I went to Rome for the first time last week and spent three nights at a hotel right by the Piazza del Popolo. I loved Rome even more than I'd imagined, and was tremendously impressed by the giant piazzas, these vibrant public spaces that you could never build into a newer city, designed for people driving cars. The Piazza del Popolo was a particularly grand one, with its twin churches and its ancient Egyptian obelisk, already over a thousand years old when it was stolen and brought to Rome in the year 1 BC. We walked through the piazza several times during our stay, and it was striking both for its legitimate strikingness and for its natural incorporation into the day-to-day life of the city. The square was always lively without being crowded in mid-November, just people hanging out or walking through, enjoying a moment of leisure. The obelisk was set on a foundation with a fountain, of course, and plentiful seating. What a special thing, to sit at the base of something so extraordinary, to check email or eat a sandwich. We didn't notice many street entertainers, but we did watch a man in colorful clothing dipping a long wand in a vat of soapy water and releasing enormous bubbles to the delight of both adults and children passing by. It made me miss my kids, who would have flipped for that display, and who I hope to bring to Piazza del Popolo one day, to see a public square unlike any they'll ever see at home. read more

Cool Piazza at the Northern City Wall and also a gateway to Villa Borghese. This piazza has an obelisk, two churches, two fountains and also restaurants. There is a huge shopping area with parallel streets of shops, one that goes to Piazza di Spagna, at the base of the Spanish Steps. Five Stars! read more

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I came I saw and I conquered. Wow, what a great place is this blessed City. You could spend hours in this area. Great restaurants and shopping too. read more

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We visited this area because it was the meeting point for our bus tour. At 7:00 a.m., not much was happening; a few people were walking and jogging around the piazza, and all the businesses were closed, creating a beautiful and peaceful atmosphere. In the center was a fountain and an obelisk, while at the far end of the piazza entrance were restaurants and stores. In contrast, when we returned about ten hours later, the area was packed with people. It was quite different from the earlier, quieter version. The atmosphere was lively, with live music in the air. All the shops were busy, and diners filled the restaurants. Just as we were about to immerse ourselves in the experience, an intoxicated man suddenly began encroaching on my daughter's personal space. Our decision to stay quickly shifted to a desire to leave, as he was relentless and made us feel uncomfortable. read more

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Great piazza to hang out in any time of day. Constantly full of life with tons of people. At night there are a bunch of musicians preforming. Lots of great food in the area to grab to go and eat around the piazza. Tons of great shopping there as well. read more

Piazza del Popolo - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Rome, RM

Nice large piazza with an obelisk and fountains with lions. The obelisk is a landmark and makes it easy to find. Our tour company used the piazza was a meeting place. There are restaurants and shops around. We were meeting early so only one cafe was open. We grabbed a quick breakfast there. The metro is nearby and the bus stops were right across the street. read more

Piazza del Popolo - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Rome, RM

When you visit Rome, it's wise to do A LOT of walking. If you're ambitious, you can log 15-17 miles a day. Map out your journey of the must-sees, top spots and hot stops. A week in Rome is not enough. If you can spare more time, do so. But if you stay in motion you can accomplish a lot. Piazza del popolo is enjoyable but doesn't require ample attention and in my opinion is best seen on the way somewhere else like Villa Borghese. Within the park, Piazza di Siena is a nice place to sit and catch your breath for a few minutes. Now used for horse shows, it is generally quiet and the umbrella of pines quite tranquil amid an otherwise frenetic pace of this city. read more

The Piazza del Popolo is a large, open square with twin churches, the Flaminio Obelisk, and the Fountain of Neptune. It's a very popular place for concerts and shows, and is a good starting point for sightseeing in this region. I liked walking to the farther and higher point for the panoramic view. read more

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We have gone to this piazza every day, multiple times per day. Its our fave place for gelato! Great place to hang out! They have a daily bizarre markets too! read more

It seems everyone knows the Piazza del Popolo. The name means the people's square. It was once the northern gate into Rome. You will enter Piazza del Popolo through the Porta del Popolo, which was designed by Michelangelo after the Arch of Titus from the Roman Forum. In the center, you will see an Egyptian obelisk with four fountains with Egyptian-style lions at its base from the time of Ramses II. The obelisk was taken from Circus Maximus. Then, at the back of Piazza del Popolo, there are the twin churches Santa Maria in Montesanto and Santa Maria dei Miracoli. The other famous church on the square is the Basilica Santa Maria del Popolo. The square does have a dark side. It was here that the Romans used to have festivals and public executions. Do take the time to visit all three churches - they hold many surprises and stop in the center of the square looking down the Via Del Corso and see the grand white monument to Vittorio Emanuele II. Turn left and look up: you will see Villa Borghese Park; climb up the hill and you will experience one of the best views Rome has to offer. read more

"Popolo" from the poplar trees that gave the name to the Basilica Parrocchiale Santa Maria del Popolo in the plaza. Lots to see here including the pretty amazing Porta del Popolo (city gates) and the Egyptian obelisk of Sety I brought back from Heliopolis. The piazza is quite the hangout for the people, with plenty of folks milling about, taking selfies and even a few street hawkers selling touristy stuff. There are three fountains in the square and the Flaminio metro station is close. Worth checking out, for sure. [Review 19185 overall - 340 in Italy - 155 of 2023.] read more

Piazza del Popolo - Piazza del Popolo - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Rome, RM

Beautiful area with multiple monuments and statues. Architecture is breathtaking. Very crowded though; lots of touristd and locals selling goods! The square is lively and energetic in terms of its feel! Close to restaurants and shops too. read more

Piazza del Popolo - Building - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Rome, RM

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A short walk across and along the Tiber River will bring you to the Piazza del Popolo. This was once the northern edge of the city of Rome and was the first part of the city that many travelers would have seen when arriving here in the 17-18th Century. It is a large oval square in northern Rome that has been around since the days of the Roman Empire. The square literally translates as the square of the people, is home to one of Rome's ancient Egyptian Obelisks, as well as the two 17th century churches of Santa Maria dei Miracoli. Several ornate fountains frame the square including the Fontana del Netuno and the Fontana dell Obelisco. It's a nice place to get a coffee or a bite to eat. From the Piazza del Popolo, three roads span out into the city, and exploring these on foot is always a highlight of our trips to Rome. Well if you have time, you can get an impressive view of the piazza by climbing the stairs, located on the east side of the square, to Pincio Park. After this, we headed for Spanish steps read more

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I went here to see the twin churches. Pope Alexander the V11 ordered these churches built in the 17th century to capture anyone's attention passing through the plaza. It works. At first glance, they appear identical. However, due to limited space, the one on the left is based on an elliptical plan with an octagonal dome while the one on the right has a dodecagonal dome. This was done by the architect to squeeze both churches into a limited space. From the Piazza, they appear identical and you would never know unless you stopped to study them. This is one of the most fabulous squares in Rome. Unfortunately, I was "churched" and Piazza" out by the time I arrived here on my last day and I just wanted to sit and drink wine, coffee and eat dessert! So I didn't enjoy as much as I would have but, id say definitely see the Piazza del Popolo! read more

I think once you visit one piazza that's main, you have visited all that is of similar background! The people's plaza it is deemed and plenty of shops to peruse through as well as Spanish steps nearby. Egyptian obelisk to be admired here. Craving to travel now...travel bug is coming soon! read more

A plaza right by our hotel that's pretty much close to everything. The statues here are something to marvel at, and appreciate. To bad the extra rose men are here. I'm so tired of the rose men! So who are the rose men? They are men with a handful of roses that go to the women and give them a rose for a gift. They pretty much force it upon you. They leave and come back about 2-3 minutes later demanding a tip. They gave one to my wife and she took it, he came back and looked at me for a tip. I told him no, and he then gave me a death stare that went on for about a minute. Direct eye contact too. Eventually he took the rose back from my wife. Besides this, this area is beautiful and you can enjoy the sites and relax for the most part. Just beware of the rose men! read more

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This is a very chill and laid back piazza that doesn't see the mass overload of tourists that say, Piazza Navona, sees. It is literally a 2 minute walk from the Flaminio train station. The main distinguishing feature of the Piazza del Popolo is the twin churches (Santa Maria in Montesanto (built 1662-75) and Santa Maria dei Miracoli (built 1675-79) that sit side by side at one side of the Plaza. Unfortunately, the Santa Maria dei Miracoli was undergoing renovations or touch up while we were there. It was still impressive to see regardless. They also have a fountain of Neptune on one end of the piazza in addition to an Egyptian obelisk in the center, in addition to other beautiful sculptures. There were people just hanging out, eating gelato, blowing bubbles, and just generally hanging out. It was a very laid back atmosphere. It was a great place to kick back for a little bit and just take everything in. FYI, this area just outside the Arch has a lot of great and affordable food options nearby. It's not nearly as touristy as other areas around the city, so check it out! 4 stars. read more

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The main reason was at this Piazza, was because it was the our tour company's departure point, so to be honest, I only got to spend around 10 mins in this Piazza, before we were herded onto our buses in the next street, near the Villa Borghese gardens. However our guide explained that the reason they chose this location as the tour's meeting point is because this Piazza was the first experience of Rome for a traveler prior to the mid-19th century (aka before railroads). Another significant thing about this Piazza is that it has an ORIGINAL Egyptian obelisk!! Apparently there are like 8 real Egyptian obelisks in Rome, but then there are another 5 that are fake. The piazza is a pedestrian zone, and so its easy to walk around the area, without having to dodge cars and traffic. The gorgeous sculptures of the lion fountains have a terrible beauty and it was a bit sad (disrespectful?) to see some tourists climbing onto the lions and taking photos. There's also actually another fountain towards one end of the square, and that's more your traditional, classical, Roman mythical imagery. The fountain here is in the shape a sea-shell and equally stunning, while being very different to the lion fountains. If you are in the area, definitely recommend coming and checking this Piazza out. Yelp 276/ 2018 read more

Piazza del Popolo - Beautiful - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Rome, RM

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The least trafficked Piazza visited. Some street performers. Lots of sellers trying to pawn off their overpriced flashy toys on tourist children. Definitely not a stop you need to bookmark while in Rome. While roaming around Rome (no pun intended), we stumbled upon this little piazza which was refreshing due to low traffic and a breathable open square. Close to the River Tiber! Was clean and nice to sit by the fountain. Nothing big or that interesting to see while here otherwise. read more

Piazza del Popolo - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Rome, RM

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The People's Square (Piazza del Popolo) is anchored by an obelisk carved in 1250 BC, the second oldest and second tallest in Rome! You're within walking distance of countless restaurants, sidewalk cafes, and shopping!!! This is one of the few squares not completely overrun with tourists and it features a quiet little fountain. A truly relaxing place in a busy city. Most fascinating was the fact that public executions were held here until the 1800s! The place abounds with history! Unfortunately, there are still vendors here shoving flowers in your face in an attempt to make money, which happens everywhere in Rome. But there seem to be fewer of them here, at least. read more

Piazza del Popolo - The obelisk dating to 1250 BC, the second tallest and second oldest in Rome! - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Rome, RM

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Ron Howard's 2009 adaptation of Dan Brown's Angels and Demons novel was a big factor when we were preparing for our trip. To follow the Path of Illumination, we had to make our way to Piazza del Popolo, one of the larger squares in Rome. We arrived at the piazza via Metro and as soon as we exited the Flaminio station, I saw a bit of excitement from our two daughters. It was not the sight of the square that made them smile; it was the Burger King sign right across Via Flaminia. They totally dig Italian cuisine, but seeing something familiar was a welcome change. We entered Piazza del Popolo (People's Square) through Porta del Popolo, a section of the Aurelian Walls which were built back in the day to enclose the seven hills of Rome and nearby districts. We passed by a similar entrance when we visited the Basilica di San Giovanni so this was the second time we encountered these ancient city walls. The piazza was huge with an Egyptian obelisk standing tall in the center of the square. We did not see the fountains surrounding it because construction fences (again!) prevented us from doing so. Right past the obelisk were the beautiful twin churches of Santa Maria in Montesanto and Santa Maria dei Miracoli. They built these two churches next to each other because they were meant to be part of the passageway to Via del Corso which was an important street in old Rome. Although they are remarkably similar, differences in the exterior and floor plan can be spotted. Northeast of the obelisk is another church, the Basilica di Santa Maria del Popolo, which was the one featured in the book. It contains Raphael's Chigi Chapel, the first Altar of Science representing "Earth." As always, the cobblestones were magnificent and added plenty of appeal to the piazza. Standing behind the obelisk and facing the twin churches, a very charming view of Via del Corso and these cobblestones can be seen. As a bonus, straight down that road is a glimpse of the Altare della Patria (Altar of the Fatherland), also known as the Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emmanuelle II (National Monument to Victor Emmanuel II). People-watching seemed to be the common theme, but there were street performers and vendors in the piazza as well. It was a nice place for a stroll since it was not as crowded as the others that we've been to. Entrance to the churches is free and several shops are nearby. Plenty to see and do this part of Rome... read more

Piazza del Popolo - The Twin Churches (Santa Maria in Montesanto and Santa Maria dei Miracoli)... - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Rome, RM

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I'll give this place some good marks because if you stand at the gate and look at the obelisk between the two churches those with a certain outlook on the world may actually have something brought to mind. I won't say any more than that except that it made me giggle a little. Anyway, this was actually one of the major gates into Rome back in the Renaissance age. In fact I never realised that this was the case until I saw a Renaissance map of the city. It's pretty cool, and the architecture is pretty awesome. Still, it is basically a place to simply check out and then move on. read more

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The People's Plaza. This is actually my favorite piazza in Rome. Political demonstrations are regularly held here and I happened to show up on day some demonstration involving unions was going on and thousands of people were here. When it cleared out you, see the gorgeous twin churches, the obelisk, the fountains and of course the great statues surrounding the piazza. There's also staircases here which take you up to the Villa Borghese park and lookout. Via Margutta also starts here, one of the better kept-secrets of Rome which is the street that Gregory Peck's character lived on in that old Audrey Hepburn film, "Roman Holiday". Via Margutta is also where some unique boutiques and shops are and far from the crowds of annoying AF Asian tourists who seem to have taken over Italy. read more

This piazza located at the intersection of three main roads in Rome. The oldest obelisk was originally from Circus Maximus relocated here in 1589. The twin church also known as 'Church of the Artist' by Bernini. Center of the piazza is the 'Fountain of Lions'. We were there on the weekend, the local enjoy the day out on scooter, cycling and jogging. read more

Piazza del Popolo - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Rome, RM

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The Egyptian obelisk was originally brought to Rome in 37 A.D. It and many other obelisks laid in ruins for years. Because of the solid pedestal on which the obelisk was placed, it remained standing for 1,500 until it was moved to where it stands today in Saint Peter's Square. It took thirteen months, between 1585 and 1586 to move and re-erect the obelisk. The idea to move it was that of Pope Sixtus V, as part of his desire to recover and re-erect all the obelisks, lying during his time, in the ruins of Rome. The cross on top was added by the Pope to make it more acceptable. read more

Piazza del Popolo - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Rome, RM

If you are visiting the Spanish Steps, it will be hard to miss the the Piazza del Popolo nearby. We came here on a Saturday morning in the fall (perfect time to visit Rome, by the way) and the piazza was full, but not overwhelmingly crowded. The piazza itself is stunning - the Egyptian obelisk in the middle is something to awe at, as are the fountains and main Porta del Popolo. It's easy to forget that there is some grim history attached to this piazza. Now, it is a pedestrian only route that tourists and locals alike use. Definitely make sure you walk through this piazza when you are on the way to your next tourist attraction. read more

A lot of hidden gems in this region. Found great food and it's a great place to walk around. You'll probably spend about 45 minutes to an hour on average. My favorite thing about this place? The guy who blows bubbles! read more

Piazza del Popolo - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Rome, RM

Stop by Piazza del Popolo at night, if you can. I've wandered through here three times -- last month, in 2011, and in 2010. My first trip was probably the most memorable. That time, I stayed in Rome for 10 days as part of an academic travel program. Our group passed through this open square many, many times and sat with the lion statues a couple times. It's also a great gateway to Villa Borghese and beautiful views of the city. Chances are you'll probably walk through here if you're in Rome or shopping along Via del Corso. FYI - One of the twin churches is currently under restoration. If you snap a photo, you're basically taking a picture of one big Samsung ad. read more

Cool monument piazza that was across from my apartment. Not very crowded and lots of shops and stuff nearby. Check it out. read more

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This piazza is in the middle of a few major areas such as: Via del Corso - one of the major touristy shopping areas in Rome Villa Borghese - one of the more popular parks Metro A line - the closest stop is called Flaminio There fountain in the middle of the piazza has recently been restored back in Fall 2015. I have been told that one of the churches is currently undergoing restorations now. It is a relatively large piazza near the Da Vinci museum as well. I personally haven't been inside the museum, but one day I will. You can go up to the lookout area in Villa Borghese to see an aerial view of the piazza. However, beware of street sellers. They can be quite pesky and annoying. This place is worth a look especially after a long day of shopping. You can grab a gelato, have a seat on the steps near the fountain and people watch. Take a breather and soak up the surrounding Roman culture and history. read more

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Piazza del Popolo, or People's Square, is another of Rome's great sights and for very particular reasons. It was originally named for the Poplar trees which populated the area . . . though the modern assumption that it is named for 'the People' also fits well. The central Egyptian obelisk is set within fountains; there are also fountains at the Piazza's sides (Rome reputedly has at least 4000 'fountains'). What is unique about Piazza del Popolo is the view back towards Rome, three roads (Via del Babuino, Via del Corso, and Via di Ripetta which is set back a bit from the other two and framed by the twin churches of Santa Maria de Montesanto and Santa Maria dei Miracoli; both splendid examples of Baroque architecture) . . . . perspective, clever architecture and town planning also play their part to add to the deception. A closer look reveals that one church is indeed circular whilst the other is oval in shape and wider. The whole piazza is a masterpiece of 18th century urban planning which also took in a remodelling of the views from the square back south towards the Pincio (the park over looking the square). There are numerous smart bars and cafes around the edges of the square so you can dawdle and bask as you wish. read more

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I don't know too much about this plaza so I'm not even going to try and sound like I do, but what I can say from a tourist perspective is that this is one of the bigger plazas in Rome and like everyone said, less crowded. It is lined with amazing grand sculptures, great to look and take pictures. Not sure if there's a tour or sign or anything to tell you about the history, but I bet it would be interesting. This was the place where I rested by the center statue after walking all day (not much places to sit) so it was great people watching! read more

An amazing place where you can spend the afternoon and even your evening. Full of artists that come and go the whole day. read more

Piazza del Popolo - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Rome, RM

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Big, some statues, an obelisk, some decent free churches, and not crowded at all like the rest of Rome. Worth a peek if you got some spare time and very close to the Metro station. read more

Your review helps others learn about great local businesses. Please don't review this business if you received a freebie for writing this review, or if you're connected in any way to the owner or employees.This huge open expanse of a square (more of an oval) is a tremendously impressive plaza, with great views up and down a number of radiating avenues and roads, with the Via Del Corso on one side and the monumental Porta Del Popolo on the other. The Santa Maria del Popolo, the Via del Babuino and the Obelisk are other highlights of this location and it would be very easy to sit here with a coffee and people watch. Probably the equivalent of Trafalgar Square in London, this is a place that needs to be seen when in Rome. read more

Piazza del Popolo - Another splendid statue - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Rome, RM

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A popular piazza in Rome completed in 1822 that is a good starting point for walking the city. Via del Corso is one of the main streets that head to the piazza at the southern side. There is music and other forms of street entertainers a lot of the time here. There is an Egyptian obelisk in the center that was brought to Rome in 10 BC by Augusto. We enjoyed the visit. read more

Piazza del Popolo - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Rome, RM

This was one the liveliest square! It is perfect for panoramic view and people watching. There is plenty of space to sit down and soak in some of what Rome has to offer. It stands tall With its obelisk and twin churches with lot to offer. The central Egyptian obelisk is surrounded by fountains; there are also fountains at the Piazza's sides as well. At night the place is flocking with people and their is usually love entertainment with people playing a instrument and entertaining people. Its worth a stop by! read more

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This piazza is huge and lively. We came to this piazza several times during our visit to Rome. Here are some facts and things we experienced in this piazza. The nearest metro stop to this piazza is Flaminio. Many tour companies will have this piazza as the meeting point. We had a tour to Tuscany and this was our meeting spot. There are two drinking fountains directly on the opposite side of Via del Corso. Just wander around the piazza and you cant miss them. There are no public restrooms around this piazza. Its amazing for people watching and street performers flood this piazza most evenings. read more

Piazza del Popolo - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Rome, RM

Not at all a place to go during the day (which we did.) Might be that the evenings are pleasant here, we found the place deserted and by comparison relatively boring. Basically boring. No place to sit for a coffee anywhere near, unless you go to any of the three posh Restos and spend bloody five euro on a cup. (Make sure to bring your "Prada"-Sunglasses!) The walk from here up the steps and through a stretch of green towards the Spanish Steps compensated with a nice view over the Eternal City. read more

Piazza del Popolo - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Rome, RM

Square of the People This is one of the large squares in Rome, with a central obelisk and fountain. The square is nice, but one of the best reasons to visit is for the sunset views of St. Peter's Basilica. For the best vantage point, go up to Terazza del Pincio. You'll likely have to fight through a crowd and the ever-present street vendors, but you will be rewarded with one of the finest sunsets you'll see in Rome. read more