The walk starts near the metro Spagna exiting onto the
[1]
Spanish Steps. At the top of the steps, there is a marvelous view of old Rome, while at the bottom facing the piazza are
[2] Babington's Tea Rooms – a bit of a tourist trap, but well worth a look.
Head South towards the
[3] Colonna dell' Immacolata. This 12 metre high column, topped by a bronze statue of Madonna, was erected in the 1850's to commemorate the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception. There is a festival here on December 8.
Further along via di Propaganda is
[4] Collegio di Propaganda Fide, the headquarters of the Vatican's missionary work and related activities. The facade facing the column was designed by Bernini. Further down the street and around to the left is
[5] Sant'Andrea delle Fratte (in Via di Capo Le Case) and its recently restored Borromini bell tower. Look for the buffalo heads.
Now return and continue along Via della Mercede, passing on your left
[6] Hamasei [Via delle Mercede, 35/36], a traditional and elegant Japanese restaurant, feeding the Romans tempura, sukiyaki and sushi since 1974.
Now wind your way North via Rome's celebrated
streets of fashion (via Mario de Fiori, Frattina, Borgognona, and across via Condotti) for jewelry, leather, clothing, ties, shoes and much more. Literally hundreds of stylish shops in this area vying for attention -- too many to mention.
You might like to drop into the
[7] Pasticceria d'Angel [Via Bocca di Leone] for tea, coffee, snack or a drink.
Turn left into Via dellla Croce, a noisy street with plenty of food and vegetable stalls, then right into
Via del Corso or, more commonly, The Corso. 600 years ago, Via del Corso was a race track (
curso means "to run" in Latin).
200 metres along The Corso, turn right into Via dei Greci, renowned for its antiques, as well as the
Lyon Bookshop, the oldest English bookshop in Rome. Turn left into via del Babuino. On this corner is
[8]
Fontana del Babuino (the baboon fountain) after which the street was named. (Read the interesting history in the link). Turn next right into the charming
[9] Via Orto di Napoli, a quiet rather palatial street, and then turn right into
[10] Via Margutta, a lovely wisteria-lined street that was famous for its artists' studios, now up-market galleries.
Finally, follow the trail back to Piazza Spagna, and if you don't mind paying €5.00 for a very good cup of coffee, try
[11] Caffe Greco, one of the oldest cafes in Rome, complete with red velvet chairs and marble tables.
The entrance to the metro
Spagna is back at the bottom of the Spanish Steps.