Piazza Navona, Rome (must see)

Piazza Navona has been one of Rome’s liveliest spots for almost 2,000 years. In the city with no shortage of squares, Navona really stands out. The reasons for that are many: great architecture, lovely sculptures, lots of places around to eat and drink, diverse merchandise to buy and colorful crowd.

The square was built in 80 AD, around the same time as the Colosseum and, surprisingly enough, initially hosted chariot races. Navona took its current shape only in the 17th century when Pope Innocent X commissioned nearby Baroque-style constructions. Among those projects are Palazzo Braschi (now housing the Museum of Rome), the Church of Saint Agnes (renowned for its massive dome), Palazzo de Cupis (now open for pre-booked stays), and Palazzo Pamphili. There are also not just one or two, but three (!) stunning fountains here, including the Moor Wrestling With a Dolphin on the one side, the Fountain of Neptune on the other, and the Fountain of the Four Rivers, sculpted by Bernini, in the center – a truly unique piece of art with a large obelisk on top.

The place has a cool, relaxing vibe and is ideal for picture taking. At night, whenever the central fountain is illuminated, it gets particularly scenic. Occasionally, there are some good musicians and other artists performing here as well. There are many benches to sit on plus, as an extra bonus, the adjoining streets are rich in all sorts of quality eateries and cafes, all of which makes it fairly comfortable to pass the time away and soak up the pleasure of just being in Rome.

Why You Should Visit:
A very large square (really an oval) that despite being busy and very popular, seems to still have room for everyone.

Tip:
If looking for more intimate and more economic meals/refreshments, you can always walk off the piazza onto one of the side streets.