The Spanish Steps

Made a special effort to get here and it’s closed and surrounded by plastic. Looks like construction could take weeks or months. Don’t go

It’s obligatory but damn it’s crowded.

This is a very unique thing to see. Looking at this reminded me of the movie «Roman Holiday». This is worth going with your significant other. My wife and I shared a kiss on the Spanish steps.

wow this area was crazy crowded. we didn’t stay long. I don’t love pics crowded with strangers and didn’t really see the allure of this area.

The 135-​step staircase was inaugurated by Pope Benedict XIII during the 1725 Jubilee.
It was released in order to connect the Bourbon Spanish embassy to the Church of Trinità dei Monti.
It was designed by Alessandro Specchi and Francesco De Sanctis after generations of long and glowing discussions about how to urbanize the steep slope on the side of the Pincian Hill in order to connect it to the church. The final key was the one proposed by Francesco De Sanctis: a great staircase decorated with many garden-​terraces, splendidly adorned with flowers in spring and summer.
The staircase was designed so that the scenic effects increase more and more while approaching to it. In effect, the creation of long, deep perspectives culminating in monumental wings or backdrops was typical of the great baroque architecture. The Spanish Steps were restored in 1995.

It seems like these steps are always under construction! I went in 2014, and there was something being done to it, and when I went January 2016, there was still construction! As far as Rome landmarks go, it’s not that cool because they are just stairs after all. They just hold historical significance which is why anyone bothers to come here at all.

The steps were under construction when we visited — there was a glass wall across the steps and scaffolding further up. It still allowed us to see the steps, which are very beautiful and impressive but is a shame we couldn’t see more than that.

A must see in Rome. However, after your long trek and thirty second glance, you should move on to something more notable. The steps are crowded, please watch your wallet. You will not get the scenic picture you are hoping for because it is busier than a Mickey photo op at Disney World.
They are beautiful but they get their name from their location. That is it. If you want to hear a better story, learn about the Roman Obelisks. Check out the one at the top of the steps. That is where you will find some amazing gems of history.

Closed for renovations. Honestly, compared to the other Rome attractions, this one you can miss.

In terms of Roman landmarks, the Spanish Steps are not worth making the journey to see alone. But, if you’re wanting a little trip on the subway a little farther out, go for it; Spagna is a fun place to spend a few hours.
The steps were overcrowded. If you take a picture, it will be a masse of people. The steps pale in comparison to the other spots you can visit in Rome. For us, it was just nice to get some pasta to go and chill on the steps in the Italian sunshine. And then we had a wander and looked in the windows of some VERY, VERY expensive shops. If you want to do some serious high-​brand shopping, here’s the place! — Think Chanel and Gucci.
So, if you are considering visiting the steps, be sure to look up what is near to make the most of your time there. Otherwise, you may be disappointed. I recommend that you visit Pastificio and get some of their AMAZING € 4 pasta.

I don’t see the obsession with The Spanish Steps of Rome, Rome is a place known for its’ landmarks, the colosseum and trevi fountain for example but in my opinion these are just steps, placed in a good location, compare that to stairs at a restaurant, they are stairs in a good location, as they are in a restaurant and one of the only ways up. so in many ways rather than visiting The Spanish Steps, I should have visited the Middleton Arndale in my home town!
They is a fountain underneath the stairs, this is nothing special too, compared to Trevi for example and it is basically The Las Vegas Eiffel Tower of Rome: a cheap, knock off.
The Spanish Steps does look nice in the area, surrounded by lots of high end, pricy shops, which I must admit makes it go from North Dakota to South Dakota but still I don’t feel it warrants such a high rating.
They is 135 steps up to the church, which I feel is a shame as it rules out wheelchair users (access is already pretty poor in Rome), the elderly and disabled too, who might only be able to climb a few steps, and not a few dozen, even that won’t make 135!
I’m not going to go out and say to avoid this landmark, if you’re in Rome, go for it, it is quite nice, but somewhere to spend alot of time or a must to visit, I say not, it isn’t somewhere you can spend a lot of time, so I do feel 2 stars is quite fair as I feel it represents the lower end of average.
UPDATE: After exploring the area a bit more, I find the spanish steps to be quite close to central Rome, and they is a lot of «less designer/​pricy» things around on the back streets and it does deserve 3 stars rather than 2, just be warned that a lot of beggars/​water routers and «free flower etc people» do base around here, so try to watch out not to get scammed, I feel this is a shame as it does ruin a nice attraction in Rome, but they do seem to be dotted around everywhere, and I’m sure «Rome Capitale» and co need to do more about it!

There is nothing at the Spanish Steps that will give you the WOW FACTOR. I would not spend more than 1 – 2 hour there. Once visit is more than enough. That is including walking around the piazza and Via Condotti. Here is what you can expect at these steps.
More than likely you will be sitting in the sun. There is very little shade.
The crowds are large and the chance for pick pocketing increases.
Amazing view at the top of the steps which is great for picture taking.
Great spot for people watching.

I still think these steps are beautiful despite the VAST amount of tourists just hanging out here. Would recommend going early in the morning before anyone is up to take a picture of the Spanish Steps.

One of those places that I felt I had to go see. I was in the area trying to find a gift for someone and it was at the end of the block, so I thought, why not? Here’s why not — too many freakin people! Like ants on gelato. Also, there was reconstruction in the background and there was a huge Longchamp ad on the covered building, so couldn’t even get a good picture.
I was told this was a good place to shop, but despite the nice brands it was gross. Being harassed to buy a «Selfie, ma’am, selfie!!» and walking by all the fake Prada bags made by 12 year old children didn’t inspire me to hand over big bucks for the Gucci bag I had my eye on. Pass.

Probably the easiest attraction to get to by subway (only a block away from the Barberini station I think). A beautiful area in general (it’s a big piazza in general in via dei Condotti, which is the roman Beverly Hills) with everything. A nice place to just sit on the steps and people watch, mingle, or to just climb the steps in general (beautiful view from the top but a hell of a climb up to the top). A must do in Rome and technically one of the more quicker attractions to do.

They are cool, very long steps. You walk up them, you walk down them. Do you have a friend? Have them take a picture of you on the steps. Then you take a photo of them on the steps. Do you not have a friend? Then you can take a selfie on the the steps. This is how you enjoy the Spanish Steps. Ta da!

Cute place to sit and have lunch.
Not sure why the Spanish Steps are so famous but it’s a nice place to sit and enjoy a snack. We grabbed pizza from a near by spot and people watched. There is a small fountain at the bottom of the steps as well. The Steps are located on an area surrounded by name brand shops i.e. Louis Vuitton, Bvlgari, Guess, etc. There are plenty of small cafes nearby with wifi as well. The steps are about a 1 minute walk from the train station so it makes it for great detour if you just want to take a cute picture and continue on you way.

Its really very annoying when you climb to the top of these steps, only to have men with BO strong enough to put down a pterodactyl dangling Roses into your face and pushing you to buy them. Clearly, i didn’t have the utmost magical experience on the marble steps; however, i did enjoy the history and view from atop. There is much to gaze over when you reach the peak and find yourself looking over some of Rome.
Although a visit to the Spanish Steps is free, and there is historical significance to the connection of Piazza di Spagna and the Trinita dei Monte, it offers nothing mesmerizing or life changing as do other landmarks in the ancient city. If you have the time, a visit is warranted; but its not something that i would fight my way to make to again.

To be totally honest, I was completely disappointed by this site. Touted as a «must see» while in Rome, I found it to be overcrowded, tacky (vendors hawking cheap goods everywhere you turn), uneventful and uninspiring.
I could have missed visiting this landmark and would have been satisfied with what I’d seen elsewhere in Rome, however it is a place that everyone asks about… so a visit was mandatory… plus it was a short walk from our hotel (about 10 minutes)
During our visit, the fountain at the bottom of the steps was closed for repairs, but honestly, after coming down the stairs with throngs of other tourists while trying to avoid people sitting, making out, or lounging on the stairs, our priority was getting away from this site as fast as possible.

The famous Spanish Steps make up the connecting stairway between Piazza di Spagna (named for the seat of Embassy of Spain) at the base and the Trinità dei Monti Church on top. Over many years, it has become an increasingly popular tourist destination.
Many tourist publications and websites will have coverage and reviews of these steps. It does have historical significance, dating back many centuries. Americans took notice of these steps when it was shown in a 1953 film starring Gregory Peck & Audrey Hepburn, Roman Holiday.
However, I failed to see the hype. Perhaps it’s the swarm of tourist that made it feel cheap, or my expectations were too high from the numerous travel sites that list this as a must-​see destination. They’re steps. I have them at home, just not as nice.
I do admit, it’s an absolutely great place to get some gelato or pastries and people watch. And as the sun shoots its rays at an angle during a hot summer afternoon, you’ll see tourists reposition themselves & fight for shade privileges.
The square (Piazza di Spagna) is packed during peak season. And it’s easy to pick out who the tourists are, which takes away from getting an authentic Roman experience. Everyone is posing for pictures and selfies. You hear many languages (mostly English) but hardly hear any Italian. The square the steps are in front of has a fountain, which adds to the charm. But again… too many tourists to be able to appreciate it as they all sit on the rim.
So, if you have plans to visit Rome, I would not recommend the Spanish Steps as a priority destination if you’re on a time crunch. But if you’re staying and have plenty of time to stroll, make this a stop … just so you can say you did it.
” I did it ! «
notes*
* During hot season, bring an umbrella or hat to block the sun
* Sunscreen
* Bottle water
* Keep your valuables close. It’s a busy place and most people are too busy trying to get a good shot, they’re oblivious to what’s around them.
* Check out the awesome architecture around there simply by walking around