1-Day walking through Baroque Rome
Here is a 1-day walking tour taking you through the Baroque city of Rome.
Welcome to the eternal city, where history meets art in a perfect blend of Baroque splendour. Rome, with its timeless beauty and rich heritage, is a city that invites you to explore its intricate past on foot. Do a 1-day walking tour through the heart of Baroque Rome.
Morning: Spanish Steps and Piazza del Popolo
Our journey begins in the heart of Baroque Rome at the iconic Spanish Steps. Start your day with a leisurely climb up the steps. Once at the top, you’ll be greeted by a breathtaking view of the city. Here you can visit the Trinità dei Monti, a 16th century renaissance church. In front of the church, you will find the Sallustiano Obelisk.
Walking towards Piazza del Popolo you will have a beautiful view over Rome. Piazza del Popolo is an oval square with the Flaminio Obelisk, made in red granite stone by the Pharaoh Ramses II. From the square leads three streets, and in between the two churches, Chiesa Santa Maria dei Mairacoli, a renaissance church with a dome, and Basilica di Santa Maria in Montesanto, a baroque church. Leave the square between the churches, on the middle street.
Late Morning: Trevi Fountain
About a 20 min walk will take you to the famous Trevi Fountain, just off the main road to the right. The fountain is a masterpiece of Baroque art and a symbol of good luck. Toss a coin over your left shoulder into the fountain to ensure your return to Rome. The fountain is usually bustling with tourists, so don’t be to disappoint that you won’t be alone.
On the walk to the Trevi Fountain, you will find a range of churches that you can visit. A selection being Chiesa Parrocchiale San Giacomo in Augusta and the Basilika dei Saint Ambrogio e Carlo al Corso.
Lunch: Pantheon and Chiesa di Sant’Ignazio di Loyoal
Walk towards the Pantheon and take the opportunity to find a restaurant and stop for lunch. Also, visit the Chiesa di Sant’Ignazio di Loyoal with its breathtaking ceiling fresco.
Pantheon is located on the Piazza della Rotonda, and has a fountain with the Pantheon Obelisk. You can visit the Pantheon inside, but buy a ticket online. They are €5,45, so you don’t have to stand in the queue.
Afternoon: Piazza Navona and Sant’Agnese in Agone
After Lunch, head to the stunning Piazza Navona, one of the most famous squares in Rome. Admire Bernini’s Four Rivers Fountain in the centre and the Baroque facades that surround the square. On the square is the enormous baroque church Sant’Agnese in Agone. At the centre fountain you will find the Agonale Obelisk.
From the square walk to the Basilica of Santa’Andrea della Valle, a beautiful domed church with a baroque interior.
No walking tour in Rome is complete without some roman ruins, go to the largo di Torre Argentina. It is an archaeological site that you can walk around and see. It has glass railings and good information about the site. The site is also the oldest cat sanctuary in Rome, so there are cats walking around the site. You can go down to the site, but this cost money.
Late Afternoon: The Complesso delle Quattro Fontane and Palazzo Barberini
Walk toward the Four Fountains. Just before you will find the baroque church by Bernini, Chiesa di Sant’Andrea al Quirinal. The Complesso delle Quattro Fontane is four fountains, each at a corner of a crossroads. Here you also find the Chiesa di San Carlino alle Quattro Fontane, an oval baroque church by Borromini.
Just of the fountains you will find Palazzo Barberini, the National Gallery of ancient art, one of the most elaborate Baroque residences in Rome. The Palace of the family Barberini was made of the biggest artist of the time, such as Carlo Maderno, Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Francesco Bernini. Pietro da Cortona painting the magnificent ceiling fresco in the palace’s main hall in the 1630s. Entrance for the Palace is €13. With the ticket you can also visit Galleria Corsini, also a baroque palace, housing a collection of 16th and 17th century Italian art.
Dinner at Campo de’ Fiori and a Stroll by the Tiber
End your day with a delicious dinner at Campo de’ Fiori, a bustling square that transforms into a vibrant market during the day. Many restaurants and bars are nearby, making it the perfect spot to enjoy a delightful Italian dinner.
After dinner, take a leisurely stroll along the Tiber River, where you can enjoy the enchanting views of the city under the evening lights.
Rome’s Baroque heritage
Rome’s Baroque heritage is a testament to the city’s artistic and architectural brilliance. This one-day walking tour takes you through some of the most captivating and historically rich parts of Baroque Rome, leaving you with a deeper appreciation of this timeless city’s beauty. From the Spanish Steps to the Pantheon, every step you take will be a journey through time and a celebration of Rome’s Baroque splendour.
