When you come to Rome, you’re stepping into a living tapestry woven from centuries of history, culture, and urban legend. What truly shapes the Eternal City isn’t only the monuments or piazzas, but its unique natural layout: the Seven Hills of Rome. These legendary hills gave the city its beginnings, influenced its culture, and still leave a mark on every visitor today.
If you’re planning to explore Rome, starting with the Seven Hills is a perfect way to orient yourself in both the past and the present. Whether you’re following ancient myths, searching for unbeatable city views, or wanting a closer look at Roman daily life, this traveler-friendly guide brings you close to the heart of the city. You’ll also find helpful links, like Italy on Foot’s Rome page, so you can plan your walks and get the most out of every climb.
From the Palatine Hill where Rome’s legendary founders took their first steps, to the bustling avenues connecting these historic peaks, this article will help you see and experience the real Rome. You’ll learn where each hill sits, what you can discover on top, and how the city’s ancient geography still shapes things today. Plus, you’ll get practical tips for modern travelers, including metro stations, ticket info, city passes, and the best panoramic spots for every photographer’s dream.
Understanding the Seven Hills of Rome
Rome’s story is full of amazing facts and captivating legends. Long before it became an empire, the land that is now Rome held small communities perched across seven prominent hills, all clustered on the east side of the Tiber River. According to Roman tradition, the city was founded on Palatine Hill by Romulus and Remus on April 21st, 753 BCE. But the hills themselves were settled even earlier: small groups lived separately, often with their own customs and leaders.
Over the centuries, these communities began to connect and share resources. The valleys between the hills, once full of wetlands, were drained to create space for meeting places and bustling markets known as fora. The most famous was the Roman Forum, which lay between the Palatine and Capitoline hills. Rome’s growth continued as its people banded together for community and defense.
By the early 4th century BCE, the city’s leaders saw the need for protection after serious invasions. They built massive stone walls called the Servian Wall, which wrapped around all seven hills, making the city much safer from attacks. This ancient wall still runs in segments you can visit, especially near Termini station.
All seven hillsincluding the Aventine, Caelian, Capitoline, Esquiline, Palatine, Quirinal, and Viminalstill form the heart of Rome’s historic center. Each is home to incredible sites, from imperial palaces and city halls to panoramic gardens and hidden treasures. Walking from one to the next, you’re tracing the original layers of the world’s most famous city.
How the Seven Hills Fit Together
If you want to picture the Seven Hills, remember they all sit on the east side of the Tiber River, packed tightly within the city’s earliest walls. They’re not isolated. Instead, these hilltops rise out of neighborhoods filled with shops, apartments, archaeological parks, fountains, and modern life. Today, Rome’s government, key museums, and special green spaces all sit atop or around these hills. In between, busy streets drop down and climb back up.
What Isn’t Part of the Seven Hills?
There’s some confusion about whether places like the Vatican Hill, Janiculum, or Pincian Hill are counted among the “Seven.” They are not. Vatican Hill, for example, lies across the river to the west and outside the earliest city walls. It’s famous for St. Peter’s Basilica, but not for its role in ancient Roman times.
The Seven Hills of Rome at a Glance
| Hill | Latin/Italian Name | Where It Is | Modern Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aventine | Collis Aventinus / Aventino | West of Circus Maximus | Orange Garden & Keyhole |
| Caelian | Collis Caelius / Celio | South of Colosseum | Santi Giovanni e Paolo, Case Romane |
| Capitoline | Mons Capitolinus / Campidoglio | Between Forum & Campus Martius | City Hall, Capitoline Museums |
| Esquiline | Collis Esquilinus / Esquilino | NE of Colosseum | Domus Aurea, Horti Maecenatis |
| Palatine | Mons Palatinus / Palatino | Above the Forum Romanum | Imperial Palaces, PArCo |
| Quirinal | Collis Quirinalis / Quirinale | North of Forum | Quirinal Palace |
| Viminal | Collis Viminalis / Viminale | By Termini Station | Servian Wall, Baths of Diocletian |
Hill by Hill: What to See on Each of Rome’s Seven Hills
Aventine Hill: Orange Trees and Peaceful Gardens
Aventine Hill sits on the southern edge of Rome’s historic center. In ancient times, this hill was known for its associations with Rome’s common people, the plebeians. Big events tied to political rights and protests took place here, including the famous secessions (when citizens left the city for Aventine as a form of demonstration). Large temples to the Aventine Triad (Ceres, Liber, and Libera) stood here, drawing crowds for religious and social gatherings.
Today, Aventine Hill is a haven for anyone seeking calm and lovely views. The highlight is the Orange Garden (Giardino degli Aranci), a beautiful park filled with fragrant citrus trees and a panoramic terrace overlooking the Tiber and the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica in the distance. Don’t miss the famous keyhole at the Priory of the Knights of Malta. Peep through, and you’ll see St. Peter’s framed perfectly by a tunnel of garden greensa favorite photo spot in Rome. The area is home to early Christian churches and quiet streets perfect for a relaxing stroll after crowded sightseeing elsewhere.
For easy access, take Metro Line B to Circo Massimo, then it’s a short walk up the gentle hill. This makes it simple to combine with a visit to the nearby Circus Maximus or a walk along the Tiber to Trastevere after.
Caelian Hill: Ancient Villas and Green Spaces
Caelian Hill (Celio) lies just south of the Colosseum. In ancient times, it was home to aristocratic families and military barracks. Wealthy Romans built comfortable houses here, taking advantage of the cooler breezes and fine views across to the Palatine. The area also included important army barracks, as the location was strategic for controlling routes that entered the city.
Today, visitors come here for lush parks and to step away from the bustle of central Rome. Two unmissable sights are the Basilica of Santi Giovanni e Paolo, which sits atop an ancient Roman neighborhood called the Case Romane, and Villa Celimontana, a lovely green space perfect for picnics and summer jazz. On the slopes toward Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano, you can find ruins of aqueducts and peaceful lanes lined with umbrella pines.
The easiest way to visit is from the Colosseo Metro stop. From there, stroll south to the leafy hilltop. It’s a great escape when you want Rome’s layersimperial ruins and quiet gardensin one easy walk.
Capitoline Hill: The Heart of Rome’s Power
Capitoline Hill (Campidoglio) is small but mighty. In ancient Rome, this was the city’s citadelthe political and religious heart. The massive Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus stood on the summit, gleaming above all the rest. Almost every major parade, triumph, or civic event passed through this area. It was also here that laws were proclaimed and statues raised in honor of the city’s most famous leaders.
Today, you’ll find Rome’s city hall (Palazzo Senatorio) on this hill, designed atop a grand square laid out by Michelangelo. The Capitoline Museums flank the piazza, offering treasures from Rome’s early history and Renaissance through to the present day. Stand at the terrace behind the museums for one of the best free views over the Roman Forum.
Capitoline Hill is easy to reach by foot from Piazza Venezia or after strolling through the Roman Forum. It’s a short, gentle climb, and you’ll want to linger in the square itselfit’s one of the prettiest civic spaces in Europe. For museum tickets or to plan your stop, book directly on the official Capitoline Museums website: museicapitolini.org.
Esquiline Hill: Art, Archaeology, and Hidden Gardens
Esquiline Hill stretches northeast from the Colosseum and has always been one of the largest and most diverse areas of ancient Rome. The lower slopes near Subura were densely packed with housing and lively city life. But climb higher, and you’ll find traces of vast gardens built by the emperor’s friends, like the magnificent Horti Maecenatis (Maecenas’ gardens) and Horti Lamiani. Deep beneath the surface, archaeologists discovered ancient cemeteries where Rome’s earliest residents were buried.
Today, Esquiline is still full of surprises. You can tour the Domus Aurea, the remains of Emperor Nero’s immense palace, or stroll through Piazza Vittorio to taste Rome’s most multicultural flavors. The Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, one of Rome’s four patriarchal basilicas, stands on one of the summits. It’s a blend of spirituality and archaeology all in one district. For an immersive tour of the Domus Aurea, check the official Colosseum Archaeological Park ticket office.
The best metro stops here are Vittorio Emanuele or Termini, which sits between the Viminal and Esquiline hills.
Palatine Hill: Where Rome Was Born
Of all the hills, Palatine is the one most closely linked to the city’s founding story. Legend says that Romulus started building Rome here after a sign from the gods. What is certain is that this hill quickly became the most exclusive address in the city, with imperial palaces rising layer upon layer above the Forum.
Today, the Palatine is the centerpiece of the Colosseum–Forum–Palatine Archaeological Park. You can explore crumbled emperors’ residences, walk ancient footpaths, and stand where big decisions were made that shaped the Roman world. It’s a powerful experience to stand among wildflowers and pine trees, looking down on both the Roman Forum and the Circus Maximus below.
Entry to the archaeological site is included with a Colosseum–Forum–Palatine ticket. Always book your entry from the official site at colosseo.it for smooth, secure access.
Quirinal Hill: Presidential Palaces and Panoramic Avenues
Towards the north of Rome’s ancient core, Quirinal Hill played a key role in the religious and political life of the city. In ancient times, it was known for its temple dedicated to Quirinus, a protective deity of the early state. Later, it became an address for notable villas and elaborate gardens.
Modern visitors might know Quirinal Hill as the site of the Quirinale Palace, now the official residence of the President of Italy. You can tour its sumptuous staterooms and wander past beautiful gardens if you book in advance through the official palace site (palazzo.quirinale.it).
This hill is also a great spot for strolling along smart Via del Quirinale or cutting across to the bustling Via Nazionale. For public transport, the closest metro stops are Barberini or Repubblica, followed by a short uphill walk.
Viminal Hill: Ancient Walls and Modern Transport
Viminal Hill may be the smallest of the seven, but it remains essential to Rome’s urban plan. In antiquity, its position was important for monitoring key roads coming into the city. Today, Roma Terminithe city’s central train stationspans the gentle saddle between Viminal and Esquiline. To the hill’s north, you’ll find the huge Baths of Diocletian, which are now part of the National Roman Museum.
If you want to see the city’s ancient defenses, don’t skip the obvious remains of the Servian Wall just outside Piazza dei Cinquecento, near Termini’s entrance. For travelers arriving or leaving by rail, you’re already standing on history.
Closest metro stops are Termini (for direct access) and Repubblica if you’re coming from the west.
Don’t Mix Them Up: What Is NOT One of the Seven Hills
- Vatican Hill (west of the Tiber; site of St. Peter’s)
- Janiculum (across from Trastevere)
- Pincian Hill (above Piazza del Popolo)
These are outside Rome’s ancient city core. They’re worth visiting, but they aren’t counted in the legendary Seven Hills of Rome.
Practical Tips for Exploring the Seven Hills
Tickets, Official Passes, and Entry
- To see Palatine Hill (and the Forum & Colosseum), book through the official Parco archeologico del Colosseo at colosseo.it.
- For Capitoline Museums, secure your timed entry at museicapitolini.org.
- Interested in a tour of the presidential Quirinale Palace? Reserve directly at palazzo.quirinale.it.
Getting Around: Metro Stops for Each Hill
- Colosseo (Line B): Easiest for Palatine and Caelian hills
- Circo Massimo (Line B): Aventine Hill
- Termini / Repubblica (Lines A & B): Viminal and Esquiline hills, near Baths of Diocletian
- Barberini: Walk uphill to Quirinal
Photo Spots with Unbeatable Views
- Capitoline Terrace: Overlooks the Roman Forum
- Aventine’s Orange Garden: Sweeping views to St. Peter’s
- Palatine Hill: Majestic panoramas of the Circus Maximus and the city
Touch the Ancient Walls
To get a real feel for Rome’s ancient defenses, visit a preserved stretch of the Servian Wall near Piazza dei Cinquecento, right outside Termini.
It’s nearly impossible to walk through Rome and not encounter the Seven Hills. Their slopes form the framework of the city’s most iconic neighborhoods and direct the flow of streets, stairways, and stories. On each hill, you can touch traces of Rome’s first days, climb up to cool gardens, or stand in the footsteps of emperors and rebels alike.
Each hill has its own personality, not just in ancient tales but in what you’ll find there nowfrom lively markets and cafes to places of quiet reflection. They remain at the center of local life and make for some of the richest walking tours imaginable. To explore them is to get a deeper sense of why Rome feels so alive, no matter how many centuries have passed.
Ready to visit? Lace up your shoes, explore each summit, and let Rome’s legendary seven hills guide your city adventure!