Explore Rome Like Audrey Hepburn: A Roman Holiday Travel Guide
Reel Places Series
Welcome to “Reel Places“, a blog post series where I create an aesthetic travel guide that makes you feel like you’ve been dropped into your favorite film. In this guide, I’ll be taking you on a timeless adventure through Italy’s Eternal City with Roman Holiday.
Imagine winding through the cobblestone streets of Rome on a Vespa, the wind in your hair, just like Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck. This guide will take you through the Eternal City with a touch of Hepburn’s elegance and Peck’s wit, highlighting locations from the iconic film alongside other charming spots. From sipping espresso in sunlit piazzas to uncovering hidden corners perfect for your own Roman escapade, I’ll show you how to discover the city in this Roman Holiday travel guide:
Where To Stay
To start your pristine Roman Holiday getaway, you’ll either want an accommodation that feels like a classic, yet opulent enough stay for Princess Anne (Audrey Hepburn) or a charming and nondescript abode perfect enough for newsman Joe Bradley (Gregory Peck).
Hotels
The Hassler Hotel – $$$$$
- Audrey Hepburn stayed in a penthouse suite here during filming!
Rome Luxury Suites – $$$$
- Located on the same street as Joe Bradley’s apartment in the film
Hotel Canada – $-$$
What To See
Palazzo Barberini
To kick off your Roman Holiday-inspired trip, head to Palazzo Barberini, a 17th century palace housing the Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Antica, which is the main collection of older paintings in the city. Here, you can view works from masters including Raphael, Caravaggio and Bernini. What’s more, the palace was built in the Baroque style and hosts a picturesque Piazza and two famous fountains, the Triton Fountain and Fontana Delle API.
Perhaps this is why the exterior was chosen to represent Princess Anne’s (Audrey Hepburn’s) embassy. It’s here that Princess Anne hides in the back of a departing party supply truck, making her grand escape from the gates of her embassy and from her royal duties.
The Roman Forum
The Arch of Septimus Severus and the Temple of Saturn are located at the northwest end of the Roman Forum.
In the film, this is where Princess Anne falls asleep on a brick bench, just in front of the Arch and Temple, ultimately leading her to Joe Bradley (Gregory Peck) and her grand Roman Holiday adventure.
Via Margutta
Via Margutta is a small street near Piazza del Popolo in Rome’s Campio Marzio neighorhood. In Roman Holiday, it’s also the location of Joe Bradley’s apartment where he takes Princess Anne to safely rest after finding her sleeping on a bench inside the Roman Forum.
Secret Tip
Joe’s address is at Via Margutta 51. Although it’s not quite possible to see his apartment from the street, you can still find your own place to stay on Via Margutta just like Princess Anne on your own adventure through the eternal city.
Spanish Steps
The Spanish Steps, the impressive staircase linking the Piazza di Spagna to Santissima Trinità dei Monti, is another amazing place to explore. Built in 1723–26, it is one of Rome’s great public urban staircases from the first half of the 18th century.
It was along one of the terraces here that Audrey Hepburn sat and enjoyed some gelato while Gregory Peck convinced her to “live dangerously” and to “take the whole day” to do something she always wanted to.
While visitors are no longer allowed to sit on the staircase like Hepburn had, the Spanish Steps are still a perfect location to walk around and take in your surroundings while enjoying gelato.
Piazza Venezia
As one of Rome’s central hubs, Piazza Venezia makes a few memorable appearances in Roman Holiday. First it appears during the film’s opening credits and again with the Altar of the Fatherland after the Colosseum scene.
Joe and Anne pause briefly here, before Anne eventually speeds off on the Vespa solo. Joe quickly gives chase, and the two are soon seen riding down Via del Plebiscito, passing Chiesa del Gesù, while Irvin, Joe’s photographer friend, trails behind in a car.
The Pantheon
While it wasn’t expressly visited in the film, Roman Holiday‘s cafe scene was filmed on the right side of the Pantheon, in Piazza della Rotonda. It was here that Princess Anne and Joe Bradley meet Irving Radovich for drinks. I like to imagine that Anne and Joe at least stopped by for a quick look inside the ancient Roman monument during their adventure throughout town.
Secret Tip
While the cafe from the film is now a fashion shop, but there are other cafes nearby, including Tazza d’Oro.
Trevi Fountain
One of Rome’s most iconic locations, the Trevi Fountain, is an 18th century Baroque masterpiece designed by Italian architect, Nicola Salvi. It marks the final point of Aqua Virgo, one of the earliest aqueducts in Rome and features sculptures of various mythological figures such as winged horses and sea nymphs.
In Roman Holiday, Audrey Hepburn can be seen admiring the famous fountain before popping into a nearby barbershop for her iconic haircut from the film.
Secret Tips
Don’t forget to throw a coin into the fountain with your right hand over your left shoulder. Legend has it that doing so will ensure you return to Rome.
The fountain can be crowded, especially between 12–7 PM. To avoid crowds, you can try visiting in the morning or late evening.
Mouth of Truth
Just a short stroll from Rome’s enchanting Trastevere neighborhood, is the legendary Bocca della Verità, or Mouth of Truth. This iconic sculpture is where Gregory Peck slyly hid his hand up his sleeve, pretending to lose it, and gave Audrey Hepburn an unscripted, genuine fright (yes, her reaction was real!).
Unfamiliar with the Mouth of Truth? According to legend, it bites off the hands of liars bold enough to test their honesty by placing their fingers in its mouth.
Castel Sant Angelo
Castel Sant Angelo is a 2nd century castle located. inthe heart of Rome, and just outside of Vatican City. Built as the Mausoleum for the Roman Emperor Hadrian, it’s been used as a fortress, castle and museum over the course of its almost 2000 year history.
In Roman Holiday, it was also used as the backdrop for Anne and Joe’s river cruise after a full day of sightseeing. While on a Tiber River boat just outside the castle, they share a dance, but their moment is quickly interrupted when two police officers spot the missing princess.
To try and blend in, Anne dances with the same barber who cut her hair and invited her earlier on in the film. However, with the arrival of even more officers, Anne and Joe are forced them to flee, jumping into the Tiber to evade the officers.
Palazzo Colonna
Palazzo Colonna, a historic Italian palace dating back to the 14th century, is renowned for its opulent Galleria Colonna, a grand Baroque hall adorned with gilded mirrors, frescoed ceilings, and masterpieces by artists such as Guercino and Veronese.
It is one of the palaces that served as Princess Anne’s embassy in the film. It’s Galleria Colonna is featured at the very end, as the location of the press conference when Anne discovers the true identity of Joe and Irving.
You can explore the Palazzo Colonna, including its stunning Grand Hall, during its public opening hours every Saturday from 9:00 AM to 1:15 PM (last entry).
Guided tours are available on Fridays, and private tours can be arranged Monday through Friday for a more tailored experience.
The Colosseum
Completed in 80 AD under Emperor Titus, the Colosseum, could hold up to 50,000 spectators who gathered to witness gladiatorial combats, mock naval battles, and public executions. Its intricate system of underground tunnels, called the hypogeum, once housed animals and fighters before they emerged onto the massive arena floor.
On their day about town in Roman Holiday, Anne and Joe arrive at the Colosseum on a vespa and then enjoy a private tour inside with Irving.
Vespa Tour
Less of a sight and more of an activity, a vespa tour throughout the Eternal City is a must on your Roman Holiday adventure! If you’re looking for an easy way to knock out multiple filming locations or for a quick way to dodge the city’s traffic, travel like Princess Anne and Joe Bradley on the back of a vespa.
Secret Tip
Looking for a reputable vespa tour operator? I had a wonderful time touring the city with Alexander at Bici Baci.
Where To Eat
Would any trip to Rome be complete without indulging in the city’s finest Italian cuisine? Here are the restaurants that serve delicious dishes, provide al fresco dining and are reminiscent of that vintage Roman Holiday style:
Giolitti – Gelateria
- The gelato shop that served Audrey Hepburn her ice cream cone in Roman Holiday!
Della Palma – Gelateria
- A allergy-friendly gelato shop with 150 flavors, from vegan chocolate to teal-colored basil (a sure sign that no additives have been used)!
Ristorante Pecorino – A traditional Roman restaurant that feels like a step back-in-time
Salotto42– Cocktail Bar
Terrazza Borromini – Sophisticated Italian dishes with a view over Piazza Navona!
Trattoria da Enzo al 29 – Classic Roman cuisine and atmosphere in the heart of the romantic Trastevere neighborhood
