I spent four days in Rome during my 70-day solo backpacking trip in Europe.
As always, I walked without a map, without a plan, and without a destination in mind (except for the Vatican).
In my endless of hours of wandering in this Italian capital, I noticed (among other things) how wonderful the fountains are in this city. Here are seven that you should really make sure to see when you’re in Rome.
1. Fontana di Trevi
The Trevi Fountain is perhaps the most beautiful in Rome, if not in the whole world. It is huge, and the details of the sculptures are amazing. Trevi means an intersection of three roads: the Via della Muratte, the Via Poli, and Via del Lavatore.
I arrived through Via Poli, and despite being tired from hours of walking around, the sight of the fountain was more than enough to make me feel grateful I was given the chance to travel cheaply in Europe!
There were maybe a hundred tourists or so when I arrived, but there are always a lot of people here, regardless of time and season. I asked another solo traveler to take my picture, and did what everyone must do in Fontana di Trevi: I threw a coin into the fountain to make sure that I can go back to Rome someday.
Built in 1732, the Fontana di Trevi has been immortalized in several popular movies, including La Dolce Vita and Roman Holiday. It’s sad though that recent news report the fountain to be crumbling for lack of maintenance. With over 3,000 euros in coins thrown into the fountain everyday, one would think some of it would go into maintaining this beautiful structure.
The boat-shaped fountain in the Piazza di Spagna.
2. Fontana della Barcaccia (“Fountain of the Old Boat”)
This wonderfully-shaped fountain built by the famous Pietro Bernini and his son in 1627 lies at the base of the Spanish Steps in Piazza di Spagna. The shape was said to be a reminder of the time when the river Tiber flooded and left a boat in the middle of the piazza when the water receded.
At the bottom of the Spanish Steps.
After you’ve taken your fill taking pictures of this Bernini masterpiece, go up the Spanish Steps (so called because of the Spanish embassy located nearby) until you reach the top where the church Trinità dei Monti is.
3. Fontana del Pantheon
The fountain right in front of the Pantheon in Rome.
Another fountain you must see when in Rome is the Fontana del Pantheon. Located right in front of the Roman Pantheon, it’s a very interesting structure composed of a Ramses obelisk and four dolphins. Entrance to the Pantheon is free, so make sure to go inside.
The Pantheon is said to be the best preserved building of ancient civilization. Its dome is perfectly hemispherical, and the vastness of the place does fill you with wonder. How did the people who built it in 125AD manage to do it?
4. Fontana delle Naiadi (Fountain of the Naiads)
The Fountain of the Naiads in Piazza della Repubblica.
The Fountain of the Naiads was the first fountain of Rome that I saw. Located in Piazza della Repubblica which is quite near the termini (train station), it features four naiads (nymphs) in various act: one is holding a swan, while others are on top of a monster, on a horse, and lying on a dragon. They are supposed to represent the nymphs of the lakes, rivers, oceans, and underground waters.
5. Fontana Nettuno della Piazza Bocca della Verita
The Fontana Nettuno near St. Mary’s Church.
This very unassuming Neptune fountain stands in the Piazza Bocca della Verita by the river Tiber, quite near the ancient temples of Portunus and Vesta. It’s also across the St. Mary’s Church in Cosmedin, made famous by the Bocca della Verita (Mouth of Truth).
St. Mary’s Church in Cosmedin and the Mouth of Truth at the entrance.
It was very unfortunate that the church had already closed by the time I arrived there. I would have wanted to see the Mouth of Truth. After all, not all ancient drains get to become a legend!
6. Maderno Fountain in St. Peter’s Square
The Maderno Fountain with the obelisk in the background.
A visit to the Vatican City and St. Peter’s Basilica is really a must when you’re in Rome. It doesn’t matter whether you’re Catholic or not. You can even be an atheist and still marvel at the grandeur of the largest church in the world.
One of the first things you will notice in St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City (aside from the Basilica) is the towering obelisk in the middle flanked by two huge fountains. The one on the right side was built first by architect Carlo Maderno in the early 1600s. After 50 years, the Pope then asked the famous Bernini to do a second fountain on the left side of the obelisk.
These huge columns welcome visitors to the St. Peter’s Square.
These massive colonnades greet all visitors entering St. Peter’s Square. While entrance to the Basilica itself is free, be prepared to stand in line for hours, especially during the summer season. If you’re in Italy for its winter sports though, you’ll find the line much shorter. Not too many would welcome standing around in the cold! To get to the Vatican Museum, you’d have to go to another entrance. The fee is 15 euros.
7. The street fountains of Rome
One of the numerous street fountains in Rome.
Okay, this fountain may not be as grand as the other six, but I like it just the same. It’s a street fountain, and when there’s flowing water, a lot of people (and animals) can be seen drinking from it. I did drink (out of curiosity) from one located at the base of Capitoline Hill, and I was very pleasantly surprised to find the water cool and fresh.
Called nasoni, each of the thousands installed in the city contain the mark “S.P.Q.R.” which means Senatus Populus Que Romanus or “the Senate and the People of Rome.”
There are so many more beautiful fountains in Rome. There are, in fact, hundreds, and a lot of them were built or designed by very well-known artists of their time. Hopefully, my wish at the Trevi Fountain will come true and I’ll find myself back in Rome again, to discover and re-discover all the charms that this ancient city has to offer.
Out of these seven fountains, which is your favorite? Do share with us why!
Aleah Taboclaon is a location independent writer, editor, and the travel blogger behind Solitary Wanderer. She's partial to slow travel, and prefers extreme adventures like hiking and caving over sightseeing. She likes running (completed one marathon, training for the next!), diving (PADI open water diver), and traveling with her Kindle. Follow her on Instagram and Pinterest!
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34 Comments. Leave new
Great post Aleah. I came across your blog via getinthehotspot.com You’ll be happy to know that Fendi (fashion house) is paying for a thorough cleaning and restoration of the Fontana di Trevi. Thankfully, only a third of the fountain will be scaffolded at a time, though I couldn’t see any scaffolding at all in October 2013. Here’s the news article on it: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/01/29/uk-arts-trevi-idUSLNE90S01020130129
@ Violy: Agree! I was surprised to find them cool and fresh. Really love Italy!
I love the street fountains of rome, free cold drinking water 24/7!
@ Bon: I can imagine that phrase all over the city. Would we really want that? LOL
@ Juanita: Unfortunately, I haven’t seen them 🙁 I read a lot about the Four Fountains, wish I could have visited it.
@ Nancie: That twin fountains in the Vatican is a must-see, if only because they are in St. Peter’s Square 🙂
They are all lovely. I would choose number 6 as my favorite.
Fontana del Mascherone (Big Mask Fountain), Via Giulia, (1626)
The Quattro Fontane (the Four Fountains) (1588–1593)
I’ll go for the number 1, The Fontana de Trevi and the last one, the street fountain. So, hopefully that our “politicos” would consider that phrase, “the Senate and the People of Rome”. If they projects, they should only mention, “The Governor and the people of Bukidnon”. Not only their name are to be written on the wall or on the siding of “ambulance”.
@ Riz: Thanks. Wish I can teleport back to Italy too 🙂
@ InsideJourneys: Thanks, Marcia. Rome’s really lovely!
@ Dick: I agree. I guess someday we’ll be able to go back 🙂
Rome was the very first place I visited in Europe. It’s truly amazing. Thanks for bringing back the memories of that trip back in 1999.
Oh, that’s hard. I love anything connected to water.
This is a wonderful selection, Aleah.
Great shots. love the fontana de trevi. Wish I can teleport to Italy! You’re so lucky to see these fountains. Awesome. Lucky 7!
@ Cathy: Because of how I explore, I sometimes don’t see the top attractions of a city. But it’s okay with me; I get to see the places a lot of tourists don’t see 🙂
@ Andrea: Would welcome to study in Rome too, the city’s too big to expore in just a few days!
I like the one of the street fountain. I studied in Rome and I remember being grateful for those fountains after long days of walking. I love Rome so much–great overview of some of its most beautiful fountains 🙂
Sounds like we explore cities in much the same way — I’m often without a map or a plan! Although I’ve known of the famous Trevi Fountain, you’ve introduced me to some new ones. Hope I get to see them in person sometimes.
@ Leigh: I didn’t feel the urge to jump into the fountain. It was early spring when I was there and it was still too cold LOL
@ Allison: Yeah, the Trevi is really something else. Definitely a must-see for everyone!
The Trevi is my favorite, though I haven’t seen it in person yet. Your photo is beautiful, though I imagine that it must be so much more amazing to be there. Thanks for the inspiration!
I like the last one to – only because it’s a treat to find fresh water in a big city that you don’t actually have to pay for. The thought of jumping into any of the fountains – probably frowned upon – has a certain appeal too.
@ Debbie: Yeah, it does look different. Thanks!
@ Walkingon travels: I’m sure your kids would enjoy Rome. All those gelato and pizza and pasta! 😉
I think I’ve seen 4 of the 7. Possibly more though. Haven’t been back since 2008. Definitely need to make a return trip now that we have little ones!
Love seeing all the fountains when traveling in Europe! Enjoyed all of your pictures but found the boat fountain very interesting and unique.
@ Sabrina: Thanks. Yeah the Fountain of Neptune in Piazza Navona was also very beautiful. Couldn’t find a pic of it in my camera though 🙁 I prob got fountained out by then haha
@ Jade: Thanks. I loved the 4 days I spent in Rome, too!
Rome was such a nice surprise for me, it was welcoming and beautiful and easy to get around. The Trevi fountain will always have a special place in my heart- throwing coins and making wishes. Great post!
You make me wanna go back to Rome 🙂 The pics are beautiful. I have been to quite a few of the fountains, but not all of them. I think my favorites in Rome are the Fontana di Trevi and another fountain on the Piazza Navona. There are two and I mean the larger one. It’s really tall. So impressive!
@ Mary: Maybe I should have thrown more coins, to up my chances of going back haha Never got to see the Trevi at night. My host didn’t live in the center 🙁
@ Lisa: Yeah, summer months can be tough. I was lucky to be there during spring
Great photos – we were in Rome in August last year and there were definitely a lot more people in my photos! My younger daughter loved the fountains – she almost went head first into one near the Pantheon!
These are all great photos of such beautiful fountains. I’ve always loved the Trevi fountain. It just looks so majestic and grand. We saw it during the day and night. I found being there at night a bit more calming and a contrast in images. Threw in the coins twice =) I wish I got to see all these fountains but lucky enough to see 4 out of 7.
@ Easy Hiker: I was surprised that they were clean and tasted fresh. They can really save you a lot of money. Bottled water’s so expensive there.
@ Amillah: hehe sikat sya ah even though it doesn’t look pretty 😀
i like the last one 🙂
I particularly remember the street fountains because it was so refreshing to find them on a hot summers day
@ Mhe-Anne: Punta ka na! Italy’s soooo lovely!
@ Jessica: I was there at the beginning of spring. I dread what it will be like during the summer months haha
I love the Maderno Fountain, especially because I am jealous that you were able to capture it with so few people in the background.
oh nice observation about the ubiquitous fountains in Rome! I haven’t been there yet and now I know what to watch out for – the fountains! I like the Trevi and Maderno ones.