Piazza Navona, the Pantheon & Trevi Fountain: Exploring Rome on Foot

One of the things I love about Rome is how much there is to discover simply by walking through the city. Around every corner, you can find another beautiful piazza, fountain, church or historic building.

During our 2016 visit to Rome, we were short on time and wanted to see as much as possible before we had to catch our flight. Piazza Navona, the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain were all on my list, and fortunately, these sights are close enough to combine into one enjoyable walk.

The Spanish Steps are also within walking distance, although they are a little farther away. Unfortunately, we didn't have enough time to add them to our day.

I added a map below to give you an idea of how close these sights are to one another.

Since we were on a tight schedule, we decided to take a taxi rather than spend time waiting for and riding the bus. It turned out to be a good decision because it allowed us to get right to Piazza Navona and begin exploring.

Piazza Navona had been on my Rome wish list for years. I had seen it in so many movies, so I was excited to finally see it in person.

It also turned out to be a great place to begin our walk. From Piazza Navona, we could easily make our way toward the Pantheon and then continue on to the Trevi Fountain.

PIAZZA NAVONA

Piazza Navona is one of Rome's most beautiful and recognizable squares. The long, oval shape of the piazza follows the footprint of the ancient Stadium of Domitian, which once stood here. Today, the square is surrounded by beautiful Baroque buildings, restaurants and cafes and is filled with fountains and street life.

The centerpiece is the magnificent Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi, or Fountain of the Four Rivers, created by Gian Lorenzo Bernini and unveiled in 1651.

The fountain features four enormous figures representing four great rivers from the continents known to Europeans at the time: the Danube representing Europe, the Ganges representing Asia, the Nile representing Africa, and the Rio de la Plata representing the Americas. Animals and plants are incorporated into the design to help represent each part of the world.

There is so much detail in the fountain that you could probably stand there for quite a while and notice something different each time you look.

The piazza itself is just as interesting. Take a little time to look beyond the fountains and you'll notice the beautiful architecture surrounding the square, including the Church of Sant'Agnese in Agone. The entire area is a wonderful example of the Baroque character that makes this part of Rome so special.

A LITTLE CHURCH WE FOUND ALONG THE WAY

CHIESA DI SANTA MARIA MADDALENA

As we continued walking toward the Trevi Fountain, we came across Chiesa di Santa Maria Maddalena, or the Church of Santa Maria Maddalena.

It is just a short distance from the Pantheon, and it would be very easy to walk right past it without realizing what is inside. The exterior is much less imposing than some of Rome's grand churches, but stepping inside is another story.

The interior is filled with beautiful Baroque details, decorative motifs and elaborate ceiling artwork.

This was one of those unexpected discoveries that I always enjoy when traveling. We hadn't specifically planned to visit this church. We simply happened to come across it as we made our way through the streets of Rome.

According to Rome's tourism information, the church was rebuilt beginning in the 16th century, with the dome and vault completed by Carlo Fontana in 1673 and the elaborate façade completed by Giuseppe Sardi in 1735.

It's a good reminder that in Rome, you don't always have to have an attraction marked on your itinerary to find something beautiful.

WANDERING THROUGH ROME

As we continued toward the Trevi Fountain, we found ourselves weaving through Rome's narrow streets.

This is one of my favorite things about exploring Rome. You can have a specific destination in mind, but the journey between the famous sights can be just as interesting.

Beautiful doorways, old buildings, tiny streets and unexpected details seem to appear around every corner.

We were simply making our way from one famous attraction to another, but these little discoveries became part of the experience.

TO KNOW

 At the time, our taxi to Piazza Navona cost about €15. Since we were trying to see as much as possible before catching our flight, taking a taxi made sense for us.

There is no Metro station directly at Piazza Navona, although buses serve the surrounding area. If you're not in a hurry, walking and public transportation can work well. If you're trying to fit several sights into a short amount of time, a taxi can be a convenient option.

We also took a taxi back from the Trevi Fountain because it dropped us off near the apartment we had rented.

A Great Walking Route in Rome

If you're visiting this part of Rome, Piazza Navona makes a great starting point for exploring the historic center.

Piazza Navona → Pantheon → Santa Maria Maddalena → Trevi Fountain

The sights are close enough that you can enjoy the walk between them rather than spending your time traveling by bus or taxi.

Our visit was rushed because we had a plane to catch, but that didn't keep us from enjoying the experience. I had wanted to see Piazza Navona for years after seeing it in so many movies, and finally standing there in person was one of those little travel moments that made the trip memorable.

And that's one of my favorite things about Rome. You can start out looking for one famous landmark and discover beautiful churches, fountains, architecture and little streets along the way.