The square below the Spanish Steps
Piazza di Spagna lies at the bottom of the Spanish Steps. The square takes its name from the embassy of Spain to the Holy See, which stands at number 57. Do not confuse it with the Spanish embassy to Italy. The name says nothing about who paid for the steps.
Do not confuse the square with the one above. Piazza della Trinità dei Monti, with the church and the obelisk, lies at the top of the stairway. The two squares are linked by the steps, and a visit to one usually includes the other.
Finding your way around the square
Stand with your back to the fountain and look at the steps.
| What | Where | Address or detail |
|---|---|---|
| Barcaccia fountain | In front of the steps, in the square | A fountain shaped like a half-sunken boat |
| Keats-Shelley House | Right at the foot of the steps | Piazza di Spagna 26, Keats's last rooms |
| Babington's | Left at the foot of the steps | Piazza di Spagna 23 to 25 |
| Spanish embassy to the Holy See | On the square | Piazza di Spagna 57 |
| Via Condotti | Leads away from the square | A shopping street with luxury boutiques |
| Via del Babuino | Runs from the square to Piazza del Popolo | Part of the Tridente |
The Keats-Shelley House has its own page with hours and prices. The streets and the neighborhood behind the square are covered by the pages on Via Condotti and where to stay.
Our picks: walks from Piazza di Spagna
Guided walks that take in the square, the Steps and the Barcaccia or the neighbouring sights.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Underground Rome: Vicus Caprarius, Trevi and the Steps
A guided walk of about two hours that visits Trevi, the Vicus Caprarius, the Spanish Steps and the Barcaccia fountain.
Check availability →
Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps and Navona walk
A walk with a headset that takes in the Spanish Steps. Pantheon entry and the paid Trevi area come only with the matching option.
Check availability →
Pantheon, Trevi and Spanish Steps walking tour
A Pantheon ticket comes with every option, the guide and Pantheon visit only with the guided ones, and gelato only on the full tour. A Trevi ticket and tips are extra.
Check availability →Tours around Piazza di Spagna
Walks that start near the square and take in the steps, Trevi and the old town, with live prices and availability.
What stands around the square
The places you can see from the middle of the square.
The Barcaccia
The fountain resembles a half-sunken boat. It has low sides, an identical bow and stern, and papal coats of arms with bees. It sits low because the water pressure at this point was weak. Its latest restoration ended on 16 April 2025. Do not wade in it or climb on it.
Barcaccia fountain →The Keats-Shelley House
The museum covers Keats's last rooms and a collection on English Romanticism. It is open Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 13:00 and from 14:00 to 18:00, with the last entry at 17:45. Adults pay €7 in 2026. It is closed on Sundays, and public holidays need a separate check.
Keats-Shelley House →Babington's
Babington's stands at Piazza di Spagna 23 to 25. Closing time is listed as 20:15 every day and also as 22:30 (Friday and Saturday 23:00), and opening is at 9:00. If you want to go late, check before you walk over.
The streets
Via Condotti is a shopping street with luxury boutiques, named after water pipes of the sixteenth century. Via del Babuino links the square with Piazza del Popolo.
Via Condotti →Getting to the square
Metro, lift and accessibility.
Metro line A stops at Spagna, a short walk from the square. The station has no lift or stair lift to the platforms. A lift links the entrance on Vicolo del Bottino with the exit at Trinità dei Monti, so it helps you reach the upper square. Do not rely on it being in service, and plan a second route if you need one without steps. The getting there page has the details, and Rome in one day covers the rest of the city.
From the square, go next
Three short walks.
Piazza di Spagna: frequently asked questions
Why is it called Piazza di Spagna?
The square is named after the embassy of Spain to the Holy See, which stands at number 57. The name does not mean that Spain financed the steps.
What is the difference between Piazza di Spagna and the Spanish Steps?
The piazza is the square at the bottom. The Spanish Steps lead from it up to Piazza della Trinità dei Monti, where the church and the obelisk stand.
What is at the foot of the steps?
The Barcaccia fountain is in front of the steps. The Keats-Shelley House is on the right at number 26, and Babington's is on the left at numbers 23 to 25.
Is Piazza di Spagna free to visit?
Yes. You can walk through the square and up the steps without a ticket. Only the museum nearby charges admission.
Can I drink from the Barcaccia?
The running water that feeds the fountain is drinking water, but the basin is not for drinking. Do not step into it, wade or sit on the edge.