Explore Rome's most artistic street—where film legends, sculptors, and painters have left their mark.
Tucked between two of Rome’s busiest landmarks—Piazza di Spagna (Spanish Steps) and Piazza del Popolo—Via Margutta is a quiet, ivy-draped retreat from the city’s bustle. Just three blocks long and nestled beneath Villa Borghese, this picturesque street is a haven for art lovers, romantics, and travelers seeking a slower rhythm of Roman life. Once a medieval alleyway lined with stables and storerooms behind the noble facades of Via del Babuino, Via Margutta transformed in the 19th century as artists from across Europe began moving in. By the early 20th century, it had become the creative epicenter of Rome—home to painters, sculptors, writers, and eventually, filmmakers. Today, it retains its bohemian spirit, blending independent galleries, antique shops, and boutique hotels with timeless elegance.
A Self-Guided Walk Along Via Margutta
Begin your stroll at Margutta 19—our 5-star luxury suites and the perfect base for exploring this enchanting neighborhood.
Via Margutta 110
The former residence of legendary Italian film director Federico Fellini and his wife Giulietta Masina. A discreet plaque marks the spot. Fellini's favorite haunt, Bar Canova in Piazza del Popolo, is nearby.
Via Margutta 53b
Visit La Bottega del Marmoraro, a marble workshop established in 1967. Personalize a Roman-style plaque to take home.
Via Margutta 51
Featured in the 1953 film Roman Holiday as Gregory Peck’s residence. Fans still visit this private, gated address.
Via Margutta 54
The elegant courtyard of the Moncada family and home to Margutta 54. Once host to over 1,800 artists—including Pablo Picasso in 1917.
Fontana degli Artisti
Created by Pietro Lombardi in 1927, this whimsical fountain features sculpted masks and brushes. A tribute to the street's artistic soul.
Just Beyond Via Margutta
Turn right on Via Alibert until it meets Via del Babuino—one of the three streets of the famed Trident alongside Via del Corso and Via di Ripetta.
Baboon Fountain (Fontana del Babuino)
Two blocks right on Via del Babuino, see the statue of Silenus, once mocked as a "baboon". Behind it, visit Café Canova Tadolini—a sculpture-filled atelier turned café.
Spanish Steps
Continue left to reach Piazza di Spagna and the Spanish Steps. Visit the Keats-Shelley Memorial House on the right or enjoy high tea at Babington’s Tea Room on the left.
Concierge Tip
Return to Via Margutta for a garden aperitivo at Emme Restaurant, hidden behind ivy- covered walls. Ask our concierge for walking tour suggestions or access to private artist studios nearby.
Via Margutta may be small—but its story, style, and soul are unmistakably grand.
Other Stories
NeighborhoodNeighborhood Gems
Villa Medici - Visit this beautiful mansion and gardens close to Rome Luxury Suites, which in addition to masterpieces from Bernini and Caravaggio, has works from Bruno Decharme’s collection and Manet’s ‘Le Citron’ on display from the 1 March to 19 May 2024
Ara Pacis Museum - The Helmut Newton exhibition continues until 10 March, plus a new exhibition on ancient theatre from 29 March.
Palazzo Bonaparte - A short walk from Rome Luxury Suites, Napoleon’s former palace has a major Escher exhibition celebrating the master engraver until 1 April
Local artisans & shopping - The area around Rome Luxury Suites has a wealth of local artisans and we can guide you to these, as well as our best local tips on where to buy bespoke and off the peg.
Via Margutta is one of Rome’s loveliest backstreets, and EMME has become the neighborhood hub - a place to meet, have a coffee or an aperitif, and dine on great food. It’s that genuine rarity: as popular with locals as with people visiting Rome. And while the interior is fabulous the highlight is the gorgeous outdoor garden terrace, which is a magnet on Rome’s many balmy days and evenings.
NeighborhoodShopping Via Condotti and the Tridente
Shopping in the Tridente area of Rome, which includes the iconic Via Condotti, is like stepping into the beating heart of Roman elegance and style. This area is named after the three main streets—Via del Corso, Via del Babuino, and Via di Ripetta—that fan out from Piazza del Popolo, forms a triangle (or "trident"). It’s known for its mix of historic charm and high-fashion glamor.
Via del Corso, is a bustling street that caters to everyone. You’ll find big, familiar stores like Zara, Mango, and Sephora—perfect if you're looking for something trendy and accessible.
But just off Via del Corso, there are charming side streets with hidden gems—small boutiques selling handmade leather goods, designer scarves, and unique jewelry. The craftsmanship and quality stand out immediately.
For more upscale shopping, Via Condotti is where the luxury brands reign supreme. Think Gucci, Prada, and Valentino—all in elegant storefronts that make you feel like you’ve stepped onto a fashion runway. The whole vibe of Via Condotti is refined yet bustling, a mix of international travelers and well-heeled locals shopping for dazzling fashion, sleek handbags, and jaw-dropping jewelry. With the iconic Spanish Steps as a majestic backdrop, you can’t help but soak up the energy of Roman luxury. Even if you leave with just a small token from one of these designer brands (or nothing at all), you feel like you’ve been part of something quintessentially Italian.
But don’t stop at Via Condotti - Via del Babuino is a quieter stretch, but it’s filled with a mix of high-end boutiques, chic art galleries, and antique stores. The vibe is more understated, perfect for when you want something unique and sophisticated, without all the high-energy buzz of the designer flagship stores. There’s also a sprinkling of cozy little cafés where you can take a break, sip a perfect cappuccino, and just people-watch. Babuino means "baboon," and the street is named after an ancient statue of a baboon that sits near the middle of it. It’s one of those quirky little details that make Rome so charming.
Shopping in the Tridente is more than just buying things—it’s about experiencing the lifestyle. Whether you’re indulging in some high-end retail therapy on Via Condotti or discovering hidden gems in the surrounding streets, you feel like you are part of something quintessentially Roman: a blend of history, fashion, and flair that you just can’t find anywhere else.
Be sure to check out our favorite shops on our Neighborhood Map!
As the golden light of late summer softens into early autumn, Rome becomes a canvas for creative reverie. From historic palaces to contemporary institutions, the city offers a curated dialogue between past and present—art that speaks to memory, ritual, identity, and renewal. Below, discover the exhibitions we’re most drawn to this season.
Galleria Borghese – Poems of the Black Earth by Wangechi Mutu (Until 14 September 2025)
A groundbreaking solo exhibition by Kenyan-American artist Wangechi Mutu—her first in Italy and the first by a living female artist at the Galleria Borghese. Mutu weaves together mythology, femininity, ecology, and colonial legacy in over 25 works, including collages and biomorphic sculptures suspended in air. Her art enters into delicate yet powerful conversation with the villa’s collection of Caravaggios and Berninis, offering a hauntingly beautiful meditation on what we inherit, and what we bury.
Discover more - Galleria Borghese
Chiostro del Bramante – FLOWERS. Flowers in art, from the Renaissance to the virtual (Until 14 September 2025)
Inside a Renaissance cloister steeped in harmony, this exhibition unfolds like a blooming garden—bringing together artworks from classical painters to contemporary creators and immersive digital artists. A feast for the senses, it is both scholarly and joyful, showing how something as delicate as a flower can hold centuries of symbolism, faith, politics, and passion. Don’t miss the installations that invite you to quite literally walk into a living painting.
Discover more - Chiostro del Bramante
MAXXI – Stadiums: Architecture of a Myth, Stop Drawing, and more (through 21-26 September 2025)
At Zaha Hadid’s sculptural museum of the 21st century, architecture becomes narrative. Stadiums: Architecture of a Myth reflects on the cultural power of sports arenas, while Stop Drawing challenges how we imagine buildings without ever putting pencil to paper. The program is an ode to experimentation, where concept meets form and emotion meets space. An essential visit for lovers of design, city life, and future-thinking creativity.
Discover more - MAXXI
Villa Torlonia – Mafai, Raphaël, Berlinguer and more (Until 2 November 2025)
This trio of intimate exhibitions invites us into the private rooms of creativity. Mario Mafai and Antonietta Raphaël—founders of the Scuola Romana—share a story of artistic love and political resilience. Alongside them, Niki Berlinguer offers a tactile, poetic tribute through textiles and tapestries. In the neoclassical charm of Villa Torlonia, every room feels like a letter left behind by someone who dared to imagine a softer world.
Discover more - Villa Torlonia
Vittoriano – Open City 2025: Rome in the Year of the Jubilee (Until 28 September 2025)
Set beneath the colonnades of the Altar of the Fatherland, this exhibition is a journey through sacred Rome—its rituals, pilgrimages, and reinventions. Through photographs, archival footage, and urban plans, Open City 2025 explores how Rome has prepared itself for the Jubilee, and how the city continues to balance solemnity and splendor. The view from the rooftop terrace is, as always, a reminder of why Rome remains a spiritual home for millions.
Discover more - Vittoriano
Museo di Roma in Trastevere – Frigidaire, Freehand, and Tina Modotti (Until mid‑September)
In the heart of Trastevere, this museum feels like a secret haven of bold ideas. Frigidaire dives into the anarchic brilliance of Italy’s underground magazine scene, while Freehand reveals how animated film transformed storytelling in the post-war years. The standout, though, is Tina Modotti—a tribute to the radical photographer, activist, and muse. Together, these exhibitions create a rich, layered portrait of 20th-century resistance, image, and imagination.
Discover more - Museo di Roma in Trastevere
Ara Pacis Museum – Franco Fontana: Colore e Spazio (Until 31 August 2025)
Franco Fontana’s retrospective at the Ara Pacis is a celebration of line, hue, and silence. Over 200 works—landscapes, cities, nudes, and fashion—reveal his unmistakable mastery of color as a language of structure. Fontana’s camera doesn’t just capture space; it builds it, offering a visual rhythm that feels both architectural and musical. Set against the serene altar of Augustus, this show reminds us of Rome’s dual identity: classical and ever-modern.
Discover more - Ara Pacis Museum
Fondazione Memmo – Soft You by Anthea Hamilton (Until 2 November 2025)
British artist Anthea Hamilton reimagines Shakespeare’s Othello through scent, texture, and form in this multisensory installation. Using velvet, marble, clay, and botanical elements, Soft You becomes a stage where vulnerability and alienation are tangible. Hamilton has described the work as an “emotional theatre,” and indeed it feels like entering a dream built from memory and metaphor. The experience lingers like a whispered poem.
Discover more - Fondazione Memmo
Baths of Caracalla – Specchio d’Acqua (New Permanent Installation)
While not a formal exhibition, the recent addition of Specchio d’Acqua—a vast reflecting pool at the Baths of Caracalla—deserves mention. It magnifies the grandeur of the ruins, doubling the arches and columns in silent water. At sunset, when performances are held or when silence reigns, the space feels like a modern temple to stillness, inviting both wonder and reflection.
Discover more - Baths of Caracalla
Concierge Tips
Looking to skip the lines or book a private visit? Our team at Rome Luxury Suites would be delighted to arrange a tailor-made art itinerary for your stay. From chauffeur services to exclusive gallery tours and after-hours access, we make sure your Roman holiday is filled with cultural beauty—and none of the queues.
Rome is one of the most important art cities in the world and for centuries has been welcoming artists to adorn its walls, ceilings, churches and palaces.
It’s the most magical season of the year… the city becomes less crowded and the crisp air fuses with the soft lights to create a unique festive atmosphere. Cafés, holiday lights, warm meals, and festive magic create the perfect stage for winter in Rome.
What to Eat
Winter in Rome is a season for comfort and depth. Try Coda alla Vaccinara, the Roman-style oxtail stew slowly simmered with tomato, celery, and cloves—served at traditional trattorias in Trastevere. Crisp and bitter puntarella greens, dressed with anchovy vinaigrette, are available only a few weeks - order them at our restaurant near the Spanish Steps, Da Mariolino. Sweeten things up with artisanal panettone from Regoli or Roscioli, especially the pistachio-filled versions. At Emme, our garden restaurant, warm up with Medaglione di Agnello—braised lamb shank in bell pepper cream, served with red chard.
What to Do
Browse Christmas markets in Piazza Navona for handmade gifts, mulled wine, and whimsical carousels. Glide across the ice rink at Castel Sant’Angelo, the fortress aglow with twinkle lights. For the faithful (or the simply curious), Midnight Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica is transcendent. On January 6th, celebrate the Epiphany with parades and costumed revelers at the Befana market.
What to See
Rome’s churches are filled with elaborate nativity scenes. Don’t miss the life-sized display in St. Peter’s Square, or the handmade crèche in Santa Maria in Aracoeli on the Capitoline Hill. For a more intimate encounter, step into Sant’Eustachio near Piazza Navona. Quiet piazzas like Piazza Mattei or Piazza dei Mercanti glow under lantern light.
Concierge Tip
We can secure a private visit to the Vatican Museums after-hours, or front-row seats at an Epiphany concert in a candlelit basilica.