First of all, I didn’t find romance at the Spanish Steps in Rome. Not even a wisp breath of ardor. That’s because the place is infested with tourists, like me. 😂 I can only imagine at night when lovers would smooch on the stairs and whisper promises only to be broken later. You’ve seen this place in the movie, “Roman Holiday” or that TV show, “Everybody Loves Raymond.” And if you’re a Bob Dylan fan, you might have heard this place in his song, “When I Paint My Masterpiece.”
Why call it the Spanish Steps?
There was a Spanish Embassy in the area and at the bottom of the steps, you’ll find Piazza di Spagna (Spanish Plaza). Naturally, its name is extended into the steps – thus, it became Spanish Steps!
The 135 Steps
There are exactly 135 steps that go up to the Trinita Dei Monti on top of the hill. The French built the church and the steps are the symbols of the French-Spanish relationship.
The View. Once you reach the hill, you’ll have a partial view of Rome’s skyline. I think the view is so much better here in the morning than in the afternoon.
Related Post: The Beauty of Roman Colosseum
John Keat’s House. The English writer was one of the romantic writers who romanticized the Spanish Steps. If you’re on your way up, John’s house is the first on the right. Now, it’s a museum that contains a lot of the writer’s memorabilia. He lived and died here in 1821 due to tuberculosis.
The Fountain of the Ugly Boat
There’s a fountain at the foot of the stairs. The locals call it, the “Fountain of the Ugly Boat.” See it for yourself and you’ll find why. 🙂 Don’t miss staring at the Obelisk in the middle of the Spanish Plaza. Just stare. It won’t bite you, I promise! 😀
Nearby Attraction. You can walk to the Trevi Fountain.
Finding Romance at the Spanish Steps in Rome
How to SAVE in Rome
Rome and the Vatican are packed with places to see and history to marvel at. If you’re going to stay there for a few days only, it’s very impossible to squeeze everything you want to see. So, it is wise to do the Hop-on and Hop-Off Bus Pass for 24, 48, and 72 hours! This will save you time and you’ll see the places you’ve been dying to visit and have known of from the pages of history books.
Where to Stay in Rome – Hostel in Rome
Hostel Alessandro Palace and Bar is your best bet in Rome. This hostel exceeded my expectations. The spacious rooms are secured with magnetic key cards and equipped with safe lockers for your valuables. You have to bring your own lock though. If you forgot to bring one, you can always buy one in their vending machine downstairs. They also have a bar that serves your alcohol needs. The staff are friendly and speaks English, too. The area has a lot of cafes, restaurants, and grocery shops. The Roman Colosseum is 30 minutes and the Trevi Fountain is 20 minutes walk from here. But, most of all, it’s less than 5 minutes walk to the Rome Central Station. Trains to the airport and to other parts of Italy start and end at this station. You can book your accommodations in Rome through HostelWorld and Booking.com.
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