Piazza Navona is a bustling public open space which is at the heart of Rome’s social life. Cafe’s surround the edge of the piazza and the centre is filled with street entertainers, artists and musicians. The centrpiece is a large Bernini water fountain. There’s a great atmosphere here, day and night, and we really loved spending time in the piazza, browsing the art for sale and dining outside at the restraurants.
Bernini’s Fontana dei Fiumi (fountains of the rivers) is undoubtedly a fine centre piece for Piazza Navona. It features symbolic representations of major world rivers like the Ganges and Nile clinging to a cliff face with sea monsters below. This fountain was featured in the Dan Brown book “Angels & Demons” as the location where a cardinal was murdered. There are two further fountains in the piazza which are also worth spending time enjoying.
There are several guided tours that call into Piazza Navona to help you to get the most out of your visit. The Ancient Rome Half Day Walking Tour and the Angels & Demons Half Day Walking Tour are the most popular ones and consistently get 5 star reviews. You can see details of all the tours available in Rome and get latest prices in any currency here.
LOCATION & MAP
Piazza Navona is just off Via della Scrofa, and is only a 2 minute walk from the Pantheon. The piazza has several access passageways like Via Agonala, and it doesn’t matter which you take as all offer a terrific perspective of the square when you enter.
MORE ON PIAZZA NAVONA
Hotels near Piazza Navona – Great deals from Hotels.com
More Hotels in Rome – Massive discounts from Expedia
Ancient Rome Half Day Walking Tour – Stops at Piazza Navona
Angels & Demons Half Day Walking Tour – Calls in at Piazza Navona
Piazza Navona – Wikipedia
Rome Guide Books – Amazon