary of Rome's founding on 21 April and until early May, the steps are covered with pots of azaleas. At Christmas, a nativity scene is set up on the first landing.

Opening hours and tickets

The square and the steps are free and open at all hours. The church of Trinità dei Monti, free, opens on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10:15am to 7:45pm, on Wednesday from 12pm to 7:45pm and on Sunday from 9am to 7:30pm; visits are suspended during services. The Keats-Shelley House costs €7 (reduced €5).

Infos pratiques

Tips

Politely turn down the rose and bracelet sellers who approach visitors on the square: an object "given" to you is then claimed back for money. If you climb up to the church, carry on to the left along Viale della Trinità dei Monti to the Pincio terrace, a ten-minute walk. Prices checked in October 2026.

How to get there

Piazza di Spagna, 00187 Rome. Metro line A, Spagna station, whose Vicolo del Bottino exit comes out a few metres from the square. Trinità dei Monti: Piazza della Trinità dei Monti 3, at the top of the steps.