Rome, the eternal city, has so much to offer- Insanely delicious food, fascinating history, and monuments older than we can comprehend. 

I hate billing a historic and complex city as merely a backdrop for photo opportunities. However, I know that visitors to Rome still want to capture their memories, and have quality photos to look back on.

Keeping this in mind, here are my tips for photography in Rome, perfect for creating a personalized photo calendar or capturing the best photo spots for your Instagram and memories!

Trevi Fountain – Possibly one of the most photographed spots in the city, this fountain was created in 1732. It can get incredibly busy during the day, so the only way to get decent photos here is to arrive very early. I took these at 7am, and there were already about 10 other people there at that point.

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Piazza Navona– If one should have a “favorite plaza” in Rome (there are many!), I think this is mine. During the day, it is a hub of activity, and it has great vibes in the evening too. For Instagram photos though, get here as early as possible, or a people-less photo isn’t going to happen.

The Colosseum- This location is always going to be crowded, so the key is to walk up a nearby hill and then get a strategic angle. Be careful though, as sitting on this ledge is tricky to climb onto, and there is a steep drop below!

Another option is to get a low angle looking up at the Colosseum. This way, it doesn’t matter how crowded it is!

Read More: My Itinerary for 10-14 days in Italy

Basilica di San Pietro, Vatican City- This cathedral is so massive in scale, that if you come here for photos on a busy day, it’s still possible to find a quiet corner of the church to grab some photos. Getting photos outside in the square might be trickier, but can again be achieved if you have some spare time to wait on people to move out of your view.

Trastevere Neighborhood- Not only does this place have, arguably, the best food options in Rome, but it is also very scenic. Stroll around the streets of this neighborhood, and you will find some charming corner to take a photo you’ll love.

The Pantheon– Just about a one minute walk away from the Trevi Fountain, this iconic building (built in 27BC!) and piazza will get incredibly crowded, and fast. Get here before 7am if possible for the best photos!

Ponte Sant’Angelo– This scenic bridge over the Tiber river is one of my favorite photo spots. The trick again is that you must get here early. It’s slightly less popular than some other Roman landmarks however, so I arrived around 8:30am and was still able to get photos with no people in the background. If you sit on the ledge like I did in the photo below, be very careful- there was a huge drop off!

Altare della Patria– The “Monument to the Fatherland” is down the road from the Colosseum. While I didn’t love any photos I took there, it definitely is a beautiful structure with a lot of potential! Photography Rome. 

Any other photography spots in Rome you’d recommend? 

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