Trevi Fountain to Spanish Steps

Wondering how to get from the Trevi Fountain to Spanish Steps? 

You may be staying in the Trevi Fountain neighborhood or near the Spanish Steps. Or perhaps you are sight-seeing and find yourself at one of these sites. Either way it’s so easy to get between them, they can easily be visited on the same day.

Trevi Fountain to Spanish Steps (and back)

Right in the heart of Rome’s Baroque historic center the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps are very close to one another.

Getting between them is an easy walk you can do in less than 10 minutes on your own.

And if you have a bit of time, you’ll be amazed at how many things there are to see, do, and eat along the way!

On this page, I'll give you:

• The shortest and fastest walk (10 minutes) between the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps
• The same walk as above but with lots of things to see on the way
• An alternate route that includes a detour to another must-see site, Bernini's Triton Fountain in Piazza Barberini
• A map with these walks plus the optional things to see, do, and eat on the way

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Trevi Fountain to Spanish Steps – the shortest route

Let’s start this walk at the Trevi Fountain. As you face the fountain, the Spanish Steps are straight ahead of you a bit to the right.

This walk will take about 10 minutes if all you want to do is see them and/or get quickly between them.

It could also take one or more hours if you want to see more.

I'm going to give you both options. So let’s go!

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Trevi Fountain to Spanish Steps non-stop

If what you want is a straight-shot, no-nonsense walk between from the Trevi Fountain to Spanish Steps, start by facing the Trevi Fountain. 

Walk past the fountain on your right-hand side, keeping the fountain to your left. As you pass the fountain, the street (via della Stamperia) curves just a little bit. 

You will come to a large crossroad, via del Tritone. You will almost certainly have to wait for the light to change to cross this, as it’s a big thoroughfare and a popular bus route.

Once you cross to the opposite side, keep going straight. This street, via del Nazareno, will take you to a very small crossroad (Largo del Nazareno).

Continue to your right, along via di Sant’Andrea delle Fratte. Keep going straight. This street becomes via di Propaganda. Keep going straight. In less than 8 minutes from where you started, you will find yourself at the beginning of the piazza where the Spanish Steps are.

This is called Piazza Mignanelli. 

Keep walking past the large column and you will already see the Barcaccia fountain at the bottom of the Spanish Steps. You’ve arrived!

Trevi Fountain to Spanish Steps with stops along the way

If you have time and are curious, you can turn the above walk into more of a meander and include some shopping, eating, and sight-seeing of other small gems along the way.

Right in the square of the Trevi Fountain, you could visit the church right behind you (it contains the hearts of nearly 30 popes). It happens also to be a good spot to stand to get an overview photo of the fountain.

Just to the right of the Trevi Fountain is one of the oldest pharmacies in Rome. You can pop in and even take some photos.

Walk past the fountain to the right of it, keeping the fountain on your left.

Once you come to via del Tritone, cross at the light/crosswalk.

Just to your right along via del Tritone is Rinascente, Rome center’s largest department store. Inside Rinascente you can:

• Shop!
• Visit the basement and see sections of the Acqua Virgo aqueduct which dates to 19 BCE. It is one of 11 from ancient Rome and the only one still functioning today. It’s also the aqueduct that feeds the Trevi Fountain. (By the way, Housewares/Gifts is down here as is the Tax-Refund office. There’s also a lovely bar where you can hang out with the aqueduct.)
• Use the bathroom if you need a pitstop.
• Visit the 6th floor and either do some gourmet food shopping or sit down and enjoy some food. There is Brazilian sushi, bio-health food, pizza, contemporary Italian, and more!
• Visit the roof and have lunch or an apertivo with a view.

Continuing along via del Nazareno at the spot where you originally crossed, you will come to two curiosities almost as you enter this little street.

(If you visit Rinascente as I describe above, you will need to come back to this spot to continue this specific walk.)

First look on the left. There is a grating behind which you can see more of the Acqua Virgo aqueduct I wrote about just above.

Straight across from it is the doorway that leads to the ancient tunnel of the aqueduct. It’s still in use for inspections and maintenance. 

It’s so tiny isn’t it? Note also the papal shield above the door. That’s for Pope Sixtus IV della Rovere, the same guy responsible for creating a chapel named after him, the Sistine Chapel.

Once you pass the aqueduct and little door, you’ll come to a sort of small fork.

Take the street to the right, via di Sant’Andrea delle Fratte. You will almost immediately come to the unassuming entrance of the church for which the street is named, Sant’Andrea delle Fratte.

There are two main reasons to enter this church:

• You can see two angels by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. These were the models and inspiration for the angels you see today on the bridge in front of Castel Sant’Angelo, the Ponte Sant’Angelo, or Angel Bridge. (Many people think Bernini designed those angels on the bridge but he did not.)
• You can walk into the sweet Renaissance cloister in the back and enjoy some quiet time.

As soon as you leave the church, look right up on the wall of the building caddy-corner from where you are. This plaque states that Bernini lived in the building here.

Actually, he owned it and rented it out.

Keep going straight on via di Propaganda, leaving this Bernini building to your left.

On your right is the building of Palazzo di Propaganda Fede, designed by Bernini’s rival, Francesco Borromini.

You cannot mistake his style in the undulating façade. 

Are you interested in getting some soccer paraphernalia, perhaps as a souvenir or gift?

Right here you will find the official store of one of two Rome soccer teams, SS Lazio.

Keep going straight to Piazza Mignanelli.

You can visit the first McDonald’s in Italy if you are curious. It opened in 1986 after protests but it's been a success since then. 

Believe it or not, most patrons are locals simply looking for an inexpensive meal. And as it turns out, the inside is actually quite beautiful!

Just past the tall column with the Virgin Mary on top, you will come to the Barcaccia, or ugly boat. This was designed by Pietro Bernini, perhaps with some help from his son Gian Lorenzo.

Along with all the shopping you could do in this area, you may want to note two more interesting stops right here:

First is the Keats-Shelley Memorial House and Museum. This is where the English Romantic poet John Keats lived and died in Rome. It’s worth a visit!

The second is Babington's Tea House.

Just to the left of the bottom of the Spanish Steps, it's a lovely spot for some refreshments, especially if you are in the mood for some tea, yummy desserts or sandwiches, or even Sunday brunch!

Trevi Fountain to Spanish Steps with Piazza Barberini

If you have time and want to see a Bernini masterpiece, easily a “must-see”, change the walking route above, and go from the Trevi Fountain to Spanish Steps via Piazza Barberini.

This walk will take just under 20 minutes (without major stops) and you will end up at the top of the Spanish Steps rather at the bottom as with the above two walks.

As you face the Trevi Fountain, turn right and walk up via del Lavatore. This street is chock-a-block with pretty kitsch shops but it can be good for some cheap souvenirs.

A quick detour on via della Panetteria will take you to gelateria San Crispino if you need a gelato fix (who doesn’t?)

Once you get to the end of via del Lavatore, you will come to a rather large street (via del Traforo).

There is a tunnel to your right. Cross this street.

You can make two choices here. One is to veer left and walk up either via del Tritone or via degli Avignonesi until you end at Piazza Barberini.

If you're looking for a fabulous place to eat, you can stop on via degli Avignonesi at Colline Emiliane, one of the best places to eat in the area. But you may not find a spot if you don't book ahead.

The other is to veer slightly right and walk up via Rasella.

On this street you have a few interesting things:

• The building with bullet holes from WWII to remind us of the horrors or war. You can read more about why they are here on this page about unusual things to see in Rome.
• Hostaria Romana, a fantastic stop for a very Roman lunch (although in reality, you must book in advance. It’s very hard to get in if you don’t.)
• At the top, one of Rome’s best museums, with a stunning garden in the back, Palazzo Barberini.

At Piazza Barberini you can cross over to the piazza to enjoy a closer look at Bernini’s Triton fountain.

From there, take via Sistina (all the way (about 7-8 minutes’ walk) to the top of the Spanish Steps.

This area at the top is named for the church that’s there, Trinità dei Monti.

Once you get to the top of the Spanish Steps you can enjoy the beautiful view.

That's Saint Peter's Basilica you see far off in the background. 

Beware of all the buskers trying to sell you stuff and just try to take in the lovely view.

The church at the top is also worth a visit. There are some paintings inside by Daniele da Volterra who may have had some help from his friend Michelangelo.

Map of walking routes between the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps

Click here to visit my interactive Google map showing all the places listed on this page.

It will open in a new window.

Trevi Fountain Neighborhood

If your interest in combining a walk from the Trevi Fountain to Spanish steps involves a desire to explore more of the area, you may be surprised to find how much there is to see and do nearby.

The Trevi Fountain neighborhood is so rich with art and history, I’ve written a dedicated guide.

From churches to museums to fountains and much more, you’ll find something for everyone in this historic section of Rome’s center.