If there were a list of things to do once in a lifetime, experiencing a sunset from one of the seven Roman hills would be on it. Imagine discovering the eternal city from a range of color that starts with raw light and warms up in the late afternoon, giving way to a palette of golden yellow, red and cream shadows. Rome was made to experience sunsets. And there’s so many known and hidden places for this asthetic experience.
And don’t forget if the sun has just faded into the horizon, stay, because the sky still has magnificent lights and colors to reveal to you.
In this article, you’ll find my favorite spots to admire the sunset, all around Rome, with a view of the eternal city and its most famous monuments.
1. GIARDINO DEGLI ARANCI
It’s one of the most popular sunset spot of Rome. Imagine a small rectangular park perched at the top of Colle Aventino, a few dozen meters from Tevere, surrounded by medieval walls dating from the late 13th century. Orange trees form a central avenue aligned with a belvedere. In the background, you can already see “il Cupolone”, the dome of St. Peter’s, dominating the horizon. The park is reaching its peak of popularity as golden hour approaches. It’s also an ideal picnic spot, with plenty of seating and green areas.
Practical information :
- Opening : 7AM-6PM (winter) | 7AM-9PM (summer)
- Address : Giardino degli Aranci – Piazza Pietro d’Illiria, 1 | 00153 Rome, Italy
TIPS: don’t miss a visit to the “buco della serratura” at the gate of Villa del Priorato di Malta. Located just a few hundred metres from the park, a pleasant surprise awaits you!
2. PONTE SANT’ANGELO
This spot is the one most often featured on postcards of Rome. And you’ll understand why. It offers one of the most romantic views of the iconic St. Peter’s Basilica. And the colors that tint the sky at sunset can be particularly impressive!
DID YOU KNOW: there’s a special rule in Rome which is quite iconic. A fundamental rule for building in Rome is that nothing must exceed the height of the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica (136 meters). This preserves the monument’s iconic silhouette and allows amazing photos from any location overlooking the Basilica.
3. TERRAZZA DEL PINCIO
Located in the Giardino of the Villa Borghese with an extensive view over the Piazza del Popolo and the surroundings, it’s also one of the best public places to admire the sunset. There are a few benches around, musicians and rose sellers, and a crowd that keeps coming and going until it gets dark.
TIPS: If you’d like to do one last thing before your aperitivo, I strongly recommend a visit to the Galleria Borghese, which gives the park its name. At the last slot at 5.45pm, the price of the visit drops to €10, allowing you to admire a collection of Renaissance and Baroque art until it closes at 7pm. Bernini’s sculptures, “Apollo and Daphne” and “The Abduction of Proserpine”, are famous for the drama they inspire, both in the expression of the figures and in the sense of movement that Bernini was able to convey. You’ll also find the Lady with the Unicorn by Raphael – who originally painted a little dog – and works by the famous Caravaggio. It’s a visit not to be missed on your visit to Rome!
4. GIANICOLO HILL
This fourth spot takes you to Trastevere. It’s more popular with locals due to its slightly eccentric position, yet it offers one of the most beautiful panoramas of the city. With the sun setting behind you, you’ll be able to appreciate the silhouette of Rome’s iconic buildings from a different perspective. The hues of the sky following sunset give a deeper tint to Roman structures. The sunset viewing area is more spread out, so it’s more pleasant to admire the view without having to queue for a photo.
TIPS: in summer, the Piazza San Cosimato in Trastevere hosts “il Cinema in Piazza”, an initiative to democratize access to film culture. Every evening, at various locations around Rome, you can enjoy foreign and Italian films free of charge, sometimes even chatting with the crew who shot the film. The film usually starts just before sunset, but it’s also a great alternative if you want to discover something different in Rome.
5. CIRCO MASSIMO
The Circo Massimo was the largest stadium in the Roman Empire, capable of accommodating up to 250,000 spectators (it is estimated that Rome in the 1st century BC had a population of 1 million, so imagine 1/4 of the city in this stadium …)It was used for chariot races as well as gladiatorial combat. Today, all that remains of the stadium is a track surrounded by ruins. And yet, for me, it’s one of the best spots to enjoy the sunset, with a breathtaking view of the ruins bathed in the soft, golden light of the setting sun. It’s also uncrowded, close to the metro and I loved picnicking there!
There are plenty of other great places to watch the sun set in Rome – what your favorite spot ?