New Year’s Eve: 5 panoramic views to enjoy Rome’s fireworks

New Year’s Eve is upon us and as you know if you’ve already visited (or even if you haven’t, since their reputation is well-known worldwide!), Rome is a haven for fireworks lovers!

A rough estimate: 99.9% of the city celebrations include those colourful displays, and watching them go off is a wonderful experience if for no other reason than they explode over Rome’s most known landmarks and attractions.

What you need at this time, though, is a good enough vantage point: that’s because just a small part of the fireworks displays for New Year’s Eve are set up by the city administration. Most of them, in reality, are set up by clubs, restaurants or other similar establishments, as well as by private citizens!

This multitude of illuminations is what makes the night truly magical, so in the spirit of making the most of this fabulous show, here are some panoramic views you can reach with little to no effort that will really help you enjoy the arrival of the New Year!

Giardino degli Aranci – the Orange Garden

A favourite among tourists and locals alike, tucked on top of the Aventine Hill (not far from our managed accommodation at Via Annia Faustina.

If it were any other night it would be already closed, but for the city’s sponsored New Year’s Eve celebrations, it will be used as a backdrop for many of the events, which include concerts in the Circus Maximus, dance performances and more shows. Make sure you check it out!

Terrazza del Gianicolo – The terrace on the Janiculum Hill

Look for the statue of a horse-riding Giuseppe Garibaldi above Trastevere, and make your way there: it’s one of the best views on the whole of the city!

Don’t worry about safety walking uphill (or, more generally, walking at night in Rome), as plenty of people will have had the same idea as you!

Terrazza del Pincio – The terrace on the Pincio Hill, Villa Borghese park

Possibly Rome’s best known vantage point, it’s going to be used for more performances during the evening and night of New Year’s Eve.

Expect it to be packed: due to its proximity to subway stops and the center of the city, it will be a destination for many of the visitors celebrating 2020!

Monte Mario/ Lo Zodiaco

If you have access to a car and don’t mind getting out of the city center, reach Rome’s highest hill and enjoy a view like no other!

Beautiful hairpin bends as you get to the top of Monte Mario give you plenty of opportunities to just stop on the side of the road and take in the breathtaking scenery, but if you’d like to have a proper destination, make your way to the Parco Mellini/Mellini Park and to the restaurant there who gave its name to this panoramic view: Lo Zodiaco (“the Zodiac”).

Keep in mind that you might have trouble parking your car here: many other people will be converging on this beautiful terrace on New Year’s Eve. However the views more than make up for the hassle of finding a spot for your four-wheeler!

Campidoglio/ Via del Monte Tarpeo – Capitoline Hill

If you’re in the city center and looking for a quiet(er) spot on New Year’s Eve, try to make your way to the back of Palazzo Senatorio, which houses the city offices. Standing opposite the stairs to Piazza del Campidoglio, simply look for an alley to your right that goes behind it. It’s called “Via del Monte Tarpeo“.

Explaining where it is makes us feel a little silly, too: no doubt you will be familiar with it and its sweeping views of the Roman Forum!

Just to set your expectations, no place is really secluded on New Year’s Eve, but if you don’t mind the company, you will enjoy this location immensely!