Piazza del Popolo
Rome, Italy
Pincio, Rome
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Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsFit in nearby today
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- Free, 24 hours
- Hours
- Open 24 hours, free
- Time on site
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A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 40 min
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Highlight
- The terrace over Piazza del Popolo to St Peter's
- Best time
- Sunset
- Nearby
- Villa Borghese, Villa Medici, Spanish Steps
- Time needed
- 30–40 minutes
- Location
- Above Piazza del Popolo; Metro A Flaminio, 10 minutes
Key facts
Early 19th centuryGiuseppe Valadier designed the gardens and terrace
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English Wikipedia≈ 230busts of famous Italians line the avenues
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English Wikipedia1867the water clock was built in a pond
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English WikipediaObelisk of Antinousan Egyptian-style obelisk from Hadrian's time
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English WikipediaHill of gardensancient Rome's nickname for it, home to aristocratic estates
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English WikipediaThe Pincio terrace at sunset
The Pincio terrace gives the classic panorama of Rome: directly below is oval Piazza del Popolo with its obelisk and twin churches, then rooftops, bell towers and domes, and on the horizon the dome of St Peter's. It's one of the city's favourite sunset spots — the sun goes down right behind the Vatican, turning the dome into a silhouette against a pink sky.
At sunset the balustrade fills with musicians, couples and photographers, but there's room for everyone. After dark the square below lights up and the view grows even lovelier.
About the Pincio
The Pincio rises north of the historic centre. Ancient Romans called it the 'hill of gardens' for the estates of noble families, including the famous Gardens of Lucullus. It isn't one of the classic seven hills, but its view is among the city's best.
Today's gardens were laid out in the early 19th century by Giuseppe Valadier, alongside his redesign of Piazza del Popolo below; he linked the two with ramps and stairs and built the great terrace, Piazzale Napoleone I.
What to see on the Pincio
- Piazzale Napoleone I terrace — the panorama and sunset behind St Peter's.
- Avenues of busts — some 230 marble heads of famous Italians: Dante, Michelangelo, Galileo.
- The water clock — an 1867 hydrochronometer in a pond, still keeping time.
- Obelisk of Antinous — dedicated to Emperor Hadrian's favourite.
- Casina Valadier — a neoclassical villa-restaurant with a terrace.
- Bridge to Villa Borghese — into the great park.
A walk from the Spanish Steps
The prettiest approach starts at the Spanish Steps: climb to Trinità dei Monti and turn left along Viale della Trinità dei Monti past Villa Medici. Ten minutes later you're on the terrace. From there, descend Valadier's stairs and ramp to Piazza del Popolo, or cross the footbridge into Villa Borghese for the lake and the Borghese Gallery.
How to get to the Pincio
Tap a route to highlight it on the map.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
On foot
- Piazza del Popolo is about 12 min away on foot.
- Villa Medici is about 8 min away on foot.
- Villa Borghese is about 9 min away on foot.
More tips
- From Piazza del Popolo, the stairs or ramp by the Roma fountain — 5–10 minutes.
- Metro line A to Flaminio, through Porta del Popolo and up — 10 minutes.
- Metro line A to Spagna, up the Spanish Steps and along past Villa Medici — 15 minutes.
- From Villa Borghese, over the footbridge across Viale del Muro Torto.
Is the Pincio worth it?
Yes: it's free, close to the centre and one of the best views and sunset spots in Rome. The climb is easy, and at the top you're at the gate of the city's main park. A perfect end to a day: walk from the Spanish Steps, watch the sunset from the terrace, then stroll down to Piazza del Popolo.
Before you go
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Rome viewpoints: compare and choose
Places in Rome with a view, rated by YesGo. Click a column header to sort.
| Colosseum | 73 | 2 h | ≈ €18 | 45 min walk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Peter's Basilica | 71 | 1 h 30 min | Free; dome ≈ €8–15 | 42 min walk |
| Roman Forum | 63 | 1 h 30 min | ≈ €18 with Colosseum | 39 min walk |
| Circus Maximus | 63 | 30 min | Free | 2.9 km |
| Spanish Steps | 62 | 20 min | Free | 12 min walk |
| Vittoriano | 61 | 1 h | Terraces free; lift ≈ €12–18 | 33 min walk |
| Capitoline Hill | 58 | 30 min | Free | 36 min walk |
| Castel Sant'Angelo | 57 | 1 h 30 min | ≈ €15–20 | 25 min walk |
| Palatine Hill | 54 | 1 h 30 min | ≈ €18 with Colosseum | 2.7 km |
| Quirinal Palace | 50 | 1 h 15 min | Square free; tours by booking | 25 min walk |
| Villa Borghese | 48 | 1 h 30 min | Free | 9 min walk |
| Tempietto | 45 | 20 min | Free | 2.8 km |
| Pincioyou are here | 43 | 40 min | Free | — |
| Capitoline Museums | 43 | 2 h 30 min | ≈ €15–19.50 | 36 min walk |
| Aventine Keyhole | 42 | 45 min | Free | 3.1 km |
| Villa Medici | 38 | 1 h 30 min | Paid, scheduled tours | 8 min walk |
Spanish Steps to Piazza del Popolo
The Spanish Steps early, then up past Villa Medici to the Pincio gardens, and down to Piazza del Popolo.
- Spanish Steps20 min · Free
- 4 min walk from the previous stopVilla Medici1 h 30 min · Paid, scheduled tours
- 8 min walk from the previous stopPincioyou are here40 min · Free
- 5 min walk from the previous stopPiazza del Popolo30 min · Free
4 places · about 3 h 17 min with walks · 17 min on foot in total
Nearby and on the way
How to do it right
- The sun sets behind St Peter's dome.
- It's a 5–10 minute climb from Popolo.
- The pond's water clock still works.
- Walk straight on into Villa Borghese.
Questions
Where is the Pincio?
On the hill above Piazza del Popolo, at the entrance to Villa Borghese.
Is the Pincio free?
Yes — the gardens and terrace are free and always open.
What can you see from the Pincio terrace?
Piazza del Popolo, the rooftops and domes of the centre and St Peter's on the skyline.
When is the best time to go?
Sunset, when the sun drops behind St Peter's.
How do I get up to the Pincio?
From Piazza del Popolo by the stairs near the Roma fountain, or from the Spanish Steps along the avenue past Villa Medici.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- English Wikipedia, Pincian Hill
- Turismo Roma: Pincio
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