Rome - Cafe Greco, Piazza di Spagna and Spanish Steps

Leave the first response January 5, 2010 / Posted in Food & Wine, Travel

Mai (left) in front of Spanish Steps at Piazza di Spagna

Cafe Greco

After shopping till you drop in Rome’s famous high end designer shops of Via Condotti, you should take a break by having a glass of espresso at Cafe Greco. I found out that the Italians do not drink Capuccinos after 10:30 am but in Cafe Greco, which caters to thousands of tourists, you will not be laughed at for ordering after this time. Cafe Greco is just as popular with the locals because of its interesting and nice art deco decor. You can save 1 or 2 euros by having your coffee standing in front of the coffee bar. However, I preferred to sit down late lunch and afternoon tea so I can absorb the atmosphere.

Piazza di Spagna & Spanish Steps

Leaving Cafe Greco towards Piazza di Spagna (passing Gucci and Louis Vuitton) and at the end of Via Condotti, you will see rows of steps with lots of people sitting on them. This is usually a meeting point for lots of locals and tourists alike, hence attracting pick pockets so make sure you are especially careful with your belongings.

The Spanish Steps once hosted a runway catwalk for a fashion show. The name ‘Spanish’ is because of the Spanish Embassy nearby.

There’s a boat-shaped fountain of the Bracaccia believed to be by Pietro Bernini, father of the famous Gian Lorenzo.