Campo Marzio

Campo Marzio, which means Field of Mars (yes, there's one in Paris too), is a district of Rome, and it takes its name from the altar dedicated to the god Mars that stood here in antiquity.

Today, Campo Marzio is Rione IV and one of the 22 neighborhoods of Rome, one of the most charming corners of the Eternal City. Here's what to see and where to stay in Campo Marzio.

Where to stay in Campo Marzio

On the one hand, Rome's Campo Marzio is one of the most exclusive areas in the city, home to the world's most famous luxury labels.

Naturally, the price of a hotel in Rome in this neighborhood will be a little higher, but on the other hand this is a very central, lively area close to the main monuments of Rome, and that unfortunately pushes the average room rate up a bit. If the glamour of the historic center appeals to you, the hotels on Via Veneto are an excellent option right on the edge of Campo Marzio.

What to see in Campo Marzio

Campo Marzio sits between the river and the hills, and many locals consider it the true center of Rome. In fact, this neighborhood holds many of the highlights of what to see in Rome.

Many of the old buildings here house shops of one kind or another, and on weekends the streets are usually packed.

The area is full of high-fashion boutiques and big names from the world of design. It's one of the most popular places to go shopping in Rome.

Villa Borghese

Although it officially belongs to the Pinciano district, Rome's great park, Villa Borghese, is one of the main points of interest right next to Campo Marzio and a perfect stop if you're traveling to Rome with kids. It's the green lung of Rome and its most central park.

Beyond strolling and switching off among fountains, sculptures and ponds, Villa Borghese is home to one of the city's major museums, the Borghese Gallery, and to one of its best viewpoints, the Pincio Terrace.

Piazza del Popolo

Piazza del Popolo is one of the most important spots in central Rome. The huge square is home to the Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo, which holds works by Raphael, Bernini and Caravaggio, and to the «twin churches» of Santa Maria in Montesanto and Santa Maria dei Miracoli.

This is the starting point of the so-called «Trident of Rome», an urban plan carried out between the 15th and 17th centuries that reorganized three streets running south from the square in the shape of a trident. Three hugely important Roman streets came out of it:

Via del Corso

It runs through the heart of Campo Marzio and connects with Piazza Venezia. Along Via del Corso you'll find plenty of shops and places to eat, as well as monuments such as the Colonna di Marco Aurelio, the Tempio di Adriano and the Doria Pamphilj Palace.

Via di Ripetta

This street, part of Rome's layout since the 1st century, heads toward the Tiber. It takes you to sights such as the Mausoleum of Augustus and the Ara Pacis Museum, the marble altar of the emperor Augustus. It links up with Via del Clementino, very close to Piazza Navona and the Pantheon in Rome.

Via del Babuino

Via del Babuino links Piazza del Popolo with the Spanish Steps (Piazza di Spagna), one of Rome's biggest draws. Along the way you'll come across monuments and curiosities such as the Babuino Fountain (one of Rome's six talking statues) and the church of Sant'Atanasio.

Curiously, this street has been twinned with New York's Madison Avenue since October 2002.

The Spanish Steps (Piazza di Spagna)

Rome's Campo Marzio neighborhood is home to the beautiful Spanish Steps (Piazza di Spagna), a lively meeting point for tourists and locals alike. You'll also find plenty of restaurants and trattorias.

How to get there

Spagna metro station