I know, Rome has much more on offer than just this lengthy piazza that used to see chariot races in the old days. But still, once you’ve seen a couple of Rome’s most important landmarks you may as well sit down, watch the world go by and enjoy Italian style urban scenery on just this very square.
During winter months it’s not so busy and you can deep dive into the details of a Roman day on Piazza Navona. You may start off your day at a typical pasticceria like the one below.
What the photograph doesn’t convey: The smell is phenomenal even out on the street and entices you to go in and try the different pastries and a coffee.
When you first make it to Piazza Navona you will notice the peculiar atmosphere of this square with its unusual non-square dimensions that make you feel like in a huge pedestrian zone. And yet, if you don’t feel like walking, you could as well take one of the carriages that you will find on most monument sites such as the Spanish Stair, the Pantheon, the Colosseum, etc. Except for the Trevi fountain. It’s too busy even during the winter low season.
In terms of architecture the square is dominated by Sant’Agnese in Agone and its majestic cupola. The adjacent rooms are illuminated at night thus offering a warm impression of their interior grandeur.
On one side of Piazza Navona you get the usual actors performing as (almost) motionless statues.
On the other end you’ll find hordes of painters and artists promoting their art work, emphatic singer Alessandro Chisari among others.
And as we all admit, there are much more topics to talk about in Italy than anywhere else in the world with everyone seemingly talking to everybody.
Restaurants
Towards lunch time you’ll obviously get hungry from digesting so many impressions. Piazza Navona offers different lunch and dining options ranging from the coffee shop at the corner to the noble white table covers of Dolce Vita. The waiters will try to lure you into their place by offering funny comments and a compelling smile.
Direttore Michele Caporale and his team from the Dolce Vita restaurant pose proudly shortly before noon.
This time around I decided to opt for the down to earth look of the Ristorante Panzirone and I didn’t regret it. The saltimbocca tasted very good and the waiters were great!
And mind you, it may only have been a nice sunny day in February yet I felt pretty hot out in the patio albeit wearing just a t-shirt. A black one, though…
Hotel
There’s also an excellent option to actually staying at Piazza Navona, i.e. the hotel Navona Luxury Suites. Its entrance is on the opposite side, on Corso Rinascimento and you will almost certainly miss it at your first attempt to find it since the hotel isn’t allowed any signs due to the historical nature of the building.
It’s a small and simple hotel with tiny corridors but the rooms feature stylish design by renowned architetto Danilo Maglio.
If you are lucky enough to book the suite you will not only enjoy a whirlpool and sauna in your room but also an excellent view on Piazza Navona from your private balcony.
What a day! Grazie mille!
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Check out navonasquare.com if you care for further updates on Piazza Navona.
And consider www.darkrome.com if you’re looking for semi-private guided tours.
I became aware of their service only after I left, hence this is not a personal recommendation, but their tours look convincing…
