Rome's Trevi Fountain Neighborhood

Ditch your Rome bucket list and explore Rome by neighborhood instead, starting with the amazing Trevi neighborhood where the iconic Trevi Fountain is located.
Today I chatted with Elyssa Bernard owner of Rome Wise all about the Trevi neighborhood and some great things to explore in the neighborhood.

The Trevi Fountain

The exquisite and iconic Trevi fountain is the focal point of the Trevi neighborhood and as Elyssa says “you can hear it before you see it”. In a previous episode with Elyssa we talked all about the fountain, its history, and 6 things you probably don’t know about the fountain. Read about these 6 surprising Trevi fountain facts you didn't know here. Still more about the Trevi Fountain including details on its recent restoration.

A map of the Trevi Fountain neighborhood

Trevi is one of Rome’s neighborhoods, or rioni as they are called in Italian. It’s shaped almost like a boot and as part of her Trevi neighborhood page Elyssa prepared a basic map of the neighborhood that highlights the major sites and their proximity to other Rome monuments.

Vicus Caprarius

This is a fascinating spot to visit; it’s where water comes into the Trevi fountain. You can visit the Vicus Caprarius when you’re in the Trevi neighborhood. You can also book a guided tour here.

Three special places to visit on the Via del Corso

*The Rinascente

This well-known department store, which is part of a historic department store chain based in Milan, was refurbished a few years back. Head first to the basement level where you'll find remnants of a Roman aqueduct that was excavated at the time of the department store renovation.

On the same level you might also find small gift items to take home to friends and family.

Best rooftop view of the Trevi Fountain neighborhood

The Rinascente has two rooftop levels and the upper level offers the best rooftop view of Rome within the Trevi Fountain neighborhood.

Rooftop dining at the Rinascente

There are a few options and if you're looking for high end try Michelin star chef Riccardo Di Giacinto’s Madeiterraneo Restaurant.
Also on the rooftop level you'll find a sushi restaurant, a coffee bar and gourmet shops where you can find delectable food items for gifts like DOP balsamic vinegar and more.

*The Apple store

Whether you're looking for an Apple product or not a visit to this store is well worth it. This brand new flagship Apple Store is the largest in all of Europe. It was recently restored and opened just a month ago. The store was converted from a noble palazzo, the Palazzo Marignoli. Here are some of the ceiling frescoes in the store.

*Galleria Alberto Sordi

This is a lovely early 1900s Liberty style shopping gallery and a place to stop for a coffee or refreshment. It's named after the beloved Roman actor Alberto Sordi. Head through the gallery and exit the other side to reach the Trevi fountain.

Rome's Trevi Fountain Neighborhood

Where to buy gifts in the Trevi Fountain neighborhood

Other than the Rinascente department store you'll find a few other gift possibilities in the area. If you're looking for small touristy items like refrigerator magnets take a walk down Via del Lavatore.
Elyssa suggests perfume for a gift. There's an outpost of the Florence-based Santa Maria Novella perfume shop where you can buy perfumes and scented soaps located between the Pantheon and Piazza Navona.
Coffee and coffee products are another great gift. Elyssa and I both love the Tazza d’Oro and the Sant’Eustacchio coffee shops. In addition to coffee you can buy other coffee products like chocolate covered coffee beans.

Accommodation options in the Trevi Fountain neighborhood

There's a wealth of Airbnb apartments to choose from in the Trevi neighborhood, some overlooking the Trevi fountain. While the view is spectacular these apartments can be noisy.
If you're looking for more of a five star accommodation experience then the Singer Palace Hotel is a great choice.
Another option is the Grand Hotel Plaza on Via Del Corso.

Terrace views in the Trevi Fountain neighborhood

The best terrace view by far in the heart of the Trevi Fountain neighborhood is the Rinascente.
There are other wonderful terraces if you're willing to walk a few extra minutes a bit beyond the Trevi neighborhood. Up at the top of the Spanish steps are the Hassler Hotel and the Hotel della Ville, both with fantastic terrace views.

One of my favorite outdoor terraces that overlooks the Spanish steps is the Palazzetto. If you feel like a bite to eat just a minute walk from the Palazzetto you'll find Ciampini where you can enjoy lunch with a view beneath a covered terrace.
Another terrace option is the Hotel 9 Cesari.

Churches in the Trevi Fountain neighborhood

Definitely check out Santa Maria in Trivio, and the Oratory of the Holy Cross, full of wonderful mannerist paintings. The Trevi Fountain neighborhood is also home to Rome’s tiniest church: Madonna dell’Archetto.

Best places to eat in the Trevi Fountain neighborhood

Piccolo Arancio and Osteria Romana offer great Roman food.
A classic Roman pasta dish is pasta carbonara. Here's the recipe.

Colline Emiliane prepares some of Rome’s very best food from the Emilia-Romagna region including fresh homemade pasta every day, and luscious desserts prepared by the signora.

San Crispino is right in the Trevi Fountain neighborhood and is a good gelato option. It's worth it to walk a bit further towards the Pantheon to Gunther for some of Rome’s very best gelato.
If you're a food lover a Culinary Walking Tour of Rome is a great idea!

Nightlife in the Trevi Fountain neighborhood

The favorite Roman evening pass-time is the passeggiata, or evening stroll. Romans love to get together for a walk, sit in some of Rome’s piazze and enjoy a gelato or a refreshing evening drink.
Gregory’s Jazz Bar is a spot where you can enjoy music and a cocktail.

A few other Trevi Fountain neighborhood tidbits

The Palazzo Barberini is right in the Trevi Fountain neighborhood and is one of Rome’s best museums. During the second world war it was the headquarters for the Nazi regime, now transformed into a wonderful museum. It also has an internal courtyard garden where you can sit and relax. Book your tour here.

Slow down your pace as you walk through the Trevi Fountain neighborhood

Check out street names as they often refer to a special tidbit of history from the area. One important street in the Trevi neighborhood is Via Rasella where the largest Italian resistance movement attack against German troops occurred during the second world war. The German reprisal was brutal: the German command ordered the shooting of 10 Italians for every German killed. There's no commemorative plaque on the street but you can still note the bullet holes in some of the buildings today, especially the building just opposite the Osteria Romano restaurant.
Many buildings have plaques and brief historical information about famous artists or political figures who lived in the building, or the noble families the building belong to.
You'll find madonnelle - little madonas - on many of the buildings within the Trevi Fountain neighborhood, and throughout Rome.

Interested in other Rome neighborhoods? Explore the working class Cavalleggeri Neighborhood right near the Vatican.

Her are more things to do When in Rome.

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