Up from the Steps to the Gardens
A day in Rome — 6 stops, about 3.79 km on foot, 54 minutes walking.
A compact day that starts in the streets below the Spanish Steps, drifts north to Piazza del Popolo, then climbs into Villa Borghese after lunch. About 3.0 km of walking, most of it flat until the park. Suits anyone wanting sights in the morning and green space in the afternoon, families included.
The route, in order
Piazza di Spagna
Opens 00:00
Start here while the square is still quiet and before the crowds settle onto the steps.
1 min walk — Head northeast toward Piazza di Spagna
Spanish Steps
The steps are right above the square, so climb them once you have taken in the scene from the bottom.
11 min walk — Head northwest on Scalinata della Trinità dei Monti Take the stairs
Piazza del Popolo
A straight walk north through the shopping streets brings you to a much wider, more open square.
13 min walk — Head south
Alla Rampa
Opens 12:00
Doubling back toward the Spanish Steps for lunch, timed for the midday opening.
22 min walk — Head north on Piazza Mignanelli toward Rampa Mignanelli
Villa Borghese
From the restaurant the ground rises into the park, a change of pace after a morning on pavement.
7 min walk — Head southeast toward Viale Pietro Canonica
Bioparco di Roma
Opens 09:30
The zoo sits inside the gardens, an easy final stop once you are already walking the park.