Piazza del Popolo Rome: Hotels, Map, Sights

The Piazza del Popolo area is dominated by the massive Popolo square and the twin churches of Santa Maria dei Miracoli and Santa Maria in Montesanto. The churches are, in fact, not identical. For the Sherlock Holmes enthusiasts out there, the dome of the Santa Maria in Montesanto (on the left) is oval and not circular like that of Santa Maria dei Miracoli.

Quick jump to:     • What to see      • Getting around      • Activities

Street Map of The Popolo Area Rome Click for larger map Piazza del Popolo area.

The street map above connects with the Spagna and Vatican street maps. You can view all of the Street Maps together)

The Popolo area is pedestrian friendly with many roads closed to traffic, and what's more, very nearby are the beautiful and relaxing Borghese gardens. The gate way to the Borghese gardens are the Pincio Gardens which can be found on the hillside just above Popolo Square.

On the far side of Piazza del Popolo you find the massive Porta del Popolo (door to Popolo square) built in the 16th Century. The gate announces the entrance into Via Flaminia, the old Roman road that connected Rome with the Adriatic Coast.

Next to the Porta del Popolo you will find the Santa Maria del Popolo, featured in Dan Brown's "Angels and Demons".
The Santa Maria holds some of Rome's finest artistic treasures like Caravaggio's "The Crucifixion of St Peter" and "The Conversion of St Paul". Great names such as Caravaggio, Bernini and Raphael not only supplied the art but worked on the structure too.

Heading along Via di Ripetta away from Piazza del Popolo you will find the Mausoleum of Augustus (Mausoleo di Augusto). Emperor Augustus commissioned this massive 87 meter diameter (97 yards) mausoleum as his own burial chamber. Sadly today the building has been reduced to all but a pile of rubble.

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Shopping in the Popolo area: vini, vidi, VISA.

There are three roads that fork out from the Piazza del Popolo heading towards the Spanish Steps (piazza di spagna) and Navona area (from left):

• The Via del Babuino
• Via del Corso
• and Via di Ripetta.

If you enjoy big brand Italian shopping then this (and the Spanish steps) is the area for you. Gucci, Bulgari, Fendi, Valentino and Giorgio Armani shops are as frequent as new Italian governments.

Whereas Via del Corso and Via dei Condotti (off Piazza di Spagna) claim the big Italian brands, the Via del Babuino and Via di Ripetta are jam packed with antiquities, arts, crafts and cafes - ideal for the adventure-shopper!
Visit my shopping in Rome Italy page for more advice and tips.

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Getting to and from the Piazza del Popolo area.

Rome Metro: There are 2 Metro stations to choose from (see our street map of the Popolo area above):

• Flaminio
• Spagna

From Flaminio and Spagna you can either head across the Tevere towards the Vatican City or in the other direction towards Piazza Barberini (Via Veneto area) and Piazza della Repubblica.
For more information about the Metro see my dedicated page on the Rome Metro.

Rome buses:

• The No. 81 takes you from Piazza del Popolo to Piazza Risorgimento (next to the Vatican) or in the other direction the 628 goes to Piazza Venezia.
• The No 81 also goes from Piazza del Popolo to the ancient Roman Colosseum and passes Trevi Fountain, Marcellus Theater and the Piazza della Bocca della Verità (mouth of truth square) along the way.
• The 119 Electric bus will also take you to Piazza Venezia and Piazza di Campo dè Fiori.

For more about the buses in Rome see my dedicated page Rome buses and Rome public transport.

Rome taxi: There is a main taxi rank at the main square of Piazza del Popolo. (Refer to the map of the Popolo Area above.)

Rome tourist buses: There are two main stops for most of the tourist buses:

• Popolo square
• and the Augustus Mausoleum

Why not hop on there, the Rome tourist buses are great introduction to the city and the easiest way to find your bearings and choose your must-dos for your next lap around.

If you haven't read about it on my site already then ATAC public transportation in Rome site has a great tool to calculate the quickest route from point A to point B anywhere in Rome (using public transport). When you arrive at the website click on the English language option to the right. Fill in your departure address and arrival address.

For more information visit public transportation in Rome Italy and its related pages:

• Rome buses
• Rome trams
• Rome Metro

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Restaurants and nightlife in the Piazza del Popolo area.

Sometimes I feel it's pointless recommending restaurants in Rome, usually everywhere is good! Besides, I like the adventure of discovering some "new" restaurant in a forgotten corner of Rome.
For your meals do try to stay away though from the tourist areas, and in particular the squares (piazzas), they are notorious for exorbitant prices and mediocre food - which in Rome constitutes a crime!

For more advice about eating out in Rome visit my Rome restaurants page and also the Rome restaurant guide page for advice and tips from visitors to this site.

Finished with the Piazza del Popolo area? Click on an area of the map below to visit another area.

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